How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT

How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT

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CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 13 Nov 2024, 01:58 PM IST

How to prepare for the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT - In India, all national-level MBA admission examinations, such as the CMAT, IIFT, and XAT, include General Knowledge (GK) questions. This section might be difficult for many students to prepare for since the questions could cover a wide range of topics. Consequently, having a successful plan is essential while studying for the GK portion of these tests.

This Story also Contains

  1. Weightage of GK in MBA Entrance Exam
  2. GK Books for MBA Entrance Exam
  3. XAT General Knowledge 2025 Preparation - Overview
  4. XAT GK Preparation 2024 – Key Areas
  5. Prepare with XAT GK Previous Year Question Papers
  6. XLRI Admission 2025: How GK Plays Important Role?
How to prepare for GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT
How to prepare for GK section

Topics such as current events, social concerns, global summits, sports, entertainment, national and international politics, and awards are often covered in the GK section. This portion contributes to around 15-25 percent of the exam's weightage, thus it must be given equal attention. In this article by Careers360, candidates who are preparing for the MBA entrance tests will get to know how to prepare for the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT.

Weightage of GK in MBA Entrance Exam

The entrance exam to the International Institute of Foreign Trade, also CMAT and XAT asks at least 15-25 questions in the test.

Exam and number of questions

Exam

Number of GK Questions

CMAT

20-25

IIFT

15-18

XAT

20 (12 Current Affairs and 8 questions from static GK)

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Key Areas for GK Preparation

Since the general knowledge section is very wide as huge as an ocean, candidates can strategise their planning by covering the following topics that are given below:

  • Current Affairs & Social Issues

  • Business & Economics - Fiscal and Monetary policy changes

  • UNO - Wings, HQs, Agencies, Abbreviations

  • International Current Affairs & Events

  • Global Summits

  • Countries - Capital, Prominent development, Currency

  • Constitution of India and recent amendments

  • Latest Who’s is who

  • Awards, National, Honours, International days

  • Questions related to Geography, History, General Science

  • Company logo identification

  • Books, Authors

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GK Books for MBA Entrance Exam

For IIFT, CMAT, and XAT toppers suggested the following study material to prepare for the GK section in the MBA entrance exam.

  • While preparing for the MBA entrance exam, candidates should read ‘The Economist’, ‘Business Standard’ and ‘Economic Times’.

  • Apart from that candidates have to read Manorama Year Book which is recommended by the expert and the MBA entrance exam toppers.

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Here are some tips which would help the candidates to ace the General Knowledge section in the above-mentioned exams:

Division of Areas

Before starting preparation for GK, aspirants should divide the areas from which questions are asked in this section as it will help them a lot to categorize the different types of questions further. GK is broadly divided into two sections, that is, Static Gk and Current Affairs. The current affairs section includes questions based on Business & Economy, International Affairs, Government plans and schemes and their implementation, Awards, and Honours. The Static Gk Section mainly includes questions related to Countries and Capitals, currencies, Books & Authors, United Nations, Sports, and Company records.

In order to cover the section on national and international current affairs, candidates must make sure that they read national daily and listen to the news on Doordarshan as major policy-related decisions are announced on it. Moreover reading the newspaper on a regular basis will help the candidates get an idea about the new appointments that are made in different spheres.

Be Well Versed with Current Affairs on a Daily Basis

Candidates must practice some current affairs questions on a daily basis from different topics to get updated about what is happening all over the world. Making notes from the daily newspaper is one of the best ways to prepare for current affairs questions. Making such notes will not help the candidates memorize what they have learned but during the last-minute preparation, they will also get an opportunity to flip through the pages and revise.

Business & Economy Questions for GK Section of IIFT, CMAT, and XAT

Business & Economy related questions cover a major part of the GK section in exams like IIFT, CMAT, and XAT. The questions mainly revolve around the economic policies, changes in Corporate and industry, latest business news like, who’s who, Business awards & honors, logos of companies and their performance, etc. Candidates can prepare for this section with the help of business magazines, reading newspapers, etc and scanning through relevant business sites, etc.

