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CSAT Book For UPSC: Mastering CSAT with Complete Booklist and Strategy

Master CSAT with our recommended CSAT Book for UPSC. Strengthen quantitative, reasoning, and English skills with top picks like R.S. Aggarwal and Norman Lewis. Follow our strategic tips for exam success.

CSAT Book for UPSC: Your Guide to Administrative Excellence

Every year, the Union Public Service Commission conducts the Civil Services Exam for All India Services and various other Group A services of the Indian Government. These services predominantly entail administrative roles. Aspiring candidates aiming to enter these services must successfully navigate a year-long examination, consisting of the Preliminary exam, Mains exam, and Personality Test.  

Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT): Qualifying Skills for UPSC Success

UPSC conducts Civil Services exam every year in this exam the prelims stage consists of two papers i.e Paper I and Paper II, paper II is referred as CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). It aims to evaluate candidates for their comprehension, interpersonal skills, communication, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills. It is of qualifying nature marks scored in this paper will not be considered for evaluation.

Structure of CSAT Exam

CSAT Book for UPSC: Essential Booklist and Strategies

To prepare for an exam like the Civil Services Aptitude Test,  it is very essential to stick to the syllabus and correct study material to master the CSAT exam. So we are going to share a complete booklist for Civil Services Aptitude Test. 

Preparation Strategy of CSAT: Strategic Tips for Qualifying Marks

Although the Civil Services Aptitude Test  is of qualifying nature, the focus of candidates should be on securing the minimum qualifying marks. Allocating  sufficient time for both Paper-I (General Studies) and Paper-II (CSAT) during your preparation will be more wise. Adopt a proper strategy and adjust your study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses, and continuously evaluate and adapt your strategy as needed. Still we are providing some tips and suggestions to approach the CSAT Paper.

• Understand the Syllabus- Before getting into the sea of preparation for Civil Services Aptitude Test candidates should familiarize with the CSAT syllabus provided by the UPSC. Understanding and analyzing the different sections like comprehension, interpersonal skills, logical reasoning, analytical ability, decision-making, problem-solving, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills.
• Going through the Previous Years’ Papers- Reviewing and analysing the previous years paper of CSAT can provide insights into the type of questions asked, which section is being asked the most and the difficulty level. Identify recurring patterns and focus on strengthening weak areas.
• Build a Strong Foundation- To tackle the basic numeracy, mathematics, and data interpretation section of CSAT, candidates should practice regularly to enhance your quantitative and analytical skills.
• Improve English Language Skills- Work on improving your English language comprehension and communication skills. Read newspapers, articles, and CSAT Book for UPSC regularly to enhance your vocabulary and comprehension abilities.
• Time Management- CSAT is a time-bound exam. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time to improve your time management skills. Develop a strategy to allocate time to different sections based on your strengths and weaknesses.
• Focus on Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability- Candidates should practice logical reasoning and analytical ability questions regularly and allocate proper time to solve puzzles, practice mathematical problems, and work on developing a systematic approach to problem-solving.
• Focus on Decision-Making and Problem-Solving- Focus on decision-making and problem-solving skills. Analyze different scenarios, understand the implications of choices, and practice making decisions under time constraints.
• Mock Tests Analysis- To check the preparation of Civil Services Aptitude Test candidates should enroll in a mock test series and take tests regularly and practice papers to simulate exam conditions. This helps in improving your speed, accuracy, and overall performance. Analyze your performance after each test to identify areas for improvement.
• Revision at regular intervals – Regular revision of all concepts and formula food CSAT is essential to retain information and reinforce concepts. Create a revision schedule to review topics periodically, especially those that you find challenging.
• Seek Guidance if Needed- If you find certain topics challenging, consider seeking guidance from teachers, mentors, or online resources. Joining a coaching institute or participating in online courses can provide structured guidance.
• Stay Healthy and Positive- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep and regular exercise. A positive mindset and stress management are crucial during the preparation phase.

CSAT Book For UPSC FAQs

Do marks in csat count, is the csat paper compulsory for upsc, where can i buy the best csat book for upsc, is it necessary to refer to multiple sources or is one comprehensive book sufficient for csat preparation, can coaching institute study materials be used alongside the standard csat book for upsc.

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CSAT Books for UPSC Prelims 2024

by Vajiram & Ravi

CSAT Coaching - CSAT Course for UPSC 2024

UPSC Prelims 2024 Test Series

CSAT Practice Questions

CSAT Study Material

UPSC 2024 Study Plan

CSAT Books for UPSC 2024 are designed to help the aspirants qualify the Preliminary Examination. UPSC CSAT Books are curated to cover a wide range of questions on comprehension, logical reasoning and basic numeracy based on the UPSC Syllabus. Familiarity with question patterns and regular practice with the help of the best CSAT books builds your confidence, reducing exam-day anxiety.

CSAT Book for UPSC

The CSAT Paper in the UPSC CSE Prelims encompasses topics like decision-making, problem-solving, communication skills, general mental ability, logical reasoning, analytical ability, English comprehension, basic numeracy (up to class X), and data interpretation (up to class X). These topics demand proficiency in both numerical and reasoning aspects. Reliable CSAT books are crucial here, as they expedite comprehensive preparation within a shorter span while delving deep into these subjects.

List of Best CSAT Books for UPSC

The following are the best CSAT Books for UPSC. Regularly practising CSAT Questions from these books can help you qualify the UPSC Prelims exam with ease.

Vajiram & Ravi CSAT Module

The goal of the V&R CSAT Course is to help students prepare more effectively and efficiently to improve their CSAT preparation .

The V&R CSAT Course is offered in a Classroom and Live-Online Mode. The Course's main objective is to give the CSAT preparation a reliable framework for comprehensive knowledge and its implementation. In accordance with the specifications of the UPSC CSE syllabus , the classes are deliberately designed to impart the students with years of curated expertise, techniques, and methods and to have them practise the same during the classes and at home.

Vajiram & Ravi CSAT Books Postal Course

The UPSC CSAT Books consist of volumes on Quantitative Ability + Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation Workbook, Comprehension Work Books and Logical Reasoning + Logical Reasoning Workbook. Aptitude Test (CSAT) material of around 1300 pages cost Rs.1200/-.

FAQs on CSAT Books

Which are some of the best csat books for upsc preparation.

Some of the recommended CSAT books for UPSC preparation include "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey, "CSAT Manual" by Pearson, "CSAT Paper-II" by Arihant, and "Crack Civil Services General Studies IAS Prelims" by McGraw Hill. These books offer valuable content and practice material to enhance the aptitude, comprehension, and reasoning skills required for the UPSC CSAT exam.

What are the CSAT Books recommended by IAS toppers?

IAS toppers often recommend books like "Analytical Reasoning" by M.K. Pandey, "CSAT Manual" by Pearson, "CSAT Paper-II" by Arihant, and "Crack Civil Services General Studies IAS Prelims" by McGraw Hill for CSAT preparation. These books are known for their comprehensive coverage and effective practice exercises to excel in the UPSC CSAT exam.

Which is the Best Book for English for CSAT UPSC?

One of the top-recommended books for English in CSAT UPSC preparation is "A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal. This book covers various aspects of English comprehension and reasoning required for the CSAT exam.

Is there any CSAT Book that also provides solutions for the previous year's questions?

Yes, many CSAT books come with solutions for previous year's questions. "CSAT Paper-II" by Arihant and "CSAT Manual" by Pearson are examples of books that provide solutions for previous year CSAT questions, aiding in better understanding and practice.

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• IAS Preparation
• UPSC Preparation Strategy
• Books For UPSC Prelims

Best books for UPSC Prelims

If you are an aspirant who for the first time have planned to appear for the UPSC 2023 Civil Services IAS Exam or to write the exam in any near future but stuck on which sources or books to refer then here we present you a list of best books for UPSC Prelims which every candidate must have to clear the UPSC Prelims Exam in their first attempt.

After a thorough research and analysing the other aspirants’ preparation strategies who have cracked the exam or who are preparing for the exam, here we have tried to present the best books for UPSC Prelims and guide the aspirants in the beginning of their journey with right approach and strategy.

In this article, we have shared the most important and best books for UPSC Civil Services IAS prelims exam of both GS Paper I and Paper II.

To make the preparation of IAS aspirants simple and easy, the topics of prelims GS paper 1 are break-down and the books to refer cover these topics are given accordingly.

The UPSC Syllabus for prelims GS paper I is as mentioned below and we have tried our best to provide the best books to cover the syllabus.

• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.

Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation General Science.

Current events of national and international importance

As the heading says current events, this part of the prelims syllabus of GS paper I require to read major newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, or Times of India religiously and while reading the newspaper aspirants (beginners) should ensure that they are not spending too much time in reading the newspaper.  One should give priority to news that is national and international importance. If candidates find difficult to read the newspaper or think they waste too much time in reading the newspaper then it is recommended to refer our comprehensive news analysis , which simplifies newspaper reading and making current affairs notes easier.

History of India and Indian National Movement

This part of the prelims syllabus covers Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History also includes art and culture as well as Society. To cover this part, here we recommend four important books as mentioned below.

