XAT 2019 Aptitude Test: Prepare for Quantitative Ability with these tips
Preparing for XAT 2019? With the national level Aptitude Test securing admission for management candidates being just round the corner, all aspirants must accelerate their preparation. XAT 2019 is an online computer-based test containing two parts, Part A and Part B. Verbal and Logistic ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation comprise Part A while Part B comprises General knowledge and an essay of 200-word limit.
Quantitative Ability and data interpretation cover the major part of aptitude that is approximately 37% and out of the total 29 questions from this section, 21 are asked from Quant and remaining from the data interpretation making. Hence, the section must be paid attention to and must be practiced thoroughly. Quantitative ability section in XAT has been varying in difficulty level every year, usually tending towards the tougher side. XAT 2016 had a tougher Quant section, but XAT 2017 had an easier Quant.
Quantitative Aptitude for XAT is considered to be the most difficult section by approximately 99% of Management aspirants. The reason behind the failure in Quant section is lack of solving complex problems in minimum possible time and it worsens the situation for the candidates from the non-mathematical background. So, proper planning is very important for the aspirants. Here are few tips for you to excel in the quantitative ability section:
Build your basics strong: The first step would be to get your basics/fundamentals cleared by solving questions from each chapter. The quant section in XAT is very similar to CAT, so if you have prepared for CAT it would be much easier for you to attempt the maximum number of right questions. The difference is just that you will require a better understanding of the fundamentals for few questions in XAT. For solving the quant questions extensively fast, approximation does help. But, it will have to be based on how close the options are.
Work on shortcuts, tricks, and techniques: You need to focus on the concept and not just the problem solving where you can start predicting question types. Refer to some comprehensive books and learn short tricks from video tutorials. Methods based on generalized formulae, lateral reasoning, and simplification of the question can help you to score more.
Practice: “Practice is the key to success”, thus by practicing the quant mock tests you can increase your chances of getting selected in XAT 2019. There is no better way to improve quant especially for XAT which has a bit higher difficulty level as compared to other aptitude tests in India. A genuine strategy along with the accuracy will help you to sail through the quant questions in XAT. Mark your strong and weak points so that you can try to improve the weak topics.
Write your steps clearly and line by line: Try to solve the question with one action on every line. Never go horizontally, it may take more paper, but you’ll be able to follow your steps much more quickly if you get stuck in the middle of the question. Try to make a habit to pen down all the formulae, tricks and techniques you study in a book as and when you come across. This will help you in your final minute revision, and you will not need to turn scores of pages in panic for that one single formula or trick.
Make sure you do these things: Use memory techniques, understand the formulae, use different methods to learn the formula, create tables and charts for your convenience and understanding, Practice as much as you can and last but not the least Revise, revise and revise. You should make a study plan and try to cover all the important topics first, having the maximum weightage. Then, coming to the least important types.
Time per question: Proper time management is very important because it leads to efficiency and productivity. So, you need to analyse your time speed and accuracy by practicing the mock tests. Set a goal to attempt all questions from the topic you know very well. Division of topics as per the assigned time help in achieving your set target. Don’t give too much attention to one part of the syllabus and ignore the other.
Negative marking: As -1/4 marks will be deducted if one question goes wrong. You need to keep this in mind while attempting the questions during the exam. So, it is not advisable to attempt too many questions on guesswork.