1.5 Month XAT Preparation Plan: How to Maximize Your Score in a Short Time

The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, designed to test not only your knowledge but also your decision-making ability, speed, and accuracy. With just 1.5 months left for the exam, it’s crucial to develop a structured, time-bound strategy to make the most of your preparation. This guide will walk you through a 6-week plan to maximize your score and focus on key areas that will help you excel in the XAT.

Before we dive into the study plan, let’s first understand the structure and marking scheme of the XAT.

 

XAT Exam Structure

The XAT exam is divided into four sections with a total of 95 questions to be attempted in 180 minutes:

1. Decision Making (21 questions)
2. Verbal and Logical Ability (26 questions)
3. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (28 questions)
4. General Knowledge (20 questions)

Marking Scheme:

• +1 mark for each correct answer.
• -0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
• -0.10 marks for every more than 8 consecutive unattempted questions.
• There is no deduction of points for incorrect answers in the General Knowledge section.

Now that you know the exam structure, let’s break down the preparation plan for each section and how to maximize your score in the limited time available.

 

Weeks 1-2: Building Strong Fundamentals

1. Decision Making

The Decision-Making section in XAT is unique, and it requires a logical yet ethical approach to solve real-life scenarios. The questions are often case studies involving business situations, dilemmas, or ethical choices.

• Start with previous year papers: Go through XAT previous year papers to familiarize yourself with the type of decision-making questions. Make an effort to grasp the reasoning behind each response.
• Identify common scenarios: You’ll notice recurring themes like business ethics, profitability, and operational challenges. Focus on learning how to analyze each scenario critically.
• Practice mock decision-making cases: Use online resources or coaching institute materials to solve at least 5-10 decision-making cases each day.

2. Verbal and Logical Ability

This section assesses your abilities in reading comprehension, critical thinking, grammar, and logical reasoning.

• Focus on Reading Comprehension (RC): RC passages form the bulk of this section. Start reading articles from diverse fields like psychology, economics, and philosophy. Aim to solve 2-3 RC passages daily.
• Brush up on grammar basics: Review common grammar rules and practice questions on sentence correction, fill in the blanks, and para jumbles.
• Critical reasoning practice: Spend time understanding the types of logical arguments and fallacies. Practice identifying assumptions, conclusions, and inferences.

3. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

Quantitative Aptitude in XAT is known to be moderately difficult and requires both conceptual clarity and speed.

• Revise fundamental concepts: Start with basic concepts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Focus on chapters like percentages, time-speed-distance, profit-loss, and mensuration.
• Data Interpretation (DI) practice: Spend time understanding different DI sets, especially bar graphs, pie charts, and tables. Practice at least 3-4 DI sets every day.
• Time management: Since this section is time-consuming, ensure you time your practice sessions to build speed.

4. General Knowledge

The GK section in XAT doesn’t have negative marking, but it’s still crucial for your overall performance.

• Focus on current affairs: The majority of General Knowledge questions emphasize current events. Read a newspaper daily and follow monthly current affairs compilations.
• Revise static GK: Cover key topics like history, geography, important events, awards, and sports. Divide your time between static and current GK.

 

Weeks 3-4: Strengthening Concepts and Speed

1. Decision Making

By now, you should have a basic understanding of the types of questions in this section. It’s time to go deeper into case studies.

• Practice under timed conditions: Allocate 30 minutes every day to solve 2-3 decision-making sets in a timed environment.
• Analyze your mistakes: Go through each case after solving and understand why your chosen option was right or wrong. Learn to identify the nuances in ethical dilemmas.

2. Verbal and Logical Ability

• RC practice with a timer: By now, your reading speed should have improved. Solve 4-5 passages under a time constraint of 8-10 minutes each.
• Logical reasoning puzzles: Dedicate time to puzzles like para jumbles, odd sentences, and sentence completions. Aim for accuracy before speed.

3. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

• Tackle complex problems: Begin solving higher-difficulty-level questions. Focus on advanced geometry, logarithms, and permutation-combination problems.
• DI revision: DI questions are often tricky. Focus on accuracy over speed initially and then gradually increase your solving speed.

4. General Knowledge

• GK quizzes: Take daily quizzes from online GK platforms to revise both static and current affairs. This will also help with retention.
• Revise notes: Go through the notes you have been making for GK and reinforce important points.

 

Weeks 5-6: Full-Length Mock Tests and Final Revision

In the last two weeks before the exam, it’s crucial to shift your focus to taking full-length mock tests and final revisions.

1. Take full-length XAT mock tests

• Aim to take 3-4 full-length XAT mock tests each week. Replicate the testing environment and stick to the 180-minute time constraint.
• Analyze mock tests: Post each mock, spend 1-2 hours analyzing your performance. Focus on sections where you lost marks and review your mistakes.

2. Time management and test-taking strategies

• Develop a strategy for unattempted questions: Since more than 8 consecutive unattempted questions incur a penalty, develop a strategy to avoid leaving too many unanswered questions.
• Focus on accuracy over speed: Avoid guesswork, especially in Decision Making and Verbal Ability sections where logical deduction is key.

3. Last-minute revision

• Revise important formulae, shortcuts, and concepts in Quantitative Aptitude.
• Go through key topics in GK and ensure you have your static and current affairs in order.
• Don’t stress yourself with new topics; focus on consolidating what you know.

 

Summary

With 1.5 months left for the XAT exam, strategic preparation is key to maximizing your score. Focus on understanding the exam structure, building a solid foundation in each section, and practicing time-bound mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Follow the plan outlined above, and you’ll be well-prepared to take on the challenge.

For students seeking additional guidance, Career Launcher Nashik - College Road is the best coaching institute for preparation for XAT. Located in Nashik, this institute offers expert coaching, mock tests, and personalized strategies to help you ace the XAT exam. With their structured approach and experienced faculty, you’ll be in the best position to succeed.