How to Prepare for XAT 2026 in 3 Months: Tips and Tricks
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
Exam On - 3 Jan '27
XAT 2026 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 Preparation in Three Months
- XAT 2026 preparation in 3 months - tips and tricks
- 6 Tips to Crack XAT 2026 in 3 Months
- XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
XAT 2026 preparation in 3 months - tips and tricks
The XAT question paper will consist of four sections:
- Decision Making
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge
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.
Commonly asked questions
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.
If you are planning to prepare for XAT exam by self study, you need to start early. At least six months before. XAT exam is conducted on the first Sunday of January every year. So, if you start preparing for the XAT in June or July, you will have good six months to prepare. Make a preparation plan that includes XAT syllabus coverage, problem solving sessions, mock tests and revision. Get hold of best books for XAT. Consult mentors or previous year toppers for selecting the best books for preparation. Join online study groups where you can get the help of mentors and peers for problem solving and clearing of doubts in topics. Work in tough topics first and then move to easier topics.
Solve a large number and variety of XAT mock tests to master the syllabus. You will need to do a rigorous work on XAT mock tests as for candidates who opt for self study, have to rely on practice.
Ideally, candidates should start preparing for XAT from March onwards so that they have ample time to cover the syllabus and practicea good number of mock tests. However, starting preparation in June-July is also fine. About a minimum of six are required to prepare well for the XAT exam as it is one of the tougher MBA entrance tests. Candidates can also opt for coaching classes for XAT as per their convenience. Candidates must study for about six to eight hours daily to be able to cover the syllabus and have enough time for practicing mock tests. Yes, they will need to strike a balance between exam coverage and mock test practice.
However, the capacity of every student is different so, they must decide upon hours of study according to their own capacity and their control over the main topics of XAT. Making a workable plan is very important for XAT preparation, no matter when they start it.
6 Tips to Crack XAT 2026 in 3 Months
- First of all, check the XAT syllabus 2026. Pick out sections which you think are your strong points. Next, check the latest 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 2026 syllabus, practicing 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 well 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
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XAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
In the XAT 2026 exam choose the right questions to attempt. 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 2026 preparation strategy and maximise your exam preparation. All the best for XAT 2026!
Read More:
| XAT Preparation Tips & Strategy |
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|---|---|
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 23 hours ago
No, you cannot join UPES Dehradun for its MBA programme without appearing for the accepted entrance examination. To gain admission to this institute, students would need to take one of the following exams after they clear the basic eligibility rules.
- NMAT, XAT and MAT
Students who attempt the previou
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
After XAT exam is conducted successfully, XLRI releases XAT answer keys with response sheet. However, candidates need to login to download XAT answer keys.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
XIM University XAT cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the MBA course and its specialisations, namely MBA in Rural Management and MBA in Sustainability Management.
General AI category students need to have a percentile of at least 90 to be considered eligible for admission.
Note - The cutoff d
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IMT Ghaziabad official cutoff information are not released on a public platform, and students can view the cutoff using their registered login ID and password. Based on the past years' trend, the XAT 2026 estimated cutoff is in the range of 90 to 92 for the General AI category students.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, apart from CAT, the International Management Institute, New Delhi, also accepts the XAT score for admission to its PGDM courses. Only the shortlisted candidates are invited to the Individual Assessment Process (Essay Writing and Personal Interview, etc.) for final admission. The institute also
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Final selection will be based on performance in BAAT, PI, and CAT/XAT/GMAT. BITS will also consider prior work experience, and academic history.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, Global Institute of Business Studies does accept scores from exams like CAT, MAT, XAT, and CMAT. They take these exams into consideration for admissions, so you don't have to worry about only one exam. It gives you flexibility to apply with the scores you already have and increases your chances
P
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
Apart from NMAT scores, UPES Dehradun offers admission to the MBA course based on XAT scores. As per the XAT 2023 cutoff, candidates having a minimum of 50 Percentile for the General category All India Quota were eligible for UPES Dehradun admissions.
UPES Dehradun offers MBA in International Busines
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT scores are valid for KIITEE MBA. Candidates applying online will be required to submit copies of their mark sheets and other supporting documents.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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