XAT 2026 Decision Making Syllabus PDF - Download XAT Decision Making Syllabus Topic wise

Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 18 Mar, 2025 15:24

The XAT syllabus 2026 comprises Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, Verbal & Logical Ability, Decision Making, and General Knowledge. It assesses candidatesโ€™ aptitude in mathematical skills, understanding and use of English language, reasoning capabilities, decision-making skills, and their awareness of current affairs and general knowledge, preparing them for management studies and careers.

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XAT 2026 Decision Making Syllabus

The XAT 2026 Decision Making syllabus covers topics such as Analytical Reasoning, Series, Situational, Numeric Grid, Conditions and Grouping, Family Tree, Data Arrangement, Coding and Decoding, Calendars, Pie Charts, Logical Matching, Caselets, and more. There is no fixed syllabus for the XAT Decision Making section, so the important topics are the ones that have been asked for the past few years. This section of the XAT 2026 exam tests the logical reasoning and decision-making skills in a candidate that are crucial for problem-solving and logical reasoning in various contexts. The difficulty level of this section is usually moderate, and with good preparation, students can score well in this section. Last year, 3 sets were asked in this section, having a total of 22 questions. Find the detailed XAT Decision Making syllabus 2026 on this page, along with other important details.

XAT 2026 Decision Making Important Topics

Covering all the important topics in the XAT Decision Making section is crucial to ensure you score well in this section. To answer questions in this section, you will need to choose the most correct or closest option as the right answer. The choices usually pertain to ethical decisions made for the greater good. Check out the XAT Decision Making important topics that must be prepared by candidates for success in this section.

XAT Decision Making Topics

Analytical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning

Complex Arrangement 

Data Arrangement

Caselets

Conditions and Grouping

Situations

Assumptions

Decision Making

Series

Numeric Grid

Family Tree

Calendar

Coding and Decoding

Logical Matching

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XAT Decision Making 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

There will be 22 questions in this section, with each question carrying one mark for a correct answer. There will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for wrong answers. All the questions in this section will be situation-based and in multiple-choice question (MCQ) format.

Particulars

Details

Total Number of Questions

22

Maximum Marks

22

Types of Questions

Multiple-Choice Questions

Difficulty Level

Moderate

Marking Scheme

  • +1 mark for correct answer
  • -0.25 marks for incorrect answer
  • -0.10 marks for more than 8 consecutive un-attempted questions

Mode of Exam

Online

Sectional Time Limit

No

How to Prepare for XAT DM Syllabus 2026?

Preparing for the XAT Decision Making syllabus involves a strategic approach as it is one of the unique sections in the XAT exam, quite different from the sections in other MBA entrance exams. Here are some steps to effectively prepare for it.

  • Understand the Syllabus: First, get familiar with the types of questions that are typically asked in this section. The Decision Making section includes a mix of logical and analytical reasoning questions. It assesses your judgment in various management situations, ethical dilemmas, and financial issues under pressure.
  • Choose the Right Study Materials: Look for books and study materials specifically focused on the XAT Decision Making section. Books on critical thinking and decision-making can also be very helpful. Many coaching institutes provide the best study material online to help students prepare well.
  • Practice Previous Years' Papers: One of the most effective ways to prepare is by solving XAT previous year papers. This will help you understand the pattern of questions and the topics asked over the past years. Solving old question papers under timed conditions will give you an actual exam experience and help you understand how well you are prepared.
  • Take Mock Tests Regularly: Remember to include regular mock tests in your study routine to simulate the actual exam environment. After taking these tests, carefully evaluate your performance to identify specific areas that need improvement. This analysis will help you focus effectively and make the most of your study time.
  • Think Logically & Ethically: When facing a situation without significant ethical conflicts, try to approach it from a business perspective. Focus on growing the business, generating profits, and avoiding any trouble. Put yourself in the shoes of a business owner whose livelihood depends on the success of the business.
  • Choose the Most Correct or Closest Option: When dealing with questions that require quantitative analysis, it is crucial to thoroughly explore all possible options before reaching a solution. The most obvious choice may not always be the most effective one. Taking the time to fully consider all alternatives can result in better decision-making.
  • Improve Your Analytical Skills: This section requires analysing situations and statements to make decisions. Thus, it is important that you work on enhancing your analytical skills. Regular practice with various decision-making problems can sharpen these skills and make you more confident in attempting this section.
  • Learn Time Management: Practice solving questions within a stipulated time to improve your speed and accuracy. Time management is crucial in ensuring you can answer all the questions in this section within the given time. Focus on solving questions you are confident about, and try to skip the ones you get stuck with.

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Best Books to Cover XAT 2026 Decision Making Syllabus

When preparing for the XAT Decision Making syllabus, you will find a number of study materials online and offline. But you canโ€™t trust every source as the information mentioned may not be fully correct. Thus, itโ€™s crucial to pick the right books covering XAT syllabus that are recommended by the toppers and MBA experts. Find below the list of the best books to cover the XAT 2026 Decision Making syllabus:

Name of the Book

Author

Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Ananta Ashisha

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT

Arun Sharma

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Gautam Puri

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT

Nishit K. Sinha

XAT 2026 Syllabus for Other Sections

XAT 2026 syllabus consists of three additional sections besides Decision Making. Take a look at the syllabus of other sections in the table below.

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