XAT Admit Card Date:20 Dec' 25 - 04 Jan' 26
Best Study Material for XAT 2026: A dream without a solid plan stays just a dream. The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is one of India's top MBA entrance exams, requiring serious and focused preparation to achieve good scores in XAT 2026. XAT preparation requires proper study materials to maximise your hard work and achieve better results. Picking the correct books and resources needs expert advice, so Careers360 teams up with XAT experts to bring you the best study material for XAT 2026. With proper XAT study guides, practice tests, and expert tips, you can boost your chances of cracking XAT 2026 and getting into top B-schools like XLRI.
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In this comprehensive article by Careers360, the XAT 2026 preparation guide, you will find everything you need to succeed in your MBA entrance exam journey. We cover the Best Study Material for XAT 2026, including top-rated books, online resources, and free study materials that won't break your budget. You'll learn about the XAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus with detailed breakdowns of each section and marking scheme to help you plan better.
Getting subject fundamentals in place is the necessary step of preparation. With the best study material for XAT 2026, students can get clarity and a good hold on various sections. Aspirants must know the right and best study material for XAT 2026. Careers360 offers the best study material for XAT 2026, including section-wise books, mock tests, previous year question papers, and other online resources to help you prepare effectively.
Before getting the best study material for the XAT exam, one must be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus to arrange for the study materials accordingly. Let’s have a look at the exam pattern and syllabus of XAT 2026:
Section | Total Marks Allotted | No. of Questions | Important Topics covered |
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation | 75 | 28 | Tables and caselets, Percentage , Exponent and Surds, algebra, mensuration, bar diagrams, pie charts, etc. |
Verbal and Logical Reasoning | 26 | Reading comprehension and vocabulary, an analogy based on vocabulary, para Jumble, grammar, critical reasoning and inference, para completion, etc. | |
Decision Making | 21 | Decision making, analogy, Seating Arrangement, logical sequence, assumption, premise, conclusion, etc. | |
General Knowledge | 25 | 25 | Science, economy, business, politics, static GK, sports, prize and award, world, government, the constitution of India, etc |
XAT essential topics are always beneficial for the candidates as they help them to narrow down the syllabus and prepare maximally. XAT study materials are essentially helpful because they help the candidates to enhance their XAT preparation. Now, let us understand a few essential topics for XAT exam preparation.
XAT Section | Important Topics |
Verbal and Logical Ability | Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Para Jumble Analogy based on vocabulary Grammar Para Completion Critical Reasoning and Inference |
Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation | Tables and Caselets Surds and Indices Percentage Mensuration Algebra Pie Charts Bar Diagrams |
Decision Making | Decision Making Seating Arrangement Assumption Logical Sequence Conclusion Premise |
General Knowledge | Science Business Economy Static GK Politics Prize and Award Sports World Constitution of India Government Policies |
XAT study materials are go-to exam guides for any XAT aspirant. In addition to the various XAT free study materials, candidates should also be aware of the other XAT resources they choose. Now, let us understand all the best XAT resources to enhance your XAT preparation.
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation will include a maximum number of questions as compared to the other three sections. This section will consist of questions from the 10th and 12th class concepts, like percentages, HCF and LCM, Algebra, Mensuration, Venn Diagram, and so forth, to assess the candidate’s skill with numbers. Some of the important books for this section are:
‘Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Common Admission Tests For Admission into IIMs’ by Sarvesh K Verma - This book helps to clear the basics. It is reliable for students with a non-mathematics background. It includes 21 chapters, covering a summary of each chapter, along with three levelled questions.
‘How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT’ by Arun Sharma - Includes comprehensive theory and plenty of shortcut techniques for quick solving. It also includes sample papers, which help students have an exam environment.
'Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations' by Abhijit Guha - This book by Abhijit Guha includes separate sections on numerical skills and quantitative aptitude. It consists of a vast number of questions that move from easy to the difficulty level.
This section will assess students' comprehension and vocabulary skills by giving reading comprehension, questions on grammar, logical sequences, inference-based questions, and so forth. Some of the best books for XAT Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning are:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyaya - This book provides tricks and tips to tackle RC and VA questions for beginners or intermediate students.
PSC for VA for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha - This book includes questions in the hierarchical order of difficulty so that students can assess their performance at every level.
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha - This book covers advanced and fundamental topics along with an ample number of solved examples. It includes more than 2500 solved questions.
For Vocabulary Builder:
Word Power by Norman Lewis - This book is divided into three sections and provides easy tips to improve vocabulary and word skills. It briefs about the correct usage of common words that we confuse.
