XAT 2015; Exam to maintain pristine glory with high difficulty level

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
August 23, 2014
XAT 2015 is going to be on the similar pattern like last many years with no change in the pattern and syllabus
Number of aspirants scoring high percentile of 97-99 in CAT lags behind in XAT and find it difficult to cross 90-92 percentile

XAT 2015 is going to be on the similar pattern like last many years with no change in the pattern and syllabus. XLRI has been conducting Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for the last 60 years at All India level in the paper pencil mode. XAT that is aimed to select the most appropriate candidates who wish to pursue management education still goes in paper pen mode.

 

According to MBA entrance prep experts, XAT examination is considered to be somewhat tougher than CAT. Some candidates who scored in high 90s in CAT were not able to score as well in XAT. However if you prepare well in advance, you can score in XAT as well as you score in CAT. XLRI is proud of legacy of conducting XAT and its well established testing pattern which allows every candidate equal opportunity to compete in a single session.

 

The thought behind keeping  XAT based on paper pencil mode, according to XLRI admission chair  is to ensure that all the candidates from varying backgrounds are at par. Those who come from privileged background or having worked in IT sector have familiarity of operating computers; they may get advantage over others who do not have access to computers. The paper-pen mode also aims to test all the candidates on exactly the same set of questions, and not on different sets.

 

 XAT scores will be used by 133 B schools apart from XLRI as the criteria for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes for 2015-17 batch.

 

Composition of XAT 2015

 

XAT 2015, to be conducted on January 4, 2015 will be divided in two parts

 

Part-1 will have four sections in Multiple choice questions(MCQs) format

 

1.Verbal and Logical Ability

 

2. Decision Making

 

3. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

 

4. General Knowledge.

 

The marks of General Knowledge will not be used for determining the percentile and cut off at first stage of selection. However it is used by XLRI and some other Associate Member Institutes at the time of final selection

 

Part-2

 

The second part in XAT 2015 will be the test on writing ability. Aspirants will be asked to write an essay on a given topic. Candidates having been tested on objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) will also be tested on real life driven written communication skill based on wider perspective on important issues of our times. The candidates in XAT are tested on both the counts. Their performance in essay writing will also form the base of their final section round.

 

XAT 2015; time duration-overall as well as sectional

 

XAT 2015 will be a 3 hours test to be held on January 4, 2015. The test will be conducted in 47 cities across India in a single session beginning from 10.30 AM to 1.30 PM with no break in between.

 

The candidates will not have any break in between except for the fact that Objective MCQ part will be over in 150 minutes and next 30 minutes will be allotted for essay writing part.  

 

XAT 2015 test takers will be expected to complete the first 3 sections of the first part of the MCQ exam namely Verbal and Logical Ability; Decision Making; Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation in 140 minutes while questions in General Knowledge section will have to be attempted in 10 minutes only. 30 minutes will separately be allotted for essay writing test.

 

Switching among the sections; be careful about sectional cut offs

 

XAT 2015 will not restrict the test takers from moving to one or other sections within the overall allotted time. However, aspirants are advised not to spend too much time only on one section since all the sections will have the respective cut off percentile.

 

Number of expected questions in sections

 

XAT 2015 is expected to have questions in the range of 101 to 105. The sectional division could be – Verbal Ability & logical Reasoning-28-30; Decision making-23-25; Quantitative Ability & Data interpretation-30 to 33 questions.  General Knowledge is expected to have 20 questions on conventional type and current affairs.

 

No varying marking system expected

 

All the questions in XAT 2015 are expected to carry equal marks. Prior to 2013 XAT used to carry varying marking system from 1.5 to 5 marks per question. The system got stabilized in 2013 and continued in 2014 also. XAT 2015 is also expected to follow the same pattern

 

Negative marking

 

one fourth of a mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer in XAT 2015. So please be careful while marking your answer choice on the OMR sheet.

 

How to mark your answers

 

Please read the instructions carefully before proceeding to mark your answer choice on OMR sheet in XAT 2015.  In our speed of solving the questions, picking and marking the answer options, sometimes we skip the correct numbered bubble and mark out answers in some other column. This inadvertently made mistake, results in a chain of followed wrong answers and the entire preparation, hard work goes futile.

 

Ensure the following in XAT 2015

 

• OMR sheet requires your identification data. So fill in the information required on the answer sheet. Please remember your test may not be evaluated if the required details are not entered on the answer sheet.

 

• Each question in XAT 2015 will have five alternatives. Answer each question by darkening the appropriate bubble against the question number on the answer sheet. For example if your answer to question number 1 is 'B', darken fully the circle B' against question 1.

 

• Use only BLUE OR BLACK BALL-POINT PEN for marking answers on the OMR answer sheet in XAT 2015. Please do not use gel pens or ink pens   

 

Related link

 

XAT 2015: How different will it be from CAT 2014?

 

XAT 2015: 7 Steps of Registration; fill up the information with patience

 

XAT 2015 to assess multidimensional capability: XLRI Admission Chair

 

XAT 2015 exam date: notification out, exam on January 4

 

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates and prep tips on XAT 2015