Countdown to XAT (Part 1): What to expect and how to do well; XAT should be treated at par with CAT

MBAUniverse.com spoke to some of Indias leading MBA Exam Experts to present an analysis on what to expect from XAT 09. In this Part 1 of the XAT special, we share the advice from experts at Mumbai based IMS Learning.
But first a quick recap of how the XAT paper was structured last year. Last years paper had 120 questions in total, split into three sections: Data Interpretation & Quantitative Ability (DI/ QA), Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning (VA/ LR) and Analytical Reasoning & Decision Making (AR/ DM). While DI/VA had 44 questions, other two sections had 38 questions each. In addition, there was an essay topic that aspirants had to attempt.

When asked how IMS Learning looks at last years XAT, IMS experts said that Quantitative ability section was the toughest part of last XAT. Said IMS Learning, The difficulty level of the paper was on the higher side---the verbal & logical ability section had 20 questions on RC, 10 on caselets and 8 on english usage (parajumbles and fill in the blanks) and grammar based questions were not there- a score of 10+would have been the cut-off for XLRI; the analytical reasoning & decision making section was of moderate difficulty and a score of 12+ would have conformed to the cut-off in this section; the data interpretation & quantitative ability section was the toughest and the cut-off would have been close to 8. The questions on discrete mathematics were largely sourced from arithmetic, algebra & geometry, while questions on higher mathematics were virtually non-existent. This section also had two questions on data sufficiency, apart from 13 questions on data interpretation (2 tables and 2 line graphs; the questions on line graphs were relatively easier).

How does IMS look at this years XAT? XAT has been a test of logic and decision making. One can expect the logic syndorme in the same proportions as the last year. The decision making ability of the students is tested through cases and caselets and XAT 2009 should sustain the tempo, informed IMS.

When asked for advice to the students who are taking XAT, IMS Learning cautioned students from taking XAT lightly. Said IMS, XAT is a difficult test and should be treated with the same respect and level of preparedness as the CAT. IMS added, Students are advised to brush up the Quantitative and Verbal areas through rigorous practice and regain their test taking mode. Students should also equip themselves with information on current affairs, which can be useful for the essay writing task; though the topics have switched between factual and abstract from one year to the other.

This concluded our Part 1 of XAT analysis. Part -2 will cover more advice and tips on how to do well in XAT.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for news, updates and expert advice on MBA Admissions 09.