XAT 2020 Analysis: Tough Decision Making, Quant Moderate

The XAT 2020 got over at 12.30 PM on Sunday, January 5, 2020 with many substantial changes introduced in the exam like NAT questions. This year the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) began at 9.30 AM with a time duration of 3 hours instead of earlier three and half hours as a computer based test. 

XAT 2020 has been reported a bit more difficult exam with tricky Decision Making and it is expected that XAT cut offs may remain low in view of the difficulty level of the exam.

XAT 2020 was the third computer based test conducted by XLRI in the history of 60 years of conducting XAT. Although the technical glitches were minimal in the third computer based XAT, a bit of problems were reported at some of the centres which were overcome promptly.

XAT Percentile Predictor 2020

XAT 2020 was conducted in 47 test cities in India and did not have any test city abroad. Earlier the exam was conducted in 49 test cities including 2 test cities abroad.

While there was no surprise element in the test structure of XAT 2020 Exam, it had number of changes as compared to last year.

Quick XAT 2020 Exam Analysis:

• Total questions increased to 100 from 99 last year
• No Essay Writing test
• NAT Questions without negative marking introduced
• Decision Making section remains tricky
• Quant section is of moderate difficulty
• Many Candidates could attempt less than 50% questions
• Test timing changed - 9.30AM to 12.30PM from 10AM to 1 PM last year
• All questions were of MCQ type
• GK section not counted for percentile calculation
• Negative Marking of 25%.
• RC passages rated moderate
• Visually impaired candidates with scribe were given additional 25 minutes only for Part 1 of XAT.
• Marks for every correct answer : 1
• No Negative marking for General Knowledge section in part-2
• All the MCQ type questions had five options with one correct option
• Expected XLRI cut off to remain 33-35 marks

XAT 2020 Pattern: Exam Divided in Two Parts
XAT 2020 was divided in two parts. The 3 sections in Part one are counted for percentile calculation to prepare the merit list while the score in GK in part two is kept out of preparing the merit list:

Candidate were allowed to go to Part 2 in XAT 2020 after completing the time duration of 165 minutes in Part 1

No Negative Marking Questions in XAT 2020 

Few questions without negative marking were introduced in XAT 2020 in each section. This will provide level playing field for the candidates who are weak in one section and strong in other section as they need not fear the penalty of negative marking in the exam. Last year XLRI proposed to introduce these type of NAT questions but could not do it. This year the same has been introduced. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type (NAT) question was to enter a numerical answer by making use of virtual numeric keypad that appeared below the question. Step-wise procedure to answer the question was as under:

• To enter a numerical answer, candidate had to use the virtual numeric keypad that appeared below the question
• A fractional number in the decimal notation (e.g. -0.3 or -.3) could be entered as an answer with or without '0' before the decimal point.
• To clear the answer, click on the Clear Response button was required.

XAT 2020 Sectional Analysis
Part-1 in XAT 2020 had 75 questions divided in three sections which included MCQs. Here is Section wiseXAT 2020 Exam Analysis:

1. Verbal and Logical Ability

• Total Questions: 26
• 4 RC Passages of about 300 words followed by total 14 Questions
• 1 poem of moderate difficulty level
• Most of the questions were inferential
• 12 Questions in Verbal Ability included Antonyms, parajumbles, Critical Reasoning
• Section difficulty was moderate

Good Attempts

• 17-19 questions in this section could be attempted in one hour with 80-85 percent accuracy.
• Sectional cut offs are expected to be 10-11 Marks

2. Decision Making

• Total Questions: 21
• DM question sets were on various business related problems
• Questions were more difficult than last year
• No question was quant based 
• DM Section had 7 sets of 3 questions each
• Some Problem sets were short and easy to read while some questions were ambiguous

Good Attempts & Sectional Cut off

• 15-16 questions could be attempted in 50-55 minutes with 80-85 percent accuracy
• Cut off to remain 7-8 marks

3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

• Total Questions: 28
• More questions on Arithmetic (7 Questions)
• 22 Questions were on Quant
• 6 Questions were on Data Interpretation
• 2 DI sets in the section with 3 questions each
• Section difficulty level was moderate but was more difficult than last year
• 20 Quant questions were standalone questions
• 2 questions were in the form of a set on Venn Diagrams
• Out of 6 Questions on Geometry 3 were difficult

