XAT Books for Preparation 2023: Best Books For DM, VA, Quant, GK, How to Choose, Other Study Resources

    Sachin Gupta Sachin Gupta
    Content Writer

    XAT Books are an essential part of XAT exam preparation. Choosing the right books for XAT preparation is the most crucial step while devising a preparation strategy for the exam.

    • XAT Books are important for candidates to learn complex concepts, short tricks and solve questions of different types and difficulty levels. Check XAT Previous Year Question Papers
    • Candidates are advised to select only those XAT books for preparation that have been fully updated as per the latest exam pattern and syllabus. CheckXAT 2023 Exam Pattern
    • XAT Preparation Books are similar to those of other MBA exams such as NMAT, CAT, SNAP. Candidates should follow XAT Books by renowned authors like Arun Sharma, N K Sinha, Norman Lewis, etc. to prepare well for XAT 2023 exam. Check XAT 2023 Syllabus
    • XAT 2023 is expected to be conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on Jan 1, 2023, for admission to various MBA/ PGDM courses. As per the previous year’s trend, about 90000 candidates are expected to register for XAT 2023 from all over India.
    • ​Apart from referring to Books for XAT preparation, candidates may also consider XAT Online Coaching for comprehensive preparation for XAT 2023. Also CheckXAT Cutoff

    Table of Contents

    1. How to Choose XAT Books for Preparation?
    2. XAT Exam Pattern 2023
    3. XAT Books for Decision Making
    4. XAT Books for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
    5. XAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation
    6. XAT Books for General Knowledge
      6.1 More resources for XAT General Knowledge
    7. XAT Books for Previous Year Solved Papers
    8. Other Useful Resources for XAT 2023 Preparation
      8.1 Online Coaching Centers for XAT Preparation 
    9. Frequently Asked Questions

    Quick Links:

    XAT 2021 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2020 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2019 Question Paper with Solutions
    XAT 2018 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2017 Question Paper with Solutions XAT 2016 Question Paper with Solutions
    How to Choose XAT books for Prep.

    How to Choose XAT Books for Preparation?

    Choosing the right resources is the key to ensuring the best preparation for XAT exam. XAT aspirants are advised to keep the following suggestions in mind before spending any money on XAT books or learning materials:

    • Always go for the latest edition of XAT Books as they will be up to date according to the latest exam pattern and syllabus
    • Choose the books authored by the most recommended and renowned authors like Arun Sharma for Quant, Norman Lewis for English, R K Jha for XAT Mock Tests, and Sample Papers.
    • Choose XAT Books that target a particular section. In case you already have the study material for each section from coaching classes or other resources, you can choose a comprehensive guide for XAT preparation.
    • Candidates should select XAT Books with the latest year of publication as it indicates the revised and updated version of the book.
    • If your coaching center has provided you with study materials, use them along with the books.
    • It is extremely important to refer to study material and books for XAT 2023 that consist of previous year papers and sample papers to better prepare for the exam.

    Check:XAT Preparation Tips & Study Plan


    XAT Exam Pattern 2023

    XAT Exam Pattern has been revised by XLRI Jamshedpur. Last year, the essay writing section was reintroduced. The updated exam pattern for XAT 2023 is given below. 

    PartSection NameNumber of QuestionsTime Limit
    Part 1Verbal and Logical Ability26165 minutes
    Decision Making21
    Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation28
    Part 2General Knowledge2525 minutes
     
    Essay Writing1 (It will be evaluated after the candidates is shortlisted for the PI round)
    Total-101190 minutes

    Also Check XAT Previous Year Exam Analysis

    XAT Books for DM

    XAT Books for Decision Making

    The best way to prepare for XAT DM is to solve XAT previous year question papers. Key features of this section are:

    • Negative markingof 25% for each wrong answer. 1 mark is awarded for all correct responses. 
    • Answering 15 - 16 questions out of 21 correctly is generally considered a good attempt as the cut off is usually around 7-8 marks. 
    • Questions are in the form of caselets followed by 2-3 MCQs. 
    • As per the analysis of previous year's exams, the difficulty level of this section is easy-moderate. 

