- This test provides you a glimpse with respect to the approach for XAT Decision-Making questions.
- Once you solve the decision-making test, make sure you go through the explanations carefully. This will help you identify the approach you need to take for these questions.
- Even for the answers that you got right, make sure you go through the explanations. You will learn the steps to solve these questions through these explanations.
Answer questions 1-5 on the basis of information given in the following case.
The Disciplinary Committee of National Political Party (NPP) is meeting today to decide on the future of two of their party members, Mr. Loyal and his son Mr. Prodigal. Mr. Prodigal is the prime accused in the brutal murder of Mr. Victim, an opposition party leader. Mr. Prodigal is in police custody and his appeal for bail has got rejected. Mr. Loyal claims that his son is innocent and Mr. Victim’s death was the result of internal rivalry in the opposition party. Though Mr. Loyal is not accused in this case, his weakness for his son is well known. The media is blaming him for influencing key witnesses to protect his son. Severe criticism of this father-son ,duo, both by the media and some social activists, is damaging the image of the party. However, Mr. Loyal has significant followers within the party and is considered an asset to the party. Any harsh decision against Mr. Loyal would adversely affect the future of NPP and could even lead to a split in the party. This would benefit the opposition.
XAT Decision Making: Test-1
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Question 1 |
Which of the following actions would adversely affect both NPP and Mr. Loyal, the most?
Take no action against Mr. Loyal.
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Suspend Mr. Prodigal from the party with immediate effect. | |
Expel Mr. Loyal from the party with immediate effect. | |
Ban Mr. Loyal from entering party premises till completion of the court proceedings. | |
Initiate an internal inquiry to find the truth. |
Question 1 Explanation:
Step-1 to solve a decision-making question: always identify the exact sentiment being probed in the question. In this case, the question asks you to identify an action that will adversely impact both NPP and Mr. Loyal. Let’s take up each option one at a time:
Option A: This has no impact on Mr. Loyal and adversely impacts the image of the party.
Option B: This has an adverse impact on Mr. Prodigal and therefore, Mr. Loyal in an indirect manner.
Option C: This has an adverse impact on Mr. Loyal directly and the party also suffers as it loses a valuable member. It could lead to a split in the party. In comparison to option B, this is a more direct attack on Mr. Loyal and will have harsher consequences for the party.
Option D: This is an inconsequential option and it makes no sense in the given case.
Option E: Again, an internal inquiry amounts to nothing and this is not a tangible action that will have negative consequences for the Mr. Loyal.
Thus, we can see that option C is the correct answer.
Question 2 |
At the Disciplinary Committee meeting, members came up with the following suggestions. Which of the-following suggestions would harm the party, the least?
Maintain status-quo.
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Expel Mr. Prodigal from the party with immediate effect to maintain party's clean image. | |
Initiate an internal inquiry to find the truth. | |
Suspend Mr. Prodigal from the party with immediate effect but announce that he will be taken back if the court declares him innocent. | |
Suspend both Mr. Loyal and Mr. Prodigal from the party with immediate effect. |
Question 2 Explanation:
In this case, you need to reverse your thought process and identify an answer that harms the party the least. But before you do that, you need to keep the following aspects in mind:
a. if the party takes no action, it will be perceived as weak in the public and this can lead to a negative image for the party.
b. if it takes a very strong against Mr. Prodigal, it risks turning Mr. Loyal against the party. This could have a damaging impact on the party.
Keeping these two aspects in mind, let us look at the answer options.
Option A: This will lead to the generation of negative public opinion for the party.
Option B: Mr. Loyal won’t take this lightly and he is bound to retaliate.
Option C: This amounts to inaction. An internal inquiry is inconsequential as the official probe is on and only its results matter. The public can perceive this as hogwash.
Option D: This is a diplomatic way out for the party. This way, the party has given itself a way out and ensured that the onus is now on Mr. Prodigal to prove his innocence. Remember, if he is convicted, the party must take a strong stand against him.
Option E: This is an extreme option that will cause major harm to the party.
Thus, we can see that option D is the only way out for the party.
Question 3 |
Mr. Opportunist, a veteran member of NPP, stakes his claims to be nominated as an NPP candidate in the upcoming election. Mr. Opportunist presented the following arguments in favour of his candidature to the NPP Executive Committee.
I. Mr. Loyal's candidature in the upcoming election will adversely impact NPP's chances. Hence, the party should not nominate him.
II. The party should call a press conference to disown Mr. Loyal. This would enhance the party's image.
III. The party would not be able to take any strong disciplinary action against Mr. Loyal, if he gets re-elected.
IV. I have a lot of goodwill and significant followers in the constituency.
V. None of my close relatives are into active politics.
Which of the following combinations would best strengthen the claim of Mr. Opportunist?
I. Mr. Loyal's candidature in the upcoming election will adversely impact NPP's chances. Hence, the party should not nominate him.
II. The party should call a press conference to disown Mr. Loyal. This would enhance the party's image.
III. The party would not be able to take any strong disciplinary action against Mr. Loyal, if he gets re-elected.
IV. I have a lot of goodwill and significant followers in the constituency.
V. None of my close relatives are into active politics.
Which of the following combinations would best strengthen the claim of Mr. Opportunist?
