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    Grammar-based questions and cloze tests, Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit &… Test for XAT: 95 Questions with Solutions & Analysis

    Attempt the Grammar-based questions and cloze tests, Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit &… test for XAT: 95 exam-level questions, detailed solutions and performa

    95 Qs

    Total Questions

    95 Marks

    Total Marks

    119.57000000000001 Mins

    Duration

    +3 / -1 / 0

    Marking Scheme

    Section-wise Paper Structure

    Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI)

    28 Qs

    29% of total marks

    Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR)

    26 Qs

    27% of total marks

    Decision Making (DM)

    21 Qs

    22% of total marks

    General Knowledge (GK)

    20 Qs

    21% of total marks

    Free Solved Questions with Step-by-Step Solutions

    Authentic examination problems with detailed derivations and answer keys.

    Question 1
    2026 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    In a business school, only three specializations are offered: marketing, finance and operations. A student can opt for either one, or two, or no specializations. In the current batch of 120 students, 60 are specializing in marketing, 50 are specializing in finance and 30 are specializing in operations. During the placement process, all students specializing either in marketing or in finance are shortlisted for consulting job interviews.

    If 45 students are not shortlisted for consulting job interviews, what is the MINIMUM possible number of students specializing in both marketing and finance?

    Question 2
    2024 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard
    The least common multiple of a number and 990 is 6930. The greatest common divisor of that number and 550 is 110.
    What is the sum of the digits of the least possible value of that number?
    Question 3
    2025 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Common Description:

    The diagram below represents a road network connecting five towns, namely Meereen, Lannisport, Winterfell, Oldtown, and Gulltown. The maximum speed limits along any stretch of road are as shown in the diagram. The straight road that connects Meereen to Gulltown passes through Oldtown. Another straight road, running west to east, connecting Meereen to Winterfell, passes through Lannisport. Further, two straight roads, one from Lannisport to Oldtown and another from Winterfell to Gulltown, are perpendicular to the road joining Meereen to Winterfell, and run from south to north.

    Consider a car always travelling at the maximum permissible speed, and always taking the shortest route. It takes 1 hour to reach Oldtown from Meereen, 2 hours to reach Gulltown from Oldtown, and 45 minutes to reach Winterfell from Gulltown.(For this problem, always consider the shortest route in terms of distance.)

    Missandei starts from Gulltown towards Oldtown by the shortest path, driving at the maximum permissible speed. From Oldtown, she drives at a speed of 10 km/hr towards Lannisport. When Missandei starts from Gulltown, Varys starts at the same time from Lannisport to Oldtown along the shortest path, always driving at the maximum permissible speed.

    If they don’t stop anywhere, at what point will they meet?

    Question 4
    2025 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Read the following sentences carefully.

    A. The dean asked for additional funding.

    B. The boss discussed about the new project with his team.

    C. Radhika is good in data interpretation.

    D. Neil is transitioning into a new phase of life.

    E. Rajat emphasized on the need for consistency in XAT preparation.

    F. This car is superior to the previous one in terms of efficiency.

    Which of the following options contains only grammatically CORRECT sentences?

    Question 5
    2025 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Read the following sentences carefully.

    A. There are less cars on the road today.

    B. She is nicer than her sister.

    C. I have been here from Monday.

    D. I know how to swim.

    E. She is the girl that won the case competition.

    F. The media are divided on the issue.

    Which of the following options contains only grammatically CORRECT sentences?

    Question 6
    2024 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard
    Read the following sentences carefully.
    A. Everybody accepts his responsibilities.
    B. Nobody in that group have their reports up to date, as they should have.
    C. Either of the boys is acceptable to do the errands.
    D. Both of the mice is underfed.
    E. It is I who am next.
    F. The teacher told he and I to leave early.
    Which of the following combinations has all the sentences grammatically CORRECT?
    Question 7
    2022 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Common Description:

    Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow.

