How to prepare for XAT Essays
Essay writing has been integral part for XAT exams since last so many years. This is a totally different aspect which comes across us in comparison to other similar MBA entrance tests. Generally there is 2 hrs of time to complete the XAT paper which consists of sections like English, Quant and Reasoning. After this paper gets completed there is small break for 10 minutes after which second part of essay writing is being conducted. Essay writing in XAT consists of 20 minutes time and there is no word limit as such for the same but generally 350-450 words will suffice provided the content is good and well managed to justify its topic.
TYPES OF ESSAYS ASKED IN XAT:
There are basically two broad categories of essays which are asked in XAT they are ABSTRACT topics e.g.”There is a no right way of doing a wrong thing.” and the other type is KNOWLEDGE BASED topics e.g. “India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations and patented products.”
In case of abstract topics the logical power and creative thinking of the candidate is tested while in case of knowledge-based topics one requires in depth knowledge about the topics and had to back his argument with reasonable data and quotes. This requires in-depth reading on variety of topics and understanding of the subject matter. I would suggest regular reading of business magazines and business dailies for preparing such topics. Also reading magazines like TIME, INDIA TODAY etc. and listening BBC NEWS will benefit a lot to the candidate not only for the essay writing but also for GD-PI preparation.
WHY ESSAY WRITING IN XAT:
As such XLRI selects a candidate for short listing for PI on the basis of scores of written exams only and essay has no role to play for getting a call from XLRI, but it is definitely given importance to shortlist a candidate in the interview. Basically essay is used to know the logical power and depth of understanding of candidate about his surrounding world. The interviewer can ask questions based on the essay and it is also used to measure how well a candidate can convince his/her point. So make sure that you refer the key points of the essay before facing the interview.
Another suggestion is that be as simple and crisp in your points as possible and never provide wrong data, facts or quotes on the basis of your intuition. One should also make sure that the starting part and conclusion part should be most effective as it creates very good impression. The body of essay should cover all important points and explain them in a reasonable length.
What is looked for?
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Subject knowledge
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Clarity of thought
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Flow of ideas
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Examples
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Facts
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Correct usage of grammar
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Correct usage of words
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A neat hand-writing
How should you write?
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Always write in paragraphs
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It’s not a natural but learned skill
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Different paragraphs express different ideas that contribute to the main idea
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A paragraph should ideally contain :
(i) Topic Sentence: it is the 1st sentence expressing the main idea of the paragraph- Say what you are going to say
(ii) Supporting Sentences: they expand the main idea expressed in the topic sentence- Say it
(iii) Concluding Sentence: rounding off what has been said or a logical conclusion of the idea in the topic sentence- Say it again!!!
How should you write?
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Follow a flow of paragraphs
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Always let the first paragraph be an introduction to the subject matter
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Expansion/ support/ refutation of the idea must follow in subsequent paragraphs
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The last paragraph must have a conclusion of the main idea
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There could be two forms of writing- Deductive and Inductive
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You should have good knowledge of the topic to write about
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Read the directions carefully
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Recognize action words- discuss, evaluate, argue, comment etc.
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Focus on the issue rather than peripheries
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Choose words with precise meanings; avoid ambiguity
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Do not use Jargon
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Do not use Slang
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Do not use Cliché
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Do not use Abbreviations
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Do not use Quotations without acknowledgments
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Make tentative statements; avoid definitive statements- it leaves a scope for further discussion
How to prepare?
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Regular reading of:-
(i) Newspaper editorials
(ii) News papers
(iii) News websites
(iv) Non-fiction
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Discussions with friends and family
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Informational thinking
XAT PREVIOUS YEARS ESSAY TOPICS
XAT essay 1996
“There is no right way of doing a wrong thing.”
XAT essay 1997
“By the third or fourth week of the term, business school had succeeded in afflicting me with a variation of the Stockholm syndrome, named after the incident in which a hostage in a Stockholm bank robbery fell in love with one of her captors.”
XAT essay 1998
Max Weber, a German Sociologist, defined state as an entity that has a monopoly over legal violence. India proves that the converse is also true; if criminals cannot be punished by the law, its effect they become the state.
XAT essay 1999
That is what a Television really is; it is another eye so you can see anywhere; another part of your heart so you can feel and care about things you never felt and cared about before; another ear to hear strange music … the first and only International language.
XAT essay 2000
Ships in harbor are safe; but that is not what they are built for.
XAT essay 2001
“Economic Growth without distributive justice can only lead to violence”
XAT essay 2002
“Indian Economy in the Post WTO Era.”
XAT essay 2003
“To give real service, one needs to add something that cannot be bought or measured, like sincerity and integrity.”
XAT essay 2004
Asked at the age of 83, as to which of his project would he choose as his master piece, Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect answered, “The next one”
XAT essay 2005
“More than one billion Indians: A gigantic problem or a sea of opportunities.”
XAT essay 2006
“India has one of the largest pools of talented manpower, but few innovations and patented products.”
XAT essay 2007
“Economic Growth without environmental damage - a mirage or a reality”
XAT essay 2008
“Gender imbalance will lead to Third world war.”
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