XAT 2026 preparation in last 30 days requires two things: a good grasp of the official exam pattern and fundamental concepts, followed by targeted practice using Mock Tests and Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs). The key differentiator for a top percentile is successfully cracking the XAT Decision Making section. XAT exam pattern is divided into two parts: Part 1 consists of 75 questions on Decision Making (21 questions), Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions) and Part 2 consists of 20 questions on General Knowledge (GK). Note that XAT GK section marks are not considered when calculating the XAT percentile, and used only for XLRI Jamshedpur admission process. XAT exam duration is 180 minutes (3 hours). Read this article for complete XAT preparation strategies and tips by XAT toppers. Also read in-depth articles on XAT Decision Making and GK for XAT. XAT 2026 will be held on January 4, 2026.
XAT Exam Pattern 2026 is designed to test your problem-solving, logical thinking, and decision-making skills and is divided into two parts. XAT exam Part 1 consists of 75 questions to be solved in 170 minutes. This part consists of following sections: Decision Making (21 questions), Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions). XAT exam Part 2 consists of 20 questions on General Knowledge (GK) to be solved in 10 minutes. Note that XAT GK section marks are not considered when calculating the XAT percentile, and used only for XLRI Jamshedpur admission process. Note that XAT Essay Writing section was remove from XAT 2025 exam pattern. Check table below for a clear understanding.
XAT 2026 Preparation requires that you should know exam pattern and syllabus. Check complete details below. XAT preparation 2026 tips by toppers follow pattern and syllabus. These details will help you in your XAT preparation journey.
XAT 2025 Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning - Question Types and Syllabus
In XAT 2025 exam, there were 17 Reading Comprehension questions and 9 Verbal Ability/Reasoning questions. Check break up in the table below.
| Area/Questions | No. of Qs. | Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatically correct sentence | 2 | Medium |
| Fill in the blanks (4 blanks) | 1 | Medium |
| Jumbled Paragraphs (5 statements) | 2 | Medium |
| Critical Reasoning | 3 | Medium |
| Main idea/message of the given image | 1 | Medium |
| RC Passages – 5 (300-450 words) | 15 | Difficult |
| Poem-based passage | 2 | Difficult |
XAT Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning section syllabus is given below.
| Topics | ||
| Vocabulary Based Questions | Fill in the blanks | Synonyms/Antonyms |
| Contextual Meaning of Words | Jumbled Paragraphs | Correction of Errors in Sentences |
| Correct Usage of Words | Completion of Sentences/Paragraph | Critical Reasoning |
| Cloze Test | Poem | Grammar Section |
XAT Syllabus for Reading Comprehensions
| Topics | ||
| RC Passages on various topics | Main Idea & Purpose based Questions | Inference Based Questions |
| Author’s View type of Questions | Explanation of Words/Phrases | Inference Based Questions |
Toppers Tips for XAT VALR Preparation
- Daily Newspaper Reading for RCs & Poems: Reading editorials from quality newspapers helps build comprehension. Says Nipun Garg (XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25), “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.”
- Regular Practice with Short Passages: Consistent effort and timed practice can boost accuracy in VA. Says Harsh Gupta (XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25), “For verbal, I was mainly studying from online available sources... 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.”
- Focus on Understanding, Not Just Speed: Clarity of thought helps avoid silly mistakes. Says Harsh Gupta, “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.”
Decision Making (DM) is a unique section in Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT). It tests your ability to holistically view a situation and propose a solution to a problem. DM also tests you on your ethical standing. To prepare well for this section, you should know exam pattern and syllabus. Check complete details below. XAT preparation tips by toppers follow pattern and syllabus.
XAT 2025 Decision Making Section: Type of Questions
This section consisted of 21 questions. The section consisted of 7 sets of 3 questions each. Some questions were ambiguity with no clear “correct answer”. XAT 2024 DM Section break up is also given below.
XAT 2024 Decision Making Section: Type of Questions
| Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caselet-1 | Problem Based on Human Resources | Experience Credentials of Employees | 3 |
| Caselet-2 | Problem Based on ABC Business School | Disciplined School with High Placements but less learning | 3 |
| Caselet-3 | Problem Based on Taxis | Competition among Taxi Drivers | 3 |
| Caselet-4 | Problem Based on Sales & Marketing | SUV Sales Target Met but recovery of loss a concern due to extended warranty | 3 |
| Caselet-5 | Problem Based on Household help | Wrongful Termination of Domestic Help | 3 |
| Caselet-6 | Problem Based on Human Resources at IT Firm Symbolis | Distribution of Performance Bonus to the Best Employees | 3 |
| Caselet-7 | Problem Based on Gas Extraction Company Deep Sea c | Releasing the Natural Gas Pressure and Safety Arrangements | 3 |
While XAT DM section does not have any specific syllabus, based on past papers, this can be considered as XAT DM syllabus.
