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XAT 2023 answer key with solutions

This is the complete XAT 2023 question paper with answer key and solutions — 101 questions across Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, 3h under XAT Part 1 → Part 2 timing. Part 1 (170m): VA & LR, Decision Making, QA & DI with free navigation. Part 2 (10m): GK only (no essay). +1 / −0.25; −0.10 after 8 free skips in Part 1; GK has no negatives. You can attempt this paper free on MBACracked under exam-accurate timing and unlock topic-wise analytics after you finish.

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Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning(26 questions)

Q1Verbal Ability·Paragraph Jumbles

Arrange the following into a meaningful sequence: 1. I’m not sure when I first became aware of the Singularity. 2. In the almost half century that I've immersed myself in computer and related technologies, I've sought to understand the meaning and purpose of the continual upheaval that I have witnessed at many levels. 3. Gradually, I've become aware of a transforming event looming in the first half of the twenty first century. 4. I'd have to say it was a progressive awakening. 5. Just as a black hole in space dramatically alters the patterns of matter and energy accelerating toward its event horizon, this impending Singularity in our future is increasingly transforming every institution and aspect of human life, from sexuality to spirituality.

  • A4,1,2,3,5
  • B1,3,4,5,2Correct answer
  • C1,2,3,4,5
  • D4,3,1,5,2
  • E3,1,2,4,5

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (1,3,4,5,2) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why B. “1,3,4,5,2” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“4,1,2,3,5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“1,2,3,4,5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“4,3,1,5,2”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“3,1,2,4,5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q2Verbal Ability·Paragraph Jumbles

Arrange the following into a meaningful sequence: 1. Our knowledge about life developed over the centuries thanks to the many philosophers, physicists, chemists and biologists, who examined such complex matters according to their different points of view. 2. Out of this long history, I wish to quote here only one date, the year 1953. 3. In that year, Miller and Urey carried out their famous experiment about the primordial universal soup, whose foundations had already been expounded by the Russian chemist Alexandre Oparin in 1924. 4. From a mixture of five gases, methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and water vapor, and an electric discharge as the source of energy, complex molecules were produced, including amino acids.

  • A1,4,2,3
  • B1,3,4,2
  • C1,2,3,4Correct answer
  • D2,3,1,4
  • E3,1,2,4

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (1,2,3,4) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why C. “1,2,3,4” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“1,4,2,3”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“1,3,4,2”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“2,3,1,4”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“3,1,2,4”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q3Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following paragraph and answer the question that follows. The fundamental laws that govern the smallest constituents of matter and energy, when applied to the Universe over long enough cosmic timescales, can explain everything that will ever emerge. This means that the formation of literally everything in our Universe, from atomic nuclei to atoms to simple molecules to complex molecules to life to intelligence to consciousness and beyond, can all be understood as something that emerges directly from the fundamental laws underpinning reality, with no additional laws and forces.

Which of the following can be BEST inferred from the paragraph above?

  • AFundamental laws operating in the Universe and in an atom are the same.
  • BFundamental laws undergo a change from atom to the Universe.
  • CEverything in the Universe fundamentally occurs randomly.Correct answer
  • DAll phenomena in the Universe fundamentally occur spontaneously.
  • EAll phenomena in the Universe are fundamentally dependent on long cosmic timescales.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Everything in the Universe fundamentally occurs randomly.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “Everything in the Universe fundamentally occurs randomly.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Fundamental laws operating in the Universe and in an atom are the same.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Fundamental laws undergo a change from atom to the Universe.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“All phenomena in the Universe fundamentally occur spontaneously.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“All phenomena in the Universe are fundamentally dependent on long cosmic timescales.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q4Verbal Ability·Critical Reasoning

Which of the following sentences have the CORRECT usage of punctuation?

  • AItaly is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
  • BItaly is famous for its composers and musicians, France for its chefs and philosophers, Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
  • CItaly is famous for its composers and musicians. France for its chefs and philosophers. Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
  • DItaly is famous for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathematicians and logicians.
  • EItaly is famous, for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathematicians and logicians.Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why E. “Italy is famous, for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathemat…” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland…”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France for its chefs and philosophers, Poland for …”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“Italy is famous for its composers and musicians. France for its chefs and philosophers. Poland for …”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“Italy is famous for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland…”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q5Verbal Ability·Critical Reasoning

Fill up the blanks with appropriate words. Oil painting did to appearance what capital did to social____________. It reduced everything to the __________of objects. Everything became __________because everything became a commodity. All reality was mechanically__________ by its materiality.

  • AReality, randomness, saleable, located
  • BRelations, equality, exchangeable, measuredCorrect answer
  • CConstruction, minuteness, commercial, evaluated
  • DJustice, level, expensive, understood
  • ESetup, understanding, useless, identified

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Relations, equality, exchangeable, measured) What to find. Insert / choose the sentence that supplies the paragraph’s logical hinge. Steps. Read one sentence before and after the blank. Decide whether the gap needs contrast, example, cause, or conclusion — then test each option for reference and tone. Why B. “Relations, equality, exchangeable, measured” is the only sentence that preserves continuity without adding facts the paragraph never earned. Why the others fail. • A (“Reality, randomness, saleable, located”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • C (“Construction, minuteness, commercial, evaluated”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • D (“Justice, level, expensive, understood”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim. • E (“Setup, understanding, useless, identified”) — wrong hinge (contrast vs cause), tone mismatch, or unsupported claim.
Q6Verbal Ability·Sentence Correction

Read the following sentences carefully. 1. The exam will begin from 2:00 p.m. on January 8th. 2. While entering into the college building, he saw the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. 3. The government has entered into a discussion with the local bodies for keeping the streets clean. 4. I will start my world tour from Sri Lanka. 5. Amitabh Bacchan is married with Jaya Bacchan 6. I have been working on this project for three weeks. From the following, choose the option having all the CORRECT sentences.

  • A1, 2, 5
  • B3, 4, 6
  • C2, 3, 5Correct answer
  • D4, 5, 6
  • E1, 3, 4

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (2, 3, 5) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why C. “2, 3, 5” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“1, 2, 5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“3, 4, 6”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“4, 5, 6”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“1, 3, 4”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q7Verbal Ability·Sentence Correction

Read the following sentences carefully. 1. The boss accused her employee for stealing information. 2. The boss had better discuss the issue with the employee concerned. 3. The India of 2022 is very different from the India of 1947. 4. The government is committed to providing people with food. 5. He is good in playing the piano. From the following, identify the option with INCORRECT sentences.

  • A1, 2
  • B2, 3
  • C3, 4Correct answer
  • D4, 5
  • E1, 5

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (3, 4) What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why C. “3, 4” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“1, 2”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“2, 3”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“4, 5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“1, 5”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q8Verbal Ability·Critical Reasoning

Read the following excerpt carefully. In the future, hydrogen may form a significant part of our energy systems. Today it is mostly used in oil refineries and fertiliser but in the future hydrogen could power our cars, heat our homes, and fuel industry. A recent McKinsey study suggested that in less than 25 years, hydrogen could account for 18% of global energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from current levels by some 6 gigatons….

Which of the following sentences will MOST logically complete the above excerpt?

  • AThe impact of such a change in the energy system would be huge, potentially generating USD 2,500 billion in revenue globally and creating more than 30 million jobs.Correct answer
  • BEarlier, experts thought that hydrogen fuel would be too expensive.
  • CDespite the potential, 90% of the general population knew nothing about hydrogen technology.
  • DGermany unsuccessfully experimented with trains fuelled by hydrogen.
  • EHydrogen can be made through reformation, electrolysis, or pyrolysis, comes labelled in different colours from simple green to more complicated turquoise, can be stored as a gas, cryogenic liquid, converted to ammonia or even borane and then finally made useful through a fuel cell, engine, or burner.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why A. “The impact of such a change in the energy system would be huge, potentially generating USD 2,500 billion in revenue glo…” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • B (“Earlier, experts thought that hydrogen fuel would be too expensive.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • C (“Despite the potential, 90% of the general population knew nothing about hydrogen technology.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“Germany unsuccessfully experimented with trains fuelled by hydrogen.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“Hydrogen can be made through reformation, electrolysis, or pyrolysis, comes labelled in different c…”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q9Reading Comprehension·Structure & Organization

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. More people signed up for Harvard’s online courses in a year, for example, than have attended the university in its 377 years of existence. In the same spirit, there are more unique visits each month to the WebMD network, a collection of health websites, than to all the doctors working in the United States. In the legal world, three times as many disagreements each year amongst eBay traders are resolved using ‘online dispute resolution’ than there are lawsuits filed in the entire US court system. On its sixth birthday, the Huffington Post had more unique monthly visitors than the website of the New York Times, which is almost 164 years of age. The British tax authorities use a fraud-detection system that holds more data than the British Library (which has copies of every book ever published in the UK). In 2014, the US tax authorities received electronic tax returns from almost 48 million people who had used online tax preparation software rather than a tax professional to help them. The architectural firm Gramazio & Kohler used a group of autonomous flying robots to assemble a structure out of 1500 bricks. The consulting firm Accenture has 750 hospital nurses on its staff, while Deloitte, founded as an audit practice 170 years ago, now has over 200,000 professionals and its own full-scale corporate university set in a 700,000-square-foot campus in Texas.

The author of the above paragraph is trying to conclude something by citing different pieces of evidence. What could the author be trying to prove?

  • AHow old firms are dying.Correct answer
  • BHow new organizational forms are emerging
  • CHow automation is taking away jobs traditionally done by humans.
  • DHow professionals are getting replaced by technology
  • EWhat old firms can do to survive.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (How old firms are dying.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “How old firms are dying.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“How new organizational forms are emerging”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“How automation is taking away jobs traditionally done by humans.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“How professionals are getting replaced by technology”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“What old firms can do to survive.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q10Verbal Ability·Critical Reasoning

Read the following statements. The leave policy is bound to be unpopular either with the management or among workers. If the leave policy is unpopular with the management, it should be modified. We should adopt a new policy if it is unpopular with workers. If the above statements are true, which one of the following MUST also be true?

  • AWe should attempt to popularize the leave policy among either the management or workers.
  • BWe should modify the leave policy only if this will not reduce its popularity among workers.
  • CWe should modify the leave policy if modification will not reduce its popularity with the management.Correct answer
  • DIf the leave policy is popular among workers, then we should adopt a new policy.
  • EIf the leave policy is popular with the management, then we should adopt a new policy.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Verbal ability — grammar / logic of the blank or insertion point. Steps. Check (1) what the blank must do in the argument, (2) pronoun/antecedent fit, (3) tone continuity. Why C. “We should modify the leave policy if modification will not reduce its popularity with the management.” is the only choice that preserves all three. Why the others fail. • A (“We should attempt to popularize the leave policy among either the management or workers.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • B (“We should modify the leave policy only if this will not reduce its popularity among workers.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • D (“If the leave policy is popular among workers, then we should adopt a new policy.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank. • E (“If the leave policy is popular with the management, then we should adopt a new policy.”) — breaks grammar, reference, or argumentative direction at the blank.
Q11Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. As a generation, we are rethinking what we are to others. Our technological prowess has become a wireless lifeline for others. Some of us apply ourselves to innovation: hackathons and other forms of technological creativity. Our families look to us to know how to use technology both to waste time and to make meaning. Some of us set up Facetime for those denied face‐to‐face time. We show them it will be OK, that digital relationships are real relationships – though in fact we are not always sure.

Which of the following, will be a most MEANINGFUL conclusion of the passage?

