XAT Decision Making (DM) 2023: Syllabus, Pattern, Questions, Analysis, Preparation

    Sachin Gupta Sachin Gupta
    Content Writer

    XAT Decision Making Section is a unique section in XAT exam. XAT Decision Making questions are in the form of caselets followed by 2-3 questions based on data arrangement, inference & judgement, ethical dilemmas, business decision making, situational decision making, etc.

    • A total of 22 questions of moderate to difficult level will be asked in XAT 2023 Decision Making section.
    • Last year, the DM section comprised 7 data sets having 3 questions each. Check XAT Paper Analysis
    • XAT Decision Making will be clubbed with QADI and VALR in part 1 of the paper. There will be no sectional time limit to attempt the section. For all 3 sections of part 1, a total of 175 minutes will be given. Check XAT 2023 Syllabus
    • Each question in XAT DM section will carry 1 mark. A negative marking to the extent of 25% of the total marks allotted to a question will be applicable.Check XAT 2023 Exam Pattern
    • There is a provision of sectional cut off in XAT exam. Hence, it is essential to prepare well for all the sections of XAT 2023 in order to be able to meet the cut off criteria. CheckXAT Cut Off

    Table of Contents

    1. XAT Decision Making 2023 Highlights
    2. XAT Exam Pattern 2023
    3. XAT 2023 Decision Making (DM) Syllabus
      3.1 Types of Questions in XAT Decision Making
      3.2 XAT Decision Making Important Topics
      3.2 Important Terms for XAT 2023 Decision Making
    4. Best Books for XAT Decision Making
    5. XAT Decision Making Difficulty Level Analysis
      5.1 XAT Decision Making Paper Analysis over the years
    6. XAT Decision Making (DM) Preparation Tips
      6.1 Mistakes To Avoid While Attempting XAT DM Section
    7. XAT Decision Making Mock Test
    8. Frequently Asked Questions

    Quick Links:

    XAT 2021 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2020 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2019 Question Paper with Solutions
    XAT 2018 Question Paper with SolutionsXAT 2017 Question Paper with Solutions XAT 2016 Question Paper with Solutions

    XAT Decision Making 2023 Highlights

    XAT Decision Making (DM) pattern and syllabus have remained largely the same throughout the years. Being aware of all the important details of XAT DM section is extremely crucial for preparation, as it will assist in devising a clear strategy for preparation. Here is the detailed information on XAT 2023 Decision Making pattern and marking scheme for your reference: 

    • The total duration of XAT exam will be 210 minutes
    • XAT Decision Making Section must be solved in no more than 35 minutes to ensure proper time availability for other sections.
    • XAT Decision Making section will have a total of22 questions. 
    • There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in XAT Decision Making section.
    XAT Decision Making Highlights
    XAT Decision Making (DM)
    ParticularsDetails
    Mode Computer Based Test
    Duration30-35 minutes
    Nature of QuestionsObjective (MCQs)
    Number of Questions22
    Total Marks22
    Marks Awarded for Correct Answer+1 for every correct answer
    Negative Marking-0.25 for every wrong answer
    MediumEnglish
    Considered for Percentile CalculationYes
    XAT Exam Pattern

    XAT Exam Pattern 2023

    Knowing the sectional time limit for each of the sections of XAT will help you determine how to attempt the paper efficiently. Here is the sectional division of the questions and the time limit for each section of XAT 2023:

    PartsSection NameMax. QuestionsTime Limit
    Part 1Verbal and Logical Ability26175 minutes
    Decision Making22
    Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation27
    Part 2Mock Keyboard Test-5 minutes
    Part 3General Knowledge2530 minutes
    Essay1 (out of 3 options)
    Total-105210 minutes

    Quick Links:


    XAT Syllabus 2022

    XAT Decision Making (DM) Syllabus 2023

    XAT Decision Making (DM) section is not included in most of the MBA entrance exams and thus many candidates may find it difficult to prepare. However, it can be prepared easily if candidates have knowledge of the syllabus, pattern, and the types of questions asked in previous years’ XAT exam. Salient features of Decision Making Syllabus for XAT 2023 are mentioned below:

    • XAT Syllabus for Decision Making section consists of data sets followed by 2-3 questions involving decision-making in a situation, data arrangement tests, etc.
    • It comprises 22 MCQs of moderate difficulty. Mostly Set-based questions on Business Decision Making and Ethical Dilemmas are asked
    • Decision Making section for XAT 2023 will have a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
    • Answering 16 – 17 questions is usually considered a good attempt.

