Xavier Aptitude Test, popularly known as XAT, is one of the top MBA entrance tests in India, and is a mandatory exam for XLRI Jamshedpur. As XAT is different from other exams like CAT, and also considered a more difficult paper, MBAUniverse.com reached out to XAT 2023 convener Professor Vishwa Ballabh to clarify on some popular “myths”.
Professor Vishwa Ballabh is a Faculty at XLRI Jamshedpur and held the responsibility of XAT Convenor for many previous years. Read the edited excerpts from the Interview for compete understand of XAT exam and XAT 2023 plans.
Q: Congratulations for your appointment as the XAT 2023 Convener. What are your priorities?
A: My priority will be that every MBA/ PGDM aspirants should know about the XAT exam, and why they should appear in the XAT. They should also know what are the options available once they appear in XAT other than the XLRI programs.
Q: So, what makes XAT a unique exam?
A: The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is a national-level aptitude test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of XAMI. It is one of the oldest and the second largest exam for MBA/PGDM admissions. The XAT exam will be conducted in 80+ cities across India. The scores of the XAT will be valid for admissions at XLRI Jamshedpur and other Xavier Associate Management Institutes. XLRI is the oldest and most prestigious management institute in India and other institutions bench mark themselves on the standard set by XLRI.
Further, it contains a unique section called Decision Making which makes aspirants feel that they are actually preparing for a managerial career. Decision Making section in XAT is designed to examine the ability of candidate to see issues from variety of perspective and make appropriate choices. I think every MBA/ PGDM aspirant should appear for the XAT test and experience it. To the best of my knowledge such type of questions are not in any other entrance test.
So, irrespective of the institution you choose to study for your management, we believe that it will help you prepare for management education. In addition to XLRI, XAT also opens opportunity to study at other top management institutions.
Finally, sometimes candidates have bad day, and they may lose whole year. It is therefore advisable to appear in multiple tests.
Q: Which XLRI Programs Accept XAT Score?
A: XLRI Programmes which accept XAT scores, include Business Management Programme (BM); Human Resource Management Programme (HRM); General Management Programme (GMP); Fellow Programme in Management (FPM); XLRI-Rutgers Double Masters Programme
Q: Apart from XLRI, which are the other top B-schools accepting XAT 2023?
A: Apart from XLRI, almost all leading non-IIM B-schools including MICA, XIM Bhubaneswar, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI New Delhi, TAPMI, GIM Goa, IRMA, Fore School of Management New Delhi accept XAT score. In total there are more than 160 B-schools that accept XAT score for admission.
Q: XLRI conducts XAT on behalf of XAMI. Please tell us what is XAMI?
A: XAMI stands for ‘Xavier Association of Management Institutes’. XAMI has 11 member institutes that include Xavier School of Management (XLRI) Jamshedpur, Xavier Institute of Management (XIM) Xavier University Bhubaneswar, Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME) Bangalore, Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) Chennai, ST. Francis Institute of Management and Research (SFIMR) Mumbai, Xavier Institute of Management & Research (XIMR) Mumbai, St. Joseph’s Institute of Management Bangalore, Xavier Institute of Development Action and Sciences (XIDAS) Jabalpur, St. Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology Mangalore, Xavier Business School (XBS) St. Xavier’s University Kolkata, Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) Ranchi, Quinlan School of Business Loyola University Chicago.
Q: XAT is considered a Difficult Exam. Is it true? Please share the rationale behind it
A: XAT is difficult is a myth. Our intension is not in making paper difficult but make it more robust and discriminatory. We conduct XAT almost two months after the CAT test and it provides lot of opportunity for the candidate to prepare. In the process some questions may be difficult and only top candidates may be able to work it out given the time limitations. The candidate should be selective and do not attempt to answer all the questions. My suggestion to candidates will be that they should not make attempt to solve all the question. This requires a decision by the candidate. However, since this is a general perception, we have put it before examination committee, and I am sure the issue will be addressed.
Q: Coming to XAT 2023, what are the important details and key dates?
A: XAT 2023 registration has begun from August 10, 2022. It has been notified online through different medium. At present the last date to apply for XAT exam is November 30, 2022. XAT 2023 exam will take place on January 8, 2023.
Q: Is there any change in XAT 2023 Registration Fee or Process?
A: XAT 2023 registration fee has slightly increased to Rs 2000/. But application fee for every course programme of XLRI has been reduced from Rs.300 to Rs 200.
Q: Are there some changes expected in XAT 2023 Exam Pattern?
A: We don’t intend to change the pattern of the paper, or number of questions or duration but make it more discriminatory and robust. XAT examination will be almost like the previous years and will comprise of Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation and General Knowledge. The number of questions in XAT varies year to year. There will be approximately 22-30 questions in each section and total number of questions will not exceed 100-105 including General Knowledge. However, General Knowledge will not be used to determine the cutoff and will be used only during the interview stage.
Q: What is your message for XLRI aspirants and potential XAT exam takers?
A: First, I would like to wish every MBA/ PGDM aspirant very best and wish them to realise their dream to study management education in top Institutions like XLRI.
Since exam is on January 8, 2023, at this stage I would suggest them to study and practice regularly, discuss and debate the solutions. Read newspaper and have an hour or so of physical exercises.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on XAT 2023
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