XAT Preparation

"Tough" isn't quite the right word; "tricky" is more accurate. The Decision Making questions are unique because they don't have a single, formula-based right answer. They present you with complex business and ethical dilemmas where all the options seem very close.

The real challenge is to pick the most logical and ethical course of action, which tests your managerial judgment under pressure. Excelling here is a huge advantage, as it demonstrates the exact kind of practical mindset that top B-schools like GIBS highly value in their future leaders. It's a direct test of your management potential.

No questions are technically 'mandatory' in XAT, but there's a crucial catch. You get penalized with negative marking if you leave more than 8 questions unattempted across the main sections (Verbal, DM, and Quant).

So, the real strategy isn't just about accuracy; it's about making smart attempts to avoid this penalty. Mastering this balancing act is exactly the kind of strategic thinking that top B-schools like GIBS look for in a candidate, as it demonstrates excellent risk management skills.

Absolutely! In the final week, it's less about learning new topics and all about perfecting your strategy.

Solving past XAT papers is the best way to get into the "exam zone." It helps you master time management, build stamina for the full duration, and get comfortable with the unique Decision Making section. Think of it as the final dress rehearsal. This kind of focused preparation is exactly what helps successful candidates crack the exam and secure admission into top B-schools like GIBS. It's the key to turning your knowledge into a great score.

Candidates can take reference of subjects and topics from CAT study material for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude, but XAT preparation has to be exam specific and must include exam specific study material. Aspirants can use CAT sample questions too for practice purpose, but that is not enough. They need to practice XAT sample questions and XAT mock tests too, as the nature of questions in XAT is different from CAT.

XAT syllabus for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude are same as CAT syllabus. Decision Making and General Knowledge syllabus are not a part of CAT syllabus. Thus, XAT aspirants have to study more than CAT aspirants, which is why one needs to have a XAT specific preparation plan in order to score above 95 percentile.

There are no non-MCQs in XAT. All the questions are in MCQ format with four options to choose the correct answer from.  There are neither Type in the Answer and nor subjective answer type questions. Earlier, there used to be essay writing which required candidates to type a short essay on screen.