How to crack XAT, SNAP and other exams - Tips from a 99.8 percentiler
The battle of CAT is over, but there is still a lot left to fight for. Tips on how to crack XLRI, SIBM and other top colleges. I'm Abhishek Tahlan, a 2nd year student at XLRI Jamshedpur. I attained 99.8+ percentile in XAT 2015 & SNAP 2014
Abhishek Tahlan
08:00 PM
09:00 PM
-
Sahiti
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Snehal Garg
-
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
Akshat Jain
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
Ruta Mehta
-
(With respect to GK, Decision Making, Critical Reasoning etc.)
02:29 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
GK is non evaluative for getting a call, so priority should be main exam. GK is a good mix of static (business, general, world) and dynamic (news, Indian economy etc.). Prepare a bit of both. Many sections are common which you have already prepared for CAT. Start off with DM preparation from your coaching material and last 3 XAT analysis. This will give you an idea of what to prepare next.
02:31 PM
-
Bosco Sylvester
-
-
K Raveesh Babu
-
Shridhar Patil
-
Sushmita Mallick
Hi Abhishek This year's XAT website contains only quant in exam resource along with other sections. Just a clarification,, di ll be there as always, right? Thanks in advance
02:30 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Yes, DI is an important part of XAT and other MBA entrances. It is most likely to be present. You will need to clear high sectional cutoffs, so prepare for each section, especially in which you are lacking. Fortunately DI was on the easier side last year.
02:33 PM
-
Akshat Jain
-
Arshia Mulla
-
This year's XAT has -ve scores for each question after 13 left alone Qs . How should one go about attempts in this scenario ?
02:32 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
The main issue was not the figure 13. The main issue was comparing if one should: 1. Leave more and take unattempted negative marking. 2. Attempt more to avoid unattempted marking but take extra negative marking due to more wrong answers. Read the instructions carefully. Then, after round 1 of attempts (100 minutes), decide which strategy of the two mentioned above is better.
02:36 PM
-
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
Akshat Jain
Cat 16 is over. It didn't go as expected and Percentile predictor says around 85%ile. I won't be getting very good b schools with that score. So XAT is the last resort for this year. Want to give my best for XAT. Quant is my weakest area. Please share a detailed strategy for the next 33 days!
02:34 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Detailed strategy will be given to every email ID mentioned in this chat. Regarding quant, sectional cut off is high. So focus on few topics which will give maximum improvement - those which you already understand but practice is lacking. Avoid very easy and very tough topics now. Also consider devoting upto 2/3rd of the day to quant and DM.
02:38 PM
-
Shreyas Vaidya
-
Chelna Salgia
-
-
Sarvesh Joshi
-
Sarvesh Joshi
-
Pratik Agarwal
-
Sushmita Mallick
Okay. Thanks for clarifying. Can you please suggest some good material to prepare the DM part for XAT? Do we need to take separate coaching for XAT?
02:36 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Last few year's papers is a must. Also, explore the XAT specific courses available online or in institutes. Do take one if it suits your needs and schedule.
02:40 PM
-
Pankaj Mulla
-
Sarvesh Joshi
Sir how to prepare for quant in XAT considering the fact that its level is way too high ..Do I need to Focus on LOD3 of Arun Sharma?
02:39 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Regarding quant, sectional cut off is high. So focus on few topics which will give maximum improvement - those which you already understand but practice is lacking. Avoid very easy and very tough topics now. Also consider devoting upto 2/3rd of the day to quant and DM. Source depends on what you feel has been best for you so far. I preferred coaching material by the way.
02:40 PM
-
-
What about the question pattern, Abhishek? Is the Logical Reasoning pattern same as CAT's - as in 4-6 questions for a caselet or does XAT also have Non-verbal reasoning?
02:38 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Go through the last 3-4 XATs and their online analysis.
02:41 PM
-
Akshat Jain
-
Pragya Sahu
-
Kanika Saini
-
Akankshya Mishra
-
Chelna Salgia
-
-
Sarvesh Joshi
-
-
Also, in general, what are the cutoffs to get a call from XLRI, Jamshedpur?
02:41 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Varies highly depending on HR or BM. HR sectional percentile was in the 60s for each section last year. Quant for BM cutoff percentile is more than 85. Overall cutoff is high for both. So it is variable and hard to predict. Do check the online sources for past trends.