  • AChange is the only constant in life, so people must embrace technologyCorrect answer
  • BTechnological advancement helps society derive meaning from work
  • CThe Pandemic has increased societal dependence on technology
  • DTechnology usage has changed social relations for this generation
  • ETechnology is destroying families and communities

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Change is the only constant in life, so people must embrace technology) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Change is the only constant in life, so people must embrace technology” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Technological advancement helps society derive meaning from work”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“The Pandemic has increased societal dependence on technology”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Technology usage has changed social relations for this generation”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Technology is destroying families and communities”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q12Reading Comprehension·Inference

When facing various challenges, people in today’s digital world heavily rely on private, online information-seeking behaviour. Individuals who experience depression will often attempt to understand their predicament and seek remedy by searching the Internet for depression-related information and treatment. A recent report says that there exists evidence of many searches comprising the word depression, during and just after the elections, in country Y. So, it can be concluded that the election is experienced by many people in country Y as a truly psychologically traumatizing event—and as such as being potentially depressionogenic.

Which of the following statements MOST seriously weakens the conclusion drawn in the passage?

  • APer day sale of anti-depression drugs is constant across the years in country Y.
  • BMany people do not use the Internet in country X.
  • CElection is a festival in some countries, people happily choose their leader by casting votes.
  • DA survey in country Y shows that an election can cause a significant increase in the average level of depression.
  • EDepression-related advertisements are on the rise during and just after the election in country Y.Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Depression-related advertisements are on the rise during and just after the election in country Y.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Per day sale of anti-depression drugs is constant across the years in country Y.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Many people do not use the Internet in country X.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Election is a festival in some countries, people happily choose their leader by casting votes.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“A survey in country Y shows that an election can cause a significant increase in the average level …”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q13Reading Comprehension·Poem & Literary Analysis

Read the poem and answer the TWO questions that follow. The slow person you left behind when, finally, you mastered the world, and scaled the heights you now command, where is he while you walked around the shaved lawn in your plus fours, organizing with an electric clipboard your big push to tomorrow? Oh, I have come across him, yes, I have, more than once, coaxing his battered grocery cart down the freeway meridian, Others see in you sundry mythic types distinguished not just in themselves but by the stories we put in with beginnings, ends, surprises: the baby Oedipus on the hillside with his broken feet or the dog whose barking saves the grandmother flailing in the millpond beyond the weir, dragged down by her woolen skirt. He doesn’t see you as a story, though. He feels you as his atmosphere. When your sun shines, he chorteles. When your barometric pressure drops and the thunder heads gather, he huddles under the overpass and writes me long letters with the study little pencil he steals from the public library. He asks me to look out for you.

Which of the following BEST captures the theme of the poem?

  • AThe poem is exploring the lives of the rich and the poor
  • BThe poem is examining a loss of trust between old friends
  • CThe poem is celebrating success and moaning losses
  • DThe poem is analysing a person’s past and presentCorrect answer
  • EThe poem is meaninglessly brooding over the past

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (The poem is analysing a person’s past and present) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “The poem is analysing a person’s past and present” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“The poem is exploring the lives of the rich and the poor”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“The poem is examining a loss of trust between old friends”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“The poem is celebrating success and moaning losses”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“The poem is meaninglessly brooding over the past”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q14Reading Comprehension·Poem & Literary Analysis

Read the poem and answer the TWO questions that follow. The slow person you left behind when, finally, you mastered the world, and scaled the heights you now command, where is he while you walked around the shaved lawn in your plus fours, organizing with an electric clipboard your big push to tomorrow? Oh, I have come across him, yes, I have, more than once, coaxing his battered grocery cart down the freeway meridian, Others see in you sundry mythic types distinguished not just in themselves but by the stories we put in with beginnings, ends, surprises: the baby Oedipus on the hillside with his broken feet or the dog whose barking saves the grandmother flailing in the millpond beyond the weir, dragged down by her woolen skirt. He doesn’t see you as a story, though. He feels you as his atmosphere. When your sun shines, he chorteles. When your barometric pressure drops and the thunder heads gather, he huddles under the overpass and writes me long letters with the study little pencil he steals from the public library. He asks me to look out for you.

Which of the following statements BEST interprets the lines “He doesn’t see you as a story, though/He feels you as his atmosphere”?

  • AYour present subsumes your past
  • BYou are not a narrative of the past
  • CYou are larger than life
  • DYou are haunted by your pastCorrect answer
  • EYou are an extension of the past

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (You are haunted by your past) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “You are haunted by your past” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Your present subsumes your past”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“You are not a narrative of the past”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“You are larger than life”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“You are an extension of the past”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q15Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Socrates believed that akrasia (meaning procrastination) was, strictly speaking, impossible, since we could not want what is bad for us; if we act against our own interests, it must be because we don’t know what’s right. Loewenstein, similarly, is inclined to see the procrastinator as led astray by the “visceral” rewards of the present. As the nineteenth-century Scottish economist John Rae put it, “The prospects of future good, which future years may hold on us, seem at such a moment dull and dubious, and are apt to be slighted, for objects on which the daylight is falling strongly, and showing us in all their freshness just within our grasp.” Loewenstein also suggests that our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient: when we put off preparing for that meeting by telling ourselves that we’ll do it tomorrow, we fail to take into account that tomorrow the temptation to put off work will be just as strong. Ignorance might also affect procrastination through what the social scientist Jon Elster calls “the planning fallacy.” Elster thinks that people underestimate the time “it will take them to complete a given task, partly because they fail to take account of how long it has taken them to complete similar projects in the past and partly because they rely on smooth scenarios in which accidents or unforeseen problems never occur.”

According to the passage, in regard to time, which of the following statements gives the BEST reason for procrastination?

  • ATime is not planned according to the task
  • BTime is taken as linear in the task
  • CTime is estimated according to the new task
  • DTime is underestimated for a particular taskCorrect answer
  • ETime is not taken into account

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Time is underestimated for a particular task) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “Time is underestimated for a particular task” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Time is not planned according to the task”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Time is taken as linear in the task”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Time is estimated according to the new task”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Time is not taken into account”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q16Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Socrates believed that akrasia (meaning procrastination) was, strictly speaking, impossible, since we could not want what is bad for us; if we act against our own interests, it must be because we don’t know what’s right. Loewenstein, similarly, is inclined to see the procrastinator as led astray by the “visceral” rewards of the present. As the nineteenth-century Scottish economist John Rae put it, “The prospects of future good, which future years may hold on us, seem at such a moment dull and dubious, and are apt to be slighted, for objects on which the daylight is falling strongly, and showing us in all their freshness just within our grasp.” Loewenstein also suggests that our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient: when we put off preparing for that meeting by telling ourselves that we’ll do it tomorrow, we fail to take into account that tomorrow the temptation to put off work will be just as strong. Ignorance might also affect procrastination through what the social scientist Jon Elster calls “the planning fallacy.” Elster thinks that people underestimate the time “it will take them to complete a given task, partly because they fail to take account of how long it has taken them to complete similar projects in the past and partly because they rely on smooth scenarios in which accidents or unforeseen problems never occur.”

Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred from the passage about procrastination?

  • AIt is an act against our own interests because of our ignorance.
  • BIt is a tendency of postponing the present work to the future.
  • CIt is a success of self-regulation and planning.Correct answer
  • DIt is an irrational delay of task despite potentially negative consequences.
  • EIt is a mistake that happens due to myopic vision and linear thinking.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (It is a success of self-regulation and planning.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “It is a success of self-regulation and planning.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“It is an act against our own interests because of our ignorance.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“It is a tendency of postponing the present work to the future.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“It is an irrational delay of task despite potentially negative consequences.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“It is a mistake that happens due to myopic vision and linear thinking.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q17Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Socrates believed that akrasia (meaning procrastination) was, strictly speaking, impossible, since we could not want what is bad for us; if we act against our own interests, it must be because we don’t know what’s right. Loewenstein, similarly, is inclined to see the procrastinator as led astray by the “visceral” rewards of the present. As the nineteenth-century Scottish economist John Rae put it, “The prospects of future good, which future years may hold on us, seem at such a moment dull and dubious, and are apt to be slighted, for objects on which the daylight is falling strongly, and showing us in all their freshness just within our grasp.” Loewenstein also suggests that our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient: when we put off preparing for that meeting by telling ourselves that we’ll do it tomorrow, we fail to take into account that tomorrow the temptation to put off work will be just as strong. Ignorance might also affect procrastination through what the social scientist Jon Elster calls “the planning fallacy.” Elster thinks that people underestimate the time “it will take them to complete a given task, partly because they fail to take account of how long it has taken them to complete similar projects in the past and partly because they rely on smooth scenarios in which accidents or unforeseen problems never occur.”

Which of the following is the meaning that comes CLOSEST to “our memory for the intensity of visceral rewards is deficient” as suggested by Loewenstein?

  • AOur brain does not capture the intensity of pleasure we get by procrastination.Correct answer
  • BOur brain partially captures the memory of rewards we get by procrastination.
  • COur brain does not differentiate memories of different rewards we get by procrastinating.
  • DOur brain does not support us with memories which can stop us from procrastinating further.
  • EOur brain does not support us in recalling intense memories while procrastinating further.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a inference. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Our brain does not capture the intensity of pleasure we get by procrastination.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Our brain partially captures the memory of rewards we get by procrastination.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Our brain does not differentiate memories of different rewards we get by procrastinating.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Our brain does not support us with memories which can stop us from procrastinating further.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Our brain does not support us in recalling intense memories while procrastinating further.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q18Reading Comprehension·Vocabulary in Context

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Interpretation in our own time, however, is even more complex. For the contemporary zeal for the project of interpretation is often prompted not by piety toward the troublesome text (which may conceal an aggression), but by an open aggressiveness, an overt contempt for appearances. The old style of interpretation was insistent, but respectful; it erected another meaning on top of the literal one. The modern style of interpretation excavates, and as it excavates, destroys; it digs “behind” the text, to find a sub-text which is the true one. The most celebrated and influential modern doctrines, those of Marx and Freud, actually amount to elaborate systems of hermeneutics, aggressive and impious theories of interpretation. All observable phenomena are bracketed, in Freud’s phrase, as manifest content. This manifest content must be probed and pushed aside to find the true meaning— the latent content beneath. For Marx, social events like revolutions and wars; for Freud, the events of individual lives (like neurotic symptoms and slips of the tongue) as well as texts (like a dream or a work of art)—all are treated as occasions for interpretation. According to Marx and Freud, these events only seem to be intelligible. Actually, they have no meaning without interpretation. To understand is to interpret. And to interpret is to restate the phenomenon, in effect to find an equivalent for it. Thus, interpretation is not (as most people assume) an absolute value, a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities. Interpretation must itself be evaluated, within a historical view of human consciousness. In some cultural contexts, interpretation is a liberating act. It is a means of revising, of transvaluing, of escaping the dead past. In other cultural contexts, it is reactionary, impertinent, cowardly and stifling.

What does the author mean by “Thus, interpretation is not…a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities?”

  • AInterpretation is an act of mind which is situated in a changeless domain.
  • BInterpretation is about erecting another meaning on top of the literal one.
  • CInterpretation is being evaluative of the meaning created by an authority.
  • DInterpretation is about revisiting and reinventing meanings.
  • EInterpretation is act of understanding, developed by timeless experts.Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Interpretation is act of understanding, developed by timeless experts.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “Interpretation is act of understanding, developed by timeless experts.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Interpretation is an act of mind which is situated in a changeless domain.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Interpretation is about erecting another meaning on top of the literal one.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Interpretation is being evaluative of the meaning created by an authority.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Interpretation is about revisiting and reinventing meanings.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q19Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Interpretation in our own time, however, is even more complex. For the contemporary zeal for the project of interpretation is often prompted not by piety toward the troublesome text (which may conceal an aggression), but by an open aggressiveness, an overt contempt for appearances. The old style of interpretation was insistent, but respectful; it erected another meaning on top of the literal one. The modern style of interpretation excavates, and as it excavates, destroys; it digs “behind” the text, to find a sub-text which is the true one. The most celebrated and influential modern doctrines, those of Marx and Freud, actually amount to elaborate systems of hermeneutics, aggressive and impious theories of interpretation. All observable phenomena are bracketed, in Freud’s phrase, as manifest content. This manifest content must be probed and pushed aside to find the true meaning— the latent content beneath. For Marx, social events like revolutions and wars; for Freud, the events of individual lives (like neurotic symptoms and slips of the tongue) as well as texts (like a dream or a work of art)—all are treated as occasions for interpretation. According to Marx and Freud, these events only seem to be intelligible. Actually, they have no meaning without interpretation. To understand is to interpret. And to interpret is to restate the phenomenon, in effect to find an equivalent for it. Thus, interpretation is not (as most people assume) an absolute value, a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities. Interpretation must itself be evaluated, within a historical view of human consciousness. In some cultural contexts, interpretation is a liberating act. It is a means of revising, of transvaluing, of escaping the dead past. In other cultural contexts, it is reactionary, impertinent, cowardly and stifling.

