Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025
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Xavier Mock Test (XAT) is one of India's toughest MBA entrance exams. The decision-making section in the XAT exam is unique and tests the decision-making skills of the students. Candidates have to make XAT Decision Making strategies to Improve XAT scores in this section. This section is not about your maths skills or verbal skills but it is about your ethical or moral stances. This section generally consists of 20-25 questions based on business scenarios, daily routines, or problem-solving situations.
The decision-making section will check the students' real-life problem-solving abilities. After assessing all the options, you have to analyze the data points and interpret a possible outcome or make sound judgements. This section checks your problem-solving skills, your social knowledge, your moral values, your awareness etc.
Every year 20-25 questions out of 95 come from the decision-making section, which is roughly 25% of the total marks. All questions will be in MCQ format. Decision making section is not clubbed with any other types of questions. So, it becomes very important for you to understand this section well. To understand this section you should have practice of reading articles, newspapers etc. Having a clear idea of the XAT decision making questions can help the candidates to ensure XAT success in their first attempt.
Decision making questions in XAT exam are based on different scenarios. These scenarios can be based on different subjects like
Data arrangement
Business scenarios
Ethical dilemmas
Conditioning
Grouping
Complex arrangement
Caselets
Assumptions
Premises
Conclusions
XAT Decision Making mock tests are beneficial for students in various ways. In the below points, we have categorically explained those ways for students to have better clarity before taking mock tests. Also, study material for decision making section is not readily available, you have to improve your skills by taking practice tests.
Taking mock tests will help you to understand the variety of decision-making questions and identify important topics like ethics and business scenarios.
Regular practice of XAT mock tests will improve your logical reasoning and problem-solving capabilities which are very important for this section.
Most of the decision-making questions will test your ethical dilemma. Mock tests help you to improve your moral judgment and set a pattern to answer these questions in a balanced manner.
Decision-making questions demand quick thinking ability. After practicing various mock tests, you can make a proper strategy to optimize time for both easy and complex scenarios.
Consistent performance in the mock tests will also boost your confidence and make you familiar with the exam settings.
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XAT mock tests are prepared following the latest pattern and syllabus.
You can practice various kinds of business scenarios or ethical dilemmas to improve your judgment and adapt yourself better to these types of questions.
The more you practice these questions, the better your problem-solving skills get.
Review the mock test results and note down the key issues in which you are struggling.
After taking 2-3 mock tests, develop a proper strategy to approach different kinds of questions. Either you want to read the options first or weigh up the pros and cons.
Deep analytical skills are required to solve these questions. Consistent practice will help you break complex problems into manageable parts so that you can analyze all the parts and arrive at a logical conclusion in a structured manner.
Mock tests are essential self-assessment tools for XAT preparation.
After analyzing mock test results, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses. Like if you are lacking ethical dilemmas or struggling to understand the question.
After every mock test, note down the scores. The gradually increasing scores will be proof of your improvement in this section.
Mock tests create a real exam environment. So you can get familiar with the conditions and feel less pressured or anxious during the exam.
Consistent practice will increase your accuracy and speed.
Taking XAT online mock tests is a good approach for the exam. Here are some key features of the mock tests that students should know before attempting them.
Mock tests are prepared closely following the latest exam pattern and syllabus replicating real exam scenarios. Students will feel comfortable with the exam settings beforehand so that they do not get anxious or surprised on that exam day. Mock tests follow the exact time limit of 95 minutes to make students habituated with the time constraints.
Mock test questions vary in difficulty levels from moderate to hard like real exams where most of the questions in this section are moderate to hard. There will be a balanced number of both types of questions so that students can practice as much as they can to improve their decision-making skills. Easy questions in a mock test will build confidence whereas moderate to difficult questions will encourage you to practice more.
Time-based exams will always help you to deal with pressure and make a suitable strategy to stay ahead of it. You can also learn that spending too much time on one question is not necessary and sometimes you need to skip difficult questions.
Students can also review their performances after each test and work on their weaker areas. Performance analysis will help you to find your weaker areas and you can work on improving.
Here are some of the XAT exam tips and strategies that could be useful in the exam.
Here are some tips to manage time for the decision-making section.
During preparation, create a strategy and allot 1.5-2 minutes for each question.
Attempt the relatively easier questions first. This will boost your confidence and save time for complex questions.
Do not overcomplicate every question. Trust your instincts and analyze options carefully.
Extreme options are often the wrong answers in this section. So after eliminating them, consider other options.
Do not hesitate to skip a difficult question that is taking too much time.
The best answer to a decision-making problem is always revolved around short-term fixes with long-term resolutions. Always consider both scenarios before answering the questions.
