How to crack XIC online entrance test (OET) entrance exam

I have completed PGDM in Journalism and Mass Communication from XIC. Currently, I am working with CarbonCopy. You can find my work on Muck Rack.

Since I found it very difficult to get the details about XIC online entrance test (OET), I wrote this blog in 2019.

The blog comprises of XIC OET sample paper pattern and how I prepared for the entrance exam.

Let me clarify one thing at first, St. Xavier's College and XIC are two different entities.

What is the placement scenario at XIC?

Also, XIC placement is not good. Half of our class is struggling to find a job. With COVID the condition has worsened.

If you are joining XIC don't depend upon the college for placements. Keep looking for opportunities by yourself.

XIC Entrance Exam Pattern

The XIC online entrance test(OET) took place on 18th May 2019 in Delhi. I appeared for the exam. The timing was 11-12:30 but XIC OET did not start at that time. As soon as you reach the venue you can start writing the test. It is an online test for one and a half hour.

How to Prepare for XIC OET?

So I have been preparing for the entrance examination of Journalism colleges. I googled a lot about the XIC OET sample paper pattern but there was nothing much about it. So I thought why shouldn't I write about t and help the upcoming batch to clear XIC OET.

I have been going through current affairs to prepare for XIC OET but it was not helpful. 

Objective Questions in XIC OET

The entrance exam has two sections: objective and subjective. The objective part has a lot of parts each comprising of different fields. The objective section is of 60 minutes The first part was general knowledge. 

Current affairs were not asked in the exam. There was also a part of verbal and nonverbal reasoning. There were many match the columns. Read the taglines of different brands. It will help you to get good marks.

There were also picture questions that consisted of famous personalities. One of the parts contains some media-related questions.

There were also questions on mirror images of certain words.
The timer starts ticking as soon as you submit the objective part. 

Subjective Questions

The subjective part of XIC OET consists of 3 questions with 30 minutes time limit. The first question is picture writing. You have to write a story according to the picture given in 100 words.

The second question was a general view question. For example, how the technologies introduced by the government are not helping poor people. The word limit was 250. 

In the third question, there are two topics and you have to write on either of the topics in 150 words. 

Keep in mind the time before writing the essays. Don't spend much time on the first question since you have to write minimum characters. Utilize your time effectively. 

Once you submit the subjective section the screen displays your marks for the objective part. Tell one of the invigilators about it. They will confirm your result from the authorities. If you happen to clear the cut off you will be called for an interview. 

Interview

I had a skype interview. The interviewers were very friendly. They made me very comfortable. They asked me why I wanted to join a journalism course at XIC. It was followed by my opinion of Ravish Kumar(as I had mentioned him in my interview). They also asked me about Punya Prasun Bajpai.

We had a discussion about PM Modi's interview with Akshay Kumar and his radar comment. They asked me whether I follow regional politics. After that, they also put up a question from my statement of purpose. They asked whether I follow international news also. The next question was about Brexit. They asked me where I want to work in Delhi or Mumbai. At last, they asked me if I had any questions to ask from them.

Feedback on the whole process

The XIC OET interview part was good and quite enriching. We had a very good interaction on various facts. The part on XIC OETexam which needs to be focussed on is the subjective part because time is limited. Nevertheless, you are only called for the interview if you pass in the objective section. So prepare well and all the best. 😀

Also if you want to experience XIC through pictures, check the link: XIC through my lens

For more information, you connect with me on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Goa:The quite and serene places to go to

Goa is full of beaches but finding a serene beach in Goa is a tough task. I visited Goa in March this year. Though it was hot but nothing can stop the traveler in me. Moreover, at this time the hotels are cheaper. I booked a flight from Delhi to Panaji international airport. From the airport we booked a cab to reach our Airbnb guest house. Ola and Uber does not work in Goa. To get cheaper ride you can book the cabs through Goamiles it is the only cab service app that works in Goa. Our airbnb was an ancestral home. It was beautifully maintained by the owner. The house was close to Anjuna beach. People who comes to party in Goa limit themselves to Baga beach, candolim and calagnute beach. Goa is far more better beyond these beaches. This article is basically about the must go places in Goa to satisfy the traveler in you.


1.Morjim Beach: Spectacular, serene and beautiful. This beach is not so crowded and moreover you will find foreigners here. The shacks are good and the ahack owners are really protective of their customers. They treat you very well. It is also one of the beaches famous for the turtles. Turtles come here for breeding.

2.Agonda beach: This beach is so vast and beautiful. Here also you will find mostly foreigners. This beach is in South Goa. If you are staying in North Goa then do plan to visit South Goa. South Goa is more serene and less crowded. We rode to south by our rented bike. The road after Panaji is covered with vast forest covers on both sides. According to my opinion, one should travel to South goa by bike and stay there to enjoy other nearby beaches. Agonda has many chambers near the beach to stay. 

