Updated on July 28, 2016
How did you fare in XAT 08 exam? Did you find any particular section tough? What are the likely cut-offs by sections?
Find out what MBA test prep expert from IMS Learning Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning and expert from Career Launcher had to say to aspirants on MBAUniverse.com chat on January 06.
Edited excerpts from Chat with IMS Learning expert
(January 6, 2008)
Renu: Hello sir, I am Renu from Delhi. How did you find the overall XAT 08 paper?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: Dear Renu, The overall paper seemed easier than the last year's paper. The number of questions dropped by 10 to 120. The Quant section was deemed to be difficult by many students though it had several easy questions.
Jaideep: How do you rate the Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making section in terms of difficulty?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: This section was not very difficult - in fact most students have felt that the Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation Section to be most difficult.
Charu: As you answer the above questions asked by Jaideep….please also rate the verbal and Logical Reasoning section.
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: Same goes for Verbal & LR Section. Not very difficult at all!!
Gopalakrishnan: Sir, can u tell me the probable cut offs for the sections?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: We are expecting the cut-offs like this:
Verbal & LR - 16+
Quant & DI - 14-16
Analytical Reasoning & Decision making - 14 – 16
Manu: What will be the cut off for XIMB and LIBA?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: XIMB & LIBA require more than 90%ile. Typically a score of around 35 for XIMB & a score of 32 for LIBA.
Syamali: How do you rate the difficulty level of Quant section out of 10…? I didn't do well at all…
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: Around 7. See, all tests would need have difficult questions to figure out who are the really deserving candidates. However, there were also several easy questions...
Amit: I am an average student and took XAT only this year. Please tell me which was the toughest section for an average student like me…..
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: For most students, the DI & Quantitative Ability tends to be the most difficult. However, it can be countered with relevant preparation. I suggest you do not give up try once again.
Geetika: I want to know which question will carry more weigtage? Is there any section that will have more weightages compared to other sections, if so then which one...
Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning: Dear Geetika, historically, most top institutions, including XLRI, have shown inclination towards students who have performed consistently across all sections. Sectional cut-offs differ in raw numbers and they are assigned on the basis of student performances. Therefore, they are a good representation of performance.
Edited excerpts from Chat with Career Launcher expert
(January 6, 2008)
Akhil: Dear sir, I performed well in objective part but not satisfied with my performance in essay writing. What will be considered more during the time of evaluation…I am worried, please answer.
Career Launcher: Hi, Only objective marks are considered for Interview-Calls & essay is considered at the time of Interview Of only XLRI.
Arun: Please guide on the negative marking as there is different negative marking for the questions.
Career Launcher: Yes, it is quite obvious from instructions that first 6 wrong answers in any section will be penalized @ -1/4 beyond that every wrong answer will carry a penalty @ -1/2.
Namita: Hi sir, as per your evaluation, which were the toughest and the easiest sections in XAT paper?
Career Launcher: Hi, Difficulty level is definitely a perception of individuals. I found English to be easiest and Analytical Reasoning + Decision Making comparatively difficult.
Maninie: I attempted my XAT today. I found at my test centre there were different sets in the paper. How many sets were there?
Career Launcher: Four sets
Rohan: There have been many exams held -----CAT, JMET, IIFT, SNAP etc. and now XAT is also held. If compared to CAT, how did you find the paper?
Career Launcher: Historically XAT always kept a different stand in its testing pattern which they continued...... (barring couple of years in 2004 & 2005)