• India’s Ancient Past by R S Sharma – Candidates can refer NCERT when they think they didn’t understand any concepts as NCER is the one and best source to refer in understanding any basic concepts.
• A brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir)
• History of Medieval India
• Facets of Indian Culture

Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World

To cover this part of the prelims Syllabus, all a candidate has to refer is:

• NCERT Books
• Wizard Geography
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong (Author)

As a beginner, an aspirant should know that this part of the syllabus cover both current issues (dynamic) and the defined UPSC syllabus (static). The current issues mostly covers new schemes, policies, new bills or acts or any amendment in the existing acts or bills.

• Indian Polity by M Laxmikant
• Our Constitution by Subhash C. Kashyap

Again to cover this part of the prelims syllabus, candidates’ should give importance to the issues in news relating to these topics and to cover the static part of the syllabus

• Current Affairs (Comprehensive News Analysis)
• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation General Science

Books recommended to cover this part are:

• NCERT / NIOS
• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills;
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level)

As the CSAT Paper II Syllabus says it needs class 10 level mathematics knowledge, reading comprehension, and Logical reasoning and analytical ability.

To cover the Prelims GS (CSAT) Paper II, candidates can refer the below-listed books or start with practicing UPSC previous years’ question papers.

• CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH
• Analytical Reasoning – M. K. Pandey
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R. S.Aggarwal

Now you know the  must have books to refer for the IAS prelims exam preparation, all you need to do is to take some time to collect these resources and start gearing up for the UPSC 2018 Civil Services IAS Exam.

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IAS 2024 - Your dream can come true!

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In the next 30 minutes, we will equip you with the broad strategy to handle CSAT paper 2 while busting some of the myths on which the coaching institutes make money and providing you the basic minimum gyan to crack the exam.

How to know the amount of time needed for preparation?

Which skill areas to work on.

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal Skills & Logical, Analytical Reasoning
• Decision-making
• General Mental Ability & Data Interpretation

Basic Numeracy

Understanding that the pattern has changed now with CSAT being only a qualifying paper, we have written an article on how CSAT still remains relevant to your preparation  – expected changes in difficulty level of the paper? We expect the difficulty level to go up this year. Scoring even qualifying marks can be an issue for a lot of aspirants.

Also, even though the strategy below applies to the old format (before CSP 2015) of the Prelims examination, we are not removing it. Because, the expert committee constituted by the government for examining the pattern of the Civil Services Examination, can rule in favour of reverting to the old format. 

If you are weak in a particular area of CSAT, the strategy will surely help you.

Do this exercise whenever you have decided to prepare for Paper-2. This period should ideally be at least 3-4 months before the exam.

Take up a UPSC CSAT previous year paper (any one of 2011-2014); close your room; and without any disturbance sit for 2 hours and find out how much you can score without practice.

Now, sit and analyze your shortcomings in those specific areas where you may not have scored well. 

• If you are scoring less than 100 , phewww!!! There is a lot of work to be done. Start practicing daily for 2-3 hours for the coming 5-6 months and even more infact.
• If your score is somewhere around 100-130 , then you are weak in some particular areas for e.g. comprehension or basic numeracy OR your speed may be less than required. Know those areas, and work on them on a daily basis for the coming months for getting conceptual clarity and speed.
• If score is around 130-150 , you may be weak in any one of the areas or your speed of solving paper may be slow. Whatever it is, you need some practice for lets say something close to 2-3 months .
• If its around 150-170 , you may either be slightly weak in any one area; or you may be making a lot of silly mistakes. It can be slow speed too. Whatever it is, you do not need months of practice. If you can spend 1 month or a little more, with 2-3 hours of practice every day; and you are there.
• If you have scored around 170-190 , know that you need not study for paper-2. Just 15-20 days before the exam, start solving mocks so that you can increase your speed; improve your accuracy and work out few areas where you may be making 3-4 mistakes regularly.
• If it is more than 190 , Dude stop wasting your time reading this and prepare Paper-1!!!  😉

It ideally depends on your educational and professional background. This is not to say that only those with a specific background can score high in Paper-2; it is just that we all have been in touch with a certain skill set for a long period of time – which becomes our forte and need to work on the gaps.

For e.g. relatively speaking, engineers are more in touch with Mathematics (equations, calculations etc.) and Data interpretation than a Political Science graduate. Similarly, humanities graduates are more in touch with comprehension skills – reading large amounts of text, verbal reasoning; communication skills etc.

Therefore, no matter what background you are from, you will have an edge on a certain skill area; and at the same time, you will need to work on other skill areas. So, engineers will need to work more on comprehension and interpersonal skills; and a political science graduate will have to work more on Mathematics and Data interpretation.

The UPSC CSAT paper is of Easy to Moderate level. The questions can be solved easily with common sense, basic logic and language skills. But what people generally lack is –

• Enough Practice

Practice is the key here – which brings both speed and accuracy (amount of practice that you need is mentioned in the section on – what is the right time and energy? ).

Then you need to pick the right book. Here we are mentioning the sections of CSAT exam with some good books which will give you clarity on the topic; and contain enough questions for practice.

• GS Manual Paper-II by TMH
• Concise CSAT by Madhukar Bhagat – TMH Publications
• Cracking the CSAT Paper 2 – Arihant Publications
• Word Power – Normal Lewis

Section-wise Basic strategy

Comprehension – Use the book Concise CSAT by Madhukar Bhagat – TMH Publications.

To sharpen and improve your comprehension skills, the first thing that you need to do is to ‘read a lot’. Read the same editorials, magazines, articles, columns etc. with more attention. Do not be in a hurry to finish them – take time, otherwise you will lose time and yet not get the correct comprehension.

Work on your vocabulary by referring to pocket dictionary (can be on mobile too ); read the book Word power by Norman Lewis (it is very good for building vocabulary)

Spend time with passages in the TMH book to see in which kind of options you are making mistake. Learn the art of ‘objective reading’.

Solve 20-30 previous year CAT passages too. Solving tough passages will give you additional insights into comprehension abilities; and it becomes easy then to handle relatively easier CSAT passages. As the saying goes, tame an elephant, and a monkey becomes easy .

Refer to the Detailed Strategy section to understand more about the above and scoring high in comprehension.

In the long run try to learn 10 new words a day. These words can be the ones which puzzle you while you go through the Hindu, Economic times,Frontline et al or you can directly pick them from the standard books.

Interpersonal skills including communication skills; Logical reasoning and analytical ability:

You will face questions like the one from CSAT 2014 (we are giving only one here – refer to the detailed strategy for a comprehensive guide on this section)

Given the statement:

“Buses are the cause of more accidents than cars, and trucks cause fewer accidents than buses”, which of the following conclusions can we draw?

(a) There are more buses on the road than trucks.

(b) Car drivers are more careful than bus drivers.

(c) Truck drivers are more skilled than either car or bus drivers.

(d) None of the above 

Answer: (d)

You need not apply too much thought. Just the skill of ‘objective reasoning’ is needed. Unless and until something , the questions in this section are pretty basic in nature.

With some practice from the book GS Manual for Paper 2 – TMH, it is easy to crack. The book covers questions 2 notches above UPSC level. Do not ignore these relatively harder questions. Practicing them makes the actual CSAT exam very easy.

Decision-making and problem-solving:

Use the book Concise CSAT by Madhukar Bhagat or GS Manual TMH .

Solve 40-50 questions to get an idea as to what UPSC demands from you.

Take a choice based on both Ethics and Prudence.

Being blind ethically will cost you marks as we have seen in the past.

For example :

Questions will be like (this is from CSAT 2014):

While travelling in a Delhi-registered commercial taxi from Delhi to an adjacent city (another state), your taxi driver informs you that he has no permit for driving in that city, he will stop at its transport office, pay the prescribed fees of Rs. 40 a day. While paying the fees at the counter, you find that the transport clerk is charging extra Rs. 50 for which no receipt is being given. You are in a hurry for your meeting. In such circumstances, what will you do?

• Go up to the counter and ask the clerk to give back the money which he has illegally taken.
• Do not interfere at all as this is a matter between the taxi driver and the tax authorities. 
• Take note of the incident and subsequently report the matter to the concerned authorities.
• Treat it as a normal affair and simply forget about it.

It is a situational dilemma. If you act ethically with pragmatism, your answers will be correct. You can choose either (1) or (3).

General mental ability; Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level):

Refer to the syllabus to know the sub-categories of the topics here. For these refer to GS Manual by TMH – covers the topics comprehensively. Instructions are given at the beginning of each exercise to make you understand. First understand the concept and then the techniques of each kind of sub-category (Let us say blood relations, set theory etc.).

A sample question (CSAT 2014):

Practice is the key here. The more patterns and types you would have practiced, the easier it gets in the exam hall. You will be able to quickly identify the right technique for solving each pattern.

Data Interpretation will be very basic in nature. A sample question (from CSAT 2013):

You need not practice Data Interpretation a lot. Just glance through a few examples. Understand all the types of DIs. Solve 30-40 DI passages. This much practice is sufficient.

As we have already stated in the “Syllabus & Exam Pattern”, this section does not carry a lot of weightage (7-10% questions). For this section, refer to the Cracking CSAT- Arihant Publications or GS Manual TMH. Any one will do. See the kind of questions UPSC has asked over the years and practice accordingly considering the difficulty level. We will be giving you a gist of the Basic Numeracy questions solved from all the years (2011-14).

