Analysis of XAT 2005

The pattern of the paper was changed a bit as the number of questions
reduced from 200 to 175 this year. Another change made was the
elimination of sectional time limitation. The paper though met the
anticipation in terms of difficulty level which was similar to that of last year.
English section was a jolt for some and relief for some as it had only 12
vocabulary based questions so those banking on the verbal section got a
shock. Moreover, inspite of the words being simple the answer options were
quite close. The GK section was a mix with some questions on awards and
some covering economics, science and current affairs.

It was a three section paper with 75 math questions, 65 VA questions and 35

GK questions. It was followed by a 20 minute essay. The optimum number
of attempts XLRI would be 85+.

Sectional Breakup

Section No. Of Difficulty

Questions Level

Reasoning & Quantitative Ability 75 Average

General Awareness 35 Tough
English (Verbal Ability + Reading 65 Average
Comprehension)
Total 175 Average
Optimal time distribution:

No. Of
Section Time Attempts Ideal score
Questions

Reasoning &
75 60 min 37+ 28 - 30
Quantitative Ability
General Awareness 35 15 min 15+ 10 - 12
English (Verbal
Ability + Reading 65 45 min 35+ 28 - 30
Comprehension)
Total 175 120 min 85+

Section: Quantitative Ability and Reasoning.

Number
Difficulty
Area Description of
level
questions
DI(5
GNP-Inflation(Line graph) 5 Average
caselets)
Production (2 pie charts) 5 Easy
Sector based production (table) 5 Average
others 10 Tough
Reasoning
Prime factors 4 Easy
(4 caselets)
Sets(subsets and supersets) 5 Easy
Above
others 8
average
DS 3 Easy
Algebra, arithmetic, Geometry
QA 30 Average
and numbers
The quantitative aptitude section was very different from XAT 2003 and
2004. The questions comprised Ratio, Averages, Logic, Functions,
Permutation and Combination, Time speed distance, Work, Data
Interpretation, Algebric Expression, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry.

As there were no sectional timings, students would have attempted more

number of questions from their strong area.

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

No. Of Difficulty
Area Tested Comments
Questions Level

Antonyms and
12 Easy
Synonyms
Total 50 Average
No. of Difficulty
Passage Comments
Questions Level
Taxonomy 5 easy SDQs
Philosophy- Importance SDQs & Main
6 average
of leisure Idea
Environmental science 5 easy SDQs & IIQs
Anthropology 8 average IIQs
Other 6 average SDQs, IIQs
Total 30 Average

The vocabulary questions were easy though the answer options werea bit
confusing. The passage s were of average difficulty level with only one
vocabulary based questions and several Implied idea questions. The
questions on reasoning were easy and could be solved with accuracy.
Questions on passage building and critical reasoning were of average
difficulty level.
Section 3: General Awareness

A total of 35 questions. The ideal number of attempts would be 15+.

There were questions each on geography, science, constitutional rights,

business management and history. Students who have been brushing up their
GK section would have found the geography, science and history question
easier to solve. Students who could recollect the constitutional rights would
have been able to solve a couple of questions based on it.

Essay:

"One billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities?"

Cut-off:

Name of the
S. No. Overall score Remark
institute
For PM/IR,
1. XLRI 80+ overall score
could be 75+
2. XIMB 74+ …….
3. SIBM 65+ …….
GIM
4. (Goa)/BIM 55+ …….
(Tirchy)
5. LIBA Chennai 45+ …….