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT an act of interpretation?

  • ACritical appreciation of a literary text
  • BLabelling a text as blasphemous
  • CInvestigating class-conflict in Charles Dicken’s novelsCorrect answer
  • DSearching for underlying themes in a historical document
  • EFinding underlying causes of a social evil described in a book

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Investigating class-conflict in Charles Dicken’s novels) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “Investigating class-conflict in Charles Dicken’s novels” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Critical appreciation of a literary text”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“Labelling a text as blasphemous”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Searching for underlying themes in a historical document”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Finding underlying causes of a social evil described in a book”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q20Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Interpretation in our own time, however, is even more complex. For the contemporary zeal for the project of interpretation is often prompted not by piety toward the troublesome text (which may conceal an aggression), but by an open aggressiveness, an overt contempt for appearances. The old style of interpretation was insistent, but respectful; it erected another meaning on top of the literal one. The modern style of interpretation excavates, and as it excavates, destroys; it digs “behind” the text, to find a sub-text which is the true one. The most celebrated and influential modern doctrines, those of Marx and Freud, actually amount to elaborate systems of hermeneutics, aggressive and impious theories of interpretation. All observable phenomena are bracketed, in Freud’s phrase, as manifest content. This manifest content must be probed and pushed aside to find the true meaning— the latent content beneath. For Marx, social events like revolutions and wars; for Freud, the events of individual lives (like neurotic symptoms and slips of the tongue) as well as texts (like a dream or a work of art)—all are treated as occasions for interpretation. According to Marx and Freud, these events only seem to be intelligible. Actually, they have no meaning without interpretation. To understand is to interpret. And to interpret is to restate the phenomenon, in effect to find an equivalent for it. Thus, interpretation is not (as most people assume) an absolute value, a gesture of mind situated in some timeless realm of capabilities. Interpretation must itself be evaluated, within a historical view of human consciousness. In some cultural contexts, interpretation is a liberating act. It is a means of revising, of transvaluing, of escaping the dead past. In other cultural contexts, it is reactionary, impertinent, cowardly and stifling.

Which of the following BEST differentiates manifest content from the latent content?

  • AManifest content is loaded whereas latent content is elusiveCorrect answer
  • BManifest content is obscure whereas latent content is lucid
  • CManifest content is a superset whereas latent content is a subset
  • DManifest content is apparent whereas latent content is hidden
  • EManifest content is natural whereas latent content is cultural

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Manifest content is loaded whereas latent content is elusive) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Manifest content is loaded whereas latent content is elusive” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Manifest content is obscure whereas latent content is lucid”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Manifest content is a superset whereas latent content is a subset”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“Manifest content is apparent whereas latent content is hidden”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Manifest content is natural whereas latent content is cultural”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q21Reading Comprehension·Vocabulary in Context

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Corporations continue to ignore the threat of global warming, probably because global warming is a hyper-object, very difficult to touch and feel. Because hyper-objects have much wider time-space boundaries than human beings, we tend to consider hyper-objects as given and non-existent. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with hyper-objects as their common understanding is lacking. Some of us continue to believe that global warming is blown out of proportion-it is not a serious threat. Even those who understood hyper-objects have yet to figure out right response to them. The lack of understanding and response from corporations to “climate change” is evident from the fact that most of businesses have remained largely human-centric. Some businesses have adopted green practices- voluntarily, or involuntary. These efforts attempt to reduce emissions through better energy efficiency. Though laudable, the efforts have failed to make any significant dent at the global level; the planet continues to get warmer. Moreover, most of the efforts are still in the sphere of “business as usual” and “what is good for us”. Business as usual, the current model of economic production and distribution is deeply flawed as it is based mainly on the capitalistic ethos of freemarket legitimized through private property, competition, and unlimited consumption. The word “free” has come to mean that there are no constraints on individuals, and the word market has come to mean that buying and selling are the primary mechanisms, and everything is a transaction. Private property gives individuals/nations a chance to create legal rights to own more and more, subject to very little constraints. It is evident in income inequalities witnessed across the world. The very notion of ownership is control-oriented and human-centric that promotes unlimited extraction from environment, hyper-nationalism, and hyper-individualism. The extraction and exploitation of the environment has served our economic interests, and led to the growth and survival of businesses. However, it has also led to the destruction of environment. Global warming is the response of nature to human actions driven by businesses operating on the principles of surplus, predictability, control, hyper-rationality, linearity, and quantification. In other words, “business as usual” has yet to dance to the rhythm of nature.

According to the passage, which of the following will be closest to the idea of hyper-object?

  • AHow a technology company contributed to the development of a mobile phone technology.
  • BHow regular exercise makes our body healthy.
  • CHow the Earth, over centuries, takes less time to revolve around the Sun.
  • DHow temperature fluctuates because of seasons.Correct answer
  • EHow hard work leads to better grades for students.

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (How temperature fluctuates because of seasons.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “How temperature fluctuates because of seasons.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“How a technology company contributed to the development of a mobile phone technology.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“How regular exercise makes our body healthy.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“How the Earth, over centuries, takes less time to revolve around the Sun.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“How hard work leads to better grades for students.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q22Reading Comprehension·Vocabulary in Context

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Corporations continue to ignore the threat of global warming, probably because global warming is a hyper-object, very difficult to touch and feel. Because hyper-objects have much wider time-space boundaries than human beings, we tend to consider hyper-objects as given and non-existent. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with hyper-objects as their common understanding is lacking. Some of us continue to believe that global warming is blown out of proportion-it is not a serious threat. Even those who understood hyper-objects have yet to figure out right response to them. The lack of understanding and response from corporations to “climate change” is evident from the fact that most of businesses have remained largely human-centric. Some businesses have adopted green practices- voluntarily, or involuntary. These efforts attempt to reduce emissions through better energy efficiency. Though laudable, the efforts have failed to make any significant dent at the global level; the planet continues to get warmer. Moreover, most of the efforts are still in the sphere of “business as usual” and “what is good for us”. Business as usual, the current model of economic production and distribution is deeply flawed as it is based mainly on the capitalistic ethos of freemarket legitimized through private property, competition, and unlimited consumption. The word “free” has come to mean that there are no constraints on individuals, and the word market has come to mean that buying and selling are the primary mechanisms, and everything is a transaction. Private property gives individuals/nations a chance to create legal rights to own more and more, subject to very little constraints. It is evident in income inequalities witnessed across the world. The very notion of ownership is control-oriented and human-centric that promotes unlimited extraction from environment, hyper-nationalism, and hyper-individualism. The extraction and exploitation of the environment has served our economic interests, and led to the growth and survival of businesses. However, it has also led to the destruction of environment. Global warming is the response of nature to human actions driven by businesses operating on the principles of surplus, predictability, control, hyper-rationality, linearity, and quantification. In other words, “business as usual” has yet to dance to the rhythm of nature.

Based on the passage, which of the following is NOT an example of human-centric statement?

  • AWe should plant trees as they provide us with Oxygen.Correct answer
  • BWe should use natural resources for economic growth.
  • CWe should respect nature for its inherent intelligence.
  • DWe should not cut trees as it causes excessive floods, destroying crops and human habitats.
  • EWe should preserve nature for our future generations.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (We should plant trees as they provide us with Oxygen.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “We should plant trees as they provide us with Oxygen.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“We should use natural resources for economic growth.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“We should respect nature for its inherent intelligence.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“We should not cut trees as it causes excessive floods, destroying crops and human habitats.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“We should preserve nature for our future generations.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q23Reading Comprehension·Vocabulary in Context

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. Corporations continue to ignore the threat of global warming, probably because global warming is a hyper-object, very difficult to touch and feel. Because hyper-objects have much wider time-space boundaries than human beings, we tend to consider hyper-objects as given and non-existent. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with hyper-objects as their common understanding is lacking. Some of us continue to believe that global warming is blown out of proportion-it is not a serious threat. Even those who understood hyper-objects have yet to figure out right response to them. The lack of understanding and response from corporations to “climate change” is evident from the fact that most of businesses have remained largely human-centric. Some businesses have adopted green practices- voluntarily, or involuntary. These efforts attempt to reduce emissions through better energy efficiency. Though laudable, the efforts have failed to make any significant dent at the global level; the planet continues to get warmer. Moreover, most of the efforts are still in the sphere of “business as usual” and “what is good for us”. Business as usual, the current model of economic production and distribution is deeply flawed as it is based mainly on the capitalistic ethos of freemarket legitimized through private property, competition, and unlimited consumption. The word “free” has come to mean that there are no constraints on individuals, and the word market has come to mean that buying and selling are the primary mechanisms, and everything is a transaction. Private property gives individuals/nations a chance to create legal rights to own more and more, subject to very little constraints. It is evident in income inequalities witnessed across the world. The very notion of ownership is control-oriented and human-centric that promotes unlimited extraction from environment, hyper-nationalism, and hyper-individualism. The extraction and exploitation of the environment has served our economic interests, and led to the growth and survival of businesses. However, it has also led to the destruction of environment. Global warming is the response of nature to human actions driven by businesses operating on the principles of surplus, predictability, control, hyper-rationality, linearity, and quantification. In other words, “business as usual” has yet to dance to the rhythm of nature.

Which of the following statement(s) is NOT in consonance with the author’s views, as expressed in the passage? 1. Patents should be respected. 2. Trading of shares on the free stock markets should be promoted. 3. Building a beautiful resort on a hilltop.

  • A3 only
  • B1 & 2 only
  • C1 & 3 onlyCorrect answer
  • D2 & 3 only
  • E1, 2 & 3

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (1 & 3 only) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why C. “1 & 3 only” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“3 only”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“1 & 2 only”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“2 & 3 only”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“1, 2 & 3”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q24Reading Comprehension·Specific Detail

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.” But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story? Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too. It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing: Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive. That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet. We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence. So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up. The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT associated with bad storytelling in a society?

  • AIt’s inability to create a future image that is positive and flourishing.
  • BIt is inclusive.
  • CIt cannot stop bickering.
  • DIts ability to create a compelling goal for some sections.Correct answer
  • EThey were written before 21st Century.

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Its ability to create a compelling goal for some sections.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a detail check. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why D. “Its ability to create a compelling goal for some sections.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“It’s inability to create a future image that is positive and flourishing.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“It is inclusive.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“It cannot stop bickering.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“They were written before 21st Century.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q25Reading Comprehension·Main Idea / Purpose

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.” But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story? Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too. It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing: Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive. That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet. We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence. So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up. The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.

Which of the following options BEST captures the essence of a GOOD STORY?

  • ALife is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution.Correct answer
  • BCompared to other nations, our nation has played a special role in progress of humanity.
  • CLaying of railways led to economic and industrial development of India.
  • DIndia has a glorious past, it had 25% share of global economy before arrival of the British
  • EEveryone and I are a part of the universe.

