XAT Sample Papers

You should ideally begin preparing XAT sample examinations several weeks before the actual exam date. Starting 2-3 months before the test is a decent starting point. This enables you to examine your strengths and weaknesses, become acquainted with the test format, and devise efficient time-management methods. Taking practice exams on a regular basis helps imitate actual testing situations, improves problem-solving abilities, and develops endurance for the lengthy exam. It also gives you insight into the sorts of questions offered on the XAT, allowing you to customize your preparation accordingly. Remember to evaluate your performance after each mock test to find areas for improvement and alter your study strategy as needed.

It is a fact that institutes want diversity in their batches. There is no restriction on educational background for appearing in the XAT. If the candidates meet the basic eligibility criteria, they can appear for XAT. While the XAT exam may be a little tough for candidates from non-engineering backgrounds but any candidate with good critical thinking skills and the ability to learn new things can prepare for the exam and qualify.

It is usually seen that engineering students have better knowledge of mathematics and non-engineering students have better communication skills which help them to solve RCs better, to qualify in the XAT exam, students should develop a strategic approach.

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.

A candidate should practice at least 35 to 40 XAT mock tests during the entire preparation period. The mock tests should be of different varieties and various difficulty levels. Candidates should ideally start practicing XAT mock tests after completing the syllabus. They should start with easy mock tests, then move to moderate mock tests and then to tough mock tests. The motive should be to score above 98 percentile in the high difficulty level XAT mock test by the time the exam day arrives.

In the last two weeks before the XAT exam, candidates must practice at least five mock tests and analyse their performance. It is most likely that by the end of the exam preparation, candidates will be scoring 98 plus percentile in the mock tests. If that happens, they must be rest assured of surpassing that score in the actual exam.

XAT exam was held for 3 hours and 30 minutes. However, with the revision of exam pattern, it was held for 3 hours in 2025. There is sectional time-limit in the test. 170 minutes are allotted to Part 1 comprising Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Part 2 has General Knowledge section to be solved in 10 minutes. No bio-break is allowed during the exam. Candidates have to finish the test in the given time limit only. The test screen will move from part 1 to part 2 the moment 170 minutes get over and once the 10 minutes of part 2 will be over, the test window will be locked. Candidates must keep saving their entries after every attempt as there is no provision in XAT to go back and review your answers once the time limit for that part is over.