How to Prepare for XAT 2025 Exam in 1 Month: Check Last Month Plan and Tips

Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )

DeskCalelnderRegistration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Dec 13, 2024 15:57 IST

The last one month of XAT 2025 preparation is to be utilised for revision and working on strengths in a focused manner. Aspirants need to keep the focus on practice tests and analysis. Check out tips & tricks to prepare for XAT 2025 in one month.

XAT preparation in one month

XAT 2025 exam is less than one month away, start focusing on fixing the loop holes. By the last month of XAT 2025 preparation, one is abouy 80 percent prepared for the exam. In this last one month, spend time on practicing XAT mock tests, revising key topics and memorizing static GK to cover the remaining 20 percent. Most of the MBA aspirants have appeared for CAT 2024 and are pretty much prepared for tackling a speed based test. All you will need to do now is to shift your focus to XAT based practice and preparation. Read this article to get tips on XAT 2025 preparation in last one month. 

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There will be four sections in XAT exam 2025 i.e. Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. The preparation strategy for XAT 2025 in the last month should be based on how much XAT syllabus one has covered so far. 

Q:   How can I cover the XAT syllabus by self study?
Q:   Is XAT tough for candidates from non-Engineering background?
Q:   In how many months can I prepare for XAT?

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MBA aspirants who have appeared for or appearing for other MBA entrance exams as well, then they need to mainly focus on Decision Making and Essay Writing for XAT.  Here we have mentioned tips to prepare for XAT 2025 exam in one month.

How to Prepare for XAT 2024 in One Month

Focus on XAT Exam Pattern

XAT is mainly a test of decision-making skills, calculative skills, cognitive ability, language comprehension and general knowledge. It has a unique section – Decision Making. Since not much study material is available for this particular section, preparation for it is based on previous year XAT question papers only.

XAT has sectional time-limit. Candidates have to complete Part 1 of the question paper i.e. Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation in 170 minutes. The General Knowledge art is of 10 minutes. There is no essay writing in XAT this year, so you will find it easier to handle the pressure. Take a look at the XAT 2025 exam pattern below.

Q:   What was the difficulty level of XAT 2025 exam?
Q:   Are six months enough to prepare for XAT?

XAT Exam Pattern 2025

Check below the highlights of latest XAT exam pattern based on the previous year's question paper:

XAT exam features

Details

Sections

Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge

Test duration

180 minutes

Part 1- 170 minutes

Part 2 - 10 minutes

Questions

  • Decision Making: 22
  • Verbal and Logical Ability: 26
  • Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation: 27
  • General Knowledge: 20

Marking scheme

  • One mark allotted for each right attempt in all sections
  • For every wrong attempt, there is deduction of 0.25 marks
  • There is a deduction of 0.05 marks 8 consecutive unanswered questions
  • There is no negative marking in GK section
  • Essay Writing will be evaluated only after candidate's selection for PI

XAT Preparation for GK and Decision Making

Decision Making and General Knowledge are exclusive to XAT. Thus, candidates who are also appearing for other MBA entrance exams need to focus specifically on the preparation of these two sections. Other sections i.e. Verbal and Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation are common to CAT/MAT/SNAP/CMAT/IIFT. Read some key tips for Decision Making and General Knowledge preparation:

  • General Knowledge: For GK section, stay updated with current affairs. Read news around International affairs, politics, economy, sports, trade as well as science, sociology etc. daily. If you were not preparing for this section thoroughly or on a monthly basis then it is better to catch up with major events and achievements in the last one month before XAT 2025. Give preference to annual or bi-annual business magazines or GK year books. In XAT exam, GK section is the easiest of all and least time taking. It carries 25 questions and not more than 15 minutes should be allotted to attempt this section. Aim for attempting at least three questions or more in a minute.
  • Decision Making: This section is based on business situations and logical reasoning. To score maximum marks in this section, it is advised to put all the data in the most logical and ethical manner, including CSR, transparency, legal and other aspects of corporate principles. To excel in XAT Decision Making, take up business case studies and previous years' XAT questions papers. The Decision Making section comprises 22 questions based on paragraphs and passages with multiple options and candidates have to decide the correct answer based on the situation. The closest correct option usually is the one which is in favour of the larger good/group - the bedrock of a good business decision. Study all about business terms, types of markets as well as about business authors, corporate books, theories and practices to ace this section.

