How to Prepare for XAT 2026: Section-Wise Strategy & Daily Plan

1. How to Prepare for XAT 2026: Section-Wise Guide Cracking XAT 2026 requires a section-by-section strategy that builds clarity, speed, and decision-making skills. This guide explains how to prepare for each XAT section, helping you create a daily routine, choose the right resources, and track your progress. What Is XAT and Why Section-Wise Prep Matters XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a three-hour exam conducted by XLRI and accepted by more than 250 B- schools in India. Its mix of Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge calls for tailored preparation. One-size preparation does not work for XAT. Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning This section assesses reading speed, comprehension, and critical thinking through reading comprehension passages, jumbled paragraphs, fill-in-the-blank exercises, and reasoning puzzles. Read a newspaper editorial each day from The Hindu or The Indian Express. Solve two to three reading comprehension questions every week on topics such as psychology or politics. Practice para jumbles, odd-one-out questions, and critical-reasoning sets. Revise key grammar rules weekly and attempt vocabulary questions from past XAT papers. Decision Making This section is unique to XAT and does not require formulas. You are tested on judgment and ethics. Solve three caselets each day from past XAT papers. Evaluate options for fairness, logic, and balance; avoid extreme choices. Read all answer choices before making a decision. Discuss reasoning with peers or in online forums. Use Target XAT by Disha Publications for focused practice sets. Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Concept depth and DI sets distinguish XAT’s quantitative section. Build fundamentals using R.S. Aggarwal or Arun Sharma texts. Cover two topics per week, such as percentages, equations, or ratios. Practice DI sets under timed conditions to sharpen speed. Create and revise a formula sheet weekly. Solve puzzles to improve pattern-recognition skills. In the exam, prioritize accuracy by attempting fewer but high-confidence questions. General Knowledge GK is a non-negative marking in XAT, making it a scoring section with preparation.

2. Spend 30 minutes each day on current affairs using monthly PDF compendiums. Master static topics such as currencies, books, awards, and geography. Use Lucent’s GK or the Manorama Yearbook plus a quiz app for daily drills. Track business news, policy updates, and international events. Daily and Weekly Plan Combine section practice into a balanced schedule: Morning: one hour of Quant or Verbal Afternoon: one Decision Making caselet Evening: 30 minutes of GK plus one reading comprehension passage Weekend: full mock test with detailed review Sunday: formula and concept revision Maintain a tracker for weak areas and review them more frequently. A consistent routine builds momentum more effectively than long, sporadic study sessions. Mock Tests and Past Papers Mocks teach time management and exam temperament. Start with one mock every 10 days, moving to one mock every five days in the final six weeks. Always take mocks from 2 PM to 5 PM to mirror exam conditions. Review each mock in depth and note the time spent per section and recurring errors. Solve at least four past XAT papers to familiarize yourself with question styles and difficulty levels. Final Thought XAT rewards structured thinking, ethical judgment, and performance under pressure rather than rote tricks. A section-wise plan, disciplined daily routine, and rigorous mock-test reviews are your keys to steady improvement. For detailed book lists, complete study schedules, mock test strategies, and XAT-specific preparation techniques, read the full guide: How to Prepare for XAT 2026: Section-Wise Guide