XAT Preparation 2025: Study Material, Tips, Strategy, 30 Days Plan

Unless you are aware what are the key components and sections in XAT exam pattern, what are the topics on which questions are asked in XAT exam, it is like beating about the bush as you will not be able to know how to start the XAT preparation 2025. So, before moving on your XAT preparation path, it is very important to understand the XAT exam pattern as below:

XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

Check complete details on XAT Exam Pattern 2025.

Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) is the first section in XAT exam and has 26% weightage in the exam. This section includes Reading Comprehension also. You need to prepare on following key topics which have high percentage of  questions appearing in VALR section in XAT exam as shared below:

2.1 VA, RC, LR Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024

2.2 XAT Syllabus for VALR
Out of total 100 questions in XAT, 26 questions are based on VALR section. The syllabus for VALR Section in XAT is divided into 3 parts. The 1st part of syllabus covers topics on Verbal Ability, the 2nd Part of syllabus covers Reading Comprehension passages and the 3rd part covers Reasoning section. Below is shared the topic wise VALR syllabus with number of questions in the exam and actual XAT questions that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarize with the type of questions in XAT

XAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)

2.3 Toppers Tips for VALR Preparation for XAT 2025

Nipun Garg (XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25) shared this preparation tip for VARC section: “My main source for preparation of the VA section was the daily newspapers (mainly The Hindu or Indian Express). Apart from that, one of the main things anyone should focus on is to read the RCs and poems in the exam extremely carefully before attempting”

Harsh Gupta (XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25) shared this preparation tip for VARC section: “For verbal, I was mainly studying from online available sources. My major focus in verbal was to ensure that I can understand the meaning of the passages and poems and don’t make silly mistakes during examination. So, I was regularly reading short passages on diverse topics and I had set a fixed timing of 1.5-2 hrs every day to spend on verbal section solving RCs and critical reasoning questions.”

Decision Making (DM) is a unique section in Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) and carries a weightage of 21% in the exam. It tests you not on your ability to learn concepts or remember formulas, but on your ability to holistically view a situation and propose a solution to a problem. DM also tests you on your ethical standing and asks you to take a decision in a conflicting situation. Three different types of questions asked in Decision Making section are on Data Based Problems, Situation Based Problems and a Mixture of both type of Problems. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam topics on which problems were based in this section in XAT 2024.

3.1 DM Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024

3.2 XAT Syllabus for DM
Out of total 100 questions in XAT, 21 questions are based on DM section. The syllabus for DM section is very wide. Below is shared the DM syllabus with number of questions in the exam that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarize with the type of questions in XAT.

XAT Syllabus for Decision Making (DM)

3.3 Toppers Tips for DM Preparation for XAT 2025

Nandagopal V (XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25) shared this tip: “To prepare for DM, my recommendation would be to practise previous year papers, as many times as you want, specifically the DM section. Each of us has a unique perspective that might give us different yet valid answers for the questions in DM. Unless this perspective matches with the examiner’s, there is no point in our justifications”

Nipun Garg (XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25) shared this tip: “The past year papers were the best source for preparation for the exam. I tried to deduce a logically why the given answer was correct. I also relied on few of my friends to discuss the given case studies to gain a different perspective”. 

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section in XAT commands 28% weight in XAT exam. QADI questions in XAT are designed to assess the quantitative aptitude of candidates. The students are expected to possess a foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. Below is shared the topic wise QADI syllabus with number of questions in the exam and actual XAT questions that appeared recently in the exam to help you familiarize with the type of questions in XAT

4.1 Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024

4.2 XAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
Out of total 100 questions in XAT, 28 questions are based on QADI section. Below is shared the QADI syllabus with number of questions in the exam that appeared recently to help you familiarize with the type of questions in XAT

4.3 Toppers Tips for QADI Preparation for XAT 2025

Nandagopal V (XAT Topper 99.99%) shared this tip: “I prepared for the QA section in CAT by practising questions from the Arun Sharma book. What most of the engineers are weak at, and generally ignore, are concepts in geometry and mensuration. The competitive advantage of putting in the extra hours in them are two-pronged. Primarily, you won’t shy away from answering them since you have prepared. Additionally, now that you are prepared, you might know some theorems and lemmas that can help you solve these questions really fast, thus saving time.”

Harsh Gupta (XAT Topper 99.99%) shared this preparation tip for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section in XAT exam: “My major preparation strategy for this section was to solve a set of diverse questions covering all major domains every day to retain concepts in my mind. Though one thing I did was that in final exam I attempted the questions of topics I was most comfortable in and rest I attempted only after I had solved everything else”

General Knowledge section has 20 questions in XAT 2025 exam. The score in this section is not taken into account for percentile calculation in XAT exam. However, during XLRI PI Round GK plays an important role in final selection. In-depth and regular reading of GK helps more as sometimes a few GK questions in XAT appear trickier and need intensive reading. Below is shared the topic wise XAT entrance exam GK syllabus on which questions were based in XAT 2024 in this section.

