How to Prepare for XAT after CAT?

Wondering how to prepare for XAT after CAT? If you have already appeared for CAT and are now eyeing XAT, you can build on your existing preparation and fine-tune your strategy. Although XAT has the unique elements of Decision Making and General Knowledge, the syllabus of both exams overlaps significantly. Preparing for XAT after CAT not only offers the advantage of familiarity with core topics but also allows you to maximise your performance in XAT or ensure you don’t leave any stone unturned. A focused, strategic approach can help you leverage your CAT preparation and excel in the upcoming XAT exam. Moreover, taking the XAT exam will increase your chances of securing admission to any of the top B-schools in the country. 

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XAT Preparation Plan After CAT

Students who will be appearing for XAT after completing their CAT exam must have a definite plan for utilizing the gap between the two exams. CAT is conducted on the last Sunday of November each year while XAT is conducted in the first week of January. This gives students approximately 5 weeks to prepare for XAT after CAT. 

Go Over the XAT Syllabus

Although the syllabus for XAT and CAT are very similar, there are certain differences that you must be aware of before you begin your XAT preparation. One of the key differences between is the Decision Making and General Knowledge portions. These subjects must be given special attention since they are not included in the CAT syllabus and you may need to learn these topics from scratch. Also, since there are sectional cutoffs for XAT, you must make sure to meet the sectional cutoff for Decision Making since this section often makes or breaks a candidate’s chances of securing admission to top MBA colleges.

Only Learn New Topics & Concepts

When beginning preparation for XAT, you must only pick topics for learning that you have not covered during CAT preparation. Topics from sections like Decision Making and GK are commonly unknown topics for candidates and therefore must be learned diligently before the XAT exam. You must avoid learning new topics that you have already completed during CAT preparation as it will lead to unnecessary waste of time and effort. At the same time, you must not focus too much on learning new topics as well as this leads to anxiety and confusion in the last few weeks of your preparation.

Keep Attempting XAT Mock Tests

XAT mock tests are the most important part of the preparation plan after CAT. They will enable you to simultaneously prepare and test your skills for XAT. You must begin taking mock tests from the first week of your preparation after CAT. Increasing the number of mock tests per week is also a good idea as it will help you focus your efforts on strengthening what you already know instead of trying to cram more information.

Revise Already Learned Topics

Finally, in the last weeks of XAT preparation, the best strategy is to revise what is already covered and test that knowledge by practising previous year question papers, sample papers, mock tests, etc. If you try to learn new topics in the final stage of XAT preparation, you will end up getting confused and also lose confidence in your preparation. You can create a day and topic-wise revision plan for XAT especially for the last week before the exam.

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Important Points to Remember Before XAT

Apart from a good preparation plan candidates should also follow certain tips and guidelines while preparing for XAT after CAT. Check out the best tips for XAT preparation mentioned below:

• Candidates must fully understand the format of the XAT 2025 exam, which includes the number of sections, question types, and time constraints. Additionally, candidates ought to allow enough time to acquaint themselves with the syllabus and identify the subjects on which they possess a basic comprehension.
• Create a thorough study library with excellent study materials, such as XAT books, online resources, and video lectures. Find a mentor to assist you with your studies and look for coaching centers that offer crash courses.
• Candidates are required to take four to five mock exams per week in order to improve their practice and comprehension of the questions that will be asked on the XAT 2025 exam. Examine your errors and confirm that you comprehend the fundamental ideas after each practice test.
• Make sure you assess your performance thoroughly after each mock exam so you can identify your areas of weakness and strengthen them. You should also focus on answering questions quickly by identifying the ones that require too much time. 
• Given the limited time allotted for the XAT exam, consider time management immediately. Set a timer and complete practice questions as if they were part of the actual exam to increase your accuracy and speed.
• Focus on building a strong conceptual foundation for the reasoning and quantitative sections rather than just memorizing short cuts. You will be able to respond to a variety of questions if your concepts are clear.
• Read articles from newspapers, magazines, and the internet to broaden your vocabulary as you prepare for the VARC section. Regular reading will help you become more proficient at reading comprehension.
• Consider carefully going over and evaluating the main concepts, calculations, and techniques from the last few weeks. Try to limit your revisions to the subjects you know a lot about or are proficient in. Do not pick up new subjects at this time.

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