This is for the first time in the history of management entrance examinations that a test taking body has come out with the answerkey along with the solutions of the questions asked in their test, and that too in time.
Though this is a standard practice for some other recruitment bodies (SSC, UPPSC etc.), no management institute has ever bothered about it. In fact, XAT has shown some light to bodies like CAT group and SNAP.
The students have been given the option of getting back to XAT if they are not satisfied with the answers. Please read on for our take on the question paper. The body clearly states that students can send out an email to xatqp@xlri.ac.in on or before 16th January 2015 for any question paper / answer key queries. Many of us at CL appeared for XAT & we have made it a point to write to them. We encourage you to write to XAT too. To download the sample student response, click here
Let’s analyze the solutions now:
All the question numbers used here are from Booklet series D.
Question 38
There are two correct answers here, options A and D.
In option A, the sales volume of generic drugs in India comes out to be less than 7% (confirmed by the official solution too). Anything which is less than 7% is certainly less than 43% as well and this this option is definitely correct. Moreover, as this was the very first option (and so very obviously correct), not many students bothered to check any other option in this high pressure examination.
Question 65
The answer, in our opinion, is E (none of the above).
We have to find the highest possible value of the expression a+b+c+d divided by a+b+c-d. The highest value would tend towards INFINITY whenever a+b+c would be equal to d. E.g. when a=1, b=2, c=3 and d=6, here the value of the expression reduces to 12 divided by ZERO which tends towards INFINITY. Among the finite values option C (51) is the answer but in presence of option E (None of the above), E is the best choice.
It is written in the solution that the least value of the denominator is 1, which is incorrect. The least value of the denominator would be -19 that is when a=1, b=2, c=3 and d=25.
Question 69
The answer in my opinion is “Cannot be determined” and as that is none of the first four options, option E (None of the above) becomes the best choice.
Here the question talks about an ASCENDING SERIES OF NUMBERS which satisfies two conditions. The question asks the 6th term in the series.
The solution assumes that the sequence is
242, 902,1562, 2222, 2882, 3542, 4202,4862…
Here, the 6th term is 3542 and that is given as the answer.
Now, even if we take the sequence as
902,1562,2222, 2882, 3542, 4202 or as
242,1562, 2222, 3542, 4202, 4862
all these sequences are ascending and satisfy both the conditions. And thus, we can get different 6th term depending on the sequence we choose to go for. IT IS NO WHERE MENTIONED IN THE QUESTION THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE ALL THE NUMBERS OF THE SERIES. EVEN IF XAT INSISTS THAT THE AFOREMENTIONED SEQUENCES DO NOT FORM A SERIES WE CAN CREATE THOUSANDS OF SERIES WITH A COMMON DIFFERENCE OF 1320 OR EVEN 1980!!!
Question 71
Here, we think that the answer is option E. The question says, “students got all possible marks BETWEEN 25 and 30 and every student had different marks”. Now, when we say “between 25 and 30”, should 30 be included? In my opinion, it should not be and thus the rank of the student who got 27.5 marks is 4 and not 5.
“4” is none of the options and hence my answer is E (None of the above).
Question 73
Here the question itself is incorrect as there CANNOT be two integers M and N for which M! – N! would have 999000 as the last 6 digits. In other words, we can say that all the options (A, B, C, D and E ) are correct. There are many people who began with an option and when could not get the last six digits as 999000 for any of the possible combinations marked that very option as the answer.
Over all snapshot of our feedback:
| Question No | Correct answer (remark) |
| 38 | Correct answers are option A & D |
| 65 | Option E- None of the above |
| 69 | Cannot be determined |
| 71 | Option E – None of the above |
| 73 | Question incorrect |
We once again encourage you to send an email to xatqp@xlri.ac.in on or before 16th January 2015 for the question paper / answer key queries.
To download the sample student response, click here
Thanks
CL Academic Team
Hi Sir, how is XLRI GMP in terms of placements. I have got a call from XL GMP and HRM .. plz suggest. Have close to 6 years of work ex.
Vivek, HRM is a better program, if you do not make it to the final list then rather than GMP, with your experience, you should take GMAT and target 1 year MBA of ISB or PGPX of the top IIMs.