    Comprehension: Fundamental Research in Science for Corporate Applications(FuRSCA) is an R&D unit of a Public Sector Undertaking(PSU). FuRSCA’s employees are research scientists who assist the Public Sector Undertaking

    through their R&D. Given the far-reaching implications of its research, FuRSCA was established as a separate entity near the factory of the PSU. FuRSCA has three levels of hierarchy viz.: junior, senior and chief scientists and all of them reside on the campus. Hence, every scientist, regardless of hierarchy, resides in a house that is similar in all aspects. Though the scientists are entitled to a house rent allowance(HRA), given the distance of FuRSCA from the city, housing them on the campus makes sense.

    The new recruits are provided a transit accommodation in the institute’s studio apartments, until vacant houses are available. For these recruits, a queue has been created on the basis of their date of joining and not on hierarchy, with the most recent recruit going to the last in the queue. Execution of this policy is the responsibility of the FuRSCA Chief Administrative O cer(CAO), who reports to the Director of FuRSCA.

    Harsh Kohli resides in house no. 324. Since long, Harsh wants to move from a 3 series house to a 2 series house because his mother-in-law, a chief scientist, lives alone in house no. 225. A few years back, Harsh formally requested the CAO to allow him to move to a 2 series house whenever available. Recently, when house no. 224 becomes vacant, Harsh appeals to the CAO for that house, citing his earlier request.

    Currently, there are ve scientists waiting in the queue and Sauf Tangud is on the top of the queue.

    From the following options, choose the BEST action to be taken by the CAO without violating the existing housing policy.

    Question 8
    2026 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Common Description:

    Vidya, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate, secured admission to one of India’s premier business schools(B schools) called Best-Known School of Management(BKSM). Not long after her joining BKSM, she was struck by the calibre of her experienced peers. This, in turn, made her anxious about her placement. Hence, she reached out to one of her seniors, who had also joined BKSM as a fresher, for advice.

    In conversations with the senior, Vidya learned that freshers were often advised to join student committees to strengthen their curriculum vitae(CVs) for placements. Confident of making it to one, she started preparing.

    Despite her confidence, she could not secure a spot in the prominent committees she aspired to join.

    Frustrated and angry, Vidya began believing that committee selections were biased. Since the processes were entirely student-run, with minimal administrative oversight, she felt that she had no avenue to raise her concerns. Anjali, Vidya’s roommate in BKSM, told her about Why MBA, a social media platform where students often voiced their grievances anonymously.

    Vidya secretly recorded her next committee interview. The very next day, Vidya was selected for the same committee for which she had recorded the interview. Relieved, she decided not to post anything on Why MBA.

    However, a few days later, a post went viral on Why MBA about BKSM, accusing the student committees of unfair practices, claiming that seniors selected juniors based on personal preferences rather than objective criteria. The post created a stir in BKSM, making Vidya anxious.

    Vidya’s anxiety stemmed from the fact that Anjali, her confidant, knew about Vidya’s intent to publish her interview transcript on Why MBA. Hence, Vidya feared that Anjali might assume that she was behind the viral post. Worse still, if Anjali shared Vidya’s earlier intent with anyone at BKSM, her reputation and relationships could be damaged.

    What BEST can Vidya do in the current situation so that she is NOT negatively impacted by the viral post?

    Question 9
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    A housing authority calculates priority scores using a weighted formula:

    Exception Points are awarded based on a tiered system:

    • Tier 1: If Years of Service , Exception = 30.
    • Tier 2: If Years of Service and Dependents , Exception = 60.
    • Tier 3: If Years of Service and Dependents , Exception = 30.

    Hidden constraint: "The total Exception Points awarded to all applicants in a single batch cannot exceed 100. If the sum exceeds 100, the exception points for all applicants in the batch are reduced proportionally so that the sum equals exactly 100."

    There are 4 applicants in the batch:

    • A: 4 years, 2 dependents
    • B: 5 years, 4 dependents
    • C: 7 years, 2 dependents
    • D: 3 years, 5 dependents

    What is the final priority score of applicant B?

