Top Recommended Books for XAT 2026 RC

Debanjalee Sen

Updated On: January 09, 2026 12:21 PM

To tackle VA and LR questions in XAT, make sure to explore this guide, which indicates the XAT 2026 RC reading list and top recommended books. By following the right resources, you can enhance your Reading Comprehension ability to ace the exam.
XAT RC Reading List: Top Recommended Books
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The XAT 2026 RC top recommended books are a must for anyone aiming to score high in the test. About 26 questions are asked in the VA and LR section, out of which you can expect 12 to 15 questions on RC passages and poems. The excerpts are based on social issues, economics, literature, philosophy, current affairs, etc. Hence, to understand and infer responses from the passages, strong RC skills are essential.

Here is where you can refer to our curated and well-researched XAT RC books and reading list, which can come to your rescue. Following this will expose you to varied writing styles, tone, themes, new words, and more. Further, it will also provide more questions for practice and help you revise essential grammar rules.

When selecting XAT books , focus on editions that are based on the latest XAT 2026 syllabus and have been written by credible authors. The language must be easy to comprehend and must contain sufficient practice exercises.

Also Read: XAT 2026 VALR Good Score

List of Best Books for XAT 2026 RC Preparation

Here is a list of the best books for XAT RC, important for XAT preparation .

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for XAT by Gautam Puri

High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

Objective General English by Dr R.S. Aggarwal & Vikas Aggarwal

Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma

A New Approach to Reasoning Verbal and Non-Verbal by BS Sijwali

A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arihant

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension For CAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT, IRMA, MAT, NMAT by Nishit K. Sinha

20 Year-wise XAT Previous Year Solved Papers (2005 - 2024) with 5 Mock Tests by Disha Experts

Also Read: How Many Questions to Attempt in XAT 2026 to Score 97 Percentile?

Additional Recommended Books for XAT 2026 RC

We have included a few fiction/ non-fiction works here to help you strengthen your comprehension and vocabulary, which are necessary skills for XAT 2026 RC questions. As the CAT exam also has a segment named Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, you can also follow books used for CAT preparation for a deeper understanding.

1984 by George Orwell

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

India Unbound by Gurcharan Das

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene

Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill

Business Legends by Gita Piramal

36 Topic-wise CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Previous Year Solved Papers by Shipra Agarwal and Deepak Agarwal

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Ajay Singh

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges Accepting XAT 2026 Scores

How to Select Books for XAT Reading Comprehension

Here are some major pointers to keep in mind while selecting books for XAT Reading Comprehension:

Check the year of publication to ensure the book is updated

Validate if the content is aligned with the latest syllabus and XAT exam pattern .

The language should be easy to grasp

The content must cover all core areas of Reading Comprehension

Must have sample questions for practice

Prefer resources authored by subject matter experts or established publishers

Opt for books that provide practical strategies and tips for XAT VA and LR component

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To summarise, to excel in XAT RC, you need to pick the right study materials. Always go with books from credible publishers which have updated content. Give preference to titles that have explanations in simple language. Additionally, review if these have end-of-chapter exercises or sample questions to reinforce your learning.

FAQs

What are some recommended books for the XAT RC section?

Some recommended books for the XAT RC section include Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for XAT by Gautam Puri, Descriptive General English by SP Bakshi and Richa Sharma, Objective General English by Dr R S Aggarwal and Vikas Aggarwal, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Nishit K. Sinha, etc.

Are grammar books helpful for XAT RC preparation?

Yes, grammar books are helpful for XAT RC preparation. Some important titles include Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin.

Can fiction or non-fiction books help me in XAT RC?

Yes, fiction and non-fiction books can be helpful in XAT RC. These will boost your reading speed, vocabulary, and writing style, especially.

Should I consider the year of publication for XAT RC books?

Yes, you should consider the year of publication for XAT RC books. You must ensure that the guide is of a recent version.

Is it mandatory to buy XAT books based on the latest syllabus?

Yes, for effective preparation, it is recommended that you buy XAT books based on the latest syllabus.


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