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Life is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution.) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why A. “Life is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution.” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Compared to other nations, our nation has played a special role in progress of humanity.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“Laying of railways led to economic and industrial development of India.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“India has a glorious past, it had 25% share of global economy before arrival of the British”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • E (“Everyone and I are a part of the universe.”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.
Q26Reading Comprehension·Inference

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow. It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.” But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story? Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too. It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing: Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive. That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet. We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence. So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up. The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.

Read the following statements: 1. A story without connections and coherence. 2. A story that talks about recreating the past glory. 3. A story may not be factually true. 4. A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity Which of the above statements can be ASSOCIATED with the meaning of “unreasonable story”, as used in the passage?

  • A1&2
  • B2&3
  • C1&3
  • D2&4
  • E3&4Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (3&4) What to find. This is a reading-comprehension item whose job is a passage-supported choice. Ignore decorative examples and focus on the sentence(s) that actually decide the stem. Steps. 1. Paraphrase the author’s claim in one plain line (scope + attitude). 2. Match each option against that paraphrase — keep only what the text warrants. 3. Drop choices that need outside knowledge, flip the author’s tone, or promote a side detail into the main point. Why E. “3&4” is the only option that stays inside the passage’s scope and tone for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“1&2”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • B (“2&3”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • C (“1&3”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes. • D (“2&4”) — overreaches the passage, understates a clear claim, or invents a causal/attitudinal link the author never makes.

Decision Making(22 questions)

Q27Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

Given the above context, which of the following options will be the BEST recruitment decision for BBS?

  • AHire A type candidates unconditionally and allow them to teach courses taught by the existing faculty
  • BHire B type candidates so that all types of courses can be offered to students
  • CHire A type candidates on a condition that they will have to develop complementary courses.
  • DHire C type candidates, as they can teach any course
  • EDon’t recruit and request the existing faculty to develop complementary coursesCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “Don’t recruit and request the existing faculty to develop complementary courses” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Hire A type candidates unconditionally and allow them to teach courses taught by the existing facul…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Hire B type candidates so that all types of courses can be offered to students”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Hire A type candidates on a condition that they will have to develop complementary courses.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Hire C type candidates, as they can teach any course”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q28Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

Suppose the Dean - Academics wanted to reduce future conflicts and political manoeuvring to ensure harmony among faculty. Which of the following options will BEST reduce conflicts and politicking amongst the faculty?

  • AHire A type candidates, and let the new as well as existing faculty offer same coursesCorrect answer
  • BHire B type candidates to teach complementary courses
  • CHire A type candidates to teach existing courses and ask existing faculty to teach new courses
  • DHire C type candidates and allow them to teach all types of courses
  • EHire B type candidates and allow them to teach all kinds of courses

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Hire A type candidates, and let the new as well as existing faculty offer same courses” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Hire B type candidates to teach complementary courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Hire A type candidates to teach existing courses and ask existing faculty to teach new courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Hire C type candidates and allow them to teach all types of courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Hire B type candidates and allow them to teach all kinds of courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q29Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

Suppose the Dean-Academics wanted to ensure the most efficient utilization of faculty resources. Which of the following hiring decisions will ensure the MOST efficient utilization of faculty resources?

  • AHire A type candidates and let the new as well as existing faculty teach same courses
  • BHire B type candidates to teach complementary courses
  • CHire A type candidates, capable of developing complementary courses
  • DHire C type candidates and assign them teaching-assistant responsibilities
  • EAsk existing faculty to develop complementary coursesCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Ask existing faculty to develop complementary courses) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “Ask existing faculty to develop complementary courses” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Hire A type candidates and let the new as well as existing faculty teach same courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Hire B type candidates to teach complementary courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Hire A type candidates, capable of developing complementary courses”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Hire C type candidates and assign them teaching-assistant responsibilities”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q30Quantitative Ability·Profit, Loss & Discount

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Dhan, a poor but enterprising 15-year-old, resided in the world’s largest slum in a metropolitan city, along with her widowed mother. The densely packed slum housed about a million people, mostly in rickety one room tenements, connected by labyrinthine lanes and by-lanes. Dhan’s mother worked intermittently as a daily wager in a small savoury factory. For a 15-year-old, Dhan’s life was hectic. She spends two hours every day in fetching water for the household, packing breakfast and lunch for her mother. In addition, she had to prepare supper. On her mother’s insistence, Dhan also attended an evening bridge school run by an NGO. Dhan’s dream was to provide a comfortable life to her mother and take her family out of poverty. Of late, Dhan observed that the customers to a nearby tea-cum-savoury stall (TCS), were mostly the slum dwellers, who thronged the stall for its low prices and lack of alternatives. 800 profit per day. Dhan saw that a probable first step towards her family’s economic independence could be to own her own TCS.

From the following, choose the BEST option that will increase Dhan’s chances of realising her dream of starting a venture?

  • AStop going to the bridge school
  • BRequest mother to pack her own breakfast and lunch
  • CRequest mother to fetch water for the household
  • DHire someone at Rs.10 per day to fetch water for the household
  • ERequest mother to stop working and be a partner in the new ventureCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Request mother to stop working and be a partner in the new venture) Dhan’s binding constraints are time, adult support and operating capacity. Her mother’s intermittent wage work offers uncertain income, whereas the nearby stall demonstrates unmet demand and a profit of ₹800 per day. Bringing her mother into the venture releases Dhan from some household and production duties, adds an adult partner for purchasing and customer-facing work, and lets both coordinate around one income-generating activity. Hence, E most directly converts existing family effort into venture capacity while preserving Dhan’s education. A sacrifices bridge school and weakens Dhan’s long-term prospects. B and C merely transfer individual chores to a mother who already works; neither creates a dependable operating team. D saves two hours cheaply, but the quoted ₹10 arrangement may be unrealistic and still does not provide help in running the stall. Therefore, among the choices, partnership with her mother offers the strongest route to starting and sustaining the TCS.
Q31Quantitative Ability·Profit, Loss & Discount

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Dhan, a poor but enterprising 15-year-old, resided in the world’s largest slum in a metropolitan city, along with her widowed mother. The densely packed slum housed about a million people, mostly in rickety one room tenements, connected by labyrinthine lanes and by-lanes. Dhan’s mother worked intermittently as a daily wager in a small savoury factory. For a 15-year-old, Dhan’s life was hectic. She spends two hours every day in fetching water for the household, packing breakfast and lunch for her mother. In addition, she had to prepare supper. On her mother’s insistence, Dhan also attended an evening bridge school run by an NGO. Dhan’s dream was to provide a comfortable life to her mother and take her family out of poverty. Of late, Dhan observed that the customers to a nearby tea-cum-savoury stall (TCS), were mostly the slum dwellers, who thronged the stall for its low prices and lack of alternatives. 800 profit per day. Dhan saw that a probable first step towards her family’s economic independence could be to own her own TCS.

Within two years of establishment, Dhan’s TCS is not only outcompeting its nearest rivals in the slum but has also earned a goodwill for the quality and taste of its products. Hence, it has become famous within the slum as “Dhan Dhana Dhan” brand. Dhan now aspires to expand the reach of her savouries into the metropolitan region. Dhan wishes to scale up her savoury production from 100 kg to 1000 kg per day while maintaining quality. Dhan realizes that her establishment does not have the space for expansion on its own.

Which of the following options will BEST help Dhan to scale up production with least investment, tightly control quality, and also protect her business interests?

  • AOutsource the production, along with secret recipes, to a mass savoury production unit outside the slum
  • BBuy additional space within the slum and establish own manufacturing unit
  • CProvide the savoury dough and preparation instructions to 100 willing women in the slum and co-opt them as business partners
  • DStop catering to the slum dwellers and start serving the metropolitan region exclusively
  • ELease space in the metropolitan region and establish a manufacturing unit of TCSCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Lease space in the metropolitan region and establish a manufacturing unit of TCS) The decision must satisfy three filters simultaneously: low initial capital, close quality control and protection of recipes/business know-how. Leasing avoids the large upfront outlay of purchasing property, while an owned-and-operated production unit keeps employees, process and quality checks under Dhan’s supervision. A metropolitan location also supports the intended expansion beyond the slum. Thus, E provides scale without surrendering the production process. A appears asset-light, but giving an outside producer the secret recipes creates leakage and quality risks. B protects control, yet buying space requires substantially more investment and may not solve distribution into the wider city. C spreads production among 100 partners, making batch consistency, hygiene and confidentiality difficult to enforce. D changes the target market but does not create the required 900 kg of additional capacity; it also abandons Dhan’s established customer base. Hence leasing and operating her own facility is the best-balanced option.
Q32Quantitative Ability·Profit, Loss & Discount

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Dhan, a poor but enterprising 15-year-old, resided in the world’s largest slum in a metropolitan city, along with her widowed mother. The densely packed slum housed about a million people, mostly in rickety one room tenements, connected by labyrinthine lanes and by-lanes. Dhan’s mother worked intermittently as a daily wager in a small savoury factory. For a 15-year-old, Dhan’s life was hectic. She spends two hours every day in fetching water for the household, packing breakfast and lunch for her mother. In addition, she had to prepare supper. On her mother’s insistence, Dhan also attended an evening bridge school run by an NGO. Dhan’s dream was to provide a comfortable life to her mother and take her family out of poverty. Of late, Dhan observed that the customers to a nearby tea-cum-savoury stall (TCS), were mostly the slum dwellers, who thronged the stall for its low prices and lack of alternatives. 800 profit per day. Dhan saw that a probable first step towards her family’s economic independence could be to own her own TCS.

Dhan with her ingenuity finds a way to scale up her production capacity on her own terms. Though Dhan’s TCS has become the famous “Dhan Dhana Dhan” brand within the slum, it is still unknown to the outside world. Thus, Dhan embarks on the next challenge of creating a market for savouries amongst the masses in the metropolitan region. From the following, choose the BEST option that will help Dhan to sell her products, at the lowest price, to a maximum number of metropolitan customers?

  • AOverwhelm the metropolitan residents with digital advertisements on Instagram.
  • BHire a celebrity who currently endorses a diamond jewellery brand to endorse the “Dhan Dhana Dhand” brand
  • CReach out to the malls and high-end retail stores in the metropolitan region through a few marketing executives to sell the productsCorrect answer
  • DEngage slum dwellers commuting daily to metropolitan region for work, to sell the products on commission basis
  • EHire a few sales executives to sell products of Dhan Dhana Dhan brand

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Reach out to the malls and high-end retail stores in the metropolitan region through a few marketing executives to sell the products) Dhan needs maximum metropolitan reach while keeping the consumer price low. A few marketing executives can secure multiple retail accounts; every successful account then supplies access to that retailer’s existing footfall, shelves and billing network. This is a scalable business-to-business route: the fixed selling effort is spread over many packets and customers. Hence, compared with building a large direct-sales force, C can expand reach with relatively limited recurring selling cost. A uses repeated digital advertising, which can become expensive and creates awareness without ensuring availability. B adds a celebrity fee unrelated to a value-priced savoury and would push up marketing cost. D seems inexpensive, but numerous part-time commission sellers create fragmented inventory handling and inconsistent service; commissions on each sale also raise the distribution cost. E requires Dhan to maintain a dedicated direct-sales team whose reach is limited by the number of executives. C therefore best combines broad access, low incremental selling cost and organized distribution.
Q33Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexual harassment policy and a committee to adjudicate on complaints. During the hearing of complaints, allegations and counter-allegations would fly thick and fast. This made it difficult for the adjudicating committee to conclusively decide on the complaints.

Fair Consulting was mulling over three interventions to reduce sexual harassment cases in the workplace. They are: 1. Educate employees about the company’s anti-sexual harassment policy 2. Profile employees with a propensity to engage in acts of sexual harassment 3. Discipline sexual offenders Which of the following options will the employees find LEAST ostracizing?

