XAT Preparation 2025: Check Expert Tips, Strategy & Guide

Xavier Aptitude Test 2025 ( XAT )

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Exam On: 5 Jan '25

Vipra Shrivastava

Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content

Updated on Dec 4, 2024 15:20 IST

XAT preparation - Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT 2025 will be held on January 5, 2025. You must have covered a lot of distance. In this last one month, focus on XAT mock test series and revision. While you're at it, you must also start practicing calculation tricts and shortcuts to find solutions quickly. Most of you must have appeared for CAT 2024. You can use the experience of CAT to prepare for XAT (strengths and weaknesses).

Overall preparation for XAT 2025 includes mastering Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal & Logical Ability, General Knowledge and Decision Making. Divide your XAT 2025 preparation into syllabus coverage, mock test practice and last month revision. The exam is speed based test so, regular and time bound practice is a must. 

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Q:   How can I prepare for XAT 2025 by self study?

A:

If you are planning to prepare for XAT 2025 exam by self study, you need to start early. At least six months before. XAT exam is conducted on the first Sunday of January every year. So, if you start preparing for the XAT 2025 in June or July, you will have good six months to prepare. Make a preparation plan that includes XAT syllabus coverage, problem solving sessions, mock tests and revision. Get hold of best books for XAT. Consult mentors or previous year toppers for selecting the best books for preparation. Join online study groups where you can get the help of mentors and peers for problem solving and clearing of doubts in topics. Work in tough topics first and then move to easier topics.

Solve a large number and variety of XAT mock tests to master the syllabus. You will need to do a rigorous work on XAT mock tests as for candidates who opt for self study, have to rely on practice.

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Q:   In how many months can I prepare for XAT 2025?

A:

Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in lesser time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on. The ideal time to start XAT preparation is May, so you can cover the whole syllabus by October and dedicate two months to mock test practice.

If you start studying for XAT late, by July or so, make sure you complete the syllabus by October only. Remember that XAT syllabus is tough, so you’ll need to study at least 6-8 hours daily from start until the end. Give ample time to yourself to complete the XAT syllabus.

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Q:   How can I cover the XAT syllabus by self study?

A:

If you are planning to appear for the XAT exam by self study, you must start early as the syllabus is vast and tough. To cover the XAT syllabus by self study, candidates must refer to the books recommended for XAT preparation. You can take help from the following books to cover the XAT syllabus but do join a study forum to get help from mentors and peers when need be:

  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
  • Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha/Arihant
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • Objective General English by Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal
  • High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
  • Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha
  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
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Q:   When should I start preparing for XAT exam?

A:

Ideally, candidates should start preparing for XAT from March onwards so that they have ample time to cover the syllabus and practicea good number of mock tests. However, starting preparation in June-July is also fine. About a minimum of six are required to prepare well for the XAT exam as it is one of the tougher MBA entrance tests. Candidates can also opt for coaching classes for XAT as per their convenience. Candidates must study for about six to eight hours daily to be able to cover the syllabus and have enough time for practicing mock tests. Yes, they will need to strike a balance between exam coverage and mock test practice.

However, the capacity of every student is different so, they must decide upon hours of study according to their own capacity and their control over the main topics of XAT. Making a workable plan is very important for XAT preparation, no matter when they start it.

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Last Month XAT Preparation Plan 2025

The last month before XAT is crucial for preparation. It happens with many students that by the time the last month arrives, they are tired or feel confident of their preparation and tend to lose momentum. This is the time to speed up the XAT preparation 2025. It is the time to practice the application of theories studied so far. Here are some last month XAT exam preparation tips:

  • Normally, it is easy to reach 90 percentile but the journey from 90 to 98 is tough. The last month before XAT is the time you can cover this distance.
  • Start solving XAT mock tests series. After solving each mock test analyse time taken and number of correct attempts.
  • When you attempt the next mock test, try to solve it faster and with more accuracy than the previous one.
  • Keep aside an hour or two to analyse the problems that you face in solving mocks – which type of questions take more time, questions from which topics remained unsolved, which questions looked easy but your answer was incorrect, etc. This activity will make you understand your weak areas in which you need to work harder.
  • Along with solving XAT mock tests and sample papers, spend the last month in revising concepts and theorems. Make short notes for last minute revision on the XAT exam day.
  • Focus on memorising vocabulary and word meaning. If you haven’t worked on these in the months before, don’t worry. You can cover this part of VARC in last month too.
  • General Knowledge section is the easiest section of XAT so you can prepare it in the last one month. You will need to go through all the recent current affairs events and static GK. The area to cover in this section will be vast but because it is memory based, you can prepare it with the help of year books. 

