XAT 2014: How

different from CAT

Despite being a preferred management entrance test in India XAT is different from CAT in many ways. Candidates preparing for XAT 2014 Exam, have to understand the key differences and proceed accordingly in their preparation strategy.

1. Test Pattern- CAT is a computer based on line test whereas XAT is based on conventional paper pencil mode. Candidates have to mark their answers with ball point pen on OMR sheet. XAT remains pen-paper based to ensure that candidates of all backgrounds are at par, so that those who have pre-familiarity of operating computers, specially coming from privileged background.

2. Duration:–

XAT is conducted on a single day all across the country and in a single session whereas CAT has a window of 20-25 days with two sessions each day.

Both have time duration of 140 minutes to solve those questions in examination which are taken into account to calculate the percentile. XAT however, may change its number of questions and time duration in any of their examinations.

3. Number of questions and marking system:- Since 2011, while CAT has been placing 60 questions d

ivided in its two sections with equal weightage of marking.

There has been variation in number of questions and weightage in XAT during past three years.

4. Penalty for wrong answer :–

Negative marking in XAT is less than that of CAT. XAT penalises by one fourth mark whereas CAT penalises by one third. For example – if one mark is awarded for every correct answer, 1/3 and 1/4 will be deducted by CAT and XAT for every wrong answer, respectively.

5. General Awareness and Essay writing :–

There are two more sections, In addition to above three, which comprise questions on General Awareness and descriptive essay writing test. 20 minutes each are awarded to solve these two parts. Thirty questions on General Awareness are not counted to calculate the percentile and the writing skill is assessed with essay writing test. A few institutes take into account the score of General Awareness while finalizing their admission process.

6. Sectional division of questions:–

In contrast to CAT, which has two sections namely Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning with 30 questions and 70 minutes for each section.

XAT-2013 had following question pattern – Section-A Verbal and logical Ability -30 questions; section-B Decision making – 25 questions; section-C Quantitative Ability -31 questions. Section-D General awareness -30 questions to be solved in another 20 minutes. In part two, there was an Essay Topic ‘Corruption is the root cause of economic slowdown in India’.

7. Calculation of Percentile :- CAT and XAT both have sectional cut-offs. The differenc

e, however, lies in acceptance of lower marks in some section by the institutes associated to XAT. CAT has individual daily session wise cut-off percentile calculation.

XAT scores, despite having sectional cut-off leave its General Awareness and Essay Writing Part.XAT tests the thought process and writing skill of a candidate with Essay writing along with their written objective examination, while institutions associated to CAT, puts the candidate to Writing Ability Test (WAT) before the final selection round with the same objective in mind.

8. Role of General Awareness and Essay Writing Test :-

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