Last Updated on September 13, 2025
MBAUniverse.com News Desk
XAT 2023 Exam for admission to XLRI and 160 other top B-schools is scheduled on January 8, 2023. MBAUniverse.com is publishing a series of articles based on the responses from XAT 2023 Convener addressing the queries about XAT, in a detailed Video Interview. Following the two Articles which were published on XAT 2023 exam pattern and key changes, and key tips on XAT Decision Making section, this is the 3rd article dispelling the myths on GK and Essay sections
XAT 2023 exam date is January 8, 2023 and given its reputation, XAT exam gets a new make over every year. This year XAT will be held in the afternoon session from 2 PM to 5.10 PM instead of morning session. With only a few days left for the XAT exam, the Countdown to XAT 2023 has truly begun and XLRI Jamshedpur has released the list of 70+ XAT exam cities in India after recording a massive jump of 25% in the number of XAT registrations which have gone up at 98,242 applicants this year. The XAT 2023 Admit card has already been released on December 26, 2022. Check step by step process how to download XAT Admit card
With a view to bust myths about XAT exam and to address XAT aspirants’ several queries including the XAT difficulty level, exam pattern, importance of GK and Essay Writing Section in XAT, last minute tips, MBAUniverse.com reached out to Dr Vishwa Ballabh, Convener of XAT and XLRI Jamshedpur Admission Chair, who has addressed various queries of XAT aspirants in a detailed video interview. MBAUniverse.com is publishing a series of articles and videos to dispel the myths around XAT.
The first two articles published in the series were on XAT 2023 Exam Pattern and Difficulty level and the game changer Decision Making Section, here is the 3rd article on importance of GK and Essay Writing sections in XAT and their role in XLRI Admission process.
Out of the 100 MCQs making 4 XAT exam sections, 25 questions will be on General Awareness. All these GK questions will be without negative marking. Essay writing is an additional descriptive section. Dr Vishwa Ballabh has shared with MBAUniverse.com the why the GK and Essay Writing sections are important, why they are included and also shares key tips and his advice for XAT aspirants how to approach these sections
“GK in XAT plays important role in XLRI Admission” Tells XAT 2023 Convener
The Part-2 of XAT 2023 exam will be of 25 minutes duration. It will consist of GK and Essay Writing sections. The GK and Essay writing tests in XAT are not counted for percentile calculation but still they are important. General Awareness (GK) plays a very important role in final selection process of XLRI admission. XAT convener shared the salient points about the importance and role of GK Section in XAT and said, “If you do poorly in GK section, XLRI may not offer you admission”
GK Section in XAT: 5 Salient Points
Essay Writing Test in XAT: Important to Assess Your Writing Skill
The 5th section in XAT 2023 exam is Essay Writing Test. While Essay score is not counted for percentile calculation, it plays important role in final selection process of XLRI admission. Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, XAT convener said, “Essay writing test is meant to test your writing skills. Write your Essay in Maximum 300 Words.”
Importance of Essay Writing Section in XAT
Conducted by XLRI for the last 72 years, XAT is the mandatory entrance exam for XLRI admission. Apart from XLRI, XAT scores are also accepted by 160 B-schools including top MBA colleges like XIMB, MICA, IMI, IMT, IRMA, GIM Goa, Great Lakes among others.
Special Resources for XAT 2023 on MBAUniverse.com
To help you prepare well and get ready for D Day, MBAUniverse.com offers many resources. Some of them are:
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on XAT 2023