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XAT Examination Guide: XAT Exam Syllabus
XAT Examination Syllabus
The XAT 2020 syllabus includes topics based on Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge. The syllabus was updated last year and the Essay Writing section was removed from the exam pattern. This year, the syllabus remains unchanged. The XAT 2020 question paper will be based on these four topics. Here’s a brief of the complete syllabus of XAT along with the best books and study material to prepare for XAT 2020 which is scheduled to be conducted on January 5, 2020.
XAT Syllabus: Overview
Sections | Important topics |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | Reading comprehension and vocabulary, analogy based on vocabulary, para Jumble, grammar, critical reasoning and inference, para completion, etc. |
| Decision Making | Decision making, analogy, seating arrangement, logical sequence, assumption, premise, conclusion, etc. |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Tables and caselets, percentage, surds and indices, algebra, mensuration, bar diagrams, pie charts, etc. |
| General Knowledge | Science, economy, business, politics, static GK, sports, prize and award, world, government, the constitution of India, etc |
Section-wise XAT Syllabus 2020
The candidates must have a thorough understanding of the syllabus before they start their preparations. The section-wise XAT syllabus and related key points to note are given below.
XAT Exam Syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI)
- Includes a total of 27 questions in QA & DI section
- Each question is of one mark
- 25 marks is deducted in case of an incorrect answer
- Last year, the questions were mainly from Arithmetic, Algebra, Co-ordinate Geometry, Data Sufficiency, Time Zone and Mixed Graph
The main Topics to refer in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI) section are mentioned below:
| Percentage | Tables and Caselets | Linear and Quadratics Equations |
| Profit and Loss | Probability | Surds and Indices |
| Ratio and Proportion | Critical Path | Inequalities |
| Variation | Averages and Partnerships | Logarithms |
| Time and Work | Alligations and Mixtures | Numbers |
| Time, Speed and Distance | Algebra | Mensuration |
| LCM and HCF | Simple and Compound Interest | Geometry |
| Pure Maths | Venn Diagram | Trigonometry |
| Data Tables | Data charts | Bar diagrams |
| Graphs | Pie charts | Data analysis |
XAT Paper Syllabus: Verbal Ability
- Contains a total of 26 questions in this section
- Each question is for one mark
- There will be a deduction of 0.25 marks in case of an incorrect answer
- In 2019, questions asked in this section were from RC, FIB, CR, Poem, Analogy, Antonym, and Para jumble
The following are the topics to study in the Verbal Ability section:
| Reading Comprehension | Fill in the blanks |
| Jumbled Paragraphs | Contextual usage of vocabulary |
| Word usage | Sentence completion |
| Antonyms/Synonyms | Paragraph completion In Reading Comprehension section, passages will be from literature, socio-economic essays, science and culture, and abstract topics. |
| Correction of errors in sentence |
XAT 2020 Syllabus: Decision Making
- There will be a total of 22 questions in Decision Making section
- Each question is for one mark
- There will be a deduction of 0.25 marks in case of an incorrect answer
- In 2019, all the question asked in this section were situation-based
Topics to study in Decision Making section are given below:
| Analytical Reasoning | Logical Reasoning | Arithmetic |
| Data Arrangement | Caselets | Conditions and grouping |
| Situations | Assumptions | Decision making |
XAT Exam Pattern: General Knowledge
- 25 questions are asked from this section
- Each question is for one mark and there is no negative marking in this section
- In 2019, questions were asked from History, Geography, Economy & Business, Current Affairs, Personality & Awards, Science & Tech
Topics to study in the General Knowledge section of XAT are listed below:
| Awards and winners | History and Geography | Static GK |
| Business and Politics | Constitution of India | Personalities |
| Government and Economy | World Events | Current Affairs |
Also Check XAT Exam Results
Best Books for XAT Preparation
XAT is one of the most difficult MBA entrance exams and the candidates must ensure to study only from books and study material recommended by experts and previous year toppers. The following table contains the list.
Best books for XAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) & Data Interpretation (DI)
Books for XAT | Author/Publisher |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMs | Sarvesh K Verma
|
| Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations | Guha Abhijit |
| Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha/Arihant |
Best books for XAT Verbal Ability
Books for XAT | Author/Publisher |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
| Objective General English | Dr RS Agarwal and Vikas Agarwal |
| High School English Grammar | Wren & Martin |
| The Students’ Companion Book | D Best |
Best books for XAT Decision Making
Books for XAT | Author Name/Publisher |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Also Check XAT Exam Cut-offs
Best Study Material for XAT General Knowledge
To be updated with the Current Affairs and General Knowledge, candidates must read the following newspapers and journals:
Newspapers and Journals | |
| The Hindu | Economic Times |
| Financial Express | Hindu Business Line |
| Wall Street Journal | The Financial Times |
| Business Today | Business World |
| Competition Success Review | Management Compass Career Launcher |
XAT Exam Pattern for 2020
Mentioned below are XAT 2020 sections, number of questions in each section and marks allotted to them.
Sections | Number of questions | Marks allotted |
| Decision Making | 21 | 21 |
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 26 |
| Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | 27 | 27 |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 25 |
| Total | 100 | 99 |
Also read:
- XAT Examination Cut-Offs
- XAT Examination Preparation
- XAT Examination Dates
- XAT Examination Registration
- XAT Examination Results
- XAT Examination Answer Key
- XAT Examination Analysis
- XAT Examination Counselling And Selection
- Best Books For XAT Preparation
XAT Syllabus FAQs
Q: Is the XAT exam tougher than CAT?
A: XAT and CAT both are quite tough when compared to other MBA entrance exams. But the level of toughness is based on the candidates taking the examination.
Q: What is the weightage for the GK section in XAT?
A: GK section will have a total of 25 questions, of one mark each.
Q: Where can I find the study material for the Decision-Making section of XAT?
A: As this section is unique to XAT, the study material is not readily available, thus the previous years’ question papers are the best study guides.
Q: Which is the best book for the Quant section of XAT?
A: For Quant section of XAT, books by Arun Sharma and Sarvesh K Verma are highly recommended.
Q: How many questions will be there in XAT 2020?
A: There will be about 99-100 questions in XAT 2020 all of which will be MCQ type.
Q: Can I prepare for XAT with CAT prep material?
A: Yes, as the syllabus of XAT and CAT are similar, one can prepare for both exams from the same study material. Only the Decision Making section has to be studied separately in XAT as this section is not a part of CAT syllabus.
Q: Does XAT offer official mock tests?
A: No, XAT does not have official mock tests
Q: Is there negative marking in XAT?
A: Yes, XAT follows negative marking of -0.25. For eight consecutive unanswered questions, 0.5 marks will be deducted.
Q: How many months do I need to prepare for XAT?
A: Ideally, XAT preparation takes 6-9 months, but if the candidates have prepared for CAT as well, then the XAT preparation can be done in 1-2 months.
Q: What is the duration of XAT exam?
A: XAT exam is held for three hours from 9:30 am till 12:30 pm. There is no break in between.