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The XIMB Research Aptitude Test (XIMB-RAT) is a test of some basic skills considered essential for researchers, namely written communication, analytical reasoning, and data interpretation skills. Please keep in mind the following instructions regarding the test. Similar instructions will appear on the cover page of the test booklet. You should reach the test centre 30 minutes before time, so that you will have time to read the actual instructions before the test begins. 1. You should have with you the XIMB-RAT Admit Card, a scale (or paper knife, to tear open the seal in the test booklet), and your pens. Books, notebooks, calculators, computing aids, and mobile phones are not allowed. Use a pen with either black or blue ink. Once the test begins, you will not be allowed to leave the room until the test is over. 2. The test booklet contains four sealed sections (A, B, C, D). All the pages are printed on one side of the paper, leaving the reverse side empty. The time allowed for different sections are: Section A: 30 minutes, Section B: 40 minutes, Section C: 20 minutes, and Section D: 30 minutes [Total: 120 minutes]. 3. You will be evaluated essentially on your writing, logical/mathematical reasoning, and data interpretation skills. You should use formal English for all your answers (i.e. avoid informal abbreviations, casual usages, slang vulgar expressions, etc.). Section A is a self-portrait section, in which you will write about yourself and your individual perspective on certain matters. Section B will assess your skills of writing. Section C will assess your reasoning, and Section D will assess your quantitative and data interpretation skills. 4. During the test, you should feel free to write any feedback (about the test, specific questions, defects in the booklet, etc.) on the feedback page given at the end. You should not write your name, ID, or any identification anywhere in the test booklet, except on the front page, within the space provided for this purpose. 5. When the invigilator announces the time to start, you will use your scale (or paper knife) to tear open the seal for Section A and start answering. 6. There will be no negative marking. All the questions are self-explanatory. No further clarification should be sought from the invigilator. In all the sections, you are allowed to do rough work either in the margin or on the reverse side of the paper. Such rough work will not be taken into account for evaluation. 7. All answers are to be written within the space provided. No additional paper will be given. Therefore, you should plan your answers suitably. If for any extraordinary reason you need extra space while answering Section A and B, you could write on the reverse side of the page. 8. For some of the questions, the answers will be expected within a specified a word-count range. This helps in assessing your ability to compose an answer of an expected size. Therefore, answers that fall outside the specified range will not be taken favourably. You must write the actual word-count at the end of your answer to such questions and ensure it is within the range specified. 9. If you finish answering a section before time, you should utilize your balance time in revising your answers in that section. You are not allowed to go forward until the invigilator announces the time to go to the next section. You are not allowed to go back to the previous section(s) at any time. 10. At the end of the test, you should leave the room quietly after all the test booklets and admit cards are collected by the invigilator.
SECTION A (30 minutes) Total marks: 5 This is the self-portrait section. There are two questions (A1, A2) in this section. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Therefore, you should feel free to write what comes to your mind naturally. The evaluation will be based on how well you adhere to standard written English. You will be evaluated for the quality of sentence construction (spelling, grammar, syntax, style, etc.) and the quality of composition (logical flow of thoughts, clarity of expression, persuasiveness and impact of the text, etc.). For this section, both the answers will be read together and assessed jointly. A single mark will be awarded out of 5. Remember that word-limits apply to both the questions. You must count and write the number of words at the end of each answer. This section may also be used at the second stage of the selection process, if you are short-listed. Sample Questions A1. It is said that, "Some people reach the top of the ladder only to find it is leaning against the wrong wall." Please reflect on this statement and apply it to your own life. Discuss what this means to you in your own personal journey (within 150-250 words). Guidelines for answering: To answer such questions, you have to be clear about the view (or insight) the quoted statement conveys. You have to then relate that view (or insight) to your own personal experiences. You may or may not fully agree with the position expressed in the quotation. But, you should make an effort to present an authentic account of what the statement means to you, especially in the context of your own worldview and your own approach to life. Remember, your answer must be within the specified word-count range. At the end of your answer, you should count the exact number of words you have written and write the word-count in the space provided. A2. Please describe how you have prepared for taking up doctoral-level studies at a management school (within 150-250 words). Guidelines for answering: For such questions, you should given an authentic answer. Remember, your answer must be within the specified word-count range. At the end of your answer, you should count the exact number of words you have written and write the word-count in the space provided. When you finish writing both the answers, you should review your answers in this section only. The invigilator will announce when it is time to go to the next section. SECTION B (40 minutes) Total marks: 15 There are two questions (B1 and B2) in this section. These are intended to assess your skills of writing and comprehension. Question B1 will involve summarising a given passage and Question B2 will involve writing a composition on a given theme. Remember that word-limits apply to both the questions. You must count and write the number of words at the end of each answer. Sample Questions B1. Please read the following text carefully. Write a brief summary of the text within 100-200 words, in