How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in 3 Months: Tips and Tricks

Xavier Aptitude Test 2025 ( XAT )

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Registration: 15 Jul '24 - 30 Nov '24

Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Sep 26, 2024 16:30 IST

XAT 2025 preparation three months - The last three months of XAT preparation are very crucial. Aspirants need to focus on practice questions and mock sessions. Know how to prepare for XAT exam in 3 months. Read here the tricks and tips by toppers and experts.

XAT Three Month Preparation Plan

XAT Preparation in Three Months

XAT preparation in three months is possible but you need to have a time-bound and focussed plan. The last three months before XAT 2025 exam are crucial for both types of students. Those who have been studying from much before and those who started late. Candidates who have been preparing XAT 2025 from much before must complete the syllabus and dedicate last three months to mock tests, practice tests and revision . Candidates who start XAT 2025 preparation three months before, need to have a practice-based approach. They must study only the XAT important topics and solve a large number of sample questions of different variety, to cover the syllabus. About 8-9 hours of study will be required as number of days are less and the syllabus is vast.

XAT 2025 preparation in 3 months - tips and tricks

One can score well in XAT exam with systematic approach. In the last three months focus on practice and revision for improving speed and accuracy.  If you want a favourable XAT 2025 result, start XAT preparation at least three months before the exam day. XAT 2025 will be held on January 5, 2025. So, if you start from October 2024, you will have three months to prepare for it.

The XAT 2025 question paper will consist of four sections:

To prepare for XAT in three months, start with the important topics of each subject. Assess your strength and weaknesses viz. the four XAT sections, and start with preparation of the toughest topic/subject.

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6 Tips to Crack XAT 2025 in 3 Months

  • First of all, check the XAT syllabus. Pick out sections which you think are your strong points. Next, check the XAT exam pattern. Now analyse the weightage of topics in the previous years' XAT question papers that are strong areas. This will give you an idea of which sections to focus on.
  • Make an exam strategy. Watch videos or read interview of previous years XAT toppers and take inspiration in making a plan of three months. Dedicate more than six hours in a day on XAT preparation. Join online study groups for doubt clearing sessions and mentorship.
  • Divide three months into three phases - completing XAT 2025 syllabus, practising XAT mock tests and revision of important topics. Starting from October 1 spend 45 days on completing the syllabus. Use the next 30 days in practicing previous years XAT question papers, sample papers and mock-tests. Spend the remaining 15 days on revision of important topics, concepts, formulae and theorems.

XAT preparation: October-December

Number of days to dedicate

XAT syllabus

45 days

Mock test practice

30 days

Revision

15 days

Free XAT Mock Test by Shiksha

XAT_Mock_Test_1 XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions
XAT_Mock_Test_2 XAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions
  • XAT exam is all about accuracy. If you achieve that, you are safe. But how can you achieve that? The answer is - Mock Test Series. The more you practice XAT mock test series and XAT sample paper the better your understanding will grow about the type of questions, variety of questions, short cuts and tricks to solve them thereby improving your speed and accuracy. But remember, only solving mocks is not enough. Analyse your performance at each juncture and work on areas you are lacking in. Attempt at least 25-30 XAT mock tests of different types.
  • Decision Making section of XAT exam is unique but not unusual. The questions of this section typically require you to apply critical thinking. So, work on critical reasoning and practice this section from previous years’ XAT question papers and mock tests to build confidence.
  • To score in General Knowledge section of XAT exam read newspapers and stay in touch with current affairs. Prepare static GK from Manorama Year Book and Competition Success Review.

Also Read:XAT Question Papers with Solutions

Q:   In how many months can I prepare for XAT 2025?

A:

Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in lesser time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on. The ideal time to start XAT preparation is May, so you can cover the whole syllabus by October and dedicate two months to mock test practice.

If you start studying for XAT late, by July or so, make sure you complete the syllabus by October only. Remember that XAT syllabus is tough, so you’ll need to study at least 6-8 hours daily from start until the end. Give ample time to yourself to complete the XAT syllabus.

Q:   Are six months enough to prepare for XAT?

A:

There is no set time limit to prepare for XAT exam, but you need a minimum of six months for preparation. Ideally candidates need to start XAT preparation by April, however, if they start by June or July too, they can complete the syllabus within time and have ample time for practice of sample papers and mock tests. In order to utilize six months that you have for XAT preparation, do the following:

  • Make monthly, weekly and daily time tables to study and don’t deviate from that routine.
  • Start with subjects which you are your weak spots. We suggest start with studying Quantitative Aptitude and English.
  • For Reading Comprehension, read editorials of newspapers and magazines every day. Read fiction, non-fiction, autobiographies, etc. for strengthening English vocabulary and comprehension.
  • Download MBA exam preparation apps on your phone so that you can revise topics, solve reasoning or English puzzles anywhere when you get time.

 

Q:   How can I cover the XAT syllabus by self study?

A:

If you are planning to appear for the XAT exam by self study, you must start early as the syllabus is vast and tough. To cover the XAT syllabus by self study, candidates must refer to the books recommended for XAT preparation. You can take help from the following books to cover the XAT syllabus but do join a study forum to get help from mentors and peers when need be:

  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests for Admission into IIMs by Sarvesh K Verma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
  • Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha/Arihant
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • Objective General English by Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal
  • High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
  • Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha
  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
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XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

To perform well in the exam, choosing the right question to attempt is crucial. Since there is negative marking for wrong questions in XAT, you need to be extremely careful in choosing questions. Attempt a question only when you are sure of solving it with 100 per cent accuracy. Check the marking scheme of XAT below:

XAT sections

Number of questions

Marking Scheme

Decision Making

21

+1 for each right answer and -0.25 for each wrong answer.