02:43 PM
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
Dipti Mundhra
-
email2shreyas17@gmail.com Can you name some of the quants sections which has more weightage like geometry or modern maths or arithmetic
02:43 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Very hard to say. Check last 3-4 XATs previous years, but also be prepared for surprises.
02:44 PM
-
Saumya Nautiyal
-
Jyotika Narula
-
Sushmita Mallick
Alright. Much clear. Next is, even though Essay is not a part of first round call.. can you please suggest some tips how one should prepare writing an structured essay in 20 mins? Especially when the person is not much into writing on regular basis...
02:44 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Clarity of thought. Structured starting, middle and ending. The panel should understand what you are trying to convey. Most of us are not in practice, so check topics from last few years and attempt a few essays as mocks
02:46 PM
-
Akshat Jain
-
-
Sarvesh Joshi
How much should %marks should I secure in order to achieve 95+percentile in XAT?
02:43 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Varies very much depending on difficulty. However, focus needs to be on accuracy and balanced sectionals
02:46 PM
-
-
Akshat Jain
Also, how is essay part of the exam conducted? We have omr sheet for everything else. What about essay? And how much weightage does essay is given in further rounds of selection?
02:46 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Weightage is unknown and up to the interviewers. After main exam is over, OMR is collected and 1 sheet is given for essay with question title on top.
02:47 PM
-
Sarvesh Joshi
-
Sahiti
-
Nikita Rastogi
-
I am weak at DI. Can you please share some tips to improve my score in DI section.
02:47 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Get a sense of XAT DI from last few years. Focus on the easier topics in DI (according to you) and spend 1/2 to 2/3rd time in next one month on DI and DM
02:49 PM
-
Sarvesh Joshi
How did u divide time during XAT exam?Which section did u attempt first?
02:47 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Strongest section first. Easiest 25% questions of each section next. Intermediate difficulty questions last. This is my strategy. Base yours on what ha worked for you in mocks.
02:49 PM
-
Akshat Jain
-
And how similar or dissimilar is the Verbal Ability section and Reading Comprehension section in XAT as compared with CAT?
02:46 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Similar but 5 options in each question makes it tricky. Therefore, analysis of last 4 XATs and giving 1/2 XAT mocks is critical to get used to it.
02:50 PM
-
Akshat Jain
Thank you for your insights. Please share your experience of XAT about your time strategy, attempts strategy etc.
02:50 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
That is a good suggestion. I will add it to the document I am sending. Make sure you have given your email ID
02:51 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
-
-
Please enlighten us on Essay Writing too.
02:43 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Good idea. I will add separate tips for it in the document. Ensure you have mentioned your email to me.
02:52 PM
-
-
A personal unbiased opinion is sought here - XLRI vs Top 6 IIMs.
02:52 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
For me 1. IIMA 2. IIMB 3. IIMC 4. XL/IIML 6. FMS and next are IIMI, IIMK etc
02:53 PM
-
-
Sahiti
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
-
How much weightage is given to under graduation scores? How to justify if they are next to worse?
02:53 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Weightage unknown. You will have to make up for it with top performance in XAT, GD and interview. Think of the justification later and focus on XAT. A top percentile is the best weapon for bad profile holders.
02:54 PM
-
Dinesh Dinesh
-
-
Sushmita Mallick
Thank you for the insight. Is cut off is higher for BM course in all the sections, compared to HR course. Or there is any difference in cut off between sections for these two XL courses?
02:53 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Varies highly depending on HR or BM. HR sectional percentile was in the 60s for each section last year. Quant for BM cutoff percentile is more than 85. Overall cutoff is high for both. So it is variable and hard to predict. Do check the online sources for exact past trends.
02:56 PM
-
-
Dinesh Dinesh
-
Samiran
-
Sushmita Mallick
-
Riya Chandra
-
Thanks for replying and your advice. Please mail me the strategy for SNAP and XAT at amishra.1618@gmail.com I have another query but it's related to the Interviews rather than the preliminary exams. Does having an IT profile in a mass recruitmenting company decrease your chances of getting through the interviews? I have always felt discouraged in my coaching coz the teachers look down and taunt such IT professional.