- Analytical Reasoning Decision Making
- HR related Decision Making
- Ethical Issues Decision Making
- Mixed Issues related to above dimensions
a) Analytical Reasoning Decision Making: Focuses on evaluating and interpreting data, identifying patterns, and solving logical dilemmas.
Key Topics:
- Logical consistency and argument evaluation
- Cause and effect relationships
- Dilemma-based scenarios
- Prioritization and sequencing tasks
- Data sufficiency and interpretation
- Evaluating multiple options under constraints
Example: Choosing the best strategy for product pricing based on market data.
b) HR-Related Decision Making: Tests understanding of organizational behavior, employee management, and workplace dynamics.
Key Topics:
- Recruitment and selection dilemmas
- Performance evaluation and appraisal
- Promotions and internal conflicts
- Conflict resolution in teams
- Workplace policy decisions
- Handling diversity and inclusion
Example: Deciding whether to promote a high-performing but controversial employee.
c) Ethical Issues Decision Making: Assesses ability to make morally sound choices in ambiguous or high-stakes situations.
Key Topics:
- Ethics vs. profitability
- Confidentiality and transparency
- Conflict of interest
- Corporate social responsibility
- Fair treatment and justice
- Whistleblowing scenarios
Example: Choosing between reporting a colleague’s misconduct vs. team loyalty.
d) Mixed Issues (Analytical + HR + Ethical): These scenarios combine multiple dimensions, requiring integrated thinking and balanced judgment.
Key Topics:
- Navigating conflicts that involve HR, ethics, and logic
- Trade-offs between ethical integrity and business goals
- Multifaceted problems with both qualitative and quantitative aspects
- Situational judgment with limited information
Example: A team lead must balance employee morale, project deadline, and compliance with a new corporate directive.
Toppers Tips for XAT DM Preparation
- Practice Past Year Papers Thoroughly: Consistent practice with previous DM sets is crucial. Says Nandagopal V (XAT Topper 99.99%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25), “To prepare for DM, my recommendation would be to practise previous year papers, as many times as you want, specifically the DM section.”
- Match the Examiner’s Perspective: Understanding the expected logic behind answers is key. Says Nandagopal V, “Each of us has a unique perspective... Unless this perspective matches with the examiner’s, there is no point in our justifications.”
- Discuss Case Studies with Peers: Peer discussions can reveal alternate, valid interpretations. Says Nipun Garg (XAT Topper 99.95%; XLRI PGDM-BM 2023-25), “I also relied on few of my friends to discuss the given case studies to gain a different perspective.”
- Focus on Logical Deduction: Understanding the rationale behind correct answers improves accuracy. Says Nipun Garg, “I tried to deduce logically why the given answer was correct.”
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QADI) section in XAT assesses the foundational understanding of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern maths. The questions on DI are about clear interpretation, summarization, and insightful analysis of the data. To prepare well for this section, you should know exam pattern and syllabus. Check complete details below. XAT preparation tips by toppers are also given.
XAT 2025 Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section: Type of Questions
In XAT 2025 exam, out of the 28 questions in the section, 16 questions were on Quantitative Ability and 12 questions were on Data Interpretation. In Quantitative Ability section there were questions from Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern maths, Algebra and Numbers. Check break up below. There were four sets of Data Interpretation with 3 questions in each set. Details are given below.
XAT 2025 Quantitative Ability Questions
| Type of Questions | No of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 3 |
| Geometry | 5 |
| Modern Math | 3 |
| Algebra | 3 |
| Numbers | 2 |
| Total | 16 |
XAT 2025 Data Interpretation Section Questions
| Type of Questions | No of Questions |
|---|---|
| Scatter Plot / Line Graph (observation) based set | 3 |
| Arithmetic based set | 3 |
| Average based set | 3 |
| Number-matrix based set | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Syllabus for XAT Quantitative Aptitude Section
| Syllabus for XAT Quantitative Aptitude Section | ||
| Percentages | Algebra | Number System |
| Geometry | Profit and Loss | Simple and Compound Interest |
| Speed, Time and Distance | Averages | Time and Work |
| Ratio and Proportion | Mensuration | Linear Equations |
| Logarithm | Venn Diagrams | Progressions |
| Binomial Theorem | Inequalities | Trigonometry |
| Probability Functions | Permutation and Combination | Surds and Indices |
XAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation Section
| XAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation Section | |
| Bar Diagrams | Pie Charts |
| Data Analysis and Comparison | Graphs |
| Data Charts | Data Tables |
Toppers Tips for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section
- Practice Geometry and Mensuration: These often-ignored topics can be game-changers. Says Nandagopal V (XAT Topper 99.99%), “The competitive advantage of putting in the extra hours in them are two-pronged... you might know some theorems which that can help you solve these questions really fast, thus saving time.”
