1
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
Arun Sharma · McGraw Hill
Graded levels of difficulty mirroring CAT quant.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
ManagementNational Reviewed September 2026
Best Books & Mock Tests for XAT 2026
Xavier Aptitude Test · XLRI Jamshedpur
MBA entrance for XLRI and 160+ B-schools, with a unique decision-making section.
Best books for XAT — in the order to buy
Start at #1 and work down. The first books cover the full syllabus; later books add depth for scoring subjects.
2
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT
Arun Sharma · McGraw Hill
Set-based DILR practice at CAT difficulty.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
3
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT
Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay · McGraw Hill
RC passages and verbal question types in CAT style.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
4
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis · Penguin
Builds vocabulary systematically — useful for CAT, GRE and bank exams.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
5
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
R.S. Aggarwal · S. Chand
Chapter-wise concepts and thousands of solved questions for arithmetic.
Check priceAffiliate link · price on Amazon.in
Best mock tests & practice sets for XAT
Take a full mock every week in the early months and every alternate day in the last 30 days. Analyse every test — that is where marks improve.
Official
Official XAT notification, syllabus & papers
XLRI Jamshedpur
Always confirm dates, eligibility and syllabus on the official website before applying.
Visit official siteXAT at a glance
Conducted by
XLRI Jamshedpur
Level
National
Frequency
Annual (January)
Mode
Online (CBT)
Eligibility
Graduate.
Official website
https://xatonline.inDates, vacancies, fees and age limits change every cycle — always confirm in the latest official notification.
Exam pattern
- 1CBT
- 2GD/PI
Syllabus — key subjects
Verbal & Logical AbilityDecision MakingQuantitative Ability & DIGeneral Knowledge
How to prepare for XAT
STEP 1
Month 1 — Foundation
Read the official syllabus and solve one previous XAT paper to see where you stand. Start book #1 and #2 from the list above.
STEP 2
Months 2–3 — Concepts
Finish one standard book per subject. Solve topic-wise practice sets the same day you finish a chapter.
STEP 3
Month 4 — Mock phase
Start full-length mocks weekly. Maintain an error log and revisit weak topics after every test.
STEP 4
Last 30 days — Revision
Mocks every alternate day, revise short notes and previous year questions. No new books.
XAT — frequently asked questions
Which is the best mock test for XAT 2026?
Start with XLRI Jamshedpur's previous year XAT papers, solved under real exam timing. Aim for at least 15–20 full mocks before the exam and analyse every test.
Which are the best books for XAT preparation?
The most recommended books for XAT are: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma; How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma; How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay; Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. Read one good book per subject multiple times instead of many books once.
What is XAT?
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. MBA entrance for XLRI and 160+ B-schools, with a unique decision-making section.
What is the eligibility for XAT?
Graduate. Always verify the latest criteria in the official notification at https://xatonline.in.
What is the XAT exam pattern?
XAT is conducted in the following stage(s): CBT; GD/PI. Mode: Online (CBT).
What is the XAT syllabus?
The main subjects/sections of XAT are: Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & DI, General Knowledge. Download the detailed syllabus from https://xatonline.in.
How often is XAT conducted?
XAT is held once a year. Dates are announced by XLRI Jamshedpur in the official notification.
How to crack XAT in the first attempt?
(1) Download the official syllabus and previous papers. (2) Build concepts from one standard book per subject. (3) Practise topic-wise sets daily. (4) Start full-length mock tests at least 3 months before the exam and analyse each one. (5) Revise weak areas and keep a short-notes register. (6) Take the last 15 days only for revision and mocks.
Related exams
SNAP
Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
NationalOther MBABooks · Mocks →
NMAT
NMAT by GMAC
NationalOther MBABooks · Mocks →
CMAT
Common Management Admission Test
NationalOther MBABooks · Mocks →
MAT
Management Aptitude Test
NationalOther MBABooks · Mocks →
CAT
Common Admission Test
NationalCATBooks · Mocks →
IPMAT
Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test
NationalCATBooks · Mocks →