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XAT Preparation 2023: Know How to Prepare for XAT, Section-wise Strategy, Study Plan, Tips & Tricks, Books, Online Coaching

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Sachin Gupta

Content Writer

XAT Preparation 2023 should start with the understanding of the detailed XAT syllabus of the 4 sections i.e. QADI, VALR, DM, GK, to ensure systematic preparation. To prepare for XAT 2023, start with the subject you are the weakest in. 

  • As per the revised paper pattern. a total of 100 MCQs and 1 descriptive-type essay question will be asked in XAT 2023 exam. Check XAT Exam Pattern
  • XAT Quant & DI section has the highest weightage of 28% and hence should be allotted maximum time while preparing for the exam. Focus on learning short tricks and formulas for solving the questions in the least time.
  • RC accounts for 50% of the questions asked in XAT VALR section. XAT Preparation for Verbal & Logical Ability should include clearing the basic grammar concepts, practicing questions, reading & solving 3-4 RC passages daily.
  • Preparation for XAT Decision Making section should be focused on solving previous year XAT question papers and taking online mock tests regularly.
  • To prepare for XAT GK section, read 1 newspaper daily and refer to static GK books by Lucents or Arihant publishers.
  • To study the concepts and practice daily, refer to the books by renowned authors like Arun Sharma, R S Aggarwal, Norman Lewis, etc. Check Best Books for XAT Preparation 
  • To ensure comprehensive preparation for XAT exam, combine self-study with online/ offline courses from coachings like Unacademy, IMS, Career Launcher, T.I.M.E, hitbullseye, etc. Check XAT Online Coaching

XAT is one of the toughest entrance exams in the country and thus a well-organized plan for preparation is essential to crack XAT 2023 exam. Starting XAT exam preparation in July/ August is highly recommended to be able to cover the syllabus by November and save ample time for revision and practicing XAT mock tests.

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XAT Preparation Highlights

XAT Preparation 2023: Points to Remember

XAT is considered to be tougher than CAT, CMAT, SNAP. Hence, merely preparing for CAT is not adequate for cracking XAT. Students who are planning to apply for XAT 2023 must focus on preparing for sections based on their strengths and weaknesses. Going through the previous year’s XAT exam analysis will also be quite helpful. The first and foremost step in XAT exam preparation is having a clear understanding of the revised XAT exam pattern and syllabus:

Part Section  Number of Questions XAT Syllabus Marking Scheme Time Limit
Part 1 Verbal and Logical Ability 26 Critical and Analytical Reasoning, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Logical Deductions
  • +1 for every correct answer
  • -0.25 for every incorrect answer
  • -0.10 for 8 unattempted questions in XAT paper
165 minutes
Decision Making 21 Caselet study, Data Arrangement, Decision making in a given scenario, Ethical Dilemma
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation 28 Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Arithmetic
Part 2 General Knowledge 25 Static GK and Current Affairs
  • +1 for every correct answer
  • No deduction for wrong answers
25 minutes
Essay 1 Short Essay of 250 words on 1 of the 2 given topics To be evaluated for candidates shortlisted for PI
Total 101 - - 190 minutes

Candidates need to maintain a planned approach that includes time management, speed, accuracy and should also know about the following facts:

  • An on-screen calculator facility will not be available for XAT 2023.
  • Candidates can attempt the question in any order, there is no sectional time limit to attempt the questions. 
  • 8 questions can be left unanswered, after that, every unattempted question will fetch you a negative mark of 0.10.
  • The sectional time limit for part 1 of the exam is 165 minutes and 25 minutes for part 2.
  • Additional sections like general knowledge and decision making are added in XAT, unlike other competitive management exams.

