XAT 2027 Marking Scheme: Revised Rules, Negative Marking & Marks Calculation

XAT Marking Scheme: XLRI has introduced changes to the XAT 2027 marking scheme to provide students with greater flexibility while attempting the examination. According to the revised exam pattern, the limit for consecutive unanswered questions has been increased from 8 to 12. Earlier, students faced a penalty of 0.10 marks for every 8 consecutive unanswered questions. However, under the XAT 2027 exam marking scheme, this penalty will now apply after 12 consecutive unanswered questions.

In another update, XLRI will provide the XAT 2025 and 2026 question papers along with their answer keys to students who complete registration by November 11, 2026. The last date to register for XAT 2027 is December 6, 2026. Additionally, XLRI Jamshedpur has increased the PGDM HRM programme intake to 240 seats. XAT scores are accepted by more than 700 MBA colleges across India, apart from XLRI. The entrance examination will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode across more than 100 cities nationwide.

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• XAT 2027 Registration
• XAT Admit Card

How Will the New XAT 2027 Marking Rules Work?

The XAT 2027 exam will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode, with four sections and a total duration of 180 minutes. Students can check the revised exam structure and marking scheme below.

Also Read: XAT Syllabus

How Will Students Be Scored in XAT 2027?

The XAT 2027 marking scheme follows a combination of positive and negative marking. Students will receive 1 mark for every correct answer, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect response. The General Knowledge (GK) section is an exception, as no negative marking will apply to this section.

Under the revised rules, students can leave up to 12 consecutive questions unanswered without facing a penalty. However, 0.10 marks will be deducted if more than 12 consecutive questions remain unattempted. This change provides students with greater flexibility while managing their attempts during the examination.

How Does XAT 2027 Calculate Marks for Unattempted Questions? 

Under the revised XAT 2027 marking scheme, students can leave up to 12 consecutive questions unanswered without losing marks. However, if they skip more than 12 consecutive questions, a penalty of 0.10 marks will be applied.

Earlier, the unanswered question limit was 8, beyond which students faced a penalty. Increasing this threshold to 12 gives students more flexibility when attempting questions. Students should plan their attempts carefully to avoid unnecessary deductions and maximise their scores.

Read Now: XAT Past Year Question Papers

Are There Any Penalties for Skipping Questions in XAT 2027?

Yes, XAT 2027 has a penalty for leaving more than 12 consecutive questions unanswered. Students will face a deduction of 0.10 marks if they skip over 12 questions in a row. However, no penalty will be charged for leaving up to 12 consecutive questions unanswered. The revised rule offers more flexibility compared to the earlier limit of 8 consecutive unanswered questions. No negative marking is applicable in the General Knowledge section.

What Should Students Know About XAT 2027 Marks Calculation?

Students appearing for XAT 2027 should understand the marking rules to estimate their scores accurately. They will receive 1 mark for every correct answer, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect response. The General Knowledge section will not have any negative marking.

Additionally, 0.10 marks will be deducted if students leave more than 12 consecutive questions unanswered. Unlike the earlier rule of 8 consecutive unanswered questions, the revised threshold allows more flexibility. Students should consider these rules while deciding which questions to attempt and which to skip.

How Will Incorrect and Unanswered Questions Affect XAT 2027 Scores?

In XAT 2027, students will lose 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. This negative marking rule applies to the objective sections of the examination. However, the General Knowledge section is exempt from negative marking, allowing students to attempt questions without worrying about deductions for wrong answers.

For unanswered questions, students can skip up to 12 consecutive questions without any penalty. If they leave more than 12 questions unanswered in a row, 0.10 marks will be deducted. Students should keep these rules in mind while managing their attempts and avoiding unnecessary score deductions.

What Is the Difference Between the Old and Revised XAT Marking Scheme?

The major change in the XAT 2027 marking scheme is the increase in the consecutive unanswered question limit from 8 to 12. Under the earlier rules, students faced a penalty of 0.10 marks for leaving more than 8 consecutive questions unanswered. With the revised pattern, this penalty will apply only when more than 12 consecutive questions are skipped.

The marking rules for correct and incorrect answers remain unchanged. Students will continue to receive 1 mark for each correct response, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer. The General Knowledge section will continue to have no negative marking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What is the marking scheme for XAT 2027?

Ans: Students will receive 1 mark for every correct answer, while 0.25 marks will be deducted for each incorrect response.

Ques: What is the revised unanswered question limit in XAT 2027?

Ans: The consecutive unanswered question limit has been increased from 8 to 12 questions.

Ques: Is there negative marking for unanswered questions in XAT 2027?

Ans: Yes, a penalty of 0.10 marks will apply if students leave more than 12 consecutive questions unanswered.

Ques: Is there negative marking in the XAT General Knowledge section?

Ans: No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the General Knowledge section.

Ques: What is the total number of questions in XAT 2027?

Ans: The XAT 2027 question paper comprises 95 questions carrying a total of 95 marks.