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Choosing the best study material for XAT 2026 is essential for candidates who must begin their preparation now to stay ahead of the competition. With XAT known for its unique Decision-Making section and great difficulty level, using reliable and exam-focused resources helps build strong concepts and the right problem-solving approach. Starting early allows aspirants to cover the XAT 2026 syllabus thoroughly, practise enough questions, and revise effectively.
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In this comprehensive article by Careers360, the XAT 2026 preparation guide, you will find everything you need to succeed in your MBA entrance exam journey. We cover the Best Study Material for XAT 2026, including top-rated books, online resources, and free study materials. You'll learn about the XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus with detailed breakdowns of each section and the marking scheme to help you plan better.
Getting subject fundamentals in place is the necessary step of preparation. With the best study material for XAT 2026, students can get clarity and a good hold on various sections. Aspirants must know the right and best study material for XAT 2026. Careers360 offers the best study material for XAT 2026, including section-wise books, mock tests, previous year question papers, and other online resources to help you prepare effectively.
XAT 2026 sample papers are essential resources for aspirants aiming to score well in the exam. These materials help candidates understand the latest exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level, especially for the Decision Making section. Regular practice with sample papers improves time management, accuracy, and confidence.
XAT 2026 Essay Writing | |
XAT 2026 Sample Papers | |
XAT 2026 Section-Wise Preparation Tips |
XAT Past 10 Years Question Papers |
XAT 2026 Mock Test With Solutions |
XAT study materials are go-to exam guides for any XAT aspirant. In addition to the various XAT free study materials, candidates should also be aware of the other XAT resources they choose. Now, let us understand all the best XAT resources to enhance your XAT preparation.
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation will include the maximum number of questions as compared to the other three sections. This section will consist of questions from the 10th and 12th class concepts, like percentages, HCF and LCM, Algebra, Mensuration, Venn Diagram, and so forth, to assess the candidate’s skill with numbers. Some of the important books for this section are:
‘Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMs’ by Sarvesh K Verma - This book helps to clear the basics. It is reliable for students with a non-mathematics background. It includes 21 chapters, covering a summary of each chapter, along with three levelled questions.
‘How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT’ by Arun Sharma - Includes comprehensive theory and plenty of shortcut techniques for quick solving. It also includes sample papers, which help students have an exam environment.
'Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations' by Abhijit Guha - This book by Abhijit Guha includes separate sections on numerical skills and quantitative aptitude. It consists of a vast number of questions that move from easy to the difficulty level.
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| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma |
Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
This section will assess students' comprehension and vocabulary skills by giving reading comprehension, questions on grammar, logical sequences, inference-based questions, and so forth. Some of the best books for XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning are:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyaya - This book provides tricks and tips to tackle RC and VA questions for beginners or intermediate students.
PSC for VA for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha - This book includes questions in the hierarchical order of difficulty so that students can assess their performance at every level.
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha - This book covers advanced and fundamental topics along with an ample number of solved examples. It includes more than 2500 solved questions.
For Vocabulary Builder:
Word Power by Norman Lewis - This book is divided into three sections and provides easy tips to improve vocabulary and word skills. It provides briefs about the correct usage of common words that we confuse.
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis - Devoting 15 minutes for 30 days to this book helps improve vocabulary at a great level and boost communication skills with the help of a 12-minute quiz.
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Ajay Singh |
Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey |
One can improve his/her general knowledge by reading newspapers like The Hindu, The Times of India, The Economic Times, The Statesman, and so forth. These journals help you keep updated with the latest ongoing events.
In addition to the XAT study materials provided below, the candidates can refer to various other XAT free resources and XAT resources available online. The candidates are also advised to take XAT notes while going through their XAT study materials, as it can help them to retain their knowledge for a longer period.
| Book Title | Author | Features |
|---|---|---|
Lucent’s General Knowledge 2024 | Dr. Binay Karna | Articulates all important events, structured points for easier learning |
General Knowledge 2024 | Manohar Pandey | Compact presentation of current events, divided into sections with a separate section for current events |
Manorama Year Book | Malayala Manorama Group | Covers a wide range of topics, dedicated section for current affairs, updated data and statistics, focus on the Civil Services Examination, section for global happenings |
Using the XAT 2026 study material effectively is more important than collecting multiple resources. The right combination of standard books and reliable online resources helps candidates build strong concepts, practise exam-level questions, and revise efficiently. A focused and organised approach ensures better understanding, accuracy, and confidence across all XAT sections.
Start with well-known XAT preparation books that explain concepts clearly and include section-wise practice. These books help build a strong foundation in Decision Making, Quant, and Verbal Ability.
Books containing past XAT papers are extremely useful. Practising these regularly helps candidates understand exam patterns, question difficulty, and XAT’s preferred approach to problem-solving.
Use trusted online platforms like Careers360, ebooks and preparation material for daily practice sets and sample questions. We offer updated content, instant solutions, and flexibility to practise anytime.
