Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024
Like every year, this year, the Essay Writing test in the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) 2025 will continue to play a crucial part in the overall assessment. In this round aspirants can expect to write a short essay within a specific word limit, typically between 200 and 300 words. The main target is to evaluate the candidate's ability to present a properly justified argument, logical ability, communication skills, and also critical thinking skills. It is very important to know and practice in advance to excel in this section by taking care of some important pointers as discussed thoroughly in this article, especially XAT essay writing test preparation.
In XAT 2025, the essay writing section has undergone some modifications compared to previous years' questions. It has been clearly announced that essay writing will be integrated with other rounds like Gd and PI. For 2024, essay writing was used in the written exam along with other sections like verbal ability, decision making, quantitative n DI, and G.k. Let’s thoroughly understand the process while figuring out the answer for” How to prepare for XAT essay.”
The essay writing is a way of reflecting your personality, so like other rounds of GP & PI this too demonstrates your writing proficiency as well as reflects your thought process and perspective. Admissions committees often look for candidates who can articulate their arguments in the most logical and sensible way. So be careful about XAT 2025 Essay Test Preparation. The process also gives insight into a student’s time-pressure performance also. Improve XAT essay writing skills while practicing for this section.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024
180+ Companies | Highest CTC 15 LPA | Average CTC 7.5 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row | Awarded Best Business School of the Year
This segment cannot be taken lightly as many things are dependent on it, including the important skills that are assessed on the basis of this particular section. So, prioritize this section and start practicing in advance. One important section that reflects a lot on a candidate’s personality is the XAT essay structure tips, which have to be reworked again and again in the practice zone.
Without content, this particular is not unmanageable, so build your bedrock foundation with a daily habit of enriching your knowledge. The AWE section requires the candidate’s knowledge and research work done on various topics. So, it is to build a strong foundation of knowledge. Regularly reading newspapers, journals, and books on various subjects will enhance your understanding of current affairs and abstract concepts alike. This knowledge will provide you with examples and evidence to support your arguments. Try to follow various national and international resources from a wide range of areas. Ultimately, content is the king.
Time management is one of the main challenges of Essay Writing. You have 30 minutes to read the essay prompt, organize your thoughts, and compose your essay. It is best to take about five minutes to consider the topic and organize your answer, and then allot about twenty-five minutes for writing. You will become more productive on test day if you practice time management during your practice. Practice allocating total time into 3 zones- brainstorming, writing, and reviewing.
A well-structured essay is dependent on –
Subject matter
Language and
Structure
Clearly define the purpose of the writing and the audience. Most formal writing at university is set by, and written for, an assessor, and there should be clear criteria against which they will mark your work. You will need to spend some time interpreting your question and deciding how to tackle the topic. You have to set your own criteria, such as clarity, brevity, and relevance. Once you have a clear idea of what is required for your assignment, you can start planning to write.
With the help of a good introduction, you can attract the attention of your reader, so start with a bang. Show that you have understood the topic inside out, try to show the complexities and layers of your understanding of the topic, and state your position or opinion with regard to the topic. Concluding it should be a perfect end with some concluding points, recommendations or solutions to the discussion. One point that has to be kept in mind is the logical flow from the beginning till the end. While writing is very personal or subjective, it creates an objective space, a place apart from the individual, and we measure it against objective standards derived from the context. It creates space both for the individual (the subject) and the idea (the object) to coexist so that we can both judge the merits of the individual voicing the idea and contend with the idea on the page.
In the essay segment, critical thinking plays a very important role. It is important to deal with the topic inside out. The aim of critical thinking is to try to maintain an objective position. When you think critically, you weigh up all sides of an argument and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
So, critical thinking entails: actively seeking all sides of an argument, testing the soundness of the claims made, as well as testing the soundness of the evidence used to support the claims. Assertions, facts, assumptions, and fallacies should be clearly and well connected with the writer’s opinion.
Apt of vocabulary usage should be well balanced.
Sentences should be simple and well-structured
No grammar error
Should be assertive while drawing the arguments
Proper facts should make the opinion more convincing
Proper examples should be used to make the reader well-connected
The use of some anecdotes, quotes, and dialogues will be more impactful
Avoid unnecessary use of Jargons
Don’t make it full of facts; just try to balance it out
The whole thing should be presented in proper synchronization with facts.
Repetitive ideas are not allowed in essay writing. The structure can be short and precise but without repetition of pointers. In the conclusion part, one can repeat some ideas briefly to conclude the whole discussion. So, one has to be very careful while arranging the points.
List of Commonly Asked XAT Essay Topics
There is nothing specific topics can be taken from areas like-
Social
Political
Technological
Historical
Core management topics
Abstract topics
Just for more understanding, check this out: -
In the year 2023
Sample topics were –
risk-taking is essential or not
rapid decarbonization in the Indian context.
3. people who half logical skill but are smart workers as they don’t
doubt themselves.