    Check detailed XAT 2023 Syllabus

    Types of Questions Asked in XAT Decision Making

    There are 3 types of questions that can be asked in XAT Decision Making section. These are:

    • Single Question Prompts: These are similar to critical reasoning questions. A short paragraph is followed by a single question. The number of such questions has decreased in the past few years. Last year also, there were no such questions.
    • 2-3 Question Prompts: These types of questions comprise a moderate length paragraph/ caselet followed by 2-3 questions. This set of questions is the most prominent and last year, there were 7 prompts with 3 questions each.
    • 4-5 Question Prompts: These are similar to reading comprehension questions. A lengthy caselet is followed by 4-5 questions. These caselets present multiple viewpoints of various stakeholders and hence require more concentration. 

    XAT Decision Making Important Topics

    XAT Decision Making Important Topics
    Ethical DilemmaBusiness Decisions
    Inference, Assumptions, and JudgementAnalytical Reasoning
    Situational ChoicesConditions and Grouping Test
    Data Arrangement TestData Comprehension
    CaseletsDecision Making in a situation

    XAT Decision Making Syllabus 2023: Important Terms

    Candidates must familiarize themselves with the following terms related to XAT DM section:

    • Premise: A previous statement from which another is inferred, or an underlying assumption.
    • Assumption: Something which is taken to be true.
    • Fact: A piece of information that has been verified and correct.
    • Proposition: A statement expressing judgment or an opinion or is offered for consideration.
    • Inference: A conclusion made on the basis of evidence and facts.
    • Inductive: Employing mathematical reasoning to draw an inference.
    • Deductive: Something that can be proved by deriving conclusions using reason.
    • Reason: A cause, or explanation, or justification for an action or an event
    • Conclusion: Results are drawn from the summarization of several premises given in the question.

    Quick Links:

    XAT GK Syllabus & PreparationXAT Quant & DI Syllabus and Preparation

    Best Books for XAT DM

    Best Books for XAT Decision Making 2023

    XAT Decision Making Paper tests the candidate's decision making ability in a limited time period. This is one of the most unique aspects of XAT 2023 exam as most other management exams like CAT, CMAT, NMAT, etc do not have this section. Since XAT exam is highly competitive, candidates should use the right books and resources to prepare for the exam. Here are the recommended books for XAT Decision Making: 

    Name of BookPublisher/Author
    Jabbing the XAT (with solved papers)RK Jha
    Target XAT (Past papers and mock tests)Disha Publications
    Analytical and Logical ReasoningArihant Publications
    XAT Supplement Career Launcher
    Wiley's ExamXpert Solved Papers and Practice Tests for XAT Ashu Jain, M K Jain
    Study Package for CAT & other MBA Entrance Exams with 10 Mock Tests 3rd EditionMultiple Authors
    MBA Study Guide (XAT|IIFT|NMAT|SNAP|CMAT) Gautam Puri
    XAT Simplified (Past Papers + 5 Mock Tests + General Awareness)Disha Experts

    Check Section-wise Preparation Books for XAT 2023 


    XAT DM Paper Analysis

    XAT Previous Year Exam Analysis for Decision Making: Difficulty Level & Good Attempts

    As there is no fixed syllabus for XAT DM section, going through the questions asked in previous year papers is the best way to prepare for the decision making section. XAT Decision Making Paper Analysis for 2022 is given below:

    • All questions were objective-type MCQs. Each question had 5 options out of which only one was correct.
    • There were a total of 21 questions- 7 sets with 3 questions each.
    • Attempting 16-17 questions was considered good for XAT DM section.
    • Overall, the questions were of easy-moderate difficulty level and did not require too much analysis.