Also Read: How to prepare for XAT 2025 exam in 1 month

Explore subject-wise topics asked in XAT

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XAT Mock Test for Practice

Candidates must practice a good number of XAT mock tests so that they are fully in control of the topics, accuracy and speed. Shiksha has created free XAT mock test for aspirants to practice and check their preparation level. Download below:

XAT_Mock_Test_1 XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
XAT_Mock_Test_2 XAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

How to Prepare for XAT Exam 2025?

XAT 2025 preparation needs to be comprehensive and must include not only syllabus coverage but also practice and revision. About 6-9 months will be required to prepare for the XAT exam. It is mainly based on practice and revision. The exam is of high difficulty level and has some unique aspects to it like Decision Making and Poems. The negative marking scheme of XAT is also slighlty different from other MBA entrance exams. Candidates need to study with complete focus. Do not combine XAT preparation with any other MBA entrance exam. The good part this year, is that there will be no essay writing in XAT 2025, so candidates do not have to take the pressure of preparing for Analytical Essay Writing along with the objective paper. Take a look at the table below for key highlights of XAT exam 2025: 

XAT Exam Pattern 2025

Details

Exam Mode

Online

Exam Duration

180 minutes

Sectional Time Limit

  • Part 1- 170 minutes
  • Part 2- 10 minutes

XAT Syllabus

  • Decision Making
  • Verbal & Logical Ability
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
  • General Knowledge

Question Paper Break Up

  • Part 1- Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability And Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
  • Part 2- General Knowledge

Total Number of Questions

95

Section Wise Number of Questions

  • Decision Making: 21
  • Verbal & Logical Ability:  26
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: 28
  • General Knowledge: 20

 Marking Scheme

  • +1 mark for every correct answer
  • - 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer
  • - 0.10 marks for more than 8 un-attempted questions
  • No negative marking in GK section

Sectional Weightage

  • Decision Making: 21 marks
  • Verbal & Logical Ability: 26 marks
  • Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: 28 marks
  • General Knowledge: 20 marks

XAT Preparation 2025: Strategy anf Tips

XAT preparation requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Ideally six to nine months are adequate to prepare for XAT but the key is to dedicate a good numbe rof hours to preparation on daily basis. A minimum of six to eight hours daily is the requirement for an average student. Aspirants who start preparing for XAT exam from May or before that, are most likely to be well prepared having covered the entire syllabus and memorising the concepts and formulae by August-September. But those, who start preparing for XAT exam in October-November, must get on to it in full-speed mode. Make a sound strategy, focus on the essentials and build upon your strengths. Start your XAT preparation with your strong areas and then move to weaker ones. Given below are some tips on how to make a XAT 2025 preparation plan.

  • Make a daily routine and dedicate six to eight hours to studies. Get hold of XAT 2025 syllabus pdf and make a list of topic-wise strengths and weakness.
  • The XAT exam pattern has been revised. Understand the XAT 2025 exam pattern and test structure to make a time-bound exam preparation strategy.
  • Depending upon the time you have in hand to prepare for XAT 2025, it is important for you to focus more on topics from which maximum questions are asked.
  • Join online study groups and find a mentor to guide you through your preparation. You can also join an MBA coaching institution for XAT 2025 preparation.
  • Download online study material and MBA exam preparation apps, sectional preparation videos to be able to study on the go. Remember every minute is precious.
  • While solving a practice set or XAT mock test, allot time limit to each section and time yourself. Do not overstep the time-limit.
  • Dedicate the last month to practice XAT mock tests and assess your growth. The key to all competitive exams is practice so attempt as many mock tests as you can.

