XAT 2014 Analysis: XAT paper comes up with surprise elements

Updated on January 6, 2014

XAT 2014 which was held on Sunday, January 5 had several surprise elements. This article provides you a quick analysis of the XAT 2014 exam paper.

XAT has placed a question on inferring the last sentence of paragraph which so far used to appear in CAT

XAT 2014, held on 5.1.2014 had surprise elements as MBAUniverse.com forewarned the aspirants to watch out for the same. The aspirants who paid heed to the suggestions and tips shared with them definitely did better in the test. Questions on number of forgotten topics with higher level of difficulty, increased number of passages, questions which had different trend and didn’t appear earlier, appeared in XAT 2014 marking their presence in Various sections. MBAUniverse.com learning team presents a quick analysis of the examination.

XAT had 103 questions in all to be solved in 160 minutes with additional 20 minutes for essay writing test. The MCQ test was divided in four sections namely A-Verbal and Logical Ability; B- Decision Making; C-Quantitative Aptitude and data Interpretation; and D- General Awareness. Another section was of essay writing. The first three sections had 83 questions and section D of General Awareness with 30 questions was of qualifying nature and would not count for percentile calculation. Second part of essay writing had to be attempted in 20 minutes.

Although the comprehensive paper pencil based test could be attempted with any question from any section, the fear of sectional cut off called for the time management and candidates had to attempt the questions from all the sections in a balanced manner. The test had the time duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes for first three sections with an additional time of 40 minutes for General awareness (20 minutes) and essay writing (20 minutes). Although the questions were moderate to difficult, a few of them flummoxed the aspirants well as the difficulty level was higher than XAT 2013.

In fact, it was the time which the candidates were trying to manage as more calculation intensive questions consumed a lot of time. Getting stuck to any of the questions meant slowing down and losing the opportunity of scoring more marks. As was advised earlier also, the concept to be followed in XAT is always ‘go on moving’ else one cannot complete the test.

Sectional division of questions

Verbal Ability and Logical Ability – 28 questions
Quantitative Ability and data interpretation – 31 questions
Decision making – 24 questions
General Awareness – 30 questions (wouldn’t count for percentile calculation)

Verbal & Logical Ability

Verbal Ability and Logical Ability had the prominence of questions on Reading comprehension passages. There were five short passages followed by 3 questions each making a total of 15 out of 28 questions. All the passages were of around 500 words. Hence, more than half of Verbal ability section was covered by Reading Comprehension. Passages were moderate to difficult and had rich literary language with penetrating questions. Those who studied the passages carefully were able to answer the questions more quickly as sufficient information was available in the passages.

Surprise element

XAT has placed a question on inferring the last sentence of paragraph which so far used to appear in CAT. There was a long blank to be filled in with the correct option to complete the last sentence of para.

Verbal Ability had questions based on core grammar concepts in the form of fill in the blanks on usage of verbs, subject verb agreement, appropriate words, synonyms, prepositions, articles. Questions were also framed to identify the parts of speech as used in the sentences like nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunction. MBAUniverse.com repeatedly suggested the aspirants to go through these topics.

There were two questions on Jumbled paragraphs in XAT 2014. The questions were easier than in CAT but more difficult than the ones appeared earlier in XAT. Each question had 4 small one/two line sentences to be formed in a coherent manner. Although the questions were tricky, aspirants could attempt the same with attentive reading.

Logical Ability had two questions on statements, premise, conclusions, and were doable with application of systematic logic. However, the questions had to be read with concentration.

Decision Making

24 questions on Decision Making were tricky as well as time consuming. A few of the questions had incomplete information which had to be inferred by the aspirants. Answers also had close options. But with attentive reading of the given information, correct answers could be opted. Those who attempted 12 to 15 in this section may be considered as having done well.

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation

This section was more difficult compared to earlier years. More time was required to solve the 31 questions in this section. Arithmetic, algebra, Probability, Geometry played an important role in formation of questions.

The section needed better time management as it needed more time to solve. Getting 18 onwards correct can be rated a good attempt to get the call from very good B school.

General Awareness

This section had 30 questions based on business, economics, finance, national and international current affairs, committees, appointments, books and authors and other conventional topics. MBAUniverse.com shared important GK questions on various topics and areas for the benefit of aspirants and most of the questions in the XAT 2014 were directly or indirectly related to such topics. Besides, candidates were advised to prepare the stuff on current affairs related only up to a fortnight before the test. Those who followed these guidelines did better in the test.

Essay Writing

Essay writing in XAT is the test of writing skill of an aspirant. This section needed a well worded essay on the abstract topic ‘Beautiful things are not to be touched but are felt’. Aspirants who prepared with MBAUniverse.com also brought innovation in writing by getting to the core of the topic- what in fact is beauty, it is not the outward beauty but the beauty of deeds that is felt like that of Mother Teresa, Anna Hazare, Mahatma Gandhi; not making it only skin deep.

The topic was not difficult and those who wrote after giving a thought to outline produced a better piece of writing in 20 minutes. Ideal size of essay would have been around 300-400 words. Essay in XAT plays important role in the final selection PI round as questions are based on it. MBAUniverse.com published model essays on contemporary issues as well as on abstract topics especially for the benefit of XAT takers.

Assessment

Overall examination was moderate to difficult and those who attempted the test with judicious time management may expect to get through with a high percentile. A fair attempt of 65 to 70 questions with not more than 6-7 incorrect may expect a call from leading B schools like XLRI, SPJIMR, XIME.

XAT 2014 Result:

XAT 2014 Result will be declared on Friday, January 31, 2014 on the XAT 2014 website. XAT 2014 candidates can check their XAT 2014 Result by visiting the XAT 2014 website.

On visiting the XAT 2014 website, one has to click on the tab Download XAT Score Card on the left side of the page. After clicking it, you can download your XAT 2014 Score Card and view your XAT 2014 Result. After logging in, you can download and print your XAT 2014 Result in the form of the score card

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