XAT 2025 Preparation Time Table - Section-wise Strategy & Study Plan

XAT 2025 Preparation Time Table - Section-wise Strategy & Study Plan

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 13, 2024 11:56 PM IST | #XAT

XAT 2025 Preparation Time Table - A proper timeline is essential for effectively preparing for the XAT. It enables you to remain organized and manage your time efficiently. A thorough preparation plan guarantees that you cover everything necessary without being flooded by study materials, teachers. or friends. XAT , conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, is a national-level exam, hence effective time management is essential for success. Careers360 provides the XAT preparation schedule with professional coaching and a topper's perspective. Read this article by Careers360 to keep track of your actions and get excellent scores.

Direct link to fill XAT 2025 registration form

One can overload himself/ herself with various study materials/ tutors or friends, but the question remains the same: how to manage everything? Xavier Aptitude Test, popularly known as XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur at a national level.

Benefits of XAT Preparation Time Table

XAT 2025 will be conducted on January 07 in online mode. Careers360 brings to you the XAT 2025 preparation time table with the help of expert guidance and a topper’s view. Read this article to keep a track of your activities and secure good grades.

With more than 150- B Schools accepting XAT scores and more than 90,000 (Approximately) students appear for XAT every year, it is clear about the level of competition that is offered. Hence, the XAT preparation timetable comes to the rescue to pave the way to success. Following are the benefits of the XAT preparation time table that one can derive:

  • It will serve as an aide-memoire for the necessary activities which will make you punctual and efficient.

  • Time management will help you reduce stress and eliminate the stage of cramming. Further, it helps in eliminating procrastination and keeps you motivated.

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Section nameNumber of questionsMajor topicsMarking schemeTime limit
Verbal and Logical Reasoning26
  • +1 for every correct answer
  • -0.25 for every incorrect answer
  • -0.10 for 8 unattempt questions


170 minutes
Decision Making21
  • Caselet study
  • Data Arrangement
  • Decision making in a given scenario
  • Ethical Dilemma
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation28
General Knowledge20Static GK and Current Affairs
  • +1 for every correct answers
  • No deduction for wrong answers
10 minutes
Essay Writing01-
  • will be assessed after the candidate is shortlisted for GD/PI round.
Total101--180 minutes
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
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XAT Preparation Time Table- Four Key Strategies

  • Be Informed about the exam

  • Develop Study Plan

  • Get some rays

  • Revise

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Be Informed About the Exam

For better preparedness, one must know the exam pattern and syllabus of XAT thoroughly. One can check if he/she is informed about the exam completely by asking several questions to self:

  • What is the exam pattern of XAT?

  • What is the exam duration?

  • What is the total number of questions?

  • What are the important topics that I should cover?

  • Is there any mock test available for XAT?

Develop Study Plan

This is the crucial stage of the XAT preparation timetable. In this, you must map out the study plan as per the number of months/days left for the examination. Check the list below:

1) With 6 months left for XAT Examination

Whether you are a beginner or repeater, the schedule before 6 months of the XAT exam remains the same. While preparing for XAT students must keep track of the following:

  • Thoroughly know the exam pattern and syllabus of XAT. Knowing the syllabus in advance will help one strategize the preparation and know the important topics for preparation.

  • Analyze your strong and weak areas

  • Make sure you get your basics right before practicing through sample papers or mock tests

  • After clearing all the fundamentals, appear for quizzes or mock tests

  • Get the appropriate XAT preparation material and overcome your weaknesses.

  • Go through the material and decide if the self-study would help or coach depending upon the preference.

2) With 3 months left for XAT Examination

Now that you will be left with three months of the exam, now is the time to sharpen your skills and complete the XAT syllabus. XAT preparation time table for 3 months must be as follows:

  • You must have clear fundamentals/ concepts

  • Look for reliable preparation study material

  • Take mock tests to analyze the preparation level

  • Keep no point of confusion

  • Join online study groups and become a part of online groups, make the best use of social media.

3) With 2 months left for XAT preparation

To many students, preparing for XAT in two months may come as a surprise. However, you must not lose hope and know that even two months are enough to score with flying colors. With just two months left for the exam, you must ensure about the following points:

  • More focus on Quizzes and mock tests

  • Go through the study materials section-wise.

  • Focus more on strong and weak areas. Make sure while improving your weak areas you don't invest all your time in it and also focus on your strong areas to build confidence.

4) With 1 month left for XAT Preparation

Still, confused on how to prepare for XAT in one month? Is it really sufficient? This is the time to narrow down your preparation by :

  • Taking regular mock tests

  • Manage speed, time, and accuracy

  • Clear your concepts

  • Check section-wise preparation

How to Prepare for XAT 2025 Decision Making?

