The Decision Making section of XAT exam is a unique section. No other MBA entrance exam in India has this section, thus there is no reference point for it.Let’s start with knowing the weightage of Decision Making in XAT exam The Decision Making section makes up for almost a quarter of the XAT question paper with 21 questions.
Year wise importance in XAT Exams
| Year | HR | Ethics | S&M | Operations | Total |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 21 |
| 2024 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 21 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 22 |
| 2022 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 21 |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 21 |
| 2020 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 21 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 19 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 18 |
| TOTAL | 35 | 20 | 50 | 53 | 161 |
on the ability to think on one’s feet, prioritize information, and propose reasoned solutions. It’s a reflection of the practical skills required in managerial roles and adds a distinctive dimension to the XAT exam, challenging candidates beyond conventional aptitude assessments.
| Category | Total | Focus Area |
| Operations/Process/PM (Including Social/Env/Geo) | 53 | Maximizing efficiency, allocating resources, and managing non-financial external impacts (Environmental, Geopolitical, Social). |
| HR Policy & Internal Process | 35 | Designing and adhering to fair, transparent, and legally sound company rules, managing performance systems, and compliance. |
| Sales Marketing Core Strategy & Market Expansion | 50 | High-level business choices, competition response, long-term market positioning, and assessing business model viability. Tactical decisions related to pricing, discounts, customer service, and direct transactional revenue. |
| Interpersonal & Cultural Ethics | 20 | Managing trust, resolving personal conflicts, and addressing issues like favoritism or retaliation within a team/hierarchy. |