XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test) is one of the most prominent and competitive management examinations in India.
Along with evaluating a candidate’s aptitude and logical reasoning skills, XAT also assesses their essay writing abilities.
The essay writing component of XAT holds significant weightage and is considered to be a crucial aspect of the exam.
It not only tests the candidates’ writing skills but also their critical thinking, knowledge, and overall personality. In this article, we will discuss the XAT essay writing sample, its format, and tips to ace this section of the exam.
The XAT essay writing section is a part of the main exam and has a time limit of 20 minutes.
Candidates are given a choice of two topics, out of which they have to choose and write an essay on one.
The word limit for the essay is 200-250 words. It is essential to note that the topics provided are usually general and do not require any specialized knowledge or subject-specific information.
The purpose of this section is to assess the candidate’s ability to articulate their thoughts effectively within a given time frame.
The XAT essay writing sample topics can range from current affairs to abstract ideas and societal issues.
Some of the recent sample topics include ‘Technology and its impact on modern relationships,’ ‘Gender diversity in corporate leadership,’ and ‘Is privacy a luxury or a necessity?’
These topics require the candidates to present their views, arguments, and counter-arguments coherently.
The examiners are not looking for a specific answer, but they want to evaluate how well the candidate can structure and present their thoughts.
The essay writing sample in XAT follows a standard format, comprising of an introduction, body, and conclusion.
It is essential to have a clear and concise introduction that highlights the main points or arguments that the candidate will address in the essay.
The body of the essay should provide a critical analysis of the topic, including multiple perspectives, examples, and evidence to support your argument. It is crucial to have a coherent and logical flow between paragraphs and avoid repetition.
The conclusion should summarize the main points and findings of the essay and provide a concise and conclusive end to the argument.
Here are some tips to ace the essay writing section of XAT:
1. Practice: The more you write, the better you become at it. Practicing beforehand with the previous year’s XAT essay writing topics will help you improve your writing skills and time management.
2. Read extensively: Reading a variety of topics and genres exposes you to different styles of writing and enhances your critical thinking skills.
It also helps in generating ideas and arguments for the essay.
3. Plan your essay: Given the time constraint, it is essential to plan your essay beforehand.
Jot down the main points and arguments that you want to include in your essay and then start writing.
4. Be objective: The essay should be written from a neutral standpoint, and personal biases should be avoided at all costs.
This will help in presenting a balanced argument with supporting evidence.
5. Practice structural flexibility: Do not stick to a particular style or structure; be open to experimentation and try different ways to present your ideas.
This will make your essay stand out from the rest.
In conclusion, the essay writing section in XAT is crucial, and with the right preparation, it can be aced easily.
It is essential to keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer in this section.
The objective is to present a well-structured, coherent, and logical argument within the given time frame.
With practice, critical thinking, and effective time management, one can excel in this section and improve their chances of cracking the XAT exam successfully.