3. Hollant beach: This is a very secluded beach. Very less crowded but amazingly beautiful. The water level is moderate. The waves are minimal here. There are no shacks just a small restaurant near the beach.

4. Reddy beach: This beach is a must-visit beach in North Goa. The beach is very isolated. Very few people come here. It is an unexplored part of Goa. There are no shacks. A small restaurant is near the beach. The beach is very picturesque.

5.Bambolim beach: The way to reach this beach is very tricky. Google map does not have the correct location for this beach. There is a small lane at the end of Hyatt hotel which leads you to this beach. This beach has no shacks. It is mainly filled by the people in the hotel. Look out for the sunset here. It is beautiful and mesmerizing. 

sunset

6 Sirdao beach: You will find only locals on this beach playing volleyball. There is no one on this beach. You can go and enjoy the view there. There are no shacks.

7.Divar island: It is a small island in Goa. You can reach there by ferry. The ferry does not charge anything. The island has beautiful Portuguese houses. The houses are painted with bright colours and they are quite attractive. Fill the petrol before going to this island. There is no petrol pump there. Moreover, if you forget to fill petrol you can get it from the shops there at a higher cost. 

The island has many beautiful churches. They are quite big and fascinating. You can roam about the island on your bike. The roads are well built. I found only one restaurant there which serves alcohol and food. There are many general stores. The island is very quiet. On a good weather day, you can roam about the island enjoying the architecture.

PS: Don't forget to have Goan fish thali

Goan Fish

ACJ Entrance exam and Interview

Asian college of Journalism has its entrance exam every year. It offers diploma and post graduate diploma. I am coming back from Chennai after giving the interview. Before sitting for the exam I had many questions in my mind regarding the type of Entrance exam question paper and the interview process. I googled it a lot but I didn't find any satisfactory answers. Since I have experienced both the stages I want to share it with the aspirants about it.

The entrance exam of ACJ is kind of moderate. The english part is easy. The GK part has 100 questions. I wrote the exam on 28th April,2019 so I prepared the general awareness for just the last 3 months but the questions were from 2018 current affairs also. So be prepared for it.

The results are announced on their website. You will also get a mail regarding it. The interview is scheduled for the people who cleared the entrance exam. They provide you the provision to change your interview date. The interview happens in 2 slots 8:30 -13:00 and 13:30 -18:00 . 

Coming to the main part the interview is a panel of 4 people. There are 4 panels A,B,C and D. The full cycle of interview ended at 12:00. 

I was in Panel D. My name was second last in the interview. Before that, one of the faculties check out our documents. You don't need  to carry original documents. Photostat of the documents is fine. They just wanted to have a look at the documents rather than checking it. 

Everyone is called one by one. My turn came around 11:30. The interview lasted for about 10-15 min. There were 3 male and 1 female interviewer. The lady asked me why I wanted to join the course as I am from a technical background(Btech). I talked about Ravish Kumar in my answer as I admire him. The next question was regarding the interview of Ravish Kumar with Rahul Gandhi. They asked me about the interview and whether I liked it or not. What are my views about it. After that, they asked me did Rahul Gandhi likes mango(sarcastically). To that, I answered that it is only loved by Mr Modi. 

The next question was about the apolitical interview of Akshay Kumar and Narendra Modi. They asked my views about it. They have a paper with them which have all the details which you have filled in the application.

 So the next question was about my hobby. They asked me what I read. I told them about the current novel that I am reading "The Accidental Prime Minister". They asked me to give them a brief about the book followed by questions on Manmohan Singh. I told them that I haven't followed politics that much during his regime but I can tell them the content what is in the book.

I told them the economy of India was better in UPA1 regime. Then in the 2nd regime, there were many corruption cases which destroyed Manmohan Singh's image. To this, they cross-questioned me about this government's economy. The previous day only I read an article about the new GDP system that has been introduced by the current regime so I told them about it. I was not clear about it very much. I said that the base year for GDP calculation is changed and the MCA21 has been used. To this, they asked me about what is MCA. I had no idea about it so I told them that I don't know. They told me that MCA is Ministry of corporate affairs.

They asked me about the NSSO report of GDP. I didn't remember anything so I said I don't know. They told me that the current GDP calculation consists of many shell companies. They also asked me about the NSSO report on unemployment. I told them it is the highest that India has seen. 6.8% to be precise.

Then they asked which newspaper published it. I told them that I didn't know as I have read in an article in TheWire. 

The next question was about my cultural involvement in my college. They asked me about my theatre experience. They also asked me do I play kabbadi now. At last, they asked me about the hostel accommodation and if I would like to ask any questions. 

I was also asked if I am applying for some other colleges also. I told them I have applied for Xavier's. They told me to wait for 2-3 days for the result. They also asked which will I take if I am selected in both. I told them I will go for ACJ for sure.

Word of caution- don't say things which you have no idea about. They will grill you about whatever you say. You need to have knowledge about it. The interview panel will not ask anything different. They will question whatever you say to test your knowledge. So all the best everyone and give your best shot.