High-Scoring but Ignored Topics for SNAP & XAT Preparation

Introduction

Every year, thousands of aspirants prepare for SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) and XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) with the goal of securing seats in top B-schools like SIBM Pune and XLRI Jamshedpur. Most students focus heavily on high-weightage areas—Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability, and Decision-Making.

But here’s the catch: many candidates ignore certain “low-visibility” topics that often turn out to be easy scorers. Imagine walking into an exam hall where everyone is sweating over complex DI sets, but you quickly solve a straightforward but overlooked question that gives you a competitive edge. That’s exactly the opportunity hidden in these topics.

Why Do Students Ignore These Topics?

Before we list the topics, it’s important to understand why students neglect them:

• Low Weightage Perception: Aspirants think 2–3 questions aren’t worth the effort.
• Unfamiliarity: Some topics don’t appear in CAT or NMAT, so students skip them.
• Overconfidence in Core Areas: Focusing only on Quant, DI, or Reading Comprehension.
• Time Mismanagement: Many don’t reach these questions due to poor time strategy.

Commonly Overlooked Topics in SNAP

SNAP has a different flavor compared to CAT or XAT. Its speed-based nature makes certain easy but ignored topics extremely rewarding.

1. Miscellaneous Arithmetic (Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, Ratios)

• Often seen as “basic,” these appear every year.
• Questions are direct, rarely calculation-heavy.
• With shortcuts, you can solve them in under a minute.

Example: If a train covers 180 km in 3 hours, what is its speed? (Yes, sometimes it’s that simple in SNAP!).

2. Odd One Out & Analogies (Verbal Ability)

• Students focus on Reading Comprehension but ignore these single-mark gems.
• Usually vocabulary or logic-based, requiring minimal time.
• Can boost your overall verbal attempts significantly.

3. Series & Coding-Decoding (Reasoning)

• A favorite in bank exams, but aspirants overlook them in MBA prep.
• Typically 1–2 questions appear, and they’re faster than puzzle-based reasoning.

4. General Knowledge (Static + Current Affairs)

• Many candidates skip GK prep entirely, thinking it won’t matter.
• But GK can save precious time in SNAP since questions are direct.
• Covering basics like awards, business brands, and recent events can easily fetch 3–4 marks.

5. Visual Reasoning (Figures & Patterns)

• These appear inconsistently but are usually straightforward.
• Aspirants ignore them due to lack of familiarity.
• Practicing 10–15 sets beforehand ensures you won’t leave free marks.

Commonly Overlooked Topics in XAT

XAT is a different beast—it tests not just aptitude but also decision-making, ethics, and abstract thinking. Many aspirants ignore these areas due to their unconventional style.

1. Decision-Making (Situational Judgment)

• Unique to XAT, yet ironically the most ignored.
• Students shy away because there are no formulas.
• But with practice, patterns emerge (ethical > selfish, logical > emotional).
• High-scoring because it doesn’t involve calculation or complex RCs.

2. Critical Reasoning (Short Passages)

• Unlike CAT, XAT often asks 1–2 CR questions.
• Direct, logic-driven, and less time-intensive than long RCs.
• Ignoring them means losing out on easy marks.

3. Grammar & Sentence Correction

• Students overprepare vocab and RC but skip grammar rules.
• XAT regularly tests subject-verb agreement, modifiers, and parallelism.
• With quick revision, you can secure 2–3 easy marks.

4. Clocks, Calendars, and Number Puzzles (Quant)

• Rarely seen in CAT but frequent in XAT quant.
• Simple logic-based questions (e.g., “Which day will it be after 100 days?”).
• Quick wins if you’ve practiced a few sets.

5. Essay Writing (XAT’s Unique Section)

• Aspirants focus on quant and DM, ignoring essay practice.
• But a strong essay can make a difference in final selection.
• Practicing structured writing (Intro–Body–Conclusion) with 200–250 words gives you an edge.

Comparison Table: Overlooked Easy Scorers

How to Prepare for These Overlooked Topics

1. Allocate 15–20 minutes daily to practice “ignored” areas.
2. Use sectional mocks to track progress.
3. Leverage shortcuts & mnemonics (especially for arithmetic and GK).
4. Revise weekly so you retain formulas and patterns.
5. Simulate exam timing to ensure you actually attempt these easy wins.

How Career Plan B Can Help You

At Career Plan B, we specialize in helping aspirants unlock their hidden potential with:

• Personalized Career Counselling to align your prep with your strengths.
• Psycheintel and Career Assessment Tests to identify areas you’re overlooking.
• Admission & Academic Profile Guidance to maximize your B-school chances.
• Career Roadmapping so you’re not just exam-ready but also career-ready.

Have any doubts?
📞 Contact our expert counsellor today and get all your questions answered!

FAQs

1. Are overlooked topics really worth preparing for in SNAP & XAT?
   Yes, because even 2–3 extra marks can drastically improve your percentile in competitive exams.
2. How much time should I devote to these areas?
   Just 15–20 minutes daily practice is enough to stay confident without losing focus on core subjects.
3. Is decision-making in XAT tough to crack?
   Not if you practice regularly—understanding ethical and logical patterns makes it manageable.
4. Can I skip GK for SNAP and still score well?
   You can, but GK offers direct, time-saving marks. Ignoring it puts unnecessary pressure on Quant and Reasoning.
5. Do these topics appear every year?
   Yes, though the weightage may vary. But even if 2–3 questions appear, they’re usually high ROI compared to tougher sets.

Conclusion

While most aspirants chase the “heavy” sections in SNAP and XAT, the real game-changer lies in the overlooked easy-scoring topics. By strategically preparing areas like miscellaneous arithmetic, visual reasoning, decision-making, and grammar, you can secure marks that others leave behind.

Remember, competitive exams aren’t just about knowledge—they’re about smart preparation. The next time you practice, don’t just focus on what everyone else is doing. Pay attention to the overlooked, and you’ll walk into the exam hall with an edge that sets you apart.

Ready to identify and work on your hidden strengths? Career Plan B can help you turn overlooked opportunities into winning scores.