Careers360 Logo
XAT 2024 Preparation, How to Prepare, XAT Exam Preparation Strategy & Tips

XAT 2024 Preparation, How to Prepare, XAT Exam Preparation Strategy & Tips

Edited By Prerna Goel | Updated on Dec 07, 2023 10:53 AM IST | #XAT

How to start XAT 2024 Preparation: XLRI is one of the most prestigious institutes among management aspirants. The institute accepts XAT score for admission, and XAT is one of the most difficult entrance exams in India. Cracking Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) requires a proper planning, strategies, and hard work. Wondering how to start preparing for XAT 2024? This article will be of immense help for you, giving you clear insight into what to to do, what not to do, best resources for preparation, and the likes.

Besides XLRI, candidates with XAT score can also apply for SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, XIME, BIMTECH, and other top B-schools. The first step towards preparing for XAT is getting acquaintance with XAT exam pattern and syllabus. This will help you draw a perfect plan, strategy and ace in XAT 2024 with a good percentile. So before knowing “How to start XAT 2024 preparation”, it is essential to know the exam pattern and sectional composition of XAT 2024.

How to start XAT Preparation?- Get familiar with the XAT Exam pattern

XAT 2024 is conducted for those aspirants who want to take admission in MBA/ PGDM programs offered at XLRI institutions. Here you can scan over to know about the exam pattern of XAT such as the medium of the exam, the no. of questions, marking scheme, topics, and duration of the exam.

XAT Exam Pattern 2024

Components

Key Elements

Conducting body for XAT

XLRI Jamshedpur

Mode of the exam

Computer-based test

Duration

Three hours

Type of questions

Multiple-choice questions

Number of questions

100 MCQs+ 1 Descriptive question

Marking scheme

  • 1 Mark for every correct answer
  • 0.25 for every incorrect answer(except general awareness)
  • 0.10 marks deduction for more than 8 un-attempted questions
  • No negative marking in general awareness

Number of Sections



Five sections

  • Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
  • Verbal and Logical Ability
  • Decision Making
  • General Knowledge
  • Essay Writing

XAT 2024 Sectional Composition

There is a variable distribution of questions in XAT entrance exam, i.e. one section has more than another section. Apart from MCQs, one essay writing question will asked too in this test. Check out the sectional break-up of XAT 2024 question paper.

XAT sectionsNumber of questionsTotal marks
Decision Making2222
Verbal and Logical Ability2626
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation2828
General Knowledge2525
Essay (250 words)1 (candidates can choose 1 topic from 3 options)To be evaluated upon shortlisting

Quick Links-

Kohinoor Management School, Mumbai - PGDM Admissions 2024

PGDM Admissions Open 2024 | AICTE Approved

Jindal Global Business School | MBA Admissions 2024

MBA (2 Years) & MBA in Business Analytics (1 Year) @ JGBS | NAAC Accredited | AACSB Member |92% Placement Track | Highest CTC 11 LPA

XAT 2024 Preparation: Points to remember

XAT, also known as the Xavier Aptitude Test, is one of the most highly sought-after entrance exams for management aspirants in India. Conducted annually by Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI), the exam is designed to evaluate the aptitude of candidates seeking admission into some of the top management institutes across the country. As the XAT 2024 exam date approaches, aspirants need to gear up their preparation strategy and keep some important points in mind to maximize their chances of success. In this article, we will highlight some crucial points that every XAT 2024 aspirant should remember to ace the exam.

In view of the past XAT toppers, XAT preparation requires a well-planned approach to time management. Here are some of the key features of the exam that you need to keep in mind before preparation:

Top Colleges in India Accepting XAT Score
Candidates can check top colleges in India accepting XAT score based on XAT 2024 score.
Check Now

How to start preparing for XAT Verbal and Logical Ability Section?

The Verbal Ability/Verbal Reasoning and Logical Ability questions are a fair mix of grammar, vocabulary, and reasoning-based questions (Critical Reasoning and Jumbled Paragraphs). Critical Reasoning & Reading Comprehension areas have historically dominated this section.

