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How to Prepare for XAT 2026 in One Month: Section-wise Tips & 30-Day Study Plan
Preparing for XAT 2026 in one month requires a clear plan, especially since the exam is scheduled to be held on 04 January, 2026. With limited time remaining, candidates must focus on strengthening existing concepts, practising question sets, and refining exam strategy. XAT is known for its unique sections, such as Decision Making and Essay Writing, which demand logical thinking and clarity rather than rote learning. A XAT 2026 one-month preparation approach helps aspirants improve accuracy, manage time effectively, and build confidence for the final exam.
This Story also Contains
- XAT 2026 Preparation in One Month
- Important Topics for XAT 2026
- Tips to be Followed on How to Prepare for XAT in One Month
XAT 2026 Preparation in One Month
XAT preparation in one month is difficult but not impossible. An effective strategy and good preparation can achieve it. Begin by revising fundamental concepts and practising key areas where you feel less confident. Alternate between mock tests and section-wise practice to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. Dedicate regular time to current affairs and GK to stay updated. Set aside time for revision and review of previous test mistakes.
Day | XAT Preparation Schedule for One Month |
1 | Critical Reasoning : Decision making, conclusion derivation, and theme detection : Ethical Dilemma; Data Interpretation: Approximation Techniques, Ratio and Proportion ,Mixture and Alligation |
2 | Approach to Reading Comprehension: Informative Reading Comprehensions; Data Interpretation Basics; Profit and Loss |
3 | Percentage : Successive Percentage Change; Faulty Balances; Profit and Loss; Pipe and Cistern Time and Work |
4 | Time Work; Decision Making: Operations/Strategic Decisions, HR/Organizational/Policy Decisions; Negative Tone RC; Selection with Conditions |
5 | Time, Speed and Distance ; Relative Velocity; Identifying the Central Idea of the Passage; Main Idea/Purpose of the Passage; Linear Races and Circular Races |
6 | Races and Headstarts; Relative Velocity; Clock ; Races and Boats; Simple Interest |
7 | ;Average Einstein’s Puzzle; Inferences; RCs Having Close Options |
8 | Inferences from Passage; Decision Making: Behavioral/Personal Decisions; Linear Arrangement; Seating Arrangement Arrangement Across Levels |
9 | Seating Arrangement: People Facing Different Directions; Parallel Lines and Angles; Introduction to Triangles; Area of Triangles |
10 | Incenter; Internal and External Angle Bisector Theorem; Congruency and Similarity of Triangles; Apollonius Theorem; Author’s Opinion |
11 | Number of Triangles; Basics of Trigonometry; Applications of Trigonometry; Heights and Distances; Introduction to Geometry: Triangles; Chords and Tangents; Circumference and Area of Circle |
12 | Alternate Segment Theorem; Geometry: Circles; Pie Charts; Plan of Action |
13 | Ordering Facts; Quadrilaterals; Identify Title of a Passage; Tone of Passage |
14 | Coordinate Geometry; Integral Points Inside a Circle; Data Interpretation: Tables with Missing Values |
15 | Mensuration of Solids; Graphs and Statistics; Linear Equations in One Variables ; Linear Equations in 3 Variables; Determinant Method of Solving Linear Equations; Special Linear Equations |
16 | Introduction to Quadratic Equations;Quadratic Equations : Relations Between Equations; Range of Possible Values of Quadratic Coefficients; Maxima and Minima; Progressions: Common Terms in Progressions, Arithmetic Progression Geometric Progression |
17 | Introduction to Progressions and Series; Arithmetic Mean; Sum of Convergent Series; Progressions and Series; Remainders with a Series |
18 | Introduction to Para Jumbles; Identifying Links Using Transition Words; Identifying Connectors in Para Jumbles; Data Interpretation: Data Over Years; Data Interpretation with Connecting Data Sets |
19 | Data Interpretation: Bar; Quantitative-Based Data Interpretation; Factorizing Polynomials; Introduction to Functions |
20 | Approach to Para Completion; Types of Para Completion Questions; Para Completion (Sentence Insertion); Functions; Shifting of Graphs; Data Interpretation: Rate of Growth |
21 | Exponent and Surds and Indices;Inequality ; Inequalities with Modulus; Divisibility Rules |
22 | Introduction to Factors; Cyclicity of Factors; HCF and LCM ; Divisions Leaving Same Remainders; Highest Power of a Number in a Factorial; Number Systems: Factors; Number of Integral Solutions; Base Systems |
