‘Changes to XAT is no big deal’

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The Xavier’s Aptitude Test (XAT) conducted by the XLRI, Jamshedpur, has announced some changes in its pattern from next year. For XAT 2013, the duration of the test has been extended to three hours and a section on general awareness has been added. In 2013, 106 B-schools will accept the XAT score nationally.

Professor Vishwa Ballabh, admission chairperson, XLRI, says that the general awareness component aims to map the aspirants on the current stand of the economy and political environment. “It will test students beyond their domain knowledge, and eventually make them ready for both present and future,” he adds.
A XAT aspirant and DU student, Ankit Tahalani is ready for what’s coming. “Considering I am weak in Maths, the general awareness section will help me score well. I also second XLRI’s take on the test; overall knowledge is crucial for anybody desiring to be a manager,” he says.
Ramnath Kanakadandi, cou-rse director at the test preparation institute TIME, says that the general awareness section was part of the XAT earlier, but was removed some years back. “More than the changes, the aspirants must stress on their long-term preparations like group discussions, personal interviews and essay writing,” he says.