A group of 630 children is seated in a row for group photo session. Each row contains three children less than the row in front of it. Which one of the following number of rows is not possible?

Solution: d)

It is a question based on sequence and series. You can even apply common logic to solve the question. Even in basic numeracy, there are several sub-categories (as mentioned in the “Syllabus & Exam pattern section” ), make sure you practice several questions from each type for e.g. time & work; clock; ratio and proportions etc.

Refer to Comprehension Strategy now. Click on the tab below 🙂    

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UPSC Prelims

Preliminary pattern and syllabus .

Civil Services Preliminary exam comprises of two compulsory papers of 200 marks each (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II). The questions will be of multiple choice, objective type. The marks in prelims will not be counted for final ranking, but just for qualification for main exam.

The Commission will draw a list of candidates to be qualified for Civil Service (Main) Examination based on the criterion of minimum qualifying marks of 33% in General Studies PaperII of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and total qualifying marks of General Studies Paper-I of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination as may be determined by the Commission.

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• Current events of national and international importance.
• History of India and Indian National Movement.
• Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World.
• Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Economic and Social Development Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.
• General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization.
• General Science.

UPSC Syllabus for Paper II- (200 marks) Duration: Two hours (Not counted for the merit rank in Prelims but a qualifying Paper; just needs 33% marks)

• Comprehension.
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills.
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• General mental ability.
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency etc. – Class X level).

Here you can Download every import book in pdf Format according to their availability

PRELIMS PAPER I (GS)

Here, Complete E-books for Prelims GS Paper I are available for Download and we arranged every Standard Book for UPSC Preparation in PDF Format

• 26 Years UPSC Previous Papers Solved MCQ by Disha Publication 11th Edition PDF
• Disha Indian Polity 1000 MCQs with Explanations for Prelims PDF
• Disha Geography 1500 MCQs with Explanations for Prelims PDF
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• Bharat Ki Rajvayvastha by M Laxmikanth 6th Edition [Hindi] PDF Amazon Link
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Decision Making & Problem Solving | CSAT Preparation - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Decision making is the skill of choosing the best course of action among various options to solve a specific problem. It involves considering different viewpoints and maintaining objectivity. The process of decision making assesses your critical thinking abilities through argumentation and debate, and it is an ongoing process that integrates with interactions within society.

What is Decision Making?

Decision making is the cognitive process of carefully choosing a rational option among several alternatives, taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each. It serves as a comprehensive test of an individual's ability to respond to a given situation. To make effective decisions, one must be capable of anticipating the outcomes of each available choice and then selecting the one that is most suitable for the given circumstances. Put simply, decision making can be defined as the firm process of mentally resolving or addressing a problematic situation.

Types of Decisions

Decisions can be classified into three types: 

• 'Whether' Decision: This type of decision involves choosing between only two options, namely "Yes or No." These decisions are made by carefully considering the reasons, advantages, and disadvantages associated with the situation. For example, deciding whether to purchase a piece of land or whether to appear for the IAS Exam this year.
• 'Which' Decision: Refers to the process of selecting one option from multiple alternatives. The choice is typically made by evaluating how well each alternative aligns with a predefined set of criteria. For example, when choosing a subject for the Civil Services Main Examination from a list of options, the decision revolves around selecting 'which' subject to pursue.
• 'Contingent' Decision: is a type of decision that has been made but is deferred until certain conditions are fulfilled. These decisions are typically based on 'if' statements, where you choose to take a particular action only if specific criteria are satisfied. For instance, you may decide to appear in the Civil Services Prelims this year, but only if you manage to complete your syllabus by that time. Similarly, you may consider purchasing a book, but only if you have sufficient funds available.

Decision making can be categorised into following three groups:

• Rational decision-making involves following logical and systematic models that focus on generating numerous potential options and then determining the best one. Often, the pros and cons of each option are assessed and ranked based on their significance.
• Intuitive decision-making, on the other hand, does not rely on reason or logic. Instead, it involves relying on inner knowledge, intuition, or a sense of what feels right. The decision-making process may lack a clear explanation or justification.
• Combination decision-making occurs when decisions are influenced by a combination of natural (rational) and intuitive processes. This can happen intentionally when a person consciously combines elements of both approaches, or it can happen unintentionally, where the decision-making process naturally incorporates elements of both rationality and intuition.

Steps of Decision Making Process

The decision making process involves the following steps:

• Step 1:  Identify the Problem Carefully review the provided case study to gain a clear understanding of the problem that requires resolution. Consider all aspects of the problem, even those not explicitly mentioned in the case study. Your knowledge and judgment will help identify various dimensions of the problem.
• Step 2: Identify Multiple Alternatives Recognize that not every problem can be solved using a single approach; it may require different courses of action. Considering the complexity of the world today, analyzing numerous variables is essential. Therefore, ensure to explore and consider every possible alternative that comes to mind.
• Step 3:  Analyze Each Alternative Establish criteria to evaluate the alternatives. Once the criteria are set, assess the pros and cons of each alternative systematically. Analyze the implications of each option based on your selection criteria and determine which alternative effectively solves the problem identified in step 1.
• Step 4: Remove Unsuitable Alternatives After analyzing each alternative, eliminate those options that do not meet your criteria or have negative consequences. This process helps narrow down the choices to two or three alternatives.
• Step 5:  Make the Decision Rank the remaining alternatives in order of preference based on the desired outcome. Strive for a rational approach that balances humanitarian and logical aspects when prioritizing the various alternatives. Finally, choose the best option and make the final decision.

Decision Making Skills

These skills are employed by administrators who occupy positions of high authority within the administrative hierarchy. As an individual progresses higher in the hierarchy, their level of responsibility also increases.

Basic Skills

To make effective decision making, the three basic skills required are as under:

• Technical skills:  These skills refer to an administrator's understanding and proficiency in the specific processes or techniques required for the work performed by the individuals under their supervision. It represents the ability to effectively utilize resources within a particular domain. Technical skills form the fundamental requirement for the decision-making process. For example, a surgeon must possess surgical expertise, an accountant must be skilled in maintaining accounts, a programmer must be proficient in developing programs, and a teacher must have the knowledge and ability to teach.
• Interpersonal skills: Interpersonal skills encompass an individual's capacity to persuade others and make decisions while considering ethical principles and the welfare of the community. Honesty, truthfulness, courage, patience, and similar human qualities are essential for effective decision making.
• Conceptual skills: Conceptual skills refer to a person's capability to adopt a broad and forward-thinking perspective. It involves visualizing the interconnectedness between individuals, businesses, industries, communities, and the political, social, and economic forces of the entire nation. In short, conceptual skills enable an individual to comprehend the environment, the organization, and their own role, allowing them to make effective decisions for the organization, society, themselves, and their team. These skills develop over time through experience.

Let it go as it is not creating problem in his plant

Inform the MD and relieve himself from the decision making

Order the plant to shut down for a temporary period in order to fix the problem

inform the city municipality to treat the drained water

Conceptual skill are required to solve this type of situation or question. He cannot let it go as the untreated effluent has potentiality to spread diseases and also can contaminate the potable water pipelines. He should not relieve himself from his duty rather he is expected to play an active role. As delay in treating effluent would create problem for the city dweller. So, option (c) is right decision here.

Qualities of a Good Decision Maker

• Ethical and impartial: It is crucial for a decision maker, especially when acting alone, to possess strong moral values and approach decisions without any biases or prejudices. This is particularly important in decision-making styles such as command and convenience.
• Clarity in thinking: Individuals involved in decision making should have strong analytical, logical, and reasoning abilities. These skills are vital when dealing with complex alternatives and when qualitative outcomes are required. Lack of clarity in thinking, especially in strategic decision making, can lead to significant long-term costs for an organization.
• Optimal utilization of data: Finding the right balance in information is key to effective decision making. Decision makers should be able to sift through available information, identify its relevance to the decision at hand, and proceed accordingly.
• Practicality: Decision makers should strive to make decisions that are practical and have a positive impact on the organization. Approaching decision making from an ivory tower perspective is unwarranted and does not contribute to the progress of the organization.
• Vision:  Good decision makers should possess a strong sense of vision, allowing them to anticipate the future impact of their decisions on the organization and society as a whole. Decisions that solely prioritize the organization's bottom line at the expense of the community and society demonstrate a narrow mindset and lack of vision.
• Sustainability:  Decision making should take into account the balance between organizational impact and societal well-being. Decisions that benefit the organization but harm society are examples of unsustainable decision making. Making assumptions that the public, customers, or suppliers are ignorant also reflects unsustainable decision making.
• Timeliness:  Timely decision making is crucial and one of the most important factors for a good decision maker. All decisions are constrained by time, which adds to the difficulty of decision making. A competent decision maker should allocate sufficient time to arrive at well-informed decisions.
• Prioritization:  A skilled decision maker understands the importance of prioritizing decisions based on strategic, tactical, and operational aspects. Strategic decisions should receive the highest allocation of time, resources, and energy, given their significance.