Hi Sir, thanks for the suggestion. I have given both the interviews and GMP’s was far better than HR. HR’s was a stress interview, i guess my chances for GMP would be more. Sir is it really worth considering or would you say i should drop the idea and go for GMAT. I just don’t won’t to take the plung to prepare for GMAT etc. etc. 🙂 .. hope you understood …
Sir,
I have got 88.96% in XAT. What are my chances of IMT G, XIMB, Tapmi, KJ Somaiya?
Also, what other colleges can I cosnider?
Manisha, except IMT G the others are possible.
Hi Sir,
My XAT score is as follows :
OA95.66
QA 90.58, VA 89.42 and DM 89.83.
I believe that I would have cleared for the 3 programmes that XLRI offers but unfortunately I missed the deadline to apply for XLRI because of my ignorance. I believe XLRI being the premier institute that it is wouldnt want to bend its rules but is there some way I can get an opportunity to get through to the next round. Hoping against hopes.
Thanks ,
Kishore
Kishore, unfortunately nothing can be done in this regard. What is your CAT score and where else have you applied.
Sir,
I have got a call from NMIMS Banglore ?
How is it in terms of placement and ROI?
Should I step ahead for it?
Piyush, NM Blr can be considered for joining but it has a high fee. What are your other options?
I got 3 interviews scheduled in 1 week-for iim A abm, iim shillong and mdi….but due to tight scht at itc india..I can only go 4 two at most….please suggest mw which one to choose
Siddharth, apologise for missing you query. Please call me at 9811155160 to discuss if you still need to decide.
Sir I have been working in my own consultancy company for the past 10 months.Is this counted as valid work experience for CAT’15?
Anita, this will be counted as valid work experience.
Sir,
I had sent an e mail to the above id regarding my queries in the XAT 2015 paper, particularly in the DM section. But I haven’t received any reply from their side. So, will our (the test taker’s) opinion be considered and will they make any change in the Official Answer Keys??
hello sir i have received an email for gd/pi from iilm delhi and asia pacific institute of management please suggest me whether i should join them or not.
Akshat, apologise for the delay. Hope you have attended the interviews. What are your options?
Sir,
I am from CL, Cp 2014 batch.
My name is Vipin Tiwari
sir I got 99.72 %tile in Mat May 2014 attempt
and 87.86 %tile with overall scaled score of 126.36 in Cat 2014
QA Scaled Score – 62.96 and 83.35 %tile
VA Scaled Score – 64.04 and 87.58 %tile
I also appeared for NMAT in which I got 190 Marks.
SNAP in which I got 52.75 marks with 62.26 %tile
IBSAT from which I have got call for GD and PI
and XAT from which my expectations are not good.
My Academics are as follows
Xth jharkhand board – 2007 batch – 82.4 %
XII CBSE – 2009 batch – 73.8 %
B.Sc. Physics Hons. – 2013 batch – 71 %
Work Experience – worked 2 Years as a Martial Arts Instructor (which is irrelevant I guess)
Sir, I am really Confused about my future career options because CAT Results have left me nowhere. sir pls guide me what should I do next. I already have 2 year gap in academics and I want to get some relevant degree (MBA) in order to be financially secure. I am also thinking for a Cat retake. How is the ICFAI hydrabad, should I consider joining this I am reluctant since the fees of ICFAI does not compliment its ranking.
Sir pls advise me ASAP what to do next. I am in delhi If I want to seek personal attention would that be a problem sir?
If not Pls let me know when and how Could I reach you.
Thank You Very much sir.
Vipin, apologise for missing your message, please call me at 9811155160 in the evening (any day) to discuss.
Sir, for the question a+b+c-d, if you consider infinity, then you would make denominator = 0 .. denominator = 0 can never be a condition as it is out of the domain of the equation and is an indeterminate form…. infinity as a value is very well possible for functions like y= x+4 .. but what do u think would be the maximum value of a function like y = (x+4)/(x-4) … wouldnt it be illogical if someone says that the answer is infinity? because x= 4 would nt be even in the domain? .. if in that question you make a+b+c -d = 0 , it rejects the basic condition of expressions….
Hello GP sir,
This has got nothing to do with XAT.. Sir, many students complained that the score awarded by the authorities in SNAP was way below their actual expectation and even too low when compared to the CL predicted score, me being one amongst the thousand students.. We even wrote a mail to the authorities but we are told that the scores awarded to us is correct as they have re-evaluated our answers..but sir many of us are very sure that we deserve much more than what has been awarded to us… What could be done for the same? Sir please do help us and do reply what can be done.