Aiming for top B-schools via XAT 2026? Tamil Nadu students targeting XLRI and allied institutes need this focused guide. Get the latest eligibility, syllabus, pattern, and prep tips for success.

Eligibility

• Bachelor's degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline from a recognized university required; final-year students appearing by June 2026 eligible.

• No minimum marks or age limit; work experience not mandatory, but NRIs can apply via GMAT.

• Backlogs must clear before admission; false info disqualifies candidates.​

Syllabus

• Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR): Reading comprehension (poems, cartoons), critical reasoning, para jumbles, vocabulary, grammar, cloze tests.​

• Decision Making (DM): Ethical dilemmas, problem-solving scenarios from personal/professional life, prioritization.

• Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation (QA & DI): Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration, modern math, data analysis.​

• General Knowledge (GK): Current affairs, economy, history, geography, business; static and dynamic topics.​

Exam Pattern

• Computer-based test (CBT), 180 minutes total: Part 1 (170 mins) - VALR (21Q), DM (21Q), QA&DI (28Q); Part 2 (10 mins) - GK (20Q).

• Around 95 questions; no negative marking in GK, +1 for correct, -0.25/-0.5 in Part 1 based on choices.​

• Expected January 2026; registration opened July 2025, closes December 5 (fee Rs 2200).

How to Prepare

• Master exam pattern first; build basics Feb-Jun 2025 via topic-wise practice.​

• Solve PYQs, sectional mocks for DM speed/accuracy; analyze errors weekly.

• Jul-Dec 2025: Full mocks, revision; focus Tamil Nadu coaching hubs like TIME Chennai for strategy.​

• Daily GK via apps/newspapers; balance quant/verbal with 6-10 months prep for 95+ percentile.​

Previous Year Question Papers

• Download XAT 2022-2025 papers from xatonline.in for pattern familiarity.​

• Practice under timed conditions; focus DM case studies, QA sets from past exams.

• Analyze cutoffs (XLRI ~95-99 percentile); Tamil Nadu toppers leverage these for mock scores.

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