Few mock tests and self-confidence helped her score 99.90 percentile in XAT 2020

“I had taken more than 30 Mocks for CAT and less than 10 for XAT. Yet, I was able to score much better at XAT. According to me, it is foremost important to prepare well, but the end result depends massively on how focused and calm you can be on D-Day. It is those 2-3 hours that matter…Nothing else!”

XLRI is one of the most prestigious institutes in the country. And to pursue an MBA from such a college is a dream of many. Hear it from Shreejita Chaudhuri who scored 99.90 percentile in XAT 2020 how she carved her way to XLRI.

Self-study proved to be the key!

The year 2020 was my second attempt at the B-School entrance exams. My first attempt at both CAT and XAT was in the final year of my graduation, and both had not been satisfactory. The results showed the same. Whereas for the first attempt I had taken in-class coaching, for the second attempt, I relied on self-study and took only online mocks from a couple of coaching centres as I had to manage my studies along with my job. From the previous experience, I was aware that DILR was my weak area and, thus, I spent more time on that, but at the same time never neglected the other sections. For DILR, I found EliteGrid’s YouTube channel to be of great help.

How to crack XAT?

1. Have a Right Strategy in Place

For XAT, the most important thing is to keep a strategy ready which works for you. Strategy is all the more important for XAT- it is always better to keep in mind how much time you would want to devote to each section. That is a key factor to ace XAT, and it comes with practising permutations and combinations of time divisions during the mocks. On the day of the XAT, I went with a very free mind and wrote the exam in a very relaxed manner. I think that helped me the most, second to my strategy which I followed to the T.

2. ‘Decision Making’ Section

Decision Making is a new section that is not part of most other entrance exams. Don’t neglect that!! Even though it is hard to find material to prepare for the section, take help from mocks and solve previous year papers. But most importantly, believe in your conscience and how you would take a decision rationally as a manager. 

3. Verbal and Quant are tougher in XAT than in CAT 

• Verbal Ability

For VA, practice the different types of questions from past papers. You’ll find a pattern. That is the best source. For the prep, start focusing more on grammar and vocabulary. Even though these are things that cannot be built within weeks, revision of these topics definitely helps. Arun Sharma is a good source for these as well.

• Quantitative Ability

For QA, focus more on the basics and core concepts. The questions tend to be longer but not as tricky as in CAT. Stay focused on the question and work on them patiently to reach the answer.

Making the SOP

Before the Interview, XLRI requires you to fill up an SOP which has a set of questions to be answered. There are no marks awarded to these questions, but the answers to these are used to gauge your personality traits. XLRI is very specific about the nature of students that they want to admit. So make sure to take up ample time to introspect and only then answer those questions. Try to relate most questions to small incidents that happened in your life and try to mention how you reflect upon these incidents and what they taught you. But most importantly, answer the questions honestly and ethically. 

XLRI Interview Experience

Both my BM and HRM interviews had been short (20-25 mins) and sweet (did not face much grilling from the faculty). Both interviews touched on a variety of topics.

1. HR Interview

In my HR interview, the topics of discussion ranged from my knowledge about the HR domain, long discussion on why most Indians tend to pursue engineering and medical studies rather than following their passion; to a detailed discussion on my interest in painting.

2. BM Interview

The BM interview, which started with an extempore, included discussion on topics ranging from current affairs to my knowledge about my engineering subjects and mathematics. 

Tip: Interview topics can range from anything to everything, just try to speak only about things you know for sure and not bluff about anything.

To be honest, I had never seriously prepared for XAT, and to get a 99.90 %ile felt like a dream.

For more similar stories, read:

1. Meet Ananya who made her way through XLRI Jamshedpur with a percentile of 96.85
2. Did not make it to IIMs? Don’t worry, it is not the end!
3. 12 management exams, a gap year, and KJ Somaiya - MBA journey of Yuvraj Joshi
4. From acing CAT with 99.48 percentile to securing admission into 6 renowned MBA colleges
5. From being clueless about MBA to getting 99% in CAT, XAT and IIFT- By Shivansh Mishra From XLRI, Jamshedpur