Personality Variations in Decision Making

Research has indicated that individuals have distinct orientations towards decision making, resulting in meaningful differences among them. Some individuals prioritize achieving success at any cost, while others are more concerned about the impact of their decisions on others. Some individuals lean towards a logical and analytical approach, while others rely more on intuition. Based on these different approaches, decision making can be categorized into four styles:

• Directive style: Individuals who prefer straightforward and clear solutions follow this style. They rely on existing rules and use their status or position to achieve desired outcomes.
• Analytical style: Individuals with extensive knowledge adopt this style. They carefully analyze decisions using as much information as possible, often engaging in brainstorming processes.
• Conceptual style:  Individuals who are more socially-oriented and have a humanistic approach follow this style. They have a strong future orientation, initiating new ideas and focusing on the broader impact of decisions.
• Behavioral style:  This style is embraced by individuals who deeply care about the organizations they work for and the personal development of their colleagues.

As a Civil Services Aspirant, it is important to be adaptable and utilize different decision-making styles based on the situation. Flexibility is a key requirement in decision making, as it allows you to shift between styles. While each aspirant may have their own unique personality and interpersonal skills influencing their decision-making approach, being open to adapting and transitioning between styles is crucial.

ask the screening committee for a clarification

ask the athelete to return the medal

ask the athelete to get an affidavit from the court declaring his/her age

ask the members of the sports committee for their views

These types of problems can be solved by directive style of decision making. Here, the authoritative persons make their decision using their position on the basis of existing rules. Since, here it is proved that the athelete has crossed the age criteria. So options (a) and (d) are ruled out. Asking for an affidavit does not change the fact. So, best course of action would be to ask the athelete to return the medal. So, option (b) is correct.

The Key Attributes of Decision Making

Every decision is made within a decision environment, which encompasses the available information, alternatives, values, and preferences at the time of the decision. Ideally, the decision environment would include all relevant and accurate information, as well as every possible alternative. However, limitations on time and effort restrict the amount of information and alternatives that can be considered. Time constraints necessitate making a decision within a specific timeframe, while effort constraints reflect limitations in resources such as manpower, finances, and priorities. Making decisions within this constrained environment presents the challenge of uncertainty, and the goal of decision analysis is to reduce this uncertainty. In most cases, it is impossible to have complete information for making a decision with absolute certainty, so decisions typically involve some level of risk. Delaying a decision as long as reasonably possible offers several benefits: 

• First, the decision environment expands, providing more information. 
• Second, there is additional time for thoughtful and thorough analysis. 
• Third, new alternatives may arise or be created. Lastly, the decision maker's preferences may evolve with further reflection, wisdom, and maturity, leading to a different decision.

However, delaying a decision also carries risks. 

• First, the decision maker may become overwhelmed with excessive information, leading to either a suboptimal decision or decision paralysis. 
• Second, in a competitive environment, a faster competitor may make the decision and gain an advantage. For instance, another company may bring a similar product to market sooner because they didn't delay the decision, or an opposing army might seize a strategic pass while the other army was "letting the decision environment grow."

Approaches to Decision Making

There are two primary approaches to decision making within an organization: the authoritarian method and the group method.

• Authoritarian: In this approach, a manager or executive figure takes on the responsibility of making a decision based on their gathered knowledge. After making the decision, the manager must then communicate and explain it to the group, seeking their acceptance and buy-in.
• Group: In the group approach, the decision-making process involves active participation from the group members. They share their ideas, engage in analysis and discussion, and collectively agree upon a decision to be implemented. Research indicates that the group often holds values, feelings, and reactions that may differ from what the manager assumes. The group itself possesses the deepest understanding of its own tastes and preferences.

In summary, decision making within an organization can either be driven by an authoritative figure or involve active participation and consensus-building within the group. Each approach has its own strengths and considerations.

Call him over to your room and personally explain why the allotment cannot be done

Allot the house to him to win his loyalty

Agree with the office note to show that you are not biased and that you do not indulge in favouritism

Keep the file with you and not pass any orders.

• Here, comes the ability of the decision maker to make a decision, which is unbiased. Here, we have two objectives according to the question, not to annoy the secretary and to follow the rules and the law. Option (a) allows to both to follow the rules and makes justice without any bias as well as not to annoy the secretary and so it should be the first choice.
• Option (c) follows the rules but might disrupt the relationship with the secretary. In any case following the law and not showing any kind of favouritism are imperatives and cannot be compromised for any friendship. Thus, (c) is also an acceptable solution.
• Option (b) is clearly wrong as it shows favouritism and bias and breaks the official rules. Option (d) is also clearly wrong as not doing your job will lead to unfavourable results for someone and that shows your irresponsible behaviour.

Decision Making Strategies

As we are aware, there are often multiple solutions available for a given problem, and it is the task of the decision maker to select one of them. The complexity of the decision-making task can vary based on the importance of the decision, and the number and quality of alternatives can be adjusted considering factors such as time, resources, and importance.

• Optimizing:  This strategy involves seeking the best possible solution by exploring numerous alternatives and selecting the very best one. The extent to which optimization can be pursued depends on factors such as the problem's importance, available time, cost implications, resource availability, knowledge, and personal psychology or values. However, complete information and consideration of all alternatives are seldom feasible for major decisions, necessitating limitations on alternatives.
• Satisficing: In this strategy, the decision maker chooses the first satisfactory alternative instead of the absolute best. For example, if one is very hungry, they might opt for the first decent-looking restaurant in the next town rather than spending time to identify the best restaurant (as in the optimizing strategy). The term "satisficing" combines "satisfactory" and "sufficient." This strategy is commonly used for small decisions like parking, beverage choices, pen selection, or picking a tie.
• Maximax:  This strategy involves evaluating and selecting alternatives based on their maximum potential payoff. It is often associated with optimistic thinking, as it focuses on favorable outcomes and high potentials. The maximax strategy is suitable when risk-taking is more acceptable.
• Maximin: In contrast to maximax, maximin strategy (associated with pessimistic thinking) considers the worst possible outcome for each decision and selects the option with the least potential loss. Maximin orientation is useful when the consequences of a failed decision are particularly harmful or undesirable. It emphasizes the salvage value or the guaranteed return of a decision, reflecting the notion that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Quiz shows like KBC take advantage of the uncertainty people experience when deciding between maximax and maximin strategies. For instance, contestants are presented with the choice to either take their winnings and leave or risk losing it all for a chance at a larger prize. Quitting the game represents a maximin decision, while continuing to play reflects a maximax decision-making strategy.

proceed on leave without waiting for the sanction of the leave

pretend to be sick and take leave

approach higher authority to reconsider the leave application

tell the boss that it is not justified on his part

You cannot proceed without waiting for the sanction of the leave as it shows faulty behaviour and negligence at your part. Again, you cannot judge the boss and lying is unethical, so you can approach your higher authority as it is the positive approach to the situation.

Problem Solving

• Problem-solving is a cognitive process  that involves complex intellectual functions. Effective problem-solving skills encompass the ability to develop creative and innovative solutions, practical problem-solving approaches, independence and initiative in problem identification and resolution, as well as the capacity to make choices.
• To understand problem-solving, it is essential to first recognize and identify a problem. A problem can be defined as a challenging state that hinders the achievement of desired goals, objectives, or purposes. Problems are encountered by individuals in their daily lives, ranging from simple issues that require minimal brainstorming to highly complex and severe challenges.
• Efficient and timely problem-solving  is a valuable aspect of an impressive personality. It involves thorough planning, effective execution, and the ability to make sound judgments. It has been observed that the lack of problem-solving skills can lead to the failure of relationships and businesses. Therefore, developing strong problem-solving abilities is crucial for success in various aspects of life.

refer his matter to your superiors

sanction the leave

meet him and discuss about the reason of leave and try to convince him the urgent need of his presence

ask another person to do his work

As he is a key person for that work and in his absence work will be affected options (b) and (d) will not serve the purpose. Referring the matter to your superiors as mentioned in option (a) will not be appropriate as it shows your inability to tackle the problem. In this case, option (c) will be the right course of action.

Types of Problems

Based on the features and nature, problems are classified into four types which are as follows:

• Question-Based Problems: Problems that involve a question requiring an answer can be categorized as question-based problems. These problems provide clear data and facts that aid in making a correct decision. However, they often entail questions such as "who," "why," and "how," which require deeper insight to minimize confusion and arrive at the right decision.
• Situation-Based Problems: This type of problem presents a situation where you find yourself in a dilemma, torn between two options or conflicting factors.
• Convincing-Based Problems:  These problems involve a situation where you need to persuade or convince others. You possess certain information that others, whom you need to persuade, may lack.
• Solving-Based Problems:  As the name implies, these problems require finding a solution. The solution can be short-term or long-term in nature. If the solution is short-term, there may be a possibility of the problem recurring. On the other hand, if there is no long-term solution, efforts can be made to minimize the problem.

The private firm should pay the compensation for all the victims

The government should help the victims

The victims of low income should be helped

All the victims should be helped

Here the government has granted the permission not to cause disaster instead to encourage power generation. Thus, it is the responsibility of the private firm to compensate all the victims.

