Is the XAT essay writing section still part of the exam?
No, the essay writing section is not part of XAT anymore.
XLRI dropped it from XAT 2025 onwards, and the current exam runs entirely on objective questions across three scored sections. If you were bracing for a rushed 20-minute writing task after three hours of MCQs, that concern is now off the table.
What Changed in XAT 2025
The essay had been part of XAT for years, typically appearing after the 180-minute objective test. Candidates wrote 200-250 words on topics ranging from business ethics to geopolitical issues, under time pressure that most found punishing.
XLRI removed it entirely for the 2025 cycle, aligning the exam closer to CAT in structure while keeping its signature Decision Making section intact. The subjective marking risk, the logistical burden of evaluating thousands of essays, and persistent test-taker feedback about time pressure all likely contributed to the decision.
Current XAT Exam Pattern
The exam now runs for 180 minutes with three scored sections and one unscored tiebreaker section.
| Section | Questions | Scored? |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Making | 21 | Yes |
| Verbal & Logical Ability | 24 | Yes |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 27 | Yes |
| General Knowledge | 20 | No (tiebreaker only) |
Decision Making is the section that sets XAT apart from every other MBA entrance exam. It tests ethical dilemmas and situational judgment in ways CAT and SNAP simply do not, and XLRI Jamshedpur weighs it heavily when building shortlists.
What XLRI Now Uses for Selection
With no essay in the picture, XLRI Jamshedpur's selection funnel relies on XAT percentile, group discussion performance, and the personal interview. The GD-PI round at XLRI is rigorous: expect case-based discussions, questions on current affairs, and deep functional probing during the PI.
For the flagship BM and HRM programmes, cutoffs typically hover around the 95+ percentile range for general category applicants, though the actual shortlist cutoff shifts year to year.
Firms recruiting from XLRI include McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HUL, and Asian Paints, which signals how seriously the PI stage is taken. Arriving at that stage underprepared after scoring well on XAT is a costly mistake many candidates make.
What This Means for Your Preparation
You gain roughly 20 minutes of mental bandwidth that used to be consumed by essay planning. Redirect that energy toward Decision Making, which carries no negative marks in some past formats but still demands logical precision and ethical reasoning.
Verbal ability at XAT is harder than CAT Verbal: vocabulary, critical reasoning, and reading comprehension all appear. Do not underestimate it because the essay is gone.
Your GK preparation still matters. While the GK section does not add to your percentile, it becomes the tiebreaker when two candidates are statistically identical, and at the margin that can determine whether you get an XLRI interview call.
Pro Tip: Practice at least 10-12 full-length XAT mocks that include the GK section, so tiebreaker questions feel routine rather than draining on exam day.