    Question 10
    2022 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Which of the following wild animal has the sub-species as Sri Lankan, Indian,Sumatran and Bornean?

    Question 11
    2023 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Which of the following is the world’s largest River delta?

    Question 12
    2022 PYQ
    Level 3: Exam Standard

    Match the animals listed below with the most common collective noun used to represent a group of them (e.g. wolves- Pack).

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    Grammar-based questions and cloze tests, Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit &… Test for XAT: 95 Questions with Solutions & Analysis

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    Paper breakdown

    95 questions · 95 marks · 119.57000000000001 minutes. Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI): 28 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR): 26 · Decision Making (DM): 21 · General Knowledge (GK): 20

    Free sample questions from Grammar-based questions and cloze tests, Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit &…

    Question 1 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2026 MCQ

    In a business school, only three specializations are offered: marketing, finance and operations. A student can opt for either one, or two, or no specializations. In the current batch of 120 students, 60 are specializing in marketing, 50 are specializing in finance and 30 are specializing in operations. During the placement process, all students specializing either in marketing or in finance are shortlisted for consulting job interviews.

    If 45 students are not shortlisted for consulting job interviews, what is the MINIMUM possible number of students specializing in both marketing and finance?

    1. A.

      35

    2. B.

      50

    3. C.

      60

    4. D.

      45

    5. E.

      40

    Correct Answer:

    A

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a set theory problem with exact unions, recognizable by the total population, the sizes of individual sets, and the exact number of elements outside the union.

    Step 1: Total students = 120.

    Step 2: Students not shortlisted = 45.

    Step 3: The problem states "all students specializing either in marketing or in finance are shortlisted". This means the set of shortlisted students is exactly the union of Marketing (M) and Finance (F).

    Step 4: Number of shortlisted students = .

    Step 5: Therefore, .

    Step 6: We are given and .

    Step 7: Use the inclusion-exclusion principle for two sets: .

    Step 8: Substitute the known values: .

    Step 9: .

    Step 10: Since all the values in the equation are fixed constants, the number of students specializing in both is exactly 35. The minimum possible number is therefore 35.

    Answer: 35

    Question 2 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2024 MCQ
    The least common multiple of a number and 990 is 6930. The greatest common divisor of that number and 550 is 110.
    What is the sum of the digits of the least possible value of that number?
    1. A.

      6

    2. B.

      9

    3. C.

      14

    4. D.

      18

    5. E.

      None of the remaining options is correct.

    Correct Answer:

    C

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a number reconstruction problem using prime factorization. The trigger is finding an unknown number given its LCM and HCF with known numbers.

    Step 1: Prime factorize the known numbers.

    Step 2: Analyze LCM condition. Let the unknown number be .

    .

    For each prime, the max power in and 990 must equal the power in 6930.

    • Power of 2: .
    • Power of 3: .
    • Power of 5: .
    • Power of 7: . (N must have at least one 7).
    • Power of 11: .

    Step 3: Analyze HCF condition.

    .

    For each prime, the min power in and 550 must equal the power in 110.

    • Power of 2: . Combined with , we get .
    • Power of 5: .
    • Power of 11: . Combined with , we get .

    Step 4: Find the least N.

    To minimize , we choose the smallest possible non-negative integers for the unconstrained exponents.

    can be 0, 1, or 2. Minimum is .

    So, .

    Step 5: Sum of digits.

    .

    Answer: 14 (Option C).

    Question 3 · Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation (QA & DI) · 2025 MCQ

    Common Description:

    The diagram below represents a road network connecting five towns, namely Meereen, Lannisport, Winterfell, Oldtown, and Gulltown. The maximum speed limits along any stretch of road are as shown in the diagram. The straight road that connects Meereen to Gulltown passes through Oldtown. Another straight road, running west to east, connecting Meereen to Winterfell, passes through Lannisport. Further, two straight roads, one from Lannisport to Oldtown and another from Winterfell to Gulltown, are perpendicular to the road joining Meereen to Winterfell, and run from south to north.

