Ph.D X-RAT Guidelines 2024
The XIM Research Aptitude Test (X-RAT) is a test of some basic skills considered essential for researchers, namely writing ability, verbal ability and comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude. Please keep in mind the following instructions regarding the test. If the test is conducted in the physical form, 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. However, If the test takes place on online mode, please be ready with your system in advance so that you don’t lose time because of technical issues. Additional instructions corresponding to the online format (if the test is conducted online) will be shared with applicants separately.
1. You should have with you 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). The time allowed for different sections are: Section A: 45 minutes, Section B: 40 minutes, Section C: 45 minutes, and Section D: 50 minutes [Total: 180 minutes].
3. You will be evaluated essentially on your writing, verbal ability and comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative skills. You should use formal English for all your answers (i.e. avoid informal abbreviations, casual usages, slang vulgar expressions, etc.). Section A is the writing ability section in which you need to write on the topic given as per instructions. Section B will assess your skills of verbal ability and comprehension. Section C will assess your reasoning, and Section D will assess your quantitative 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.