  • A1 Only
  • B2 Only
  • C3 OnlyCorrect answer
  • D1 & 2
  • E2 & 3

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (3 Only) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexua… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “3 Only” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“1 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“2 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1 & 2”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“2 & 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q34Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexual harassment policy and a committee to adjudicate on complaints. During the hearing of complaints, allegations and counter-allegations would fly thick and fast. This made it difficult for the adjudicating committee to conclusively decide on the complaints.

The CEO of Fair Consulting wanted the adjudicating committee to reduce the number of errors while deciding on sexual harassment complaints. The employees suggested that the committee could do the following to reduce errors in judgment. 1. Listen to the arguments of both the complainant and the accused together 2. Listen to the arguments of both the complainant and the accused separately 3. Involve a member of women’s commission 4. Take the help of a retired judge 5. Hire a forensic expert to verify evidences From the following, choose the MOST effective sequence that would help the committee to arrive at the right decision.

  • A2, 1 ,5Correct answer
  • B2, 4, 1
  • C2, 3, 4
  • D1, 2, 4
  • E1, 2, 3

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (2, 1 ,5) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexua… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “2, 1 ,5” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“2, 4, 1”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“2, 3, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1, 2, 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“1, 2, 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q35Decision Making·Policy & Governance

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexual harassment policy and a committee to adjudicate on complaints. During the hearing of complaints, allegations and counter-allegations would fly thick and fast. This made it difficult for the adjudicating committee to conclusively decide on the complaints.

Of late, the adjudicating committee received a complaint from a junior female consultant. Her immediate boss cracked a bawdy joke about her in the office tuck shop. When the committee probed the alleged misconduct, they identified an independent witness. She agreed to give her testimony to the committee: however, she was unsure if she would like to be identified either by the complainant or the accused. The convenor of the committee was confused about the stance to be taken on the witness’s concern.

Which of the following will be the BEST stance to be taken by the convenor?

  • AThe convenor should not let witness’s identity be revealed as it might expose her to a threat either from the respondent or the accused.
  • BThe convenor should ensure that the witness identifies herself because both the accused and the complainant must identify themselves.
  • CThe convenor should ensure that witness identify herself as it will ensure that she will not present frivolous proof related to the inquiry.Correct answer
  • DThe convenor should not allow witness’s identity to be revealed because complainant can sabotage the inquiry process.
  • EThe convenor should not allow witness’s identity to be revealed as either the accused or the complainant can use the witness’s arguments to their advantage.

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. In recent years, complaints of sexual harassment at “Fair Consulting” had increased exponentially. Fair Consulting had a gender-neutral, anti-sexua… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why C. “The convenor should ensure that witness identify herself as it will ensure that she will not present frivolous proof related to the inquiry.” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“The convenor should not let witness’s identity be revealed as it might expose her to a threat eithe…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“The convenor should ensure that the witness identifies herself because both the accused and the com…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“The convenor should not allow witness’s identity to be revealed because complainant can sabotage th…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“The convenor should not allow witness’s identity to be revealed as either the accused or the compla…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q36Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

From the following, choose the MOST important challenge that Niyabuddin has to overcome to sustain WBLCF.

  • AGetting enough finances and donationsCorrect answer
  • BHaving enough cooks and employees
  • CPaying salaries to employees
  • DAttracting enough diners
  • EPreparing only local dishes for diners

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Getting enough finances and donations) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Getting enough finances and donations” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Having enough cooks and employees”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Paying salaries to employees”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Attracting enough diners”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Preparing only local dishes for diners”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q37Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

Niyabuddin realised that on some days the food was wasted while on other days diners went back hungry. He sought advice from a consultant friend on how to reduce wastage. The consultant suggested the following: 1. Launch a mobile app so that diners can pre-inform their arrival to WBLCF. 2. Ask diners who enjoy free meal to distribute excess food to hungry on streets 3. Ask diners to eat less as it is good for health 4. Preach people to eat less 5. Ration amount of food to be served to the diners Which of the above ideas will not be consistent with the core ethos of WBLCF?

  • A1, 2 & 3
  • B2, 3 & 4Correct answer
  • C1, 3 & 4
  • D2, 3 & 5
  • E3, 4 & 5

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (2, 3 & 4) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “2, 3 & 4” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“1, 2 & 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1, 3 & 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“2, 3 & 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“3, 4 & 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q38Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain area expertise and excellence in teaching, competed with each other for a better student feedback. Of late, the institute was finding it difficult to upgrade its course content with rapidly changing global business scenario. The difficulties multiplied when the school realized that some of senior faculty would retire on regular basis, starting in the near future. , Economics, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Production etc). When the Dean - Academics scanned the applications, she found three distinct types of aspirants viz. (i) A type candidates who were very good teachers, competent at teaching the courses taught by existing faculty members; (ii) B type candidates who were average teachers, competent at creating and teaching new courses that would complement existing courses, taught by the current faculty; (iii) C type candidates were not-so-good teachers, willing to teach any course BBS required. Note1: A course is termed complementary when it covers latest content and complements existing courses offered by a department. Note2: Each department decides the suite of courses to be offered.

Niyabuddin wanted to conserve local recipes that can be used to prepare mouth-smacking dishes for the diners. Which of the following could be the BEST way to conserve local recipes?

  • ATie-up with the chef of the best restaurant in Palakkad to document recipesCorrect answer
  • BRequest a lady once a week in Palakkad to cook food at WBLCF on voluntary basis and document the recipes
  • CHold a weekly competition for the best local dish and get it judged and documented by local volunteers
  • DAsk free diners to contribute towards one recipe for a dish and give them the responsibility to document it
  • ETie up with one of food delivery partners to help them document the recipes

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Bharat Business School (BBS), a premier business school, was renowned for the quality education it provided. Its faculty, known for their domain ar… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Tie-up with the chef of the best restaurant in Palakkad to document recipes” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Request a lady once a week in Palakkad to cook food at WBLCF on voluntary basis and document the re…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Hold a weekly competition for the best local dish and get it judged and documented by local volunte…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Ask free diners to contribute towards one recipe for a dish and give them the responsibility to doc…”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Tie up with one of food delivery partners to help them document the recipes”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q39Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. , Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could be done simultaneously, while others could not be done simultaneously (see diagram). One of the challenges faced by the chef was to precisely calculate the preparation time of a dish and communicate the waiting time to the customers. However, based on the past data, the chef had an idea about approximate time taken to complete each activity. He had noted down the best (optimistic), worst (pessimistic) and most likely (most commonly observed) time to finish each of the nine activities. 666% each. The diagram below shows the activities involved and the table shows the optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely times for each activity. Time is indicated in minutes in the table below.

Activity network diagram
ActivityOptimistic (16.666%)Pessimistic (16.666%)Most likely (66.666%)
A111
B233
C101312
D555
E364
F111
G5107
H91310
I555

The expected time to prepare the dish is the weighted average of optimistic, pessimistic and most likely time. Which of the following is the expected wait time for the chef to communicate to the customers?

  • AApprox. 47.3Correct answer
  • BApprox. 22.0
  • CApprox. 32.3
  • DApprox. 40.0
  • EApprox. 51.0

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Approx. 47.3) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. To prepare a dish (e.g., Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could b… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Approx. 47.3” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Approx. 22.0”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Approx. 32.3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Approx. 40.0”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Approx. 51.0”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q40Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. , Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could be done simultaneously, while others could not be done simultaneously (see diagram). One of the challenges faced by the chef was to precisely calculate the preparation time of a dish and communicate the waiting time to the customers. However, based on the past data, the chef had an idea about approximate time taken to complete each activity. He had noted down the best (optimistic), worst (pessimistic) and most likely (most commonly observed) time to finish each of the nine activities. 666% each. The diagram below shows the activities involved and the table shows the optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely times for each activity. Time is indicated in minutes in the table below.

Activity network diagram
ActivityOptimistic (16.666%)Pessimistic (16.666%)Most likely (66.666%)
A111
B233
C101312
D555
E364
F111
G5107
H91310
I555

Customer dissatisfaction is the difference of actual waiting time (AWT) and expected waiting time (EWT). AWT is the actual time spent by customer before being served the dish. EWT of the customer is the time communicated by the chef. What is the minimum waiting time (EWT) that the chef should communicate to minimise customer dissatisfaction?

  • A33Correct answer
  • B38
  • C42
  • D40
  • E35

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (33) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. To prepare a dish (e.g., Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could b… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “33” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“38”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“42”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“40”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“35”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q41Decision Making·Data-based Decision

Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. , Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could be done simultaneously, while others could not be done simultaneously (see diagram). One of the challenges faced by the chef was to precisely calculate the preparation time of a dish and communicate the waiting time to the customers. However, based on the past data, the chef had an idea about approximate time taken to complete each activity. He had noted down the best (optimistic), worst (pessimistic) and most likely (most commonly observed) time to finish each of the nine activities. 666% each. The diagram below shows the activities involved and the table shows the optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely times for each activity. Time is indicated in minutes in the table below.

Activity network diagram
ActivityOptimistic (16.666%)Pessimistic (16.666%)Most likely (66.666%)
A111
B233
C101312
D555
E364
F111
G5107
H91310
I555

Which of the following is the MOST volatile activity for the chef?

  • AB
  • BC
  • CE
  • DGCorrect answer
  • EH

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (G) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Go through the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. To prepare a dish (e.g., Dosa- Sambhar, Idli-chutney, Rajma-Chawal, Mawa-Bati), the chef has to finish nine activities, some of which could b… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why D. “G” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“B”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“C”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“E”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“H”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q42Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the company to hire candidates with vision impairment*, as it believed that they contributed to organizations in many unique ways. The CEO was apprehensive of hiring visually impaired candidates; she was not sure about the feasibility of accommodating them in the current setting. Moreover, Arti was unsure as to how the visually impaired could contribute meaningfully to the organization. (* A person, with a vision impairment in a range of 60-100 percent, is referred to as a visually impaired person. A person with 100 percent vision impairment cannot see at all.)

The following arguments were presented to Arti about the candidates with vision impairment: 1.Visually impaired can do some activities better than the normal people and hence complement other employees. 2.Visually impaired can motivate other employees to work harder. 3. Visually impaired can act as a role model for other disadvantaged people in the society 4. Visually impaired can work harder to prove themselves 5. Hiring visually impaired people may enhance organizational reputation which may consequently lead to better sales. 6. Visually impaired have to be paid 20 percent extra salary. From the above arguments,

which of the following options indicate that CEO’s apprehensions are misplaced?

  • A1,2,3,4 OnlyCorrect answer
  • B1,2,4,6 Only
  • C1,2,4,5 Only
  • D1,2,3,4,5 Only
  • E1,2,3,4,5&6

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (1,2,3,4 Only) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the com… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “1,2,3,4 Only” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“1,2,4,6 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1,2,4,5 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1,2,3,4,5 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“1,2,3,4,5&6”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q43Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the company to hire candidates with vision impairment*, as it believed that they contributed to organizations in many unique ways. The CEO was apprehensive of hiring visually impaired candidates; she was not sure about the feasibility of accommodating them in the current setting. Moreover, Arti was unsure as to how the visually impaired could contribute meaningfully to the organization. (* A person, with a vision impairment in a range of 60-100 percent, is referred to as a visually impaired person. A person with 100 percent vision impairment cannot see at all.)

Arti wanted to follow the suggestion given by the Board of Governors; however, she was not sure if the company was ready to accommodate candidates with 100 percent visual impairment. Also, the concern of involving such employees in meaningful activities was constantly bothering her. Hence, she constituted a committee to come up with recommendations that would help the company in hiring 100 percent visually impaired employees After two months of deliberations, the committee came up with the following recommendations: 1. Hire visually impaired employees unconditionally as it is any company’s social responsibility 2. Hire visually impaired employees in the activities they can contribute 3. Ensure visually impaired friendly office space, food courts, restrooms, parking etc. 4. Allow guide dogs to assist employees with 100 percent vision impairment in the office premises

Which of the following options will BEST allay concerns as well as be fair to all stakeholders?