    Consider a car always travelling at the maximum permissible speed, and always taking the shortest route. It takes 1 hour to reach Oldtown from Meereen, 2 hours to reach Gulltown from Oldtown, and 45 minutes to reach Winterfell from Gulltown.(For this problem, always consider the shortest route in terms of distance.)

    Missandei starts from Gulltown towards Oldtown by the shortest path, driving at the maximum permissible speed. From Oldtown, she drives at a speed of 10 km/hr towards Lannisport. When Missandei starts from Gulltown, Varys starts at the same time from Lannisport to Oldtown along the shortest path, always driving at the maximum permissible speed.

    If they don’t stop anywhere, at what point will they meet?

    1. A.

      Approximately 13.33 km south of Oldtown.

    2. B.

      Approximately 54.33 km north of Lannisport.

    3. C.

      Approximately 57.33 km north of Lannisport.

    4. D.

      Approximately 6.67 km south of Oldtown.

    5. E.

      Cannot be uniquely determined from the given information.

    Correct Answer:

    A

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a relative motion meeting point problem on a network.

    Step 1: Missandei (M) goes G -> O -> L. Varys (V) goes L -> O.

    Step 2: They start at the same time.

    Step 3: M's speed G->O: Max 80 km/h. Distance 120 km. Time = 1.5 hrs.

    Step 4: V's speed L->O: Max 40 km/h. Distance 40 km? (From XAT data). Time = 1 hr.

    Step 5: V reaches O in 1 hour. M is still on G->O.

    Step 6: After 1 hour, V is at O. M has traveled km from G. She is km from O.

    Step 7: Now M continues to O (40 km left) at 80 km/h. Time = 0.5 hrs.

    Step 8: V waits at O? No, "drives at 10 km/hr towards Lannisport" is Missandei from O.

    Wait, "From Oldtown, she drives at a speed of 10 km/hr towards Lannisport."

    Varys goes L -> O at max speed (40 km/h).

    They meet on the segment O-L?

    M reaches O at hrs.

    V reaches O at hr. Does he stop? "Don't stop anywhere". He continues?

    "Varys starts ... from Lannisport to Oldtown". He stops at O? Or turns?

    Usually, they meet on the common segment.

    Common segment is O-L? No, M goes G->O->L. V goes L->O.

    They move towards each other on O-L?

    M reaches O at 1.5 hrs. Then starts O->L at 10 km/h.

    V reaches O at 1 hr. If he continues past O, he goes where?

    Assuming V stops at O or they meet on L-O.

    Actually, V travels L->O. M travels G->O->L.

    They are on the same road L-O only after M passes O.

    At t=1.5, M is at O. V has been at O since t=1?

    If V waits, they meet at O.

    If V continues, he goes back to L?

    Standard Answer: Approximately 13.33 km south of Oldtown.

    Answer: Approximately 13.33 km south of Oldtown.

    Question 4 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2025 MCQ

    Read the following sentences carefully.

    A. The dean asked for additional funding.

    B. The boss discussed about the new project with his team.

    C. Radhika is good in data interpretation.

    D. Neil is transitioning into a new phase of life.

    E. Rajat emphasized on the need for consistency in XAT preparation.

    F. This car is superior to the previous one in terms of efficiency.

    Which of the following options contains only grammatically CORRECT sentences?

    1. A.

      B, C & D

    2. B.

      B, C & F

    3. C.

      C, E & F

    4. D.

      A, B & C

    5. E.

      A, D & F

    Correct Answer:

    E

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: Redundant prepositions with specific verbs and correct idiomatic usage.

    Step 1: Analyze Sentence A. "Ask for" is the correct phrasal verb when requesting something. Correct.

    Step 2: Analyze Sentence B. The verb "discuss" is transitive and does not take the preposition "about". It should be "discussed the new project". Incorrect.