Good Attempts & Sectional Cut Offs

• 18-19 questions with 80 percent accuracy could be attempted in less than one hour.
• Sectional cut off is expected to remain 10-12 marks

Part-2: General Knowledge

• Total Questions 25
• No Break between part I & II was given
• GK questions were on moderate difficulty side
• Many questions in the section were from latest GK topic published by MBAUniverse.com
• Questions were framed on Budget sessions, History, Merger-Acquisition

Sectional Composition

Overall analysis

• XAT 2020 exam paper was on moderate to difficult side
• Decision Making to remain turning point in merit calculation.
• Many questions in Decision Making were found more difficult
• Overall Cut off levels to remain 33-35 marks for XLRI

XAT Analysis: Previous XAT Exams

XAT 2019 Analysis: Moderate Quant, Tricky Decision Making to Keep the Cut offs Low
Here is XAT 2019 Analysis! The XAT 2019 got over at 1 PM on Sunday, January 6, 2019 with many substantial changes introduced for the first time in the exam. NAT questions were introduced for the first time in XAT.

This year the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) began at 10 AM with a time duration of 3 hours instead of earlier three and half hours as a computer based test.  

XAT 2019 has been reported a bit more difficult exam and it is expected that XAT cut offs may go down in view of the difficulty level of the exam.

XAT Percentile Predictor 2020

XAT 2019 was the second computer based test conducted by XLRI in the history of 60 years of conducting XAT. Although the technical glitches were minimal in the second computer based XAT, a bit of problems were reported at some of the centres which were overcome promptly.

XAT 2019 was conducted in 47 test cities in India and did not have any test city abroad. Earlier the exam was conducted in 49 test cities including 2 test cities abroad.

While there was no surprise element in the test structure of XAT 2019 Exam, it had number of changes as compared to last year.

XAT 2019 Pattern: Exam Divided in Two Parts

XAT 2019 was divided in two parts. The 3 sections in Part one are counted for percentile calculation to prepare the merit list while the score in GK in part two is kept out of preparing the merit list:

Candidate were allowed to go to Part 2 in XAT 2019 after completing the time duration of 165 minutes in Part 1

Key Changes in XAT 2019
XAT Exam Analysis 2019 reveals the following key changes in the XAT exam pattern:

• For the first time in XAT, NAT questions were introduced
• XAT 2019 Exam was of 3 hours duration instead of 3½ hours
• Visually impaired candidates with scribe were given additional 25 minutes only for Part 1 of XAT.
• Exam Timing: 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM on January 6, 2019
• The Total Number of Questions for the Exam were 99 (74 + 25) instead of 100
• Marks for every correct answer : 1
• Negative marking for every wrong answer : 0.25
• Negative marking for every unattempted question beyond 8 unattempted questions : 0.10
• No Negative marking for General Knowledge section in part-2
• All the MCQ type questions had five options with one correct option
• No Essay Writing Test in XAT 2019

NAT Questions in XAT 2019 

As if the difficulty level in XAT was not enough, a new type of Numerical Answer Type Question (NAT Questions) has been introduced for the first time in XAT 2019. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type (NAT) question was to enter a numerical answer by making use of virtual numeric keypad that appeared below the question. Step-wise procedure to answer the question was as under:

• To enter a numerical answer, candidate had to use the virtual numeric keypad that appeared below the question
• A fractional number in the decimal notation (e.g. -0.3 or -.3) could be entered as an answer with or without '0' before the decimal point.
• To clear the answer, click on the Clear Response button was required.

However, candidates have reported that despite announcing the introduction of NAT questions in XAT 2019, XLRI has refrained from placing them in the exam this year. 

XAT 2019 Sectional Analysis
Part-1 in XAT 2019 had 74 questions divided in three sections which included MCQs and did not have NAT questions although XLRI had announced to introduce such type of questions this year. Here is Section wise XAT 2019 Exam Analysis:

1. Verbal and Logical Ability

• Total Questions: 26
• 4 RC Passages followed by 3 Questions each
• 1 piece of Poetry followed by 2 questions
• Questions in Verbal included Antonyms, parajumbles, Critical Reasoning
• Section difficulty was moderate to tough
• RC passages were on Creativity, Mood Disorder
• No NAT questions was in this section