02:53 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
There are a lot of such sayings I faced as well - you have bad acads, you are from B grade college, you have no work ex, you have a gap year which cannot be justified. But I still got in. This is because the only rules are each stage has its own weightage. Give 100% at each stage. There is nor rule IT guys can't kick ass.
02:58 PM
-
Ayush Joshi
-
Akshat Jain
-
Dinesh Dinesh
What is your take on the difference between the GK section of IIFT & XAT? What would you recommend to maximize the scores in GK section?
02:56 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Not sure about IIFT, but XAT GK is general and balanced. GK is non evaluative for getting a call, so priority should be main exam. GK is a good mix of static (business, general, world) and dynamic (news, Indian economy etc.). Prepare a bit of both.
02:59 PM
-
Khushbu gera
-
-
Riya Chandra
-
Akshat Jain
The opinions which you gave for XL vs IIMs. Is it valid for both BM and HR course of XLRI? Are they both at par? And how would you rate your experience of XLRI BM course? And like in other B schools, is first year of BM like an overall general management course and then we get to choose our specialisation b/w finance,marketing etc in the 2nd year? Also, average placement expected after completing BM course at XLRI?
02:59 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
1. At par. Only reason BM is considered better is that HR is very specific. Many work ex people don't want to be HRs. If you like it then there is nothing better. 2. It is great, the competition is high because of no reservation, batch size low etc. 3. Yes general 1st year and specialisations in the second year. 4. Average ctc is 18-20 lpa.
03:01 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
-
-
Riya Chandra
Can you suggest if doing past papers for xat and snap will be helpful?and if yes then should we do all years or last few years?and what should be the stratergy for snap and xat?and which mocks are closest to snap and xat?? Thank you
03:01 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Yes mocks are recommended. Do at least 1 for SNAP and 2 for XAT. Do a detailed analysis at least if time is lacking. Last 3 years analysis is fine. Strategy will be contained in the document. Mocks of any top institute should be fine.
03:03 PM
-
Khushboo Goenka
-
Thanx a ton Abhishek! Thanking you again to let me know that having a year drop doesn't really block your path ahead. A very much negative feeling which is being carried by students with year drop!
03:02 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
You will have to outperform a lot of people. Don't let the negative mindset of other people affect you. Just do your best and the confidence will be reflected in XAT performance and to the interview panelists.
03:04 PM
-
Asha Nair
-
Karthik Dhavala
What are the sources you had followed for the prep of DM and what is your take on XIMB. I have an experience of 3 years in big brand like Times and SBI. Does that add value in getting a call?
03:02 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Work ex will add value in converting, but good XAT is critical to get a call. XIMB is a good institute and deifinitely should be considered and prepared for. For DM I did last 3 XATs and my coaching material. More than enough.
03:05 PM
-
Gayathri Durai
-
Archana V
-
Riya Chandra
-
Akshat Jain
-
Asha Nair
Could you suggest if changing my career to Finance after PGDM in HR and 2 yrs exp in Recruitement possible? What is an ideal profile to make a cut in the Top B school? Do average profiles get shortlisted at all?
03:05 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
I am too inexperienced to answer if and how one should take this step of career change. There are a few with ideal profiles, but the average profiles go through as well with good performances at each stage of selection. Profiles can be built with time. top b schools also look for top potential and right mindset.
03:07 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
-
Mitali Kadu
-
Riya Chandra
For snap the last paper that is available is 2011.so 2009 to 2011 would be enough? And for decsion making how should we practice? Apart from past papers anything else that we can do?
03:07 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Do DM from coaching material also. It is a high priority section. Focus on it. SNAP mocks and again, coaching material on SNAP is important. Do that if previous years is unavailable.
03:09 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
What is your take on the segregation of the quant section into easy medium and difficult. Approx how many questions will be easy, medium and tougb what is a decent number of attempts to get 90% assuming the overall difficulty was the same as yoir XAT
03:08 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Impossible to say, it varies widely every year. Do as many as you can while maintaining 75% accuracy. No of attempts will take care of themselves. Be careful to not spend too much time on one section.
