Xavier’s Aptitude Test widely known as XAT is a national level entrance exam for admission in management courses at XLRI and 150+ other B-schools like XIMB, IMT etc. XLRI has been conducting XAT exam every year at all India level on the behalf of XAMI for last 60 years. However, from 2018 onwards, XAT will be conducted in an online format. To crack this highly competitive and one of the biggest entrance exams for management programmes, you need to utilize every minute of your crucial time very carefully.
If you haven’t started your XAT preparation yet and wondering how to get ready for this just in four months, check the tips below.
Check the exam schedule
Though you know you have only four months left for XAT preparation, having knowledge of the complete exam schedule is essential. It helps you make your study plan accordingly. Based on the exam dates, you can decide when you need to complete the syllabus, when should you start revision and when should you start practicing XAT test series to check your progress.
XAT 2019 Exam Schedule
| Events | Important Dates |
| Notification Release Date | August 20, 2018 |
| Registration Start Date | August 20, 2018 |
| Last Date of Registration (without late fee) | November 30, 2018 |
| Last Date of Registration (with late fee) | December 7, 2018 |
| Admit Card Download Commencement Date | December 20, 2018, onwards |
| Admit Card Download End date | January 6, 2019 |
| XAT 2019 Exam Date | January 6, 2019 (10 AM to 1.00PM) |
| XAT 2019 Result Announcement | January 31, 2019 (Expected) |
Go through the syllabus
Having knowledge of XAT exam syllabus is crucial to give your preparation a right direction. XAT syllabus basically depends on the exam pattern. So you should carefully check both the exam pattern and the syllabus for the year you are applying for the exam. As far as XAT 2019 is concerned, the institute hasn’t released any information about the syllabus yet. However, you can consider the previous year’s syllabus as the exam was conducted in the online format and this year also it will be conducted in the same format.
XAT syllabus
- Verbal Ability
- Reading Comprehension
- Logical Reasoning
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Data Interpretations
- General Awareness
- Essay Writing (Not included in XAT 2019)
Know the exam pattern
As per the details provided by XLRI along with the exam notification, XAT 2019 will have 4 sections instead of 5 sections in last year’s exam. Further, the students will get three hours instead of three and half hours to solve the question paper. The exam will be conducted in the online format.
XAT Exam Format
| Sections | Number of questions |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 |
| Decision Making | 22 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 27 |
| General Knowledge | 25 |
| Total questions | 100 |
| Type of Questions | MCQs with 5 choices in each question |
| Marking Scheme |
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Make a study schedule
Make a dedicated four months’ study plan for XAT exam. Ensure that you devote at least four to five hours every day for preparation of your entrance exam. Start with the basics and go through XAT mock tests and previous years’ papers to understand the type of questions asked.
Find your weaknesses and work on them
Once you have checked the syllabus, you must have understood the areas that need more practice than other sections. Spend more time on revision and practice of weak areas to convert them into your strengths. Taking a full-length mock test is a right option for you to get better insights into your strengths and weaknesses and accordingly improve your preparation strategies.
Go beyond bookish knowledge
Though there is no negative marking in General Knowledge, you still need to perform your best in the exam and this is not possible by sticking to just a few selected subject-specific books. Broaden your horizon by exploring other options like online test series, magazines, editorial part of the newspapers etc.
Solve mock tests
Solving previous year papers, mock tests, and XAT online test is one of the best ways to regularly assess you. Your performance in the tests not just help you check your progress level but also help you understand the areas where you need to improve to score well in the main exam. Try to take online mock tests for XAT on a reliable platform where you do not just get a large number of tests but also your performance analysis reports by experienced teachers. Eduwhere is one such platform that provides ample online test series along with the answer keys and detailed reports.
Work on your accuracy
Unlike other entrance exams, XAT doesn’t test you on your speed; rather, it tests your knowledge level and accuracy. So, when preparing for XAT, you should focus more on remembering the concepts and topics and give as many correct answers in the exam as you can. This can be practiced only by solving more and more sample papers. You should also solve at least the previous five years papers to understand the exam format and the type of questions asked.
Stay confident
Confidence is the key to success in life. Don’t think that you have prepared for the XAT exam just in four months. Rather, focus on your hard work, dedication and the goal you want to achieve. Stay positive, believe in yourself and give your best shot in the exam.
Make the most of your experience from other exams
Most of the students apply for multiple entrance exams for MBA like CAT, IIFT, and SNAP. If you also applied for these exams, you can utilize your experience and strategies in XAT exam. These three exams are conducted before XAT, which gives you a benefit and confidence of handling stress in the examination hall. Further, you can also use your experience while solving mock tests and can make effective time management strategies for the D-day.
If you haven’t started it yet, this is the perfect time to power up your XAT exam preparation. Cover the syllabus quickly in 4 months and start solving XAT test series at Eduwhere to get ready for the exam.
