Many students prepare for the XAT to gain admission to top MBA colleges, such as XLRI. The topper interviews give a clear picture of how real students planned, studied, and stayed motivated. Some were working professionals, others were college students—but all followed smart and regular study habits.
Toppers said that managing time, not skipping any section, and taking mock tests regularly helped them improve. Special focus was given to the Decision Making section, which is unique to XAT. For Verbal Ability, they read daily and practised comprehension. For Quantitative Ability, they cleared basic concepts and practised 15–20 questions a day. General Knowledge was revised closer to the exam using news and short notes.
Most toppers followed a simple three-phase study plan: first, build strong basics; second, take and analyse mock tests; third, revise and stay calm before the exam. They advised using a few good resources, not too many, and staying mentally strong.
The strategies shared by these toppers are also helpful for those preparing for XAT 2026. With the right plan, clear focus, and regular effort, cracking XAT 2026 becomes possible through consistent and thoughtful preparation.
What Is XAT and Why Are Topper Interviews Important?
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is one of the top entrance exams for MBA in India. It is known for being tough and testing more than just academic knowledge. It includes a special section called Decision Making, along with Quant, Verbal, and General Knowledge. The interviews of XAT 2025 toppers are helpful because they show how real students cracked this exam. These interviews offer simple and smart methods that helped them succeed, even with limited time or resources.
XAT 2025 Topper Experience: Main Takeaways
XAT 2025 toppers like Aman Ehtesham, Siddhant Kumar, Rishab P Dave, and others highlight that success in XAT comes from smart preparation, regular practice, and stress management. They focused heavily on decision-making, calling it a non-negotiable section. Key areas included Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry in Quant; RCs, Critical Reasoning, and Para jumbles in Verbal; and recent business and current affairs in GK. Regular mock tests helped them identify areas for improvement and enhance accuracy. Their message: stay consistent, analyse mocks, and don’t panic during setbacks. Here’s what they shared:
- Manage time well
- Don’t skip any section, especially Decision Making
- Use mock tests to find weak areas
- Stay calm even during failure or low scores
Section-Wise Preparation Tips from XAT Toppers
The XAT exam consists of four main sections, each assessing a distinct skill. Toppers who scored high planned their preparation smartly and steadily. They didn’t try to study everything at once. Instead, they focused on each section one by one. This helped them understand what was needed and avoid stress. The tips below show how toppers prepared for each section—Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and General Knowledge—to improve their scores and build confidence.
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
This section checks how well students understand English.
Topper Tips:
- Read for 30 minutes daily – newspapers, novels, or editorials
- Solve reading comprehension (RC) questions often
- Improve vocabulary slowly by learning 5 new words daily
- Practice previous year papers
2. Decision Making (DM)
This is a special section in XAT. It gives situations where students need to choose the best action. This section can increase or reduce the overall score, so many toppers gave it special attention.
Topper Tips:
- Practice from past XAT papers
- Don’t try to guess – use logic and ethics
- Think like a manager solving a real problem
- Choose the most balanced and fair option
Also Check: Analyzing XAT Previous Year Papers: Insights for 2026 Aspirants
3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation (QA & DI)
This part is all about math and numbers. Toppers suggested doing short and daily practice sessions instead of long ones.
Topper Tips:
- Clear basic concepts from school-level books (like NCERT)
- Focus more on arithmetic, algebra and percentages
- Solve at least 15–20 questions daily
- Review all mistakes after mock tests
4. General Knowledge (GK)
Though GK is not counted for getting a call from XLRI, it is important during the final selection. Toppers didn’t give too much time to GK but made sure they revised it before the test.
Topper Tips:
- Read monthly current affairs magazines
- Follow news websites or YouTube news roundups
- Make short notes for static GK topics (history, geography, awards, etc.)
- Revise GK one week before the exam
Also Check: XAT vs CAT 2026: How to Decide Which Exam to Take?
XAT Toppers' Study Plans
Most successful students made a simple and flexible study plan. Here’s how they broke their preparation:
Phase 1: Building Basics (First 1–2 months)
- Learn all basic concepts
- Solve easy questions
- Read and revise regularly
Phase 2: Mock Tests and Analysis (Next 1–2 months)
- Take 1–2 full-length mock tests each week
- Analyze mistakes
- Focus more on weak topics
Phase 3: Final Revision and GK (Last 3–4 weeks)
- Solve previous year papers
- Revise important notes
- Read static and current GK
- Stay relaxed and focused
This plan helped them cover all topics without feeling overwhelmed.
Also Check: Tips for Non-Engineers to Ace XAT 2026
Tips from XAT 2025 Toppers
Each topper had different stories, but some advice was common:
- Don’t ignore Decision Making—it can make or break your score.
- Every mock test is a learning opportunity—analyze them deeply.
- Stick to 2–3 good books or websites instead of trying too many.
- Stay calm and don’t panic—even if scores drop at times.
How to Stay Motivated Like XAT Toppers
Success is not only about studying—it’s also about staying mentally strong. Many toppers said they had bad mock test scores, faced doubt, or felt tired, but they kept going.
Here’s how they stayed positive:
- Followed a routine
- Took small breaks to relax
- Avoided comparing scores with others
- Talked to mentors or seniors when stuck
They knew that confidence, clarity, and consistency matter as much as books and mock tests.
Also Check: How to Crack XAT’s Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section
How to Crack XAT 2025: Learn from Real Stories
Toppers who got 99 percentile or more were not “super smart”, they just prepared with the right plan and mindset.
They focused on:
- Smart time management
- Mock test practice
- Sticking to a schedule
- Using limited but reliable study resources
- Staying strong mentally
Final Thoughts
The XAT 2025 Toppers Interview series shows that anyone can crack this tough exam with a strong mindset, clear strategy, and regular preparation. Whether a student is starting now or already preparing, these XAT success stories offer guidance and motivation. They help others understand the whole journey, from the first day of study to the final day of the exam. If the goal is to gain admission to top B-schools like XLRI, IMT, XIMB, or other colleges that accept the XAT 2025, learning from these toppers is a great way to start or boost your preparation.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and believe in the process. Success in XAT 2025 is possible with the right path and a strong mindset.
