XAT Previous Year Question Paper: Download in PDF Format (No Sign - UP Needed)
For admission to MBA and PGDM program at more than 160 Indian universities, the Xavier Aptitude Test, a national exam, is administered. XIMB Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, and XLRI Jamshedpur are some of the major business schools that accept the XAT Score.
XAT 2026 Exam will be of three hours on First Sunday of January 2026, Sunday and registrations have started in Mid July 2025. Candidates will be able to download the XAT admit card in November from the official website. The exam duration is 3 hours (180 minutes) in a single slot. Candidates who wish to appear for the XAT Exam should register before last week of November 2025.
Based on the notification, there are certain changes to the XAT exam pattern or structure. As per the new XAT Exam pattern the General Knowledge section will now comprise 20 questions, reduced from 25. As per the changes the total examination time is reduced to 180 minutes from 190 minutes.
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of the most prestigious entrance exams in India, known for its ability to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for management programs. With XAT 2026 approaching on January 2026, the need for effective preparation is more crucial than ever. One of the best ways to prepare is by going through XAT Previous Year Question Papers. They help familiarize you with the exam pattern, question types, and time management techniques.
Henceforth, we’ll discuss the key aspects of XAT 2026, share changes in the exam format, and offer insights into how you can leverage past papers for a successful outcome.
Table of Contents:
Introduction to XAT
The
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT)
is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by XLRI Jamshedpur for admissions to its MBA and PGDM programs. Additionally, more than 160 B-schools in India accept XAT scores. XAT Exam is renowned for testing students over a broad spectrum of skills which includes decision-making, logical reasoning, verbal ability, and general knowledge.
XAT has updated the Exam format for 2025,
therefore students must adapt and get used to the new pattern to maximize their XAT score.
XAT 2025 Exam Structure
XAT 2025 had around 95 questions; and the candidates appearing for
XAT 2025 were given 180 minutes to solve the paper. The paper will be divided in two parts;
Part I
(VA & LR; DM and QA & DI) which had 170 minutes to solve & Part II (GK) had 10 minutes.
Here's a breakdown of the test structure:
Sections | Number of Questions | Question Types |
---|---|---|
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR) | 26 | Critical reasoning, reading comprehension (poetry, passages), vocabulary, and cloze tests. |
Decision Making (DM) | 21 | Scenario-based questions requiring critical thinking and problem-solving skills. |
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | Application-oriented questions on data interpretation, summarization, and analytical problem-solving. |
Part 2: General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | Static GK (8 questions) and current affairs (12 questions). |
In the XAT Exam 2025 there was only overall time limits, there were no sectional time limits.
XAT Official Previous Year Question Paper Year Wise:
Having east access to original previous year papers of XAT plays a crucial role in preparation for the exam, we have compiled
Previous Year Question Paper of XAT
from year
2011 to 2025
that you can download directly. These PDFs are completely free, and there's no signup required. Download
year-wise XAT Previous Year Question Papers
below:
Why Solving Previous Year XAT Papers is Crucial
Solving XAT previous year question papers is an essential part of exam preparation. These papers allow candidates to understand the nature of the questions, difficulty level, and pattern, which is vital for effective preparation.
Conclusion
XAT previous year question papers are a goldmine for aspirants. By incorporating them into your study plan, you stand a better chance of cracking the exam with confidence. Keep practicing, stay focused, and aim to learn from each mistake you make during preparation. Make the most of the next few months and remember – success comes to those who prepare smartly.
Frequently asked Questions:
Ideally, solve at least the past 5 years’ papers to get a good sense of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
XAT papers usually maintain a moderate to high difficulty level, although the specific sections may vary year to year.
While solving past papers is a crucial part of preparation, it should be combined with thorough conceptual understanding and mock tests for best results.
Start your XAT 2025 exam preparation with a Free XAT Mock Test at Prishth. The Prishth XAT test series 2025 is the result of in-depth analysis of candidate demands, exam format, and current question trends. There are four sections on the XAT Exam, and each one necessitates a solid grasp of the material, solid memorization, and consistent practice. Continuous practice of the questions in the XAT online mock test helps students remember and retain information. The XAT mock test also aids in increasing the accuracy of question-solving abilities.
The XAT sample test offers an exam-like setting and methodically goes over the entire curriculum. Although the XAT exam does not have a subsection timer, it is still vital to plan ahead for how to approach the paper for the best efficiency and score. The XAT Test Series aids in time management improvement and helps you arrange your series of attempts. Try a free XAT practice exam to see where you stand in your preparation and make changes as necessary.