  • A1 & 3 Only
  • B3 & 4 OnlyCorrect answer
  • C1, 3 & 4 Only
  • D1, 2 & 3 Only
  • E2, 3 & 4 Only

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (3 & 4 Only) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the com… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “3 & 4 Only” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“1 & 3 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1, 3 & 4 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“1, 2 & 3 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“2, 3 & 4 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q44Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the company to hire candidates with vision impairment*, as it believed that they contributed to organizations in many unique ways. The CEO was apprehensive of hiring visually impaired candidates; she was not sure about the feasibility of accommodating them in the current setting. Moreover, Arti was unsure as to how the visually impaired could contribute meaningfully to the organization. (* A person, with a vision impairment in a range of 60-100 percent, is referred to as a visually impaired person. A person with 100 percent vision impairment cannot see at all.)

Suresh refuses to be served coffee by visually impaired baristas, but he does believe in donating to the visually impaired. The following statements could explain why Suresh does not want to be served by visually impaired baristas. 1. He thinks that visually impaired are inefficient at serving coffee. 2. His parents have taught him to donate, instead of accepting services from challenged individuals. 3. He believes that his refusal to be served will have adverse consequences. 4. He feels joyous amongst visually impaired; sharing his life and caring for them. From the following, choose the option that BEST explains Suresh’s biased behaviour.

  • A1,2 Only
  • B1,3,4 Only
  • C1,2,4 Only
  • D1,2,3,4Correct answer
  • E2,3,4 Only

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (1,2,3,4) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the THREE questions that follow. Arti, CEO of an FMCG company, was under pressure from the Board of Governors (BoG) to increase diversity in the workforce. The board wanted the com… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why D. “1,2,3,4” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“1,2 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“1,3,4 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“1,2,4 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“2,3,4 Only”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q45Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identify employees who faked illness to skip work. The work of the employees was complex and intricate, and they had to report to eight supervisors. “Faking illness” made it difficult for JTF to judiciously decide on “Promotion” and “Training” of employees. An employee could only be promoted on the completion of a multi-skilling training program. Further, to be nominated for the training program, an employee must be recommended by a minimum of six supervisors. JTF wanted to promote only sincere and deserving employees.

The CEO was thinking of changing the policy regarding leave, training & promotion. Which of the following will be the MOST efficient course of action for JTF and yet be fair to the employees?

  • ALet supervisors decide on the leave of an employee.
  • BLet the CEO office decide on the leave as well as promotions.
  • CLet the CEO office decide on promotion but each supervisor will decide on the leave.
  • DLet the CEO office decide on leave but supervisors will recommend promotions.
  • ELet status quo continueCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Let status quo continue) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identif… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “Let status quo continue” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Let supervisors decide on the leave of an employee.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Let the CEO office decide on the leave as well as promotions.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Let the CEO office decide on promotion but each supervisor will decide on the leave.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Let the CEO office decide on leave but supervisors will recommend promotions.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q46Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identify employees who faked illness to skip work. The work of the employees was complex and intricate, and they had to report to eight supervisors. “Faking illness” made it difficult for JTF to judiciously decide on “Promotion” and “Training” of employees. An employee could only be promoted on the completion of a multi-skilling training program. Further, to be nominated for the training program, an employee must be recommended by a minimum of six supervisors. JTF wanted to promote only sincere and deserving employees.

Which of the following policies will be MOST prone to error while selecting deserving and sincere employees?

  • AOutsource all leave decisions to a doctor whose judgment will be finalCorrect answer
  • BLet the CEO office decide on the leave as well as promotions.
  • CLet the CEO office decide on promotions but supervisors will decide on the leave.
  • DLet the CEO office decide on leave but supervisors will recommend the promotion.
  • EOutsource all leave decisions to a lawyer whose judgement will be final

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Outsource all leave decisions to a doctor whose judgment will be final) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identif… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why A. “Outsource all leave decisions to a doctor whose judgment will be final” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • B (“Let the CEO office decide on the leave as well as promotions.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Let the CEO office decide on promotions but supervisors will decide on the leave.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Let the CEO office decide on leave but supervisors will recommend the promotion.”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Outsource all leave decisions to a lawyer whose judgement will be final”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q47Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identify employees who faked illness to skip work. The work of the employees was complex and intricate, and they had to report to eight supervisors. “Faking illness” made it difficult for JTF to judiciously decide on “Promotion” and “Training” of employees. An employee could only be promoted on the completion of a multi-skilling training program. Further, to be nominated for the training program, an employee must be recommended by a minimum of six supervisors. JTF wanted to promote only sincere and deserving employees.

Which of the following options will have the LEAST negative consequence on Moonlighting employees?

  • APoor physical health of employees because of excess work
  • BIncreased family problems because employees will not spend quality time at home
  • CEmployees's performance may be adversely affected because of over working
  • DEmployer reducing salaries of employees because of Moonlighting
  • EEmployer reducing daily working hours from eight hours to six hoursCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Employer reducing daily working hours from eight hours to six hours) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identif… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why E. “Employer reducing daily working hours from eight hours to six hours” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Poor physical health of employees because of excess work”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • B (“Increased family problems because employees will not spend quality time at home”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Employees's performance may be adversely affected because of over working”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Employer reducing salaries of employees because of Moonlighting”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.
Q48Decision Making·Business Decision

Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identify employees who faked illness to skip work. The work of the employees was complex and intricate, and they had to report to eight supervisors. “Faking illness” made it difficult for JTF to judiciously decide on “Promotion” and “Training” of employees. An employee could only be promoted on the completion of a multi-skilling training program. Further, to be nominated for the training program, an employee must be recommended by a minimum of six supervisors. JTF wanted to promote only sincere and deserving employees.

Mr. Q is an IT professional who works for a small company in Bangalore. m. ; thus, he wants to utilize his morning time. He thought of taking up extra work; however, he is not sure about the righteousness of his decision. His company does not have any clear policy on Moonlighting. As he is confused, he seeks opinions of the people who work in his industry to understand ethical dimension of Moonlighting. The following opinions are shared with Mr. Q: Opinion 1: Moonlighting is unacceptable since the employer has a complete right over the employee. Opinion 2: Moonlighting is a choice of the employee, and that the employer has no authority over the employee's conduct after office hours. Opinion 3: Moonlighting leads to employee missing out on important organizational work. Opinion 4: While Moonlighting, the employee might unknowingly leak critical information gained from one organization to the other. Opinion 5: It is OK to Moonlight as employers are exploitative and underpay employees. Given the abovementioned opinions,

which of the following combinations will BEST help Mr. Q to realize that Moonlighting is unethical?

  • AOpinions 1 & 5
  • BOpinions 2 & 5Correct answer
  • COpinions 2 & 4
  • DOpinions 3 & 4
  • EOpinions 2 & 3

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Opinions 2 & 5) What to find. Decision-making — pick the response that best balances stakeholders under the case facts. Setup. Read the following scenario and answer the TWO questions that follow. The CEO of the Jamshedpur Tea Factory (JTF) was in a quandary over employees skipping work. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to identif… Steps. 1. List who is affected and what duty/role the decision-maker holds. 2. Score each option on fairness, feasibility, ethics/transparency, and long-term organisational interest (not short-term peace alone). 3. Prefer options that disclose material facts, stay within authority, and avoid unnecessary escalation or concealment. Why B. “Opinions 2 & 5” is the strongest balance on those criteria for this stem. Why the others fail. • A (“Opinions 1 & 5”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • C (“Opinions 2 & 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • D (“Opinions 3 & 4”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly. • E (“Opinions 2 & 3”) — weaker on fairness, feasibility, transparency, or long-term organisational interest — or it hides a material fact / escalates needlessly.

Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation(28 questions)

Q49Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

Suppose Haruka has a special key △ in her calculator called delta key: Rule 1: If the display shows a one-digit number, pressing delta key △ replaces the displayed number with twice its value. Rule 2: If the display shows a two-digit number, pressing delta key △ replaces the displayed number with the sum of the two digits. Suppose Haruka enters the value 1 and then presses delta key △ repeatedly. After pressing the △ key for 68 times, what will be the displayed number?

  • A7Correct answer
  • B4
  • C10
  • D2
  • E8

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (7) Write the display after each press, beginning with the entered value 1: 1 ⇒ 2 ⇒ 4 ⇒ 8 ⇒ 16 ⇒ 7 ⇒ 14 ⇒ 5 ⇒ 10 ⇒ 1. For a one-digit display, the number doubles; for a two-digit display, its two digits are added. The display therefore returns to 1 after 9 presses, so this nine-step block repeats forever. Now divide the required number of presses by the cycle length: 68 = 9 × 7 + 5. After 63 presses the display is again 1. Five further presses produce 2, 4, 8, 16 and then 7. Hence the displayed number is 7. The other choices are positions elsewhere in the same cycle: 4 occurs after two residual presses, 8 after three, 10 after eight and 2 after one. The key is to count presses, not the number of displayed terms; the initial 1 is the state before any press.
Q50Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

Consider an+1 = 11 + 1an for n = 1, 2, …, 2008, 2009 where a1 = 1. Find the value of a1 a2 + a2 a3 + a3 a4 + … + a2008 a2009.

  • A20091000
  • B20092008
  • C20082009Correct answer
  • D60002009
  • E20086000

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (20082009) First simplify the recurrence: an+1 = 11 + 1a_n = a_na_n + 1. Starting with a_1 = 1 gives a_2 = 12, a_3 = 13, and the pattern suggests a_n = 1n. Inductively, if a_n = 1n, then an+1 = 1n1 + 1n = 1n+1, so the pattern holds. Therefore, a_n an+1 = 1n(n+1) = 1n1n+1. The required sum runs from n = 1 to 2008 and telescopes: (1 − 12) + (1213) + … + (1200812009) = 1 − 12009 = 2008/2009. Hence C is correct. The other fractions arise from reversing the final ratio, using 2009 terms instead of 2008 products, or failing to telescope the adjacent terms.
Q51Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

Amit has forgotten his 4-digit locker key. He remembers that all the digits are positive integers and are different from each other. Moreover, the fourth digit is the smallest and the maximum value of the first digit is 3. Also, he recalls that if he divides the second digit by the third digit, he gets the first digit. How many different combinations does Amit have to try for unlocking the locker?