I & III | |
I & IV
| |
II & III | |
III & V | |
IV & V |
Question 3 Explanation:
This is a question that requires careful analysis. Let’s have a close look at each of the statements:
Statement I: This provides the party with a strong reason to select Mr. Opportunist. It clearly outlines the problem with Mr. Loyal’s candidature and gives the party adequate reason to select another candidate.
Statement II: This has no impact on the candidature of Mr. Opportunist. Remember, you need to select the statements that help the party select him as the candidate for the upcoming elections. This statement does not provide a reason to select Mr. Opportunist; it simply provides a course of action against Mr. Loyal.
Statement III: Again, this is not a reason for selecting Mr. Opportunist. This option is conjectural in nature and also, if the party has to take action against Mr. Opportunist, why not take it now? Why wait till the time when he is re-elected?
Statement IV: This is a good reason to select Mr. Opportunist. It focuses on his strengths and provides the party with a reason to select him.
Statement V: This is no impact on the given question and is an illogical answer option.
Statement I: This provides the party with a strong reason to select Mr. Opportunist. It clearly outlines the problem with Mr. Loyal’s candidature and gives the party adequate reason to select another candidate.
Statement II: This has no impact on the candidature of Mr. Opportunist. Remember, you need to select the statements that help the party select him as the candidate for the upcoming elections. This statement does not provide a reason to select Mr. Opportunist; it simply provides a course of action against Mr. Loyal.
Statement III: Again, this is not a reason for selecting Mr. Opportunist. This option is conjectural in nature and also, if the party has to take action against Mr. Opportunist, why not take it now? Why wait till the time when he is re-elected?
Statement IV: This is a good reason to select Mr. Opportunist. It focuses on his strengths and provides the party with a reason to select him.
Statement V: This is no impact on the given question and is an illogical answer option.
Question 4 |
The Disciplinary Committee has decided to suspend Mr. Loyal from the party because they felt he was influencing the judicial process. However, Mr. Loyal feels that the committee is biased and he is being framed. Now, election has been announced. The last time, Mr. Loyal had won with a majority on account of his good work. Which of the following options is most likely to resurrect Mr. Loyal's immediate political career?
The main opposition party has invited Mr. Loyalto join the party and contest the election. Chance of winning is high. | |
Not participating in the campaign and instructing his followers to stay away from the campaigning process. | |
Ask his followers to support the NPP nominated candidate and display his loyalty to NPP. | |
Mr. Loyal should contest as an independent candidate. But because of a split in votes, his chances of winning would be low. | |
Influence the nomination process through his followers within NPP, to get one of his close associates nominated.
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Question 4 Explanation:
What is this question all about? It is about resurrecting the immediate pollical career of Mr. Loyal. This question is not probing the long-term impact of his re-election; it simply wants to know what is the best approach for Mr. Loyal to save his political career. The best way for him to do so is to hold on to his seat and by virtue of it, hold on to his power. In the given case, option A allows him to do so.
Option B pushes him further to political wilderness.
Option C again does not help him in any way. In fact, he might be further pushed outside the political spectrum post-elections.
Option D is ruled out as the chances of his winning are very low.
Option E means that he installs a proxy candidate in his place. In comparison to this, option A is the stronger option. Also, there is no guarantee this candidate will win the election. If he does not, Mr. Loyal loses his political standing even further.
Option B pushes him further to political wilderness.
Option C again does not help him in any way. In fact, he might be further pushed outside the political spectrum post-elections.
Option D is ruled out as the chances of his winning are very low.
Option E means that he installs a proxy candidate in his place. In comparison to this, option A is the stronger option. Also, there is no guarantee this candidate will win the election. If he does not, Mr. Loyal loses his political standing even further.
Question 5 |
At the time of the controversy breaking out, the party had placed Mr. Prodigal on temporary suspension. Now the verdict of the investigation and he been found guilty by the courts. In this scenario, which is the best course of action for NPP?
Remove Mr. Prodigal and Mr. Loyal from the party permanently. | |
Only remove Mr. Prodigal from the party and issue no directive for Mr. Loyal. | |
Remove Mr. Prodigal from the party and ask Mr. Loyal to tender a resignation. | |
Since the court has given a verdict already, the party does not need to do anything. | |
Remove Mr. Prodigal from the party and temporarily suspend Mr. Loyal. |
Question 5 Explanation:
In this case, the party needs to take strong action against Mr. Prodigal. There is no other alternative than to remove him. As far as Mr. Loyal goes, it is his moral responsibility to step down in the given case and the party also needs to showcase that it has taken a strong enough stand in this case. Thus, the best answer in the given scenario is option C.
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XAT 2022 Decision-Making: Articles and Tests
Introduction and Seven-Basic Rules
Article-1: Approach for XAT Decision Making: Stakeholder Analysis
Article-2: XAT Decision Making: Ethical Dilemma Questions
XAT Decision Making: Test-1
Doubt:- Q3 option 6 : None of my close relatives are into active politics.
Why this cant be ok, bcz the problems are arising bcz of relative in the party(of Mr. Loyal) , and if the person says that “None of my close relatives are into active politics.” , this puts his strong candidature seeing the current sceneaio and problems that arises bcz of relatives
the test was qiuet easy. please make it a bit difficult. or as equal as xat exam.