How to Prepare for XAT 2024 in 6 Months?
The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) stands as a preeminent MBA entrance examination within India, organized by XLRI Jamshedpur. As XAT 2023 approaches with a mere half-year remaining, the moment has arrived to gear up and commence deliberate preparation. Within this piece, we will lead you through vital pointers and strategies aimed at enhancing your XAT exam readiness, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving success.
Six-Month Preparation Plan for XAT 2024
For those concerned about how to ready themselves for XAT within a span of 6 months, consider examining the following guidelines and shaping your preparation accordingly:
- Devise monthly, weekly, and daily study schedules, adhering to them consistently.
- Initiate your efforts by focusing on subjects and domains where you find yourself less proficient. A recommended approach is to commence with Quantitative Ability (Quant) studies.
- To enhance your Reading Comprehension skills, engage with editorials found in magazines and newspapers.
- Commence by revisiting the concepts and formulas from your Class 9 and Class 10 studies, specifically for Quantitative Ability.
- Install MBA exam preparation applications on your smartphone, enabling you to utilize travel time for productive exam readiness.
- Participate in online study groups dedicated to XAT preparation. These groups provide study materials, books, sample papers, tutorials, and valuable examination insights from both experts and peers.
XAT Exam Pattern 2024
Section | Number of Questions | Duration |
Decision Making | 75 | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
Verbal and Logical Ability | ||
Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | ||
GK | 25 |
XAT Section-wise Preparation Strategy
Every section of the XAT holds its unique significance and warrants equitable focus. Employing a well-structured strategy and meticulous planning can aid in your preparation, ensuring ample time allocation for each segment. To illustrate, the decision-making section mandates a harmonious blend of clear conceptual understanding and swift cognitive processing, while Quantitative Ability demands accurate calculations within tight time constraints.
Decision Making
Preparation for Decision Making requires thinking clearly and being able to think fast. It's important to focus more on topics like analogy, seating arrangements, logical sequencing, assumptions, premises, and conclusions. Enhancing performance in this section can be achieved by diligently solving numerous past XAT question papers.
Verbal and Logical Ability
The biggest number of questions in this section come from Reading Comprehension (RC). To get ready, you can work on long and challenging passages from XAT practice tests. In the vocabulary part, understanding word meanings, finding one word to replace a phrase, and rearranging paragraphs can be more difficult compared to other MBA entrance exams. If you want to do well in this part, you should concentrate on improving your Vocabulary, understanding Analogies, arranging paragraphs, working on Grammar, practicing Critical Reasoning & Inference, and completing paragraphs.
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
Aspirants who have a strong grasp of fundamental math concepts can excel in this part. It's important to pay extra attention to Geometry, Algebra, and Number Systems for the Quantitative Ability section, and Tables and Graphs for Data Interpretation. You can expect questions on various topics like profit & loss, percentages, equations, travel times, sequences, tasks, combinations, polynomial equations, scatter plots, bar charts, numbers, having enough information about data, probability, and more.
General Knowledge
The knowledge needed for this part can be built by going through resources like Manorama Year Book and Competition Success Review. To stay updated on current events, it's a good idea to start reading newspapers and business journals early on during your preparation. It's important for candidates to pay special attention to topics such as currency, history, geography, inventions, authors, the capital city, significant dates, culture, science, business, notable figures, recent events, and movies
Important Points to Remember During XAT 2024 Preparation
Significant opportunities often come with substantial challenges, and the XAT examination is no exception. Given that this exam holds a national-level stature and attracts a large number of participants, there are several hurdles that students encounter during their preparation. Some of these challenges are outlined below, along with suggestions on how to overcome them and achieve high scores.
- Effective time management stands as a paramount factor that should never be overlooked when getting ready for any exam. It's crucial to devise a plan based on the marks allocated to each section.
- Begin by understanding the mark distribution per section and then craft your study strategy accordingly. Keep in mind that maintaining quality alongside a focus on quantity is essential.
- Furthermore, it's advisable to ensure that the decision-making section becomes one of your strengths.
- Historical data from previous years indicates that many students struggle with the decision-making segment. To address this, it's recommended to cultivate a habit of consistently engaging with this section.
Coaching Institutes for XAT Preparation 2024
Candidates should choose coaching institutes for preparation if they feel that professional direction is necessary. Coaching can be obtained in a variety of ways, including through weekday or weekend classes. Benefits of practicing with coaching assistance include:
- Provision of relevant study material and a timetable to cover them,
- Topic-wise explanation and doubt sessions,
- Test series,
- Expert guidance.
- Best Books to Prepare for XAT Exam 2024
- The following is a list of important books for each section of the XAT Question Paper:
Verbal and Logical Ability
Verbal and Logical Ability | Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal | |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | Quantitative Aptitude Quantum Cat by Sarvesh Kumar |
How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma | |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal | |
Data Interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma | |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning by Arihant Publications |
Decision Making
XAT Decision Making | Target XAT 2021 (Past papers & mock tests) by Disha experts |
General Knowledge
XAT General Knowledge | Recommended Magazines: Business Line by The Hindu Group, Business Today by India Today Group, Management Compass Career Launcher |
Recommended Newspapers: The Hindu, The Indian Express, Economic Times |