As the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) is approaching near. XLRI has introduced some changes in the XAT 2019 examination which is scheduled to take place on January 06, 2019. The major changes are not available on the website but can be noticed in the instructions of the official Mock Test link. With this, candidates have got some clarity regarding the marking scheme which is generally not available before the exam and brings surprises on test day.
The exam conducting body does not release the exact number of questions that will be asked in the exam. But there are some details regarding the pattern which are available that students must not miss. Here are 5 major changes that need to be taken care of to plan the strategy for the exam.
#1. Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions
It has been observed that instructions are written for numerical answer type (NAT) questions in the mock test guidelines. However, there are no questions in the actual mock test. So, such questions may or may not appear in the examination this year. Also, there is also no clarification if there is negative marking of such questions or not.
They are similar to Non-MCQ or TITA asked in exams like CAT, SNAP etc. NAT questions must be answered with the onscreen keyboard. For more information, XLRI may release the clarification soon or the same will be known on exam day only.
#2. Changes in Marking Scheme
Previously, the negative marking for each question in the exam has been reduced to 0.25 from 0.33. But in the latest twist in the exam pattern, the negative marking for the un-attempted questions has been increased to 0.10 from 0.05. So, candidates must manage accordingly between incorrect and un-attempted questions. Looking at the marking scheme, leaving a question will take only 0.10 marks as compared to 1.25 marks if it is wrong.
#3. Limit for the Un-attempted Questions
Until last year, candidates could able to leave 12 questions un-attempted without any penalty. From this year, the limit has been reduced to only 8. This thing also gets change every year but usually not revealed before the exam.
#4. Total Number of Questions in the Exam
With the exam instructions, candidates have got the clarity about the number of questions that would be asked in the exam. There will be 99 questions out of which 25 questions are from general knowledge section. Rest 74 questions are divided among English, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability section. Exact questions are still not known but expected are 26, 21, and 27 questions respectively.
#5. Time Limit
Earlier there was confusion if the GK will be conducted with other three sections. Now, it seems that GK section will be tested in 15 minutes once the time limit for other section is over. VALR, DM, QADI need to be completed in 165 minutes without any sectional limit.
Also, from this year there will be no essay writing in the exam. For the exam day, remember to take XAT admit card and identity proof.
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