23 | Remainder theorem ; Fermat Theorem; Wilson’s Theorem; Euler’s Theorem; Remainder Theorems; Chinese Remainder Theorem |
24 | Truth-Lie Concept;Probability ; Derangement; Circular Arrangement; Selection with Repetitions; Probability; Binomial Theorem |
25 | Directions; Finding Assumptions; Identifying Conclusions; Identifying Components in Critical Reasoning; Flaw in Argument; Strengthen or Weaken Conclusion; Probability on Partitioning |
26 | Evaluating Extra Information; Parallel Reasoning; Probability: Dice; Advanced Probability; Bayes Theorem |
27 | Poem RC; Commonly Confused Words; Venn Diagrams Basics; 4-Group Venn Diagrams;Venn Diagram : Maxima-Minima |
28 | Data Sufficiency; Data Interpretation LR: Maxima, Minima; General Knowledge: Awards, Static GK: History & Polity, Famous Organizations, Companies & Brands, Geography, Business & Corporate News |
29 | XAT Static GK: Important Dates, Cryptocurrencies & Market; Parts of Speech; Articles; Prepositions; Errors; Tenses and Tense Consistency; Subject-Verb Agreement; Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement |
30 | Revision and Practice Tests: Full-length mock tests covering all sections (Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge); Review incorrect answers and focus on weak areas |
Important Topics for XAT 2026
It is necessary to be aware of the various important XAT topics while preparing for the XAT examination. With the help of previous year's XAT question papers, Careers360 have designed a set of XAT topics that the candidates must focus on to better their XAT 2026 performance and score better in the XAT 2026 examination, which is scheduled to be conducted in January 2026.
Category | Subtopics |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Averages, Ratios & Proportions, Time & Work, Speed & Distance Algebra: Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Area & Perimeter Data Interpretation: Tables, Charts, Graphs |
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension: Analyzing passages, identifying main ideas, drawing inferences, understanding author's tone Critical Reasoning: Analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions, drawing conclusions, evaluating reasoning Verbal Ability: Grammar, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks |
Decision Making | Scenario-based Decision Making: Analyzing complex situations, identifying key issues, evaluating options, making informed decisions Ethical Decision Making: Understanding ethical dilemmas, applying ethical principles, making responsible choices |
General Knowledge | Current Affairs: Recent events, national and international news, major happenings Business & Economy: Key economic indicators, major business trends, industry developments History & Culture: Important historical events, Indian culture and heritage Science & Technology: Major scientific discoveries, technological advancements |
Tips to be Followed on How to Prepare for XAT in One Month
Candidates will have to solve four sections namely Verbal & Logical Reasoning , Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Decision Making, and General Knowledge. The challenge here would be to manage the time and still answer questions accurately as there would be negative marking as well. Hence, candidates who are at the edge are slightly confused about how to prepare for XAT in one month. Given below tips on cracking XAT in one month can be followed by candidates to get good XAT result.
Make a Daily Planner
Focus on Strong Areas
Take More Mock Tests
Improve Accuracy by Practice
Solve Previous Question Papers
Make a Daily Planner
A famous proverb says, “well begun is half done”. Hence, no matter a month is left for XAT, candidates who preplan things to be done are considered to have covered halfway round. To start with, first and foremost candidates need to make a daily planner. Check the XAT syllabus and divide the topics to be covered. Set a time schedule of devoting two hours each to all four sections. By doing this, candidates will be able to make a justified and equalized plan without bias. Candidates should try to take breaks of 15-30 minutes between sections to re-energize themselves. Try to look for some of the best books for XAT.
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Try NowFocus on Strong Areas
Since only one month is left for XAT 2026, candidates should not make haste in studying the whole syllabus. They should calmly go through the XAT syllabus and highlight the topics they are familiar with. Mark the strong topics and emphasize them. Do not cram the sub-topics/ methods/ equations/ formulas just for the sake of giving the exam.
