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Details of Exam Pattern and Preparation Tips for the XAT

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An annual exam is held by the Xavier School of Management (XLRI Jamshedpur) to select remarkable young minds who can pursue various MBA programs. The XAT is a national test used by the XLRI to identify the best candidates for management education from throughout the country. The institute is experienced in organizing exams and selecting the best candidates for management studies. This exam is used to get into MBA programs at some of the country's best business schools. Due to the addition of a Basic General Knowledge portion, the XAT Exam is considered the most difficult of the MBA exams. XLRI Jamshedpur defines the Exam Pattern. The Exam Pattern of Xavier's Aptitude Test, as well as the important Preparation Advice provided in this blog, will be discussed.

Key Changes to the XAT Exam Pattern

The exam pattern has been revised, and the exam will consist of five sections, as per the new paper pattern. The Exam Pattern has undergone the following significant changes:

  • In Part 2, the Essay Writing component has been combined with the GK section. A 250-word essay must be written in 10 minutes.
  • Except for the essay, all questions will be multiple choice. The paper will have a total of 101 questions, with 75 MCQs in Part 1 and 26 in Part 2.
  • GK scores will not be taken into account while calculating the final XAT score.
  • The time limit for the paper has been increased from 180 to 190 minutes.

Sectional Exam Pattern for XAT 

The test paper will be divided into five sections according to the paper pattern (two parts).

  • Candidates can go on to the GK part after completing the first three sections in the allowed 165 minutes.
  • There are no sectional restrictions in the first three sections of the paper. The GK segment, on the other hand, will have a time limit of 15 minutes.
  • Candidates can flip between parts in Part 1 of the paper.
  • PwD candidates will be allowed an extra 20 minutes each hour, i.e. Part 1 takes 55 minutes, while part 2 takes 5 minutes.

Verbal and Logical Ability:

This section will have 26 objective-type questions in the Verbal and Logical Ability portion.

Questions on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning will be included in the Verbal & Logical Ability portion.

There will be four RC passages with three questions each. There will be 8 to 10 questions in the verbal ability part.

In 2022, two poem-based comprehensions with three questions each were also asked.

The difficulty levels range from moderate to difficult.

The following are important VARC & LR topics:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Para Jumbles
  • Para Completion
  • Vocabulary
  • Analogy
  • Critical Reasoning
  • Statements and Assumptions

Decision Making:

  • To get into XLRI, candidates must score highly in decision-making, as it is one of the most essential sections on the exam schedule.
  • A total of 21 decision-making questions will be asked, with 7 sets of three MCQs each.
  • This portion has a moderate difficulty level.
  • Short cases, Analytical Reasoning, Situational Sets, Data Arrangement Sets, and Business Decision Making are all important topics.

Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation Pattern:

The Quant and DI segment of the XAT exam will include a total of 28 questions, according to the current exam schedule.

Individual questions will be asked, as well as DI sets.

A total of four DI sets in the form of graphs, charts, tables, and cases will be asked. There will be three questions in each DI set.

The difficulty level of  QADI is likely to be high based on the previous year's exam analyses.

In QA, questions are frequently posed about the following topics:

  • Algebra- 4-6 questions
  • ​Geometry- 2-3 questions
  • Arithmetic- 5-6 questions
  • Number System- 2-3 questions
  • Mensuration- 1-2 questions

General Knowledge:

Because there is no set of questions that can be asked, the GK portion is the most dynamic. The range of GK questions is extensive, necessitating thorough preparation.

In addition to the essay writing element, the GK portion of the XAT exam comprises 25 questions that must be completed in 25 minutes.

According to previous year's papers, the ratio of static GK and current events questions will be 60:40.

One of the most distinguishing features of this section is that earned marks are not taken into consideration when calculating XAT scores.

Politics, history, sports, nations and states, commerce, economics, international relations, and society are all significant topics to consider.

Essay Writing:

The Essay Writing section was reinstated in 2022 after a three-year absence. The essay section was removed by XLRI in 2019.