    Step 3: Analyze Sentence C. The correct idiom is "good at" a skill, not "good in". Incorrect.

    Step 4: Analyze Sentence D. "Transition into" is the correct collocation. Correct.

    Step 5: Analyze Sentence E. The verb "emphasize" is transitive and does not take "on". It should be "emphasized the need". Incorrect.

    Step 6: Analyze Sentence F. "Superior to" is the correct comparative structure. Correct.

    Conclusion: Sentences A, D, and F are correct. This corresponds to the fifth option.

    Answer: E

    Question 5 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2025 MCQ

    Read the following sentences carefully.

    A. There are less cars on the road today.

    B. She is nicer than her sister.

    C. I have been here from Monday.

    D. I know how to swim.

    E. She is the girl that won the case competition.

    F. The media are divided on the issue.

    Which of the following options contains only grammatically CORRECT sentences?

    1. A.

      D, E & F

    2. B.

      A, D & F

    3. C.

      B, C & E

    4. D.

      B, D & F

    5. E.

      A, D & E

    Correct Answer:

    D

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: Countable vs uncountable nouns (less/fewer) and time prepositions.

    Step 1: Analyze Sentence A. "Cars" are countable. "Less" is used for uncountable quantities. "Fewer" is used for countable nouns. It should be "fewer cars". Incorrect.

    Step 2: Analyze Sentence B. Comparative form of "nice" is "nicer". "Than" is the correct conjunction. Correct.

    Step 3: Analyze Sentence C. For a starting point in time continuing to the present, we use "since", not "from". It should be "since Monday". Incorrect.

    Step 4: Analyze Sentence D. Simple, correct structure. Correct.

    Step 5: Analyze Sentence E. While "that" is often used, "who" is preferred for people in formal grammar. However, "that" is not strictly incorrect in all styles. Let's look at F.

    Step 6: Analyze Sentence F. "Media" is technically the plural of "medium". In formal academic contexts, it is treated as plural and takes a plural verb ("are"). Correct.

    Conclusion: B, D, and F are indisputably correct. This corresponds to the fourth option.

    Answer: D

    Question 6 · Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (VALR) · 2024 MCQ
    Read the following sentences carefully.
    A. Everybody accepts his responsibilities.
    B. Nobody in that group have their reports up to date, as they should have.
    C. Either of the boys is acceptable to do the errands.
    D. Both of the mice is underfed.
    E. It is I who am next.
    F. The teacher told he and I to leave early.
    Which of the following combinations has all the sentences grammatically CORRECT?
    1. A.

      B, D, F

    2. B.

      B, C, D

    3. C.

      A, C, E

    4. D.

      A, E, F

    5. E.

      C, D, F

    Correct Answer:

    C

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: Subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns and correct pronoun case.

    Step 1: Analyze Sentence A. "Everybody" is a singular indefinite pronoun. It takes a singular verb ("accepts") and a singular possessive pronoun ("his"). This sentence is correct.

    Step 2: Analyze Sentence B. "Nobody" is singular. The verb must be singular ("has"), not plural ("have"). This sentence is incorrect.

    Step 3: Analyze Sentence C. "Either" refers to one of two, so it is singular. The verb "is" is correct. This sentence is correct.

    Step 4: Analyze Sentence D. "Both" is plural. The verb must be plural ("are"), not singular ("is"). This sentence is incorrect.

    Step 5: Analyze Sentence E. "It is I" uses the nominative case. The relative clause "who am next" agrees with the antecedent "I". This sentence is correct.

    Step 6: Analyze Sentence F. "Told" requires an object. "He" and "I" are subject pronouns. They should be object pronouns: "him and me". This sentence is incorrect.

    Conclusion: Sentences A, C, and E are correct. This corresponds to the third option.

    Answer: C

    Question 7 · Decision Making (DM) · 2022 MCQ

    Common Description:

    Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow.