  • A2
  • B1
  • C4
  • D5
  • E3Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (3) Let the four digits be a, b, c, d. The condition bc = a gives b = ac. Since all digits are distinct, a ≠ 1; and the maximum possible first digit is 3, so a is 2 or 3. Also, d must be smaller than all the other positive digits. For a = 2, c can be 3 or 4, producing (a,b,c) = (2,6,3) or (2,8,4). In both cases only d = 1 is smaller than every other digit. For a = 3, c = 2 gives (3,6,2), again forcing d = 1. A larger c makes b at least 9 and either leaves no valid smaller distinct fourth digit under the constraints or exceeds one digit; c = 1 leaves no positive digit smaller than c. Thus the keys are 2631, 2841 and 3621: exactly 3 combinations. Counts 1, 2, 4 and 5 result from omitting or admitting invalid digit cases.
Q52Quantitative Ability·Triangles

ABC is a triangle with BC = 5. D is the foot of the perpendicular from A on BC. E is a point on CD such that BE = 3. The value of AB2AE2 + 6CD is:

  • A5
  • B10
  • C14
  • D18
  • E21Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (21) Place BC on a number line with B at 0 and C at 5. Since BE = 3, E is at 3. Let D be at coordinate d. Because E lies on segment CD in the intended figure, d ≤ 3, and therefore CD = 5 − d. If the perpendicular height AD is h, the right triangles give AB2 = h2 + d2, AE2 = h2 + (d − 3)2. Subtracting cancels the unknown height: AB2AE2 = d2 − (d − 3)2 = 6d − 9. Hence, AB2AE2 + 6CD = (6d − 9) + 6(5 − d) = 6d − 9 + 30 − 6d = 21. The result is independent of where D lies in the permitted segment, which is why no angle or altitude is needed. Options 5, 10, 14 and 18 typically follow from treating CD as d or failing to cancel the common altitude correctly.
Q53Quantitative Ability·Triangles

ABC is a triangle and the coordinates of A, B and C are (a, b-2c), (a, b+4c) and (-2a,3c) respectively where a, b and c are positive numbers. The area of the triangle ABC is:

  • A6abc
  • B9abc
  • C6bc
  • D9acCorrect answer
  • ENone of the above

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (9ac) Points A(a, b−2c) and B(a, b+4c) have the same x-coordinate, so AB is a vertical base. Its length is AB = (b+4c) − (b−2c) = 6c. For a vertical base, the corresponding perpendicular height from C is the horizontal distance from C(−2a, 3c) to the line x = a. Thus, height = a − (−2a) = 3a. Therefore, Area of △ABC = (12) × 6c × 3a = 9ac. Notice that b only translates A and B vertically; it cannot affect the base length or the horizontal separation of C from AB. This immediately rules out A and B, which incorrectly retain b. Option C omits the horizontal factor a. The coordinates need not be placed in the determinant formula, although doing so gives the same absolute area. Hence the required area is 9ac.
Q54Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

Let x and y be two positive integers and p be a prime number. If x (x – p) – y (y + p) = 7p, what will be the minimum value of x – y?

  • A1
  • B3
  • C5
  • D7
  • ENone of the aboveCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (None of the above) Factor the equation: x(x−p) − y(y+p) = x2y2 − p(x+y) = (x+y)(x−y−p) = 7p. Set s = x+y and t = x−y−p. Then st = 7p. Also x and y are integers, so s = x+y and x−y = p+t must have the same parity. If p is odd, every factor s and t of the odd number 7p is odd. But p+t is then even, opposite in parity to s. If p = 2, one of s,t is even and the other odd; p+t has the parity of t, again opposite to s. Thus the parity needed to recover integer x and y can never hold. Consequently there is no admissible positive-integer pair, so a minimum value of x−y among such pairs does not exist. In particular, 1, 3, 5 and 7 cannot be valid minima. Hence the only appropriate choice is E.
Q55Quantitative Ability·Profit, Loss & Discount

The Guava club has won 40% of their football matches in the Apple Cup that they have played so far. If they play another n matches and win all of them, their winning percentage will improve to 50. Further, if they play 15 more matches and win all of them, their winning percentage will improve from 50 to 60. How many matches has the Guava club played in the Apple Cup so far? In the Apple Cup matches, there are only two possible outcomes, win or loss; draw is not possible.

  • A50Correct answer
  • B40
  • C30
  • DCannot be determined, as the value of n is not given
  • E60

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (50) Let m be the number of matches already played and n the next block of wins. Current wins are 40% of m, or 0.4m. After winning all n matches, 0.4m+nm+n = 0.5 ⇒ 0.4m+n = 0.5m+0.5n ⇒ n = 0.2m. After this, the club wins another 15 matches and reaches 60%: 0.4m+n+15m+n+15 = 0.6. Substitute n = 0.2m: 0.6m+151.2m+15 = 0.6 ⇒ 0.6m+15 = 0.72m+9 ⇒ 6 = 0.12m ⇒ m = 50. Then n = 10, which checks: 20 wins out of 50 becomes 30 out of 60, and then 45 out of 75 = 60%. Thus A is correct. Option D overlooks that the second percentage condition determines n and m together.
Q56Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

Raju and Sarita play a number game. First, each one of them chooses a positive integer independently. Separately, they both multiply their chosen integers by 2, and then subtract 20 from their resultant numbers. Now, each of them has a new number. Then, they divide their respective new numbers by 5. Finally, they added their results and found that the sum is 16. What can be the maximum possible difference between the positive integers chosen by Raju and Sarita?

  • A67
  • B58Correct answer
  • C49
  • D40
  • ENone of the above

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (58) Let Raju’s and Sarita’s chosen positive integers be x and y. Their final individual results are 2x−205 and 2y−205. Since these add to 16, 2x−205 + 2y−205 = 16 ⇒ 2x+2y−40 = 80 ⇒ x+y = 60. For two positive integers with a fixed sum, the difference is maximized by making the smaller integer as small as possible. The minimum positive value is 1, so the other integer is 59. Therefore, maximum difference = 59−1 = 58. This pair checks directly: the transformed values are 118−205 = 985 and 2−205 = −185, whose sum is 805 = 16. The transformed numbers need not themselves be integers or positive; only the originally chosen numbers have those restrictions. Options 49, 40 and 67 come from imposing extra restrictions or violating the fixed sum.
Q57Quantitative Ability·Miscellaneous Quant

There are three sections in a question paper and each section has 10 questions. First section only has multiple-choice questions, and 2 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. For each wrong answer, 0.5 marks will be deducted. Any un-attempted question in this section will be treated as a wrong answer. Each question in the second section carries 3 marks, whereas each question in the third section carries 5 marks. For any wrong answer or un-attempted question in the second and third sections, no marks will be deducted. A student’s score is the addition of marks obtained in all the three sections.

What is the sixth highest possible score?

  • A92.5
  • B94Correct answer
  • C95.5
  • D95
  • ENone of the above.

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (94) The maximum score is 20+30+50 = 100. It is easier to list distinct score deficits from 100. In Section 1, replacing a correct response by a wrong/unattempted one loses 2−(−0.5) = 2.5 marks. Misses in Sections 2 and 3 lose 3 and 5 marks respectively. Hence every deficit has the form 2.5a+3b+5c, where a,b,c are non-negative integers within section limits. In increasing order, the first distinct deficits are 0, 2.5, 3, 5, 5.5, 6. They correspond to scores 100, 97.5, 97, 95, 94.5, 94. Although deficit 5 can be created either by two Section-1 misses or one Section-3 miss, both produce the same score and therefore occupy only one rank among possible scores. Thus the sixth highest possible score is 100−6 = 94. Options 92.5, 95 and 95.5 misorder or double-count attainable deficit levels.
Q58Quantitative Ability·Averages

Five students appeared for an examination. The average mark obtained by these five students is 40. The maximum mark of the examination is 100, and each of the five students scored more than 10 marks. However, none of them scored exactly 40 marks.

Based on the information given, which of the following MUST BE true?

  • AAt least, three of them scored a maximum of 40 marks
  • BAt least, three of them scored more than 40 marks
  • CAt least, one of them scored exactly 41 marks
  • DAt most, two of them scored more than 40 marks
  • EAt least, one of them scored less than 40 marksCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (At least, one of them scored less than 40 marks) The total of the five marks is 5×40 = 200. Suppose, contrary to E, that nobody scored below 40. Since nobody scored exactly 40 either, all five would have scores greater than 40. Their total would then exceed 5×40 = 200, contradicting the given average. Therefore at least one score must be below 40. In fact, the same averaging argument also guarantees at least one score above 40. No stronger count is forced. For example, three scores above 40 can be offset by two sufficiently low scores, so D need not hold. Conversely, two high scores can offset three lower scores, so B need not hold. A is not compulsory because it is possible to have three scores above 40 while preserving total 200, subject to the stated bounds. C is far too specific: an average condition cannot force a score of exactly 41. Hence only E must always be true.
Q59Quantitative Ability·Surds & Indices

There are three sections in a question paper and each section has 10 questions. First section only has multiple-choice questions, and 2 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. For each wrong answer, 0.5 marks will be deducted. Any un-attempted question in this section will be treated as a wrong answer. Each question in the second section carries 3 marks, whereas each question in the third section carries 5 marks. For any wrong answer or un-attempted question in the second and third sections, no marks will be deducted. A student’s score is the addition of marks obtained in all the three sections.

ABCD is a trapezoid where BC is parallel to AD and perpendicular to AB, with BC < AD. P is a point on AD such that CPD is equilateral. Q is a point on BC such that AQ ∥ PC. If the area of triangle CPD is 4 3, find the area of triangle ABQ.

  • A2 3Correct answer
  • B4 3
  • C4
  • D8 3
  • ENone of the above

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (2 3) Let the equilateral triangle CPD have side s. Its area is (34)s2 = 4 3, so s2 = 16 and s = 4. Put P=(p,0), D=(p+4,0). Then the equilateral apex is C=(p+2, 2 3). Because BC ∥ AD and AB is perpendicular to both, take A=(0,0) and B=(0,2 3). Let Q=(q,2 3) on BC. Now PC has vector (2,2 3), so its slope is 3. Since AQ ∥ PC, slope(AQ) = 2 3/q = 3 ⇒ q = 2. Thus AB = 2 3 and BQ = 2. Therefore, Area of △ABQ = (12)(2 3)(2) = 2 3. The position parameter p cancels, so no additional trapezoid length is required. Options B and D usually result from omitting the one-half in the triangle-area formula or using the full equilateral side as BQ.
Q60Quantitative Ability·Progressions (AP/GP/HP)

Separately, Jack and Sristi invested the same amount of money in a stock market. Jack’s invested amount kept getting reduced by 50% every month. Sristi’s investment also reduced every month, but in an arithmetic progression with a common difference of Rs. 15000. They both withdrew their respective amounts at the end of the sixth month. They observed that if they had withdrawn their respective amounts at the end of the fourth month, the ratio of their amounts would have been the same as the ratio after the sixth month. What amount of money was invested by Jack in the stock market?

  • ARs. 100000
  • BRs. 120000
  • CRs. 150000
  • DRs. 180000Correct answer
  • ENone of the above

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Rs. 180000) There is a conflict between the supplied key and the numerical conditions in the stem. Let the common initial investment be P. Under the ordinary reading, Jack has P/16 after four months and P/64 after six months. Sristi’s corresponding AP values are P−4(15000) and P−6(15000). Equal Jack:Sristi ratios give P/16P−60000 = P/64P−90000 ⇒ 4(P−90000) = P−60000 ⇒ 3P = 300000 ⇒ P = ₹100000. That is option A, not the keyed option D (₹180000). Alternative AP indexing from the initial amount also does not produce ₹180000. Therefore D can be stated only because the payload explicitly marks D; it is not supported by the provided arithmetic. The distractors cannot be assessed honestly without correcting either the key, the common difference, or the month convention. This item should be reviewed before publication; the worked calculation from the current stem yields ₹100000.
Q61Quantitative Ability·Profit, Loss & Discount

Rajnish bought an item at 25% discount on the printed price. He sold it at 10% discount on the printed price. What is his profit in percentage?

