XAT Exam Syllabus 2026 – Section-Wise Topics & Pattern

If you are planning to crack the XAT 2026, learning the syllabus is the initial step towards framing an effective preparation plan. XAT is an exam provided by XLRI Jamshedpur, which includes four major sections, i.e., Decision-making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. Although some of the parts, such as Qualitative Aptitude, find their existence in other MBA examinations, Decision Making is all exclusive to the XAT exam, and the student is expected to evaluate business situations with care. 

Even though General Knowledge does not affect XAT score, it directly affects the process of shortlisting you by the PI. This guide will explore the XAT 2026 syllabus in detail, point out some of the critical topics, and present the best resources you can use to prepare to take the XAT exam. This post will put you on the right path, whether you are a first-time test-taker or you want to increase your score.

Section-Wise XAT Syllabus 2026

The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation syllabus covers many topics including: Percentage, Profit and Loss, Probability, Ratios, Basic Algebra, Data Interpretation topics like Tables, Caselets, Graphs, Pie charts, Bar Diagrams, Venn Diagrams, Geometry, Trigonometry, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, Simple and Compound Interest, Mensuration.... The key to getting good marks in this section is to work through all the topics.

Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation
Percentage	Tables and Caselets	Linear and Quadratic Equations
Profit and Loss	Probability	Surds and Indices
Ratio and Proportion	Critical Path	Inequalities
Graphs	Pie Charts	Data Analysis
Data Tables	Data Charts	Bar Diagrams
Pure Maths	Venn Diagram	Trigonometry
LCM and HCF	Simple and Compound Interest	Geometry
Time, Speed, and Distance	Algebra	Mensuration
Time and Work	Alligations and Mixtures	Numbers
Variation	Averages and Partnerships

The syllabus is also comprised of valuable content, which contains Fill in the Blanks, Reading Comprehension, and Jumbled Paragraphs in Verbal and Logical Ability. You will also find that you will have to bear in mind Antonyms and Synonyms, proper use of words, and how not to make mistakes in sentences. The other important sections include Sentence and Paragraph Completion, which assist in enhancing your performance in the understanding and application of English in the exam.

Syllabus for Verbal and Logical Ability
Fill in the Blanks	Reading Comprehension	Jumbled Paragraphs
Antonyms/Synonyms	Contextual Usage of Vocabulary	Correction of Errors in a Sentence
Word Usage	Sentence Completion	Paragraph Completion

The syllabus on Decision Making aims at training you to develop your skills in analytical thinking and logic. It covers such issues as Complex and Data Arrangements, Caselets, Conditions and Grouping, and Situations and Assumptions awareness. This part is aimed at testing how you can make smart decisions depending on the situation.

Syllabus for Decision Making
Analytical Reasoning	Logical Reasoning	Complex Arrangement
Data Arrangement	Caselets	Conditions and Grouping
Situations	Assumptions	Decision Making

The syllabus of the General Knowledge includes a wide range of information, current affairs, awards and their winners, significant events in the world, and the Constitution of India. There is also information regarding well-known personalities, government, economy, business, and politics, and some of the GK information that is static, such as history and geography.

Syllabus for General Knowledge
Awards and winners	Current Affairs	World Events
Constitution of India	Personalities	Government and Economy
Business and Politics	Static GK	History and Geography

Best Books for XAT 2026 Preparation

Are you preparing yourself to appear in the XAT exam this year? Then this is a list of books that you can use to study for the exam. Math and data, RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma, and Nishit K Sinha. MK Pandey and Arihant Publications are good choices to develop your reasoning capacity. RK Jha and Disha publications come in handy as far as past papers and practice tests are concerned. As regards English and verbal skills, you can make use of such great books as Norman Lewis, Wren & Martin, and Ajay Singh to improve your vocabulary and grammar.

