XAT

Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in lesser time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on. The ideal time to start XAT preparation is May, so you can cover the whole syllabus by October and dedicate two months to mock test practice.

If you start studying for XAT late, by July or so, make sure you complete the syllabus by October only. Remember that XAT syllabus is tough, so you’ll need to study at least 6-8 hours daily from start until the end. Give ample time to yourself to complete the XAT syllabus.

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.

As per the latest XAT exam pattern, there will be 95 questions in XAT 2025 in MCQ format.

• Verbal Ability section of XAT will have 26 questions
• Decision Making section of XAT will have 21 questions
• Quantitative Ability section will have 28 questions
• GK section will have 20 questions

There will be no essay writing this year. It will be conducted during the selection process.

It is not mandatory to solve all the questions. Candidates should solve only those questions which they can solve correctly as there is negative marking in XAT. During the exam preparation, focus on the chapters from which majority of the questions are added. This will help them in achieving the sectional and overall cut offs are required.

Since Decision Making section is unique to XAT, study material for the same in not readily available. Thus the best source of preparation material for Decision Making section is XAT previous years’ question papers. This section has passages related to business situations. Candidates have to select the closest solution to the given situation from the list of four options. You have to make an informed decision regarding the decision which has be in favour of the larger good. This section essentially tests your ability to take objective decisions regarding various business situations and activities. Candidates can practice Decision Making questions from XAT question papers of previous years to know the types and difficulty level. In a way, this section is similar to Reading Comprehension and requires same skills as that.

XAT syllabus includes all important topics related to Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. You can check below subject wise important topics included in the XAT syllabus. Majority of the questions are asked from these topics.

XAT Verbal and Logical Ability syllabus: Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Analogy, Antonym/Synonym, Parajumble, Para Completion, Grammar, Critical Reasoning, Series Completion, Fill in the Blanks, etc.

XAT Decision Making syllabus: Data Arrangement, Conditioning, Grouping, Complex Arrangement, Caselets, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions, etc.

XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation syllabus: Arithmetic, Geometry, Mensuration, Percentage, Surds and Indices, Algebra, Mensuration, Bar Diagrams, Pie Charts, Tables, Data Interpretation, etc.

XAT General Knowledge syllabus: Science, Economy, Business, Politics, Static GK, Sports, Prize and Award, World, Government, Constitution of India, etc.

Yes, candidates having valid score in CAT/NMAT/XAT/SNAP/MAT or any other national or state level examination will have to fill the IBSAT application form. Candidates having score in any of the above mentioned exams will be exempted from taking IBSAT exam. Score from 2023 onwards will be applicable or admission to MBA/PGDM programmes of IBS. Refer the steps below to know how to fill IBSAT application form:

Step 1- Visit the official website of IBS

Step 2- Click on the tab 'Apply now' to create IBSAT login credentials

Step 3- Use the credentials to log in and fill the application form

Step 4- Enter the personal details

Step 5- Review the application form before paying the registration fee

Step 6- Pay the IBSAT registration fees of INR 1800 through any of the payment method:

• Credit or Debit cards
• Net Banking
• UPI Payment

Yes, the university does consider scores from the CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT, and ATMA exams for shortlisting candidates. The selection criteria for the PGDM course are:

Step 1: Candidates must pass the CAT, XAT, CMAT, MAT, ATMA, and GMAT with a passing score.

Step 2: Next, applicants must submit an application to New Delhi Institute of Management.

Step 3: Candidates are summoned for a GD and PI after being shortlisted based on their entrance test results.

Step 4: Candidates are shortlisted for NDIM admission based on their overall performance in the entrance exam, in group discussions, and in personal interviews, as well as their grades in classes 10, 12, and graduation.

Step 5: Selected candidates must pay the necessary course fees and have their documentation confirmed.