    XAT books for Decision Making preparation 2023 along with the important features are listed below:

    Book Name Author Name Features Included
    Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers)RK Jha
    • Content presented in a way that can be easily understandable 
    • Includes solved papers of last 15 years
    • Content curated in a way that keeps the specific requirement of students in mind
    Target XAT (Past papers and mock tests)Disha Publications
    • Includes solved papers of last 15 years and mock tests
    • To the point and student-friendly. 
    • Content curated by 30 experts working in this field
    Target XAT SimplifiedDisha Experts
    • Contains detailed solutions to XAT Previous Year Papers till date
    • Includes Solved Question Papers of the past 15 years
    XAT Solved PapersGautam PuriSolved previous year XAT question papers with detailed explanation

    XAT Books for VARC

    XAT Books for Verbal & Logical Ability 

    Book Name Author Name Features
    Verbal Ability and Reading ComprehensionAjay Singh
    • Designed to guide students from a basic to advanced level in English.
    • An ample number of mock papers covering the latest syllabus.
    • Designed to help aspirants of management entrances such as CAT, MAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP.
    A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal ReasoningR.S. Aggarwal
    • Fully solved papers of all competitive exams with verbal reasoning.
    • Guides aspirants through methods that are smarter and shorter.
    • Full explanation for each solved example provided. 
    A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal & Non-Verbal (Arihant)B S Sijwali
    • Useful for XAT, CAT, and other management exams. 
    • Content is present in a way that can be easily understood by students. 
    • Enough practice questions included. 
    How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading ComprehensionArun Sharma
    • Reading comprehension sections are given according to the level of difficulty. 
    • Includes the latest solved paper from XAT with solutions. 
    Word Power Made Easy Norman Lewis
    • Highly beneficial to students preparing for XAT, CAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL.
    • An essential book for beginners with limited knowledge of the English language
    • Content is structured in a coherent way to improve vocabulary. 
    High School English Grammar & CompositionWren & Martin
    • Covers every possible chapter on English grammar for all competitive exams. 
    • Trusted by students from all boards and exams for an advanced lesson in grammar. 
    • Practice sessions at the end of each lesson included for self-assessment
     XAT books XAT books   xat books xat books  XAT books XAT books  

    Also Read:XAT Verbal Ability Pattern & Syllabus


    XAT Books for QA/DI

    XAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation

    XAT QADI comprises 28 MCQs. Key features of this section are:

    • QA and DI are considered to be the most difficult section in XAT. 
    • Questions from geometry, numbers, arithmetic, and algebra account for 50% of the quant questions in the paper. 3-4 DI sets having 3 questions each are asked.
    • Attempting 15-18 questions is considered a good attempt to clear the sectional cut offs
    • Candidates will have about 150 seconds for each question. 

    XAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Preparation with features and author name are given below:

    Name of XAT Book Author NameFeatures
    Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive ExaminationsRS Aggarwal
    • Ideal for all management and engineering competitive exams
    • Comprehensive coverage of all important topics of XAT syllabus
    • Chapter-wise questions with detailed explanations.
    Fast Track Objective Arithmetic (Arihant)Rajesh Verma
    • Content is written in a way that students with an intermediate level of understanding will also find it easy. 
    • Covers the complete XAT Syllabus.
    • Contains tips. Tricks, and all possible types of arithmetics problems. 
    Quantum CATSarvesh K Verma
    • Covers the complete XAT syllabus
    • Contains questions based on basic numeracy as well as complex concepts
    • Includes previous year solved papers for practice
    How to Prepare for QA for CATArun Sharma
    • Covers entire syllabus and provides detailed explanation to questions
    • Practice papers and mock tests included
    How to Prepare for Data InterpretationArun Sharma
    • Authored by the trainee of thousands of CAT aspirants.
    • Consists of several parts designed to help students prepare fully without external guidance. 
    • Helps students familiarize themselves with all types of DI questions
    Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive ExaminationsAbhijit Guha
    • Equipped with an understanding covering a wide range of topics.
    • All chapters are revised according to the latest pattern.
    • Thousands of solved examples, practice papers, exam level test papers.
    Data Interpretation for the CATNishit K Sinha
    • Written in a way to help strong and relevant concept building that helps with the application of problems. 
    • Fully solved and worked out sample questions for advanced practice. 
    • Includes difficulty level of each topic to help students learn gradually.
     XAT quant book XAT quant book  XAT quant book XAT 2020 books

    Check XAT Quantitative Aptitude Pattern & Syllabus


    XAT Books for GK

    XAT Books for General Knowledge

    XAT General Knowledge and Essay sections form part 2 of XAT 2023 exam. Key features of XAT GK section include:

    • The difficulty level of XAT GK is expected to be moderate. 25 questions will be asked from this section. 
    • For each given question, candidates will have 5 options to choose from. 
    • The time limit for XAT General Knowledge and essay will be 25 mins. For part 1 of XAT 2023 exam candidates will have the option of switching between the sections in the given time. 
    • For every correct response, 1 markwill be awarded. GK is the only section in XAT paper with no negative marking. 