the space provided after the text. Give a suitable title to the summary. You are allowed to take notes on the margins, or underline words in the text. Text: (Some text of about 700 words will be given.) Guidelines for answering: For this question, it is important that all the key ideas expressed in the given text find a place in the summary. The summary should convey the message of the original text without altering its focus, scope, or intent. Your answer will be evaluated for these aspects, as well as your sentence construction and composition skills. Remember that your answer must be within the specified word-count range. At the end of your answer, you should count the exact number of words you have written and write the word-count in the space provided. B2. "Whenever man comes up with a better mousetrap, nature immediately comes up with a better mouse." Please compose an essay of 200-300 words to present your perspective on this statement. You may consider the topic from different standpoints, but you must present a clear stance on the matter. You must organise and develop your viewpoint in a lucid and coherent manner, supporting it with relevant arguments and examples. You will be evaluated on your adherence to standard written English and your ability to state your thoughts in a structured way. Guidelines for answering: Your essay will be evaluated on your sentence construction and composition skills as well as your ability to state your thoughts in a coherent and logically defensible manner. Remember that your answer must be within the specified word-count range. At the end of your answer, you should count the exact number of words you have written and write the word-count in the space provided. When you finish writing both the answers, you should review your answers in this section only. The invigilator will announce when it is time to go to the next section. SECTION C (20 minutes) Total marks: 10 There are 4 questions (C1-C4) in this section. These questions are designed to assess your reasoning skills. Rough work is allowed in the margin or on the reverse side of the paper, which will not be evaluated. There is no negative marking. Answers are given to all the sample questions. The answers appear in this font style (boldface). C1. Please read the following paragraph carefully and answer the questions following it: The 'balanced aquarium' is a well-known concept amongst environmentalists. It is an aquarium sealed with a glass cover. Within it is a closed cycle, so without food being added and without being cleaned it maintains itself for years. Plants capture sunlight and produce energy-rich food; a few snails graze on the rich bacteria flora, which develops in the sand. But only two tiny fish can be supported in an aquarium of about five gallons of water. If more fish are added, the cycle falls into a spiral of irreversible decay. The plants die, causing the water to become foul, after which the bacteria take over in massive numbers until their food, too, is used up. Our earth is that aquarium. We have too many fish in the tank, there is too much waste being produced, and only the bacteria will reap a benefit if we don't act quickly. (a) What is the main argument presented in the paragraph? We are consuming too much natural resource and producing too much waste far beyond the carrying capacity of earth. If we do not act quickly, most life forms will be wiped out from the face of the planet. (b) List the unstated assumptions made in the paragraph which are necessary for the argument to hold good. The 'balanced aquarium' truly represents the earth's ecosystem. Waste produced on earth is directly proportional to the size of our population. Going beyond the carrying capacity of earth will result in the complete elimination of the human race. Some of us are capable of reducing the rate of consumption of natural resources and the production of waste. (c) What logical weaknesses do you find in the argument? Over-extension of the 'balanced aquarium' analogy to a very large-scale and complex domain. Humans are compared with fish, but some of them are ascribed the capacity of judgement and action to change the global situation. C2. Mr. Sharma depicts all the 10 living members in his joint family (A to J) as given in the figure. The logic that he followed in arriving at this hierarchical structure is, a member to the right of a particular member is younger (e.g., C is younger to B) and a member to the left is older (e.g., E is elder to D). Based on the figure, please answer the questions below.
C3. Two persons, Amar and Ishwar, are having a witty conversation. Ishwar says he has three children, all of whom have the same birthday (but all weren't necessarily born in the same year). Amar asks their ages. Isaac replies, "The product of the ages of my children is 72." Amar points out that this is not enough information to determine their ages. Ishwar responds with another clue -- he tells Amar the sum of the ages of his children. But Amar again points out that there is not enough information. Finally Ishwar says, "My youngest child is Ganesh." At last, Amar correctly determines the ages of Ishwar's children. What are the ages of Ishwar's children? Answer: 2, 6, 6 C4. There are some arguments/statements appearing below, which may have some logical oddities/flaws. Please indicate whether the arguments/statements are logically sound or unsound. If it is the latter, then describe the flaws you notice in them:
SECTION D (30 minutes) Total marks: 20 This is the last section, containing 4 questions (D1-D4). These questions are designed to assess your quantitative and data interpretation skills. Rough work is allowed in the margins or on the reverse side of the paper, which will not be evaluated.
D2. A coin tossing game requires two people to play the game. Suppose Menak and Raunak are playing the game with each other. If head turns up then Menak is supposed to give one rupee to Raunak, and if tail turns up then Raunak is supposed to give one rupee to Menak. The players have Rs.100 each to start with. Please answer the following questions:
D3. The following table contains coconut production data for India for the financial year 1999-2000. Please read the data carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Answer the following questions using the previous table.
With this section completed, you reach the end of the XIMB Research Aptitude Test. If you still have time, you should feel free to review your answers in this section only.
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