XAT 2016: Ace Decision making to turn tables in your favour; know how to prepare in 10 days

The 23 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Decision Making section in changed format of XAT 2016 can turn the table in your favour or may keep you away from the PGDM 2016-18 batch in top ranked XLRI. The changes announced for XAT 2016 propose to make the exam easier but are not meant to dilute it in any way.

Importance of Decision Making section can be understood by the fact that it is a standalone section and despite the reduction in number of questions in other sections in XAT 2016, the number in this section remains same. The section is not clubbed to any logical reasoning, data interpretation, critical reasoning or analogy type of questions as can be seen in other national level Management entrance tests.

Scores in Decision Making Section in XAT 2016 could be a turning point in getting shortlisted for XLRI admission batch 2016-18. Doubts on relevance of introducing the Decision Making section in XAT throng the minds of XAT aspirants off and on. One thing is however clear you cannot run away from it and have to grab every opportunity to prepare well and crack the questions in Decision Making Section of XAT Exam with accuracy.

Decision Making section: Playing key role in XAT
XLRI believes that making decisions in business environment is something an MBA aspirant should be aware of. This is the reason that XAT 2016 reiterates its emphasis on this module and keeps the separate section with 23 questions on decision making intact.

Earlier this section had fewer number of questions say 7-8 clubbed with other sections but realising its importance throughout the managerial career of a candidate a separate section on Decision Making with more number of questions was formed in XAT 2012.

Format of questions in Decision Making
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.
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.

Approaching the right answer option
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

Solve the set of sample questions now
To understand the type and pattern of the questions on Decision Making problem, you may attempt the set of sample questions at the link http://www.mbauniverse.com/decision_making/decision_making_page1.php

Next 10 days preparation strategy
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 2016 Decision Making questions Clarify all your doubts with an expert in this section
Practice as many questions of different types as possible

Dont confuse Decision Making with 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 ful?ll a task for a human.

Many times, in decision making earlier actions a?ect later decisions. The decisions taken there involve achieving goals or optimizing some criteria such as plan length, actions cost, or future expected accumulated reward.

Dont ignore Decision making section
Since XAT 2012 Decision Making section has been playing an important role in determining whether you can be shortlisted by the top B-schools like XLRI, SPJIMR, IMT, XIMB among others. Any laxity to give this section it due, may take you out of the race. All the questions in Decision making section will be in MCQ form and would account for calculation of percentile; calculation of sectional cut offs and Shortlisting for GDPI round.
Ignoring the importance of this section in XAT 2016 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.