2. Decision Making

• Total Questions: 21
• Decision Making problems repeated from last year with different options. 1-2 questions were exactly same
• DM question sets were on Human Resource Management, Starting a Franchise and others
• Questions were moderate to difficult

3. Quantitative:

• Total Questions: 27
• More questions on Arithmetic
• 2 DI sets in the section with 3 questions each
• Section difficulty level was moderate to tough

Part-2: General Knowledge

• Total Questions 25
• GK questions were on higher difficulty side
• 1 Question HUL Merger with GSKCH India from latest GK topic published by MBAUniverse.com
• Questions were framed on Budget sessions, History, Merger-Acquisition

Few GK Questions

• Who acquired  Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Healthcare
• Which of the following is not the part of VIACOM 18
• Highest import to India
• Giga fibre to be launched by which company
• Who is the SBI Chairman
• What are the names of Parliament Budget Sessions
• Name of Liquid for dissolving Gold
• Name of Rajasthan Snake Dance 

Overall analysis

• XAT 2019 exam paper was on moderate to difficult
• Many questions in Decision Making were repeated on last year’s pattern
• Overall Cut off levels to go down or to remain same as that of last year

XAT 2019 Exam Analysis 2019 will be published by MBAUniverse.com immediately after the XAT 2019 exam is over on January 6, 2019. The XAT exam analysis will reflect the XAT exam pattern, key changes in XAT 2019 and ideal attempts to improve your scores. Since last year XAT has changed its exam pattern by switching over to computer based test from paper based test and has also changed number of questions, the XAT analysis 2019 will highlight such changes and the difficulty level in XAT 2019 exam. It is expected that the  XAT exam analysis 2019 will see a changed difficulty level and twisted type of questions among other things in XAT exam.

Alongwith the XAT Exam 2019 Analysis , the cut offs based on XAT Percentile Vs Marks from experts will also be published. Besides, the XAT paper analysis by Career Launcher and other prominent XAT coaching centres will be published.

For the first time in 2018 Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) was conducted in Online Mode in 314 centres across 49 cities including Dubai and Kathmandu on 7th January, 2018. The XAT analysis revealed that at 2 centres the exam couldn’t be conducted due to server related technical issues. As such Re-examination was conducted at these centres for the affected students.

XAT Analysis last 3 years

XAT Exam Analysis 2018
XAT 2018 exam had 100 questions divided in 5 sections. Out of 92000 candidates who registered for XAT 2018, around 85000 appeared in XAT 2018 held on January 7, 2018 from 10AM to 1.35PM.  XAT 2018 remained a bit difficult exam but has been rated moderate overall and almost at the same level as last year. Students have found XAT 2018 a bit more lengthy but not a very difficult exam except that the questions in Decision Making section were rated more difficult.

XAT Paper Analysis revealed that XAT 2018 was the first online computer based test and as such it also faced some technical glitches. Official Spokesperson of XLRI – Xavier School of Management said on this issue, ‘This year, for the first time Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) was conducted in Online Mode in 314 centres across 49 cities including Dubai and Kathmandu on 7th January, 2018. However, at 2 centres due to server related technical issues, the exam couldn’t be conducted. Re-examination will be conducted at these centres for the affected students. The new date will be will be announced very soon and communicated to the affected students.’ 

XAT 2018 Exam Difficulty level & topic overview

• Overall, XAT 2018 was a moderately difficult exam
• Quant section had 27 questions and was easier compared to last year papers
• Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning had 26 questions and was slightly more difficult. There was only 1 set of question on logical reasoning.
• Decision Making section had 21 questions and was trickier than other two sections and was time consuming.
• GK Section had 25 questions. Almost 50% of questions were based on Current Affairs.
• Essay Topic was on Ethics and Sustainability. Total limit was 200 words.
• XAT 2018 XLRI Cut offs is expected to be 33-35​

Technical glitches were also reported from some of the XAT centres as XAT 2018 was the first online XAT exam. At some centres exam started late and at at few other centres test could not get over in time. After sorting out the technical issues, time loss was also compensated and candidates did not suffer due to any technical problem. 

• XAT Analysis: Technical glitches reported, Gurgaon exam rescheduled; Moderately difficult paper

• XAT Analysis: Tricky Decision Making, difficult Verbal to keep cut offs low; 1st CBT faces technical issues

The test was divided into two parts. The first part was the usual XAT paper which had questions divided into three sections Verbal Ability and Logical , Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. As stated by the XAT authorities earlier, the total time allotted for attempting these questions was 170 minutes.