For the ethical dilemma questions, ask yourself if you were in that place what you would have done. In these types of questions, do not compromise ethics for profitability.
Analyze only the statements given in the question. Do not add facts beyond them to overcomplicate them.
For business-related questions, give priority to the company’s reputation and policies. The solution that does not violate those values is often the correct answer.
Students often do not read the statements carefully and misinterpret the whole situation. Time management is key in this section but do not rush through the questions.
Do not pick extreme solutions as often they are the wrong choices.
Read all the options first before choosing the answer. Students often do not check the other options if they find one option relatively better. But in these types of exams, most of the options are almost the same and tricky.
These types of questions are there to check if the students consider how will their decision impact the different groups. Choose the solution that minimizes harm or conflict.
Pick a solution based on the given facts. Do not speculate on other facts that could happen beyond the situation.
To effectively practice decision making for XAT, regular mock tests are necessary.
Regular practice of mock tests will increase your speed and accuracy.
Also, practicing from different sources or platforms will make you accustomed will every type of question. This will help to adapt to various business and ethical dilemmas and improve your decision-making ability.
Review your progression after each mock test and note down the areas you need to work on. Check the types of mistakes you made, if you have overlooked ethical dilemmas or misinterpreted the facts.
Many platforms provide detailed solutions after the mock tests. Analyze them to understand the reasoning behind the decisions and rectify your mistakes from the next tests.
Decision-making questions are based on real-life scenarios. So try to think that way like what you have read in newspapers, case studies or what you have faced in work situations. For ethical questions, put yourself in that place and think about all the pros and cons before locking in the answer.
Observe decisions in your daily life involving ethical dilemmas or resource constraints to improve your decision-making ability.
The decision-making section in the XAT exam is a high-scoring section if you approach it strategically. XAT Decision making practice tests will help you in that cause. We have also highlighted some of the important points below.
Decision-making questions are often multi-layered. So reading them carefully will reduce the chances of misinterpretation.
Then identify the dilemmas. Whether it is ethical, operational or managerial.
If it is a complex and long problem, break it into smaller parts and analyze them separately before reaching a decision.
Choose the option which seems more ethical rather than profitable. This will show fairness, responsibility and integrity.
For logical questions, consider the long-term impacts of the decision. From a good decision, all the parties will get maximum benefits and the harm will be minimized.
Avoid extreme options as they are often incorrect and irrelevant.
At the beginning of the preparation, review the XAT previous year's paper to understand the question pattern and scenarios they commonly prefer.
Also, analyze the solved samples and try to understand the logic behind the answer. Pay attention to ethics, balance and practical thinking.
Attempt some of the recent year’s papers to check your performance.
Mock tests, be they free or paid, both help you during your preparation for the XAT exam. Both tests have their benefits. We have categorized them in the following points.
Free mock tests are essential for the initial stages of the XAT preparation. These tests will give you an idea about the quality of the questions from each platform.
These tests will build your fundamental skills in decision-making and are ideal for students who are on a tight budget.
Many platforms provide free practice tests. We have written some of the top names below.
Paid XAT mock tests are created by experts closely following the latest exam pattern, syllabus and difficulty level. Free tests are good for beginners but paid tests will build your preparation for the real exam.
Some of the platforms provide detailed solutions and expert guidance after taking paid tests. They break down problems into smaller and manageable parts so that you can understand them fully. These will improve your thought process and decision-making abilities.
Choose the correct platform to buy paid tests after reviewing the free mock test quality.
Also Read:
These are some of the XAT exam tips from the experts to improve your logical and ethical thought process during the decision-making section.
Decision-making questions often test what decision you take in conflicting situations. Always choose ethical, fair, and responsible decisions rather than short-term profits. Use your analytical skills to deduce the pros and cons of every decision and its long-term effects on groups or society. Correct answers are often decisions that are sustainable and beneficial in the long run and ethically sound.
To make quick and informed decisions in the exam, you need to do:
Estimate time for each question and do not overspend time on one question.
After reading the full statements, focus on the relevant information as they will be important for reaching the right conclusion.
Extreme options are often wrong choices. So avoid them as much as you can and trust your instincts backed by logical reasoning.
After evaluating other options, make a conform decision and move on to the next one.
For real-life case studies, read newspapers to review decisions that are beneficial to larger numbers of people or society for the longer term.
You can also analyze historical leaders who were famous for their ethical and morally sound decisions.
You can also check decisions made by big companies and institutions.
Start group study with fellow aspirants and discuss everyone's perspective on a situation. This will broaden your understanding and help you to make good ethical decisions.
Mock tests help students in various ways. Here are some of the benefits discussed below. Before starting the XAT mock tests, it is also advisable that the candidates follow an effective XAT timetable to enhance their XAT preparation.
