Best Books and Mocks for XAT 2026: Your Complete Preparation Strategy

The XAT exam is one of the most strategically designed MBA entrance tests in India. Unlike the CAT, which focuses purely on speed and accuracy, the XAT tests deeper thinking—especially in areas like Decision Making and Verbal Ability.

If you're targeting XLRI Jamshedpur or other top XAT-accepting B-schools, your preparation strategy needs to be fine-tuned—not just for concepts but for exam temperament as well. Choosing the right books and mocks for XAT 2026 can make the difference between an average attempt and a 99+ percentile score.

In this guide, we break down:

• The best books for each XAT section

• Resources for Decision Making (unique to XAT)

• Must-do mock test series

• Section-specific tips and timelines

• How to simulate the real exam

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the XAT Exam Pattern (2026)

2. Best Books for XAT Decision Making

3. Best Books for Verbal & Logical Ability

4. Best Books for Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

5. Best Resources for General Knowledge (GK)

6. XAT Essay Writing: Practice Sources

7. Best Mock Test Series for XAT 2026

8. Daily and Weekly Prep Plan Using These Resources

9. When to Start XAT-Specific Prep (Post-CAT)

10. FAQs: Books vs Coaching, Online vs Offline

1. Understanding the XAT Exam Pattern (2026)

Before diving into books, understand what you're preparing for:

Section	Number of Questions	Time Allotted	Marks	Key Challenge
Verbal & Logical Ability	26	~165 mins	Varies	Dense RCs, tricky critical reasoning
Decision Making	21	~165 mins	Varies	Situational logic + ethics-based logic
Quantitative Ability & DI	28	~165 mins	Varies	Conceptual + time-consuming
General Knowledge (Part B)	25	~25 mins	NA	Static + Current (No negative marking)
Essay Writing (Part B)	1 Topic	~25 mins	NA	Coherence, structure, brevity

2. Best Books for XAT Decision Making

This section is unique to XAT, so standard CAT books won’t help.

Recommended Resources:

• “Analytical and Logical Reasoning for CAT and Other MBA Exams” – Arihant Has a decent section on Decision Making questions.

• Previous XAT Question Papers (2010–2024) XLRI often repeats similar ethical dilemmas and data-based caselets.

• Career Launcher XAT Decision Making Module Especially useful for solving 100+ case-based questions.

• TIME / IMS Decision Making Booklets (if enrolled) These are tailored for XAT-specific DM formats.

What to Practice:

• Business scenarios

• Ethical dilemmas

• Resource constraints

• Conflict resolution

• Data sufficiency in context

3. Best Books for Verbal & Logical Ability

XAT verbal is tougher than CAT—more abstract RCs, dense vocabulary, and logic puzzles.

Recommended Books:

• “How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension” – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay Includes 100+ passages and para-based questions.

• “Word Power Made Easy” – Norman Lewis Build vocabulary with root words and etymology.

• Previous Year XAT Papers (Official PDFs) Focus especially on RC tones, author's intent, and inference.

• Practice RCs from GMAT CR + LSAT prep For critical reasoning and abstract inference skills.

4. Best Books for Quantitative Ability & DI

XAT quant isn’t as calculation-intensive as CAT but has conceptually deep questions.

Recommended Books:

• “Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams” – R.S. Aggarwal Covers basics with clear examples.

• “Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” – Arun Sharma Level-wise problem solving helps build depth.

• TIME / IMS Quant Booklets Great if you’re already a CAT aspirant.

• DI Caselets from XAT previous years Focus on ratio-based logic and multi-layered interpretation.

5. Best Resources for General Knowledge (GK)

GK is part of Part B and although it doesn't count toward your XAT percentile, XLRI does consider it during final selection.

Static GK:

• Lucent’s GK Book

• Manorama Yearbook (latest edition)

• NCERT Class 9–10 Social Studies (selective reading)

Current Affairs:

• GK Today Monthly PDFs

• AffairsCloud Mobile App

• The Hindu Editorials (for relevance and context)

6. XAT Essay Writing: Practice Sources

XAT’s Essay is back, and it tests clarity of thought more than literary brilliance.

What to Use:

• Past XAT Essay Topics

• Editorial Writing Practice from The Hindu or Indian Express

• Mock Essays with Peer Review (ideally 1 per week after November)

• AI Tools like ChatGPT to simulate reader feedback

Structure your essay in:

1. Introduction (with contextual hook)

2. Arguments with examples

3. Counterpoint (if applicable)

4. Conclusion (forward-looking insight)

7. Best Mock Test Series for XAT 2026

Mocks are non-negotiable for XAT preparation.

Paid Mock Series:

• TIME XAT Test Series Closest to actual level of difficulty + good DM practice

• IMS XAT Simulations Known for their interface and performance analytics

• Career Launcher XAT Series Especially strong in Decision Making

Free/Low-cost Options:

• Oliveboard GK & Essay mocks

• PracticeMock XAT sectionals

• 2–3 mocks from past year’s papers (under timed conditions)

Mock Strategy:

• Start XAT mocks after CAT is over (mid-December)

• Do 6–8 full mocks + 4 sectional mocks (esp. DM & Verbal)

8. Daily and Weekly Prep Plan Using These Resources

Week	Focus Area	Resources
1–2	DM + Verbal	Career Launcher + Sharma books
3–4	QA + DI + Static GK	Arun Sharma, Lucent, RS Aggarwal
5–6	Current Affairs + Essay	The Hindu, XAT Essays, mock essays
7–8	Mocks + Revision	TIME/IMS mocks, past papers

9. When to Start XAT-Specific Prep?

If you’re preparing for CAT:

• Focus on Quant + VARC until Nov

• Start XAT DM + GK from mid-November

• Add mocks in December

If you're only targeting XAT:

• Begin full prep from September

• Spend more time on Decision Making

• Treat essay and GK as full sections (not last-minute add-ons)

10. FAQs: Books vs Coaching, Online vs Offline

Q: Can I self-prepare for XAT 2026? 

Yes. Most books and mocks are self-sufficient if followed diligently.

Q: Should I join coaching for Decision Making? 

Only if you're scoring consistently low in this section or unable to judge ethical trade-offs.

Q: Online prep or offline? 

Online test series + structured book-based learning is more than enough for most.

Conclusion

Your XAT 2026 preparation journey depends not just on how hard you study—but on what you choose to study. The right books and mock tests will not only help you master sections like QA and VARC but also tackle the trickier Decision Making and underrated GK components confidently.

Use the resources in this guide to build a customized strategy and stay consistent. With the right inputs, a 98+ percentile in XAT is absolutely within reach.