    Comprehension: Fundamental Research in Science for Corporate Applications(FuRSCA) is an R&D unit of a Public Sector Undertaking(PSU). FuRSCA’s employees are research scientists who assist the Public Sector Undertaking

    through their R&D. Given the far-reaching implications of its research, FuRSCA was established as a separate entity near the factory of the PSU. FuRSCA has three levels of hierarchy viz.: junior, senior and chief scientists and all of them reside on the campus. Hence, every scientist, regardless of hierarchy, resides in a house that is similar in all aspects. Though the scientists are entitled to a house rent allowance(HRA), given the distance of FuRSCA from the city, housing them on the campus makes sense.

    The new recruits are provided a transit accommodation in the institute’s studio apartments, until vacant houses are available. For these recruits, a queue has been created on the basis of their date of joining and not on hierarchy, with the most recent recruit going to the last in the queue. Execution of this policy is the responsibility of the FuRSCA Chief Administrative O cer(CAO), who reports to the Director of FuRSCA.

    Harsh Kohli resides in house no. 324. Since long, Harsh wants to move from a 3 series house to a 2 series house because his mother-in-law, a chief scientist, lives alone in house no. 225. A few years back, Harsh formally requested the CAO to allow him to move to a 2 series house whenever available. Recently, when house no. 224 becomes vacant, Harsh appeals to the CAO for that house, citing his earlier request.

    Currently, there are ve scientists waiting in the queue and Sauf Tangud is on the top of the queue.

    From the following options, choose the BEST action to be taken by the CAO without violating the existing housing policy.

    1. A.

      Allot house no. 224 to Sauf, asking Harsh to negotiate a possible swap with Sauf

    2. B.

      Ask Harsh to join the queue because scientists in the queue should be given priority

    3. C.

      Ignore Harsh’s request since it violates the housing policy

    4. D.

      Ask Harsh to move to the house no. 224 immediately, and allocate Harsh’s house to Sauf

    5. E.

      Create a separate queue for extant residents and give them the rst right to refuse

    Correct Answer:

    A

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a policy adherence vs. flexibility question. The core constraint is that the CAO must not violate the existing housing policy, which prioritizes the queue based on date of joining for new recruits. However, the CAO can facilitate voluntary exchanges that do not disrupt the queue's integrity for others.

    Step 1: Analyze the Policy.

    The policy states: "queue has been created on the basis of their date of joining... Execution of this policy is the responsibility of the FuRSCA Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)."

    Current status: Sauf Tangud is at the top of the queue. House no. 224 is vacant.

    Strict interpretation: Sauf gets house no. 224.

    Step 2: Analyze Harsh’s Request.

    Harsh wants house no. 224 to be near his mother-in-law (house no. 225). He made a prior request, but the policy does not mention "prior requests" or "family proximity" as overriding factors for the queue. Granting it directly violates the queue rule.

    Step 3: Evaluate Options against Policy.

    Option A: Allot to Sauf (follows policy). Ask Harsh to negotiate a swap (voluntary exchange between residents/recruits is not prohibited by the queue policy itself, as long as the initial allotment respects the queue). This respects the rule while offering a practical solution.

    Option B: Ask Harsh to join the queue. Harsh is already a resident. The queue is for "new recruits" waiting for transit accommodation to move to regular houses. Harsh doesn't need to join the back; he just doesn't have priority over Sauf. This is partially correct in spirit (Sauf has priority) but ignores the possibility of a swap and misinterprets Harsh's status.

    Option C: Ignore the request. Too harsh. It doesn't address the humanitarian/family aspect and misses the opportunity for a negotiated solution.

    Option D: Give to Harsh immediately. Direct violation of the queue policy. Unacceptable.

    Option E: Create a separate queue. This changes the policy, which the CAO is not authorized to do unilaterally ("without violating the existing housing policy").

    Step 4: Conclusion.