    XAT Books for General Knowledge Preparation with author and ISBN:

    Book Name Author Name Features
    Objective General Knowledge (Lucent’s)Sanjiv Kumar 
    • Articulates all important events taking place
    • General knowledge points are structured in a lucid manner to make learning easier.
    General knowledge (Lucent’s)Dr. Binay Karna, R. P. Suman, Manvendra Mukul, Renu Sinha, Sanjeev Kumar 
    • Recommended by thousands of students.
    • Follows the latest pattern for all competitive exams.
    • Covers each topic thoroughly
    General Knowledge 2021Manohar Pandey
    • All current events are given in a compact way
    • Divided according to sections with a separate section for current events
    • Useful for all management and other government exams. 
     XAT 2020 books   XAT books 

    More resources for XAT General Knowledge Preparation

    Apart from the books mentioned above, candidates must make use of other resources for the best coverage of the entire General Knowledge syllabus. These are:

    1. Economic Times
    2. Competition Success Review
    3. The Financial Times
    4. Business World
    5. Manorama Yearbook
    6. Business Line 
    7. Business Today
    8. The Hindu
    9. Hindu Business Line
    10. Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant
    11. Financial Express
    12. Wall Street Journal

    Check XAT GK Pattern & Syllabus


    XAT Previous Year Solved Papers

    XAT Books for Previous Year Solved Papers

    Generic books covering XAT solved papers of previous years are a good way to target the entire paper. Solving papers for any exam can be highly beneficial as it helps aspirants to be completely stress-free and gain confidence.

    • During the final months of the exam, try to solve at least 3 papers each week. 
    • Do not take more than the given time (3 hours) on a given paper.
    • While solving a paper, pretend like you are actually giving the exam.
    • Do not be upset if you cannot solve a problem. Look at the answer, try to understand the logic behind it and apply the same for similar problems.

    XAT Books for Solved Previous Year Papers/Mock tests

    Book Name Author NameFeatures
    Target XATDisha Experts (publisher)
    • Provides a detailed solution for all XAT papers
    • Contains additional 5 mock tests in latest pattern for advanced preparation for XAT
    XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) - Solved Papers PaperbackGautam PuriContains detailed explanation of all questions
     XAT gk books XAT gk books    

    Quick Links:

    Other Useful Resources for XAT 2023 Preparation

    For any management competitive exam, it is always recommended that aspirants refer to more than one source for preparation. What are some common types of study materials or resources that are available for XAT 2023 candidates? 

    • Monthly or weekly magazines
    • Books covering entire sections
    • Online learning programs
    • Newspapers (online and offline)
    • YouTube videos for a particular topic
    • Mock test papers (online and offline)
    • Previous year solved papers

    Online Coaching Centers for XAT Preparation 

    Given below are the top online coaching centers for XAT 2023 preparation:

    Top Online Coaching Institutes for XAT Preparation
    Career LauncherT.I.M.E 4 Education
    IMS IndiaGradeup
    MBAguruUnacademy
    hitbullseyeCatking
    BYJUsTestFunda

    Must Read:XAT 2023 Top Coaching Institutes (City-wise)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    XAT Books FAQs

    Question: What are some good books for XAT VALR?

    Ans. Some good books for XAT VALR are:

    • A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
    • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma
    • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
    • High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

    Question: Which are the most recommended books for XAT Quant and Data Interpretation?

    Ans. The most recommended books for XAT Quant and Data Interpretation are:

    • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R S Aggarwal
    • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
    • Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma
    • How to prepare for Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
    • Data Interpretation for the CAT by N K Sinha. 

    Question: What are some good books to prepare for XAT general knowledge?

    Ans. Some good books for XAT general knowledge preparation are:

    • Objective General Knowledge (Lucent’s)
    • General Knowledge by Arihant Experts
    • Manorama Year Book by Mammen Mathew
    • Newspapers and Magazines for Current Affairs

    Question: What are some good books for XAT decision-making?

