XAT Preparation: Tips, Tricks & Section-wise Strategies

XAT 2024 Highlights

Here is a descriptive overlay of the XAT 2024 exam:

Review the XAT notification, click here

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XAT 2024 Exam Pattern

There have been a few guidelines kept in mind when it comes to the exam pattern for XAT this year. The guidelines are as follows:

• The exam duration is 210 minutes with individual time allotted to each section.
• Each correct answer will be awarded 1 mark.
• 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer.
• After 8 unanswered questions, 0.1 will be deducted per unanswered question.

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How to prepare for XAT 2024

The preparation strategy for all MBA entrance exams follows a common strategy of understanding the exam pattern and syllabus and developing a study plan. Here are some other tips you can implement in the XAT preparation:

Prepare a timetable

A timetable will help you align your goals and focus on topics as per your personal requirements. It will allow you to focus on the relevant topics and maintain discipline in your preparation for XAT.

Identify the strong and weak areas

Once you have analyzed the syllabus and exam pattern, you must focus on establishing your basics. The goal should be to dedicate more time to topics you do not understand well while brushing up on topics that you already have a grasp of.

Revise your concepts

Once you have covered the syllabus broadly, it is essential that you keep revising the formulae, tricks, and frequently asked questions to improve your speed and accuracy. This can be done by making a formulae sheet or with sectional tests.

Take daily mocks

While mock tests allow you to simulate an exact exam situation, the detailed analysis allows you to identify your mistakes and test your exam strategy. You can identify the focus areas of improvement and strategize your preparation accordingly.

Review previous year papers

Previous year papers give you a good grasp of the pattern of the exam and the most common topics that have been asked across the years. Attempting past papers also allows you to experience the actual exam and understand your preparation.

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XAT 2024: Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning

According to the exam overview provided on the official website, the VA & LR section will have 26 questions focused on reading comprehension including poems, passages along with vocabulary, grammar, para jumbles, etc.

Having a good hold of grammar basics is your asset here. Some top-notch strategies are:

Work on your reading skills

Improving your speed and accuracy while reading the passages/ poems is important to do well in the RC section. Thus, get into the habit of reading. Take up reading newspapers, magazines, and novels to enhance your vocabulary and understanding of texts to improve both RC and VA skills.

Practice RCs regularly

The best way to improve comprehension and speed is by attempting RC questions on a regular basis. It will also help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are covered in RC texts. If you also wish to improve your vocabulary and grammar, reading through these texts will enable you to achieve this goal.

Enhance your vocabulary

While reading consistently will help build your vocabulary, you can also subscribe to online vocabulary enhancers and “word of the day” alerts. Take it a step further and learn a word’s usage, synonyms, and antonyms. To attempt vocabulary-based questions, also learn prefixes and suffixes of the words.

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XAT 2024: Decision-Making

The decision-making section is a section that is only present in the XAT exam. To prepare for this section candidates must work on their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while making well-thought-out decisions. The section comprises 22 questions, as per the official website. Here are some tips to prepare for this unfamiliar section:

Practise Past Year Papers

As this section has no concrete syllabus you can cover, the best strategy is to become familiar with the type of questions that have appeared in the past few years and help you amylase the strategies required to prepare for them. Owing to the ambiguity of the section, past papers also help narrow down the syllabus that can be covered in this section.

Read Questions Properly

Usually, the decision-making section consists of drawn-out case studies. It is essential that you do not misread any information and reach an incorrect conclusion due to reading the text too hastily. So, make it a point to read the question properly and then work on the answer in order to not miss out on any information.

Rely on the given data

Always utilize the data provided in the questions and avoid drawing your own conclusions. It is essential that you avoid creating answers based on your own judgments or understanding of the situation. Always make use of the information provided and do not add any of your inputs.

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XAT 2024: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

The QA section is based on your understanding of school-level mathematical concepts and is very similar to the QA section of CAT. On the other hand, the DI section comprises concepts related to analysis, interpretation, and insights. Here are some preparatory measures that you can keep in mind while studying for QA & DI:

Improve your approximation skills

The goal when attempting a math question is not to get the right answer but to estimate it based on the options provided. This trick would reduce the time you spend answering while also allowing you to answer correctly based on the MCQ choices given. This will also need less time to spend on calculations.

Use the elimination method

In DI, the easiest way to approach the right answer is by learning how to eliminate the incorrect options. Working backward towards reaching the answer will allow you to not get confused by the information provided and also ensure that the other options are infact incorrect.

Attempt mocks every week

Both QA and DI are dependent on practice to do well in terms of accuracy and speed. Thus, it is essential to attempt mocks consistently and get familiar with the types of questions and common topics. It will also let you enable you to identify the effectiveness of your exam strategy and areas you need to improve.

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XAT 2024: General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section does not have any negative marking and is a section in the second part of the paper pattern. This section comprises static GK and current affairs so aspirants should revise past events, people, and places of importance and stay up-to-date with present-day news. Here is how you can win XAT 2024 with just a few tips and learning strategies:

Read the newspaper daily

It is imperative that you stay updated about recent events that are taking place around the world. Getting into the habit of reading the newspaper will aid you in keeping informed about world politics, sports, government incents, and organizations along with sports and tech.

Know your history

As there is no end to the information that can be covered in GK, you should aim to identify and study the most important events, and changes in history that are acknowledged all around the world. You should also learn about the people who have left a mark in history and their roles.

Participate in online quizzes

Online quizzes will allow you to practice and revise the information you have retained. It will also help expand your knowledge in a short span of time. So, ensure that you practice quizzes regularly and that every week increases the number of questions you attempt. Also, go back to concepts already covered and revise them.

Click here for a detailed previous year analysis of XAT.

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