International Affairs for IIFT

Some of the questions in the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT are asked from prominent international events that have taken place. While preparing for international events, candidates could study from prominent international news sites which provide correct and authentic news as well as intensive information. Therefore, it is important for the candidates to regularly go through these websites, see if any new international treaty is signed, who were the signatories to it so on and so forth.

Take Mock Tests and Online Quiz for GK

To prepare the GK section of CMAT, IIFT, and XAT candidates should practice mock tests based on the General Knowledge section of the paper, on a regular basis. This will help them to analyze how well they have prepared for the entrance test and how much more effort they will be required to put in. On a periodical basis, candidates must take quiz as this will also help them to improve their general knowledge.

Create Multiple Questions from a Single Question

While making notes or attempting questions throughout the preparation for the GK section, candidates should not only answer one question if asked from a particular topic, instead should create as many extra questions as they can from that particular question so that more knowledge could be gained on a particular topic. For example - suppose a question is asked related to the topic of international affairs and the answer is in the form of the name of the country. Here, candidates should not only answer which country is the correct option but also should pay attention to other information relevant to that country such as capital, currency, current leader, etc., of the country as well.

Quick Revision at the End of the Day

We know that to retain a particular thing in memory for a long time, it is essential to revise again and again. Hence, therefore it is needless to say that whatever notes one makes on a daily basis, one must revise their notes before going to bed every day. It will definitely help them to have the answer to all the questions at their fingertips.

Also Read

XAT General Knowledge 2025 Preparation - Overview

Particulars

Details

Number of Questions

25 questions

Marking Scheme

1 mark is awarded for each right answer

Number of options for each question

5

Difficulty level of XAT GK

Moderate to Difficult

Duration

20 mins


XAT GK Preparation 2025 – Division of Topics for Preparation

Preparing for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the XAT 2025 exam involves covering a broad range of topics. To make your preparation more effective, it's essential to divide the topics into manageable sections. Start with current affairs, focusing on events from the past six months to a year, as these are likely to be relevant for the exam. This includes news related to national and international affairs, sports, awards, and important appointments.

Next, dive into static GK, which covers topics that don't change over time. This includes subjects like history, geography, economics, and important books and authors. It's also crucial to brush up on significant days and events, as these often feature in the exam. Another important area is business and economy, where you should focus on major economic events, business mergers, acquisitions, and stock market trends.

Finally, don’t overlook the environment, science, and technology sections, as questions from these areas frequently appear in the XAT GK section. A systematic approach to covering these topics, coupled with regular revisions, will help you stay confident and well-prepared for the exam.

XAT GK Preparation 2025 – Current Affairs Preparation

When preparing for the Current Affairs section of XAT 2025, it's important to stay updated with the latest news and events. Start by regularly reading newspapers, especially focusing on the national and international headlines. Pay attention to significant developments in politics, economics, and global affairs, as these are often the core areas of current affairs questions.

In addition to newspapers, follow credible news websites and watch news summaries to get a quick overview of daily events. Monthly magazines that cover current affairs can also be a helpful resource, providing in-depth analysis and summaries of important events. Make sure to cover topics such as major government policies, international summits, sports achievements, awards, and notable appointments.

Since the XAT exam often includes questions from the past six months to a year, it's essential to maintain a consistent study routine. Regularly revisiting and revising the information will help you retain key facts and details. Staying informed about the world around you will not only help you in the GK section but also enhance your overall awareness, which is beneficial for the entire exam.

XAT GK Preparation 2025 – Business and Economy Section Preparation

To prepare for Business and Economy questions in XAT 2025, focus on major corporate events like mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes. Keep up with economic policies, RBI updates, and trends in the stock market. Pay attention to key sectors like technology and finance, and stay informed about global economic events that might impact businesses. Regularly following business news will help you cover this section effectively.