Risk Management Strategies in Decision Making and Problem-Solving

In order of precedence, the strategies are:

• Disregard highly unlikely possibilities: It is important to dismiss extremely remote or unrealistic possibilities when evaluating risks and making decisions. For instance, when deciding whether to go to the store, risks like dying on the way or being shot by robbers should not typically be factored into the risk evaluation because they are highly improbable. While life inherently involves risk, it is essential to consider the likelihood of such events.
• Avoid catastrophic outcomes: If there is a small but significant chance of a catastrophic event, standard expected value calculations may not apply. Risk management principles emphasize the avoidance of real catastrophic risks at a reasonable cost. However, determining what constitutes a real risk and a reasonable cost can be challenging due to uncertainties.
• Recognize trade-offs: Every action in life carries some level of risk. Even when we do not actively take on risks, they are often imposed on us by the nature of life and society. For example, eating involves the risk of food poisoning or choking, but it is a necessity for survival. Socializing carries the risk of disease, driving or flying carries the risk of accidents, but these activities are integral parts of life. While certain risks, such as smoking or consuming unhealthy foods, can be avoided, it is important not to deny the inherent risks of living and not excessively worry about the consequences of modern life.
• Maximize expected values: Generally, the expected value of each alternative indicates its relative desirability, favoring the option with the highest probability of the greatest benefit. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that these calculations rely on subjective probabilities and rewards. There is no legal requirement to choose any specific alternative. If the alternative with the highest expected value is considered unsatisfactory, it is necessary to reassess the assigned probabilities and rewards for all alternatives.

recommend that the supply of water be free of charge in all respects 

recommend that a fixed monthly charge be levied only on the non-BPL families and for BPL families water should be free

recommend that the users pay a one time fixed sum for the installation of taps and the usage of water be free 

recommend that the users pay a charge based on the consumption of water with differentiated charges for non-BPL and BPL families

This approach considers the financial constraints of the BPL families while still generating some revenue through a fixed charge from those who can afford it. This helps in maintaining a balance between sustainability and social equity.

MCQ Examples of Decision-Making Questions

Below are MCQ examples that demonstrate decision-making skills:

Scenario: An area is affected by severe flooding. You, as a district magistrate, have limited resources. Which of the following should be your immediate priority?

A. Repairing roads

B. Distributing food and water

C. Rebuilding houses

D. Organizing entertainment to lift people’s spirits

Answer: B. Distributing food and water

Solution: Immediate needs like food and water are crucial for survival in disaster scenarios, making them the top priority.

Scenario: You are working on a project with a tight deadline. Your team member is consistently delivering work late, affecting the timeline. What should be your immediate step?

• A. Report the member to higher authorities
• B. Remove the member from the team
• C. Discuss the issue with the member
• D. Ignore the issue and adjust the project timeline

Answer: C. Discuss the issue with the member

Solution: Communication is key in resolving team disputes. Before taking drastic measures, understanding the member’s perspective and finding a solution collaboratively is advisable.

Scenario: Your city is facing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. As an officer, you are assigned to create awareness. Which approach is most effective?

• A. Distribute pamphlets
• B. Organize large public awareness events
• C. Implement awareness through social media and local networks
• D. Ignore the situation, assuming people are already aware

Answer: C. Implement awareness through social media and local networks

Solution: Social media and local networks provide wide reach without risking further spread through large gatherings.

Scenario: There is a proposal for a new dam which will provide water and electricity but will displace a local tribe. What should you consider first?

• A. Proceed with the construction immediately
• B. Reject the proposal outright
• C. Assess alternative solutions and engage with the tribe for their input
• D. Delay the decision indefinitely

Answer: C. Assess alternative solutions and engage with the tribe for their input

Solution : It is essential to balance development and the welfare of all stakeholders involved, necessitating a thorough assessment and inclusive decision-making process.

Scenario: As a civil servant, you receive two projects. Project A will benefit a large number of people slightly. Project B will significantly benefit a smaller group. Which project should be prioritized?

• A. Project A
• B. Project B

Answer: C. Both

Solution : Civil services work for the welfare of all. An ideal approach would be finding a way to implement both projects effectively, balancing the broader good with significant impact where needed.

Scenario: You have a limited budget for a healthcare initiative. What is the crucial factor to consider when deciding which health programs to fund?

• A. Popularity of the program
• B. Political backing
• C. Program’s potential impact on public health
• D. The novelty of the program

Answer: C. Program’s potential impact on public health

Solution : The primary consideration for any healthcare initiative should be its potential positive impact on public health, ensuring that it addresses the community’s most pressing health needs efficiently.

John needs to choose between two job offers. Offer A has a higher salary but is located in a city with a high cost of living. Offer B has a lower salary but is situated in a town with a lower cost of living. Which job offer should John choose?

• D. Cannot be determined

Answer: D. Cannot be determined

Solution: This question requires decision-making skills. Without knowing John’s priorities and values, the answer cannot be determined. Each offer has its pros and cons, and the decision rests on John’s personal preferences and circumstances.

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(IGP) IAS Pre Paper - 2: GS - Decision Making and Problem Solving (Part 3)

Decision making and problem solving (part 3), answers to case study 2.

If you determined that the decision on what to do in the chlorine emergency is individual decision making, you are correct. Unless information ins available immediately, there is no time to gather input from responders before the wind carries the chlorine gas to Soar. Given the weather conditions and the toxicity of chlorine, a decision must be made immediately.

Answers to Case Study 3

If you determined that the decision of whether or not to allow sandbagging would be made through consultation, you are correct. There are clearly too many stockholders to make the decision individually. On the other hand, because the safety of the citizenry and first responders is at stake, the decision ultimately belongs to the emergency manager. Because there is some time available before a decision has to be made—and because tensions are running high-it is best to get input from first responders and key stockholders (i.e., the community groups) before making a decision based on the facts of the situation.

The names of some of places and other recognized symbols could be fictitious and resemblances to events already occurred or occurring to the situations described here are only coincidental. This is just an academic reconstruction

Who is an Effective Decision Maker?

Think of someone you know who seems to be a born decision maker.

What makes him or her effective? Most likely :

1. He or she makes decisions with competence and confidence. 2. Most of his or her decisions work out right.

But what is underlying that decision-making skill? Research has shown that effective decision makers share several attributes.

Attributes of an Effective Decision Maker

Effective decision makers tend to have the following attributes:

Knowledge: The most important requirement for making sound decisions is a deep understanding of all factors. The soundness of the decision depends on how informed the decision maker is.

Initiative: Effective decision makers assume responsibility for beginning the decision-making process and seeing it through. They take an active part in making things better.

Current condition : Good decision makers consider current conditions and take advantage of opportunities that exist at the time. Flexibility Effective decision makers remain open-minded about new concepts and ideas. They are willing to change course or try a different approach if better results seem likely.

Self-knowledge: Good decision makers know their own abilities, biases, and limitations.

In addition, smart decision makers will begin with a review of the information at hand (e.g., the EOP, SOPs, etc.) because, if the planning process is complete, many common situations will have been anticipated, and procedures for what to do in those situations will be in place.

Advice-seeking: Good decision makers know that they need help from others. They identify people who can make specific contributions to the decision-making process and ask them for their advice and counsel. .

Selectivity: Effective decision makers seek pertinent data. They avoid getting bogged down by extraneous facts and figures. Comprehensiveness On the other hand, they look at all available options and consider every possible alternative so as to make the best choice

Good judgment: Sound decisions will not always result from merely following procedures. Decision makers must exercise their best judgment in considering factors particular to the situation.

Calculated risk-taking: The risks and results of various alternatives must be weighed and the consequences accepted, whether positive or negative.

ETHICAL ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MAKING

In simple terms, ethics refer to standards of behavior that tells us how human beings should act in many situations in which they find themselves-as children, as friends, as businessman, as teachers, professionals, administrators, as countryman, as world citizen etc. As an administrator you would be put in situations where you would have take decisions based on “ethics”. We all act ethically when we act “according to our best”. “Our best” is conditioned by our image of an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical society, an ethical government or ethical administration.

“Ethics is a set of standards that guides our behavior, both as individuals and as members of organizations. The ethical principles are simple standards of right and wrong that we learn as children, such as being honest and fair and treating others with respect

An Ethical Decision-Making Model

1. Clarify (a) Determine precisely what must be decided. (b) Formulate and devise the full range of alternatives. (c) Eliminate patently impractical, illegal and improper alternatives. (d) Force yourself to develop at least three ethically justifiable options. (e) Examine each option to determine which ethical principles and values are involved.

2. Decide (a) Make a judgment about what is not true and what consequences are most likely to occur. (b) Evaluate the viable alternatives according to personal conscience. (c) Prioritize the values so that you can choose which values to advance and which to subordinate. (d) Determine who will be helped the most and harmed the least. (e) Consider the worst case scenario. (f) Consider whether ethically questionable conduct can be avoided by changing goals or methods, or by getting consent. (g) Apply three “ethics guides.” • Are you treating others as you would want to be treated? • Would you be comfortable if your reasoning and decision were to be publicized? • Would you be comfortable if your children were observing you?

3. Implement. (a) Develop a plan of how to implement the decision. (b) Maximize the benefits and minimize the costs and risks.

4. Evaluate (a) If any of the options requires the sacrifice of any ethical principle, evaluate the facts and assumptions carefully. (b) Distinguish solid facts from beliefs, desires, theories, suppositions, unsupported conclusions, opinions, and rationalizations. (c) Consider the credibility of sources, especially when they are self-interested, ideological or biased. (d) With regard to each alternative, carefully consider the benefits, burdens and risks to each stockholder.