Mock tests are very effective in increasing your speed and accuracy. Consistent practice of various types of questions will make you familiar with the questions that will be asked in the exam and you will not feel surprised that time. Regular practice will help you to identify key issues in the statements and take a conform decision which will be beneficial for larger prospects.
Also, the use of the elimination method will reduce your random guesswork and focus on the relevant options.
Time management is very important for time-based exams. This section is a very high-scoring and time-saving section if you approach it strategically. Regular practice of mock tests will prepare you to make a proper strategy for this section. Allot a time limit for every question and do not spend much time on one question. Do not hesitate to skip any question if it takes too much time to solve. Attempt easier questions first to secure valuable marks.
It is very important to analyze mock test solutions not just to identify your strengths and weaknesses but also to learn about the manner of mistakes that are happening frequently.
You can rectify them in the next tests and make sure those do not happen again. You can also track your progress of how quickly you are making decisions.
Mock tests allow you to learn from your mistakes in identical exam environments so that those mistakes do not happen again in real exams.
Here are some of the common mistakes that students should avoid to score high in the XAT exam.
Misinterpretation is a common mistake among students during the XAT exam in this section. This happens because students rush to study the question without understanding the core meaning of the statements. They miss the subtle hints which can change the entire interpretation of the problem.
Often in XAT questions, students focus on surface-level issues rather than the core dilemma which is given in the scenario.
Take 2-2.5 minutes to read the question and options thoroughly before jumping into any decision.
In the XAT exam, most of the options are alike to confuse the students. Students often choose the simplest answer without considering the pros and cons of the answer.
Before choosing any options, evaluate all the options thoroughly and consider the ethical dilemmas and the impacts in the long run. Eliminate extreme choices first. Then use the structured ways to reach the proper solution.
Decision-making questions in the XAT exam test your ethical integrity. Before choosing any options for ethical dilemmas, put yourself in that position and think if the solution is fair, reasonable and beneficial for others.
In business-related scenarios, consider if the solution is beneficial for the employees, not just profits for the company. Consider all the possibilities like the company’s reputation, values, and morale of the employees before reaching a decision.
These are the names of some top XAT study resources which will help students to perform better in the exam.
"Jabbing The XAT (with solved papers)" by R.K. Jha
"XAT Decision Making & Analytical Reasoning" by Anil S. Kumar
"Target XAT" by Disha Experts
"Arun Sharma's Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation"
Coaching is better for students who prefer guidance during preparation and a structured environment. In coaching, you can ask your doubts to the mentor during or after the class and it will be resolved by them. Coaching institutes provide structured plans and prepare classes based on those plans. Highly experienced teachers will teach you ethical and logical decision-making techniques.
On the other hand, self-study is for those students who are self-disciplined, motivated and have full confidence in their method. In self-study, you can make your study schedule based on your strengths and weaknesses. You can buy books and read free study materials from different platforms. It will allow you to work at your own pace.
Both processes have their benefits. It is the student’s preference what choice he/she wants to make.
This is a step-by-step guide on how to approach mock tests for XAT.
First, choose the platform from which you will attempt the mock tests. Generally after taking the free mock tests, you will get an idea about the quality of the tests. Then, attempt the test in a strategic way that you have already developed.
Attempt the familiar and easier questions first. Skip the confusing and lengthy questions for the later part of the test.
Analyze the questions carefully and do not spend more than 2-2.5 minutes on any question.
Eliminate the extreme options first and review the other options to get the answer.
Try to finish the test 5-10 minutes early to revise once.
After completing the test, check the score and detailed analysis of the test. Note down your strong and weak points. Also, try to understand how the mistakes have happened. Is it a wrong guess on an ethical dilemma or did you misinterpret the question?
Some sites provide video solutions and feedback from mentors. Try to learn something new from them.
Mistakes during preparation are very common and good for learning. So that you can learn from them and not repeat them in the actual exam.
Note down all the feedback in a copy whether they are positive or negative.
Make a routine of key topics and revise them from books or online study materials.
Improve decision-making strategies, ethical framework, and stakeholder analysis.
After rectifying those mistakes, take another test to check if you have repeated them or not.
Here are the key benefits of XAT online mock tests.
Online mock tests are very flexible. You can take these anytime anywhere whether you are at home or not. Online tests for these tests already have a default timer. Unlike offline tests, you do not have to set a timer for these sets and you can take them at your convenience. Online platforms provide various types of mock tests, articles, video solutions, and expert advice videos from which you can learn better.
Timed-based mock tests which follow the latest pattern and syllabus, simulate a real exam atmosphere. This reduces anxiety and pressure for the real exam day.
These mock tests closely resemble questions that we get in the real exam.