2. In the year 2022-
1. capitalism and democracy cannot co-exist
2. In management, we do not need people who have never experienced setbacks. Such people are highly risk averse because business schools mainly focus on stellar academic achievements during admissions; the selected students turn out to be average managers.
There can be some abstract or even social topics that can be unpredictable for the candidate. So, it is very important to brainstorm ideas using some famous techniques like Spelt or KWA. In case one is well honed with these techniques he or she will never get stuck with any topics.
Time management is one of the main challenges of Essay Writing. You have 30 minutes to read the essay prompt, organize your thoughts, and compose your essay. It is best to take about five minutes to consider the topic and organize your answer, and then allot about twenty-five minutes for writing. You will become more productive on test day if you practice time management during your practice.
Some key pointers to Excel are as follows: -
make your standpoint clear
stay neutral in case required
use quotations, examples, anecdotes, and arguments.
Try to reflect on the topic by balancing your points from the introduction to the conclusion
Use simple sentences, correct grammar, and at vocabulary
Practice on a daily basis so that you are ready and confident about this exercise. Make mistakes and analyze them thoroughly. Learn to use new tips by experimenting. Remember, we have been doing it since our academic days, so be confident and start writing.
Stay updated with recent news and developments through newspapers, magazines, online resources, and current affairs programs. Revise key events, facts, and figures relevant to business, politics, economics, and social issues.
Regularly practice passages under timed conditions to improve speed and writing style.
Analyze your performance, identify weaknesses, and work on improving them through targeted practice.
Several books and online resources can help you prepare for the XAT essay writing section. Some recommended XAT preparation books include “Essays for Competitive Exams” by UPSC toppers and “A Modern Approach to Essay Writing” by R. S. Aggarwal. Additionally, websites like Aeon, The Guardian, and The New York Times Opinion section provide high-quality essays on a wide range of topics. Online forums and blogs dedicated to MBA exam preparation can also offer valuable tips and practice materials.
Looking at sample essays and practicing with real-world topics is one of the best ways to prepare. Sample essays can give you an idea of the structure, tone, and argumentation style expected in XAT. Websites like Pagalguy and InsideIIM often provide sample essay questions and answers that are tailored for MBA aspirants. Practicing these will give you a clearer sense of what to expect and how to approach essay writing in the exam.
An essay with structure improves readability and facilitates more efficient communication of your thoughts. A conclusion, three body paragraphs, and an introduction make up the conventional essay format. Your major concepts should be outlined in the beginning, along with a concise thesis statement. Each of the body paragraphs should concentrate on a distinct idea and provide examples or supporting data. Your main ideas should be summed up, and your argument should be restated in the conclusion.
The thought process should be well reflected by clear and concise words and thought process. Stick to the topic. Don’t get deviate from the main topic. Word limit has to be kept in mind. Arguments should be well supported by facts and proper solid opinions.
Try to be innovative by using solid facts and arguments. Try to give suggestion, solutions, or recommendations in the concluding passage. Starting should be catchy to give an effective learning experience to your readers.
Don’t be extreme in case lagging with solid opinion
Don’t exceed the time limit and word limit
Try to be more data-oriented and balance out by using proper, authentic examples and facts
Don’t use different writing styles
Don’t experiment by using different tones
Be analytical, but don’t be over judgemental
Don’t play with jargons
Try to use some planned way of dealing with the topics
Writing should be well structured with proper required facts and data
Don’t be verbose with any particular part of the essay
Read More:
XAT 2025 Last-Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines
No, be selective and write about the selected parameters, which can be handled in detail with supporting details and examples.
Yes, abstract topics can be there, including factual, general, or even current affairs topics can be expected.
Jargon and both general vocabulary can be used in brainstorming techniques, but the balance of the two need to be maintained.
Practicing creativity, staying curious, seeking diverse perspectives, and adopting a mindset of continuous learning can help improve idea-generation skills.
Various digital tools such as mind mapping software, idea management platforms, and virtual collaboration tools can help with idea generation and innovation.
Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a PDF copy of the same hope it helps.
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
Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates solely based on academic performance, although it has a big weightage in their selection process. They test your presence of mind, intellect, and communication skills through Group Discussions and Interviews.
The safest way to get into a good MBA college is to score 96-97+ percentile and do really well in GD and PI. Top MBA colleges in India are IIMs, XISS (Ranchi), TISS, Delhi School of Business, and Symbiosis.
Hope this helps
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.
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.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
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.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
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.
In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
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.
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.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024
Highest CTC: INR 28.25 LPA | Average for Top 100 offers: INR 17.34 LPA | Ranked #63 in India under Management category by NIRF | 148 Recruiters
180+ Companies | Highest CTC 15 LPA | Average CTC 7.5 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row | Awarded Best Business School of the Year
Ranked No. 1 Business School in India and no.35 in world by Financial Times MiM 2024 Ranking | Highest CTC: INR 81 LPA
Highest CTC 70 LPA | Avg CTC 11.22 LPA | Ranked #55 by NIRF
9 IBS Campuses | Scholarships Worth Rs 10 CR