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XAT 2025 Last Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines
Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 13, 2024 08:48 PM IST | #XAT
XAT 2025 Last-Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines -
Hello Candidates, with the XAT exam 2025 nearing, applicants should put in their best effort. The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a competitive MBA admission test in India offered by XLRI Jamshedpur. This article contains last-minute advice and exam-day instructions to assist applicants in enhancing their performance and increasing their chances of success. With these points in mind, This article on XAT 2025 last-minute tips and exam day strategies by Careers360 has compiled a list of the finest methods and strategies to use on exam day in order to improve your score.
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Direct link to fill XAT 2025 registration form
Before starting the preparation, let us have a short look at the XAT exam pattern 2025. Some changes have been made to the XAT exam pattern in recent years. The section of essay writing has been brought back as part of the XAT test paper. Now the test will be 3 hours and 30 minutes and have five sections. With these in mind, this article on XAT 2025 last-minute tips and exam day guidelines by Careers360 has curated a list of the best tips and strategies to follow during the XAT exam day in order to score better.
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Last-Minute Tips for XAT 2025
As you approach the XAT 2025 exam, keep in mind these last-minute tips to maximize your performance:
Ensure that you revise: Go through all the important concepts, formulas, and strategies you've studied. Focus on revising key topics and solving a few practice questions to reinforce your understanding.
Be confident: Believe in your preparation and stay positive. Confidence can significantly impact your performance, helping you tackle questions more effectively.
Go through the current affairs: Review recent news and major events, as this will be crucial for the General Knowledge section. Stay updated with the latest developments to answer these questions accurately.
Choose the best XAT exam strategy: Decide on a strategy that suits you best, whether it's answering easier questions first or managing time across sections efficiently. Stick to your plan to ensure a smooth exam experience.
Always have a backup plan: Be prepared for any unexpected issues, such as technical glitches or time management problems. Having a backup plan will help you stay calm and handle any situation effectively.
XAT 2025 Last-Minute Tips - Practical
Do not forget to carry XAT Admit Card
XAT Sample Paper, Topic wise Questions & Solution
Download latest XAT sample papers with detailed solution designed by MBA hitbullseye for the XAT 2025 examination preparation based on latest exam pattern, Topics and their weightage, difficulty level
Download EBookIn all entrance exams, candidates must carry a hard copy of their XAT admit cards. In the XAT MBA entrance exam also, XLRI Jamshedpur will ask candidates to carry at least two hard copies of the XAT 2025 admit card. Before reaching the exam centre of XAT 2025, it will be mandatory for candidates to have their admit cards. No candidate will be allowed to get inside the exam centre if he/she does not possess a hard copy of their XAT admit card 2025.
Documents to carry
Apart from a hard copy of the XAT admit card 2025, candidates will be required to carry certain other documents for verification purposes as well. Some of the documents that candidates should carry to the exam centre of XAT 2025 are as follows -
Recent passport-size photograph
Original Identity card like PAN, Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License
Stationery items
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As per the exam pattern of XAT 2025, the exam will be conducted in computer-based mode. Hence, candidates are not required to carry anything. A rough sheet will be provided along with a pen if required by candidates.
Check the Location of Exam Centre Beforehand
Once candidates download their admit card of XAT 2025, the exam centre allotted to them is mentioned there. As one of the practical pieces of advice on XAT last-minute tips and exam day guidelines, candidates are requested to visit the exam centre a few days before the exam to avoid hindrances on exam day.
XAT 2025 Exam Day Guidelines
Be on Reporting Time - Candidates should be at the exam centre of XAT at least one hour before the exam time. The reporting time is also mentioned on the admit card and candidates are required to adhere to the time. No candidate will be allowed to go inside if they are late than the reporting time.
No Electronic Gadgets Allowed- To ensure fulfilment of security requirements and avoid any kind of hassle, candidates are advised to not bring any kind of electronic gadgets like mobile phones, digital watches, calculators, etc., Candidates who during checking are found with any such gadgets will not be allowed to continue with their XAT exam and will be debarred.