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XAT Study Plan

XAT Preparation 2023: 3 Months Study Plan

The last 3 months before any exam can be stressful and pressurizing. It is nevertheless an important time which must be utilized smartly. Students often go into panic mode which must be avoided at all costs. Given below is a carefully designed XAT Preparation Plan to assist you in your studies:

XAT Preparation Plan for Month 1

  • Focus on completing at least 50% of the Syllabus for each section.
  • Familiarize yourself with the best resources for preparation. This includes books, online resources, and XAT Online coaching classes if you are not preparing all by yourself.
  • Identify the strong and weak points and work on the weak areas by solving 20 questions from these topics every alternate day.
  • Solve XAT Previous Year Paper at the end of the month to analyze your preparation and to understand the types of questions asked.

XAT Preparation Plan for Month 2

  • Cover the remaining 50% syllabus.
  • Revise the topics studied in the previous month and work on the weak areas by solving more questions from such topics every week.
  • Attempt XAT sectional mock tests every week for each section:
    • ​Quant & DI  
    • Verbal & Logical Ability
    • Decision Making
    • General Knowledge

Check XAT Mock Test

XAT Preparation Plan for Month 3

  • Solve 3-4 full-fledged XAT mock tests every week, assess your performance in the test, and note your progress.
  • In verbal ability, a huge number of questions are from RC, so concentrate on this sub-section for XAT preparation 2023. Solve at least 1 RC passage on a regular basis.
  • Similarly, for all sections aim for the topics from which the maximum number of questions come. Do not leave out smaller topics such as those carrying one or two marks about 2 days a week.
  • Study for at least 3 - 4 hours a day and avoid any kind of distractions during the study period.
  • Focus on memorizing every formula in the Quant section and tricks to solve long calculations faster.
  • Get into the habit of topic-wise preparation for XAT. For example, read 2 passages a day, solve a DI question every day, and so on.

Check XLRI Salary and Placement

XAT 2023: 6 Month Preparation Tips

  • Make a timetable for daily, weekly, and monthly study schedules, and make sure you stick to it.
  • It is better to start with the areas in which you are weak. Most students find the quant section to be the toughest, so we suggest starting with the same.
  • For GK, read newspapers and magazines on a daily basis.
  • Work on your basics and formulation. Take help from class 9 and 10 books for this purpose.
  • Online study groups, blogs, videos can prove to be extremely useful for studying.

How to Prepare for XAT 2023 in 2 Months?

XAT Preparation in 2 months is not easy and takes a lot more dedication and sincerity. However, it is not impossible and can be achieved as many XAT toppers have done it before. Some of the preparation strategies that should be focused on are:

  • Focus on completing the topics with the highest weightage in each section of XAT syllabus by going through the analysis of XAT previous year's question papers.
  • Practice more XAT quizzes, mock tests, and sample papers to get hold of the exact paper pattern and develop the requisite time management skills to answer 100 questions of moderate to high difficulty level in 3 hours with at least 90% accuracy.
  • Revise all GK notes and focus more on the current affairs preparation.
  • For XAT Verbal Ability, focus on practicing more Reading Comprehension passages and refer to Norman Lewis vocabulary books for practicing vocabulary-based questions.
  • Refer to only 1-2 books for each section to clear any basic concept that you find difficult.
  • Refer to online videos on youtube to learn short tricks and easy formulas to save time and effort during the actual XAT 2023 exam

XAT General Preparation Tips for Self Study

XAT General Preparation Tips

It is well said that there is no substitute for self-study for XAT exam preparation. The initial step to prepare for XAT exam is self-analysis and self-study and candidates must focus on these for initiating XAT preparation. Several XAT toppers preferred self-study to ace the exam. Given below are some of the general preparation tips for acing XAT 2023 exam:

  • Gain Conceptual Clarity: It is essential to clear the basic concepts. Candidates can do this by understanding the syllabus and exam pattern in-depth and noting down the mistakes and areas that need more work.
  • Solve Previous Year Question Papers and Practice Papers: The benefits of solving XAT Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests are:
    • Inculcate the habit of sitting for 3 hours for the exam.
    • Understand XAT exam pattern & syllabus
    • Identify the different types of questions asked in XAT exam.
  • Prepare a Daily Timetable: Create a timetable/ schedule that must be followed strictly. Spend at least 3-4 hours every day for XAT 2023 Preparation.
  • Candidates from engineering backgrounds may have a stronghold on Quants and DI section thus should focus on verbal and decision making parts.
  • The reverse goes for candidates from non-engineering background-focus on brushing your mathematical and analytical skills. 
  • The General Knowledge section can be prepared in spare time by reading newspapers, magazines, and other resources. This will save time in dedicating separate time for XAT GK section preparation.
  • Moreover mocks will help improve speed and analyzing the solved papers will improve accuracy. Less than 1-minute of accuracy is required to solve questions in XAT. 

Download Free XAT Sample Papers

Last Minute Preparation Tips for XAT 2023

During the last few weeks and days before XAT 2023 exam, candidates need to put in extra effort and focus on certain important preparation tips to ace XAT exam. Preparation for XAT exam in the last few days before the exam requires focusing on the below-mentioned points:

XAT Preparation Tips for the Last Week Last Day Preparation Tips for XAT 2023
Revise all the important topics that you have already studied Revise only those topics that you are weak in and need a revision for
Learn all the important formulas and theorems in the QA-DI section Practice 1 full-length XAT mock test and analyze your performance and identify topics for more practice
Read the GK notes to retain all that you have studied Do not pick any new topic for XAT preparation
Do not start with any new topic and focus only on those XAT syllabus topics that you have studied before. Do not study at night to avoid confusion and stay calm
Solve XAT mock tests and sample papers every day to prepare yourself for the exam date. Sleep for at least 7-8 hours the night before the exam to retain all facts and formulas
XAT Section-wise Preparation

XAT Section-wise Preparation Strategy

Once the exam pattern is understood, XAT Syllabus should be analyzed in detail, and based on this analysis, study material and references should be gathered. A major change introduced in XAT exam was the removal of the essay writing section.

  • The number of sections reduced to 4 from 5 with a change in the total number of questions in each section.
  • Questions on Decision making are of utmost importance as no other national level exam has such a domain to test candidates.
  • XLRI focuses on the language and normative interpretation skills of the candidates, thus the syllabus should be interpreted in that way.
  • The general knowledge section is important though marks are not included while calculating XAT Score or percentile
  • Candidates who are able to solve the level 3 difficulty of Arun Sharma.

The number of questions from each section with the number of good attempts and difficulty level has been given below:

Section Number of Questions Good Attempts Difficulty Level
Verbal and Logical Ability 26 15-17 questions Moderate-Difficult
Decision Making 21 13- 15 questions Moderate
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation 28 17 – 20 questions Moderate-Difficult
General Knowledge 25 12- 14 questions Moderate

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XAT Preparation Tips for Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

The weightage assigned to XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) section is generally the highest in XAT exam. The total number of questions from this section is 28. The difficulty level is on the higher side and includes questions to test a candidate’s mathematical aptitude.

Data Interpretation will be relatively simpler to prepare in comparison to Quantitative Ability. The questions will come in the form of sets. The following topics must be included in the list of important topics to be prepared for this section.

Algebra Arithmetic Geometry
Time and Work Venn Diagram Bar Charts
Equations Polynomials Data Sufficiency
Percentage Trigonometry Table
Profit and loss Progressions, Scatter Plots Probability
  • Conceptual clarity is the key to ace this section.
  • Have a pattern to approach different questions. This will be possible once you practice enough through the previous year's XAT question papers and mock tests.
  • Once you have a set pattern, analyze its effectiveness by solving questions higher in terms of difficulty level. 
  • To prepare for XAT Quant section, learn shortcuts and tricks for speedy calculations. 
  • Constant practice is the only key to enhance one’s question-solving techniques.
  • Learn successive percentage and fraction values up to a certain point to avoid calculation at the exam hall.
  • Familiarize yourself with every type of graphs and table as possible.
  • While checking for the answer after solving a problem, try to understand the logic behind that.
  • One can read analytical articles in newspapers and magazines for efficient interpretation skills development.
  • Never make assumptions for the DI sections and strictly stick to the facts given in the questions.

