Analysis: XAT 2012
XAT 2012 was difficult than last year's XAT papers. This year the different questions in different sections were allotted different marks which made the paper more difficult. There were questions of 1,2,3,4 and 5 marks. Students found it difficult to devise any strategy to attempt the paper. Right selection of questions will play an important role in clearing the cutoffs.
Overview of the paper:
There were 101 questions (3 Sections) in all and the time allotted was 2hrs. The three sections were as follows:
- Verbal and logical ability
- Quantitative ability& DI
- Analytical reasoning and decision making
Overview of the XAT 2012 Paper
| Time allotted |
2Hrs. + 20 Minutes for paragraph |
| Total no. of questions |
101 |
| Marking Scheme |
Different for different questions |
| Sections |
3 |
| Number of choices |
5 |
| Negative Marking |
One fourth of the mark(s)allotted for each question |
| Expected cut-offs* |
A score of 68+ can expect a call from XLRI
63+ can expect a call from XIMB
55+ can expect a call from GIM/BIM/LIBA
45+ can expect a call from XIME/XISS |
Overview of Different Sections
| Sr. No. |
Sections |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
| 1 |
Verbal & Logical Ability |
34 |
Moderate |
| 2 |
Quantitative ability& DI |
43 |
Tough |
| 3 |
Analytical reasoning and decision making |
24 |
Moderate to Tough |
SECTIONAL - ANALYSIS
SECTION I: Verbal & Logical Ability
| Area Tested |
Description |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level /remarks |
| Verbal & Logical Ability |
RC |
30 |
Moderate to Tough |
| Verbal Reasoning |
3 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Grammar |
6 |
Easy |
| Sentence Rearrangement |
3 |
Moderate |
Evaluation: Overall section was moderate to tough. This section contained 34questions.The verbal section was of 69 marks. There were 13 questions of 1 mark each, 8 questions of 2 marks each,12 questions of 3 marks each,1 question of 4marks. The paper was dominated by critical Reasoning, followed by RCs, based questions etc. There were 2 RCs which were moderate in length but contained highly inferential questions / Critical Thinking based questions. One poetry based question also made a comeback this year. Critical Reasoning questions were tough to reason out.. Rest of the verbal section was moderate. Overall the verbal section can be termed as difficult in comparison to previous year's XAT.
Comfortable Attempt: A score totaling to 26+
Achievable Score: 16+ was an achievable score.
SECTION II: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation
| Area Tested |
Description |
No. of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability& DI |
Functions |
2 |
| Percentage |
2 |
| Number System |
6 |
| Time, Speed & Distance |
6 |
| Time & Work |
2 |
| Geometry & Mensuration |
4 |
| Averagesn |
1 |
| Multiple Graphs |
4 |
| Sets |
1 |
| Miscellaneous |
2 |
| Probability |
1 |
| Tables |
3 |
| Line Graphs |
3 |
| Simple Interest |
1 |
Evaluation: There were 7 question of 1 mark each, 14 questions of 2 marks each, 14 questions of 3 marks and 8 questions of 5 marks each. So this section had (1 × 7 + 2 × 14 + 3 × 14 + 5 × 8 = 117) 117 as maximum marks. The DI question was comparatively easier. Four questions of line graph were easy and should have been attempted. One 5 marks question (a77 of : prime number based) was esey. Geometry questions were tough and should have been avoided.
Comfortable Attempt: A score totalling to 20+
Achievable Score: 14+ was an achievable score.
SECTION III: Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making
| Sr. No. |
Area Tested |
Description |
No. of Question |
| 1. |
Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making
|
AR block |
14 |
| Decision making |
10 |
Evaluation:There were 1 question of 1 mark, 8 questions of 2 marks each, 12 questions of 3 marks each, 1 question of 4 marks and 2 question 5 marks each. The section had 67 as the maximum marks. This section was a fair mix of AR and decision making question. Decision making questions required thorough and repeated reading. Choices were very close. One should have attempted this section with much caution.
Comfortable Attempt: A score totaling to 26+
Achievable Score: 15+ was an achievable score
ESSAY TOPIC
This year the pattern of giving essay topic also changed i.e. an argument was given and test taker was asked to present his/ her judgment/views along with the justifications and examples in approximately 250 words.