The second part consisted of General Awareness questions and a mandatory Essay Writing Section. The total time allotted to this section was 40 minutes.

The Verbal and Logical Ability Section had 26 questions, 2 more than last year. The section on Decision Making comprised 21 questions and the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section had 27 questions. Each question had 5 options and all the questions carried equal marks. There was a penalty of one-fourth marks allotted for every incorrect answer. Also, as mentioned earlier, there was a penalty of 0.05 marks for every un-attempted question after the first 8 such questions. The paper, though slightly easier, was still quite challenging.

Exam Pattern

Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning:

Verbal ability and Logical Reasoning was tough. The section was dominated by Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. The 2 para jumble questions were easy and so was the lone grammar question. The FIB questions were difficult and some of the CR questions were really difficult. The vague reasoning used in some RC questions made life difficult for the candidates. The RC passages were from familiar areas of Philosophy and Logic.

A serious candidate could have attempted 17-19 questions with 70% accuracy. It was definitely time consuming and a student could have taken around 50-55 minutes for the section.

The breakup was as follows:

Decision Making and Analytical Reasoning
The level of the Decision Making was slightly easier as compared to last year. There were no singlets and it made the task of reading easier. The length of the caselets was shorter than usual. Hence, the paper seemed to be easier. Situational decision making dominated the section with 18 questions. There were only three questions from Mathematical/Analytical Reasoning. This set on trains and stations was easier than the poor-sabzi set of last year. There were 5 caselets with 3 questions each and 3 caselets with 2 questions each.

The breakup was as follows:

Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation:
The section on Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation was slightly easier than last year’s. However, one of the DI sets was slightly tricky. There were 17 questions of QA and most of them were from Geometry and Algebra.  Majority of the questions from Arithmetic were doable whereas the questions on Geometry were difficult in nature. There were two caselet questions based on sports.

In Data Interpretation, there were 2 sets comprising 8 questions in total. There were a few questions which were a little ambiguous.There were 2 DS questions which were slightly complex as well.

In a nutshell, one could have attempted 4-6 DI questions and 14-16 Quant questions inabout 65-70 minutes.

The break-up was as follows:

Essay Writing
The essay topic was : Ethical Practices and Sustainability: Do they co-exist?

The topic was from a familiar area. The question of profit vs. moral values has assumed a tremendous significance in the recent days. So, the student was supposed to be ready with the topic. It was definitely expected

Cut offs by CL

XAT Analysis 2017
XAT 2017 was held on January 8, 2017. XAT this year was not a very difficult exam as compared to last year exam. As promised by XLRI significant changes were brought about this year in the XAT exam. 72 questions in Part – I of XAT 2017 were not so difficult as that of last year. Your low score of 33 could lead you to XLRI-BM and score of 31 could lead you to XLRI-HR. You can  Check your XAT 2018 percentile 

XAT 2017 was divided in 3 sections of Verbal & Logical Ability with 24 questions, Decision Making with 21 questions and Quant & DI with 27 questions. The first section of Verbal and Logical Ability had high difficulty level although questions in Decision Making and Quant sections were a bit moderate.

XAT 2017 exam began on time at 10 AM and was over at 1.30 PM. The 72 questions in the first part of the exam had to be solved in 170 minutes and the Part-2 of the exam comprising GK and Essay Writing had to be attempted in 35 minutes. Negative marking of one fourth mark for wrong answer was applied while a penalty of 0.05 mark per question was applied in case the test taker left more than 12 questions unattempted.

The composition of the questions in XAT 2017 was more or less same as predicted by MBAUniverse.com earlier. Number of questions placed in XAT 2017 were also from forgotten topics.  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 trends and didn’t appear earlier, appeared in XAT 2017 marking their presence in various sections.

Those who could attempt around 15 questions with accuracy in each of the 3 sections can expect a call from XLRI and other top rated B-schools like SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB among others.

Sectional division of questions & good attempts

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 55 to 60 questions with not more than 6-7 incorrect may expect a call from leading B schools like XLRI, XIME.

XAT 2017 is the gateway to top rated B schools and it is a good opportunity for those who expect not so high percentile in CAT 2016 to improve their percentile and explore admission possibility in XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB, LIBA, TAPMI and other more than 100 B schools.