XAT 2025 Exam Day Preparation: Know Key Tips to Score High

XAT 2025 exam will be held on January 5. With only a three days to go for the exam, candidates need to set aside books and focus on tips to optimize their performance. Check here key tips to score high in XAT 2025.

XAT 2025 exam preparation

XAT is a speed based exam with negative marking. It is one of the tougher MBA entrance exams, and it is not easy to handle the questions if one is not fully prepared. Candidates who will be appearing for the XAT exam on January 5, 2025 must now make a plan for the exam day to make the best of the opportunity and preparation that they have done in the past few months. The most important aspect of exam day preparation is to make a strategy of handling the question paper according to your preparation so far.

XAT 2025 Exam Day Tips to Score High

One must be aware of the structure of XAT question paper and own expectation from it. Check here some key tips to score high in XAT 2025.

Select Questions Wisely: In exams like XAT, the key is to select the right questions to attempt. Preparation from previous years’ XAT question papers would tell you what type of questions are asked from which topic. Use that information to solve questions which are from your strength areas. Revise concepts and theorems from topics which dominate the XAT question paper.

Focus on Time Management: There is sectional time limit in XAT. Out of 180 minutes, 170 minutes are allotted to DM, VALR and QA-DI sections. However, there is no division of time within. Thus, you would need to keep a check on how much time you’re spending on which section and that you don’t over spend on a particular section. For this, you must already divide 170 minutes into three sections, as per your ability to solve questions of that section.

Scientific Calculator/Mental Calculation: Although rough sheets will be provided for rough work, try mental calculation to save time. This year, scientific calculator will also be allowed in XAT so you can use it instead of doing rough work on paper. In an exam like XAT, every minute matters.

Do Not Risk Negative Marking: XAT has negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect attempt and 0.10 marks for 8 consecutive incorrect attempts. Do not, attempt any question if you are not confident of its correct answer. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions.

Read Decision Making Questions Properly: XAT Decision Making questions have options which may be confusing. Read the passages properly to understand the problem which is being discussed and choose the option which is closely appropriate. The questions in Decision Making are based on business ethics and the correct answer can be the one which is for larger good.

Target Sectional Score in Every Section: XLRI and other top colleges accepting XAT score for admission consider sectional scores also for admission. Make sure you solve a good number of questions in every section of the exam. Ideally, you should aim for 2/3^rd of the total questions in every section:

Stay Calm and Confident: The most important tip for best performance is to stay cool and calm during the exam. Do not take pressure of performing. Solve questions which you can confidently. Don’t try to attempt all the questions in the hope of getting maximum of them correct.

Read More: Check Major Changes in XAT 2025 Exam