Having a good hold of grammar basics is your asset here. Some top-notch strategies are:

  • Keep a fine balance between quick reading and your comprehension skills.
  • Practice at least 4 RC’s in a day. Start with short RC’s so that you do not get bored in the initial phase of your preparation. Try to read a single line of one passage in one go. This will require practice if you start solving different formats of RC’s a lot.
  • Get to know all the tones of passages as the author’s tone is the most commonly asked question in the exams. The tones can be acerbic, humorous, sarcastic, incendiary, dogmatic, ironical, nostalgic, etc.
  • Build your vocabulary and grammar by subscribing to daily alerts of one word of vocabulary online. Learn its synonyms and antonyms. In this way, you get to know all the usages of the word.
  • Learn prefixes and suffixes meaning methods, they will help you a lot in answering various vocabulary-based questions.
EMPI Business School - PGDM Admissions 2024

PGDM Admissions 2024 | State of the Art AI Lab

DSU- Dayanand Sagar University MBA 2024

60+ Years of Education Legacy | UGC & AICTE Approved | Prestigious Scholarship Worth 6 Crores

XAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

Time management is so critical in the exam, so you need to solve the easiest questions first. Here are some of the preparation tips you can refer to for this section.

  • Remember there is no on-time screen calculator in XAT like in CAT. So if the calculation is intensive you can only master the section if you have practiced a lot on your calculation.
  • The questions are usually asked from Arithmetic, algebra, permutation and combinations, number system, probability, functions, time and work, data interpretations, and geometry.
  • Expertise requires a lot of time and practice. Improving your calculation skills and approximation skills is very crucial for this section.
  • Practice line graphs, pie charts, tabular graphs, and bar graphs.
  • Learn the concept of successive percentages and also the fraction values up to 30 as these concepts are used in most of the questions.
  • Do mental calculations while practicing questions and also learn the shortcut tricks.
  • The sets of DI can be of medium to difficulty level and calculation intensive. So in your daily routine solve as many DI sets as you can.

How to start XAT Preparation for Decision Making section?

Candidates need to focus on their aptitude and management skills as this section can be quite tricky. Here you will face the questions based on different scenarios. The questions are basically for authorities to comprehend your judging capability. The various types of questions probed in these areas include financial issues involving the revenues of a company, ethical dilemmas, employee management issues, and general management scenarios.

As far as what decisions you should make, try to be selective in the questions regarding giving unbiased answers. Do not let your emotions form your own biases and then you cloud your judgment based on it.

How to start XAT 2024 Preparation for General Awareness?

  • More emphasis here will be on economic and business awareness news. So read on daily basis newspapers like - The Financial Express, The Statesman, etc.
  • Read the newspaper daily so that you get updated on national and global current affairs.
  • In the static GK section, focus on awards, books & authors, and geography. Start brushing up your GK at an early phase.

XAT 2024 Preparation with Mock Tests

XAT mock tests must form an essential part of your preparation. Toppers suggest that you attempt at least two to three mock tests in a day. You must also do the analysis of the mock tests so that you can gauge your strengths and weaknesses. This will help in improving your speed in addition to accuracy when you solve the questions on the exam day and thus will make you more adept.

XAT Previous Year Question Papers

Previous Year question paper of XAT

Download XAT question paper free

XAT 2023 Question PaperClick here
XAT Question Paper 2022Click here
XAT 2021 Question PaperClick here

XAT Question Paper 2020

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2019

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2018

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2017

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2016

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2015

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2014

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2013

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2012

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2011

Click here

XAT Question Paper 2010

Click here

Time Management

Last but not the least, the most important aspect for you to crack XAT 2024 is to master the art of overall time management. Here are some key tips that can help you in managing your time:

  • Start practicing mental calculations rather than using pen and paper-based methods.
  • Practice mock tests and sample papers as much as you can as these will help you in identifying your weak areas and help you in not wasting much time on them.
  • Mark faster but with accuracy. This can only be achieved by daily practice from the initial phase period and not just before the one month of commencement of the exam.
  • Do not get stuck on a question you cannot solve. Leave the confusing puzzles in reasoning and move on to the next question.
  • From the time you start preparing for the exam day, practice in a way that you have set a particular time for each section. Remember there is no sectional timing. So don't get overwhelmed by your favorite section and end up wasting too much time in it.