In part 2 of the paper, the essay writing section is combined with the GK section. The GK section and a short essay of no more than 250 words will each have a time limit of 25 minutes.

Current events, social and economic difficulties, or abstract and thought-provoking topics are all possibilities.

The XAT Marking System

The marking scheme for the exam will be the same as last year. The following points about the XAT Marking Scheme should be noted by candidates:

  • In the XAT paper, there will be a total of 100 multiple-choice questions, each worth one mark.
  • In the GK part, there will be no negative marking for incorrect answers.
  • The GK section scores will not be factored into the final XAT score calculation.

Points to Remember for XAT Preparation

Students must begin studying as soon as the xat exam date is announced. XAT is thought to be more difficult than CAT, CMAT, and SNAP. As a result, simply studying for the CAT will not be enough to pass the XAT. Students who aim to take the XAT should concentrate on preparing for parts that match their skills and weaknesses. Examining the XAT exam analysis from the prior year can also be beneficial.

Understanding the new exam pattern and syllabus is the first and most important step in exam preparation.

Candidates must have a well-thought-out strategy that incorporates time management, speed, and accuracy, as well as knowledge of the following facts:

  • For the time being, an on-screen calculator will not be available.
  • Candidates can attempt the questions in whatever sequence they want, and there is no time limit for any part.
  • You can leave up to 8 questions unanswered; after that, every unattempted question will result in a negative grade of 0.10.
  • Part 1 of the exam has a sectional time limit of 165 minutes, while part 2 has a sectional time limit of 25 minutes.
  • XAT contains additional categories like general knowledge and decision-making, unlike other competitive management tests.

3 Month  Preparation Plan

Every week, complete 3-to 4 full-fledged XAT mock tests, evaluate your performance and track your progress.

A large number of questions in verbal ability come from RC, therefore focus on this section for preparation. Regularly, complete at least one RC passage.

Similarly, for all parts, strive for the themes that generate the most questions. Smaller topics, such as those with one or two marks, should be covered at least twice a week.

Study for at least 3 to 4 hours per day, and stay away from any distractions during that time.

Concentrate on learning all of the formulas in the Quant section, as well as strategies for completing large calculations faster.

Make it a habit to prepare for the XAT by topic. Read two texts every day, solve a DI question every day, and so on.

Tips for Preparation in 6 Months

Make a schedule for your daily, weekly, and monthly study sessions, and stick to it.

It is preferable, to begin with, to the areas where you are lacking. We recommend beginning with the quantitative component because it is the most difficult for most pupils.

Read newspapers and journals every day for GK.

Concentrate on your fundamentals and formulation. Use books from classes 9 and 10 to aid you with this.

Online study groups, blogs, and videos can be quite beneficial when it comes to studying.

In two months, how can you prepare for the XAT?

Preparing for the XAT in two months is not easy and necessitates a great deal of dedication and sincerity. However, it is not impossible, and numerous XAT toppers have done so in the past. The following are some of the preparation strategies that should be prioritized:

  • By analyzing XAT's previous year's question papers concentrate on finishing the topics with the highest weightage in each section of the XAT syllabus.
  • Practice more XAT quizzes, mock exams, and sample papers to learn the exact paper pattern and build the time management skills needed to correctly answer 100 questions of moderate to high complexity in three hours.
  • Reread all of your GK notes and concentrate on current events preparation.
  • Focus on practicing more Reading Comprehension passages for the XAT Verbal Ability section, and use Norman Lewis vocabulary books to practice vocabulary-based questions.
  • To clear any basic topic that you find challenging, consult simply 1-2 books for each area.
  • To save time and effort on the actual exam, watch online videos on YouTube to understand simple methods and formulas.

The XAT includes the decision-making and general awareness part. The rest of the sections are comparable to CAT. Candidates who are preparing for the CAT might take the XAT by concentrating on the additional parts. Examine the exam pattern and syllabus, as well as the prior year's exam papers. This will assist applicants in determining their degree of preparation. Make as many mock tests as you can. Remember to observe solutions and make adjustments if necessary.


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