Preparation Plan for XAT 2026 - Strategy, Timetable, Tips & FAQs

If you are aiming for XLRI or other leading B-schools via XAT 2026, you are already aware of one fact:
XAT differs from CAT. It requires a distinct approach, particularly for Decision Making (DM) and Essay Writing, which are unique to this test.
The positive news?
With an effective preparation strategy and regular practice, you can definitely achieve a 95 - 99 percentile in XAT.
This guide provides a month-by-month plan, strategies for each section, resources, tips for mock tests, a revision schedule, and FAQs to make your journey easier.

1. XAT 2026 Overview

Exam Pattern

Section	Questions
Verbal & Logical Ability	26
Decision Making	21
Quantitative Aptitude & DI	28
General Knowledge	25

Total Number of Questions:  95
Total Minutes: 180

Marking Scheme

• +1 for correct
•  - 0.25 for wrong

Difficulty

• VA & DM: Tough
• QA: Moderate
• DI: Lengthy
• Overall: Harder than CAT in reasoning-based sections

2. Month-by-Month Preparation Plan (June - December 2025)

Months 1 - 2: Start With Basics

• Clear fundamentals in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry
• Solve 1 - 2 RCs daily
• Start reading newspapers (The Hindu, Mint)
• Begin with 5 - 6 DM caselets weekly

Months 3 - 4: Practice Phase

• Weekly sectional practice
• 4 - 5 RCs per week
• 20+ DM caselets weekly
• 1 mock every 10 days

Months 5 - 6: Mock Test Phase

• 1 mock/week → then 2 mocks/week
• Analyse accuracy & speed
• Heavy GK preparation
• Essay writing practice

Final 30 Days: Revision Mode

• Revise QA formulas
• Solve DM caselets daily
• Practice 30+ essays
• Give 6 - 8 full mocks
• Daily GK revision

3. Section-Wise Preparation Strategy

A. Decision Making (DM)

Why DM is crucial:

It sets XAT apart and can drastically improve your percentile.

How to prepare:

• Practice ethical, HR, managerial, and business caselets
• Analyse stakeholder needs
• Choose balanced, practical, and ethical options

Avoid:

❌ Emotional choices
❌ Unrealistic solutions
❌ Personal bias

B. Verbal & Logical Ability

Focus areas:

• RC (inference-heavy)
• Critical Reasoning
• Para-jumbles
• Grammar
• Vocabulary

Tips:

• Read editorials daily
• Practice inference-based questions
• Learn 10 - 15 new words daily

C. Quantitative Aptitude & DI

Important topics:

• Arithmetic
• Numbers
• Geometry
• Algebra
• DI caselets

Tips:

• Maintain a formula notebook
• Solve mixed-level QA sets
• Attempt one DI set daily

D. General Knowledge (GK)

What to study:

• Current affairs (12 months)
• Economy
• Business news
• Sports
• Awards
• International organizations
• Science & Tech

GK is NOT counted in percentile, but important for XLRI shortlisting.

E. Essay Writing

Structure:

• Introduction
• Arguments with examples
• Counter-angle
• Conclusion

Tips:

• Practice 2 essays/week
• Use simple language
• Stay neutral and logical

4. Importance of Mock Tests & Analysis

How to take mocks:

• Same time slot as XAT (morning)
• Follow strict time management
• Don’t leave more than 8 questions unattempted

How to analyse:

• Identify weak topics
• Track mistakes
• Improve accuracy
• Maintain a mock analysis sheet

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ignoring DM
❌ Not practicing essays
❌ Leaving too many questions
❌ Skipping mock analysis
❌ Lack of reading habit
❌ Changing strategy frequently

6. Final 30-Day Revision Plan

Do:

• Daily QA revision
• 300+ DM practice
• 15 - 20 essays
• 6 - 8 mocks
• Daily GK for 30 minutes

Avoid:

• Learning new concepts
• Taking too many mocks
• Stressing about score
• Over-changing strategy

FAQs on XAT 2026 Preparation

1. Is XAT tougher than CAT?

Yes. DM and Verbal in XAT are trickier than CAT.

2. What is the best time to start preparing for XAT 2026?

The ideal time is 6–8 months before the exam, but with a strong foundation, even 3–4 months of focused preparation can work.

3. How is XAT different from CAT?

XAT includes Decision Making, GK, and making it more analytical and reading-heavy compared to CAT, which is purely aptitude-based.

4. What is the cutoff for XLRI BM & HRM?

Typically:

• BM: 94 - 96 percentile

• HRM: 92 - 93 percentile
  Cutoffs vary by year.

5. How to improve accuracy in XAT?

Reduce guesswork, analyze mocks properly, practice DM logic, and focus on strong areas instead of attempting all questions.

6. Can I use a calculator in XAT?

XAT does not allow physical calculators, but an on-screen scientific calculator is provided within the exam interface (similar to the one in CAT).

7. Does XAT have negative marking in GK?

No. GK section do not have negative marking.