As of November 18, 2025, aspirants preparing for XAT 2026 must implement a highly structured final-phase strategy in the 60 days leading up to the exam. The organising body XLRI Jamshedpur (on behalf of Xavier Association of Management Institutes) has released the official pattern and syllabus for XAT 2026. Using this as the foundation, this guide outlines a detailed 60-day plan to maximise preparedness.
Table of Contents
XAT Exam Overview
Before launching into the 60 Days plan, it is essential to restate the official structure of XAT 2026 to ensure alignment. According to the official information, XAT 2026 will be conducted in online (CBT) mode. The total number of questions is approximately 95, covering four sections.
Check Here: XAT 2026 Admit Card Release: Step-by-Step Download Process
60-Day Timeline: 3 Phases of 20 Days Each
To structure the final 60 days efficiently, divide the timeframe into three phases of about twenty days each, each with distinct focus areas.
Section-Wise Strategy for XAT 2026 in the Last 60 Days
Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VALR)
In the final 60 days, the VALR section demands building reading speed, logical reasoning, agility and accuracy. Key strategies:
- Daily Practice: Reading of one moderate-length passage (economics, business, abstract) and practice summarising the main idea in one line.
- Solve para-jumbles, fill-in-blanks, vocabulary and logical completion problems daily (15-20 minutes).
- Weekly one-time set of 20 VALR questions; track accuracy and time per question.
Analyse the error notebook to identify recurring grammar or inference mistakes; revise those rules.
Decision Making (DM)
This is the differentiator section in XAT. In the final phase, the expert strategy includes:
- Solve at least two caselets (6-8 statements with 2-3 questions) per session; focus on real-world managerial, ethical or business scenarios.
- Build a decision mindset: ask for each option — “What is the consequence? Which stakeholder benefits or loses?”
- Timed practice: aim for attempting 12-13 correct out of ~21 questions; track time per set.
Analyse wrong choices for logic flaw, assumption error or misinterpretation of the caselet. Add these to the error notebook.
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
QA & DI usually admit the largest chunk of questions; the final 60 plan should focus on:
- Divide time between QA (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern maths) and DI (tables, graphs, charts) in practice sets.
- Two full DI sets per week under timed conditions; aim to finish each within 12-15 minutes.
- Maintain formulae list and key shortcuts (e.g., for geometry, ratios, DI conversions) and revise 10 minutes daily.
Full-length QA + DI timed test every week; track attempt-accuracy-time and refine strategy: which question types to attempt first, which to skip.
General Knowledge (GK)
Although GK doesn’t contribute to the percentile, many premier institutions under XAT use the GK score in the final shortlisting. In the last 60 days:
- Create a daily current-affairs 5-minute slot (economy, business, international, awards).
- Twice a week, revise static GK topics: Indian polity, geography, business history, and major companies.
In the last two weeks, practice one GK set of 20 questions in 10 minutes to build speed.
Mock Test & Error-Analysis Discipline for the Final 60 Days
Mock tests and error analysis form the backbone of the last phase preparation. Expert-recommended routine:
Check Here: XAT Exam Mock Test
Final 10 Days & Exam-Day Readiness Strategy
In the last 10 days leading to XAT 2026:
- Lighten new content and focus only on revision, mocks and confidence building.
- Daily quick revision of formulae, shortcuts, error-notebook summaries (20 – 30 minutes).
- Two full mocks in the first five of those ten days, then one final mock three days before the exam, and one short simulated set the day before.
- Sleep and health become a priority aim for consistent 7 – 8 hours of sleep, and maintain light physical activity to manage exam stress.
On exam day: read all instructions carefully (noting skipping penalty beyond eight questions), plan section order (many toppers attempt QA & DI first if strong, else alternate), track time, and avoid mental fatigue during GK, which is a quick-fire 10-minute section.
Check Here: Analysing XAT Previous Year Papers: Insights for 2026 Aspirants
Key Takeaways
To maximise performance in XAT 2026 through the last 60 days, the expert-aligned checklist is:
- Focus on alignment with the official pattern and marking scheme.
- Structurally divide your final 60 days into consolidation, intensive practice and exam simulation phases.
- Maintain subject-wise balance: VALR, DM, QA & DI and GK each receive dedicated slots.
- Emphasise mock tests, realistic simulation and rigorous error-analysis.
- Use the final ten days to build confidence, revise smartly and manage your physical and mental readiness for exam day.
Adhering strictly to this 60-Day expert blueprint substantially improves the chances of high performance in XAT 2026.
