Logical Reasoning · Judgment & Verbal Logic
Decision Making — Questions & Answers
Decision making questions give a set of rules and a candidate's details, and ask what decision the rules lead to. Check every condition in order and note which exception applies.
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List what the conditions force, then check each option: it is definitely true only if it holds in every arrangement that meets all the conditions.
Look for the option that breaks a condition directly or through a chain of deductions. It must be false in every arrangement.
Pick the response that solves the actual problem, stays within your authority, involves the right person early and is respectful.
Find the option that makes things worse or breaks a rule (authority, confidentiality, safety, respect). The other three are reasonable.
5 solved Decision Making questions
Three judges, Meena, Kannan and Farida, each vote yes or no on three dishes (Idli, Dosa and Pongal) in a cooking contest. The following is known:
- Idli got exactly two yes votes.
- Dosa got exactly one yes vote.
- Pongal got exactly two yes votes.
- Meena voted yes for Idli.
- Kannan voted no for both Dosa and Pongal.
- Farida voted no for Idli.
Which statement is definitely true?
Solution — answer C
Idli needs two yes votes; Farida said no, so Meena and Kannan said yes. So Kannan voted yes for Idli in every case. Dosa's single yes could be Meena's or Farida's, so the Meena statement isn't certain.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Analyze Idli Votes
We know Idli received exactly two yes votes. We are also told that Farida voted no for Idli. Since there are only three judges, the two yes votes must come from the remaining two judges: Meena and Kannan.
Step 2: Deduce Idli Voters
Because Idli got two yes votes and Farida voted no, it means Meena voted yes for Idli and Kannan voted yes for Idli. This is a definite conclusion based on the facts provided.
Step 3: Consider Dosa Votes
Dosa got exactly one yes vote. Kannan voted no for Dosa. This means the single yes vote for Dosa must have come from either Meena or Farida. Therefore, Meena voting yes for Dosa is not definitely true.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (C) Kannan voted yes for Idli. As deduced in step 2, Kannan's yes vote for Idli is required to meet the condition of exactly two yes votes for Idli, given Farida's no vote.
Three judges, Meena, Kannan and Farida, each vote yes or no on three dishes (Idli, Dosa and Pongal) in a cooking contest. The following is known:
- Idli got exactly two yes votes.
- Dosa got exactly one yes vote.
- Pongal got exactly two yes votes.
- Meena voted yes for Idli.
- Kannan voted no for both Dosa and Pongal.
- Farida voted no for Idli.
Which statement is definitely false?
Solution — answer D
Farida voted no for Idli, so she cannot have voted yes for all three dishes. Meena's Dosa vote is uncertain, and the other two are always true.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Set up the grid
Let's create a grid to organize the votes for each judge and dish. We'll fill in the known facts to see what we can deduce about the votes.
Step 2: Fill in known votes
From the problem, we know: Meena voted yes for Idli. Kannan voted no for Dosa and Pongal. Farida voted no for Idli. We also know the total yes votes for each dish.
Step 3: Check Farida's votes
Farida voted no for Idli. This means she did not vote yes for Idli. If she didn't vote yes for Idli, she couldn't have voted yes for all three dishes.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (D) Farida voted yes for all three dishes. This statement is definitely false because we know Farida voted no for Idli, making it impossible for her to have voted yes for all three dishes.
Your manager has brought forward the deadline of a report by three days. You are not sure you can finish it well in the new time.
What is the most effective response?Solution — answer D
Explaining your workload to your manager early lets you agree on priorities or a realistic date. Silence, complaining to colleagues or explaining only afterwards all leave the problem unsolved.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Understand the problem
You have a new, tighter deadline for a report and are concerned about meeting it well. You need to find the most effective way to handle this situation professionally and proactively.
Step 2: Evaluate communication
Consider the impact of different communication approaches. Ignoring the problem, complaining to colleagues, or explaining a missed deadline afterwards are all reactive and don't solve the core issue of the workload and deadline.
Step 3: Seek a solution
The most effective approach involves open communication with your manager. This allows you to discuss your current workload and collaboratively find a solution, such as adjusting priorities or agreeing on a more realistic timeline.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (D) Explain your workload to your manager and agree on priorities or a realistic date. This is the most professional and proactive way to manage the situation, ensuring the report is completed to a good standard and expectations are clear.
A member of your team keeps making small mistakes in data entry.
What is the least effective response?Solution — answer C
Criticising the team member in front of the whole team embarrasses them without fixing the cause. A private talk, a checklist or training all address the mistakes.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Understand the Goal
The question asks for the least effective way to deal with a team member making small data entry mistakes. This means we need to find the option that would be unhelpful or even counterproductive for solving the problem.
Step 2: Evaluate Helpful Options
Consider responses that are generally positive and aim to solve the problem. Talking privately, providing a checklist, or arranging training are all constructive ways to help someone improve and address the root cause of mistakes.
Step 3: Identify Harmful Actions
Think about actions that might cause more harm than good. Publicly criticising someone can damage their morale, create resentment, and doesn't offer a solution to prevent future mistakes. It focuses on blame, not improvement.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (C) Criticise the team member in front of the whole team. This approach is highly ineffective as it damages morale and trust without addressing the underlying reasons for the mistakes.
Four officers, Bala, Chitra, Dev and Esther, are posted to four towns, Salem, Erode, Vellore and Karur, one officer per town. The following is known:
- Bala is posted neither to Salem nor to Erode.
- Chitra is posted to Vellore or Karur.
- Dev is posted to Salem.
- Esther is not posted to Karur.
Which statement is definitely true?
Solution — answer A
Dev takes Salem. Bala and Chitra must share Vellore and Karur, so Esther is posted to Erode. Which of Bala and Chitra gets Vellore is not fixed.
4 steps · reveal one at a timeStep 1: Start with Knowns
Begin by noting the direct assignments. We are told that Dev is posted to Salem. This is a definite fact that helps us narrow down the possibilities for the other officers and towns.
Step 2: Place Bala and Chitra
Now consider Bala and Chitra. Bala is not in Salem (Dev is there) and not in Erode. Chitra is in Vellore or Karur. This means Bala and Chitra must share Vellore and Karur as their possible towns, since Salem is taken and Erode is excluded for Bala.
Step 3: Determine Esther's Town
With Dev in Salem, and Bala and Chitra sharing Vellore and Karur, the only remaining town is Erode. Therefore, Esther must be posted to Erode. The fact that Esther is not in Karur also aligns with this deduction.
Step 4: The answer
So the answer is (A) Esther is posted to Erode. This statement is definitely true based on the logical deductions from the given information.
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