    Ans. The most efficient way of preparing for XAT DM section is practicing as many questions as possible. Refer to the previous year paper links given in the article above to download free pdfs. Some other good books for XAT decision-making preparation are Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers) and Target XAT (Past papers and mock tests).

    Question: Where can I get XAT mock tests and study material for free?

    Ans. The official XAT Mock test is released by XLRI a week before the exam date. Candidates can access other sample papers, previous year papers, and practice tests on the collegedunia website. Check XAT Practice Papers

    Question: What magazines or newspapers can I read to score well in XAT general knowledge?

    Ans. You can read Economic Times, The Financial Times, Business World, Manorama Yearbook, Business Line, Business Today, The Hindu, Hindu Business Line, Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant, Financial Express, and Wall Street Journal to improve to prepare for XAT GK section. 

    Question: What are the best coaching centers for XAT?

    Ans. Some of the best coaching centers for XAT preparation that offer online and offline courses include T.I.M.E, Career Launcher, IMS India, Unacademy, BYJUs, hitbullseye, etc. Check complete list of city-wise XAT Top Coaching Institutes.

    Question: Is it possible to crack XAT 2023 exam through self study from XAT Books?

    Ans. Yes, it is possible to crack XAT 2023 exam through self-study if you follow these 4 steps:

    • Solve previous years’ XAT question papers.
    • For each section, refer to 1-2 good books for XAT Preparation
    • Prepare a daily & weekly timetable and follow it without fail.
    • Practice as many sample papers as possible.

    Question: What is the difficulty level of questions in XAT exam?

    Ans. The overall difficulty level of XAT exam is moderate to high. It is one of the most difficult MBA exams in the country. Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretaion and GK sections are comparatively more difficult than the Verbal & Logical Ability & Decision Making sections.

    XAT 2025 : 8 Answered QuestionsView All

    • Top Answer By Arpita Banerjee on 07-Dec-2021

    Ans. 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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    • Top Answer By Vishesh Thapa on 07-Dec-2021

    Ans. 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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    • Top Answer By Manali Tomar on 13-Dec-2021

    Ans. 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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    • Top Answer By Chirag Mishra on 11-Apr-2023

    Ans. 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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    • Top Answer By Ishant Jain on 13-Mar-2023

    Ans. 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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    • Top Answer By Shikha Agrawal on 28-Feb-2023

    Ans. JBIMS, Mumbai is a highly respected management institute in India that offers a variety of programs including MHRD, MMS, M.Sc Finance, and Part-time MBA. Admissions to JBIMS MMS are divided into two categories: "Maharashtra State Candidates" and "Other than Maharashtra State Candidates." For candidates from Maharashtra, the MAH CET score is considered, while for candidates from outside Maharashtra, JBIMS accepts CAT/MAH CET/CMAT/GMAT scores. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend the CAP conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell. JBIMS only accepts valid MAH-CET scores for admission to its full-time MMS course, which is affiliated with Mumbai University. In the previous year, the highest cutoff for MAH-CET 2021 was 99.97%, recorded by JBIMS. For round 2 of MAH-CET, the score was recorded as 99.95%. MAH-CET releases cutoffs with merit lists for two distinct categories, the Maharashtra State (MH) category and the All India (AI) category, following a normalization method. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Shreya Matta on 26-Dec-2022

    Ans. IMI Delhi accepts only CAT/GMAT scores. The expected XAT cutoff for the rest of colleges are as follows: B-School Expected XAT cutoff  IMI Kolkata 60 Fore Delhi 86.5 KJ Somaiya 70-73  TAPMI 85 Read more

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    • Top Answer By Aruna Mukharjee on 24-Jun-2022

    Ans. There are no such qualifying marks for XAT. You need to clear the required cutoff of the particular institutes to be shortlisted. Here is the XAT cutoff 2022 for various institutes. Institute  XAT cutoff percentile  XLRI BM- 90-93 HRM - 87-92 XIMB 90-93 SPJIMR Mumbai 93-95 KJ Somaiya 85-90 IMT Ghaziabad 90-92 TAPMI Manipal 80-85 GIM Goa 85-90 MICA Ahmedabad 80-85 Grate Lakes Institute of Management 80-85 These are the expected cutoff based on last years cutoff trends.  Read more

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

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