One among the most solid and challenging MBA entrance exams in India, the Xavier Aptitude Test, or XAT is also a great platform for the students to get into institutes like XLRI, XIMB, SPJIMR, and other top management institutes. XLRI, Jamshedpur, administers XAT and conducts the examination.
If you have only a month for preparation before the exam, then there is nothing to worry about. With this one-month period, one can easily crack the XAT. This article will assist you in creating the correct study plan, important topics, and even guidelines of time management. It will also equip you with strategies that are unique to acing the exams.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the XAT Exam Pattern
- Building a One-Month Study Plan
- Section-Wise Preparation Tips
- Verbal and Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge
- Time Management Strategies
- Mock Test Strategies and Analysis
- Handling Pressure and Maintaining Motivation
- Tips for the Exam Day
1. Familiarisation of Pattern of the XAT Exam
The first step is familiarise with the pattern of the exam before actually getting into a study plan:
Duration: 3 hours
Number of Sections:Verbal and Logical Ability
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- General Knowledge-Not counted in the calculation of percentile, but XLRI shortlisted based on this section alone
Type of Questions-MCQs
- Negative Marking: Yes (0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer)
- Every section tests a different kind of ability, thus a balanced approach for preparation is needed.
2. Developing a One-Month Preparation Plan
Time flies with the clock. Here is a suggested one-month study plan that helps you perform to your best potential:
Week 1: Familiarise and Build Foundations
- Day 1-3: Go through the XAT syllabus and exam pattern. Collect all the study material one would require. Revise crucial concepts especially for Quant and VA.
- Day 4-7: Attempt the Decision-Making section, as XAT does not provide sample questions. Attempt previous years’ question papers to get a flavour of the type of problems given.
Week 2: Consolidate Strong Core Areas
Day 8-10: Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. Try to solve question-wise according to the topic covered – Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra. Focus on speed and accuracy.
Day 11-14: Major concentration will be on Verbal and Logical Ability. Focus on reading comprehension (RC), Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction.
Build your reading habit with editorials, articles, and journals.
Week 3: Weak Areas and Mocks
Day 15-18: Revamping Decision Making. Do some case-based decision-making questions and bring some improvement to your logical approach.
Day 19-21: Do your first full-length mock test. Assess your present performance. Analysis of the test: identify weak areas and mistakes
Week 4 Fine-Tune and Full Mocks
Day 22-25: General Knowledge. Prepare last 6-12 months current affairs and static GK. All the other sections give revision and speed up.
Day 26-30: Take at least 2 more full-length mock tests. Ensure that you analyse every mock and your performance metrics. The key is to manage time and practice under timed conditions
3.Section-Wise Preparation Tips
XAT has all sections, and this is how you should be dealing with all of them:
Verbal and Logical Ability
This section tests the understanding abilities in comprehension, vocabulary, and logical reasoning.
Areas: RC, Grammar, Sentence Correction, CR, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks.
Preparation Strategy
Read widely from a variety of sources (newspaper, editorials, business magazines).
Solve RCs regularly to increase your comprehension speed.
Do critical reasoning questions, which can be tricky at times.
Brush up grammar rules and practice sentence correction.
Decision Making
Decision-making is especially designed for XAT and has analytical reasoning, logical thinking, as well as ethics-based problems.
Areas: Business scenarios, Ethical dilemmas, Rational choices.
Preparation Strategy:
- Practice papers from previous years to gain a good understanding of the kind of scenarios that are given.
- Use gut-based answers only when it is not possible to make logical and ethical choices.
- Maintain ethics in all consequences.
- Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
- This is a test for mathematical and logical reasoning .
Important Areas: Arithmetical, Geometrical, Algebraic, Number System, Probabilities, Permutation & Combination, and Data Interpretation.
Preparation Strategy:
Start with the revision of key formulas and shortcuts
Arithmetic and Geometry carry a high weightage. So give them priority
Practice DI sets daily that help in the speed of interpreting data quickly
As many questions should be solved on the subject to reach perfect accuracy and speed.
General Knowledge
GK may not play a role at the percentile level, but it will still act as a decisive tool for one’s selection during the interview stage, particularly on XLRI.
Key Areas: Current affairs, Business and Economy, Static GK (History, Geography, Politics), Sports, and International Events.
Preparation Strategy:
Subscribe to newspapers and magazines to stay updated with current affairs.
Prepare from yearbooks or online portals that stress static GK.
Take quizzes online to test your knowledge and improve retention.
4.Time Management Strategies
Time management is important when preparing and at the time of appearing for an exam. Now, having only one month in hand, use the following strategies
- Focus Important Topics: Spend more time over topics that carry a greater weightage and the areas in which you are weak.
- Daily Target: Make a list of the number of tasks you need to complete during the day, like solving 20-30 questions in Quant or 2-3 RC passages.
- Mock Duration: Complete at least 3-4 full-length mocks and analyse your performances.
- Break Time: Take short, constant breaks while studying so that you do not get exhausted.
5.Mock Test Strategies and Analysis
Mocks are the only way out, if there is just a month left for the examination.
- Topic-Wise Tests: During the first two weeks, take sectional or topic-wise tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that will appear.
- Full-Length Mocks: By the third week, start taking full-length mocks under similar conditions as any real XAT exam. Try to take them around the time of the actual XAT exam.
- Review Performance: Review your areas of strength, weakness, and precision after each mock. Refine the weak areas.
6.Stress Management and Keeping Motivation
A month of rigorous practice is a real killer. To prevent this from happening,
- Maintain Record: Keep day-to-day records of your activities to ensure you are strictly adhering to your study plan.
- Break Time: Engage in relaxing activities such as meditation or light exercises to keep your mind refreshed.
- Positive Thoughts: Don’t think negatively. Keep reminding yourself that you are going to finish.
- External Support: When you are under extreme stress conditions, communicate with your friends, family members, or mentors.
7.Exam Day Tips
On the last day, you would need to be composed and calm. Here is what you should remember:
Avoid Over-studying on the Night Previous: Do not over-study the night before the exam.
Time Calculation: Calculate how much time you would consume for each section. Do not spend too much time on any single question.
Accuracy Matters: XAT has negative marking; therefore, do not make guesswork randomly.
Revision: Revise formulas and important points a day before the exam.
It might even crack XAT in one month with a good and disciplined study plan. Then, of course, if you focus on high-yield topics, take lots of mock tests, and remain motivated, chances are extremely high that you will easily score above the cut-off.
And do not forget to be consistent. So, stick to the plan and keep moving on. Wish you all the best for the preparation.
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