XAT 2015 will have a separate section of Essay Writing of 30 minutes out of the total allotted time limit of 3 hours to solve the entire test paper. Awarding a separate subjective section of half an hour duration in an objective type MCQ test is in itself reflects the importance and weightage in the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2015, gateway to the MBA/PGDM batch 2015-17 in XLRI, SPJIMR, XIMB, IMT, XISS, LIBA, TAPMI, Great Lakes and many more top rated B schools.
XAT 2015 will be a paper pen based 3 hours duration test to be conducted by XLRI on January 4, 2015. The exam will provide admission opportunity in top B schools of India like XLRI, XIMB, SPJIMR, IMT, LIBA, TAPMI. More than 120 B schools are associated to XAT 2015 and will short list the candidates on the basis of XAT 2015 scores.
Importance of Essay Writing Test in XAT 2015
Essay Writing will play an important role in XAT 2015. A lot depends on it in finalising the admission to the desired Management College in and after getting shortlisted. Emphasising the importance of Essay writing test in XAT 2015, Prof Munish Thakur, Admission chairperson XLRI Jamshedpur and Convener XAT 2015 says “Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) aims to assess multidimensional capability of aspirants in XAT 2015. Essay writing will also be accounted for calculation of Percentile. Test takers may be very good at attempting objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) but may not have real life driven written communication skill, or a wider perspective on important issues of our times, which is a basic requirement. The candidates in XAT are tested on both the counts and would then be shortlisted based on their performance in essay writing as well.”
Weightage of Essay Writing in XAT 2015
According to Prof. S.K. Agarwal, Verbal Ability Expert and mentor on XAT preparation ‘XAT awards great importance to the writing ability of future managers and accordingly place high weightage to this test’. Although the percentile is based on MCQ test in XAT, total marks can not be awarded without obtaining marks in Essay Writing Test. Its weightage becomes more prominent in final admission round.
Essay Writing section is of 30 minutes duration and does not figure in calculation of percentile at the initial stage but is very important part of shortlisting criteria in XLRI for admission 2015. XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai; XIM Bhubaneshwar; IMT Ghaziabad; TAPMI; LIBA Chennai and other coveted B schools are very particular on taking into account the obtained scores of Essay Writing in XAT.
Evaluation of Essay Writing in XAT
Essay Writing in XAT is a 30 minutes’ test. Final selection depends on it and if written with a clear and coherent flow of thought with rich contents, may get the candidate through the last round of admission procedure. Evaluation of essay in XAT is done after the candidate has qualified the MCQ test. The score and the thought expressed in essay then serve as a ground for the selection in B schools listed in XAT.
Expect the questions in PI
The crucial role, this essay writing plays, is the candidate’s ability to face the Board and answer the penetrating questions, based on whatever was expressed in the essay. The piece of advice is not to write anything superfluous or biased which is confusing and is difficult to explain.
XAT 2015 exam pattern
XAT 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.
How to deal with Essay Writing in XAT 2015
XAT 2015 Essay Writing test aims to search the right person who can express his thoughts well in a written form and who is well read and well informed about the various prevailing important national and international issues as well as their effects on businesses. It will definitely have its due impact on business managers. Besides it conveys whether the aspirant is free from biases and is able to understand the things without prejudice.
Key points to remember in Essay Writing
The 30 minute essay writing test means you should write a well worded essay of about 350-400 words. To achieve this goal you must have prepared well and practiced well keeping in mind the following points.
Outline the essay: Starting to write an essay without organized thoughts is nothing short of trying to build a house without a blueprint of design and foundation. The end product ends up a mess of disorganized and illogical thoughts and redundancies and irrelevant material. So give a few seconds to organize your thoughts before proceeding to write the essay.
Practice well before the exam: Writing is hard work for the new and experienced writer alike. With a lot of practice, you’ll eventually get to that more confident place, a place in which your writing really conveys your thoughts. Use simple and lucid sentences and paragraphs that really tell your reader everything that you meant to say.
Read more to become a good writer: Read something basic, not directly in your field of expertise. Most fields have journals that are considered very good in their field. Reading good literature in general is essential to re-training your brain to good English construction and style. Read articles and editorials in news paper, periodicals like India today, Economist, Reader’s Digest, Time, and Magazines of interest to you. Read well-written material regularly.
Know your reader – who is going to read your essay
When you write an essay in XAT, who you are writing for? Of course the reader is your XAT 2015 examiner. Do not write for yourself ignoring your overarching goal-writing for the reader, who happens to be the examiner. Later on, the writing piece may become a part of questions in Personal Interview.
The first paragraph: Hook your examiner
Before you start writing the essay in neat handwriting which is quite necessary, consider that your learned reader will have to examine number of essays, so you have to write in such a manner that would hook your reader in the first paragraph itself. Pour your knowledgeable ideas in a systematic way to maintain consistency and conclude it gracefully. It will serve you well.
Related Links
XLRI: Go get grab your Dream B School; XAT 2015 is round the corner
XAT 2015 Application form: Know the procedure to apply
XAT 2015 would be similar to XAT 2014 says Dr Munish Thakur, Convenor XAT
XAT 2015 exam date: notification out, exam on January 4
XAT 2015 to assess multidimensional capability: XLRI Admission Chair
XAT 2015: 7 Steps of Registration; fill up the information with patience
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates and tips on XAT 2015
