“XLRI has taken many strategic initiatives taken to grow XAT Registration Numbers this year; We expect to grow this year too!” XAT Convener Dr Rahul Shukla
XLRI Jamshedpur is going all out to sustain the momentum after tasting success with last year Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2024 which broke all records with a 40 percent increase in registration number. In an exclusive interaction with MBAUniverse.com, XAT 2025 Convener Dr Rahul Shukla shares all about the initiatives taken for XAT 2025, how it is growing and getting more popular among the aspirants and B-schools.
XLRI Jamshedpur is going all out to sustain the momentum after tasting success with last year Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) 2024 which broke all records with a 40 percent increase in registration number. In an exclusive interaction with MBAUniverse.com, XAT 2025 Convener and XLRI Admission Chair Dr Rahul Shukla shares all about the initiatives taken for XAT 2025, how it is growing and getting more popular among the aspirants and B-schools.
But before we share the initiatives taken by XAT convener to further make XAT the most popular MBA entrance exam, here is a quick primer on XAT Exam.
Conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur, XAT is the oldest MBA/PGDM entrance exam in the country with a history of more than seven decades. XAT 2025 will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Registration process is currently open. Last year XAT 2024 registrations broke all records by registering an increase of almost 40 percent! XAT 2024 registrations went up to 135,000, from 98,242 registrations in XAT 2023
It is no secret that popularity of any Entrance Exam is based on the quality and number of colleges which are accepting the said entrance exam scores for their admission process. While globally GMAT and GRE are popular entrance exams for MBA admissions, in India, CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam backed by 21 IIMs governed by the IIM Act passed by the Parliament and is conducted by older IIMs by rotation. Another MBA entrance exam, CMAT is a Government controlled exam conducted by NTA for admission to 1000 AICTE approved PGDM programs. In comparison, Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is the oldest MBA entrance exam conducted by XLRI, the oldest management institution and one of the top B-schools in India. Almost ever since it started in 1949, it is organizing its own entrance exam – XAT – for admission into PGDM program. In addition, 11 other “XAMI Members” including XIM Bhubaneshwar and LIBA, accept XAT scores. The competitive edge that XAT provides is as rigorous as CAT and GMAT.
Coming to XAT Convener Interview, let’s know the responses on key initiatives taken by XLRI Admission Chair & Faculty and XAT 2025 exam convener Dr Rahul Shukla as shared with MBAUniverse.com. Edited Excerpts from the Interview are shared below:
MBAUniverse: XAT is said to be a Smart Test for Smart Aspirants. How does the test reflect it?
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is renowned for being one of the most comprehensive and rigorous management entrance exams in India. XAT stands out as a smart test designed for smart aspirants as it has Holistic Assessment of Skills. XAT evaluates a wide spectrum of abilities essential for future business leaders. It doesn't just test quantitative and verbal skills but also emphasizes decision-making abilities, which are crucial in managerial roles.
Besides, XAT has a unique Decision-Making Section. The inclusion of a dedicated Decision Making (DM) section sets XAT apart from other entrance exams. This section assesses a candidate's ability to analyze situations and make sound decisions, reflecting real-world business challenges.
XAT lays Emphasis on Higher-Order Thinking and challenges aspirants to go beyond rote learning. The questions are designed to test higher-order thinking skills, requiring candidates to apply concepts and think critically under time constraints. The exam is aligned with Real-World Skills. The skills assessed in XAT closely mirror those needed in the dynamic business environment. By focusing on decision-making, logical reasoning, and analytical skills, XAT ensures that successful candidates are well-prepared for the complexities of management roles. For smart aspirants aiming for top management programs, performing well in XAT demonstrates a high level of aptitude and readiness for advanced studies. It serves as a benchmark for excellence in the pool of management entrance exams
In summary, XAT is a smart test because it comprehensively assesses the qualities that smart aspirants possess and need to succeed in the business world. Its rigorous and thoughtfully designed structure ensures that candidates are evaluated on all fronts, making it a true test of their potential as future leaders.