Many mock tests provide instant feedback, hints and explanations which will help you in further preparation.
You can also devise a proper exam strategy allotting a time limit for every question.
Online platforms typically provide a full analysis report after every mock test. Those reports contain your strengths and weaknesses, which questions took longer than average answering time and your progression over time.
Many platforms provide score comparisons with other aspirants. You can check in which position you stand among them and take motivation to do better in the next tests.
Improvement in scores will boost your confidence and fully prepare you for the XAT exam.
XAT decision-making mock tests are very important to improve XAT scores.
Here are some more benefits of mock tests listed below.
To score high in an exam like the XAT, especially in the Decision-making section, mental endurance and constant focus are much needed.
Mock tests simulate real exam conditions which helps students to relive the real exam settings. This will gradually build their mental stamina and they will have a clear mind to attempt questions.
Test series are filled with various types of Decision-making scenarios ranging from ethical dilemmas to managerial decision-making and business conflicts. It will involve real-life problems that require logical, ethical, and strategic thinking. Consistent practice of mock tests will make you more flexible and develop a mindset to approach these questions in multiple ways. After practicing lots of practice sets, usually, you will not be surprised in the exam with unexpected scenarios in Decision-making questions.
Enrolling in paid mock tests offers lots of benefits for students.
Students can evaluate their progression after every test.
Paid mock tests are structured with proper guidelines of XAT, which will help students efficiently prepare for the exam.
There are lots of video solutions and feedback from the experts after each mock test. So you can learn new techniques and approaches.
Regular practice of mock tests will help you to develop proper time management skills which will help you during the exam.
The more familiar you get with the exam format, the better you will do in the exam. These tests also help to reduce exam pressure and anxiety.
Here are some tips for the decision-making section which will help you to devise a proper strategy for the exam.
Read the whole question carefully and if the problem seems complex then break it into manageable parts. Underline important timelines, words or specific instructions.
Analyze each part separately and understand the core meaning of statements.
Identify the interests of stakeholders like employees, customers, management, and society.
Then reach the best conclusion which will be balanced based on the needs of all parties rather than favoring one group.
During the practice of mock tests, devise a proper time-saving strategy to balance every question in this section. Attempt easier questions first and skip harder ones for the later part of the exam. Do not spend more than 2-2.5 minutes on any question. Eliminating extreme options will help you choose the correct answer in a quicker time.
Study real-life case studies like business case studies to have a proper idea about ethical dilemmas and management decisions. Use analytical thinking and make a list of the pros and cons of every decision.
Take part in group discussions with peers to understand the perspectives of different people.
Study online resources to improve your critical thinking skills and practice various types of mock tests.
How to Prepare for Xat in One Month
Xat Essay Writing Tips and Strategy
Review previous year’s solved papers to understand the common types of questions.
Practice regular mock tests and analyze them.
Develop an approach that gives priority to ethical, logical and balanced solutions.
Think about the pros and cons of every decision. Sometimes shorter gain should not be the priority.
These are common types of questions in the decision-making section.
Business situations
Ethical dilemmas
Personal or professional conflicts
Resource allocation
For the Initial stages of the preparation, free tests are useful. But paid mocks are prepared closely following the XAT decision-making syllabus and pattern. Also, there will be video explanations and expert analysis of the solutions which will help you further.
Ethical reasoning is a crucial part of the Decision-making section. This section tests your moral values. Avoid solutions that will affect larger groups.
Yes, you can skip difficult and lengthy questions rather than wasting valuable time or randomly guessing. On the one hand, if you waste time, then you may not attempt relatively easier questions later, on the other hand, if you randomly choose, then it will increase your negative scores. So attempt those questions which you are confident about.
Hello,
Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:
Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.
MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.
Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.
Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.
XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a PDF copy of the same hope it helps.
Hello
Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile
JIMS Rohini Delhi
IMT Hyderabad
SOIL Institute of Management
Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur
Jaypee Business School
Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore
NSB Academy Bangalore
NDIM New Delhi
Hello Aspirant
Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates solely based on academic performance, although it has a big weightage in their selection process. They test your presence of mind, intellect, and communication skills through Group Discussions and Interviews.
The safest way to get into a good MBA college is to score 96-97+ percentile and do really well in GD and PI. Top MBA colleges in India are IIMs, XISS (Ranchi), TISS, Delhi School of Business, and Symbiosis.
Hope this helps
Hello Aspirant
Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT
1)Great Lakes, Chennai
2)IRMA
3) Goa Institute of Management
4) NIBM
5) TAPMI
Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered.
Colleges like NIBM specialize in Finance, and IRMA has a lot of sales marketing Roles. So ultimately the choice is yours which specialization you want to pursue.
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In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
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A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
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