XAT 2024 Aspirants must start their preparation 3 to 4 months ahead of the exam, focusing on 4 sections: QADI, VALR, DM, and GK. The new paper pattern includes 100 MCQs and 1 essay question to assess candidates comprehensively. Pay special attention to the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (DI) section, accounting for 28% of the exam.
In VALR, Reading Comprehension (RC) is crucial, so read a newspaper daily for current affairs updates. Candidates can use the XAT Preparation Tips and Strategies given below to crack exam.
XAT 2024: Section-wise Preparation Tips
There is a total of 5 sections in the XAT Question Papers– Decision Making, Verbal Ability & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing. Candidates must prepare each section for the XAT 2024 exam by using the following tips and strategies:
XAT Decision Making Section:
The Decision-making section of the XAT exam is a distinctive and important aspect. To effectively approach this section, consider the following guidelines:
- Scenario-Based Questions: The Decision-making section comprises various business and everyday situations. Your task is to identify the appropriate actions that the various stakeholders should take in the given scenarios.
- Complex Dilemmas: These questions present interesting dilemmas for the parties involved, requiring careful analysis of potential gains and losses associated with each course of action.
- Topics Covered: The scenarios mainly revolve around common ethical dilemmas, financial issues like company sales and revenues, employee management concerns, and other management-related problems.
- Time Management: Allocate an appropriate amount of time to read and understand the scenarios thoroughly.
- Criteria for Correct Answers: The correct answers typically involve decisions that are unbiased, ethical, and balanced, and consider the perspectives of all concerned stakeholders
XAT Verbal Ability & Logical Ability Section:
The Verbal and Logical Ability section of the XAT exam is designed to assess your reasoning and logical thinking skills.
- Critical Reasoning & Reading Comprehension: Over the years, Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension have been significant components of this section.
- Vocabulary-Based Questions: Be prepared for vocabulary-related questions, often presented in the form of Cloze tests, Synonym-Antonym exercises, and similar formats.
- Para Jumbles & Completion. A clear understanding of different grammatical rules and conventions is essential to tackle these questions effectively.
XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section:
This section assesses both your speed and accuracy in solving mathematical problems. To excel in this section, keep the following tips in mind:
- Strong Conceptual Base: Build a solid understanding of the concepts in Geometry, Number Systems, Algebra, Modern Math, and DI.
- Focus on Clarity: Ensure you have clarity in the concepts of the mentioned topics. Practice solving a variety of problems to strengthen your understanding.
- Time and Practice: As this section involves calculations, allocate sufficient time for practice. Regular practice will enhance your speed and accuracy in solving mathematical questions.
- Use Shortcut Techniques and Formulas: Familiarize yourself with shortcut techniques and formulas to simplify complex calculations. Employing these techniques will save time and improve efficiency.
XAT General Knowledge Section:
This section encompasses questions from a wide range of topics, including both static and current GK. To prepare effectively for the GK section, keep the following points in mind:
- Emphasize Economics and Business: Put more focus on economics and business-related facts, as they are frequently covered in the GK section.
- Current Events: Preparing for current events from the last 6 months is essential. Be aware of major national and international events, government initiatives, and other significant happenings during this period.
- Static GK: In the static GK part, pay attention to areas like awards, books & authors, and geography. Knowing important awards and their recipients, famous books and their authors, and key geographical facts will be beneficial.
- Read Newspapers: To remain informed about current news, it is recommended that students read newspapers regularly.
XAT Essay Writing Section:
Keep the following tips in mind while preparing and practicing Essay Writing:
- Read Regularly: Engaging in regular reading will enrich your knowledge and language skills. Explore newspapers and books to learn different ways of arranging ideas in various paragraphs.
- Stick to the Standard Pattern: Follow the conventional essay structure of Introduction-Body-Conclusion. A clear and well-structured essay allows your ideas to flow logically and ensures that your arguments are effectively conveyed.
- Support Your Opinion: If you express your opinion in the essay, provide factual evidence and relevant examples to support your viewpoint. This strengthens your arguments and lends credibility to your essay.
- Check for Grammar: After writing the essay, carefully review it for grammatical errors. A well-written essay with coherent ideas will earn you more marks than relying solely on vocabulary.
Studying previous year’s XAT papers is a valuable preparation strategy to gain insight into the XAT Exam Pattern, question types, and difficulty level. Consistent practice and mock tests will allow you to refine your approach, build self-assurance, and perform optimally during the XAT exam. By blending these strategies into your preparation, you can increase your chances of achieving a successful outcome on exam day.