    A detailed analysis of the decision making section for 2022 session stating the important topics, difficulty level, and the number of good attempts is given below:

    DM Passage Topics

    Number of Questions

    Difficulty LevelGood Attempts

    Dosa

    3

    Moderate2-3

    Doctor SUV

    3

    Easy-Moderate2-3

    FURCSA

    3

    Moderate1-2

    A2Z Engineering

    3

    Easy-Moderate2-3

    Future Leaders School

    3

    Easy-Moderate2-3

    Assignment Submission

    3

    Moderate1-2
    Passage 73Moderate1-2

    Total

    21

    Easy-Moderate17-18

    Check detailed XAT Previous Year Exam Analysis

    XAT Decision Making Section Analysis for past years (2021-2015)

    An analysis of the number and types of questions asked in XAT Decision Making section from 2021 to 2015 is given below:

    Year XAT Decision Making Section Analysis
    20214 sets with 3 MCQs each on Business Decision Making and 3 sets with 3 MCQs each on Ethical Dilemmas
    2020Questions of moderate level with no singlets made this section easy. Mathematical or analytical reasoning questions were missing and 16 - 17 would be a good attempt. 
    201918 questions were of moderate difficulty level. 3 questions were similar to that of the previous year.
    2018The mathematical part was on the easier side and the non-mathematical part consisted of 8 sets with 2 - 3 questions from each with a medium level of difficulty. 
    2017The non-mathematical part consisted of mostly lengthy questions of medium-level difficulty. The mathematical part was of medium-difficult level. 
    2016XAT Decision Making section had a similar difficulty level as 2017. Reading and interpretation passages were however smaller. 
    2015Questions from the DM section were hard and difficult to solve. 

    XAT Decision Making Preparation Tips

    XAT Decision Making (DM) Preparation: Tips to Solve XAT DM Questions

    In order to excel in XAT 2023 exam, candidates need to score well in the decision making section. Hence an appropriate strategy is essential to attempt XAT Decision Making questions.

    Here are some tips for preparing for and solving Decision Making section for XAT 2023: 

    • Solve XAT Previous Year Question Papers to get an understanding of the type and difficulty level of questions.
    • It is always advisable to opt for the most ethical choice while answering decision making questions. 
    • Decisions which are harmful to others or provide a short-term solution are highly likely to be incorrect. 
    • You will often find an option in which the individual does not take any action or make a decision, thereby keeping the situation as it originally was. Such options must be eliminated as they defeat the very purpose of decision making.
    • While solving mock papers, if you come across a problem you could not solve, try to understand why the incorrect options were not the solution to the problem. Doing this will help you eliminate incorrect options faster.
    • If you are confused between two or more options, choose the one that would provide maximum benefit while causing minimum damage at the same time. 
    • Avoid making personal decisions or options that you might favor over idealistic options. Think from the point of view of the characters. Do not let political, social, or economical views influence your answer. 
    • Never opt for extreme decisions which might result in affecting one or more people negatively, as these decisions show only poor management skills. 
    • Always make decisions based on logic and reason rather than emotions. Decisions based on emotions reflect poorly on your ability to provide a just solution. 

    Must Read:XAT Preparation Strategy & Plan

    Mistakes To Avoid While Attempting XAT DM Section

    • Not Reading the Given Options Carefully: Reading all the given options is mandatory to arrive at the most suitable answer. There might be questions where the options could be confusing, hence it is necessary to read all the given options carefully and try eliminating the wrong answers.
    • Spending Excess Time on One Question: Never spend more than 90 seconds on any particular question. If you are unable to grasp the need of the question, you better leave it and save time for the other questions.
    • Misinterpreting the Question: It is very likely in XAT DM section to end up misinterpreting the question due to too many propositions for a given situation. Further, if a candidate misreads the question and skips certain important terms like critically analyze, not a conclusive decision, most appropriate, weakens the argument, etc., would end up marking the wrong answers.
    • Rushing Through the Data Set: Candidates are advised not to rush through the data given in the questions. Read the given data carefully and then analyze the demand of the question before jumping to definite conclusions. Missing out on even a single word/ phrase can lead to incorrect decisions.

    XAT Decision Making Mock Test 2023

    XAT Mock Test is made available by XLRI on the official website i.e. xatonline.in. The mock test is as per the updated paper pattern and will comprise 22 questions from DM, 28 questions from QADI, 26 questions from VALR, 25 from GK, and 1 essay. Registered candidates can access the mock by logging in on the website using their XAT id and password generated during XAT 2023 registration.

