XAT 2025 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
NATIONAL LEVEL ONLINE TEST
Table of Contents
XAT GK 2023: Syllabus, Important Topics, Questions, Paper Analysis, Preparation
XAT GK is the most dynamic of all the sections of XAT exam. XAT GK section comprises 25 objective-type questions from a wide variety of topics like banking, economy, history, business, and current affairs.
- In XAT GK section, around 60-70% of questions are from static GK and 20-30% from current affairs. XAT GK questions are direct and do not require any reasoning or analytical skills to solve. Check XAT Previous Year Exam Analysis
- As per XAT 2023 GK Marking Scheme, there will be no negative marking for wrong answers and 1 mark will be awarded for each correct answer. Also, 0.10 marks per question will be deducted for more than 8 unanswered questions in XAT 2023 exam. Check XAT 2023 Exam Pattern
- It is important to know that scores obtained in General Knowledge (GK) section for XAT 2023 will not be considered in the calculation of the final XAT score and percentile. However, XAT GK scores will be considered during the final selection. Check XAT Cut off
- To begin with XAT GK preparation 2023, one should refer to static general knowledge books by Lucent’s or Arihant and solve the previous year's XAT GK questions. CheckBest Books for XAT Preparation
- Apart from GK, XAT 2023 will have 4 other sections- VALR (26 questions), DM (22 questions), QADI (28 questions), and Essay (1 descriptive question). Check XAT 2023 Syllabus
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XAT GK 2023 Highlights
XAT GK 2023 pattern and syllabus have remained largely the same throughout the years. Being thorough with all the details of XAT GK section is extremely crucial for preparation, as it will help in devising a clear strategy for preparation. Here is the detailed information on XAT General Knowledge Pattern and Marking Scheme for your reference:
- XAT 2023 exam duration will be 210 minutes- 175 minutes for part 1, 5 minutes for Part 2, and 30 minutes for XAT GK and essay.
- XAT General Knowledge section will have a total of 25 multiple-choice questions having 5 options each.
- There will be no negative marks for the incorrect answers in XAT General Knowledge section.
| XAT General Knowledge (GK) | |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Duration | 30 minutes (along with the essay) |
| Nature of Questions | Objective (MCQs) |
| Number of Questions | 25 |
| Total Marks | 25 |
| Marks Awarded | +1 for every correct answer |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking for XAT General Knowledge Section |
| Medium | English |
| Considered for Percentile Calculation | No |
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XAT Exam Pattern 2023
XAT Exam Pattern has undergone a few changes with the reintroduction of the essay writing section in part 3 of the paper. Here is the sectional division of the questions and the time limit for each section of XAT:
| Section Name | Max. Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 | 175 minutes |
| Decision Making | 22 | |
| Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 27 | |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Essay | 1 |
XAT GK Syllabus 2023
To score well in the GK section of XAT 2023 exam, a candidate will have to remain in constant touch with important events happening around the world on a daily basis. Important features of the General Knowledge section of XAT Syllabus are mentioned below:
- Topics to be covered in this section are history, politics, author names, business, economy, current affairs (national and international), etc.
- XAT GK section is clubbed with the essay writing section in part 3 of the paper. 30 minutes are given to attempt part 2 of the paper.
- It has been observed that static GK accounts for 60-70% of the questions while the rest are based on current events of the past 4-6 months.
- As per previous year papers, the difficulty level of XAT General Knowledge 2023 is expected to be moderate.