Preparing for the Decision-Making section of the XAT 2025 exam involves practicing with a variety of caselets and scenarios that test your ability to analyze situations and make the right judgments. Focus on understanding the core issues presented in each case and think through the implications of different decisions. Practice with past XAT exam papers and sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions you might encounter. Also, working on developing a structured approach to problem-solving and time management can help you handle this section more effectively.

How to prepare for XAT 2025 Verbal Ability?

To prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of XAT exam 2025, start by regularly reading diverse materials like newspapers, magazines, and novels to build your comprehension skills and vocabulary. Practice with a variety of reading comprehension passages and focus on understanding the main ideas, arguments, and details. Also, work on grammar and sentence correction exercises to enhance your verbal ability. Taking mock tests and analyzing your performance can help you identify areas for improvement and get comfortable with the types of questions asked.

How to prepare for XAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation?

To prepare for the Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA and DI) sections of XAT 2025, start by mastering fundamental math concepts and practicing a wide range of problems. Focus on areas like algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and data interpretation techniques. Regularly solve practice questions and previous years' papers to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and the level of difficulty. Work on improving your speed and accuracy, and review your mistakes to understand where you need to improve. Time management is crucial, so practice under timed conditions to build your efficiency.

How Much Time Is Required to Prepare for XAT?

The time required to prepare for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) varies depending on individual capabilities, but generally, a well-structured preparation plan of 3 to 6 months is ideal. This period allows you to thoroughly understand the exam pattern, cover all sections—Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, and General Knowledge—practice extensively with mock tests, and refine your test-taking strategies. However, with dedicated effort, focus, and effective time management, even a shorter preparation period of 1 to 2 months can be sufficient for those with a strong foundation in the relevant subjects.

How many times XAT exam is conducted in a year

The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted once a year, usually in the first week of January. There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can appear for the XAT, allowing individuals to take the exam multiple times in different years if they wish to improve their scores or apply to various business schools. This annual frequency ensures that candidates have ample time to prepare and strategize for their next attempt if needed.

XAT Preparation Time Table- Topper’s Corner

  • Satyam who bagged 98.123 percentile in XAT 2021 shares how he began his XAT preparation 6 months before the examination. In this view, he says that “Both CAT and XAT have almost the same level of difficulty and syllabus (accept for the Decision-Making section in XAT). So I kept my focus on preparing for the Quants and Verbal Section of CAT which itself did the part for XAT. After the CAT was over, I started working on Decision Making questions and along with that, I kept revising the concepts of Quants which I had learned during CAT preparation.”

  • Vandan Shah who gave a second attempt for XAT scored 99.704 in XAT 2021. In his preparation strategy, he guides that, “This was my second attempt at XAT. Previously I scored 97.1 percentile. I had a call from XLRI BM but couldn't convert it. So basically I started preparing for XAT 2021 last year. But you have to be in constant touch and practice as the format and pattern of the test are quite challenging and different from other entrance exams. I practiced a lot from the past year’s XAT question papers. Apart from that regularly giving the mocks helped me decide on how much time do I need to dedicate to each section.”

  • Arya Balial, who scored 99.636 in XAT 2018 managed to scoop out time along with his professional life. He shares how he prepared for XAT in three months, wherein he states, “At the five-month mark, I started out steadily with revising old concepts and learning new ones from scratch. XAT mostly tests one’s common sense and how well one’s fundamentals are in the case of quants. All one needs to do, in order to do well in XAT is to be clear with basics. To brush up on old concepts and to grasp a few new ones, one needs regular practice in the form of daily sectionals and offline practice from coaching materials and books.

Also Check;

Once I hit the three-month mark I was almost done with the basics and had started with the mocks. The mocks are the most aspect of one’s preparation, and I cannot stress that enough. During this phase, one has to identify one’s strong and weak areas, timing.

Also since XAT has gone online in 2018, online mocks have become all the more crucial. Once the strong and weak sections have been identified, one should focus on preparation such that the strong parts contribute towards uplifting the overall percentile while simultaneously ensuring that at least the cut-offs are cleared for the weaker sections.

As the one-month mark drew near I increased the frequency of taking mocks, analyzing them, and put in more hours into the preparation each day. I focused more on the techniques, formulas, and shortcuts for the quants, logical ability section as well as speed reading techniques for the verbal section.

Finally, the last-minute strategy was to focus on the shortcuts and revising my strong points so that those questions give a sure shot at a good percentile.”

