XAT 2014: Paper pattern, Key dates, B schools using XAT Scores

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
October 29, 2013
In a bid to make B school aspirants aware about other management exams apart from CAT, MBAUniverse.com starts a series with Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT-2014), conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur.
XAT remains a pen paper mode test to ensure that all candidates are tested on exactly the same set of questions, and not on different sets

With the CAT 2013 coming to end on November 11, 2013, now the race starts for another prestigious management entrance examinations. In a bid to make the B school aspirants familiar with such examinations, MBAUniverse.com starts a series with Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT-2014), conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur. XAT 2014 which is near about 2 months away will be held on January 5, 2014 across the country and in two cities abroad as well namely Dubai and Kathmandu. The registration window for this test began on August 12 and will close on November 22.  The results will be available on the website by January 31, 2014.

While CAT is the gateway to 13 IIMs and other top B schools for their full time MBA programmes, XAT is conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to its various management programmes. More than 115 top institutes like XLRI, XIMB, LIBA, SP JAIN, TAPMI, XIMR, GIM, XIME, BIMTECH, IMT-Ghaziabad and many others also accept the XAT scores.

XAT 2014 Exam Pattern

XAT 2014 will have the same pattern like that of XAT 2013 consisting of two parts to be attempted during three hours duration from 10.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M.

Part-1 will have following four sections comprising multiple choice questions of objective type to be solved in 160 minutes

1. Verbal and Logical Ability

2. Decision Making

3. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

4. General Knowledge

Part-2 will consist of a subjective test of essay writing in 20 minutes

However the marks of General knowledge and essay writing will not be used for determining the percentile and cut off at first stage of selection. But it is used by XLRI and some other Associate Member institutes at the time of final selection.

Differences between patterns of CAT and XAT

There are a few basic differences between the examination pattern of CAT and XAT

1. CAT has no essay and general awareness sections as compared to XAT

2. Each year, the number of questions is fixed for CAT but this is not the case with XAT.

3. CAT is a computer based test while XAT still remains a pen paper based test. According to Prof.  Vishwa Ballabh admission chairperson XLRI, “This test in pen paper mode is conducted to ‘ensure that all candidates are tested on exactly the same set of questions, and not on different sets’.

4. CAT has two sections of Quant and DI; Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning while XAT carries four sections of Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision making, Quantitatibe Ability, and General Knowledge.

Eligibility Criteria and Application process

As per the eligibility criteria candidates having a bachelor’s degree of minimum three years duration or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised Indian or foreign university are eligible to apply for XAT.

XAT is a common test for admission into academic programmes of XLRI and XAT Associate Member Institutes. The candidates interested in XLRI or any other XAT associate member institutes need to register and apply separately.

As far as the admissions in XLRI are concerned, candidates may apply for more than one programme in the institute. Those who apply for multiple programmes may be called for multiple interviews and/or group discussions. The selection criteria for different programmes may differ depending on the nature of the programme. XAT written test will have multiple components and you need to maximize your performance in each of these components.

How to prepare?

According to Prof. SK Agarwal, Verbal expert at MBAUniverse.com, ‘two and half months are left to XAT 2014. The preparation strategy for XAT is slightly different from CAT. Unlike contextual usage in CAT, XAT requires preparation and practice in core grammar like articles, verbs, singular-plural, tenses, usage in synonyms and antonyms, small RC passages of about 400 words, understanding of blood relations, followed arguments, conclusions. They will not only help to clear most of the VA LA questions but in understanding the thought behind Decision making questions also. Important tip is to read various articles and editorials, practices more and more questions and recall the forgotten concepts and rules. Divide the General Awareness in different parts and try to interlink the various parts. Improve the writing skill by writing full sentences and paragraphs on relevant topics and get it evaluated by some mentor as it will help in scoring more on essay writing test in XAT’.

Which B Schools accept XAT scores?

There are over 115 leading B schools in the country which use XAT scores for their admission procedure. The city wise list of leading institutes is as follows:

B Schools in Delhi NCR accepting XAT scores

IMT, Ghaziabad; BIMTECH, Greater Noida; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida;; BULMIM, Delhi; Fortune Institute of International Business, New Delhi ; Accurate Institute of Management and Technology, Greater Noida

B Schools in Bangalore accepting XAT scores
Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship; TAPMI Manipal, IFIM Business School; Indus Business Academy; ISBR Business School, IBMR-Business Schools; 

B Schools in Mumbai accepting XAT scores
SPJIMR;   Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Navi Mumbai, IMT Nagpur; Kohinoor Business School; Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development; Xavier Institute of Management and Research;

B Schools in Pune accepting XAT scores
MIT School of Business; International School of Business and Media; Flame school of Business; Suryadutta group of Institutes

B Schools in Chennai accepting XAT scores
Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Institute of Financial Management and Research (IFMR)

B Schools in Bhubaneswar accepting XAT scores
Xavier Institute of Management;  Asian School of Business Management; Institute of Management, KIIT University; Institute of Management and Information Science; Regional College of Management

B Schools in Hyderabad accepting XAT scores

Institute of Management Technology, Hyderabad, Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Secunderabad Other prominent B schools include, Goa Institute of Management, GOA; Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad; Lovely Professional University, Phagwara; MICA, Ahmedabad; SDMIMD Mysore, VIT Business School , Vellore;

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more news and Expert advice on XAT 2014