XAT 2010: Analysis, Answers Key & Cut off Jan 3 Test

XAT 2010 is scheduled to be conducted on Jan 3, 2010. We will be providing detailed analysis on the XAT paper, cutoff and answer keys. XAT exam is the most sought after MBA Entrance Exam after CAT. CAT 2009 was conducted online. The importance of XAT will be more especially in the backdrop of troubled CAT 2009.

We will be doing live blogging for this event on Jan 3, 2010, 2 pm onwards. Please share your experience with others in the comments. You can check our coverage for XAT 2009 for getting insight on last year’s exam. Please make sure that you download your admit card for the exam.

XAT 2010 Overview

There were 3 sections for the exam- Verbal and Logical (30), Analytical (31) and Quant/Di (40). There are total of 101 questions with 1 mark each.Total time for the test is 120 minutes. 20 minites for 1 essay question.

Negative marking is based on a progressive method. For each section first 6 wrong attempts will cost .20 (1/5) of a mark and rest at .25 (1/4) of a mark. This is the first time progressive negative marking system is used in XAT. Last year every mistake .5 of a mark was deducted.

There are sectional cutoffs and 5 options per question. Questions distribution of XAT 2010: 39% Quant/DI, 30% Verbal and 31% Analytical. Essay topic- Earth can satisfy man’s need but not his greed

Detailed Analysis

From TCYBlog

TCY has rated the exam as moderate difficulty level. Last year the paper was tougher that this year. A score of atleast 32+ is required for a call. Sectional wise difficulty level is as followed

* Verbal & Logical: low to moderate difficulty; cutoff 13+; attempt 14+ questions with 85% accuracy
* Analytical Reasoning: high difficulty; cut off 7+; attempt 8+ questions with 85% accuracy
* Quant & DI: moderate difficulty; cutoff 14+; attempt 15+ questions with 85% accuracy
* Overall attempt 37+ questions with 85% accuracy. And total cutoff is 32+
* XAT 2009: Tougher than XAT 2010. 104 questions; 40+ attempts; 34 cutoff score
* Expected Cutoff for institutes- XLRI-BM 32+ (in 2009 32+), XLRI-PMIR 30+ (in 2009 30+), XIM-B 28+ (in 2009 27+), GIM 25+ (in 2008 24+), LIBA 25+ (in 2009 24+)
* Detailed answers keys: Verbal | Quant | DI

From TestFunda

* Detailed answer keys for all sections

From Bull’s Eye

* XAT 2010 was a difficult paper
* Verbal & Logical: low to moderate difficulty; attempt 14-16; cutoff 7+
* Analytical Reasoning: high difficulty; attempt 14-16; cutoff 8+
* Quant & DI: moderate to high difficulty; attempt 14: cutoff 8+
* Overall attempt 42+. And total cutoff is 23+
* Expected Cutoff for institutes- XLRI-BM 30-32+ (in 2009 32+), XLRI-PMIR 30-32+ (in 2009 30+), XIM-B 26-29+ (in 2009 27+), GIM 26-29+ (in 2008 24+), LIBA 25-27+ (in 2009 24+)