Online video lessons of XAT help in understanding complex topics quickly. You can also watch XAT 2026 strategy videos, which also guide candidates on time management and section-wise attempt techniques.
Attempting online XAT mock tests helps candidates experience the actual exam pressure, pattern, and time limits. Regularly analysing mock results highlights weak areas, repeated mistakes, and time management issues.
XAT online notes and concise PDFs are extremely helpful for structured and quick revision. They summarise key concepts, formulas, and Decision-Making frameworks in an easy format. Revising these notes regularly strengthens retention and ensures important points are fresh without spending too much time reading bulky material.
Before getting the best study material for the XAT exam, one must be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus to arrange for the study materials accordingly. Let’s have a look at the exam pattern and syllabus of XAT 2026:
Section | Total Marks Allotted | No of Questions | Important Topics covered |
|---|---|---|---|
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 75 | 28 | Tables and caselets, Percentage, Exponent and Surds, algebra, mensuration, bar diagrams, pie charts, etc. |
Verbal and Logical Reasoning | 26 | Reading comprehension and vocabulary, an analogy based on vocabulary, para Jumble, grammar, critical reasoning and inference, para completion, etc. | |
Decision Making | 21 | Decision making, analogy, Seating Arrangement, logical sequence, assumption, premise, conclusion, etc. | |
General Knowledge | 25 | 25 | Science, economy, business, politics, static GK, sports, prize and award, world, government, the constitution of India, etc |
XAT essential topics are always beneficial for the candidates as they help them to narrow down the syllabus and prepare maximally. XAT study materials are essentially helpful because they help the candidates to enhance their XAT preparation. Now, let us understand a few essential topics for the XAT exam preparation.
XAT Section | Important Topics |
|---|---|
Verbal and Logical Ability | Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Para Jumble Analogy based on vocabulary Grammar Para Completion Critical Reasoning and Inference |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Tables and Caselets Surds and Indices Percentage Mensuration Algebra Pie Charts Bar Diagrams |
Decision Making | Decision Making Seating Arrangement Assumption Logical Sequence Conclusion Premise |
General Knowledge | Science Business Economy Static GK Politics Prize and Award Sports World Constitution of India Government Policies |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Take at least 30-40 full-length mocks. Start with 2-3 per week, increase to daily mocks in the last month.
Very important! GK carries 20 questions. Cover current affairs, business news, sports, awards, and static GK.
DI in XAT is calculation-heavy. Practice different types of graphs, tables, and charts. Speed and accuracy are key.
Focus on the basics first. XAT quant is a moderate level. Practice arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems daily.
This section is unique to XAT. It tests your business sense and ethical reasoning by practising case studies and moral dilemma questions.
XAT is the Xavier Aptitude Test conducted by XLRI. It's one of the top MBA entrance exams in India. Taking the XAT opens doors to XLRI and over 160 other top B-schools.
The best study material for XAT 2026 includes concept-based books, previous years’ question papers, and topic-wise practice sets. XAT requires strong decision-making and logical thinking, so materials that explain why an answer is correct are more helpful than only question banks.
Yes, previous years’ XAT papers are extremely important. They help you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and unique question styles, especially in the Decision Making section. Regular practice also improves time management and accuracy.
Coaching material is useful but should not be the only resource. XAT tests application and judgment skills, so students should combine coaching notes with self-practice, mock tests, and independent analysis of answers to develop deeper understanding.
The Decision Making section needs the most specialised material. Unlike other MBA exams, XAT focuses on ethical and business judgment-based questions, so students should use resources specifically designed for XAT decision-making practice.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :
Top colleges accepting CAT:
IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)
FMS Delhi
SPJIMR Mumbai
MDI Gurgaon
IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)
IIT Delhi (DMS)
IIFT
IMT Ghaziabad
JBIMS Mumbai
Top colleges accepting XAT:
XLRI Jamshedpur
XIMB Bhubaneswar
IMT Ghaziabad
Great
Hi dear candidate,
As per the official cut off list by XISS Ranchi, the cut off for PGDM HRM in XAT exam is 60 percentile for unreserved category (general) which means that your admission is possible there. You follow there official website for admission process.
Know more:
With a 70 percent in CAT Examination, you can go for various B-Schools or private collages. The S. K. Patel Institute of Management in Gandhinagar is an option for those who score 70-80 percent in their CAT examination or The Gujarat Institute of Management (GIM) in Goa with a cutoff
GIBS Business School in Bangalore accepts multiple national and state-level entrance exam scores for admission to its PGDM program. You can apply using scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA, or various state-level CETs.
The admission process typically considers your entrance exam score along with your academic
No, it's not mandatory but if you've those score then your option will be vast. Maximum Universities have their own selection process & own exams. If you have those good score they'll prefer you. But as per AICTE rules you have to have one national or state basis entrance exam
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