Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 15 Jul, 2024 11:20
Registration Starts On July 15, 2024
Predict your Percentile based on your XAT performance
Predict NowThe XAT Syllabus 2025 is primarily divided into five major sections, which include Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, General Knowledge, and Essay Writing. The Verbal and Logical Ability is a combination of Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning. The Decision Making section does not have any specific syllabus and the questions focus on the candidate's presence of mind and analytical skills.
The QA section includes basic mathematical topics while the GK section contains questions on current affairs and conventional GK (trivia). The Essay Writing section includes one descriptive question on abstract ideas and contemporary thoughts. Candidates appearing in the XAT exam should be well aware of the topics under the XAT Syllabus 2025. It is only after knowing about all the topics present in the XAT Syllabus 2025 that the candidates chalk out a timetable for preparation.
XAT 2025 will be conducted on January 5, 2025, from 2 PM to 5:30 PM. XLRI Jamshedpur does not prescribe any official XAT Syllabus 2025. The topics that have been provided are an estimation based on the question paper and the exam paper trends from the previous years. Find all the necessary information regarding the XAT syllabus right here.
Download the PDF file for XAT Syllabus 2025 using the link given below.
It is also advisable for the candidates to go through the XAT 2025 exam pattern and marking scheme of XAT 2025 before starting to prepare for the entrance exam. Being aware of the structure of an examination is vital if the candidates want to do well in the examination.
Check the table below to gain insight into the most important highlights of the XAT Syllabus 2025:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Sections | 4 main sections and an Essay Writing component |
| Name of the Sections |
|
| Verbal & Logical Ability | Focuses on language skills, comprehension skills, and logical reasoning abilities |
| Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation | Assesses your mathematical and analytical skills |
| Decision Making | Evaluates your ability to make analysis and decisions in complex and ethical situations |
| General Knowledge | Assesses your awareness of current affairs, business, economics, international relations, history, geography, science, and technology |
| Essay Writing | Assesses your writing skills and analytical thinking |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration of the Exam | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
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Understanding the XAT syllabus also involves being aware of the number of questions that are expected to be included in the different parts of the exam. This will not only help candidates estimate how important certain topics are from the XAT syllabus but also enable them to prepare for the exam accordingly.
Part | Name of the Section | Number of Questions | Overall Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
Part-1 (75 Total MCQs) | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 175 Minutes (No Sectional Time Limit) |
Decision Making | 21 | ||
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 28 | ||
Part-2 (25 MCQs + 1 Essay Writing Question) | General Knowledge | 25 | 25 minutes |
Essay Writing Test | 1 Descriptive Topic | 10 minutes | |
Total questions (Part 1 + Part 2) | 101 | 210 minutes |
Q. What is the XAT Syllabus 2025 for Verbal & Logical Ability?
A. The XAT syllabus 2025 for Verbal & Logical Ability includes Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Antonyms/Synonyms, Jumbled Paragraphs, Contextual Usage of Vocabulary, Correction of Errors in Sentences, Word Usage, Sentence Completion, and Paragraph Completion. There will be 26 questions in the VA section of XAT 2025 and each question will be Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) type. 1 mark will be awarded for each correct answer and 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Q. What is the XAT Syllabus 2025 for Decision Making (DM)?
A. The XAT syllabus 2025 for Decision Making (DM) encompasses Decision-Making in a Situation, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Complex Data Arrangement, Data Arrangement Sets, Caselets, Conditions and Grouping, Assumptions, Premises, Conclusions. There are typically 6-8 decision-making sets, each followed by 2-3 questions, totalling 22 MCQs in the XAT question paper.
Q. What are the types of RC passages asked in the XAT exam?
A. The types of RC passages asked in the XAT exam include Information-Based Questions, Author's View type of questions, Inference based Questions, Main Idea and Purpose of the Passage, True/False Statements based on the Passage, and Explanation of Words/Phrases in the Passage. The topics asked from previous years include Capitalism and Democracy cannot co-exist, Globalization and Jingoism always coexist, Technology and Nature are natural enemies, and Ethical Practices and Sustainability: Do they co-exist?
Q. What will be the weightage of the GK section in the XAT 2025 exam?
A. The weightage of the GK section in the XAT 2025 exam is 25 questions and 15-20 minutes are typically allotted for completion of this section.
The XAT syllabus 2025 for Quantitative Ability has been provided below.
In this section, there are 28 questions and we advise you to solve each question in 2 minutes and 17 seconds.
The difficulty level of the QA & DA section is high. Below is the list of topics from where the questions are asked:
Distance and Speed | Partnerships and Averages |
|---|---|
Table | Linear & Quadratics Equations |
Data Interpretation: Table, Combination | Direction Time and Sense |
Critical Path | Arithmetic logics |
Clocks | Trigonometry |
Distance and Heights | Geometry |
Graphs | Probability |
Mensuration: 2D and 3D | Profit & Loss |
Algebra Functions | Statistics |
In this section, 26 questions are asked from the 7 important topics that are listed below. Last year, the difficulty level of this section was moderate.
