How To Crack XAT In The First Attempt

XAT 2023 registrations have begun on August 10, 2022, and the exam will be held on January 8, 2023.  XAT, Xavier Aptitude Test is a very popular MBA entrance exam among MBA aspirants. The exam is a national-level management entrance examination conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur for admission to MBA/PGDM programs. The scores of XAT are accepted by some of the best MBA colleges in India such as XLRI, XIMB, and other XAMI member colleges.
XLRI is one of the best B-Schools in India and a dream college for many MBA aspirants. Even though XAT is considered the most difficult MBA entrance exam in India, still with the help of the right strategies, study plans, and time management the candidate can easily crack the exam on the first attempt.

 

Reasons why you should appear for the XAT Exam:

Most MBA aspirants only consider giving one exam – CAT, but they do not realize how important it is to appear for most of the MBA entrance exams. XAT is the gateway to the top-notch MBA colleges in India, one of the best in XLRI Jamshedpur.  XLRI is considered equivalent to the top 5 IIMs, and most of the time better than IIM Calcutta.

So, missing out on this exam doesn’t look like a sound option for the candidates.

Here are 5 reasons why you should appear in the XAT :

1. Gateway to Top 5 B-Schools. XLRI is the oldest B-school with consistent rankings in the coveted top 5.
2. Leverage CAT preparation. With a similar syllabus (except for a single section), extensive CAT prep can be effective for the XAT exam.
3. Bounce Back opportunity. Plan B, in the case of CAT, didn’t go well.
4. Decision-Making Section. One of the most interesting and practical sections for any Management Aspirant XAT prep will help in B-School.
5. Other Top Schools accept XAT at a lower percentile than CAT. MICA, XIMB, IMT-G,GIM,JBIMS

 

XAT 2023 Exam Syllabus:

The syllabus of XAT is not very different from that of CAT, the only difference is in the level of difficulties between the questions of these two exams. In XAT 2023, there will be only one paper, which will consist of objective questions or Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). The questions will be asked from the four sections, namely- Verbal and Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation and General Knowledge.
There will also be an Essay Writing section that will only be evaluated after the candidate is shortlisted for the PI round.
Here’s the section-wise syllabus of the exam:

Verbal Ability	Logical Reasoning	Quantitative Ability	Data Interpretation	Decision Making	General Knowledge
Comprehensions	Verbal Logic	Arithmetic	Graphs	Business Decisions	National and International Affair
Grammar and Applications	Clocks, Calendars	Profit Loss	Charts	Ethical Decision	Current Affairs
Critical Reasoning	Relations	Ratio and Proportions	Data Analysis	Situational Decision Making	History, Geography
Vocabulary	Arrangements	Algebra	Comparison	HR Based	Events, happenings and Important dates
Jumbles	Sequence, Series	Geometry	Tables	Condition Based	Public Health, Public Policy
Paraphrasing	Directions	Mensuration, Trigonometry		Complex Arrangement	Environmental and Social Issues
	Miscellaneous LR	Number and Modern Math		Grouping Based	Business Economics
		Number System		Miscellaneous	Public Policy
		Probability			Miscellaneous

 

NOTE: For the Essay Writing section, 2 topics will be given out of which the candidates will be required to choose 1 and write a short essay of not more than 250 words

 

XAT 2023 Exam Pattern:

XAT is a computer-based exam, with 100 MCQ-type questions in a time duration of 3 hours (180 minutes). This year, the Essay Writing section is reintroduced, and hence the duration is increased by 10 minutes for writing the essay.
In the XAT exam, there is no sectional time limit for the sections Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, and Decision Making, however, for the GK and Essay Writing sections there will be sectional time limits.
Here’s how the XAT exam pattern looks like:

Section	Number of Question	Marking Scheme	Maximum Marks	Sectional Time Limit
Verbal and Logical Ability	26	+1 for Correct answer, -0.25 for Incorrect answer	26	No Sectional Time Limit
Decision Making	21	+1 for Correct answer, -0.25 for Incorrect answer	21	No Sectional Time Limit
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation	28	+1 for Correct answer, -0.25 for Incorrect answer	28	No Sectional Time Limit
General Knowledge	25	+1 for Correct answer, no negative marking	25	15 minutes
Total	100		100	180 minutes

NOTE:  For the sections (except GK),  0.10 will be deducted for more than 8 un-attempted questions.

 

 

Strategies to ace XAT in the first attempt:

• Make sure you are well versed with the syllabus: XAT is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. It is necessary to begin preparing six to seven months in advance of the XAT 2023 entrance exam to crack XLRI’s exam in the first attempt only. Candidates should clearly understand the syllabus and pattern of the exam they intend to take on the day of the exam to begin their preparation on the right foot.
• Get your concepts clear with the help of courses. The syllabus of XAT is very similar to CAT, but there are more sections in XAT than in CAT. The Decision Making Section requires a lot of conceptual knowledge and practice. Hence, candidates are advised to take the help of teachers or courses for this section. 

CATKing provides great courses for XAT that’ll ensure your good percentile score in the exam. 

• Taking Mock and Sectional Tests is very important: Mock Tests are a great way to assess your preparation, also sectional tests help you to sharpen your concepts.
• Inculcate a Reading habit: XAT comprises General Knowledge and Essay Writing section, which requires extensive reading and understandability. Read newspapers, articles, and magazines to widen your range of awareness, also it will help you boost your range of vocabulary which is again very important for the XAT Verbal Ability section.
• And lastly, be consistent with your preparation and practice the previous year’s question papers.