The Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) conducted annually by Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur will be held on January 8, 2012. Online registration for the same can be done from September 20, 2011 upto November 30, 2011.
While the paper will remain a pen and paper format this year and conducted on a single day, the content of the paper is expected to change drastically. Chairperson, Admissions, Prof. Soumendra Bagchi told PaGaLGuY that the format of the paper is going to be hugely different this year keeping in mind the new demands. “It is good to bring about changes in the paper and this year the changes will reflect that changing expectations of present times,” he said.
Prof Bagchi added that the aim of the paper will be to get in more aspirants from the humanities sector and decrease the number from the engineering background. “The whole paper will be re-structured to meet these needs. You can say that it is going to be re-packaged to genuinely get in a diverse group,” he said.
When asked why XLRI is not going the way of some of the new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) which are allotting extra marks for women candidates and non-engineers, Prof Bagchi said that the IIMs can take the liberty since they do not come under All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). “While we come under AICTE, so we cannot make such changes,” he added.
XLRI is known to actively encourage students from diverse backgrounds. While preparing the short-listed candidates for the interview, in addition to XAT performance, academic ability, extra-curricular activities and relevant work experience is also taken into account. Of course, performance in the personal interviews (and/or group discussions) is also factored in.
XAT has been in force for the last 60 years. There are more than 70 plus management institutes who select from XAT. The XAT Bulletin and XLRI Prospectus can be obtained from 121 Branches of Axis Bank or from the XAT Office / Admissions Office, XLRI, Circuit House Area (East), Jamshedpur, 831001.