Reverse Analogies or Analogies | Jumbled Paragraphs |
|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | Completion of paragraph |
Vocabulary | Grammar |
| Fill in the blanks with correct words | Synonyms/antonyms |
| Contextual usage of vocabulary words | Critical inference/Reasoning |
| Correction of errors in sentences, correct use of words | Completion of sentences |
The percentage of Reading comprehension in the VARC & LR portion is high. The RC passages are based on topics like abstract subjects, literature, social and economic problems, science and culture, history, and fiction. The RC topics are not precisely mentioned in the XAT syllabus 2025. RC passages asked in the XAT exam have been observed to be moderately brief and short. All the questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) type. The format of questions asked in the XAT exam has been provided below:
There are 21 questions from this section. The Decision-Making section includes different categories, namely:
Arithmetic | Decision Making in a situation |
|---|---|
Analytical Reasoning | Series |
Situational | Semi-Quantitative topics |
Numeric Grid | Conditions & Grouping Test |
Family Tree | Data Arrangement Test |
Coding and Decoding | Calendars |
Pie chart's | Logical Matching |
In this section, questions are asked about politics, geography, history, and current affairs. There are 25 questions expected in this section. The General Knowledge section comprises the following:
Merger and Acquisitions | Culture |
|---|---|
International Relations | Nation & States |
Economics | Geography |
Awards & Recognitions | Society |
Sports | Business |
History Literature | Politics |
The Essay Writing section evaluates abstract ideas and contemporary thoughts and is only evaluated if the candidate is shortlisted for further admission rounds. There is no defined syllabus for the Essay Writing section. The most important topics for XAT essay writing are as follows:
XAT essays often deal with contemporary issues, so it is crucial to stay updated on current affairs, national and international news, and important developments in various fields. Developing a habit of reading newspapers, magazines, etc. can enhance the candidates' knowledge and understanding of current issues. Candidates are advised to take care of the grammatical rules and clarity of thought in essay writing. Since XAT essays may require you to analyze a given topic, discuss its implications, or provide a critical assessment, developing strong analytical skills will be beneficial.
The candidates must focus on expressing their ideas clearly and concisely and avoid overly complex language. Candidates aspiring for the XAT exam must learn to organize their essays logically with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion with the arguments flowing smoothly and each paragraph transitioning seamlessly to the next.
The most important topics under each section of XAT 2025 have been provided in the table below.
| Name of the Section | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability |
|
| Reading Comprehension |
|
| Logical Reasoning |
|
| Decision Making |
|
| Quantitative Ability |
|
| Data Interpretation |
|
| General Knowledge |
|
Certain changes were made by XLRI in the XAT Syllabus last year to keep up with the pace of changing times. We have provided the candidates who will appear in XAT 2025 with the changes made in the syllabus:
The Syllabus of XAT was increased to 5 sections in XAT 2025.
Subjective/Descriptive questions like the Essay Writing section have been included in the question paper.
No more than 101 questions will be asked in the question paper.
The question paper will consist of MCQ-type questions and a Descriptive question.
There will be a scope of negative marking in 75 questions of the question paper.
The questions asked from the General Knowledge and Essay writing sections will not have negative markings.
Here are five expert tips to help you prepare for the XAT syllabus effectively:
Analyze Previous Years' Papers: Before diving into your preparation, take time to analyze the previous years' question papers. This will give you insights into the types of questions asked, the distribution of topics, and the overall difficulty level of the exam. This information will help you prioritize your preparation and focus on the most relevant topics.
Practice Mock Tests: Utilize high-quality mock tests to simulate the exam environment and assess your readiness. Mock tests not only familiarize you with the exam pattern but also help you manage time effectively and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Regularly practicing mock tests will boost your confidence and enhance your exam-taking skills.
Comprehensive Coverage: XAT covers a wide range of topics, so make sure to allocate sufficient time to all the chapters in the XAT syllabus. Avoid the temptation to overemphasize certain topics while neglecting others. Balance your preparation to ensure a holistic understanding of the syllabus, enhancing your ability to tackle various types of questions.
Stay Updated for GK: The General Knowledge (GK) section is an integral part of XAT. To prepare for this section, stay informed about both static and current affairs. Concentrate on events and developments from the past six months, as this timeframe typically aligns with the exam's GK syllabus. This strategic approach ensures that you're well-prepared without being overwhelmed by an excessive amount of information.
Regular Revisions: Consistent revision is key to retaining what you've learned. Set aside time for regular revisions of all the topics you've covered. This habit will help consolidate your knowledge and prevent forgetting crucial information. Create a revision schedule and stick to it to maximize your retention and recall during the actual exam.
