What type of Reading Comprehension passages are there in XAT?

In XAT, Reading Comprehension passages are usually taken from Philosophy, Psychology, History, Art, research articles. Sometime, the XAT RC section also has poems. These areas are chosen to test the candidates, who are largely Science, Commerce and Engineering graduates, on their ability to come out of their comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar situations. Out of 26 questions, about 14-16 questions are based on RC passages or a poem. Candidates must target solving about 10 questions accurately to score well. XAT has negative marking so do not mark an option as your answer if you are not 100 percent sure of it.

When should I start preparing for XAT exam?

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.

What is the XAT syllabus?

XAT syllabus includes all important topics related to Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.

Can XAT preparation be done with only mock test practice?

If a candidate has appeared for the XAT exam before and is only attempting again for score improvement, then they can prepare for it with mock tests only. But if a candidate is appearing for the XAT exam for the first time and is not familiar with the syllabus, they cannot prepare with XAT mock tests only. XAT syllabus coverage is necessary before starting XAT mock test practice.

How many XAT mock tests to attempt in a day?

One should attempt only one XAT mock test in a day. A full length XAT mock test is of three hours. After which you will have to spend some time analyzing your performance and revisiting problem areas. About 4-5 hours will be spent in this and you mind will already be exhausted. Thus, best is to do some revision for the rest of study time and pick up another mock test next day or later.

Is the syllabus for XAT and CAT same?

Major topics under XAT and CAT syllabus are similar. Common sections include Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability. While the sections are same the syllabus is not identical. XAT also includes unique sections, namely Decision Making and General Knowledge.

Is XAT tough for candidates from non-Engineering background?

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.

How can I prepare for XAT by self study?

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.

When should I start studying for the XAT exam?

One must start preparing for XAT around six to eight months in advance. This timeline allows sufficient time to cover syllabus and practice using mock tests before the exam.

What is XAT 2027 exam date?

XAT 2027 exam is expected to be conducted on January 3, 2027. XLRI, Jamshedpur, conducts XAT exam every year on the first sunday of the year.

How can I get the XAT syllabus PDF?

XLRI, Jamshedpur, releases XAT syllabus every year with the exam notification. Candidates can find XAT syllabus PDF on the official website.

Which are the most important topics to focus for XAT preparation?

Some of the important topics for XAT preparation include: Decision Making: Managerial/ethical dilemmas Quantitative Ability: Arithmetic, geometry, and algebra Verbal Ability: Reading comprehension, often with poetic passages.

What is the syllabus of XAT for the Decision Making section?

The XAT Decision Making section consists of approximately 21-22 case-based questions designed to evaluate the ability to analyse complex, real-life, and professional scenarios.

Is the XAT syllabus lengthy?

XAT syllabus is considered extensive and challenging. It is often viewed as more comprehensive than other management exams. Sections like Decision Making and an Essay is also included in the XAT exam syllabus.

Which books are recommended to cover the XAT syllabus?

Some of the top books to cover XAT syllabus include Book Author Jabbing the XAT RK Jha Word Power Made Easy Norman Lewis QA/LR books Arun Sharma or RS Aggarwal For Decision Making, candidates can refer to past papers for XAT preparation

In how many months can I prepare for the XAT syllabus?

Completing XAT syllabus requires 3 to 6 months, with 6-8 months for thorough preparation, including mock test analysis and practise using previous year XAT question papers.

What are the important topics for the XAT Quantitative Aptitude section?

Important topics from XAT quantitative aptitude section include Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages), Geometry & Mensuration, Algebra (Equations, Progressions), Number Systems, and Modern Math (Probability, P&C).

Does the XAT syllabus change every year?

Sections in the XAT exam, including Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation remain consistent. However, the exam pattern, question count, and structure may change annually.

What is the best study material to cover the XAT syllabus?

The best study materials to prepare for XAT exam include a mix of books, previous years' papers, and mock test. Some books focused at XAT preparation are tabulated below: Best Books Author Jabbing the XAT RK Jha Analytical & Logical Reasoning Arihant Publications Target XAT Disha Publications

How many hours should I study daily for the XAT exam?

One will need 3-4 hours of preparation if they are planning to complete XAT syllabus in 6 months.

Are six months enough to prepare for XAT?

Yes six months are enough to prepare for XAT if you plan it well. You will need about 8 hours every day for it. Use first four months to cover exam syllabus and last two months for practice.

Is there any negative marking in the XAT exam?

Yes, the XAT exam has negative marking of -0.25 marks for wrong attempt. Unanswered questions have no negative marking but if there are 8 consecutive unanswered questions, 0.10 marks will be deducted. Thus, the candidates must select questions to solve very carefully in the XAT exam. They should solve only those questions which they know they can solve accurately. The XAT exam has sectional time limit too, so you may not want to waste time on a question that you cannot solve accurately. You stand to lose both time and marks. So be careful in selecting questions in the XAT exam. The sectional cut off for XAT is usually 80 percent accuracy. Practice a lot of mock tests to develop this skill.

Is it okay to attempt a XAT mock test a day before exam?

It is not suggested to attempt a XAT mock test a day before exam. That time should be devoted in revision of important formulas and concepts, revisiting exam day strategy and relaxing. Attempting a mock test can be mentally tiring and may shake your confidence in case you don't score well. You wouldn't want to go into the exam with a doubtful mind.

Is solving XAT question paper helpful in exam preparation?

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.

How many XAT mock tests should I practice?

A candidate should practice at least 35 to 40 XAT mock tests during preparation. They should attempt mocks of various varieties and difficulty levels. In the last two weeks before XAT exam, they must practice at least five mock tests and analyse performance. It is most likely that by the end of exam preparation, candidates will be scoring 98 plus percentile in mocks. If that happens, they will score well in exam too.

What is the ideal time to start XAT mock test practice?

Ideal time to start XAT mock test practice is after covering the syllabus. When you're thorough with all the concepts and formulae, you will be able to solve all types of questions in the XAT mock test. XAT exam is conducted in January first week, so one should start mock test practice in November and dedicate two months to it.

What is the XAT exam duration and slot?

XAT exam duration is 180 minutes in a single slot. Part 1 of XAT exam is conducted for 170 minutes, while Part 2 is held in last 10 minutes.

XAT Mock Test 2026 (Official): Take XAT Free Mock Test @xatonline.in

1.6K Students Q&A

Updated on Feb 19, 2026 15:26 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

XAT Mock Tests: XLRI facilitates XAT mock test for all candidates to help them score high in the exam. XAT mock test help candidates prepare for all types of questions and train them in solving such questions quickly and accurately. On an average, Aspirants must attempt at least 25-30 XAT mock tests during exam preparation. The number can be less or more depending upon candidate's ability. The ideal time to start XAT exam mock test practice is in the last leg of exam preparation (November-December). XAT exam is held in January first week so, about 2 months should be dedicated to mock test practice.

Official XAT 2026 mock tests were conducted four times this year for registered candidates. In the next session too, XLRI will be conducting mock tests multiple times for registered candidates. If you plan to appear for XAT 2027, have a comprehensive XAT mock practice plan beforehand.

Table of contents