Decision making

Deconstructing the Decision Making section in XAT by

Avinash Maurya

What is decision making?

Decision making is a cognitive process of reaching a decision with the given information and constraints.

Decision-making is an integral part of modern management. It is made at every level of management to ensure organizational or business goals are achieved. Essentially, rational or sound decision making is taken as primary function of management.

Significance in XAT...

Decision Making section has grown into importance over the years in XAT examination. Only a few years back this section use to be a part of the Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making section in the examination. However, in XAT 2012 it evolved into a section of its know.

Hence, it has become imperative to devote more time in understanding and practicing decision making problems.

How is different from logical reasoning?

Logical Reasoning = Facts + Statistics

Decision Making = Logical Reasoning + Ethics and moral

SKILLs TESTED Understand the situation in full objectivity

Handling ethical and moral dilemma Empathy Level Headedness Speed of decision making

Choosing a para in this section is in itself a big decision

making

Reading skills

 Time -

time allocated to this section CONSTRAINTS

time allocated to each group of questions (depending on
the choose of decision making question)

Information Situation is not detailed Options are not limited information

CONSTRAINTS

In this section, the aspirants are expected to have analytical reasoning skills as well as ability to make decisions within the given constraints. A good reading skills, although not of primary importance, can also help. One requires the thought process of selecting a logical choice from the available options. When trying to make a good decision, aspirants must weight the positives and negatives of each option, and consider all the alternatives. For effective decision making, the candidates must be able to evaluate the outcome of each option as well, and based on all these items, determine which option is the best for that particular situation.

THanks!