- Good Attempt: Candidates are advised to attempt all the questions as there are no negative marks allotted to this section.
| XAT GK Syllabus | Weightage in XAT GK Section | Important Topics for Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Static GK | 60-70% | Indian Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Important Organizations and their headquarters, Capitals & Currencies, Firsts in India |
| Current Affairs | 30-40% | Current Events of National Importance, International Affairs, Business & Economic Developments, Awards & Recognitions, Personalities in News, Government schemes like PMJDY, Swachh Bharat, Make in India, Sports, Books in News. |
Click here to download XAT GK Sample Papers
XAT General Knowledge Syllabus Topics
XAT GK Syllabus is divided into 2 sections- Static GK and Current Affairs. The important topics of XAT GK Syllabus are given below for your reference:
| XAT General Knowledge Important Topics | |
|---|---|
| Politics | Nation and States |
| History | Literature |
| Sports | Awards and Recognitions |
| Business | Economics |
| International Relations | Society |
| Merger & Acquisitions | Civics |
| Science | Static General Knowledge |
| Business | Parliament |
| Literature | Banking |
Recommended Books for XAT GK Preparation 2023
Developing a reading habit is absolutely important, and for adequate preparation, you need to refer to the right books. Here is a comprehensive list of the best books for XAT 2023 General Knowledge preparation:
| Name of Book | Publisher/Author |
|---|---|
| Manorama Yearbook | Mammen Mathew |
| Current Affairs Yearly | Arihant |
| General Knowledge: Latest Current Affairs & Who's Who | RPH Editorial Board |
| Pearson General Knowledge Manual | Pearson |
| Pratiyogita Darpan | Upkar Prakashan |
| The Mega Yearbook | Disha Experts |
| Target XAT (Past Papers + 5 Mock Tests) | Disha Experts |
| XAT Solved Papers | Career Launcher |
| Jabbing the XAT | RK Jha |
| Objective General Knowledge | Lucents |
XAT GK Preparation: Recommended Magazines & Newspapers
Reading magazines helps in increasing vocabulary and staying updated with current affairs. You can also read these during your leisure time, as these will be beneficial for XAT PI rounds as well.
- Competition Success
- India Today
- Business World
- Business Line by The Hindu Group
- The Week
- Newspapers- The Hindu, Economic Times, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times
Also Read: Best Books for XAT Preparation
XAT GK Previous Year Exam Analysis
Going through the previous year's XAT GK questions is important to gain an understanding of the important areas and the type of questions asked in the exam. XAT GK Paper Analysis for the past 2 years is given below for your reference.
XAT GK 2022 Paper Analysis
- 25 questions of moderate-high difficulty were asked from current affairs and static general knowledge.
- 13 questions were from current affairs and 12 were based on static GK.
- Attempting 10-12 questions correctly was considered a good attempt.
| Type of GK Questions | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Affairs | 13 | Difficult | 5-6 |
| Static GK | 12 | Moderate-Difficult | 3-4 |
XAT GK 2021 Paper Analysis
Given below is the topic-wise division of questions asked in XAT 2021 GK section:
| Aspect | Number of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| History | 1 | Moderate |
| Geography | 4 | Moderate |
| Economy | 7 | Easy |
| Current Affairs | 2 | Easy |
| Personality and Awards | 3 | Moderate |
| Science and Technology | 2 | Moderate |
| Polity | 2 | Easy |
| Miscellaneous | 2 | Difficult |
| Sports | 2 | Moderate |
XAT General Knowledge Previous Year Questions
For the General Knowledge section, questions can be asked from any topic, and are generally not repeated. All questions are generally based on the latest General Knowledge and Current Affairs. However, by looking at the previous years' questions you can get an idea of the kind of questions that are asked in the paper and prepare accordingly.
- Who acquired GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare?
- Which of the following is not part of VIACOM 18?
- Highest import to India?
- Which Indian bank was the first to issue “Green Bonds” for financing renewable and clean energy projects?
- Giga fiber to be launched by which company?
- Who is the SBI Chairman?
- What are the names of Parliament Budget Sessions?
- Name of Liquid for dissolving Gold?
- Name of Rajasthan Snake Dance?
Check detailed XAT Paper Analysis
XAT GK (General Knowledge) Preparation
XAT GK section is the most dynamic of all the sections as there is no defined domain from which questions can be asked. However, to excel in the GK section, candidates are advised to go through the below-mentioned preparation tips for XAT 2023:
- Read newspapers daily to stay updated with the relevant current affairs.
