In two online chats with readers on October 27 and November 1, 2011, Aziz Manva, IIM-Lucknow alumnus and head of Testfunda.com addressed reader queries related to cracking the CAT and other b-school entrance exams. For those who missed the live chats, here's the unedited transcript.
shameen asked, where can i get mock XAT papers? i havent enrolled in any classes. any suggestions?
Aziz Manva answers, at 2011-10-27 15:57:30You can get past 4 years' original XAT papers with detailed solutions as free downloads on www.testFunda.com under the free resources section. To practice XAT mocks, please visit www.testFunda.com/purchase
anushak asked, hi i am already preparing for CAT will that be enough for XAT? Should i prepare anything differently? kindly share strategy for 2 months
Aziz Manva answers, Please focus on accuracy and solve high level of difficulty Qs. For a complete understanding of each section please read the article here http://testfunda.com/examprep/catcentre/cat-100-percentilers/article/bell-the-xat-after-cat.htm?assetid=8475f1da-7686-4526-a496-063c8dadcdfc
mindovermatters asked, hello, will XAT also follow same pattern as CAT? what is the difference?
Aziz Manva answers, Hi. The CAT this year has two sections - QADI and VALR. The pattern for XAT is not disclosed beforehand. However, XAT traditionally has three sections 1. Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, 2. Analytical Reasoning & Decision Making and 3. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation The pattern for XAT is not disclosed beforhand. Decision Making is a section that is not found in CAT. The level of difficulty of XAT is typically higher than CAT.
mb asked,does XAT have questions on current affairs?
Aziz Manva answers,Since the past few years, XAT doesn't have current affairs Qs. You will need to write an essay of about 250 words at the end of the paper.
Dharam asked, Please Suggest about the strategy when attempting for XAT.
Aziz Manva answers, Last year, with 25% net score in each of the 3 sections, aspirants got calls from XLRI. Accuracy is of utmost importance. Decision making questions require practice as they are typical of XAT. Also higher maths, critical reasoning and reading comprehension have a very different flavour
lalitha asked, I am ahouse wife should i go for XAT or CAT , please aziz tel me
Aziz Manva answers, Lalitha, CAT will lead you to admissions in the IIMs and some other institutes in the country and XAT will lead you to XLRI and allied institutes. You should be clear about how much time and effort you are willing to put in to get your MBA before you take any of these tests. Otherwise being a housewife is no constraint.
vina asked, XLRI is INDIAN or Foreign sponsered institution.
Aziz Manva answers, XLRI is very much an Indian institution located in Jamshedpur. Details of their funding should be available on www.xlri.edu
atp asked, iam starting preparation for XAT now, since there are only 2 months left , what all should i focus most on? can you tell me a preparation strategy?
Aziz Manva answers, Please focus on accuracy and solve high level of difficulty Qs. For a complete understanding of each section please read the article here http://testfunda.com/examprep/catcentre/cat-100-percentilers/article/bell-the-xat-after-cat.htm?assetid=8475f1da-7686-4526-a496-063c8dadcdfc
shamsun asked, is it okay if i take a one month break in november before preparing for XAT?
Aziz Manva answers, Shamsun, consistent efforts are required to succeed in entrance exams as difficult as XAT. So it is advisable to continue your preparation till the day of the exam.
vina asked, which is better Rural Management in XLRI or IIM-A or IRMA
Aziz Manva answers, IIM A offers PG in Agri Business management and is one of the finest focussed PG courses available in the continent. IRMA has been traditionally associated with rural management and enjoys unparalleled brand equity as its MBA course offering. IIM Lucknow and XIM Bhubaneshwar and XISS Ranchi are some of the other better institutes with rural/ agri biz focus. It would be best to communicate with the current batch of students in these institutes to get a clearer perspective on current trends (and alignment with your personal goals).
'You need to have a keen understanding on the nuances of the written word'
atptwo asked, i see less focus on vocab now, so is it ok to not do word lists and focus on practising questions/grammar and reading for verbal ability section?
Aziz Manva answers, Direct emphasis on vocab is not present in the last few XATs, yet questions will require you to have a keen understanding on the nuances of the written word in the given context - be it RC or other verbal ability questions.
