Hi Everyone! Welcome to this Live chat on XAT with our experts.  Our guest expert for today's chat is Mr.Subhashis Mitra from PT Education. Mr.Subhashis sir has joined the chat. Students can now pose their queries. Welcome Sir to this session.

Monika - Hello, I am Monika and I have 5 year of experience. I am planning to go for the EMP program from XLRI. If I go for it then what are its advantages as against full time courses from the same institute. Also, for such courses does XLRI provide on campus placements? There are 2 courses available which suits me: one is EMP from IIMK(starting from November20 09 ) and the second one is from XLRI (14 months) starting form February  2009.Sir,  Please suggest which one is better?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - The profile and the need of people doing these courses are quite different from those doing a normal PGDM. If you look at the success of the ISB, PGPX (IIM A) experiment, then I have to say, that there definitely is value. Definitely, your CV Value will be much better after this course and campus Assistance is provided. Both the courses are well suited for you.

Ashish - Is there always essay writing section in XAT? And what kind of topics can be expected in essay section? What can be the best way to score well in English section?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra - Yes, essay section is compulsory always in XAT. Topics may be Socio-economic topics or simply interpretative ones as in one of the previous year papers. In that year, the topic was -" Ships are safe in the harbor but they are not meant to be there. "

For better English scores, read a lot, listen, speak and write a lot in English as well as take online test from PT education.

Akheel - Sir What maybe the pattern of XAT this time?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - The pattern of XAT is 3 sections being Maths, Logical Reasoning & Verbal section ALONG WITH Essay part. The negative marking is progressive in nature, for the first 6 mistakes in a section you get -0.25 and for every mistake after that you get -0.5.

Ankit - Hello sir, I am an engineering student in my second year I want to know when to start my preparation for CAT or XAT? Can u please recommend any books that I can start reading from now? If I start preparing  December,  how much time I should devote daily ?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - most Engineering students do start their CAT, XAT preparation in their third year. There is nothing wrong with that. You may start your preparation as soon as you enter your final year too. There are no specific books - but the more popular books are those authored by Arun Sharma. At least 2-3 hours daily + extra time for reading newspapers, journals etc.

Jasleen Kaur - Is XAT difficulty level similar to that of SNAP? Also, is the marking method same or does it change every year? And. In Verbal Section what is the weightage of Vocabulary? And Sir what should be our attempt in all the sections?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - I would classify XAT as a test that is similar to CAT. XAT pattern has remained the same for the last 2 years. Direct Vocabulary questions numbers around zero in English section.  At least 10-15 questions should be attempted in each section. Overall, 37-40 score last year was XLRI cutoff.

Jadhav - Sir, I have come to know that GK questions may asked in XAT but I am confused which type of questions may be asked in GK like business related or will it be general? And, Sir I feel English in XAT is too difficult, so how to achieve a good score even with this weakness?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - XAT has discontinued with GK since last 5 years and I do not see it making a comeback now. Key lies in attempting as many as you do know with highest accuracy.

Soumya - Is the essay score considered in the final percentage? Is the essay marks considered after selection?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - The essay has subjective weightage (and most probably for XLRI only). Maybe, for XLRI only once again. For XLRI, possibly at the call letter stage and then at the PI stage it will matter.

Vandana - How can I prepare for Maths and English to score maximum in XAT as I am an average performer in these areas?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - try to answer at least the easiest question in these sections. There will be at least around 5 -10 easy questions which anyone can answer. For English section, look out for Reading Comprehension as a scoring area.

Rukmini - I want to know the key areas in Maths on which we can concentrate. Also in the last ten days that remain, how do we enhance our abilities to the highest levels?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - XAT at one time was known for Higher Maths. You should revise and be thorough with quadratics, probability, number systems, geometry, permutations and combinations which are all important. Since Maths and Data Interpretation is one section, look at DI for assured marks. In these final days of preparation, take as many sectional tests as is possible, refine your concepts, write essays.

Sivaprasad - Sir I'm good in quantitative n Data interpretation, but worried about Verbal. Please, suggest how many questions I must attempt wit 80% accuracy? Sir I want to do MBA in HR so please suggest me which colleges I can choose?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - Yes, although a score of 0 in any section will not be welcome! So do your best in all sections with accurate attempts for the easier questions like Reading comprehension in English section. XLRI, XIM, SCMHRD are good colleges.

Geeta - I  have graduated in 1993 in Production engineering taking XAT for one year program has very little preparation. Please let me about the following: Want advice on XAT format? What is the weight age given to negative marking in XAT? Want to know if there is sectional cut-offs? Will there be choice in essay topics?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - XAT is a  paper in three sections, objective type, multiple choice paper. The paper is pretty tough with progressive negative marking. Sectional cutoff will be there for XLRI and XIMB - approximately 7-8 marks in each section. Only 1 essay topic is given, implies no choice in Essay question.

Shashank - If I get 40-45 marks in XAT, will I get a call from XLRI? Sir if I solved only one section with 30questions then what is my score?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - With that score last yea, if you also cleared sectional cut offs then YES. Percentile is calculated based on the marking system, mostly in this scenario the percentile will be around 90.

Madhumati - Sir what about IFMR and LIBA approximate cutoff's?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - These colleges would have Cut offs of around 28-30 range.

Rimmi - What was XIMB cutoff last year? And in XAT, how many questions are expected in each section? And What about higher mathematics questions like calculus, will these appear in XAT? How many questions one must answer to clear the minimum cut off in each section?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - Approximately speaking, 35 was XIMB cutoff. Around 40 questions can be expected in each section.  Recently, there have been no higher Mathematic questions in XAT. At least 8-10 in each section must be chosen wisely and answered.

Gurleen - Can u please tell me from where should I practice higher mathematics topics like functions? And, how much do I need to score approximately to get a 90 percentile? Also, Do Goa Institute of Management and LIBA consider essay marks?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - Practice from class XII CBSE / ICSE maths books. Score should be at least 30 for that range. It's Difficult to say but why take a risk? Try and write a decent  essay! Essay in XAT may or may not matter for your percentile score. It is used as a tool to test your analytical and reasoning abilities.

Deepankar - Is XAT tougher than CAT? Does experienced people are given more weightage?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - How does it matter? It is just another test we have to take! If it is tough, it is so for everybody, and if it is simple it ok again. Experience could be taken into consideration - at the PI stage, Not at the initial stages.

Nagapavan - If we get 50%, then did we get any call?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - With 50percentile, it would be difficult getting a call from a top notch B-school. Before narrowing down on your target B school, do a thorough background check of the college by finding out how well established the college is, what reputation it has built up, what's the placement track record, courses offered and if it matches all your needs and expectations.

Lohith - Sir I am engineering pass-out with very low percentage and no work experience. If I get good marks in XAT and get called for GD/PI, is there any chance of getting admission?

Mr.Subhashis Mitra, PT Education - Why not? for purpose of a call, only your XAT score matter and for conversion into a seat, your PI performance. SO remain positive. What matters is your XAT performance, to get a good score i.e., at least a score of 30 (overall) it means, you have to correctly answer at least 8-10 questions in each which means attempting 12-15 in each section with fair amount of accuracy. Think of the bright future and not your prior bad performances.

That's all for today. Do log into minglebox.com for more LIVE Chats on upcoming MBA entrance tests.

Good luck everyone!

Thank you Mr.Subhashis Mitra for taking time out to answer queries on XAT.  

Team minglebox.