Get Some Rays

It is rightly said that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, you must pursue your interests/hobbies by involving in recreational activities helping in de-stressing yourself. As machines also shut down when it is required to be cool, similarly you should rejuvenate your inner system by performing your hobby.

This helps in increasing self-esteem and a chance to connect with your soul. Hence, make sure as you construct the XAT preparation time table don’t forget to add the element of relaxation.

Revision

As per the definition by the English dictionary, revision means to read things again. Revision implies that you must go through everything that you have studied so that if you are missing any topic you can know.

  • Organize your revision plan by focusing on the areas you are more anxious about.

  • Be active while doing the revision. Make notes and summarize regularly.

  • Revision not only involves going through each topic but also coping with your anxiety. Take good sleep and don’t be in a rush to have everything on one plate.

When Should I Start Solving XAT Sample Papers/Mock Tests?

While you think you are ready to solve the mock test or sample paper of XAT, check for the following points before solving:

  • Followed up with the time table created?

  • Thorough with the exam pattern?

  • Covered all the topics mentioned in the syllabus of XAT?

Once you have crossed the above-mentioned checkpoints, you are ready to analyze your preparation level by solving the XAT mock test or XAT sample papers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to prepare for XAT 2025?

To prepare for XAT 2025, start by understanding the test format and syllabus. Create a study plan covering all sections and use practice materials like books and past papers. Take regular mock tests to track your progress and focus on improving weak areas. Stay consistent with your study routine and review your mistakes to get better.

2. How many hours to study for XAT?

Studying for the XAT usually requires around 6 to 8 hours a day, especially if you’re aiming for thorough preparation. This includes time for practice, reviewing concepts, and taking mock tests. Adjust the hours based on your personal schedule and progress, ensuring you maintain consistency and cover all sections effectively.

3. Is 3 months enough to prepare for XAT?

Yes, 3 months can be enough to prepare for the XAT if you dedicate significant time and effort. Focus on a structured study plan, cover all sections thoroughly, and regularly practice with mock tests. Intense and focused preparation during this period can help you achieve a competitive score.

4. Is 6 months enough for XAT?

Yes, 6 months is generally enough for XAT preparation. It gives you ample time to cover the syllabus, practice extensively, and take mock tests. With a well-structured plan and consistent effort, you can build a strong foundation and improve your chances of performing well on the exam.

5. Does GK matter in XAT?

Yes, General Knowledge (GK) in XAT does matter. While it isn't used to calculate your percentile, it is important for the next stages of the admissions process. Good performance in the GK section can enhance your overall profile and contribute to your chances of getting an interview call from XLRI or other participating institutes.

6. How can a timetable help you score well?

A schedule allows you to develop a solid study plan by ensuring that you devote adequate time to each section of the course. It also helps you remain disciplined and focused throughout your preparation.

7. How much time is required for XAT preparation?

The amount of time required varies by individual, but 3 to 6 months of intense study frequently proves sufficient for the XAT examination.

8. Do mock exams help you score better on the XAT?

Yes, mock exams are really useful. They provide a clear understanding of the test format and help with time management, both of which are essential for success.

9. How many times is the XAT test conducted each year?

XAT takes place once a year, generally in the first week of January.

10. Is there a restriction on how many times you may take the XAT exam?

No, there is no limitation. You may take the XAT as many times as you want.

11. How can a timetable help you score well?

A schedule allows you to develop a solid study plan by ensuring that you devote adequate time to each section of the course. It also helps you remain disciplined and focused throughout your preparation.

12. How much time is required for XAT preparation?

The amount of time required varies by individual, but 3 to 6 months of intense study frequently proves sufficient for the XAT examination.

13. Do mock exams help you score better on the XAT?

Yes, mock exams are really useful. They provide a clear understanding of the test format and help with time management, both of which are essential for success.

14. How many times is the XAT test conducted each year?

XAT takes place once a year, generally in the first week of January.

15. Is there a restriction on how many times you may take the XAT exam?

No, there is no limitation. You may take the XAT as many times as you want.

16. How can a timetable help you score well?

A schedule allows you to develop a solid study plan by ensuring that you devote adequate time to each section of the course. It also helps you remain disciplined and focused throughout your preparation.

17. How much time is required for XAT preparation?

The amount of time required varies by individual, but 3 to 6 months of intense study frequently proves sufficient for the XAT examination.

18. Do mock exams help you score better on the XAT?

Yes, mock exams are really useful. They provide a clear understanding of the test format and help with time management, both of which are essential for success.

19. How many times is the XAT test conducted each year?

XAT takes place once a year, generally in the first week of January.

20. Is there a restriction on how many times you may take the XAT exam?

No, there is no limitation. You may take the XAT as many times as you want.

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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.

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.

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