Quick Links-

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. What are the sections from which questions will be asked in XAT?

The questions will be asked from sections namely-

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

2. What is the duration of XAT 2024?

The duration of XAT exam is three hours.

3. Is XAT tougher than CAT?

If you are well prepared for CAT, then you easily clear XAT too. However students term it difficult due to the additional Decision Making section. 

4. How many questions will be there in XAT 2024?

The questions in XAT 2024 will likely be 100.

5. What is the advantage of solving XAT 2024 mock test?

Mock tests help in improving your speed in addition to accuracy when you solve the questions on the exam day and thus will make you more adept.

6. Can I clear XAT in 1 month?

It is possible to prepare for XAT in one month if candidates follow a focused study approach covering all the important chapters. They must analyse and evaluate their strength and weakness in relation to the XAT syllabus and pattern. Take detailed notes on all the important formulas and key topics, and regularly revise the topics thoroughly.

Articles

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to XAT

Have a question related to XAT ?

Hello

Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile

JIMS Rohini Delhi
IMT Hyderabad
SOIL Institute of Management
Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur
Jaypee Business School
Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore
NSB Academy Bangalore
NDIM New Delhi

Hello Aspirant

Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT
1)Great Lakes, Chennai
2)IRMA
3) Goa Institute of Management
4) NIBM
5) TAPMI
Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered.

Colleges like NIBM specialize in Finance, and IRMA has a lot of sales marketing Roles. So ultimately the choice is yours which specialization you want to pursue.

Hello Aspirant,
Hope you are well

The  XAT cut-offs for IMT Nagpur and Welingkar Institute for their MBA program is between 70-80 percentile. So you have a good chance of getting a call from both institutes. However, the chances of conversion depend on your 10th, 12th, graduation marks.

Hey aspirant,

XLRI Jamshedpur will tentatively conduct the Xavier Aptitute Test (XAT) 2025 in the first of January 2025. It is expected that XAT 2025 registration will begin in the second week of July 2024.

For detailed information like eligibility criteria, application procees, syllabus, etc at : https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/xat

Hope this helps you!

View All
Marketing Director

A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services. 

4 Jobs Available
Business Development Executive

Business development executives strive to achieve maximum output with minimum input. If you are good at understanding and convincing people, the career as a business development executive can be enjoyable for you. Business development executives are candidates who have been transferred to the sales from other departments. In general, Business development executives are promoted to a management position. There are plenty of work openings throughout the profession because every company requires Business development executives.

3 Jobs Available
Content Marketing Specialist

Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.

3 Jobs Available
Sales Manager

The sales manager's career is an interdependent career that requires the contribution of other departments of the organisation to function effectively. A sales manager has to multitask and provide guidance to the salesperson to improve his or her targets. An Individual who opts for a career as a sales manager supervises the sales representatives and organises training for sales representatives to increase work efficiency. Hence, it increases sales.

2 Jobs Available
Business Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes. Students can visit the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies to study Business Analytics courses. Business analyst jobs are usually done to help the company make more money, solve existing business problems and achieve its goals.

2 Jobs Available
Marketing Manager

A marketing manager comforts public anxiety and dissatisfaction through announcements and commercials, guaranteeing the credibility of the organisation escapes inadequacies. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns that are both simple and complex. A marketing manager decides if a new product or service is marketable. 

Students can opt for an MBA in Finance or an MBA in Digital Marketing Management to be a marketing manager. He or she evaluates the public interest level with respect to a new product or service. A marketing manager is appointed to encourage buyers to buy products from the firm and to increase awareness of the brand through marketing strategies.

2 Jobs Available
SEO Analyst

An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns. 

2 Jobs Available
Digital Marketing Executive

Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.

2 Jobs Available
Back to top