XAT is an online management aptitude test conducted by XLRI. It is a highly accredited exam with scores being used by more than 150 management institutes across India. XAT 2020 Preparation Tips will be beneficial for the aspirants to get a high score and take admission into the prestigious Management institutions. The XAT 2020 preparation of the aspirants should be related to the syllabus and exam pattern. Better, they should go for multiple rounds of mock tests and quizzes. It will be helpful to build up the confidence level of the candidates by minimising the occurrence of error.
In order to crack a highly competitive exam like XAT 2020 candidates have to sharpen their critical thinking, language skills, reasoning and intellectuality.
XAT 2020 Exam Pattern can be understood in three parts-
XAT 2020 Preparation Tips is dependent upon three factors and these are time management, accuracy and speed. Apart from the XAT 2020 preparation tips, the aspirants should know about the following information:
XAT 2020 is scheduled to be held on January 5 in online mode. In 2019 there was a major change in the exam pattern, XLRI removed the Essay writing section, leaving only four sections for the candidates to attempt. XAT has got two additional sections as compared to CAT- Decision Making and General Knowledge. Decision making is one of the most important areas where the students must give additional effort.
XAT is conducted annually and students having a bachelor's degree of minimum three years from any recognized institutes or are in the final year of their bachelor's degree, can appear for this exam.
The exam consists of four sections - Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making and General Knowledge. Considering the notable changes and at length composition of XAT paper pattern, a comprehensive preparation strategy should be undertaken by candidates.
This section includes topics such as Fill in the blanks, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning. This section is considered to be tougher than that of CAT. This section is classified into three broad subsections which are, reading comprehension, verbal ability and logical reasoning. They put much weight into the verbal section so students must also prepare accordingly. Total number of questions in this section is 26. Acquaint yourself with reading as many articles as possible, this will enrich your knowledge of words. Practice more and more vocabulary, the figure of speech and basic grammar. Also practicing and solving question papers would help you gain a grip over the language.
Important Topics for Verbal and Logical Ability | ||
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Reading Comprehension | Fill in the blanks | Antonyms/Synonyms |
Jumbled Paragraphs | Contextual usage of vocabulary | Correction of errors in sentence |
Word usage | Sentence completion | Paragraph completion In Reading Comprehension section, passages will be from literature, socioeconomic essays, science and culture and abstract topics. |
For the logical ability section, it is very important to have the basic knowledge and based on that you would be able to solve the problems. This section can only be conquered by ample amount of practicing and solving mock tests. Try to give as many mock tests as possible and analyze your weak points and try not to repeat the same mistakes in the next mock test. Only this can help you gain confidence and succeed in the final XAT2020 exam.
Tip: Reading Comprehension has to be attempted, it will be difficult to score well in this section if RCs are left out. Para Jumbles, Fill Ups and Grammar questions should be taken up first followed by RC. |
This will test your skills on management and aptitude. This is a unique section which is present in the XAT 2020 exam. IT includes various case studies and situations on which the student would have to make a judgment and need to take the correct decision. The aspirants have to attempt 21 questions from this section.
The problems mainly focus on ethical dilemmas, finance management issues, and other management issues. Try to solve more and more case studies as a part of the preparation. This would help you to get familiarized with the type of problems and eventually it would become easy to take an unbiased decision.
Important Topics for Decision Making and Analytical Skills | ||
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Analytical Reasoning | Logical Reasoning | Arithmetic |
Data Arrangement | Caselets | Conditions and grouping |
Situations | Assumptions | Decision making |
Tip: Candidates should not be intimidated with the lengths and complexity of passages. Ideal answer choices should not be selected, options that compromise the least of the objectives should be looked for. |
This section is considered as difficult by some of the candidates as the topics included here are more vast and diverse as compared to the CAT exam. Geometry, P&C, Probability, and functions Coordinate Geometry along with Algebra and Arithmetic are some of the topics which must be dealt with more focus and hence can’t be neglected at any cost. Total number of questions in this section is 27.
The preparation of data interpretation is comparatively easier than the preparation of quantitative ability.
Important Topics for Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | ||
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Percentage | Tables and Caselets | Linear and Quadratics Equations |
Profit and Loss | Probability | Surds and Indices |
Ratio and Proportion | Critical Path | Inequalities |
Variation | Averages and Partnerships | Logarithms |
Time and Work | Alligations and Mixtures | Numbers |
Time, Speed and Distance | Algebra | Mensuration |
LCM and HCF | Simple and Compound Interest | Geometry |
Pure Maths | Venn Diagram | Trigonometry |
Data Tables | Data charts | Bar diagrams |
Graphs | Pie charts | Data analysis |
Try to solve more and more previous year questions and mock tests this would give you an idea of the type of questions that are more common. Work on your strength so that you don’t make any mistakes when you get common questions on the final exam.
Tip: Questions in math are sure shot in nature. Clarity in concept and formula is necessary to attempt the. Hence DI questions should be picked up first and then quants. |
This section includes current affairs, General Knowledge around the world and other recent happenings. The only way of keeping yourself updating is to maintain the constant touch with General Knowledge. In addition, brush up your knowledge more in the subjects like Science, History, Geography, technology and politics. This section contains approximately 25 questions in the entrance exam.
Important Topics for General Awareness | ||
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Awards and winners | History and Geography | Static GK |
Business and Politics | Constitution of India | Personalities |
Government and Economy | World Events | Current Affairs |
The mock tests for XAT 2020 will be released by the 3rd week of December 2019. This mock test series will be released by XLRI. The official mock test series is the best way to prepare for the final XAT exam. XLRI generally releases the mock tests a few days before the final exam so that the student can give the tests and evaluate their preparation accordingly. These mock tests will also help to give the last minute touch-ups for the students.
Apart from this, there are many institutes that are offering mock tests for the XAT 2020 aspirants. Some of them are paid programs and some of them are free. Students can opt for these programs as well in order to boost their preparation.
To get a good score in the XAT 2020 exam, it is necessary to gain accuracy. Hnce, mock tests are ideal to improve your accuracy and speed of solving the questions. Better, you should attempt 25 mock tests of different genres, so that it can build the confidence level.
To do complete preparation, the right study materials are very important for the students. Proper preparation strategy along with the right study material will automatically boost your preparation and will keep you one step ahead. So when it comes to choosing books one can go for the tried and tested choice of the toppers which includes the following:
Sections | Books and authors |
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Verbal and Logical Ability |
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XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation |
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XAT Decision Making |
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XAT General Knowledge |
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The books mentioned above are some of the well-known books that help you in preparing for competitive exams. Students can try to go for these books and also focus on the mock tests series as much as possible.
The important points to be kept in mind in order to prepare for XAT are:
Lastly, students must keep in mind that keeping your head calm and applying what you have prepared on the day of the exam is the most important thing to be done. Try to solve more and more mock tests so that you gain confidence before the final exam.