XAT Preparation: Over 160 institutions in India take the Xavier’s Aptitude Test (XAT), which is the premier admission exam offered by XLRI. It is recommended that students prepare for entrance exams for a minimum of six to nine months, while individual student circumstances may dictate a different timeframe. Although the format of the XAT exam is similar to that of the CAT, it differs in that it has extra parts on general knowledge and decision-making.
As a result, applicants can use the CAT technique to get ready for the XAT. The Decision Making (DM) and General Knowledge (GK) parts are the only ones that require further preparation. Preparing for the XAT should ideally start following the CAT, with an emphasis on these two areas.
Read the full article to gain in-depth knowledge of XAT preparation tips and techniques to be followed by XAT aspirants aiming to get into their dream B-school.
XAT 2025 Preparation: Comprehending the Course Content and Exam Structure
Before beginning any exam preparation, it is imperative that you comprehend the syllabus and the format of the test. This, along with book selection and study strategy, ought to be the initial step in preparing for the XAT. It is pointless to argue about something if you do not know the subjects covered by the XAT questions, as you will not be able to understand where to begin your 2025 XAT preparation.
For your information, the XAT Exam Pattern summary is as follows:
XAT 2025 | Section | Questions |
Part 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 |
Decision Making | 22 | |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | |
Part 2 | Mock Keyboard Testing | – |
Part 3 | General Knowledge | 25 |
Essay Writing | 1 | |
Total Questions | 102 |
The syllabus for the XAT exam is extremely similar to those of the other MBA tests offered in India. It covers the fundamentals, but what sets it apart are the sections on decision-making and essay writing. Here is an outline of the XAT syllabus covering all parts to give you a better idea:
Section | Main Topics |
Verbal & Logical Ability | Vocabulary, Para jumble, Grammar, Fill in the blanks, Analogy, Binary Logic, etc. |
Decision Making | Data Arrangement, Assumptions, Complex Arrangement, Conclusions etc. |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Caselets, Data charts, Tables, etc. |
General Knowledge | Economics and Finance, Books, Authors, the Constitution of India, Current Affairs, etc. |
Extra Points
- There are 210 minutes in the exam, and each segment has a set amount of time.
Every right response will receive one mark. - For every incorrect response, 25 marks will be taken away.
- A deduction of 0.1 will be made for each question that remains unsolved after eight.
XAT Preparation Strategy: How to prepare for XAT 2025?
All MBA entrance examinations share a common preparation approach that consists of creating a study plan and comprehending the content and exam format. Here are some other pointers you can use to prepare for the XAT:
Create a schedule
Using a schedule will enable you to stay on target and concentrate on the subjects that best suit your needs. It will enable you to keep discipline in your XAT preparation and concentrate on the important subjects.
Determine your strong and weak points
You need to concentrate on laying the groundwork after you have examined the syllabus and test format. The objective should be to spend more time studying subjects you do not fully comprehend while reviewing subjects you do understand.
Review your concepts
After you have covered the syllabus in its entirety, you must continue to review the formulas, tips, and frequently asked questions in order to increase your speed and accuracy. You can accomplish this by creating a formula sheet or by using sectional tests.
Take daily mock tests
Although mock tests allow you to practice exams under real exam conditions, the detailed analysis helps you identify your areas of weakness and test your exam strategy. You can then plan your preparation accordingly.
Review previous year papers
Previous year papers give you a good understanding of the exam pattern and the most commonly asked topics over time. Attempting past papers also allows you to experience the actual exam and understand your preparation.
XAT 2025 Planning: Section-By-Section Approach
The three-hour XAT test can be somewhat taxing on its own. As a result, candidates ought to concentrate on creating the routine of sitting for extended periods of time. They should also cultivate a reading habit for comprehensions, which will aid in covering the verbal sections, and be well-versed in current events for the GK component. It’s not simple to pass the XAT, which is regarded as the second-most challenging management test after the CAT. It calls for perseverance, diligence, and the use of the following preparatory advice. Examine this and make a study plan that is appropriate for your degree of flexibility and XAT exam preparation.
XAT Preparation Technique: Verbal Skills and Reasoning
The official website’s exam description states that there will be 26 reading comprehension-focused questions in the VA & LR part. These questions will cover poetry and passages along with vocabulary, grammar, parajumbles, and other related topics.