-0.10 marks will be deducted for more than 8 unanswered questions.

Verbal & Logical Ability

26

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

28

General Knowledge

20

Total

95

Most of the XAT toppers say that key to getting a good XAT percentile is meeting the sectional cut offs even if the overall cut off score is compromised. So, what you need to do is focus on meeting the sectional cutoffs while writing the XAT exam. Do this and half the battle is won.

Apply these tips for XAT 2025 preparation strategy and maximise your exam preparation. All the best for XAT 2025!

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Q:   When is the best time to begin XAT preparation?

A:
The ideal time to start preparing for the Xavier Aptitude Test XAT depends on your level of familiarity with the test format and your overall academic and work experience. As a general rule of thumb, it is recommended to start your XAT preparation at least six months before the exam date to give yourself sufficient time to cover all the topics and practice enough mock tests. If you are already familiar with the XAT exam pattern and have a good understanding of the topics, you can start your preparation three to four months before the exam date. In this case, you should focus more on practicing mock tests and refining your test-taking strategy. On the other hand, if you are new to XAT and have limited exposure to the test format and the type of questions asked, you may need more time to prepare. In this case, it is recommended to start your preparation at least six months before the exam date. You can start by familiarizing yourself with the XAT exam pattern and syllabus, studying the relevant topics in depth, and practicing mock tests regularly. Ultimately, the best time to start your XAT preparation depends on your individual circumstances and goals. It is important to create a study plan that works for you and stick to it consistently to maximize your chances of success.

Q:   Is XAT tough for candidates from non-Engineering background?

A:

Yes, XAT is slightly tougher for candidates with non-Engineering background as the Quantitative Aptitude section is of higher difficulty level. However, they can crack it if they work on the fundamentals of Math and practice questions of all difficulty levels. It will take time but they will be able to crack XAT's quant section if they dedicate extra hours to it. Aspirants can find XAT study material online in various online study groups. Students’ groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. share study material with each other. One can also download MBA exam preparation apps to get relevant and useful study material.

The good part about XAT is that, it has different cut offs for candidates belonging to different academic backgrounds. As part of its commitment to academic diversity, the institute has lower cut offs for candidates from non-engineering background than candidates from engineering background.

Q:   Which is the best book for the Quantitative Aptitude section of XAT?

A:
There are several good books available for the Quantitative Aptitude section of XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test). Here are some of the most popular and highly recommended ones: 1) Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal: This is one of the most popular books for Quantitative Aptitude and is useful for XAT as well as other competitive exams. 2) How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma: This book is specifically designed for CAT but the concepts and practice questions are also useful for XAT preparation. 3) Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into Iims by Sarvesh K. Verma: This book is focused on CAT but also covers the relevant concepts and practice questions for XAT. 4) Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations by Abhijit Guha: This book is specifically designed for MBA entrance exams, including XAT. And covers all the relevant topics with detailed explanations and practice questions. 5) The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations by Dinesh Khattar: This book provides a comprehensive coverage of the Quantitative Aptitude section of MBA entrance exams and includes a large number of practice questions with detailed explanations. It's important to note that while the books mentioned above can be helpful, candidates should also practice solving previous years' XAT papers and attempt mock tests to get a better understanding of the exam pattern and the type of questions asked. Consistent practice and conceptual clarity are key to succeeding in the Quantitative Aptitude section of XAT.

Q:   What is the best way to prepare XAT at home?

A:
You need to study with a well-thought-out plan if you want to succeed on the XAT management exam. The following are some advice from experts on how to make a plan to prepare for the XAT: 1. Make a list of the topics that need to be covered by the preparation materials using the XAT syllabus. 2. Schedule your study time on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis. 3. Focus on the subjects that receive the most questions, taking into account the time you have available. 4. You can join online study groups or look for a mentor to help you with your at-home preparation. 5. Set a time limit for each section to allow for comprehensive planning. 6. Start reading editorials in newspapers and magazines for reading comprehension. 7. Review the mathematical formulas and concepts from classes 9 and 10 for the quant section. 8. Spend the last month studying for mock XAT exams and evaluating your progress. Visit this link to access the section-by-section plan provided by the expert: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/xat-exam-preparation.

Q:   Can I prepare for XAT with CAT preparation material?

A:
Yes, you can definitely use CAT (Common Admission Test) preparation material to prepare for XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test), as there is a significant overlap in the syllabus and level of difficulty between the two exams. Both CAT and XAT have sections on Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning, which are common to both exams. However, XAT also has a separate section on Decision Making, and a section on General Knowledge, which is not present in CAT. So, while the preparation material for CAT can provide a good foundation for the common sections of XAT candidates should also practice specifically for Decision Making and General Knowledge sections, using appropriate study material and resources. In addition to CAT preparation material, candidates can also refer to XAT-specific preparation books and study material to get a better understanding of the exam pattern and type of questions asked in XAT. It's important to note that while the preparation material is important, the key to success in XAT is consistent practice and thorough understanding of concepts. So, candidates should focus on building their conceptual clarity, practicing regularly, and analyzing their performance to identify areas of improvement.

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