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Take More XAT Mock Tests
The best way to prepare and gauge the preparation level is by taking XAT mock tests. Candidates who are to take XAT 2026 are advised to attempt the XAT mock tests before as well as after their preparation. XAT 2026 mock test will not only provide a simulated environment to understand the exam day pressure but will also help in finding the type of questions that may come up on D-Day. Aiswarya Padma B Who Scored 96.986 Percentile in XAT told Careers360 that the mock of XAT helped her a lot. XLRI Jamshedpur will activate the XAT mock test link on the official website.
Improve Accuracy by Practice
Practice even if you don’t like it is a common phrase used nowadays as it can make you good to go. Since there is a negative marking scheme in XAT exam, candidates need to be very careful in solving the questions. Candidates should attempt questions and not leave the question unanswered. As per the XAT pattern, - 0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 un-attempted consecutive questions in the XAT exam. However, avoid going with gut feeling and answering randomly as it is better than answering wrong and losing marks.
Solve Previous Question Papers
Solving XAT previous question papers is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the exam. These papers help candidates understand the actual exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level across sections. Regular practice of question papers of XAT improves time management and builds familiarity with tricky areas like decision-making and Essay Writing. For XAT aspirants, analysing past papers also highlights common themes and recurring question formats, making preparation more focused and practical.
| XAT Exam Year | Download Link |
|---|---|
XAT 2024 Question Paper | |
XAT 2023 Question Paper | |
XAT 2022 Question Paper | |
XAT 2020 Question Paper | |
XAT 2019 Question Paper | |
XAT 2018 Question Paper |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can XAT preparation be done effectively in one month?
A:
A one-month plan works best when preparation shifts from learning new concepts to strengthening existing knowledge. Regular practice, revision of key topics, and focused mock analysis help candidates make steady progress within a limited time.
Q: Which sections need more attention during the last month?
A:
During the final month, candidates usually benefit from spending more time on Decision Making, Verbal Ability, and Quantitative Ability. These sections require strong reasoning skills and consistent practice rather than memorisation.
Q: What role do mock tests play in last-month preparation?
A:
XAT Mock tests help candidates understand time pressure and exam flow. Analysing mistakes after each test allows candidates to refine their approach and avoid repeating errors in the actual exam.
Q: How should GK and essay writing be handled at this stage?
A:
GK preparation at this stage focuses on quick revision of important current affairs and static topics. Essay writing improves with regular practice and attention to structure, clarity, and relevance of ideas.
Q: How can candidates manage daily study time effectively?
A:
Effective daily study involves dividing time between revision, practice questions, and mock analysis. A balanced routine helps maintain consistency without causing burnout.
Q: How long does it take to prepare for an XAT 2026?
A:
On average, 6 to 9 months of focused preparation is ideal for XAT 2026, allowing ample time to cover the syllabus, build test-taking strategies, and practice with mocks. However, the duration may vary based on your current level and study consistency. Regular practice and smart planning are key to success.
Q: What are the most important topics for XAT 2026?
A:
Focus on key areas from previous year's XAT question papers. These include:
Verbal and Logical Ability
Decision Making
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
General Knowledge.
Q: How can I improve my accuracy in answering XAT questions?
A:
Practice is essential. Regularly solve mock tests and previous years' papers to improve your accuracy. Avoid answering questions based on gut feeling, as there is negative marking for incorrect answers and un-attempted consecutive questions.
Q: How many mock tests should I take to prepare for XAT 2026?
A:
It is recommended to take mock tests both before and after your preparation. Mock tests simulate the real exam environment, helping you manage time and pressure effectively.
Q: Should I focus on covering the entire syllabus or emphasize strong areas in one month?
A:
With just one month left, prioritize your strong areas rather than trying to cover the entire syllabus. Focus on understanding and revising the topics you are already comfortable with to maximize your performance.
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Have a question related to XAT ?
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
Yes, it is definitely possible for you to get an interview call from Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai for their PGDM program, even with a 73 percentile in XAT 2025. While the typical cutoff for XAT may be higher, around 85 percentile, Great Lakes considers a variety of factors
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