How’z XAT? - Sanmeet Sidhu

XAT is the test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission to its Management Programs. The score is also accepted by over 40 other B-schools to select the most appropriate students for the programmes in management that they offer. (For complete list, click here)
The test is conducted in the first week of January, which translates this year into 4th Jan,’09 (XAT 2009).

XAT 2008 was configured into three sections
(a) Verbal & Logical Ability consisting of 38 questions
(b) Analytical Reasoning & Decision Making with 38 questions
(c) Data Interpretation & Quantitative Ability comprising 44 questions.

Each question was followed by five options and the total time for these multiple choice questions was 120 minutes, post which 20 minutes were allocated for an essay writing task. The pattern of negative marking was progressive and entailed a deduction of 1/4th of a mark for the first six incorrect responses in each section, whereafter it increased to ½ of a mark.

The “Verbal & Logical Ability” section was marked by a streak of critical reasoning, which was evaluated through 20 questions across 4 RC passages and 10 questions across 5 caselets. The RC passages were mainly on abstract topics like the concept of Karma, the transcendent function in psychology etc and warranted utmost concentration levels, while the questions on caselets were relatively easier. Apart from these, there were 8 questions on filling up blanks and para jumbles, which stringently tested contextual verbal usage and were difficult to crack. The overall cut-off in this section would have been close to 10 and 15+ would have been labeled as good performance.

The “Analytical Reasoning & Decision Making” section had a mix of questions on puzzles (28 questions) and caselets (10 questions) - while the puzzles tested the students’ analytical reasoning, the caselets tested their decision making skills and ability to critically analyze diverse situations. Questions in this section were of moderate difficulty and required flowcharting and analysis. Cut-off for this section would have been around 9, while 14+ would have been a good score.

The “Data Interpretation & Quantitative Ability” section was markedly difficult with an abysmally low cut-off (around 7 marks). Questions in discrete mathematics were largely sourced from Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry, while questions on higher mathematics were virtually non existent (unlike XAT 05 and 06). DI questions (total 12) were based on tables (2 sets) and line graphs (2 sets); while the questions on tables involved intricate calculations, the ones on line charts were relatively easier. Apart from these, there were two questions on data sufficiency of moderate difficulty level.

The overall cut-off for XAT 2008 would have been around 40+ for XLRI (BM course), 35+ for XLRI (PMIR course), 32+ for XIM and 30+ for GIM.

Distinguishing components and variance from CAT

• XAT has been historically stiffer on the element of logic and decision making with a striking dominance of caselets and puzzles. The difficulty level matches (at a level even excels) that of the CAT.
  

  A few factual/topical issues that formed XAT essay topics in earlier years Gender Imbalance Economic Growth and Environmental Damage Abundance of talent but scarcity of innovation in India Population: A problem or opportunity for India? Indian Economy in post-WTO era Growth without Distributive Justice – Implications for Society

• The essay writing part of XAT is a significant differentiator from the CAT. Twenty minutes are allocated for writing an essay after two hours of the main test. Topics have ranged from factual issues (2008 - The consequence of gender imbalance – the third world war) to abstract ideas (2000 – Ships are safer in the docks, but that is not what they are meant for!) and have been very unpredictable.

The essay is evaluated during the second stage of the selection process.

The XAT is a difficult test and should be treated with the same respect and preparedness levels as the CAT. Students are advised to brush up on Quantitative and Verbal areas through rigorous practice and get into the test taking mode (which typically asymptotes post CAT!). Students should also be aware of and equipped with information on current affairs, which can be useful for the essay writing segment, though the topics have swayed between factual and abstract from one year to the other.