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Also Read: How to prepare for XAT 2025: Tips from toppers

Section-wise XAT Preparation Plan 2025

The above-mentioned were some general XAT exam preparation tips. Now, let’s look at section-wise XAT preparation plan.

XAT Decision Making: Decision Making is unique to XAT and the only way to crack this section is by practicing previous years’ XAT question papers. This section contains business situation and candidates have to choose the best logical solution. Aditya Ganesh (XAT 2018), 99.4 percentiler says, "the best way to crack a decision making question is thinking of solutions which are practical from business sense and ethical." So, when you practice practice questions of Decision Making keep in mind to choose the option that serves the larger group or cause.

Also Read: XAT 2025 Preparation Plan for Decision Making

XAT Verbal & Logical Ability: This section of XAT will require you to focus on English Grammar and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). Develop the habit of reading onscreen. Read online books and newspapers. Most of the XAT Reading Comprehension passages are based on literature and abstract topics. You need to understand the gist without reading each word of the passage due to time limit. While practising RCs in XAT mock tests, focus on keywords and relate them with each other to choose the right option. There's often one poem in XAT as part of RC. Check all the poems of previous years' to get an idea.

Also Read: XAT 2025 Preparation Plan for Verbal & Logical Ability

XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: To crack this section of XAT, you need to be thorough with Mathematical concepts and theorems. So, practice well. Solve the same Quantitative Ability section at least thrice to understand the application of the concept. After solving every question, tally your answer with the given solution and analyse the logic behind that answer. Once, you know the concept and its application well, all you need is practice to improve speed. Data Interpretation requires practice of a range and variety of sample questions.

Also Read: XAT 2025 Preparation Plan for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

XAT General Knowledge: This section of the XAT is the easiest in terms of preparation. So, you can begin studying for it after completing Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation syllabus.

To study static GK, read Manorama Year Book. For current affairs, be regular with reading newspapers and watching current affairs and infotainment programmes on television. It is quite possible that a few GK questions can be unknown to you, but since there is no negative marking in this section, you don’t have to worry. 

XAT 2025 Registrations Open- Register Now

Also Read:

Last Week XAT Preparation Tips 2025

In the last seven days of XAT preparation dedicate maximum time in revision and making exam day strategy. You must remember that XAT is a speed-based test and meeting the sectional cut off is mandatory. Given below are five things you need to do in the last few days before XAT 2025 exam.

  • Fine tune short cuts and tricks that you have developed while practising XAT mock tests.
  • Do not start a new chapter or concept. Improve upon whatever you've managed to study till now.
  • Make an exam day strategy based on your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Watch and read interviews of previous years' XAT toppers to know the right approach to the question paper.
  • Understand the XAT marking scheme, know the expected admission cut off, and develop the skill to choose only those questions to answer, which can get you the required score.
  • Practice Decision Making questions and revise GK topics. Be thorough with Maths formulae, theorems and concepts.

Also Read: XAT score vs percentile

XAT Exam Day Tips

  • Don't take stress on the day of exam. Wake up early and reach the XAT exam centre on time. Keep the following tips in mind:
  • XAT has negative marking in Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation sections, so choose the questions wisely. Pick only those which you know you can answer with 100 per cent accuracy.
  • Duration of the XAT 2025 exam will be180 minutes in which 95 questions will have to be addressed. 
  • Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation sections have a time-limit of 175 minutes. So, make sure you complete all the questions of your choice in theses sections within the time limit. 
  • If you can’t solve a particular section in first attempt, park it for later and move on to the next. Be mindful of the sectional time limit.
  • Ensure that you convert all the questions you know accurately. Target achieving the sectional percentile in each section of XAT to ensure good overall percentile.
  • Stay calm and composed during the XAT 2025 exam. Focus on what you know and not on what you don’t.

Also Read:

Check XAT cut offs and predict calls from XLRI and other colleges accepting XAT score for admission. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and Eligibility of all XAT participating colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict XAT Admission Calls

FAQs on XAT Preparation 2024

Check below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to XAT preparation 2025:

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