Book Title	Author
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	RS Aggarwal
How to prepare for Data Interpretation	Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	Abhijit Guha
Data Interpretation for the CAT	Nishit K Sinha
Jobbing the XAT (With Solved papers)	RK Jha
Analytical and Logical Reasoning	Arihant Publications
Target XAT (Past Papers and Mock Test)	Disha Publication
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
Analytical Reasoning	MK Pandey
A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning	RS Aggarwal
High School English Grammar and Composition	Wren & Martin
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	Ajay Singh

If you want to improve your General Knowledge (GK), reading newspapers and educational magazines is one of the best ways to do it. They help you stay updated with current events and important facts. Here are some great newspapers and magazines that can help you build strong GK for your exam preparation.

For General Knowledge
The Economic Times	Financial Express
Business Today	Wall Street Journal

XAT 2026 Exam Pattern

XAT 2026 will include 95 multiple-choice questions, and it is a 180-minute-long examination. The exam will be divided into two parts. Part one has three sections. There are 26 questions in the Verbal and Logical Ability section. The decision-making section contains 21 questions. The Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation part has 28 questions.

The second section of the exam is the General Knowledge part, and there are 20 questions there as well. The exam has negative marking. Points will be deducted in case of a wrong answer (a penalty of 0.25 points per answer). In case a candidate misses an amount exceeding 8 questions, then a penalty of 0.1 marks shall be considered for every question missed.

This year, Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) will not be included in the main exam. Rather, it will be a part of the Group discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) process of shortlisted candidates. Every correct response on the test will have a mark of 1.

Alternative Options

Alternatively, many online universities are gaining positive popularity among students looking for other options for pursuing a higher degree, such as, MBA or PGDM. You can get a fully recognized degree too without getting out of your home from your comfort place. These online degrees are equally recognized as regular ones! One should definitely look for alternative options in order to have backup options. This section will help you gain more insights into online learning. Also, if you do not want to give any entrance or are busy with any work commitment, then the online programs are especially suitable for you. Many great online universities like MAHE Manipal, LPU, Parul online, and many more are your one-stop solution to start your online learning. 

Online MBA

If you are employed and seeking to advance your career while still working, an Online MBA could be an ideal choice for you. An Online MBA is a master’s degree in business that you are able to study completely online. This means you can learn from anywhere in your own time.

There are several universities in India that offer online MBA programs from globally recognized institutions, such as Amity University, Manipal University Jaipur, and Symbiosis. Online MBA programs are typically accredited by various bodies such as the UGC and AICTE, which makes them very valuable in the employment sector.

Top Online MBA Universities	Online MBA (Specialisation)
LPU Online MBA	Finance Management Human Resource Management Marketing Management Data Science Operations Management International Business Management Information Technology Digital Marketing Business Analytics Data Science and Analytics Banking & Financial Services Supply Chain Management Healthcare Management
Jain University Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management General Management System and Operations Management Marketing and Finance Management Marketing and HR Management Information Logistics and Supply Chain Management International Finance Management
SRM University Online MBA	HR Management Marketing Management Finance Management
MAHE Manipal Online MBA	Finance Management Marketing Management HR Management Business Analytics Data Science Operations Management Healthcare Management Pharmaceutical Management Information Systems Fashion Management
UPES Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management Operations Management Oil & Gas Management International Business Power Management Business Analytics  Logistic & Supply Chain Management Infrastructure Management Digital Business Supply Chain Management
Parul University Online MBA	Marketing Management Finance Management HR Management IT Management Business Analytics Operation Management Retail Management Project Management Banking and Financial Services Healthcare Management & Supply Chain Management Agricultural Management Digital Marketing & Sales Management Digital Marketing

Online PGDM

If you're looking to advance in your career and want to learn about management while remaining in employment, an Online PGDM may be just what you need. It is a diploma program that emphasizes useful business skills and was designed for distance education, allowing you to learn from home or anywhere else you please.

There are many options like GIM Goa, BIMTECH, IMI Kolkata, and SPJIMR, where many are also AICTE approved. If you're looking for good quality education with some flexibility to fit into your busy lifestyle, it's a viable option.

Top Online PGDM Universities	Accreditations
BIMTECH Online	NIRF, NAAC A+, AACSB, NBA
S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research	AICTE, AACSB, AMBA
GIM (Goa Institute of Management)	AICTE, AIU, NIRF, AACSB, SAQS, AMBA, NBA
IMI Kolkata	AICTE, AIU, NIRF, AACSB, NAAC, AMBA, NBA