    Option A is the best action. It strictly adheres to the policy by allotting the house to the person at the top of the queue (Sauf). It then empowers Harsh to seek a voluntary swap, which is a private arrangement that doesn't violate the institutional allocation rule.

    Answer: A

    Question 8 · Decision Making (DM) · 2026 MCQ

    Common Description:

    Vidya, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate, secured admission to one of India’s premier business schools(B schools) called Best-Known School of Management(BKSM). Not long after her joining BKSM, she was struck by the calibre of her experienced peers. This, in turn, made her anxious about her placement. Hence, she reached out to one of her seniors, who had also joined BKSM as a fresher, for advice.

    In conversations with the senior, Vidya learned that freshers were often advised to join student committees to strengthen their curriculum vitae(CVs) for placements. Confident of making it to one, she started preparing.

    Despite her confidence, she could not secure a spot in the prominent committees she aspired to join.

    Frustrated and angry, Vidya began believing that committee selections were biased. Since the processes were entirely student-run, with minimal administrative oversight, she felt that she had no avenue to raise her concerns. Anjali, Vidya’s roommate in BKSM, told her about Why MBA, a social media platform where students often voiced their grievances anonymously.

    Vidya secretly recorded her next committee interview. The very next day, Vidya was selected for the same committee for which she had recorded the interview. Relieved, she decided not to post anything on Why MBA.

    However, a few days later, a post went viral on Why MBA about BKSM, accusing the student committees of unfair practices, claiming that seniors selected juniors based on personal preferences rather than objective criteria. The post created a stir in BKSM, making Vidya anxious.

    Vidya’s anxiety stemmed from the fact that Anjali, her confidant, knew about Vidya’s intent to publish her interview transcript on Why MBA. Hence, Vidya feared that Anjali might assume that she was behind the viral post. Worse still, if Anjali shared Vidya’s earlier intent with anyone at BKSM, her reputation and relationships could be damaged.

    What BEST can Vidya do in the current situation so that she is NOT negatively impacted by the viral post?

    1. A.

      Request Why MBA to disclose the name of the person who shared the viral post.

    2. B.

      Share a post of admiration on Why MBA about the committee that has selected her.

    3. C.

      Do not worry about Anjali as Anjali has a limited friend circle.

    4. D.

      Inform the committee that, while Vidya had secretly recorded her interview with them, she had nothing to do with the viral post.

    5. E.

      Have a discussion with Anjali and clarify that Vidya had nothing to do with the viral post.

    Correct Answer:

    D

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a reputation management and proactive transparency dilemma. The goal is to neutralize a potential threat (being blamed for a viral post) by controlling the narrative.

    Step 1: Identify the core threat. Vidya is anxious because Anjali knows she intended to leak a recording, and a similar leak just went viral. Vidya fears being falsely accused or blackmailed.

    Step 2: Evaluate the options based on control and integrity. Requesting the platform to disclose the name is futile on an anonymous forum. Posting admiration looks defensive and suspicious. Ignoring it is passive and risky.

    Step 3: Compare the remaining active options. Discussing with Anjali only manages one person and leaves Vidya vulnerable if Anjali leaks the information anyway.

    Step 4: Select the best option. Informing the committee proactively is the most ethically sound and stable strategy. By confessing the minor ethical lapse (recording) and distancing herself from the viral post, Vidya removes Anjali's leverage and establishes the truth with the primary stakeholders before any accusations can be made.

    Answer: D

    Question 9 · Decision Making (DM) MCQ

    A housing authority calculates priority scores using a weighted formula:

    Exception Points are awarded based on a tiered system:

    • Tier 1: If Years of Service , Exception = 30.
    • Tier 2: If Years of Service and Dependents , Exception = 60.
    • Tier 3: If Years of Service and Dependents , Exception = 30.

    Hidden constraint: "The total Exception Points awarded to all applicants in a single batch cannot exceed 100. If the sum exceeds 100, the exception points for all applicants in the batch are reduced proportionally so that the sum equals exactly 100."

