XLRI Admission Test

Data Interpretation

There were 3 DI sets�2 sets on Tables and 1 on Line diagram�with moderate difficulty level.

Topic	XAT 2008	XAT 2007	XAT 2006	XAT 2005
Data Interpretation	12	13	18	25
Table	9(2 sets)	11 (3 Sets)	13 (3 sets)	10 (3 sets)
Pie Chart	0	0	5	5
Line Chart	3	0	0	6
Table + Bar Diagram	0	2 (1 Set)	0	4

         

Essay
XAT also tests you on essay-writing and 20 min is stipulated at the end of the 2 hour test period to write a page-long essay. The topic for this year was:
�The consequence of gender imbalance � The Third World War.�

   

What is gender imbalance?

1. Gender imbalance is defined as the unfavorable status accorded to women in society, vis-�-vis men
2. Examples of gender imbalance � lack of opportunities for education, career, human and legal rights (to vote; to own property) and other rights as equal citizens

History of gender imbalance

1. Most societies practised gender discrimination, well into the 19th century
2. The Age of Enlightenment in Europe and America saw shackles being removed and women being gradually considered as equal citizens through imparting the right to education, jobs, vote etc.
3. In India, too, we witnessed correction of gender imbalance through moves such as permission of remarriage for widows, education for women etc.   Therefore, one hallmark of a modern society has been correction of gender imbalance   

Gender imbalance � where it exists today

1. Exists in several underdeveloped parts of the world, viz. Middle-east and sub-Saharan Africa
2. Even today, women in these countries are denied basic rights to education, careers and legal recourse for securing their rights
3. These are countries which typically suffer from poverty, lack of intellectually capable manpower, absence of basic education and health care resources
4. These countries are typically marked by repressive and reactionary governments, often dominated by antiquated theocracies  

The danger to the world

1. The gender imbalance in these countries is symptomatic of the broader malaise affecting these nations
2. These countries are typically populated by troubled and aggrieved citizens
3. These are also often havens for disgruntled, and even terrorist elements
4. Modern societies are clearly polarized against these backward states which pose a grave threat to world security

Unless these societies are allowed to modernize and aspects like gender imbalance corrected these will seethe with unrest. Since many of these countries have nuclear weapons, the destabilizing forces could cause eruption of violence and war against developed nations which could escalate to a global conflict.
         

All the best!