- Use Reliable Prep Books: Structured materials help build core concepts. Says Nandagopal V, “I prepared for the QA section in CAT by practising questions from the Arun Sharma book.”
- Daily Practice Across Topics: Consistent variety keeps concepts fresh. Says Harsh Gupta (XAT Topper 99.99%), “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.”
- Smart Question Selection in Exam: Attempt familiar topics first to optimize time. Says Harsh Gupta, “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.
General Knowledge (GK) Topics & Questions Appeared in XAT 2024
Sub-section/ Topic | Type of Questions | Description | No of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Static GK | History | Historical capital cities of India; Famous battles; Doctrine of lapse | 3 |
Static GK & Changes | Geography | National capitals of countries; Flow of River Ganges | 2 |
Static & Current | Economics & Business | Brics | 1 |
Current Affairs | Personality & Awards | Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy, Matthew Perry, | 2 |
Current Affairs | Science & Technology | Aditya L-1; X 37B | 2 |
Current Affairs | Sports | Women’s Premier League, Asian Games | 2 |
Static & Current | Books & Authors | Match the authors of the books | 1 |
Current Affairs | Latest National & International | Country pulling out of “Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe”; Air India’s AI; “Ghol” as the state fish; City illuminating 22.23 lakh earthen lamps; Earthquake in Japan; | 5 |
Miscellaneous | Companies, people, work, action | Leap Year calculation; Dedicated air cargo service in India; ChatGPT, Google Bard, Chatsonic | 3 |
Current Affairs | Nobel Prize | Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel Prize in Economics | 2 |
Static & Current | Culture & Entertainment | Movie Oppenheimer, Nabanno harvest festival of Bengal and Bangladesh | 2 |
Total | -- | -- | 25 |
| XAT Static GK Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Business, Finance and Economics | The Indian Constitution and Laws | History and Geography |
| Famous Personalities | Awards and Winners | Books and Authors |
| Science and Technology | Important Dates & Events | Art & Culture |
| XAT Current Affairs Syllabus | ||
|---|---|---|
| National Current Affairs | International Current Affairs | Political Developments |
| Business and Economic News | Environmental Issues | New Government Schemes |
| Awards and Achievements | Sports News | Science and Tech Updates |
Toppers Tips for GK Preparation for XAT 2026
- Start Early, Stay Consistent: GK isn’t a last-minute sprint. Says Tanish Jain (XAT Topper 99.99%), “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.”
- GK Matters Beyond Percentile: Even though it doesn’t impact your XAT percentile, it plays a key role in XLRI admissions. Says Kanika Mehra (XAT Topper 98.32%), “Although GK score is not counted in percentile preparation, it plays important role in XLRI admission.”
- Leverage Newspaper Reading: It boosts not just GK but also essay and interview prep. Says Kanika Mehra, “Try reading a newspaper every day... it will help you with your VARC, essay and interview as well.”
- Pick the Right Publications: Quality of source matters. Says Kanika Mehra, “Pick up something like The Hindu, Mint or Indian Express. Read editorials in these papers.”
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enhance Verbal Reasoning: Develop critical reasoning and comprehension skills by reading diverse materials. Focus on tackling RC passages, grammar questions, and logical reasoning problems.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Finally, Manage Stress: Don’t let the exam stress overpower you. Manage it with daily smart preparation and stress busters like music and exercise.
Referring the right books is key to XAT 2026 preparation. 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. XAT Preparation Book PDF are also available on social media.
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
- How to Prepare For Data Interpretation
- How to Prepare For Logical Reasoning
- Chapter Wise Solved Previous Years’ Papers for CAT
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.
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE for CAT
Data Interpretation for CAT
LOGICAL REASONING
Chapter Wise Solved Previous Years’ Papers for CAT
Mock Test are a very important part of XAT 2026 Preparation. Practice test papers for XAT prepared by top experts and XAT toppers are good tool for XAT preparation and to crack XAT exam with high score. XAT 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 XAT 2026 preparation, you can take free online XAT Mock Tests 2026, XAT Sample Papers 2026 and XAT Previous Year Question Papers on MBAUniverse.com from following links.
XAT Preparation PDF 2026 is a very useful tool. It includes all the above information including Pattern, Syllabus and Toppers Tips. Link for XAT Preparation PDF Download is given below.
In conclusion, XAT 2026 preparation requires understanding exam pattern and syllabus, studying right preparation material to understand basic concepts and taking Mock Tests. Read above article for complete XAT preparation strategies and tips by XAT toppers.