Nadim asked, I am completing my PG at 1993 but now I am decided to go for XAT, is it fruitful for me or not
Aziz Manva answers, Nadim, that will depend on what you expect out of the MBA program.
shamsun asked, ok...also tell me how is the placement at XLRI is it better than IIMs? any idea about the past cut offs?
Aziz Manva answers, 'Better' is relative. It depends on what industry, sector, years of experience, companies coming on campus that year etc. Now that there are 13 IIMs and only 1 XLRI, generalization would not be fair.
dadasdas asked, what was the cutoffs for XLRI GMP last year from xat.
Aziz Manva answers, 10+ in each section with an overall of 35+. This would translate into 97 to 98 percentile. Do note that the difficulty level of last year's XAT was a couple of notches higher.
bhavya asked, with XAT exam, XLRI is impossible for me, which other institutes are good enuf after XLRI, which fall between the xat score of 70 to 80 percentile
Aziz Manva answers, If you can stretch a little more on your percentile, probably LIBA, IFMR, Goa institute, Alliance, XISS, XIME etc.
bhavya asked, are these institutes good enuf, i mean do we get 100 % placement in such colleges? and what is the range of package?
Aziz Manva answers, They are reasonable institutes taking XAT scores. Request you to check with the respective institutes and their websites for complete details. The best option is to request the admissions / placements office to help you connect with few current students.
devang asked, where can i get past XAT papers? anyone?
Aziz Manva answers, Please visit http://testfunda.com/ExamPrep/Downloads/CATQuestionPapers.aspx to download past XAT, SNAP, IIFT and CAT papers for FREE
bhavya asked, where can i get the list of institutes which fall in the range of around 80 percentile of XAT score
Aziz Manva answers, Please visit http://testfunda.com/XAT for a complete lowdown on XAT 2012
bhavya asked, where can i find the list of institutes which fall in the range of 80 to 90 percentile in CAT score, so that i can apply accordingly
Aziz Manva answers, Going by past trends - GIM Goa, IFMR, Alliance Bangalore, XISS ranchi, XIME, LIBA etc. Infact many of them will not require sectional cut offs.
'Last year's XAT was more difficult than last year's CAT'
crackcat asked, sir, pls give me final week preparation strategy for cat? should i stick to solving mocks alone? when should i start preparing for XAT and GD/PI
Aziz Manva answers, at 2011-11-01 15:53:45XAT and GDPI are still far away. You can start preparing for them after you are done with CAT. For CAT, focus more on covering the basics of most chapters rather than too many mocks
vishal asked, what would be the minimum attempt in cat 2011 for top most colleges
Aziz Manva answers, Try to attempt atleast 17-19 questions in section 1 with 15+ correct and atleast 22-24 questions in section II with atleast 20 correct
joshua asked, hi how many questions should i answer correctly in each section to get into a good school? how many questions should i attempt?
Aziz Manva answers, For a good B-school, you may need to attempt atleast 17 questions in section I and 23 questions in section II. Try to attempt atleast 40 questions overall. In section I, try to get atleast 14 right and in section II try to get atleast 20 right
crackcat asked, is CAT more difficult than XAT? which other exams should i consider besides CAT and XAT?
Aziz Manva answers, Last year's XAT was more difficult than last year's CAT. You could also consider SNAP, NMAT and MHCET for other top institutes
raj asked, sir,since i'm an average student when should i start my preparation for CAT 2012 ? also how i go about the same...
Aziz Manva answers, You could start any time now. But for the next 2-3 months, mainly focus on improving your reading skills and revising basics of school level mathematics
vishal asked, But i doubt that in verbal people will attempt so much ...i have read forums...va part is difficult
Aziz Manva answers, the difficulty level has been changin from test to test and slot to slot. However, the general feedback that we have received is that section I has been slightly tougher compared to section II
raj asked, does coaching centres really help in preparation ?
Aziz Manva answers, They do...if you are unable to regularly able to spend time for CAT preparation on a daily basis and in a systematic manner
RV asked, hi..CAT score is valid for Executive MBA programs in IIMs???