- For static GK, it is essential to follow a reference book like Lucent’s GK or any other good book.
- Attempting questions based on important topics like Economy, Business management, persons in news, Banking, etc. from any useful resource will provide the much-needed knowledge and confidence to attempt questions in XAT 2023 exam.
- The trick behind acing XAT General knowledge lies in good time management as candidates have to attempt a total of 25 questions in about 30 minutes along with the essay. Try to solve XAT Mock Test for GK within 15 minutes.
Click here for more details on XAT GK Preparation
XAT GK Sample Papers
Solving sample papers is of utmost importance if you want to ace XAT exam with more than 90 percentile. Practicing mock tests and previous year's papers will help you in getting a clear idea of what you need to study and whatnot. For the GK section, although the questions will always be different based on the current affairs, practicing sample papers and XAT previous year papers will give you an understanding of the major areas you need to focus on. Check XAT Sample Papers
XAT General Knowledge 2023 FAQs
Ques. Which are the best newspapers to read for the General Knowledge section of XAT?
Ans. The best newspapers to read for the General Knowledge section are as follows:
- The Hindu
- The Economic Times
- The Indian Express
- Business Standard
- Hindustan Times
Some other materials you can refer to include YouTube Channels, online resources provided by various coachings like T.I.M.E, Career Launcher, Unacademy, etc.
Ques. Which are some of the best online resources for XAT 2023 General Knowledge?
Ans. One of the best resources for XAT 2023 General Knowledge is sample papers and mock tests.
- Candidates can also refer to various YouTube channels for daily news and other online coachings such as GKToday, Adda247, Next Exam, Unacademy, BYJUs, hitbullseye, etc.
- You can also join online study groups on social media platforms like Telegram, Facebook, etc., for XAT 2023 General Knowledge preparation.
Ques. How to prepare for XAT GK 2023?
Ans. To prepare for XAT GK, one must start by reading a good static GK book by Lucent’s, Arihant, Career Launcher, or others.
- It is very important to make plenty of notes as they help in quick revision.
- Learning through flashcards can also be beneficial, as it can help you remember factual information.
- Read newspapers daily and refer to daily current affairs from other online sources without fail.
- You can also start studying with your friends or join a study group as it will keep you focused and motivated during the preparation phase.
Ques. If I opt for a 100-day study plan, what are my chances of getting selected in XAT 2023?
Ans. Well, a 100-day study plan, if followed precisely, will ensure that your study would be completed within time. But your dedication and commitment will make all the difference.
Ques. What is considered a good attempt in XAT GK section?
Ans. The number of questions considered a good attempt depends on the difficulty level of the paper. For a moderate-high difficulty level paper, 12-15 questions with 90% accuracy would be considered a good attempt.
Ques. What is the syllabus for the GK section of XAT? How do I prepare for it?
Ans. Questions asked in XAT GK can mainly be divided into 2 types- Static GK & Current Affairs.
- Static GK questions are based on Politics, History, Sports, Nation and States, Business, Literature, Economics, International Relations, Society.
- Current Affairs include national and international events, business developments, government schemes, and persons in news.
- To prepare for current affairs, candidates must read newspapers every day or watch daily current affairs on various news channels. Good command over GK will also be immensely helpful for the PI rounds.
Ques. Is there any negative marking in XAT GK section?
Ans. No, XAT GK section does not have any negative marking for incorrect answers. Hence, one can attempt all 25 MCQs in XAT GK section without worrying about marks deduction.
Ques. Are XAT GK scores considered for calculating the cut off percentile?
Ans. No, XAT GK scores are not considered for calculating the cut off percentile. However, these scores are considered while preparing the final merit list for MBA/ PGDM admissions after the conclusion of XAT GD-PI rounds.
XAT 2025 : 8 Answered QuestionsView All
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
*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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