MBAUniverse: XAT 2025 has a changed Exam Pattern. Please share what has changed in XAT this year
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: XAT 2025 has optimized Exam Structure. With the recent reduction in exam duration to 180 minutes, XAT has become more efficient without compromising on its rigor. The test is now divided into two parts -Part 1 (170 Minutes) Covers Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI), Verbal and Logical Reasoning (VALR), and Decision Making (DM). This part evaluates analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and logical reasoning. Part 2 (10 Minutes) in XAT exam consists of General Knowledge (GK) with 20 questions, assessing a candidate's awareness of current affairs and general knowledge, which are vital for informed decision-making.
MBAUniverse: Please share what have been the registration trends so far
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The registration for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) opened on July 15, and we are pleased to observe an upward trend in the number of registrations compared to previous years. This positive momentum reflects the growing recognition of XAT as a premier management entrance exam among aspiring business leaders.
MBAUniverse: Last year XAT registration number shot up by 40%. Do you expect it to grow this year too
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: So far, the registration numbers have been encouraging, indicating increased interest from candidates across diverse academic backgrounds and regions.
MBAUniverse: Please share which are the key core competencies that are being examined through XAT?
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The changes in the XAT 2025 exam are designed to align with the following key core competencies:
- Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills: Assessing the ability to analyze complex situations and make sound decisions, which are crucial for managerial roles.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Evaluating numerical ability and mathematical skills necessary for problem-solving in business contexts.
- Verbal and Logical Reasoning: Testing language proficiency and logical thinking essential for effective communication and reasoning.
- Data Interpretation: Measuring the ability to interpret and analyze data accurately, vital for strategic planning and analysis.
- General Awareness: Gauging knowledge of current affairs and general knowledge to ensure candidates are well-informed about global and economic issues.
These competencies are essential for success in management and leadership positions, and the XAT exam aims to thoroughly assess these areas to select the most capable candidates.
MBAUniverse: XAT score accepting colleges have gone up. Please share how does it position the XAT Exam?
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: We are pleased to announce that the number of institutes accepting XAT scores has increased from 160 to over 250 this year. This growth reflects the expanding recognition of XAT as a premier assessment for management education. Our goal is to provide candidates with diverse opportunities to pursue their management aspirations.
MBAUniverse: Do you plan to increase the number of XAT test cities from last year? Please share
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: Yes, we are pleased to announce that we have increased the number of XAT test cities by 34 for XAT 2025. This expansion aims to make the exam more accessible to aspirants across the country. We are committed to making XAT accessible to candidates from all regions, and this expansion is a significant step towards that goal. We look forward to welcoming aspirants from these cities to participate in XAT 2025. Complete list of XAT cities is published on XAT website.
MBAUniverse: XAT is considered a bit more difficult MBA entrance exam by the test takers. Is it true?
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: While some test-takers perceive the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) as more challenging than other MBA entrance exams, it's important to understand the nature of the exam. XAT is not inherently more difficult; rather, it is designed differently to focus on specific skills. Many candidates have successfully aced XAT without formal coaching or extensive preparation. This is because the exam emphasizes analytical and critical thinking abilities over rote memorization or formula-based knowledge. XAT intentionally avoids questions that rely solely on formulas, aiming instead to assess a candidate's true aptitude and problem-solving skills.
The objective of XAT is to create an assessment that identifies individuals with strong reasoning capabilities and the potential to excel in management roles. By focusing on real-world thinking and analysis, XAT offers a fair opportunity for candidates who can think logically and critically.
In essence, XAT isn't about difficulty but about evaluating the core competencies that matter in the business world. With thoughtful engagement and a focus on honing analytical skills, candidates can perform well on the exam without viewing it as more difficult than other tests.