Aziz Manva answers, Generally, executive MBA programmes will take GMAT scores. However, it would be advisable to check with the relevant IIM where you are planning to apply
vishal asked, i have attempted 29 in quant and 25 in verbal....i hope 95%accuracy in quant and 80 percent in verbal......so what are my chances ?
Aziz Manva answers, If you have so many attempts with such a high accuracy...you should definitely expect multiple calls. All the best!
zou asked, Attempting 60 questions with accuracy 80% will fetch how much percentile?30th Oct Morning slot.
Aziz Manva answers, Irrespective of slot, if you have attempted all 60 questions with around 80% accuracy, you can expect a few calls
zou asked, Few calls ,you mean from IIM A,B,C..?
Aziz Manva answers, That cannot be guaranteed at this stage...but your performance does seem good
shini asked, my mock cat scores are pathetic inspite of preparing..... what should i do in this final week :( ???
Aziz Manva answers, Firstly, if your mocks are taking away your confidence, don't take any further mocks. Instead, focus on revising the basics of all the chapters
'To get an IIM - A call, you need to have a 99 plus percentile'
RV asked, i having 5.4 YEARs experience,should go for two tear MBA programm or one year full time residential program.Please advise me..
Aziz Manva answers, You should ideally go in for the 2 year programme from the IIMs or the 1 year programme from ISB
Mehul asked, Hello Sir...What all sections are there in CAT and which books should I refer for cracking CAT?
Aziz Manva answers, When are you planning to appear for CAT? CAT will have Quantitative Ability + Data Interpretation in section 1 and Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning in section 2
must asked, Have prepared well for CAT and am now practicing. But, How much time does one get to prepare for GDPI, after written part. And how to prepare for GDPI ?
Aziz Manva answers, You will have ample time as the GDPIs will generally be around March and April. You will need to be updated on a lot of current affairs during this period. Just keep yourself updated in terms of current affairs and start practising only after your written tests are over
anil asked, Hello Sir, Please guide what for next step, if one has done good at Online Test.
Aziz Manva answers, If you taking CAT this year, focus more on revising the basics and concepts from all chapters
must asked, Thank you Sir for answering on GDPI. Does that mean if results of written are out by Jan 1st week, I'd get at least 2 months to prepare for GDPI ?
Aziz Manva answers, Yes..you will get atleast 1.5 - 2 months for the GDPI, which is more than sufficient time to prepare
shyamili asked, How can CAT 2011 be compared to CAT 2010? Which format is easier? P.S: Other than time management
Aziz Manva answers, Generally, the feedback has been that CAT 2011 has been on the tougher side compared to CAT 2010 and the areas from which questions have been asked have been more diverse
REF asked, Does Executive MBA,Distance education MBA have any value with regard to normal MBA ? Why is regular MBA better than the others ?
Aziz Manva answers, Generally, a normal MBA has more value compared to distance learning MBA. An executive MBA is more or less similar but the placement opportunities are better in a normal MBA
anam asked, What should be the percentile to get into IIM-A and FMS?
Aziz Manva answers, To get an IIM - A call, you need to have a 99+ percentile with atleast 97-98 percentile in each section. The percentile for FMS cannot be predicted at this stage
deb asked, What do you suggest for 15 + years of work experience candidate. Executive MBA from which college should give benefit?
Aziz Manva answers, ISB Hyderabad should be the best bet for you.
anil asked, Thanks for the answer. Pl tell me the best ways to prepare GDPI
Aziz Manva answers, One way to do well in GDPI is to be well prepared in terms of current affairs and brush up your communication skills
swk123 asked, i have attempted 19 in quant and 30 in verbal....i hope 90%accuracy in quant and 95 percent in verbal......so what are my chances ?
Aziz Manva answers, You have good chances of getting 1-2 calls
aas asked, i am looking for cat-2012, when should i start my ideal preparation from, although i am doing a job, should i join any coaching institute?
Aziz Manva answers, You can start your preparation any time now. You can join a coaching class if you feel that you will not be able to devote adequate time on a regular basis at home.
shyamili asked, What should be the percentile to get into IIT-M and FMS?
Aziz Manva answers, Since this is the first year in which FMS is accepting CAT scores, it is difficult to predict the required percentile
Aziz Manva says, Thanks for participating in the chat. Hope to see you again next time. Wish you all the best!
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