5. Monitor and modify. (a) Monitor the effects of decisions. (b) Be prepared and willing to revise a plan, or take a different course of action. (c) Adjust to new information.

Ethical Don’ts

The following “don’ts” address specific ethical challenges in a crisis or emergency situation. 1. Using inside information gained through your position to benefit you and/or your family. 2. Using agency t me or property (e.g., a phone or car) for personal reasons. 3. Using your official position or accepting compensation to endorse a product. 4. Don’t exceed your authority or make promises. 5. Don’t use your position to seek personal gain. Examples of seeking personal gain would include 6. Soliciting gifts. 7. Making official decisions that benefit you financially.

Avoid even the appearance of ethical violations. Take the extra step of making sure that your actions (even if they are above-boar(d) could riot be seen as unethical. Think about how your actions would read on the front page of the newspaper.

Ethical Do’s

Keep these “do’s” in mind

1. Put forth an honest effort, in everything even remotely connected to your official position.

2. Protect and conserve agency property. This standard applies both to your actions and to the actions that you should take if you observe fraud, waste, or abuse.

3. Act impartially Do not show favoritism to one group (e.g., victims or contractors) over another. Two aids in acting impartially include making sure that all affected parties have full disclosure, and seeking prior authorization before taking action.

4. Place the law and ethical principles above private vain.

Ethical Issues and Emergencies

Decisions that seem simple or routine in a day-to-day context may become difficult and have serious ethical implications during an emergency Furthermore, a poor decision with ethical implications can escalate an emergency into an unmanageable situation as the emergency response progresses, as the following scenarios illustrate

Case Study* : Ethical Issues and Emergencies

Goods Train Derailment On January 17, 2011 at around midnight, a goods train carrying more than 250 tonnes of liquid propane (HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE) derailed on Moghulsarai-Gaya Section of Grand Chord Delhi- Howrah route and began to burn.

The names of some of places and other recognized symbols could be fictitious and resemblances to events already occurred or occurring to the situations described here are only coincidental. This is just an academic reconstruction.

Upon arriving at the scene and conducting an initial size-up of impending catastrophe, the Local Disaster Cell Head ordered an immediate evacuation of the people in adjoining villages of the railway track, telling the people to expect the evacuation to be completed in not more than 2 or 3 hours. As the expected evacuation period was short, some people evacuated without their belongings and the cattle. Electricity was turned off in the entire area. After 4 hours, the Disaster Cell Head, in consultation with army officials and chemical experts from IT BHU, determined that the evacuation should continue until the fire had completely burnt out.

What are the ethical issues involved in this situation ?

Answers: There are several ethical considerations in this scenario. Some of these are:

1. Did the Disaster Cell Head do the right thing by ordering an immediate evacuation? Or 2. Should he have waited for more information before issuing the order? 3. What should the citizens be told about how long they will be out of their homes? 4. Given the current level of risk, can the Disaster Cell Head ethically allow them to return for their cattle and other belongings?

Components of Ethical Decision Making

Ethical decision making requires being aware of your own and your agency’s ethical values and applying them whenever necessary. It involves being sensitive to the impact of your decisions and being able to evaluate complex, ambiguous, and/or incomplete facts. Three components of ethical decision making are:

1. Commitment 2. Consciousness 3. Competency

Ethical Commitment

A crisis or emergency confronts us with many situations that test ethical commitment. Thus, you need to be very clear about your own ethical values and have a strong understanding of ethical standards of conduct. Ethical commitment (or motivation) involves demonstrating a strong desire to act ethically and to do the right thing, especially when ethics imposes financial, social, or psychological costs

Ethical Consciousness

Understand that people’s perceptions are their reality-and so what we understand to be perfectly legal conduct may be perceived by taxpayers as improper or inappropriate. Ethical consciousness (or awareness) involves seeing and understanding the ethical implications of our behavior and applying our ethical values to our daily lives.

Ethical Competency

1. Prediction: The ability to foresee the potential consequences of conduct and assess the likelihood or risk that persons will be helped or harmed by an act.

2.Evaluation: The ability to collect and evaluate relevant facts, and knowing when to stop collecting facts and to make prudent decisions based on incomplete and ambiguous facts.

3. Creativity: The capacity to develop resourceful means of accomplishing goals in ways that avoid or minimize ethical problems.

DECISION MAKING AND STRESS

Decisions can be as simple as delegating a routine task or as complex as responding to a major crisis. Decision making in a crisis is made more difficult because of stress.

Impediments to making good decisions under stress include

1. Perceived or real time pressure. 2. Possible political pressures. 3. Liquor. 4. Sleep deprivation and resulting fatigue. 5. Uncertainty.

Under stress, decision makers are more likely to

1. Experience conflict with other key players. 2. Perceive selectively because of sensory overload, and thus perhaps miss important information. 3. Experience perception distortion and poor judgment.

Decision makers under stress also tend to

1. Be less tolerant of ambiguity and thus perhaps make premature decisions. 2. Experience a decreased ability to handle difficult tasks and work productively. 3. Experience a greater tendency toward aggression and escape behaviors.

They may also 1. Choose a risky alternative. 2. Succumb to “groupthink.” 3. Consider only immediate survival goals, sacrificing long-range considerations. 4. Get tunnel vision.

An important key to effective decision making in a crisis is being systematic. A good way to be systematic is to use the problem

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How to learn Interpersonal Skills Including Communication Skills for CSAT

Last updated on September 29, 2023 by Alex Andrews George

Interpersonal Skills is a topic for CSAT (General Studies Paper 2 – Civil Service Prelims Exam) .

But candidates who appear for Preliminary Exam, often seem to be unaware of this topic.

Before getting into the details of Interpersonal Skills, let’s analyze the syllabus for Civil Service Prelims Paper 2.

Table of Contents

Syllabus for Civil Service Prelims Paper 2

• Comprehension
• Interpersonal skills including communication skills
• Logical reasoning and analytical ability
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• General mental ability
• Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude, etc.) (Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency, etc. -Class X level)

How to learn Interpersonal skills including communication skills?

So, it is clear from the UPSC syllabus that there is a separate topic called Interpersonal Skills . Let’s have a quick look at what are the interpersonal skills a person needs to have.

Interpersonal skills:

Interpersonal Skills are also known by the names of soft skills or people skills. These are skills which you need while you deal with people, for better and healthy results. A master of interpersonal skills knows how to deal with different people during different situations.

Basic Interpersonal skills can be briefed below

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• Communication Skills
• Listening Skills
• Stress Management
• Assertiveness
• Decision Making
• Problem-Solving
• Verbal Communication
• Non-Verbal Communication

Question 1:

You are part of a team working on a critical project, and two of your team members, Arun and Sarah, have been having frequent disagreements that are affecting the project’s progress. How would you approach resolving this conflict?

• A) Avoid intervening and let them sort it out themselves.
• B) Speak to your supervisor and ask them to handle the conflict.
• C) Initiate a private meeting with Arun and Sarah to facilitate open communication and seek a mutually agreeable solution.
• D) Side with one team member to end the conflict quickly.

Correct Answer: C) Initiate a private meeting with Arun and Sarah to facilitate open communication and seek a mutually agreeable solution.

Question 2:

You are attending a professional conference, and you want to expand your network and make meaningful connections. What strategies would you employ to effectively network at the conference?

• A) Avoid engaging in conversations and focus solely on attending sessions.
• B) Share your business card with everyone you meet, whether or not there is a connection.
• C) Set clear networking goals, actively listen to others, exchange contact information, and follow up after the conference.
• D) Attend the conference but keep to yourself and not interact with other attendees.

Correct Answer: C) Set clear networking goals, actively listen to others, exchange contact information, and follow up after the conference.

Question 3:

You are working on a team project, and one of your team members, Maria, has a different approach to problem-solving that often leads to longer discussions and delays. How would you demonstrate tolerance in this situation?

• A) Insist that Maria adopts your approach to problem-solving for the sake of efficiency.
• B) Speak to the team leader and request Maria’s removal from the project.
• C) Practice open and respectful communication with Maria, seek compromise and show patience with differing work styles.
• D) Avoid working with Maria altogether to prevent conflicts.

Correct Answer: C) Practice open and respectful communication with Maria, seek compromise, and show patience with differing work styles.

These multiple-choice questions assess your understanding and application of interpersonal skills in various scenarios, including conflict resolution, networking, and tolerance.

Interpersonal skills including communication skills and UPSC

Those who expected Sentence Correction, Fill up the blank – grammar/language questions or Para-jumbles as there is a term called ‘communication skill’ in the syllabus – were disappointed by UPSC, by not asking any questions from these areas at all. There were no questions in the Interpersonal skills section, but questions came coupled with decision-making and problem-solving – as you can see these two are also an inseparable part of Interpersonal skills.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean UPSC will stick to the same type of questions in the future too. They can go for language skill-testing questions, but that may put students from rural backgrounds at a disadvantage, and that’s probably the main reason why UPSC has not tried those areas directly in the question paper.

As of now for solving the Decision-making and problem-solving section, the best answer is often derived by using interpersonal skills too, and that’s what UPSC expects from future Civil Servants.