    The benefits of taking XAT 2023 Mock Test include:

    1. XAT mock tests will assist in getting a clear understanding of the difficulty level and type of questions, marking scheme, etc.
    2. Mock test will help in revision and in identifying the topics that need more study and practice.
    3. Taking the mock test will help in improving time management and online test-taking skills.

    Quick Links:

    XAT Decision Making Sample PapersXAT Mock Test

    XAT Decision Making FAQs

    XAT Decision Making 2023 FAQs

    Ques. How many questions will be asked in XAT Decision Making 2023? 

    Ans. 22 multiple-choice questions will be asked in XAT Decision Making 2023. Mostly, the paper will comprise 6-7 caselets with 3-4 questions each. Also, every question will have 5 options.

    Ques: What is the time limit for attempting XAT decision making section?

    Ans. The comprehensive time limit for attempting the first 3 sections in part 1 of the paper is 175 mins. Part 1 of XAT exam includes Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, and Quant & DI There is no separate sectional time limit for XAT decision making. It is advised to allocate 35 minutes to XAT decision making section.

    Ques: Are candidates allowed to switch between sections in XAT exam? 

    Ans. Yes, candidates can switch between sections in part 1 of XAT question paper. However, only after completing all 3 sections of part 1 (VALR, DM, and QADI), candidates can move on to the part 2 and then to part 3 sections of GK and essay. 

    Ques. What is considered a good attempt in XAT Decision Making section? 

    Ans. While it varies every year depending on the difficulty of the paper and other sections, generally a good attempt in XAT Decision Making is 15-17 questions with 95% accuracy. 

    Ques. Are XAT Decision Making questions tough?

    Ans. XAT Decision Making questions do not require any theoretical or mathematical knowledge to solve. They are based on behavioral and managerial decision making which require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The questions provide various outcomes or solutions to the given situation and you just have to pick the most appropriate option.

    Ques. What are the tricks to solve XAT Decision Making questions?

    Ans. Solving XAT DM questions involves choosing the best solution to a given problem or finding the best alternative to a situation. Given below are the tricks to solve XAT DM questions correctly:

    • Every question has multiple stakeholders. Identify all of them and analyze the questions from each stakeholder’s point of interest. Options with one-sided viewpoints should be ignored.
    • Options that benefit the majority should be chosen.
    • Don’t choose options based on personal opinions or bias.
    • Options that provide unethical or unrealistic solutions should be outrightly rejected.

    Ques. Does XAT Decision Making have negative marking?

    Ans. Yes, XAT Decision Making negative marking is 25% of the total marks allocated to a question. Each question is worth 1 mark, hence, the negative marking for every incorrect answer is 0.25 marks. Also, for every unattempted question after 8 unanswered questions, 0.10 marks are deducted.

    Ques. Are XAT previous year question papers enough for XAT Decision Making preparation?

    Ans. XAT previous year question papers are the best source to prepare for the decision making section as there are no specific topics to study. What matters in XAT DM preparation is practicing as many sample question papers, previous year papers, and mock tests. One should solve at least 2-3 Decision Making question papers every day.

    XAT 2025 : 8 Answered QuestionsView All

    • Top Answer By Arpita Banerjee on 07-Dec-2021

    Ans. If your profile is suitable for the specialization that you have opted for and you didn’t get a call based on your profile, then a CAT score of 95-96 can get you a call. But it is not necessarily true that everyone with a score of around 96+ will get a score-based call. They evaluate profiles too for shortlisting. 96-97 is a decent score for XAT. A score above 98 in either of these two should get you a call. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Vishesh Thapa on 07-Dec-2021

    Ans. Some XAT aspirants might have already been receiving calls from IIMs before they write XAT. While the others who did not will be all the more determined to qualify XAT.  Yes, it will be an advantage to all students appearing for XAT because they will know where they stand. Most of the people who get really good scores in CAT rarely sit for XAT. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Manali Tomar on 13-Dec-2021

    Ans. Yes, as the questions are a bit more difficult than CAT in both quant and English.  VARC can be a bit difficult, if you have not focussed on topics of critical reasoning and decision making in your class. Quant sees a number of questions from inequality, progression, boolean algebra, PnC and the general level is higher than CAT.  The percentile-score balance and cut-offs for top 5 colleges which accept XAT scores, have low requirements.  People aren't able to get those scores also because the exam is tough.  XAT is easier because it is largely predictable.  CAT is famous for being very unpredictable.  So XAT is tougher than CAT by the level of questions asked. But as their paper is largely predictable it makes it comparatively easier to attempt. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Chirag Mishra on 11-Apr-2023