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XAT Preparation Tips for Verbal & Logical Ability

This section is divided into 3 parts are Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning. Candidates can prepare separately for each part as the syllabus is different. The total number of questions from XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning is 26 from this section. You can go for the following tips and tricks to excel in this section:

Analogy Vocabulary Pronunciation
Fill in the blanks  Sentence Correction Paragraph Formation
Para Jumble Reading Comprehension Poem
  • For some people, reading the questions first proves helpful in saving time, find such strategies for you.
  • For Jumbled word problems, try to identify the connectors first and link them according to the paragraph.
  • Improve your vocabulary. This will help you to enhance and speed up your reading and comprehension skills.
  • Along with the meaning focus on the usage of words. Make a habit of learning at least 3 words a day.
  • Read newspapers so that preparation for VA and GK sections is done simultaneously.
  • The questions in Logical Reasoning are mostly in the form of sets.
  • One of the important topics is critical reasoning. There is not much study material to prepare from, one has to rely on practice.

Download XAT VARC Practice Papers

XAT Preparation Tips for Decision Making

This section will contain questions and problems from various business and everyday situations. These situations will create dilemmas regarding what should be done and such dilemmas will form the options to the questions and the candidate will be required to select the best solution available. The number of questions in XAT Decision Making section will be 21.

Arithmetic  Situational
Data Arrangement Test Case Lets
Analytical Reasoning Conditions and Grouping Test
Reading Comprehension Decision Making in a Situation
  • The questions can be related to ethical dilemmas, issues involving sales and other financial conditions, the revenue of a company, scenarios of various management issues, and of general management.
  • Do not let your personal opinions influence your choice.
  • Do rely completely on the information given. Avoid making assumptions.
  • You can practice the questions from previous years’ papers and can also read sample cases on the Harvard Business Review website. 
  • After solving the previous year’s questions, in case your answers aren’t correct, try to understand the logic behind the official answers.
  • A tip to choose the right option is that your solution should be ethical and should benefit most stakeholders.
  • Avoid choosing options in which the protagonist does not take any action.

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XAT Preparation Tips for General Knowledge (GK)

To prepare for this section candidates need to be in constant touch with current affairs. In addition to current affairs, questions may come from History, Geography, Science, politics, and technology, etc. This section will contain 25 questions.

National Capital Politics Culture
Currency Sports Films and Television
Books and Authors Environment and Ecology Economics
  • Don’t leave out preparation for this section for the last. Some devotion to the GK section will reduce the pressure immensely and will also prove helpful in retaining the information.
  • If on some days you’re short on time, you can watch videos that sum up the day’s current affairs, easily accessible online. 
  • Read news articles on topics that interest you more compared to other topics.
  • If you hate reading, watch news channels more often.
  • You need to have a holistic understanding of subjects like history, geography, etc, and current affairs related to them. 
  • There is no negative marking for this particular section, therefore, candidates shouldn’t leave any questions unanswered in the exam. Moreover, the scores of this section will not be included in the overall scores.

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XAT Preparation Books

Best Books for XAT 2023 Preparation

All 4 sections in XAT have different weightage, difficulty levels, and cut off, hence candidates need to score well in all the sections. This calls for a different preparation strategy for each section to cover the topics that you are weak in. Best Books for XAT 2023 preparation are mentioned below:

Section Book and Author

Verbal and Logical Ability

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma

XAT Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

  • Quantitative Aptitude Quantum Cat by Sarvesh Kumar
  • How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal
  • Data Interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning by Arihant Publications
XAT Decision Making
  • Target XAT (Past papers & mock tests) by Disha experts
  • Previous Year XAT Question Papers
  • Mock Test Series by Coaching Institutes
XAT General Knowledge
  • Recommended Magazines: Business Line by The Hindu Group, Business Today by India Today Group, Management Compass Career Launcher
  • Recommended Newspapers: The Hindu, The Indian Express, Economic Times

Check Best Books and Study Material for XAT 2023 


XAT Coaching Institutes

Coaching Institutes for XAT Preparation 2023

If candidates feel expert guidance is required, then they should opt for coaching institutes for preparation. There can be several ways of attaining coaching in the form of regular classes or weekend classes. This is a feasible option for working professionals as well.