How to study Interpersonal Skills for CSAT?

We recommend the below sources to learn the subject.

• Join CSAT Course: UPSC Prelims Paper 2 Program
• Go through  ClearIAS YouTube Classes on CSAT.
• Read  books on CSAT .

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About Alex Andrews George

Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and social entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

He is the author of many best-seller books like 'Important Judgments that transformed India' and 'Important Acts that transformed India'.

A trusted mentor and pioneer in online training , Alex's guidance, strategies, study-materials, and mock-exams have helped many aspirants to become IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

Reader Interactions

March 13, 2019 at 4:16 pm

We need a material or a recommendation of which book to buy

August 9, 2019 at 8:15 am

How can we download the PDF by your site of interpersonal skills including communication skills???

May 23, 2020 at 8:41 am

Sir I am now 9th standard, Can I join your website.

July 11, 2020 at 7:51 am

pleas some one more

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XAT Decision-Making Best Books for 2025 Preparation

• Application
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• Exam Pattern
• Selection Process
• Counselling
• Accepting Colleges

When it comes to preparing for XAT Decision-making preparation, Books are very much an integral part of the preparation so it is important to have XAT Decision Making Study Materials, In decision-making books become crucial because of the nature of that paper it is subjective and critical analysis based questions so Best resources for XAT DM is essential, So we bring you this article based on the recommended Top Books for XAT Decision Making.

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How to Evaluate a Book for XAT Decision-Making Section

Must-have books for xat decision-making preparation, top 5 books for xat decision-making section, why you need specialized books for xat decision-making, how to prepare for xat decision-making with best books, xat decision-making books vs online study materials, best resources for xat dm: books, study guides, and more, how to choose the right books for the xat 2025 decision-making section, best xat decision-making books for quick revision, common mistakes to avoid while using xat decision-making books, how decision-making books can improve your xat score, additional xat decision-making study materials to complement your books, xat decision-making preparation strategy using best books.

Why Choosing the Right Books for XAT Decision-Making is Crucial

XAT(Xavier Aptitude Test) is a national-level exam conducted by XLRI for MBA programs for Top Business Schools in India, One of the most important sections of the XAT Exam is decision-making, So to navigate through these topics as an aspirant you need the top XAT 2025 decision-making preparation books.

Choosing the right book can be a great deal in cracking the exam to boost your preparation try to find XAT Decision-Making best books

Choosing the right book in decision-making can boost your critical thinking abilities

XAT Decision-making books have practice sets that help you to work out questions that can help you how to approach the questions

Top books on XAT Decision-making books follow a similar set of syllabi as the exam, so it will help you to get a clear grasp of the paper. Following a strict XAT timetable backed up by effective XAT preparation materials is essential for the candidate’s XAT success.

XAT Decision-Making preparation books are crucial for your answer writing skills to analyze your answer with the expected answer because the answers can be very subjective in the Decision-Making section

Top Books Recommended by Experts for XAT Decision-Making

Here are some XAT Decision-Making best books:

The only way to evaluate a book for XAT Decision-making is to look at the publisher and author of the book, How many years of experience does the author have when it comes to writing for the decision-making or critical analysis section for the XAT Exam or any other competitive exam and finally checking with previous aspirants who have succeeded in the examination what resources they have used for Decision-making section of the XAT Exam. With the help of the best XAT preparation materials, the candidates will be able to crack the XAT exam on their first attempt .

Bestselling Books for XAT Decision-Making Preparation

The XAT paper mainly contains scenario-based questions, it's all about analyzing complex situations and making critical and ethical decisions based on them, some of the best-selling XAT books on the Decision-making section on the XAT Exam are Jabbing XAT by Arun Sharma, Analytical and Logical Reasoning by Arihant Publications and Target XAT By Disha Publications.

Comprehensive Books Covering XAT Decision-Making Section

XAT Examination has a Decision-making section that analyzes candidates' critical decision-making abilities, and it is a crucial section of the examination to score marks to elevate your overall XAT Score , as a XAT aspirant you can't tackle this situation without consistent and continuous practice with comprehensive books on Decision making, the books are Analytical and Logical Reasoning for CAT and XAT by Arun Sharma, Decision-Making for XAT by Jabbing Talent Experts, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by RS Aggarwal and Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha.

In-Depth Review: Best Books for XAT 2025 Decision-Making

Here are some In-depth reviews of the best resources for XAT DM

Analytical and Logical Reasoning for CAT & XAT" by Arun Sharma

Analytical and Logical Reasoning for CAT and XAT is one of the best XAT books accompanying your XAT Decision-Making preparation, the book is published by Mc Graw Hill Edge, the book has developed according to the latest syllabus and exam pattern and the book does a comprehensive coverage of logical and Analytical reasoning with detailed solutions of each questions in all level of difficulty and 30 XAT mock tests according to latest question pattern in the book.

Decision-Making for XAT" by Jabbing Talent Experts

Decision-Making for XAT BY jabbing Talent Experts is one of the best books for XAT decision-making topics, the book contains several mock tests and the past 12 years' worth of question papers according to current question paper trends, the book contains everything that could help a candidate to ace the exam

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal

RS Aggarwal is one of the popular authors who have been producing books for Quantitative Aptitude and logical reasoning for many entrance exams for many years, This book is an excellent choice for the XAT Decision-making section because it has comprehensive explanations for concepts and a wide range of practice questions.

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT" by Nishit K. Sinha

It is an excellent book for Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for renewed according to the new trends of the exam, The book is very well arranged and comprehensive with numerous questions to work, The book has questions which are on different levels like foundation, moderate and advanced and detailed solutions for questions in every level

How These Books Can Boost Your XAT DM Score

These books are very important for the Decision-making section for the XAT preparation these books have comprehensive analyses of each concept and multiple practice questions which if you prepare consistently and continuously will be able to help you improve your confidence, speed, and accuracy when it comes to solving. Preparation guidebooks could give structure and direction to your XAT Decision-Making preparation.

Understanding the Unique Nature of XAT Decision-Making

The decision-making section of the XAT Exam contains scenarios drawn from both personal and professional lives and the candidate must apply their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and prioritization to make formal and informal decisions it is one of the unique sections of the exams so you need to practice questions consistently.

How Specific Books Can Enhance Your Decision-Making Skills

Books are the best way to navigate the decision-making section of the syllabus. They can clarify concepts and give you practice tests so that you can improve your decision-making skills. For example, the XAT Examination books will give you practice in dealing with questions astutely and logically.

Differentiating XAT Decision-Making from Other MBA Entrance Exams

Unlike other MBA Entrance examinations, XAT has a separate section for Decision-making and is a little bit more comprehensive compared with exams like the CAT exam which doesn't have sections like Decision-making, This section evaluates a student's ability for critical thinking and problem-solving skills so it is a unique prospect of XAT Exam comparing with others.

Step-by-Step Approach to Using Books for XAT DM Section

Step one: Have an Idea about the syllabus and the question papers have all the information decision-making section of the XAT preparation

Step two: Buy the appropriate books and start going through each chapter.

Step three: Start doing the questions topic-wise and evaluate yourself

Step four: then start doing the mock test part because it will be there in most preparatory guides

Step five: preparing like consistently prepare like this with your recommended books Decision-making XAT Books will boost your chances to succeed in the exam

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How to Practice Real-World Scenarios with Decision-Making Books

The only way to clear the Decision-making section of XAT is to practice questions consistently in the books and go section by section to improve yourself, the questions involve financial conditions, sales, and ethical problems with the practice questions of the books look at the previous year question understand the question format on what ways a questions are asked and read about day to day social and economic activities and rely on practice sets and mock exams in the books.

Time Management Tips While Studying XAT DM Books

Always have an idea of the syllabus before start studying and know the exam pattern well

Do regular mock tests on the decision-making section of the XAT Sections.

Always calculate the amount of time you take each time it helps you understand where you lack and ace

Read the questions carefully before answering and try to practice them during the preparation

Always attend to the simple questions first

Always try to revise what you studied the day before because it will help in active recollection

Always try to solve mock test time simulated environment it will greatly in the XAT Examination

Benefits of Books Over Online Materials for XAT DM Preparation

Books always have an advantage over online materials because books are written by verified experts in the field and publishers who have experience in publishing content for many examinations, books have more comprehensive writing about the topics and mock tests and are revised regularly to associate with the latest exam trends for XAT Decision-making preparation.

When to Rely on Books and When to Use Online Resources for XAT

The books and online resources are equally important for the preparation for XAT so always finish the book first before using online sources, The books are written by experts and re-edited and updated regularly and topics are written comprehensively but online resources can be used for mock tests because there are numerous no of XAT mock tests available online, So finish the books first before using online resources.

Combining Books and Online Resources for Comprehensive Preparation

It will be better for your XAT Preparation if you combine books with Online resources because both media have their strengths and weaknesses books are good for a comprehensive understanding of the topic and online resources are immensely good for mock tests and sample papers so combining books and online resources would boost your XAT Preparation.

Where to Find Reliable Books for XAT Decision-Making Section

We have provided some XAT-recommended books for Decision-making preparation that can used above or you can find reliable books from experts on the internet who topped the exam and get suggestions from them these books are available on all shopping websites like Amazon and Flipkart or you can get online PDFs of the XAT Decision- Making books it would be cheap and reliable as the XAT book preparation.

