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If you plan to prepare for XAT 2025 in six months, you need to have right plan and strategy. If you give enough time to preparations on daily basis, you can crack XAT with only six months of preparation, despite it being a tough exam. Here's how to prepare for XAT in 6 months.
As we all know, Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India, a minimum of six months is required to prepare for it. Yes, to score 95+ percentile in XAT, you will need a minimum of six months. XAT 2025 will be held in the first week of January 2025, thus it is now time to start exam preparation. If you are preparing for other MBA entrance exams too, you must know that you will need to dedicate time to XAT 2025 separately. This is because, XAT has unique elements and the nature of questions are also different. Thus, you cannot use the learnings from CAT or SNAP preparation to XAT topics.
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Let us first inform you two things: One, XAT exam has a unique section – Decision Making – which will require you to put extra effort in XAT 2025 preparation. Second, meeting sectional cut-off is crucial in XAT to score well overall, thus, one cannot sacrifice one section for another. Whatever time you get for XAT preparation, you have to prepare all the four subjects equally well.
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.
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.
Also read: Is XAT tougher than CAT?
- XAT 2025: Six Month Preparation Plan
- XAT 2025 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
- How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for July-September
- How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for October-November
- How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for December
XAT 2025: Six Month Preparation Plan
Before diving into XAT 2025 preparation, understand the need and requirement for it. Here are a few key tips for making a six-month XAT preparation plan:
- Make monthly, weekly and daily time tables to study and stick to them
- Start with subjects and areas in which you are weak. We suggest start with studying Quant
- For Reading Comprehension, start reading editorials of newspapers and magazines
- Begin with brushing up concepts and formula you read in Class 9 and Class 10 for Quant
- Download MBA exam preparation apps on your smart phone so that you can utilize your travelling time in exam preparation
- Join online study groups for XAT study material, books, sample papers, tutorials and exam guidance from experts and peers
| VARC preparation tips for MBA | DILR prepartion tips for MBA | Quantitative preparation tips for MBA |
XAT 2025 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Before making a XAT 2025 preparation plan, understand the exam syllabus, pattern and marking scheme. The XAT question paper consists of five sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge and Essay Writing. About 100 questions are asked from these subjects in MCQ format. Essay Writing is subjective and you are supposed write a 250-word para on the given topic. To understand the XAT exam pattern and marking scheme well, take a look at the actual XAT question paper. It will give you the idea of:
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- Types of questions asked in XAT exam
- Section wise number of questions
- Topic-wise weightage of questions
- Types of MCQs and non-MCQs
- Marking scheme (XAT includes negative marking)
Once you are familiar with the XAT exam pattern and syllabus, make the monthly XAT preparation plan.
| Get Free Section Wise XAT Syllabus |
How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for July-September
July, August and September must be dedicated to completing the XAT 2025 syllabus. Go through all the topics and concepts, subject wise. Understand and memorize formulae and theorems thoroughly. Read as much as primary and secondary books for XAT preparation.
Section-wise XAT Preparation
You must allot enough time to each section. The prep strategy for each of them will be different, though. For example, decision making section will require a balanced mix of clarity of concept and quick thinking. On the other hand, Quantitative Ability will require error free calculation in minimal time.
XAT is one of the tougher MBA entrance exams. The difficulty level of the XAT question paper is usually moderate to high. The XAT 2024 question paper was of moderate difficulty level. The Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section is usually tougher than other sections. Verbal and Logical Reasoning section is usually moderate. However, some candidates find the Verbal Ability section tough as it has questions based on Reading Comprehension passages and poem. Decision Making and General Knowledge sections are moderate to easy.
Out of 100 questions, about 70-75 attempts with 70 to 80 per cent accuracy is considered a good attempt in the XAT exam. The test takers must strive to attempt 2/3 rd of the total questions in each section for a decent overall score. If a candidate scores 95 percentile, they will be in a position to get a good college.
Decision Making: As mentioned earlier, decision making section requires clarity of thoughts and quick thinking, you need to develop the skill of eyeing the right option. Focus on topics like analogy, seating arrangement, logical sequence, assumption, premise, and conclusion.
Also read: How to Prepare for XAT Decision Making
Verbal & Logical Ability: In this section, RC has maximum weightage of questions (5). Even in vocabulary section, word meanings, one word substitution, para jumbles are trickier than other MBA entrance exams. To score well in this section, focus on Vocabulary, Analogy, Para Jumble, Grammar, Critical Reasoning & Inference and Para Completion. For Reading Comprehension (RC) practice lengthy and tricky passages from XAT mock test series.
Also read: How to prepare for XAT Verbal & Logical Ability
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation: Unlike CAT, Quant and DI sections appear as one in XAT. In this section, focus on Geometry, Algebra and Number Systems for Quant and Tables and Graphs for DI. Practice the basic concepts as much as you can.
Also read: How to prepare for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
General Knowledge: General Knowledge section of XAT exam can be taken care of by reading Manorama Year Book and Competition Success Review. For Current Affairs develop the habit of reading newspapers and business journals from early stage of preparation.
How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for October-November
XAT Sample Papers and Mock Tests:
Once you have completed the XAT syllabus, you need to assess your preparation. For that, the best option is practicing XAT mock tests and sample papers. XAT previous year question papers are available online, and to measure your preparedness solve them. You should not restrict yourself to XAT question paper only. Solve XAT sample papers and mock tests too.
Make sure you analyze your performance after solving each sample paper to measure improvement in speed and accuracy. The motive behind solving sample papers is to increase speed in solving a question with 100 per cent accuracy in less than a minute. Remember you have to touch upon 100 questions in 210 minutes, which includes reading five RC passages and their options, 95 MCQs and their options and solving them. You will have to write a short essay too. So, focus on time management,
Practice at least 30-40 sample paper/mock test during this time and analyze your performance. This will instill enough confidence in you to handle the actual XAT exam well.
Our advice will be -- don’t over-do it.
Take XAT Mock Test
Shiksha has created an online XAT mock test for aspirants to attempt and assess their preparation level. Click on the links below to take the free XAT mock test by Shiksha.
| XAT_Mock_Test_1 | XAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| XAT_Mock_Test_2 | XAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
How to Prepare for XAT 2025 in Six Months: Plan for December
The last month should be devoted to revision and tightening loose ends. Revise concepts, theorem, formulae of QA, DI and LR and their application. Revise static GK, Vocabulary and Grammar. Continue practicing variety of RC passages. However, what we recommend is, do not solve a mock test or start a new topic a day before the exam. If you sincerely follow a six-month plan, you’d be ready for the exam day. So, a day before the XAT 2025 exam, relax, have a good sleep and be confident.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
At GIBS, they keep the entrance exam part really simple. For PGDM or MBA, they accept almost all the common exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, and GMAT. Even state-level or institute-level scores are considered.
Honestly, GIBS doesn't stress too much about “only one specific exam.” As long as you
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months 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
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months 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
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months 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
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months 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
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months 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
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months 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
A
Contributor-Level 6
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.