XAT 2027 exam on January 3: GK section reduced to 20 questions

XLRI Jamshedpur is set to conduct the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2027 in early January 2027. The national-level computer-based MBA entrance examination is tentatively scheduled for January 3, 2027, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

XAT scores are utilised for admission to 11 XAMI member institutes and over 150 associate B-schools across the country. The examination evaluates not only aptitude but also decision-making ability, ethical judgment, and structured thinking, distinguishing it from other MBA entrance exams like CAT.

XAT 2027 Exam Structure and Key Changes

The XAT 2027 examination will be a 180-minute test comprising two parts with a total of 95 questions. This marks a reduction in total exam time from the previous 210 minutes. Part 1 of the exam is allotted 170 minutes for 75 questions across three sections: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QADI).

Part 2 consists of 20 multiple-choice questions on General Knowledge (GK), to be completed in 10 minutes. Notably, the number of GK questions was reduced from 25 until 2025 to 20 in 2026. The Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) section has also been removed from the exam format and is now integrated with the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) stages of the selection process. Candidates are permitted to switch between sections during the exam.

Marking Scheme and Gk Section Importance

The XAT 2027 marking scheme includes +1 mark for each correct answer in Part 1, with a deduction of -0.25 marks for incorrect answers. For un-attempted questions beyond 8 allowed skips in Part 1, a deduction of -0.10 marks each will be applied. There will be no negative marking in the General Knowledge section (Part 2).

While the GK section score does not affect the overall percentile, it plays a role in XLRI Jamshedpur’s final selection process. The XAT GK section is divided into Static GK and Current Affairs. Historical data indicates a fluctuating weightage between these two components, with Current Affairs generally holding a higher proportion in recent years.

Key Dates for XAT 2027 Aspirants

Prospective candidates for XAT 2027 should note the tentative timeline for the examination process. Registration is expected to commence in July/August 2026 and conclude by December 6, 2026. Admit cards are anticipated to be released in late December 2026, with the answer key in the last week of January 2027. The results are projected for late January or early February 2027.

Further reading

• MMS 2026: Apply for admission with CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/ATMA/MAH-CET scores
• XAT 2027: Register by July 15 for Jan 4 exam
• XAT application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• CAT 2026: Download admit card Nov 4; exam is Nov 29
• SP Jain MBA admission 2027 applications open: register by November 27 Applications open
• XAT: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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