Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Sep 26, 2025 16:20 IST
XAT 2026 Essay Writing preparation should go on alongside preparation of VALR, QA-DI and GK. XLRI has now separated Essay Writing from the written test. It has combined Essay Writing with Personal Interview (PI). Check here key tips to prepare for XAT Essay Writing. Also know previous years’ topics.

XAT 2026 Essay Writing preparation should go on alongside preparation of VALR, QA-DI and GK. Check here key tips to prepare for XAT Essay Writing. Also know previous years’ topics.

XAT Essay Writing

XAT Essay Writing

Cracking XAT Essay Writing is essential for being selected for XLRI’s MBA programmes. The uniqueness of XAT lies in Essay Writing that aspirants had to prepare for it along with VALR, QA-DI, GK and Decision Making. Unlike other MBA entrance exams, where you have to solve only MCQ based questions, XAT tests you on your social awareness and writing skills. It is similar to Writing Ability Test conducted by B-Schools, but was considered challenging as it appeared as a part of XAT exam, i.e. apart from nearly 100 MCQs candidates had to write a short essay of 250 words too within the given time limit.

XLRI has now separated Essay Writing from the written test. It has combined Essay Writing with Personal Interview (PI). XAT 2026 will not have Essay Writing. It still remains a challenge. In this article, we have share previous years’ XAT Essay Writing topics and tips on how to prepare for it.

Table of contents
  • Key Aspects of XAT Essay Writing
  • XAT Essay Writing Topics: Previous Years
  • Tips to Crack XAT Essay Writing

Key Aspects of XAT Essay Writing

  • Topics of the essay are generally abstract.
  • Reading newspapers and being updated with current affairs is helpful.
  • The duration of XAT Essay Writing is 20 minutes.
  • Word Limit of the Essay is 250 words.
  • Candidates get 2-3 topics as option. They can choose one.
  • Essay Writing is conducted to judge the candidate’s awareness and ability to communicate.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is solving XAT question paper helpful in exam preparation?
A: 

Yes, solving XAT question paper is of immense help in exam preparation as one can get an idea of the exam pattern, difficulty level of the questions, and learn time management. The XAT question papers of previous years also give you an idea of what type of questions (Reading Comprehension passages and poem) are asked in XAT. In fact, preparation of Decision Making section is totally dependent on XAT question papers. XAT question papers of previous years also act as practice test providing you with the opportunity to master speed and time management.

Candidates must solve previous years’ XAT questions paper of at least last five years, so that they are aware of the latest type of questions especially poem, RC passages and Decision Making passages.

Q:   Are XAT Decision Making questions tough?
A: 

XAT Decision Making questions can be tricky. Key is to understand what solution is being discussed in it. To crack this section of XAT, practice a variety of Decision Making questions.

XAT Essay Writing Topics: Previous Years

Check below XAT Essay Writing Topics of Previous Years. There was no Essay Writing between 2019 to 2021.

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2024

  1. Tech predictions often fail not because of wrong models or a lack of imagination, but due to lack of humility in admitting our uncertainty about the future.
  2. Implementing more stringent regulations on social media platforms is crucial to effectively combat the proliferation of fake news.
  3. "Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2023

  1. Risk is the essential need of soul. The absence of risk produces a kind of boredom which paralyses in a different way from fear, but almost as much.
  2. Rapid decarbonization to fulfill India’s Net Zero commitment will have business consequences.
  3. Someone with half your IQ is making 10X as you because they aren’t smart enough to doubt themselves.

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2022

  1. Capitalism and democracy follow different paths: Unequally distributed property rights on the one hand, equal civic and political rights on the other; hierarchical decision making by managers and capital owners versus debate, compromise and majority decision-making within democratic politics. Therefore, they cannot co-exist.
  2. In management, we do not need people who never experienced a setback; such people are highly averse to taking risks. Because, business schools majorly focus on stellar academic achievements during admissions, the selected students often turn into average managers..

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2018

Ethical practices and sustainability: do they co-exist?

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2017

Globalization and Jingoism always co-exist

XAT Essay Writing Topics 2016

Technology and Nature are natural enemies

XAT Essay Writing Topic 2015

Listening is a dying art. We hardly listen to understand, we only listen to refute or reply.

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Tips to Crack XAT Essay Writing

As mentioned earlier, the purpose of Essay Writing is to know if the candidate is well informed and whether he/she can think logically. It is all about putting thoughts into word in a coherent and concise manner. Thus, parameters of evaluation are structure, knowledge, understanding, attitude and English grammar.

  • Read extensively –newspapers and magazine. Editorials and opinion pieces will help you in forming your own opinion on a topic/event.
  • Watch – current affairs shows and documentaries. The XAT Essay Writing topics are usually abstract so there is no particular type of topics that can be suggested. You’ll need to broaden your horizon.
  • XAT Essay Writing is of 250 words. So, make sure you do not exceed work limit. Practice structured writing with proper beginning, middle and end.
  • In the middle content, elaborate and explain your point of view. You should try to mention multiple line of arguments. Back up your argument with facts or data.
  • Do not clutter the essay with too many ideas not related to each other. Divide your points in paragraphs. Discuss one point in one paragraph only.
  • In the concluding paragraph, summarise the argument with your ideas/opinions. Keep the tone positive.
  • The introduction paragraph of your essay should briefly explain the topic giving an impression that you know what you’re talking about.
  • Focus on correct Grammar usage. Write short sentences to explain your point.
  • Do not use words you don’t know the meaning of. In English, word meaning changes with usage and context. So, use words carfully.

The most important tip for succeeding in XAT Essay Writing is keeping a neutral stand. Remember that the Essay Writing is a part of personality assessment test, it which the panel will be evaluating future managers. Having any bias or highly personalized opinion, will be an indication of inability to thing objectively for the greater good.

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About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

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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