- PYQ
- Free
- XAT PYQs 2025
XAT 2025 Bussiness Decision Making
The XAT 2025 Business Decision Making (DM) section is a unique and critical component of the exam, distinguishing it from other MBA entrance tests. It comprises 21 case-based questions designed to evaluate a candidate's managerial acumen, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving skills in complex, ambiguous scenarios without relying on mathematical formulas.
Choose Normal practice or a Simulated test.
Questions, answer key and solutions.
- Questions
- 21
- Duration
- 75 min
- Marks
- 21
- Attempts
- 1
- Access
- Free
Negative marking
Normal practice, or a Simulated test
The same questions, either way. Normal practice teaches; the simulated test tells you where you stand.
Normal
UntimedEvery question on one page, loading as you scroll. Choose an option and see straight away whether it was right.
- No timer. Nothing to start and nothing to submit. Stop whenever you like.
- Answered as you choose. Tap an option and it is marked at once, with the correct answer shown.
- Solutions in place. The explanation, and the video where one has been added, sit under the question.
- Open to guests. Normal practice needs no sign-in.
Simulated
Timed CBTThe computer-based test format: one clock, a question palette, and a score the moment you submit.
- A clock that does not pause. 75 minutes from the moment you begin, and the paper is submitted for you when it reaches zero.
- Question palette. Answered, not answered and marked for review, section by section, as the real interface has it.
- Full screen, proctored. The test takes over the screen; leaving it three times submits the paper.
- Answers hidden until you submit. The key, the explanations and your score all arrive together at the end.
About this test
This section is often the "make or break" factor for admission into XLRI, as it tests traits essential for future business leaders. In XAT 2025, the module maintained its reputation for being moderate to difficult, featuring 7 distinct caselets with 3 questions each.
Syllabus & Core Scenarios: The 2025 paper presented diverse, real-world business and ethical dilemmas, including:
Ethical & HR Dilemmas: Cases like "Humane Dynamix" (assigning work between new vs. experienced trainers) and a "Law Firm" scenario dealing with socialization rituals for new joiners.
Business Strategy: A case involving an Event Management Company ("TrueColor") trying to scale ticket sales and a Newspaper ("The Pluralist") facing backlash from a mining company after a report.
Operational & Personal Logic: Scenarios such as the "Sundaram Store" dilemma (facing high rent and competition), a Hospital Renovation plan minimizing disruption, and a personal career dilemma regarding "Arya's MBA" (choosing between a job and higher studies).
Exam Pattern & Marking:
Question Count: 21 Questions total.
Scoring: +1 mark for a correct answer, -0.25 marks for an incorrect answer.
Skipping Penalty: -0.10 marks for every unattempted question beyond 8 consecutive skips.
Key Challenge: Options are often very close (e.g., "Ethical but impractical" vs. "Practical but borderline unethical"), requiring candidates to prioritize long-term sustainability and stakeholder balance over short-term gains.
Test structure
How the paper is split, and how long each part runs. A section you have finished cannot be returned to.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| XAT 2025 Bussiness Decision Making | 21 | 75 min |
Marking & rules
- Total marks
- 21 across 21 questions.
- Negative marking
- A wrong answer costs marks. Leaving a question unanswered costs nothing.
- Attempts
- 1 in total. An attempt is spent the moment you begin one.
What you get when you submit
The analysis is ready the moment you submit the paper.
Score and accuracy
Marks, percentage, right, wrong and skipped, and the time you took.
Section by section
The same figures for each section, so a weak one cannot hide in an average.
The full answer key
Every question with your answer, the right one, the working, and the video where there is one.
Where you stand
Your score against the spread of everyone else who has sat this test.