Double Check Answers - As per the XAT 2025 exam pattern, there will be negative markings in the XAT question paper. Hence, after answering candidates should ensure that they have revisited and re-checked their answers to avoid negative markings in wrong answers. If you are unsure, then do not attempt the question at all.
XAT Instructions 2025
- Five options per question will be visible to candidates.
- One question at a time will be there on the screen. Candidates will be able to switch between questions using the next and previous question tab.
- On the top-right corner of the screen, a timer will be visible. XAT question paper will disappear once the timer gets to zero.
- If candidates are unsatisfied with marked answers, they can choose to unmark the same by clicking the 'Erase' button given at the bottom.
- There will be no sectional timing, hence, questions can be answered in any time frame.
- The option to bookmark a question is also available in case the candidate wishes to review it. This can be done by clicking on the 'Tag' button.
Status of Questions in XAT 2025
Colour | Indication | Status | |
Yellow |
| Unanswered & Marked for review | |
Green |
| Answered | |
White |
| Unanswered yet | |
Purple |
| Answered & Marked for review |
In case the candidate completes the paper within the stipulated time period, he/she can end the test by clicking the 'Preview Submit' button. Note that candidates will not be allowed to leave the exam hall before three hours i.e. the time duration of XAT 2025 is complete.
Even if the candidates do not click on the 'Preview Submit' button, the result will be saved automatically.
XAT 2025 Exam Strategy
Keeping in view the XAT previous year question paper, there are no fixed no. of questions that the candidates need to answer. Given below is a list of questions from each section along with a marking scheme that can be checked by candidates.
XAT Exam Pattern 2025
Sections | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
XAT Part-I | ||
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VA&LR) | 26 | 170 |
Decision-making (DM) | 21 | |
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) | 28 | |
XAT Part-II | ||
Mock Keyboard Testing | NA | 5 |
XAT Part-III | ||
General Knowledge (GK) | 20 | 10 mins (For the General Knowledge alone) |
Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) | 1 | |
| Total | 180 minutes | |
XAT Marking Scheme 2025 - Highlights
For each correct answer, one mark will be awarded
For each incorrect answer, a 0.25 mark will be deducted
A Total of 0.10 mark will be deducted for every eight unattempted questions
For the General Knowledge section 20 questions will be asked instead of 25. This would include 12 questions from current affairs and 8 questions from static GK, there will be no negative marking
Also Read-
How to prepare for XAT while working?
Section-wise XAT 2025 Last-Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines
For Verbal and Logical Ability
Topics like Critical Reasoning : Decision making conclusion derivation and theme detection , Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion (multiple blanks), Reading Comprehension, etc., will form major questions in this section.
The length of Reading Comprehensions and other passages in this section will not be very long but the English used will be difficult to read. Hence, candidates are advised to focus on strengthening their vocabulary for this section.
To save time, it is advisable to attempt the questions related to Sentence Completion, Para Jumbles, Cloze test, Vocabulary, etc., and then move on to the difficult and time-consuming questions related to Reasoning, RC, and Correction. In XAT 2025, candidates can expect an equal number of inferential as well as specific detail-based questions.
For General Knowledge
There will be no negative marking in this section, hence candidates tend to waste their time on General Knowledge.
It is suggested that candidates should answer only those questions which they can answer quickly and accurately.
For Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
In XAT 2025 this section will possibly justify your preparation & hard work. Questions from Arithmetic, Number System, Geometry, Algebra, Base System, and Mathematical Reasoning will be the mainstay in this section.
For practice, use your CAT preparation material but don't go beyond the Advanced Level problems. DI sets are usually simple and do not create any problems in terms of reaching the solution.
If QADI is strong then you should target almost all questions. Average candidates should target not more than 15-20 questions. The SQC techniques, as well as the three-round approach, will work here.