XAT GK Preparation 2025 – Importance of Quizzes and Mock Test

For XAT 2024 GK preparation, regularly attempting quizzes and mock tests is crucial. These help you evaluate your knowledge and identify areas where you need improvement. Quizzes can keep you updated on current affairs and static GK, while mock tests create the actual exam environment, improving your time management and accuracy. By consistently practising with these XAT 2025 exam preparation tools, you can build confidence and enhance your performance in the XAT General Knowledge section.

XAT GK Preparation 2024 – Key Areas

After analyzing the previous year’s XAT question papers, the following topics are fond to be the most important.

Topics

Current Affairs

History

Geography

Movies and Entertainment

Science and Technology

Miscellaneous (Culture, Festivals, Traditions)

Sports

Literature

Economics

Prepare with XAT GK Previous Year Question Papers

Using XAT General Knowledge (GK) previous year question papers is a smart way to prepare for the exam. These papers give you a clear idea of the types of questions asked and the topics covered. Here’s how you can make the most of them:

  1. Understand the Pattern: By reviewing past papers, you get familiar with the exam pattern, the kinds of questions asked, and the distribution of topics.

  2. Identify Important Topics: You can identify which topics are frequently covered in the GK section, helping you focus your study efforts on the most important areas.

  3. Improve Time Management: Practicing with previous year papers helps you improve your time management skills, allowing you to answer more questions in the actual exam.

  4. Evaluate Your Preparation: Solving these papers gives you a benchmark to evaluate your preparation level. You can identify your strengths and areas that need improvement.

  5. Boost Confidence: Regular practice with past papers can boost your confidence as you become more comfortable with the exam format and question types.

Let us discuss a few previous year’s XAT questions.

1. Which city hosted the recently concluded Asian Games 2022 (which happened in 2023)? Options :

  1. Incheon

  2. Hangzhou

  3. Jakarta

  4. Guangzhou

  5. Busan

2. Which of the following countries has NOT been invited to join the BRICS in the BRICS’ expansion plan for 2024? Options :

  1. Egypt

  2. Ethiopia

  3. Saudi Arabia

  4. Iran

  5. Pakistan

3. Why has Dr. Akshata Krishnamurthy been in the news recently? Options :

  1. She is the first Indian citizen to command a rover mission on Mars.

  2. She is the first Indian citizen to lead the Big Bang Observatory.

  3. She is the first Indian citizen appointed to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory.

  4. She is the first Indian citizen to be heading the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

  5. She is the first Indian citizen to make a major breakthrough in the genome sequencing of Jamun

The candidates are advised to download and study the previous year’s XAT question paper

XLRI Admission 2025: How GK Plays Important Role?

In the XLRI Admission 2025 process, General Knowledge (GK) plays a crucial role as it helps assess a candidate's awareness of current events and general awareness, which are essential for future business leaders. A strong performance in the GK section demonstrates a well-rounded personality and the ability to stay informed about the world, which is vital in the dynamic business environment. Additionally, good GK knowledge can give candidates an edge in personal interviews and group discussions, where a broad understanding of various topics can enhance their arguments and viewpoints, making them stand out in the competitive selection process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How to stay updated on Current Affairs for XAT, CMAT, and IIFT?
A:

Read national newspapers daily like The Hindu, follow news websites, and make notes of important events. Watching Doordarshan for government policy updates is also recommended.

Q: How should I divide the areas for preparing GK in MBA entrance exams?
A:

GK can be divided into Static GK (e.g., countries, capitals, currencies) and Current Affairs (e.g., business & economy, international events, government schemes).

Q: Which books are the best for getting ready for the GK portion of the MBA entrance exam?
A:

For GK preparation, toppers advise reading publications like The Economist, Business Standard, Economic Times, and Manorama Year Book.

Q: What percentage of the XAT, CMAT, and IIFT are General Knowledge (GK) tests that are used to determine access to MBA programs?
A:

There are 15–25 questions covering both static GK and current events in the GK component of the IIFT, CMAT, and XAT examinations.

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