Certain benefits of preparation with the help of coaching include:

  • Provision of relevant study material and a timetable to cover them,
  • Topic-wise explanation and doubt sessions,
  • Test series,
  • Expert guidance.

Check Online Coaching for XAT preparation.

Some well-known coaching centers for XAT Preparation Online include:

  1. BYJU’s    
  2. hitbullseye    
  3. Unacademy    
  4. Career Launcher    
  5. T.I.M.E    
  6. TestFunda    

Check Top Coaching Institutes for XAT (City-wise)

XAT 2023 Preparation through Mock Test 

The official XAT 2023 mock test will be made available by XLRI in the last week of December 2022. The mock test will be based on the actual exam pattern and will have a total time duration of 190 minutes. The questions will be from all sections- Verbal and Logical Ability (26), Decision Making (21), Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (28), General Knowledge (25), and Essay Writing (1). Practicing XAT Mock Test will help you achieve accuracy with speed.

Apart from the official XAT mock test, attempting at least 25 mock tests is a prerequisite to clear XAT 2023 exam. Go for non-CAT test series to get a closer idea of XAT. 

  • As the decision-making section and general knowledge is an add-on in XAT, opt for a sectional mock test.
  • Critical thinking is required for these sections, hence practice with previous year papers and mock tests to improve these sections.
  • Unofficial XAT mock tests are also available online on websites like- hitbullseye, Oliveboard, Unacademy, TestFunda.
  • Use online news portals and audio-visual sessions to stay updated with current affairs.

Remember to track your performance after each mock test. A personalized and detailed analysis of mocks will help in assessing your strengths and weaknesses. Conduct an overall performance analysis, topic-wise analysis, and time wasted analysis.

XAT Preparation with Previous Year Question Papers

Candidates need to practice previous year papers and sample papers to know the type of questions asked, the weight of sections, and difficulty level. at least two months prior to the XAT 2023 Exam candidates should start practicing the papers. Grasp the core of each concept and solve papers with a timer. This will help to acquire time management skills which is a necessity. 

Download free PDFs of XAT Previous Year Question Papers 

XAT Preparation FAQs

XAT Preparation 2023 FAQs

Ques. Is XAT difficulty level more than that of CAT exam?

Ans. XAT is tough than CAT in some respect as there is an additional section on Decision Making in XAT. Quantitative aptitude questions in XAT are also challenging to attempt. IIFT is considered comparable to CAT in terms of difficulty. Go Through XAT Exam Pattern

Ques. Can preparation for CAT exam enough to appear in XAT 2023 exam?

Ans. XAT has an additional section on Decision Making and general awareness. the remaining sections are somewhat similar to CAT. candidates preparation for CAT can attempt XAT by focussing on the additional sections.

Ques. How much time is required to prepare for XAT?

Ans. 6 months are considered sufficient to prepare for XAT. Go through the exam pattern and syllabus and analyze the previous year's question papers. This will help candidates acquire knowledge about their level of preparation. attempt mock test as much as possible. Remember to inspect the solutions and improvise on the mistakes.

Ques. What are the best online coachings to prepare for XAT 2023?

Ans. There are many online resources available to prepare for XAT exam. The best coaching centers are:

  • T.I.M.E
  • Career Launcher 
  • Handa Ka Funda       
  • Unacademy
  • IMS Learning    
  • TestFunda 

Ques. Which books are the best for XAT preparation?

Ans. XAT preparation requires you to select the best books for each section written by top authors like Arun Sharma, R S Aggarwal, Norman Lewis. Some of the most recommended books to prepare for XAT 2023 exam are:

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
  • Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Kumar Verma
  • How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

XAT 2023 : 8 answered questions

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Ques. What is the CAT/XAT cut off for a non profile based calls from SP Jain?

