How to start XAT 2023 Preparation?
How to start XAT 2023 Preparation: XLRI is one of the most prestigious institutes in which candidates aspire to take admission. But how to start preparing for XAT 2023? Well, here are some brain-boosting tips that can help you in your preparation. Xavier Aptitude Test commonly known as XAT is a national level entrance examination conducted by XLRI every year. If you prepare for CAT, then XAT is no longer an odd bird to you except for the Decision-making section.
Candidates who clear the cutoff can get admission to renowned colleges like XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB, TAPMI, XIME, BIMTECH, and other top B-schools. In order to ace XAT with a good percentile, you should have a planned approach, and accuracy must be your on-the-go factor including time management and speed. It is to be highlighted that the duration of this exam is less as compared to others. XAT preparation must be given due focus from the start. So before knowing “How to start XAT 2023 preparation”, it is essential to know the exam pattern and sectional composition of XAT 2023.
Latest Updates for XAT
- 27 Nov 2021:
Check the detailed procedure of how to fill XAT form 2022.
- 27 Nov 2021:
XAT 2021 registration deadline ending on November 30. Apply now!
- 07 Sep 2021:
Points to remember while filling XAT 2022 registration form. Check here!
Stay up-to date with XAT News

How to start XAT Preparation?- Get familiar with the XAT Exam pattern
XAT 2023 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 2023
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 |
|
Number of Sections | Five sections
|
XAT 2023 Sectional Composition
Sections in XAT 2022 | Number of questions |
Part-1 | 100 MCQs |
Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 |
Decision Making | 21 |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 |
General Knowledge | 25 |
Part-2 | |
Essay Writing (250 words) | 1 |
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XAT 2022 Preparation: Points to remember
The exam pattern of XAT has gone through some changes over the past years. This exam is considered to be a difficult level category exam. The XAT cutoff marks vary from year to year. Last year the sectional and overall cut off in the general category for female candidates in both the XLRI - HRM program and the XLRI - BM program were marginally lower.
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:
Before you start your preparation, note down the latest syllabus of XAT 2023
Put together the list of best books for XAT preparation.
You need a game plan in order to excel in any field. Similarly here you need to have a XAT preparation timetable.
Download and solve previous year XAT sample papers and mock tests.
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.
XAT 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 Question Paper 2020 | |
XAT Question Paper 2019 | |
XAT Question Paper 2018 | |
XAT Question Paper 2017 | |
XAT Question Paper 2016 | |
XAT Question Paper 2015 | |
XAT Question Paper 2014 | |
XAT Question Paper 2013 | |
XAT Question Paper 2012 | |
XAT Question Paper 2011 | |
XAT Question Paper 2010 |
Time Management
Last but not the least, the most important aspect for you to crack XAT 2023 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.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - How to start XAT 2023 Preparation?
Question: What is the advantage of solving XAT 2023 mock test?
Answer:
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.
Question: How many questions will be there in XAT 2023?
Answer:
The questions in XAT 2023 will likely be 100.
Question: Is XAT tougher than CAT?
Answer:
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.
Question: What is the duration of XAT 2023?
Answer:
The duration of XAT exam is three hours.
Question: What are the sections from which questions will be asked in XAT?
Answer:
The questions will be asked from sections namely-
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Decision Making
General Knowledge
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Questions related to XAT
How to apply for XAT?
The applicant has to visit the official website of XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) for the registration process.
What kind of GK questions are asked in the XAT examination?
The GK questions consist of static GK such as Economy, Geography, Science and Technology and current GK such as Business economy, awards, sports and miscellaneous.
How many attempts of XAT are allowed?
As long as you are willing to, you can apply for the XAT entrance examination. There is no limit on the attempts.
How long will the XAT remain valid?
After taking the test and receiving the scorecard, the XAT score’s validity is one year.
What is the difference between XAT and CAT?
In terms of difficulty, XAT is considered to be more difficult than CAT. Another difference is the topics they have. Also, in XAT there is essay writing which is not present in the CAT examination.