5.1 General Knowledge (GK) Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024

5.2 XAT Syllabus for General Knowledge
In the GK section, questions focus on static GK and current affairs. Major Topics Covered include economics, finance, national and international current affairs, Constitution of India, Company profiles, logos, Business & Economy, Who’s who, Books & Authors, Capitals & Currencies

5.3 Toppers Tips for GK Preparation for XAT 2025

Tanish Jain (XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25) shared this tip for XAT GK preparation: “GK preparation strategy that I followed is to read newspapers consistently for 6 months prior to XAT. Very difficult to prepare for GK last minute”. 

Kanika Mehra (XAT Topper 98.32%, XLRI PGDM-BM 2022-24) shared this tip: “Although GK score is not counted in percentile preparation, it plays important role in XLRI admission. My UPSC preparation helped me in that and a few things that would help in GK preparation strategy are Try reading a newspaper every day, it will help you with your VARC, essay and interview as well; Pick up something like The Hindu, Mint or Indian Express. Read editorials in these papers.”

Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) section has been scrapped from XAT 2025 paper. But it is part of XLRI admission process 2025. Hence you should be familiar with this section. Read details below. 

6.1 Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024

6.2 XAT Syllabus for Analytical Essay Writing  (AEW)

6.3 Toppers Tips for AEW Preparation for XAT 2025

“Focus on writing different styles of essays and of different word limits. There are online resources for essay topics for XAT and other MBA exams. Take a topic, write the essay. Then go back find and essays online on the topic to read up on the topic and see how you can structure your ideas better” 

Anna J Joseph, XAT Topper 99.98% XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25

“My strategy to prepare for Essay Writing Test was to read everyday, so you have some fodder to write. Read newspaper editorials. Read AEON essays, Write simple, short sentences, with no flowery language. Have a coherent idea flowing in your essay”

Kanika Mehra XAT Topper 98.32%, XLRI PGDM-BM 2022-24

Cracking XAT requires focused preparation across three core sections: Verbal Ability, Decision-Making, Quantitative Ability. General Knowledge section is not used for calculating percentile but must not be ignored. These XAT preparation tips can helpd you maximize your performance.

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: As detailed above, familiarize yourself with the XAT syllabus and sectional structure. Knowing the number of questions in each section will help you prioritize your preparation.  
2. Focus on Decision-Making: Practice decision-making caselets daily, as this section is unique to XAT. Review past years' papers to identify common patterns and improve your problem-solving approach.  
3. Enhance Verbal Reasoning: Develop critical reasoning and comprehension skills by reading diverse materials. Focus on tackling RC passages, grammar questions, and logical reasoning problems. 
4. Strengthen Quantitative Ability:  Concentrate on key areas like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Regularly solve practice problems and take timed mock tests to boost speed and accuracy.  
5. Brush Up your General Knowledge: Follow current affairs and static GK topics, covering both national and international news. Review business and economic developments relevant to economy and business.  
6. Take Regular Mock Tests:  Take full-length mock tests and analyze your performance after each. Focus on understanding errors and improving time management for each section.  
7. Finally, Manage Stress: Don’t let the exam stress overpower you. Manage it with daily smart preparation and stress busters like music and exercise. 

XAT preparation books are same as books used for CAT preparation since both tests are designed to assess similar skills and understanding. Check these preparation books for CAT which are sufficient for all sections except GK.

Additionally, you can also refer to these XAT Exam specific books.

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for XAT by Gautam Puri: This book is specifically written for XAT aspirants and covers verbal ability, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning.
• Jabbing the XAT with Solved Papers by R.K. Jha: Specifically written for XAT aspirants, this book includes decision-making questions, along with solutions and explanations.
• XAT Comprehensive Guide by Nishit K. Sinha: This book is prepared for XAT aspirants and covers all sections of the exam, including Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, and Verbal Ability. A good guide.

Practice test papers for XAT prepared by top experts and XAT toppers are good tool for XAT 2025 preparation and to crack XAT exam with high score. XAT exam 2025 preparation with sample papers can become easy as the XAT Mocks include the best selected questions for XAT preparation. These Mock tests are available both online and offline. 

To complete your preparation, you can take free online XAT Mock Tests, XAT Sample Papers and XAT Previous Year Question Papers on MBAUniverse.com from following links.

• XAT Mock Tests 
• XAT Sample Papers 
• XAT Previous Year Question Papers