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis - Devoting 15 minutes for 30 days to this book helps improve vocabulary at a great level and boost communication skills with the help of a 12-minute quiz.
One can improve his/her general knowledge by reading newspapers like The Hindu, Times of India, The Economic Times, The Statesman, and so forth. These journals help you keep updated with the latest ongoing events.
In addition to the XAT study materials provided below, the candidates can refer to various other XAT free resources and XAT resources available online. The candidates are also advised to take XAT notes while going through their XAT study materials, as it can help them to retain their knowledge for a longer period.
Book Title | Author | Features |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Comprehensive coverage of important topics, chapter-wise questions with detailed explanations |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Covers all types of DI questions, self-sufficient for preparation |
Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | Strong concept building, application of problems, and difficulty level of each topic |
Book Title | Author | Features |
Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers) | R.K. Jha | Easily understandable content, solved papers of the last 15 years, and content curated for students |
Analytical and Logical Reasoning | Arihant Publications | Divided into Verbal, Analytical, and Non-Verbal Reasoning, two difficulty levels, 2000+ previous years' questions |
Target XAT (Past papers & mock tests) | Disha Publication | Solved papers of the last 15 years, content curated by 30 experts |
Book Title | Author | Features |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Improves vocabulary and understanding of English through tests and word exercises, with a student-friendly approach |
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Smarter and shorter methods for solving questions, full explanation of solved examples, and fully solved papers |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Covers the entire syllabus of English Grammar, with practice sessions at the end of each lesson for self-assessment |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Ajay Singh | Guides students from basic to advanced levels in English, including mock papers covering the latest syllabus |
Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | Detailed explanation of concepts, focus on new question types, comprehensive coverage, and a vast array of practice questions |
Book Title | Author | Features |
Lucent’s General Knowledge 2024 | Dr. Binay Karna | Articulates all important events, structured points for easier learning |
General Knowledge 2024 | Manohar Pandey | Compact presentation of current events, divided into sections with a separate section for current events |
Manorama Year Book | Malayala Manorama Group | Covers a wide range of topics, dedicated section for current affairs, updated data and statistics, focus on the Civil Services Examination, section for global happenings |
Book Title | Author | Features |
151 Essays | S.C. Gupta | A comprehensive collection of essays, useful for various competitive exams |
Mastering Essay and Answer Writing | Disha Experts | Guides on essay and answer writing techniques, covering various topics, are useful for competitive exams. |
To score high in XAT 2026, aspirants must practice with XAT mock tests as prepared by the experts. The mock test helps you give the exam environment and includes the best-selected topics from which questions can be asked in XAT 2026.
Attempting the XAT mock test helps you boost confidence and accuracy. The mock test is available in online mode, as XAT 2026 will be a computer-based test. Candidates can assess their skills and know their strong and weak areas.
Solving the XAT sample papers before appearing for the final D-Day will help candidates in the following ways:
It removes exam stress and fear by asking types of questions as per the exam pattern.
It helps in providing a preparation analysis
It helps in the quick revision of important topics
Gives an idea about the marking scheme
Helps in enhancing self-confidence
Helps in improving speed and accuracy
Click here to solve XAT sample papers/e-books
In addition to books and sample papers, students can also opt for online group studies facilitated by social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Many aspirants from different areas join a common group and discuss and post their queries. Additionally, students can access online study materials from various coaching institutes.
On Question asked by student community
XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a PDF copy of the same hope it helps.
Hello
Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile
JIMS Rohini Delhi
IMT Hyderabad
SOIL Institute of Management
Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur
Jaypee Business School
Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore
NSB Academy Bangalore
NDIM New Delhi
Hello Aspirant
Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates solely based on academic performance, although it has a big weightage in their selection process. They test your presence of mind, intellect, and communication skills through Group Discussions and Interviews.
The safest way to get into a good MBA college is to score 96-97+ percentile and do really well in GD and PI. Top MBA colleges in India are IIMs, XISS (Ranchi), TISS, Delhi School of Business, and Symbiosis.
Hope this helps
Hello Aspirant
Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT
1)Great Lakes, Chennai
2)IRMA
3) Goa Institute of Management
4) NIBM
5) TAPMI
Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered.
Colleges like NIBM specialize in Finance, and IRMA has a lot of sales marketing Roles. So ultimately the choice is yours which specialization you want to pursue.
Hello aspirant,
Here below are the names of the colleges that you can target:
Thank you
Hope it helps you.