The XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur on behalf of Xavier Association of Management Institutes (XAMI). XAT is one of the most prestigious MBA entrance exams in India and is accepted by over 160 B-schools across the country for admission to various management programs. here is an article on xat exam pattern.
Sections:
The XAT exam consists of multiple sections designed to assess various skills and abilities.
Total Duration:
The total duration of the XAT exam may vary from year to year. In 2021, it was 180 minutes (3 hours).
Number of Questions:
the number of questions in the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) could vary from year to year. The total number of questions in the XAT exam generally ranged from 75 to 100 questions. These questions were divided among several sections, including Verbal and Logical Ability (VA & LR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI), and the General Knowledge (GK) section.
Please keep in mind that the exact number of questions and the distribution of questions among sections could change from one year to the next. Therefore, it’s essential to check the official XAT website or the latest information provided by the exam authorities for the most up-to-date details regarding the number of questions in the XAT exam for the year you plan to take the test.
Preparing for the XAT exam includes not only understanding the number of questions but also practicing with previous year’s question papers and taking mock tests to become familiar with the overall exam structure and distribution of questions among sections. This will help you manage your time effectively during the exam and perform to the best of your ability.
Sections:
a. Verbal and Logical Ability (VA & LR): This section assesses your English language skills, comprehension, and logical reasoning. It often includes questions on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and critical reasoning.
b. Decision Making (DM): This section evaluates your ability to make sound decisions in complex situations. It usually consists of scenario-based questions that test your ethical and logical decision-making skills.
c. Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): This section assesses your mathematical and data interpretation skills. Questions may cover topics like algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and data analysis.
d. General Knowledge (GK): The GK section assesses your awareness of current affairs, business, economics, politics, and other general knowledge topics. This section is primarily based on static GK and current events.
Marking Scheme:
the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) had a specific marking scheme. However, please note that the marking scheme for XAT may change from year to year, so it’s crucial to check the official XAT website or the latest information provided by the exam authorities for the most current details. That said, I can provide you with the general marking scheme that was in place for XAT as of 2021:
- Positive Marking: Typically, XAT awarded positive marks for correct answers. In most years, you would receive one mark for each correct answer. However, certain questions may have had different weightage, which would be mentioned in the exam instructions.
- Negative Marking: XAT usually had negative marking for incorrect answers. In most cases, there was a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer. This negative marking was designed to discourage random guessing.
- Unattempted Questions: There might not have been any penalty for leaving a question unanswered. Therefore, if you were unsure about an answer, it was sometimes better to leave it blank rather than risk losing marks due to negative marking.
- Essay Writing: The essay writing section in XAT was typically not assigned marks in the traditional sense. Instead, it was used for evaluating your writing skills and analytical thinking. Your performance in the essay writing section did not directly contribute to your overall percentile score.
Essay Writing:
XAT also includes an essay writing section. Candidates are required to write an essay on a given topic in this section. The essay is used to assess your writing skills and analytical thinking.
Mode of Examination:
the XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) was conducted in a computer-based mode, also known as an online mode. This means that candidates took the exam on a computer at designated test centers. The computer-based format allows for greater efficiency in conducting the exam and quicker result processing.
In the computer-based XAT exam:
- Test Centers: XAT exam centers are set up across various cities in India. Candidates are required to visit their designated test center to take the exam. The list of test centers is typically provided by XLRI when they release the official notification for the exam.
- Computer-Based Test: Candidates are provided with a computer terminal at the test center, and they interact with the exam interface on the computer screen. Questions are presented on the computer screen, and candidates select their answers by clicking on the options provided.
- Navigation: Candidates can navigate through the sections and questions using the computer mouse or keyboard. They can move forward, backward, and review or change their answers during the exam.
- Timer: The computer-based format usually includes a timer that displays the remaining time for each section. Candidates need to manage their time effectively to complete the exam within the allotted duration.
- Admit Card: Candidates must carry a printed copy of their XAT admit card, along with a valid photo ID, to the test center. The admit card contains important details such as the candidate’s registration number, exam center address, and reporting time.
XAT Exam Pattern FAQ
Both XAT and CAT are difficult exams but many students find XAT more difficult than the CAT exam due to two sections in the XAT question paper- the Decision-Making section and the Verbal secti
A good score in XAT 2024 is 40 and above. The XAT scores are transformed into percentile, and the percentiles are used for admission into top colleges.
The level of difficulty of QA was easy to moderate while DI was moderate. The overall level of difficulty of XAT 2023 is moderate with a good score of 35 marks.
