Knowledge of the XAT exam pattern is critical to successfully cracking the exam. XAT is easily one of the most prestigious B-school entrance exams in India. With a good score in XAT, your corporate career can get a flying start.
If you are already working, you can refresh your career with a degree from one of the XAT institutes. They have an altogether different reputation in the Indian market and the students from XAT institutes are considered among the best.
How to crack the XAT exam pattern
The difficulty level of the XAT exam is between moderate and hard. Its standard is similar to CAT to a great extent. However, with diligent, organized, and smart preparation, you can crack it easily.
The first step in XAT preparation is clearly understanding the XAT exam pattern. To start with, there are only 100 questions and a total of 3 hours to solve them all. The emphasis, clearly, is on quality over quantity.
You can find out more about the XAT exam pattern in the sections that follow.
Overview of XAT exam pattern
You will have to appear for the XAT exam in the Computer-Based mode only. There is no provision for paper-based examination in XAT. In total, there are 73 centers for the XAT exam, spread across multiple states.
Also, remember that there is a negative marking of 0.25 for every wrong answer. As a result, accuracy is matra for success and you need to practice accordingly. You can find many other important details about the XAT exam in the table below.
| Total number of questions | 100 |
| XAT exam question types | MCQ |
| Total marks | 100 |
| Essay type questions | No |
| Negative marking | Yes (0.25 for every wrong answer) |
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Sectional time limit | No |
Section-wise details of the XAT exam pattern
Within the XAt exam pattern, there are 4 sections in total. Out of them, the GK section doesn’t have negative markings. Each section will have a varying number of questions and you can divide the total time as per your requirements since there are no sectional timings.
The minor changes that have taken place in the XAT exam pattern must also be taken into account. Recently, a new question type has been added – it’s called NAT or Numerical Aptitude Type. To solve them you will have to use the calculator on the computer screen.
More details about the XAT exam pattern can be found in the table below.
| Section 1 | Verbal and Logical Ability | 26 questions |
| Section 2 | Decision Making | 21 questions |
| Section 3 | Quantitative Ability & DI | 28 questions |
| Section 4 | General Knowledge | 25 questions |
Top courses to pursue after XAT
- MBA in HR
One of the traditional courses in management education, the MBA in HR course is as old as the field of management itself. Human Resource is the most important element in an organization’s success. Recruiting the right personnel in a cost-effective way to meet business goals is the ultimate aim of HR management.
If you do MBA in HR, there will be many employment opportunities as all organizations require HR professionals. Just make sure that your institute offers internships and other opportunities for industry exposure.
- MBA in Energy Management
Energy management is a modern area that requires special attention. With natural resources running out, managing energy for production requires a specialized approach. NTPC School of Business, Noida, offers this course in a specialized module to meet this demand for energy management professionals.
It’s true that employment in this sector is niche-based but they are all very well-paid. Moreover, since very few institutes offer this course, there is less to no competition when it comes to securing a good job.
- PGDM in Operations
The XAMI institutes mostly offer PGDM courses rather than MBAs. If you do a PGDM in Operations from one of the XAMI institutes, your life will literally change. The courses at XLRI are top-notch and they receive placement offers from the top MNCs in the country.
Operations is a broad and traditional discipline in management, much like MBA in HR. There are many placement opportunities afterward and the roles are all very well paid.
Conclusion
Finally, it is very important to be optimistic about the XAT exam and believe that you can do it. In the worst-case scenario, your overall B-school preparation will be bolstered, and chances of success in the next exam will increase. As a result, there is no need for hesitation, just check the XAT exam pattern, and start the journey now!