Also Read:

Revision and XAT Mock Tests 

The last one month of XAT preparation should be utilised on revisions, XAT mock tests and working on strengths and weaknesses. Just because Data Interpretation & Quantitative AbilityVerbal & Logical Ability are common sections in all MBA entrance exams, candidates must not risk losing marks in these sections due to lack of practice. The more you practice sample questions and mock tests, more the chances of developing speed and accuracy. Maximise your scoring in all four sections to achieve a good overall XAT percentile. Taking XAT mock tests regularly will help in understanding and interpreting complex questions of Decision Making, Data Interpretation and Logical Ability effortlessly. With XAT mock tests, candidates will learn tricks to attempt questions, evaluate the time spent on each section. They will gain confidence when XAT mock test scores will show improvement. It is a way to get real-time exam experience.

Shiksha XAT Mock Test (Free)

XAT_Mock_Test_1 XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
XAT_Mock_Test_2 XAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions

Helpful Tips to Prepare for XAT 2025 Exam

  • Remain calm and stress-free because if you put yourself under any stress due to lack of practice or competition then it can hamper your self-esteem and test-taking skills.
  • It is best if you practice all previous years’ XAT questions papers to sharpen your skills for each section.
  • Time management is the key and you can focus on managing time for each section and also, consider not falling in the trap of tricky questions and ending up wasting time. If any question takes more than the ideal time then skip the question even during mock test (only then you’ll actually be preparing for XAT 2025). There will be a deduction of 0.05 marks for eight consecutive unanswered questions, therefore do not risk your valuable time for tricky questions.

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Vipra Shrivastava
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Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. Read Full Bio
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Answered 3 weeks ago

XLRI Jamshedpur considers XAT scores for admission to PGDM programmes. Those who are seeking admission in PGDM BM, PGDM HRM and Double Masters Degree in Supply Chain Management and logistics (PGDM & MS) requires XAT scores. Aspirants can also apply for admission to General Management programme (PGDM

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 4 weeks ago

Candidates who are applying for XAT have to pay an application fee. Aspirants have to pay INR 2,200 to apply for XAT. Candidates can pay the fee via any of the online payment modes. Aspirants have to pay INR 200 each for every additional programme of XLRI. 

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 4 weeks ago

XLRI Delhi accepts XAT scores for admission to PGDM programme. Aspirants seeking admission in PGDM Business Management are offered seat only via their XAT scores. For PGDM IEV, candidates can also take admission without XAT based on their scores in CAT, MAT, GMAT, etc. Candidates have to register on

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 4 weeks ago

No, you cannot use the score of XAT 2025 for admission to 2026 batch at XLRI as the validity of exam score is one year only. Thus, you will have to appear for XAT 2026 exam if you plan to pursue MBA from XLRI in 2026. The registration process for XAT 2026 is open and the last date to apply is Decemb

...Read more

A

Aarushi Hazarika

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 weeks ago

The total course fee of full time MBA at XLRI is INR 28 Lacs according to Shiksha. The fee is to be paid semester wise. The first installment is to be paid at the time of admission. The XLRI course fee includes tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, caution money, library chargers and other miscella

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 4 weeks ago

There is no process of applying for multiple XAT accepting colleges through one form because there is no common counselling for XAT. Candidates have to apply to the colleges of their choice individually. They must keep in mind the application last date so they don't miss out on it. Also, they must c

...Read more

A

Anya B

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

No, the XAT entrance exam 2025 has already been concluded for PGDM admissions at SOIM. However, the registration dates for the XAT 2026 entrance exam are soon getting announced. Candidateswho are interested in appearing for XAT to gain admissions in the PGDM course at SOIM are advised to visit the o

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

XAT cut off different for male and female candidates to promote diversity in the candidate pool. However, the difference in cut offs is not too big. There's usually a difference of 1 or 2 percentile between XAT cut offs for male candidate and female candidate. Infact, the difference is not limited t

...Read more

E

Esha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

XAT score is the only examination score accepted for domestic candidates for admission to full-time MBA programmes offered by XLRI Jamshedpur. Check below the stages of XLRI MBA admission through XAT.

1. Apply for XAT exam

2. Appear for XAT exam

3. Participate in AEW/PI round

3. Final selection list rel

...Read more

M

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, you can apply for Jagannath University, Haryana MBA 2025 using XAT scores. Students first need to ensure that they qualify for the eligibility criteria for MBA programme and XAT exam. Secondly, register yourself for the XAT exam. Generally, the registration window starts in July and is availabl

...Read more

M

Ms Shruti Gupta

Contributor-Level 10