What is XAT 2022 Exam?
Xavier Aptitude Test or commonly known as XAT Exam is one of the most prestigious MBA entrance exams which the most MBA aspirants take along with the CAT Exam. It opens doors to some of the best B-Schools in India including the flagship XLRI Jamshedpur which conducts the exam. Read this article to know all about XAT 2022 Exam important dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern.
The XAT Exam attracts over 95,000 aspirants every year. The number of applicants has been increasing year after year, as per the data released by the authorities. Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is an All-India MBA entrance test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur every year in the month of January.
XAT 2022 Important Dates
Is XAT Exam Tough?
It is considered to be one of the toughest MBA entrance exams because of the following facts:
1- The inclusion of General Knowledge
2- The unique XAT Exam Pattern which keeps the overall scores quite low.
3- The level of the verbal ability questions is also considered to be higher than that of the CAT exam.
4- The sectional cutoffs in all the sections except for the General Knowledge section.
The uniqueness of XAT Exam Pattern 2022
1. The XAT Exam consists of two parts, with a total of 99 Questions (expected) overall. The expected distributions of questions are given below:
2. Apart from the marking scheme of +1 for each correct answer and -0.25 for every wrong answer, all questions (over 8) left un-attempted carry a penalty of 0.05 marks. The General Knowledge Section does not give any negative marking and is not considered for the final merit.
This unique aspect of the XAT Exam Pattern makes the XAT Exam quite tricky because of the restriction in the number of questions that can be left un-attempted.
XAT Exam is known to be one of the most transparent exams. This is because of the fact that along with the XAT exam paper, the XAT answer key is also released by XLRI Jamshedpur before the announcement of result. In addition to this, a limited time window where the candidate can contest the result and demand a recount of his/her score is provided after the announcement of XAT Result.
XAT 2022 Exam Patten & Syllabus:
Section 1: VARC & LR
The XAT 2021 exam pattern and syllabus for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Logical Reasoning (LR) section comprises the following:
• Total number of questions: 26
• Type of questions: MCQs
• RC passages: 4 (as per last year papers) i.e., a total of 14 to 16 questions.
• Verbal Ability questions: 8 to 10
• Verbal Ability topics: Vocabulary; Analogy; Para Jumbles, Para completion; Critical Reasoning; Statements-Assumptions;
• Level of difficulty: Moderate to Tough
Section 2: Decision Making
The XAT 2021 syllabus and pattern for Decision Making section consists of short caselets and decision-making problems. The questions are mostly in sets.
• Total number of questions: 21
• Type of questions: MCQs
• Question Pattern: 7 to 8 sets on decision-making followed by 2 and 3 questions each.
• Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
Total number of questions: 27
Type of questions: MCQs
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Syllabus:
• Time & Work
• Percentage
• Profit & Loss
• Equations
• Number Systems
• Clocks
• Geometry
• Algebra
• Mensuration
• Venn Diagrams
• Tables
• Bar Graph
• Pie Chart
• Line Graph
Section 4: GK
There is no fixed syllabus and pattern for the GK section. The questions can be asked from any topic.
Total number of questions: 25
Type of questions: MCQs
Time Limit to Attempt: 15 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Syllabus: GK questions could be based on any topic including Current Indian & International affairs; Business-related; Economics related; social issues, new appointments; conventional GK; sports; Constitution of India, Books & Authors, etc.
Key highlight: This section is not taken into account for the calculation of percentile in XAT exam.
XAT Past Year Exam Analysis
The XAT 2020 Exam was held online much like XAT 2019. The XAT 2020 Exam Pattern had very few changes as described below:
- A 3-hour test consisting of 4 sections: Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation & General Knowledge
- There were a total of 99 MCQs with the internal distribution as given above.
- The overall marking scheme was 1 mark for each correct answer while a penalty of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. Candidates can leave up to 8 questions attempted, but any number of questions above the limit would attract a penalty of 0.1 marks each.
- The scores for the first three sections (or the first 75 Questions) will be considered for percentile calculations
XAT exam year | Total questions, time | Section-wise division | Marking pattern for | Percentile calculation | Level of difficulty |
XAT 2020 (Scrapped Essay | 99 MCQs | VARC-26 | +1 mark for each correct answer; ¼ negative marking for each wrong answer; penalty of 0.10 mark per question if more than 8 questions left unattempted
| Score for 74 MCQs in 1st three sections accounted for | Moderate to difficult |
XAT 2019 (Scrapped Essay | 99 MCQs | VARC-26 | +1 mark for
| Score for 74 | Moderate to |
XAT 2018(Changed to | 97 MCQs | VARC-24 | 1 mark for each correct answer; ¼ negative marking for each wrong answer; penalty of 0.05 mark per question if more than 12 questions left unattempted
| Score for 72 MCQs in 1st three sections accounted for | Moderate to difficult |
XAT 2017 | 97 MCQs | VARC-24 | 1 mark for
| Score on 72 | Moderate to |
XAT 2016 | 103 MCQs | VARC-26 | 1 mark for each correct answer; ¼ negative marking for each wrong answer; a penalty of 0.05 mark per question if more than 13 questions left unattempted
| Score on 78 MCQs in 1stthree sections accounted for | Moderate to highly difficult |
XAT 2015 | 114 MCQs | VARC-28 | 1 mark for | Score on 84 MCQs in 1stthree sections accounted for percentile calculation | Moderate to |
XAT 2014 | 113 MCQs | VARC-28 | 1 mark for each correct answer; ¼ negative marking | Score on 83 MCQs in 1stthree sections accounted for | Moderate to difficult |
How to Prepare for XAT 2022
Well, we will leave this part for the next article, where we will be sharing some critical preparation strategy for XAT.
The major takeaways for the XAT preparation are:
- Equal importance must be given to all the sections as fetching maximum marks is the most critical task and a gateway to move forward. Clearing Sectional cutoff is mandatory.
- Proper time management is required to crack the XAT exam.
- Mock Tests and its proper analysis is required.
- Basics of Geometry, Number System, Probability and DI with a proper application is the key to crack Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation section.
- Special emphasis on the daily current affairs as well as static GK.
Who can appear for XAT exam?
Applicants are required to possess a bachelor’s degree/ equivalent of minimum 3 years duration. There is no limitation on the age or the number of attempts. The candidates who are in their final year of graduation can also apply for the XAT exam. Additionally, XLRI also specifies programme-wise eligibility criteria for the candidates.
Which colleges/institutes accept XAT scores?
More than 150 B-schools accept XAT scores. List of Top 15 B-Schools that accepts XAT Score is given below:
After each XAT participating institute releases its cutoff, candidates are shortlisted for the subsequent selection process comprising of Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). Candidates are given admission in the participating institutes of XAMI based on their performance in the selection procedure.
XAT Resources:
To help you crack XAT Exam with ease, we at Fundamakers is offering FREE Practise Sessions covering each and every topic related to Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability (RCVA)
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