Being proficient in the fundamentals of grammar can help you here. Several excellent tactics are:
Improve your reading comprehension
To perform well in the RC portion, you must read the passages and poetry more quickly and accurately. Make reading a habit as a result. To improve your vocabulary and comprehension of texts, start reading novels, periodicals, and newspapers. This will help you with both RC and VA skills.
Practice RCs frequently
Attempting RC questions frequently is the best method to increase comprehension and speed. Additionally, it will assist you in becoming acquainted with the kinds of queries that are addressed in RC texts. Reading these materials can help you reach your objective of improving your grammar and vocabulary as well.
Boost your vocabulary
Reading regularly can help you do this, but you can also sign up for “word of the day” notifications and other online vocabulary enhancers. Go one step further and become familiar with a word’s definition, synonyms, and antonyms. To tackle problems based on vocabulary, make sure you are familiar with the words’ suffixes and prefixes.
XAT Preparation Technique: Making Choices
The XAT exam is the only one that includes the decision-making component. Candidates should practice their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities while making well-considered decisions in order to be ready for this portion. The official website states that there are 22 questions in this section. Here are some pointers to help you get ready for this new section:
Practice Past Year Papers
Since there isn’t a set curriculum for this section, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the kinds of questions that have been asked in the last few years. This will help you understand the preparation techniques needed for these questions. Due to the part’s ambiguity, previous papers also aid in limiting the scope of the syllabus that can be addressed in this section.
Read questions carefully
The decision-making component typically comprises of lengthy case studies. It is crucial that you don’t misinterpret any information or draw the wrong conclusion as a result of reading the material too quickly. To ensure that you don’t overlook anything, carefully read the question before working on the response.
Depend on the information provided
Never make your own conclusions; instead, always make use of the information supplied in the questions. It’s critical that you refrain from formulating responses based on your perceptions of the circumstances or personal opinions. Never add to the information already offered; instead, always utilize it.
XAT Preparation Method: Data Interpretation and Quantitative Proficiency
Similar to the QA component of CAT, the QA section is predicated on your comprehension of mathematical topics taught in schools. The DI part, on the other hand, includes ideas about analysis, interpretation, and insights. As you study for QA & DI, bear the following preliminary steps in mind:
Develop your approximation skills
When solving a math problem, the objective is to estimate the solution based on the available possibilities, not to find the correct answer. With the use of this strategy, you might answer the multiple-choice multiple-choice questions properly in less time. Additionally, less time will be needed for computations.
Apply the elimination method
In DI, figuring out how to rule out the wrong possibilities is the simplest way to get closer to the correct response. You may be sure that the other possibilities are, in fact, incorrect and avoid becoming confused by the information by working backwards towards the answer.
Every week, try mocks
For both QA and DI to function successfully in terms of accuracy and speed, practice is essential. As a result, it’s critical to regularly attempt mocks and familiarize yourself with the subjects and question styles. It will also help you determine the areas you still need to work on and how successful your exam strategy was.
Method for Preparing for the XAT: General Knowledge
The General Knowledge portion, which is located in the second section of the paper pattern, is marked positively only. Aspirants should review significant historical events, figures, and locations and keep up with current events as this portion consists of static general knowledge and current affairs. Here are some simple learning techniques and advice that can help you win the XAT 2025:
Read the newspaper every day
You must keep yourself informed about current events occurring globally. Making it a habit to read the newspaper can help you stay up to date on global politics, sports, tech and sports, government programs and organizations, and incentives.
Know your history
There is no limit to the amount of material that can be covered in general knowledge, so try to focus on identifying and studying the historical events and shifts that are globally recognized. It’s important for you to become knowledgeable about the historical figures and their contributions.
Take part in online tests
These will give you the chance to review and practice the knowledge you have learned. It will also assist in quickly increasing your expertise. Thus, make sure to consistently practice quizzes and to try a greater number of questions each week. Additionally, revisit previously discussed concepts and make revisions.
XAT Reference Guide 2025: Top Books to Consult
Books can be very helpful allies, particularly when studying for an admission exam without a set syllabus. In these situations, choosing the appropriate literature is essential for efficient preparation.
Consequently, the following books may be used to help you prepare for the XAT in 2025:
Book |
Author |
High School English Grammar | Wren and Martin |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Ajay Singh |
9th and 10th Grammar Books | |
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations | RS Aggarwal |
Quantitative Aptitude for All Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha |
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