For Decision Making
This section includes Behavioral and Mathematical decision-making questions. In behavioural questions, the situation is described and the protagonist in the passage needs to make a decision and solve his/her dilemma. Candidates are required to suggest the right course of action and mark the correct answer.
Eliminate the choices based on the parameters of legality, fairness, and the desired result.
Candidates must thoroughly go through XAT previous year papers and practice as many XAT mock test as they can to strengthen their XAT preparation 2025.
XAT Preparation Books
Choosing the right XAT preparation books is essential because they provide structured and comprehensive coverage of the exam syllabus, ensuring you don't miss any critical topics. These books are often updated with the latest exam patterns and include a variety of practice questions that reflect the types of questions you'll face in the actual exam, helping you become familiar with the format and difficulty level.
Best XAT Books: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Book Name | Author | Salient Features |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | RS Aggarwal | Comprehensive coverage of quantitative topics, numerous practice questions, step-by-step solutions. |
Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K Sinha | Focuses on data interpretation techniques, includes CAT-level problems, detailed explanations. |
How to prepare for Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Strategies for different types of DI problems, practice sets, time management tips. |
Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha | Extensive practice problems, clear explanations, covers various competitive exams. |
Best XAT Books: Decision Making
Book Name | Author | Salient Features |
Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers) | RK Jha | Previous years’ XAT papers, detailed solutions, mock tests. |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Arihant Publications | Covers various reasoning topics, practice questions, exam-oriented approach. |
Target XAT (Past papers & mock tests) | Disha Publications | Collection of past XAT papers, mock tests, detailed solutions. |
Best XAT Books: Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning
Book Name | Author | Salient Features |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Vocabulary building, easy-to-understand format, effective word usage. |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Comprehensive grammar rules, composition techniques, numerous examples. |
Analytical Reasoning | MK Pandey | Extensive reasoning problems, clear explanations, practice exercises. |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | RS Aggarwal | Wide range of verbal and non-verbal reasoning problems, step-by-step solutions. |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Ajay Singh | Focuses on reading comprehension, verbal ability, practice questions, strategies. |
Best XAT Books: General Knowledge
Book Name | Author | Salient Features |
Manorama Year Book | Malayala Manorama Group | Comprehensive annual reference book, current affairs, general knowledge. |
Objective General Knowledge (Lucent's) | Sanjiv Kumar | Objective questions, covers a wide range of GK topics, useful for competitive exams. |
Lucent's General Knowledge | Lucent | Detailed coverage of GK topics, frequently asked questions, concise format. |
General Knowledge 2025 | Manohar Pandey | Updated GK content, current affairs, exam-oriented preparation. |
Lucent's General Knowledge 2025 | Dr. Binay Karna | Comprehensive GK coverage, useful for various competitive exams. |
Arihant’s General Knowledge 2024 | Manohar Pandey | Extensive GK content, current affairs, competitive exam preparation. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is last minute revision important?
Go through all the important concepts, formulas, and strategies you've studied. Focus on revising key topics and solving a few practice questions to reinforce your understanding.
2. Does XAT have a negative marking?
The XAT 2025 exam has negative marking. Candidates should carefully evaluate their responses to avoid losing points for wrong answers. If you are doubtful about a question, do not try it.
3. Does confidence really matter?
Maintain a good approach and trust your preparations. Confidence may significantly boost your performance and allow you to answer questions more effectively.
4. When should I arrive at the examination hall?
Candidates must appear at the XAT exam center at least an hour before the exam begins. The reporting time is on the admission card, and applicants must adhere to it. Those who arrive late will not be permitted to enter.
5. Is final rechecking significant?
Yes, it is necessary to review all of the answers to ensure that none of the answer you attempted are wrongly marked, as well as to double-check that all attempted answers are accurate from your end.
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Nov 13, 2024
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Questions related to XAT
Have a question related to XAT ?
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.
Deepti Singh 06 November,2024
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.
sadafreen356 26 July,2024
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
Abhinav Singh 05 March,2024
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
Ishita 20 July,2024
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.
Abhinav Singh 24 February,2024
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