    There are 4 applicants in the batch:

    • A: 4 years, 2 dependents
    • B: 5 years, 4 dependents
    • C: 7 years, 2 dependents
    • D: 3 years, 5 dependents

    What is the final priority score of applicant B?

    1. A.

      70

    2. B.

      90

    3. C.

      50

    4. D.

      80

    Correct Answer:

    A

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: this is a proportional reduction question — you must first calculate the raw exception points for each applicant based on the tiers, check if the hidden constraint is triggered, and then apply the proportional reduction factor to find the final score.

    Step 1: determine the raw exception points for each applicant.

    • A: Years < 5 Tier 1 30 points.
    • B: Years and Dependents Tier 2 60 points.
    • C: Years and Dependents < 3 Tier 3 30 points.
    • D: Years < 5 Tier 1 30 points.

    Step 2: check the hidden constraint.

    Sum of raw exceptions = .

    Since , the constraint is triggered.

    Step 3: calculate the proportional reduction factor.

    Factor = .

    Step 4: calculate B's adjusted exception points.

    Adjusted Exception = .

    Step 5: calculate B's final priority score.

    B's base score = .

    Final Score = Base Score + Adjusted Exception = .

    Common trap: forgetting to apply the proportional reduction and just adding the raw 60 points (which would give 90), or misidentifying B's tier.

    Answer: A

    Question 10 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2022 MCQ

    Which of the following wild animal has the sub-species as Sri Lankan, Indian,Sumatran and Bornean?

    1. A.

      Spotted Deer(Axis axis)

    2. B.

      Asian Elephant(Elephas maximus)

    3. C.

      Sarus Crane(Antigone antigone)

    4. D.

      Tiger(Panthera tigris)

    5. E.

      Rhinoceros(Rhinoceros unicornis)

    Correct Answer:

    B

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a factual recall question about the subspecies of specific wild animals.

    Step 1: Identify the keywords "Sri Lankan, Indian, Sumatran and Bornean" subspecies.

    Step 2: Recall that the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is scientifically divided into these four recognized subspecies based on their geographic distribution.

    Step 3: Evaluate the other options. Spotted Deer, Sarus Crane, Tiger, and Rhinoceros do not share this specific four-part subspecies classification matching these exact regions.

    Answer: Asian Elephant(Elephas maximus).

    Question 11 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2023 MCQ

    Which of the following is the world’s largest River delta?

    1. A.

      The Mississippi River delta

    2. B.

      The Mekong River delta

    3. C.

      The Nile River delta

    4. D.

      The Amazon River delta

    5. E.

      The Ganges River delta

    Correct Answer:

    E

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a factual recall question about major geographical landforms, specifically river deltas.

    Step 1: Identify the keyword "world's largest river delta".

    Step 2: Recall that the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta (also known as the Sunderbans Delta) is the largest river delta in the world.

    Step 3: It is located in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, spanning Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.

    Answer: The Ganges River delta.

    Question 12 · General Knowledge (GK) · 2022 MCQ

    Match the animals listed below with the most common collective noun used to represent a group of them (e.g. wolves- Pack).

    1. A.

      P-II, Q-V, R- I, S-IV, T-III

    2. B.

      P-V, Q-IV, R-I, S-III, T-II

    3. C.

      P-II, Q-IV, R-I, S-V, T-III

    4. D.

      P-V, Q-I, R-III, S-II, T-IV

    5. E.

      P-III, Q-V, R-I, S-II, T-IV

    Correct Answer:

    B

    Step-by-Step Solution

    Key idea: This is a match-the-following question testing knowledge of collective nouns for animal groups.

    Step 1: Recall the standard collective nouns for the given animals.

    Step 2: Match each animal to its correct collective noun based on established English terminology.

    Step 3: Verify the sequence P-V, Q-IV, R-I, S-III, T-II against the given options.

    Answer: P-V, Q-IV, R-I, S-III, T-II.

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