Problems on Decision Making will form an entire section in XAT 2015 with 23 questions in sets or individual pattern emphasising its importance in calculation of percentile and shortlisting for final admission round. Decision Making has gained more importance since XAT 2012 when the questions on Decision Making were increased from 7-8 to 23-25. Besides earlier these questions formed the part of other sections, now a complete section has been carved out on Decision Making problems.
Decision Making Section in XAT 2015 could be a turning point in getting shortlisted for XLRI admission batch 2015-17. XAT considers Decision making as a more relevant section and as such awards equal weightage to it as awarded to Quant and Verbal Ability sections. If you wish to improve and score high percentile in XAT 2015, you cannot run away from it. The section could prove to be the game changer in XAT 2015.
Making decisions in business environment is something an MBA aspirant should be aware of. This is the reason that XAT emphasises on this module and has developed a separate section with 23-25 questions on decision making.
Decision Making: Key contributor to percentile
Out of the expected 84 MCQs contributing to calculation of XAT 2015 percentile in the first stage of shortlisting, 23 will be on Decision making with equal weightage and more than 25% share of marks.
XAT 2015 will have sectional cut offs also. You may be very good on Quant, on Verbal and may score high in both these sections but if you lag behind in Decision Making section and are unable to clear the cut off, you will not be shortlisted. It is therefore of utmost importance to make sure that you are equally good while attempting the questions on Decision Making problems.
The approach in arriving at the right answer option is that the decisions should be clearly focussed. You may have to address the problem in multiple ways. Confusing and wrong decisions should be avoided.
Ignoring the importance of this section in XAT 2015 will not only lead to a substantial dip in XAT percentile but also due to low scores in this section the candidate may not be shortlisted for final admission round.
Decision making how different from Logical reasoning
Reasoning is related to answering questions from diverse data without human intervention or help. The data is given in some formal system whose semantics is clear
On the other hand Decision Making is a form of reasoning that focuses on answering questions about preferences and choice between/among two or more activities, e.g., in the context of an autonomous agent trying to fulfil a task for a human.
Many times in decision making earlier actions affect later decisions. The decisions taken there involve achieving goals or optimizing some criteria such as plan length, actions’ cost, or future expected accumulated reward.
How to prepare
It is never suggested that you should immediately jump to solve the different types of problems. Study the situation, learn to analyse all the pros and cons and then arrive at most appropriate decision.
The 3 step preparation strategy to score more in Decision making section should be-
Study the material to build the basics on XAT Decision Making questions
Clarify all your doubts with an expert in this section
Practice as many questions of different types as possible
Decision Making in XAT 2015: Question Type
A passage with certain information is followed by a set of 4-5 questions. Each of the questions is again followed by 4-5 close decision making answer options.
The questions may be on what should be the decision in the given situation, how it should be taken, why it should be taken-factors influencing the decision or who should take it.
XAT 2015 aspirants have to focus on right direction of their study pattern to prepare for Decision Making section.
The passage will have information based on a tricky situation. The test taker is expected to decide the best and preferred course of action to tackle the situation. You will have to identify the reasons leading to the situation and opt for best course of action to defuse and move forward in the given situation.
The passage will be followed by a set of varying questions. You are supposed to approach the situation skilfully taking decision as a leader with intelligence, determining the priorities of organization while working in a team.
How to tackle: Tips & Tricks
The first and foremost thing is to read and understand the given data, facts, information in the passage. It is advised to go through the information with an open mind and read it attentively.
Now read the questions one by one. Try to get to the core of question as what is being asked for. Then move to get the available information, whether you have all of that or the requirement is more than the availability.
Now comes the time to analyse the information in right perspective and fit it into a problem solving structure. Once the data given is classified, arriving at the answer will be easier.
The best way to prepare is to develop the analysing skills by practicing more and more questions
Related Links
XAT 2015 Verbal Ability: Learn how to crack 3 questions on Articles
XAT 2015: Admit card is out; Login to download & take prints
XAT 2015: XLRI extends admission application process date to Dec 26; will conduct XL-RAPT for FPM
XAT 2015: 90K register; XLRI admission application process open; apply before Dec 21
XAT 2015: How to approach 25 questions in Decision Making section
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more preparation tips on Decision making