03:10 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
-
Sangam Singh
-
Riya Chandra
-
Akshat Jain
-
Akshat Jain
-
Karthik Dhavala
My cl cat score predicted as 95-98. What good colleges do you suggest? Very confused on which one to apply. Any idea on the selection of SP JAIN
03:10 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
SP Jain is very specific and has its own rules. Since it is said to be of profile heavy selection criteria, I did not even apply! It is a top college. Do apply if you think you have a chance. I was also expecting about 98 percentile, so I applied to the top 25 colleges, plus 3-4 more near my region (NCR). Apply to those which you would be interested in joining. If in doubt, apply now and choose later.
03:13 PM
-
Akshat Jain
*Cut off percentiles
03:13 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Not sure about SP Jain processes, since they were very profile heavy. Sorry!
03:14 PM
-
Akshat Jain
*Cut off percentiles
03:13 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Not sure about SP Jain processes, since they were very profile heavy. Sorry!
03:14 PM
-
Riya Chandra
Can you suggest any institute dm and snap material? And for lrdi and varccan you suggest from should i practice?
03:12 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Any of the top 2-3 institutes is fine. Do from whichever sources you have liked studying from so far. Some prefer books. I preferred coaching booklets. Whatever you like. Doing short test on specific topics (instead of full long mocks) is easier and faster way to improve. Do that also.
03:16 PM
-
Karthik Dhavala
-
Manisha Karamchandani
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Smriti Joinwal
-
Riya Chandra
-
JOSEPH YEJARLA
-
Akshat Goyal
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
-
Akshat Jain
-
Andrea Fernandes
-
Sonakshi Tyagi
-
Riya Chandra
-
Dinesh Dinesh
-
Rudra Banerjee
-
Your summer internship experience being a fresher?
03:24 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Eye opening. Working as MBAs is not as easy, but not as boring as I thought it would be. A lot of lessons, how to work hard, how to relax, how to get along with people. Very helpful environment too. Definitely amazing. Although the thing they say that real life work doesn't require too much MBA knowledge was true in my stint I guess.
03:26 PM
-
Riya Chandra
How many mocks should be enough? And should we do all of them pen paper based?and for gk should we focus on all areas?
03:25 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
GK is balanced but not a high priority. Keep it regular without devoting high amount of time. Yes, do focus equally on static as well as news based GK. At least 1 or 2 paper based mocks are recommended. Don't take too many, since they can be tiring. 1 a week is good. Spend the rest of the time revising and analysing.
03:28 PM
-
Riya Chandra
-
Dinesh Dinesh
What about the Verbal section in XAT ? Pattern or type of questions expected?
03:25 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Impossible to predict. Check the last 3 years' XATs for a broad idea, and be prepared for surprises also. General trend is they have been reducing in difficulty slightly.
03:30 PM
-
Sonakshi Tyagi
-
Ruchit Lunia
-
Sonakshi Tyagi
How is the finance program in xlri? How will u rate it?
03:30 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
There are a lot of decent companies, and a selection of top companies as well. Profile and acads (including at XL) matter a lot. After IIM A,B,C,L it is definitely the best option. However since fin MBA requirements are very specific, talk to fin alums to get the details.
03:32 PM
-
Sonakshi Tyagi
-
Riya Chandra
What should be a good mock score?
03:29 PM
Abhishek Tahlan
Don't focus on the scores now. The point is to learn from mistakes in mocks and find out which topics to focus on. Don;t think about the scores too much.
03:33 PM
-
Riya Chandra
-
Prateek Pipara
-
Pria Sharma
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Pria Sharma
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Akshat Jain
-
-
Keerthi StarRanger
-
Durga Nangalia
-
Abhishek Jain
-
Samridhi Sukhija
-
Prateek Pipara
-
Tamoghna Purkayastha
-
Sourajeet Kar
-
Rohit Thorat
-
Khishen Shet
-
Shobhit Sharma
-
Saurabh Acharjee
-
Sangeeta Kumari
-
Andy Rao
-
Karthik Ravada
-
Aniket Singh
-
-
NIKITA AGRAWAL
-
Shreyas Agrawal
-
-
Tanishka Asnani
-
Abhishek Tahlan
-
Abhishek Tahlan
We’re so glad that you are participating in this live chat. We’ve made a one-time addition of 100 Kredits to your Konversations account – hope you will use this soon to learn something new.
ABHISHEK TAHLAN
ALL COURSES 
LIVE CHATS 
EXPERTS 
MY CERTIFICATES 
ABOUT 
SUPPORT