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
XAT 2025 section wise preparation strategy by experts and toppers - The Xavier Aptitude Test XAT 2025, conducted by XLRI in Jamshedpur, is acknowledged to be distinct from the CAT. and is regarded as one of the most difficult management tests. The exam consists of around 100 questions covering Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation, English, Decision Making, and General Awareness, as well as an essay portion. To get a high XAT score, adopt a section-by-section preparation plan established by former toppers and experts. It will be easier to do well if you know what to study and how to respond to various question types. Candidates must also manage their time well for every aspect in order to perform well in the XAT 2025. In this article by career360 we are going to discuss the XAT section-wise preparation strategy, through which candidates can analyze how they can ace the XAT 2025.
Direct link to fill XAT 2025 registration form
A high percentile in XAT can be achieved by knowing the section-wise preparation strategy of previous year's toppers and experts. By knowing what to study and how to handle various kinds of questions from different sections, can perform well in the Xavier Aptitude Test. During preparation, candidates must be clear about how much time they need to allot to every section. Here, we are going to discuss the XAT section-wise preparation strategy, through this candidates can analyze how they can ace the XAT 2025.
Be well versed with the XAT exam pattern before starting XAT exam preparation. Through this one will be able to manage their time and by knowing XAT paper patterns one will get to know his or her strong and weak areas. Apart from that candidates will get to know on which section they will have to focus more, so that they can score well and on which section they will need to work less.
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
Section name | Total marks allotted | Number of Questions | Negative marking | Total time |
Verbal and Logical Reasoning | 75 | 26 | 0.25 marks will get deducted for every wrong answer | 180 Minutes |
Quantitative ability and Data Interpretation | 28 | |||
Decision making | 21 | 0.10 marks for more than 8 unanswered questions | ||
General knowledge | 25 | 25 | ||
Essay | will be evaluated once the candidates get shortlisted for interview | 01 |
Each question carries one mark and there is a negative marking. For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will get deducted. However, there is no negative marking in the General Knowledge section.
Here we have an opinion of previous year XAT topper Vandan Shah (99.704 percentile) says “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 exam one year in advance. But you have to be in constant touch and practice as the format and pattern of the test is quite challenging and different from other entrance exams”
He further added, "I used to practice a lot from past year XAT question papers. Apart from that, I followed the rule of giving mocks as much as I could. This helped me track the XAT exam with a good score".
Another topper Satyam Sharma (98.123 Percentiler) shared his section wise and overall preparation strategy of XAT. According to Satyam, preparing for CAT and all other MBA entrance exams gives an added advantage as both CAT and XAT have almost the same level of difficulty and syllabus (except for the Decision-making section in XAT). He says, "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.
Quick Link-
The first section of the XAT question paper is English and is divided into two subsections - Reading Comprehension and English Usage. While preparing one needs to do a lot of reading. While preparing, read at least two reading comprehension passages per day. Those who have good command over Grammar and Vocabulary can ace this section with ease, if not then take help from recommended books, newspapers, read journals and solve XAT sample papers. The Cracking Verbal section totally depends on one who can understand and use of English language.
Best Books for XAT 2025 English Section
Barron’s Dictionary |
Word Power by Norman Lewis |
High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren, Martin |
For RCs, read fiction or nonfiction, different type of pieces, news or article followed by analytical introspection |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis |
The Student’s Companion Book by Wilfred D. Best |
Quick Links-
Quantitative Ability is one of the toughest sections of any management entrance exam. That is why it is important to get familiar with the type of questions asked in this section. The best part of the QA section is the margin of error is little and sitters are rare. Candidates need to pick their questions wisely because XAT demands one to attempt those questions which one can solve with 100 percent accuracy rate. Same applies for the Verbal Ability and Decision Making section.
Since, in QA section questions are many and time is less. So, it is very important that one should solve the previous years XAT question papers during preparations. Solve at least one XAT question paper and do its analysis and take online mock tests regularly. Through this candidates will improve their ability to the “kind of XAT questions”.
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Test for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma |
Data Interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha |
Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha |
Questions will be asked in the Decision making section mainly consisting of problems based on everyday situations and business and candidates may face delima while facing such questions. The best way to avoid such difficulty, candidates should practice from previous years question papers. Questions will be related to issues involving sales, ethical dilemmas and other financial conditions, scenarios of various management issues, revenue of a company and general management. While solving such questions, try to understand the logic behind the answer.
Target XAT (Past Year Papers & Mock Test); by Disha experts |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning by Arihant Publications |
Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers); by R.K. Jha |
The General Knowledge (GK) section mainly consists of questions based on Static GK and Current affairs. The Static GK will include topics like - Politics, Currency, Culture, Books and Authors, Economics, Environment and Ecology, Film and Television, etc. There are many online sources available online to prepare for the General Knowledge section. If one has a shortage of time for this section, then try to cover the topics through current affairs videos which are available online.
The first section of the XAT question paper is English and is divided into two subsections - Reading Comprehension and English Usage.
The exam consists of around 100 questions.
To improve your XAT preparation, begin by knowing the test structure and the sorts of questions in every section. Regular practice with mock examinations and past papers can help you increase your speed and accuracy. Concentrate on your weak points to ensure that you're strengthening where you need it the most.
However, there is no negative rating in the General Knowledge portion.
Section-wise preparation is essential for XAT since each section of the exam evaluates unique skills. Focusing on each part allows you to better comprehend the questions and practice in the appropriate method.
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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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