MBAUniverse: XAT 2025 no longer has Analytical Essay Writing Test (AEW). Please share the Reason behind dropping AEW from XAT
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) section has not been removed from XAT 2025; instead, it will be conducted during the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The key reason for this adjustment is that we evaluate essays only for candidates who are shortlisted for XLRI. Therefore, we want only those candidates to write the essay, ensuring the process is focused and efficient.
MBAUniverse: What is importance of GK in XAT as it is not counted for percentile calculation? Please share
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: In XAT 2025, the General Knowledge (GK) section has been adjusted to include 20 questions instead of the previous 25. This section now comprises 12 current affairs questions and 8 static general knowledge questions. The reduction of five questions is a minor change that aims to streamline the exam without impacting the assessment of candidates' general awareness. The number of questions remains sufficient to effectively evaluate the general knowledge competency of the participants.
MBAUniverse: What will be the total number of questions in revised pattern of XAT 2025 exam? Please share
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The XAT 2025 exam will consist of the following number of questions in each section: Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): Approximately 28 questions; Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR): Approximately 26 questions; Decision Making (DM): Approximately 21 questions; General Knowledge (GK): 20 questions. This distribution ensures a balanced assessment across all core competencies, allowing candidates to demonstrate their abilities in analytical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and general awareness.
MBAUniverse: What are the advantages of these changes? Please share
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: The recent changes introduced in XAT 2025 offer several advantages that enhance the exam's effectiveness and accessibility. By emphasizing analytical and critical thinking skills, the exam more accurately assesses candidates' true aptitude and problem-solving abilities, ensuring a stronger focus on core competencies. The streamlined exam structure—reducing the duration to 180 minutes with Part 1 lasting 170 minutes and Part 2 lasting 10 minutes—makes the test more efficient without compromising its rigor. Moving the Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) to the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds ensures that only shortlisted candidates write the essay, making the evaluation process more focused and efficient. Additionally, increasing the number of test cities by 34 improves accessibility, allowing more aspirants from different regions to participate. The adjustment of the General Knowledge section to 20 questions (12 current affairs and 8 static GK) maintains a thorough evaluation of general awareness while streamlining the exam. With the number of colleges accepting XAT scores rising from 160 to over 250, candidates now have more opportunities to pursue their management education. Collectively, these changes aim to make XAT a more candidate-friendly exam that effectively evaluates the essential skills required for future business leaders.
MBAUniverse: Are these changes in XAT are made for future exams also or they may be restored
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: Yes, these changes are made for future tests as well.
MBAUniverse: Your Message for XAT 2025 Aspirants
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: As the convenor of XAT 2025, I want to encourage all aspiring candidates as you prepare for this important step in your management career. XAT is a smart test designed for smart aspirants like you, focusing on assessing your analytical and critical thinking skills rather than rote knowledge. To succeed, I urge you to thoroughly review the XAT 2025 overview and understand how the topics can be applied from a practical perspective. Consistent practice is crucial—go through our previous years' papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and enhance your problem-solving abilities. Above all, do not lose hope; stay positive and keep believing in your abilities. Remember, if you believe you can, you will. Your determination and hard work are your greatest assets, and I wish you the very best in your preparation for XAT 2025.
MBAUniverse: As the XLRI Admission Chair, please share who is the preferred candidate for XLRI Admission
XAT Convener Dr Shukla: An ideal candidate for XLRI is someone who naturally aligns with the institute's ethos and aspirations. This individual upholds strong ethical principles and integrity in all their endeavors, driven by a genuine passion for excellence. They are socially conscious, sensitive to environmental and societal issues, and committed to making a positive impact. Embracing diversity, they foster inclusiveness and appreciate different perspectives. With a creative and innovative mindset, they are eager to explore new ideas and approaches. Their global outlook prepares them to lead in an interconnected world. They are dedicated to critical thinking and continuous learning, aiming to extend the boundaries of knowledge through relevant research. Ultimately, they aspire to grow into responsible leaders who contribute meaningfully to society and promote a sustainable future.
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