    Ans. JBIMS is a well-known management institute located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The cut-off for JBIMS through CAT, XAT, and CET for Maharashtra people varies each year and depends on various factors such as the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, etc. Here are some approximate cut-off scores for JBIMS through CAT, XAT, and CET for Maharashtra people: CAT: The approximate cut-off percentile for JBIMS through CAT for Maharashtra candidates is 95+ percentile. XAT: The approximate cut-off percentile for JBIMS through XAT for Maharashtra candidates is 85+ percentile. CET: The approximate cut-off score for JBIMS through CET for Maharashtra candidates is 135+ out of 200. These are approximate cut-offs, and the actual cut-offs may vary from year to year. Also, meeting the cut-off is just the first step towards getting into JBIMS, and the selection process involves several other factors such as academic performance, work experience, group discussion, and personal interviews. It is advisable to prepare well and aim for a high percentile or score to increase your chances of getting admission to JBIMS. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Ishant Jain on 13-Mar-2023

    Ans. SPJIMR According to the information available, the expected cutoff for SP Jain Institute of Management for both profile-based and normal calls through CAT and XAT is not released yet. So  I will base the answer on last year's cutoff XAT: 93.5 percentile  CAT: 85 percentile  However it’s important to note that for more certainty of admission, one must score around 93-95%ile score and a 680-690 min on GMAT. XIMB The XLRI admission cut-off is directly influenced by the difficulty level of the XAT question paper. XAT 2023 exam was held on January 8, 2023. The question paper was of moderate difficulty level, the same as last year. Given below are the section-wise XAT cut-off for XLRI admission 2023: General Engineers (BM) 95 Male 92 Female General Non Engineer (BM) 95 Male 92 Female General Engineers (HRM) 93 Male 91 Female General Non Engineers (HRM) 90 Male 88 Female XIMB CAT cutoff for the previous year was 91 percentile for Business Management and HRM cutoff hasn’t been released yet. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Shikha Agrawal on 28-Feb-2023

    Ans. JBIMS, Mumbai is a highly respected management institute in India that offers a variety of programs including MHRD, MMS, M.Sc Finance, and Part-time MBA. Admissions to JBIMS MMS are divided into two categories: "Maharashtra State Candidates" and "Other than Maharashtra State Candidates." For candidates from Maharashtra, the MAH CET score is considered, while for candidates from outside Maharashtra, JBIMS accepts CAT/MAH CET/CMAT/GMAT scores. Shortlisted candidates are required to attend the CAP conducted by the Maharashtra State CET Cell. JBIMS only accepts valid MAH-CET scores for admission to its full-time MMS course, which is affiliated with Mumbai University. In the previous year, the highest cutoff for MAH-CET 2021 was 99.97%, recorded by JBIMS. For round 2 of MAH-CET, the score was recorded as 99.95%. MAH-CET releases cutoffs with merit lists for two distinct categories, the Maharashtra State (MH) category and the All India (AI) category, following a normalization method. Read more

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    • Top Answer By Shreya Matta on 26-Dec-2022

    Ans. IMI Delhi accepts only CAT/GMAT scores. The expected XAT cutoff for the rest of colleges are as follows: B-School Expected XAT cutoff  IMI Kolkata 60 Fore Delhi 86.5 KJ Somaiya 70-73  TAPMI 85 Read more

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    • Top Answer By Aruna Mukharjee on 24-Jun-2022

    Ans. There are no such qualifying marks for XAT. You need to clear the required cutoff of the particular institutes to be shortlisted. Here is the XAT cutoff 2022 for various institutes. Institute  XAT cutoff percentile  XLRI BM- 90-93 HRM - 87-92 XIMB 90-93 SPJIMR Mumbai 93-95 KJ Somaiya 85-90 IMT Ghaziabad 90-92 TAPMI Manipal 80-85 GIM Goa 85-90 MICA Ahmedabad 80-85 Grate Lakes Institute of Management 80-85 These are the expected cutoff based on last years cutoff trends.  Read more

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