How to Prepare for XAT? Section-wise Strategy for XAT 2025
Xavier Aptitude Test 2026 ( XAT )
Registration - 10 Jul '25 - 5 Dec '25
XAT 2025 exam preparation - Check out best section-wise XAT preparation strategy for Decision Making, Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation and VARC.
XAT 2025 preparation cannot be done in a short time or with quick tricks. We all know, XAT is very different from other MBA entrance exams. It is also one of the most difficult MBA entrance exams to crack. For XAT 2025, aspirants will find it comparatively easier to prepare as the essay writing has been scrapped from the written test.
As per the XAT 2025 pattern, there will be 95 questions on English, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation and Decision Making and General Awareness. The number of questions in General Awareness section has been reduced form 25 to 20.
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The duration of XAT exam 2025 will be 180 minutes with sectional time limit. The good part about the sectional time-limit of XAT is that one will get 170 minutes to solve Verbal Ability, Decision Making and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation sections, whereas 10 minutes have been allotted to the General Awareness.
The time distribution in XAT makes it easy to handle as its Reading Comprehension section has lengthy passages and a poem. A lot of time goes in Decision Making also as it requires deep logical reasoning. Read below, section-wise preparation strategy for XAT 2025 which will be held on January 5, 2025.
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Conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, XAT is a gateway to over 800 B-schools in India and taken by around 50 thousand candidates every year. The number of questions is distributed fairly between the four sections, with the Quantitative Ability section having the largest portion of the pie. The distribution of questions in XAT 2025 question paper will be as follows:
| XAT Sections |
Number Of Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability |
26 |
| Decision Making |
22 |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
27 |
| General Awareness |
20 |
Click here for complete XAT exam pattern and XAT syllabus
XAT has sectional cut-offs which is determined on the basis of marks scored by all the students in the previous years and the difficulty level of the questions in the current year exam. Last year, the XAT cut off for XLRI admission was between 92-94 percentile. The difficulty level of XAT exam is always at least a few notches higher than that of other MBA entrance exams.
- XAT Marking Scheme
- Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: Quantitative Ability
- Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: Decision Making
- Preparation strategy for XAT 2023: Verbal Ability
- Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: General Awareness
- Preparation Strategy for XAT 2025: Essay Writing
- Free XAT Mock Test by Shiksha
XAT Marking Scheme
Each XAT question carries one mark for correct attempt and a penalty of 0.25 in case of incorrect answer. It must be noted that there is no negative marking in GK section. There is no differential marking in XAT so it is easier to make the choice of questions. However, 0.10 marks will be deducted if you skip 8 consecutive questions. For excellent scores, read below preparation strategy for XAT 2025:
Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: Quantitative Ability
For cracking the Quantitative Ability (QA) section of XAT which is regarded as one of the toughest quants sections of any MBA entrance exam, it is absolutely vital for you to get familiar with the kind of questions asked in this section.
In the QA section of XAT, sitters are rare, and the margin for error is little. You need to pick your questions wisely because unlike other examinations where it is imperative to attempt maximum questions, XAT requires you to attempt only those questions which you can solve with 100 per cent accuracy. Same is the case with the Decision Making and the Verbal Ability sections.
Since the questions are many and time is less (you have to solve Data Interpretation questions too), not to mention the hiked difficulty levels, someone completely oblivious to the XAT exam pattern might be caught unawares. So, it is very important that you rigorously solve the actual XAT question papers at least from the previous five years (one paper in every three days including proper analysis of the same) and online XAT mock tests.
This will improve your ability to adapt to 'XAT type of questions'. Moreover, it will help you in timing yourself better in the actual exam. It will also help you gauge the level to which the time constraint multiplies the difficulty, enabling you to make changes in your approach, if required.
Also Read: XAT Preparation 2025 - How to Crack QA-DI Section
Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: Decision Making
Another way to ensure that you do well in XAT 2025 is to lay stress on the Decision Making, a section which is unique to XAT. It carries sectional cut-off which can be useful in improving the overall score. Apart from practicing Decision Making questions from the previous years’ XAT question papers, read sample cases to enhance your knowledge and also to arch your thinking in a way to facilitate better reasoning ability.
Also Read: XAT Preparation 2025- All About Decision Making – Tips and Tricks
Preparation strategy for XAT 2023: Verbal Ability
The Verbal Ability section is the first section of XAT question paper and is divided into two sections – English Usage and Reading Comprehension. Since, XAT’s English section requires a lot of reading, you must practice reading fast. Read at least two Reading Comprehension passages a day. If your grammar and vocabulary are weak, take help from recommended books, read journals and newspapers and solve XAT sample papers. Cracking verbal section depends on how well you understand and use English language.
Also Read: XAT Preparation 2025-Tips to Crack Verbal Ability
Preparation strategy for XAT 2025: General Awareness
Though the General Knowledge section of XAT 2025 will not be included in determining the XAT percentiles and the XAT cut-offs in the first stage of the selection process, it is still an important section. Keeping abreast with the latest happenings in the business world will help your chances of scoring big in this section of XAT exam.
Preparation Strategy for XAT 2025: Essay Writing
In this section, you need to be quick in presenting your thoughts and opinions in the concise and cohesive manner. You will be given three topics from which you can choose one to write on. Remember, that performance in essay writing will not be evaluated at the time of XAT score calculation but at the time of PI shortlisting. Thus, you have practice essay writing throughout XAT preparation.
Free XAT Mock Test by Shiksha
Shiksha has created a free XAT mock test for candidates to practice and evaluate their performance level. These free XAT mock tests are based on official XAT question papers of previous years.
| XAT_Mock_Test_Questions_1 | XAT_Mock_Test_Solutions_1 |
| XAT_Mock_Test_Question_2 | XAT_Mock_Test_Solution_2 |
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 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
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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
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
S
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
E
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
M
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
M
Contributor-Level 10