Free Study Materials vs Paid Books: What’s Better for XAT DM?

Free study materials are better compared to paid books because free study materials are economically sustainable for students who are preparing for XAT 2025, and both are good for boosting your XAT Decision-Making preparation so try to gather free study materials, If it's not enough go for the paid books.

Essential Study Guides Alongside Books for XAT Decision-Making

Along with the recommended books for XAT Decision, you can use other resources like newspapers, Economic Weekly, etc to learn about the economic and social aspects of the Decision-making section of the exam.

Factors to Consider When Selecting XAT Decision-Making Books

Some of the essential factors to consider before selecting books for XAT Decision Making books are research about the writer and publisher looking at the experience whether they have any prior experience with the exam or are experts in certain subjects and always searching the table of contents before selecting books because it is essential to know what they provide.

Book Recommendations Based on Different Preparation Levels

If you are a beginner in the XAT decision-making preparation you can start with Logical and Data Interpretation by Nishit K. Sinha, The book is beginner as well as advanced-friendly, then there is RS Aggarwal’s book for non-verbal and verbal reasoning and Analytical and Logical reasoning by Arihant Publications, the books are best candidates who are in their moderate to advanced level of their preparation and finally, there is Jabbing at XAT and Target XAT are useful for all the students who are in different levels of their preparation.

How to Avoid Overwhelming Yourself with Too Many Study Books

XAT Syllabus can be overwhelming sometimes with so many sections and so many recommended books on XAT, However, the best way to overcome this is to break down the syllabus into smaller topics and try to complete it by the end of the week by using the best books on XAT Books and the preparation won't feel overwhelming and little by little you will be able to complete the whole syllabus.

Top Books for Last-Minute XAT Decision-Making Preparation

Some of the top and recommended books for XAT Decision Making are:

How to Revise Key Concepts Using XAT DM Books

First, complete studying all the topics in the XAT decision-making preparatory book and later write a rough outline of all the topics in the rough books and make small-sized notes, use flashcards for a faster revision of all topics always do mock tests for all the topic so it would remain fresh in your memory.

Buy the XAT Decision-Making Books always from a legitimate publisher and an author because experience counts when people are writing on XAT preparatory materials, do not solely rely on Books for decision-making, try to do mock tests and previous year questions and finally try to incorporate books, mock tests and Previous year questions into your preparation by avoiding these mistakes you can grow in your XAT decision-making preparation.

Relying Solely on Books without Practicing Mock Tests

It is wrong to consider relying solely on books rather than practicing Mock Tests, mock tests and books are equally important for preparation, books can clarify concepts but the mock test is what give the candidate confidence to attend the exams, how to approach a question and it is crucial for candidates to develop his/her time management skills

Not Updating with Latest Editions of XAT DM Books

It is crucial for a student to look at the latest edition of XAT Decision-making books it is important to see whether the book is updated or not, a candidate should research the publisher and the author that the XAT Decision-making books are updated annually according to the trends of the exam so always rely on the latest updated editions of XAT Decision making books

Focusing on Too Many Books Instead of Mastering a Few

Always one good book as an anchor for your preparation relying on too many books can be overwhelming always keep one book as an anchor and then build on it add practice questions into your preparation but when it comes to concepts use one book to avoid confusion.

Books are an integral part of the XAT Decision-making section, so always have the XAT Decision-Making best books, Decision-making preparatory books will always have the information according to the updated syllabus and question patterns, also the book will have numerous practice sets and additional exercises, so practicing with the XAT Decision making books can improve your score for XAT decision-making exponentially.

Techniques to Apply from Decision-Making Books in Real XAT Exam

The decision-making books are equipped with on how to counter a statement, first workout a question without any help then examine your answer with the real solution if you got it right then good, but if you didn't get right examine the solutions and analyze the approach they have taken to tackle that question whether its with formal or informal methods. This is how you can use the methods from the book in the real XAT Exam

Case Studies and Exercises: The Power of Practical Learning

Practicing with Case studies and exercise can boost your performance with XAT Decision-Making study materials, the questions from the decision-making section come from situations from sales, finance, and other ethical problems, so use real-life case studies, form a solution on your own and practice with additional exercises in the XAT preparatory guides combining both would enhance your XAT Decision-making preparation.

Boosting Confidence with XAT DM Books and Practice Sets

When you are doing practice sets in Decision-making Books and Practice set, you are boosting your confidence because it will give you various ways to tackle the questions do numerous no of questions from Decision-making study materials so that you can address the problems you are facing in this section you can rectify the mistakes yourself

Best Online Mock Tests for XAT Decision-Making Section

There are several mock tests available for mock tests for XAT Decision Making the best would be the mock test produced by XAT itself Here you can get the link XAT MOCK TEST 2025 by XLRI and we have prepared some free mock tests to boost your preparation using the ink given next. Careers360 XAT Free Mock Tests

How to Supplement Books with Video Tutorials and Interactive Courses

You can supplement your XAT Decision-Making with the best tutorials and courses which will only boost your preparation and give you an edge you can find Video tutorials even from YouTube and other educational websites to boost your preparation. You can use preparation with books and live tutorials side by side it will help you to gain some conceptual clarity on subject matters.

Using Flashcards and Apps Alongside XAT Decision-Making Books

Flashcards and apps can be used to boost your preparation, Flash cards will be so useful for last-day revision because small notes written into the flashcards can be used for active recollection to retain the things you have studied and there are several notetakings and sometimes help to regulate your exam preparations like there are apps for time management that will make your preparation easier alongside XAT Decision-making books.

Always try to finish the book according to the XAT decision-making syllabus

Incorporate previous year questions and mock tests for your XAT decision-making sections

Divide the topics into small topics and thoroughly go through the topic with the Best XAT decision-making books

Always analyze the questions as well as the answers given in the book, it will help you evaluate your mindset

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How to Build an Effective Study Plan Around XAT DM Books

When it comes to building an effective study plan first you have to be familiar with the syllabus and the Exam pattern of the XAT Decision-Making section Then try to find the appropriate study materials for XAT Decision making, and divide the topics that you want to find divide it into weeks, set a goal that you want to achieve at the end of the topic consistently work out previous year question alongside XAT Decision study materials after completing each topic.

Balancing Books and Mock Tests for a Complete Preparation Strategy

XAT Decision Making books alone cannot enhance a candidate preparation strategy you need to incorporate make tests and previous year questions, Books are there to clarify the concepts and doubts but without mock tests, you can't have a concept of how to deal with the questions in the exam hall, So it is crucial to balance XAT Decision-Making books with Mock tests.

Prioritizing Chapters from Books for High-Scoring Topics in XAT DM

Some of the High scoring topics that you have to Prioritize for XAT Decision making are Analogy, Logical sequence, assumption, conclusion, premise, and seating arrangement Preparing for these topics can help you to score high in the XAT Decision Making section.

Xat Section Wide Preparation Strategy from Experts and Toppers

How to Prepare for Xat in One Month

Xat Essay Writing Tips and Strategy

Xat Last Minute Tips and Exam Day Guidelines

Xat Last Month Preparation Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The decision-making section is in the part 1 of the XAT exam

The books for Decision-making for XAT 2025 are available on Amazon, Flipkart, and the publisher's websites

The duration of part one is almost 170 Minutes 

almost 21 questions are asked in the decision-making section of the exam

The XAT exam will be on January 05th, 2025 on a Sunday.

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Questions related to XAT

XAT scores are valid for 2 years hence you can easily download it again Visit the official website of XAT 2025 i.e xatonline.in. and then Click on 'scorecard' tab.login with your credentials XAT ID and password type the security text shown on screen. Click on candidate scorecard and download a PDF copy of the same hope it helps.

Hello Here is the list of colleges you can get with 68%ile JIMS Rohini Delhi IMT Hyderabad SOIL Institute of Management Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur Jaypee Business School Dayananda Sagar Business School Bangalore NSB Academy Bangalore NDIM New Delhi

Hello Aspirant

Seeing your marks, it is evident you are good in academics. Thus, you can get into a good MBA college but mind you, it won't be easy because there are thousands of students who are as good as you, if not better. MBA colleges do not choose candidates solely based on academic performance, although it has a big weightage in their selection process. They test your presence of mind, intellect, and communication skills through Group Discussions and Interviews.

The safest way to get into a good MBA college is to score 96-97+ percentile and do really well in GD and  PI. Top MBA colleges in India are IIMs, XISS (Ranchi), TISS, Delhi School of Business, and Symbiosis.

Hope this helps

Hello Aspirant Congratulations on your score, There are many good B schools at 80-85%ile in CAT and XAT 1)Great Lakes, Chennai 2)IRMA 3) Goa Institute of Management 4) NIBM 5) TAPMI Do your research about these colleges as to what is their average package, the roles offered. Colleges like NIBM specialize in Finance, and IRMA has a lot of sales marketing Roles. So ultimately the choice is yours which specialization you want to pursue.

Hello aspirant,

Here below are the names of the colleges that you can target:

• Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai
• Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy
• University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh
• Delhi School of Management, Delhi Technical University, Delhi
• Institute of Rural Management, Anand

Hope it helps you.

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