● Top Answer By Arpita Banerjee on 07 Dec 21

If your profile is suitable for the specialization that you have opted for and you didn’t get a call based on your profile, then a CAT score of 95-96 can get you a call. But it is not necessarily true that everyone with a score of around 96+ will get a score-based call. They evaluate profiles too for shortlisting. 96-97 is a decent score for XAT. A score above 98 in either of these two should get you a call....Read more

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Ques. Will aspirants be at a certain advantage this time around with the CAT results being announced before the XAT?

● Top Answer By Vishesh Thapa on 07 Dec 21

Some XAT aspirants might have already been receiving calls from IIMs before they write XAT. While the others who did not will be all the more determined to qualify XAT.  Yes, it will be an advantage to all students appearing for XAT because they will know where they stand. Most of the people who get really good scores in CAT rarely sit for XAT....Read more

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Ques. Is the XAT exam tougher than the CAT exam?

● Top Answer By Manali Tomar on 13 Dec 21

Yes, as the questions are a bit more difficult than CAT in both quant and English.  VARC can be a bit difficult, if you have not focussed on topics of critical reasoning and decision making in your class. Quant sees a number of questions from inequality, progression, boolean algebra, PnC and the general level is higher than CAT.  The percentile-score balance and cut-offs for top 5 colleges which accept XAT scores, have low requirements.  People aren't able to get those scores also because the exam is tough.  XAT is easier because it is largely predictable.  CAT is famous for being very unpredictable.  So XAT is tougher than CAT by the level of questions asked. But as their paper is largely predictable it makes it comparatively easier to attempt....Read more

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Ques. What is the cut off for JBIMS through CAT, XAT, CET for Maharashtra people?

● Top Answer By Chirag Mishra on 11 Apr 23

JBIMS is a well-known management institute located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The cut-off for JBIMS through CAT, XAT, and CET for Maharashtra people varies each year and depends on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, etc. Here are some approximate cut-off scores for JBIMS through CAT, XAT, and CET for Maharashtra people: CAT: The approximate cut-off percentile for JBIMS through CAT for Maharashtra candidates is 95+ percentile. XAT: The approximate cut-off percentile for JBIMS through XAT for Maharashtra candidates is 85+ percentile. CET: The approximate cut-off score for JBIMS through CET for Maharashtra candidates is 135+ out of 200. These are approximate cut-offs, and the actual cut-offs may vary from year to year. Also, meeting the cut-off is just the first step towards getting into JBIMS, and the selection process involves several other factors such as academic performance, work experience, group discussion, and personal interviews. It is advisable to prepare well and aim for a high percentile or score to increase your chances of getting admission to JBIMS....Read more

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Ques. What is the expected cutoff for SPJain (both profile based calls and normal calls) and XIMB (BM and HR) through CAT and XAT?

● Top Answer By Ishant Jain on 13 Mar 23

SPJIMR According to the information available, the expected cutoff for SP Jain Institute of Management for both profile-based and normal calls through CAT and XAT is not released yet. So  I will base the answer on last year's cutoff XAT : 93.5 percentile  CAT : 85 percentile  However it’s important to note that for more certainty of admission, one must score around 93-95%ile score and a 680-690 min on GMAT. XIMB The XLRI admission cut-off is directly influenced by the difficulty level of the XAT question paper. XAT 2023 exam was held on January 8, 2023. The question paper was of moderate difficulty level, the same as last year. Given below are the section-wise XAT cut-off for XLRI admission 2023: General Engineers (BM) 95 Male 92 Female General Non Engineer (BM) 95 Male 92 Female General Engineers (HRM) 93 Male 91 Female General Non Engineers (HRM) 90 Male 88 Female XIMB CAT cutoff for the previous year was 91 percentile for Business Management and HRM cutoff hasn’t been released yet....Read more

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