XAT Preparation

There is no set time limit to prepare for the XAT exam, but you need a minimum of six months for preparation. Ideally, candidates need to start XAT preparation by April, however, if they start by June or July too, they can complete the syllabus within time and have ample time for practice of sample papers and mock tests. Candidates aiming to clear XAT must dedicate nearly 6 months to effectively enhance their exam preparation and qualify with 95 percentile or higher. Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in less 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.

If you are planning to prepare for XAT 2025 exam by self study, you need to start early. At least six months before. The 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 a good six months to prepare. Make a preparation plan that includes XAT syllabus coverage, problem solving sessions, mock tests and revision. Get hold of the 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 doubts in topics. Work on 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 rigorous work on XAT mock tests as candidates who opt for self study, have to rely on practice.

Mentor guidance is crucial for MBA entrance exam preparation as it provides personalized support, strategic insights, and motivation. A mentor, like those available at Top best business school GIBS (Global Institute of Business Studies), helps students understand the exam pattern, create effective study plans, and identify strengths and weaknesses. They offer expert advice on time management, problem-solving techniques, and mock test practices. Additionally, mentors provide valuable feedback, which helps in refining preparation strategies. Their experience and knowledge can guide students through challenging concepts and boost their confidence. Overall, mentor guidance plays a significant role in achieving high scores and securing admission to top MBA programs.

The lengthiest section in the XAT question paper is Part 1, which includes Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA & LR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI). Part 1 has a total duration of 175 minutes, making it the longest among the three parts. Within this duration, candidates need to navigate through about 26 questions in VA & LR, approximately 22 questions in DM, and around 28 questions in QA & DI. The extensive time allocation to Part 1 indicates the significance and complexity of these sections, emphasizing the need for candidates to manage their time efficiently to address the varied question types and topics in this segment.

You should ideally begin preparing XAT sample examinations several weeks before the actual exam date. Starting 2-3 months before the test is a decent starting point. This enables you to examine your strengths and weaknesses, become acquainted with the test format, and devise efficient time-management methods. Taking practice exams on a regular basis helps imitate actual testing situations, improves problem-solving abilities, and develops endurance for the lengthy exam. It also gives you insight into the sorts of questions offered on the XAT, allowing you to customize your preparation accordingly. Remember to evaluate your performance after each mock test to find areas for improvement and alter your study strategy as needed.

It is a fact that institutes want diversity in their batches. There is no restriction on educational background for appearing in the XAT. If the candidates meet the basic eligibility criteria, they can appear for XAT. While the XAT exam may be a little tough for candidates from non-engineering backgrounds but any candidate with good critical thinking skills and the ability to learn new things can prepare for the exam and qualify.It is usually seen that engineering students have better knowledge of mathematics and non-engineering students have better communication skills which help them to solve RCs better, to qualify in the XAT exam, students should develop a strategic approach.

The XAT exam syllabus consists of Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge sections. The exam has one unique section - Decision Making. XAT sectionsNumber of questionsMarks allotted (Weightage)Decision Making2222Verbal and Logical Ability2626General Knowledge2525Quantitative Ability & Data  Interpretation2828Essay Writing3 topics (candidates can choose one)To be assessed at the time of PI shortlistingThe question paper will be divided into three parts:Part 1- Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Part 2-  Mock Keyboard Testing Part 3-  General Knowledge + Essay Writing 

The XAT exam syllabus includes Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. There is a lot of free content available online as well as offline.A variety of books avaiable for each section.Students are advised to start their study early as they want to cover syllabus by self-study and must go through the syllabus once so that they can get an idea of how to prepare and which topics are important and carry more marks. Best books for XAT: Quantitative Aptitude (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI)Best Books for XAT PreparationAuthor/PublisherHow to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CATArun SharmaQuantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMsSarvesh K VermaQuantitative Aptitude For Competitive ExaminationsGuha Abhijit Best books for XAT: Verbal AbilityBest Books for XAT PreparationAuthor/PublisherObjective General EnglishDr RS Agarwal and Vikas AgarwalHigh School English GrammarWren & MartinThe Students' Companion BookD Best 

Yes, solving XAT question paper is of immense help in exam preparation as one can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level of the questions, and learn time management. The XAT question papers of previous years also give you an idea of what type of questions (Reading Comprehension passages and poem) are asked in XAT. In fact, preparation of Decision Making section is totally dependent on XAT question papers. XAT question papers of previous years also act as practice test providing you with the opportunity to master speed and time management.Candidates must solve previous years’ XAT questions paper of at least last five years, so that they are aware of the latest type of questions especially poem, RC passages and Decision Making passages.