Remember, XAT is a comprehensive exam that evaluates your aptitude across various sections. Following these expert tips will provide you with a structured and effective approach to mastering the XAT syllabus and improving your chances of success. Good luck with your preparation!
Preparing for the XAT syllabus can be a tedious task if candidates do not have the right resources at their disposal. Since the XAT syllabus is vast and complicated in some areas, it is of utmost importance that aspirants use the best possible study materials when preparing for the exam. Otherwise, candidates will face issues and there will be a lack in their exam performance leading to substandard scores. That being said, we have mentioned the best books for XAT 2025 preparation for every section of the exam below.
The Decision Making section of the XAT exam is included in Part A of the XAT question paper. Candidates can refer to the books mentioned in the table below to prepare for XAT Decision Making.
Best Books for XAT Decision Making | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
Target XAT Simplified | Disha Experts |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Arihant Publication |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
The Verbal and Logical Ability section of the XAT exam is included in Part A of the XAT question paper. Candidates can refer to the books mentioned in the table below to prepare for XAT Verbal and Logical Ability.
Best Books for XAT Verbal and Logical Ability | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal (Arihant) | B.S Sijwali |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
Objective General English | Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal |
The Students' Companion Book | D Best |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
The Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation section of the XAT exam is included in Part A of the XAT question paper. Candidates can refer to the books mentioned in the table below to prepare for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.
Best Books for XAT Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha/Arihant |
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma/Arihant |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations | Guha Abhijit |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S Aggarwal |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMs | Sarvesh K Verma |
The General Knowledge section of the XAT exam is included in Part C of the XAT question paper. Candidates can refer to the books mentioned in the table below to prepare for XAT General Knowledge.
Best Books/Newspaper/Journals for XAT General Knowledge | |
|---|---|
Competition Success Review | The Hindu |
Management Compass Career Launcher | Financial Express |
Objective General Knowledge (Lucent's) by Sanjiv Kumar | Economic Times |
Business World | Manorama Year Book 2023 |
General Knowledge 2023 by Manohar Pandey | The Financial Times |
Want to know more about XAT
The best books to prepare for XAT 2025 are High School English Grammar by Wren and Martin, A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh, A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri, and Quantitative Aptitude for All Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha.
Data Interpretation can be regarded as the lengthiest section of the XAT question paper since this section has the maximum number of questions i.e. 28 and the questions are usually lengthy. In order to meet the desired cutoff, candidates must solve at least 22-24 questions. However, some candidates think that the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section is the lengthiest since it comprises reading comprehension passages and reasoning questions based on analogy, series, etc.
The difficulty level of the XAT exam is high in comparison to other management entrance exams. The questions asked are from moderate to difficult levels. Particularly in parts like Decision Making, XAT questions are noted for being challenging. They demand the students to use their critical thinking and make ethical decisions. Candidates should prepare well to clear the exam with flying colours and get admission to the top MBA colleges in India.
It is difficult to ascertain which section of the XAT exam is toughest. Most of the candidates find the Quantitative Ability the most difficult. However, a candidate who is good with numbers will not face any difficulty while answering this section. Apart from this, the Decision Making (DM) section of XAT is often considered one of the toughest and most unique sections compared to other MBA entrance exams.
Write essays on various topics regularly to improve your writing speed and clarity of expression in order to perform well in the essay writing component of XAT. Focus on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. You should gather knowledge of a wide range of subjects since there are no particular topics for this part. You will be asked to write an essay on any topic between 150 to 200 words.
The section-wise weightage of topics in the XAT 2025 exam is as follows:
XAT General Knowledge sections contain questions from both static and current affairs. The static portion covers 70-80% of the syllabus and current affairs covers 20-30% of the syllabus. There will be questions from Science and Technology, Economics, International Relations, Business, Politics and many other topics.
Some of the major topics of the Quantitative Ability section of the XAT exam are Arithmetic Logic, Clocks, Distance and Heights, Partnerships and Averages and Critical Path. It is important to be thorough with all the mathematical formulas and theories to calculate the solutions to the questions quickly.
The syllabus of XAT 2025 is decided by the conducting body of the exam i.e XLRI Jamshedpur. The syllabus is quite similar to other MBA entrance exams. Candidates must study all the topics from the four sections of the XAT syllabus. Also, there is no particular syllabus for the essay writing section. Students have to prepare it on their own
You can check the syllabus for XAT 2025 from the official website of XAT 2025. Apart from this, you can also refer to the previous years’ question paper to get an idea about the syllabus. It is also available on the XAT syllabus page of CollegeDekho which you can refer to for your convenience.
The syllabus of XAT 2025 contains all important topics of Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Decision Making, and General Knowledge. These topics have been curated together to test the suitability of the candidates for management studies.
Dear student,
Around 126 colleges are accepting XAT score 2024. Some of the top MBA colleges accepting XAT score 2024 include the following:
You can also check out the XAT score vs percentile 2024 to predict your chances of getting into the XAT participating colleges.
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