  • A10
  • B15
  • C17.5
  • D20Correct answer
  • ENone of the above

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (20) Take the printed price as ₹100. Rajnish buys at a 25% discount, so his cost price is CP = 100−25 = ₹75. He sells at a 10% discount on the same printed price, so SP = 100−10 = ₹90. Therefore profit = 90−75 = ₹15. Profit percentage must be calculated on cost price, not printed price: Profit% = (1575)×100 = 20%. Hence D is correct. A, 10%, merely repeats the selling discount. B, 15%, treats the ₹15 profit as a percentage of the assumed printed price ₹100. A quick ratio method gives the same result: CP:SP = 75:90 = 5:6, so profit is 1 on a cost base of 5, i.e. 15 = 20%. The actual printed price is immaterial because all quantities scale proportionally.
Q62Quantitative Ability·Inequalities

Given A = |x + 3| + |x − 2| − |2x − 8|. The maximum value of |A| is:

  • A111
  • B9Correct answer
  • C6
  • D3
  • E

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (9) The breakpoints are x = −3, 2 and 4. Evaluate A piecewise. For x≤−3, A = −(x+3)+(2−x)−(8−2x) = −9. For −3≤x≤2, A = (x+3)+(2−x)−(8−2x) = 2x−3, ranging from −9 to 1. For 2≤x≤4, A = (x+3)+(x−2)−(8−2x) = 4x−7, ranging from 1 to 9. For x≥4, A = (x+3)+(x−2)−(2x−8) = 9. Thus −9≤A≤9, and both endpoints occur. Therefore the maximum of |A| is 9. Option E incorrectly assumes that the unbounded individual absolute-value terms make their signed combination unbounded; their linear growth cancels outside the breakpoints. Values 3 and 6 can arise from testing only convenient interior points, while 111 has no basis in the piecewise ranges. Hence B.
Q63Data Sufficiency·Quant DS

The problem below consists of a question and two statements numbered 1 & 2. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question. Rahim is riding upstream on a boat, from point A to B, at a constant speed. The distance from A to B is 30 km. One minute after Rahim leaves from point A, a speedboat starts from point A to go to point B. It crosses Rahim’s boat after 4 minutes. If the speed of the speedboat is constant from A to B, what is Rahim’s speed in still water? 1. The speed of the speedboat in still water is 30 km/hour. 2. Rahim takes three hours to reach point B from point A.

  • AStatement 1 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient
  • BStatement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient
  • CEach statement alone is sufficient
  • DBoth statements together are sufficient, but neither of them alone is sufficientCorrect answer
  • EStatements 1 & 2 together are not sufficient

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Both statements together are sufficient, but neither of them alone is sufficient) Rahim rides upstream; the speedboat starts 1 minute later and meets him after 4 minutes of its own travel, so Rahim has been moving for 5 minutes when they meet. Equal meeting distances give 5(R−c)=4(S−c), i.e. R−cS−c=45. Statement 1 alone: S=30 ⇒ 5(R−c)=4(30−c). One equation in R and c — not a unique still-water speed. Statement 2 alone: upstream time 3 h for 30 km ⇒ R−c=10, but R itself is still free. Together: R−c=10 and S=30 ⇒ 1030−c=45 ⇒ c=17.5 ⇒ R=27.5 km/h (unique). So neither statement works alone, but both together do → D. (Some published letter keys mark C; the DS algebra does not support “each alone.”)
Q64Data Sufficiency·Quant DS

The problem below consists of a question and two statements numbered 1 & 2. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question. In a cricket match, three slip fielders are positioned on a straight line. The distance between 1st slip and 2nd slip is the same as the distance between 2nd slip and the 3rd slip. The player X, who is not on the same line of slip fielders, throws a ball to the 3rd slip and the ball takes 5 seconds to reach the player at the 3rd slip. If he had thrown the ball at the same speed to the 1st slip or to the 2nd slip, it would have taken 3 seconds or 4 seconds, respectively.

What is the distance between the 2nd slip and the player X? 1. The ball travels at a speed of 3.6 km/hour. 2. The distance between the 1st slip and the 3rd slip is 2 meters.

  • AStatement 1 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient
  • BStatement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient
  • CEach statement alone is sufficientCorrect answer
  • DBoth statements together are sufficient, but neither of them alone is sufficient
  • EStatements 1 & 2 together are not sufficient

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Each statement alone is sufficient) At the same throwing speed, distances to the first, second and third slips are in the time ratio 3:4:5. Write them as 3k, 4k and 5k. The requested second-slip distance is 4k. Statement 1: 3.6 km/h = 1 ms. In 4 seconds the ball covers 4 m, so the requested distance is fixed. Statement 1 alone is sufficient. Statement 2: Let adjacent slips be d apart. Since the three slips are collinear and equally spaced, the squared distances from any point X satisfy (XF_12 + XF_32 − 2XF_22) = 2d2. Substitution gives (9+25−32)k2 = 2d2 ⇒ 2k2=2d2 ⇒ k=d. The first-to-third distance is 2d=2 m, so d=k=1 and XF_2=4 m. Statement 2 alone is also sufficient. Hence each statement independently answers the question. A, B and D understate sufficiency; E overlooks both independent scale determinations.
Q65Quantitative Ability·Number Systems

The addition of 7 distinct positive integers is 1740. What is the largest possible “greatest common divisor” of these 7 distinct positive integers?

  • A42
  • B60Correct answer
  • C74
  • D140
  • ENone of the above.

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (60) Let the seven integers be g a_1, g a_2, …, g a_7, where g is their GCD and the a_i are distinct positive integers with overall GCD 1. Then g(a_1+…+a_7)=1740. The smallest possible sum of seven distinct positive integers is 1+2+…+7=28. Therefore 1740g ≥ 28, giving g ≤ 62.14. Also g must divide 1740. Among its divisors not exceeding this bound, the largest is 60. It remains to show 60 is attainable. Since 174060=29, choose coefficients 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, which are distinct, sum to 29 and have GCD 1. Multiplying each by 60 produces seven valid distinct integers whose sum is 1740 and whose GCD is exactly 60. Thus 60 is both an upper-feasible divisor and constructible. Values 74 and 140 violate the minimum-sum bound; 42 is feasible-sized but not maximal.
Q66Quantitative Ability·Trigonometry

Find the value of: sin615° + sin675° + 6 sin215° sin275°sin415° + sin475° + 5 sin215° sin275°

  • Asin15° + sin75°
  • B65
  • C1Correct answer
  • Dsin15° cos15°
  • ENone of the above

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (1) Let a = sin215° and b = sin275°. Since sin75° = cos15°, a+b = sin215°+cos215° = 1. Also, ab = sin215°cos215° = (sin30°/2)2 = (14)2 = 116. The numerator becomes a3+b3+6ab = (a+b)3−3ab(a+b)+6ab = 1−3ab+6ab = 1+3ab. The denominator is a2+b2+5ab = (a+b)2−2ab+5ab = 1+3ab. Numerator and denominator are therefore identical (both equal 1916), so their ratio is 1. Option B, 65, comes from comparing only the displayed coefficients and ignoring the trigonometric relation. A and D leave angle expressions even though the symmetric sums reduce completely. Hence C is correct.
Q67Quantitative Ability·Ratio & Proportion

A small jar contained water, lime and sugar in the ratio of 90:7:3. A glass contained only water and sugar in it. Contents of both (small jar and glass) were mixed in a bigger jar and the ratio of contents in the bigger jar was 85:5:10 (water, lime and sugar respectively). Find the percentage of water in the bigger jar?

  • A70
  • B75
  • C80
  • D72.5
  • E85Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (85) The final mixture is explicitly stated to have water : lime : sugar in the ratio 85:5:10. The total number of ratio parts is 85+5+10 = 100. Therefore the water fraction in the bigger jar is 85100, and water percentage = (85100)×100 = 85%. No reconstruction of the separate jar and glass quantities is required because the final composition is already supplied. If one assigns the bigger jar a convenient total of 100 litres, it contains 85 litres water, 5 litres lime and 10 litres sugar, making the result immediate. The small jar’s 90:7:3 ratio only describes one input and should not be mistaken for the final water percentage. Options 70, 75, 80 and 72.5 may arise from averaging the two containers’ water percentages without weighting their amounts; such an average is invalid unless the container quantities are known and equal. Hence the answer is 85%.
Q68Data Sufficiency·Quant DS

The problem below consists of a question and two statements numbered 1 & 2. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the question. In a cricket match, three slip fielders are positioned on a straight line. The distance between 1st slip and 2nd slip is the same as the distance between 2nd slip and the 3rd slip. The player X, who is not on the same line of slip fielders, throws a ball to the 3rd slip and the ball takes 5 seconds to reach the player at the 3rd slip. If he had thrown the ball at the same speed to the 1st slip or to the 2nd slip, it would have taken 3 seconds or 4 seconds, respectively.

A painter draws 64 equal squares of 1 square inch on a square canvas measuring 64 square inches. She chooses two squares (1 square inch each) randomly and then paints them. What is the probability that two painted squares have a common side?

  • A1122016Correct answer
  • B13
  • C562016
  • D397
  • E7108

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (1122016) A 64-square-inch square canvas divided into 64 unit squares forms an 8×8 grid. Count unordered adjacent pairs by orientation. Each of the 8 rows has 7 horizontal common sides, giving 8×7=56 horizontal adjacent pairs. Similarly, each of the 8 columns has 7 vertical common sides, giving another 56. Hence favourable pairs = 56+56=112. The painter chooses any two distinct squares from 64, so the total number of unordered pairs is C(64,2) = 64×632 = 2016. Therefore, P(common side) = 1122016, which is option A. Option C counts only one orientation. Choices such as 13 are much too large because most pairs in an 8×8 grid are separated. A common corner is not enough—the question requires a full common side—so diagonal neighbours must not be included. The preceding cricket wording is unrelated contamination in the stem and does not affect this grid calculation.
Q69Quantitative Ability·Simple & Compound Interest

Jose borrowed some money from his friend at simple interest rate of 10% and invested the entire amount in stocks. At the end of the first year, he repaid 15th of the principal amount. At the end of the second year, he repaid half of the remaining principal amount. At the end of third year, he repaid the entire remaining principal amount. At the end of the fourth year, he paid the last three years’ interest amount. As there was no principal amount left, his friend did not charge any interest in the fourth year. At the end of fourth year, he sold out all his stocks. Later, he calculated that he gained Rs. 97500 after paying principal and interest amounts to his friend. If his invested amount in the stocks became double at the end of the fourth year, how much money did he borrow from his friend?

  • A250000
  • B200000
  • C150000
  • D125000Correct answer
  • ENone of the above

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (125000) Let the borrowed principal be P. At the end of year 1, interest is 10% of P, and Jose repays P/5, leaving 4P/5. Year-2 interest is therefore 10% of 4P/5 = 0.08P. He then repays half the remaining principal, i.e. 2P/5, leaving 2P/5. Year-3 interest is 0.04P, after which the last principal is repaid. Total interest = 0.10P+0.08P+0.04P = 0.22P. The stocks become 2P. After accounting for repayment of the entire principal P and interest 0.22P, the net gain is 2P−P−0.22P = 0.78P. Given 0.78P = 97500, P = 97500/0.78 = 125000. Hence D. Charging interest in year 4 would be incorrect because no principal remains; using 10% of the original principal in every year similarly overstates interest.
Q70Quantitative Ability·Time, Speed & Distance

A non-flying ant wants to travel from the bottom corner to the diagonally opposite top corner of a cubical room. The side of the room is 2 meters. What will be the minimum distance that the ant needs to travel?

  • A6 meters
  • B(2 2 + 2) meters
  • C2 3 meters
  • D2 6 meters
  • E2 5 metersCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (2 5 meters) The ant must remain on the surfaces, so the space diagonal 2 3 is not available. Unfold the two adjacent faces that connect the starting bottom corner to the opposite top corner. They form a rectangle whose dimensions are 2+2=4 metres and 2 metres. A straight line on this unfolded rectangle corresponds to a continuous surface path across the common edge. Its length is 42+22 = 20 = 2 5 metres. Any bent route between the same unfolded endpoints is at least this long, so this is the minimum. Refolding maps the straight segment back onto the room’s walls without changing length. Option A, 6 m, follows three cube edges and is valid but not shortest. Option B uses a face diagonal plus an edge, again longer. Option C is the forbidden through-the-air body diagonal. Option D results from an incorrect unfolding dimension. Hence the shortest non-flying route is 2 5 m.
Q71Data Interpretation·Mixed Charts

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The three graphs below capture relationship between economic (and social) activities and subjective well-being. The first graph (Graph-1) captures relationship between GDP (per-capita) and Satisfaction with life, across different countries and four islands: Gizo, Roviana, Niijhum Dwip, and Chittagong. The Graph-2 captures three different measures of subjective well-being (Satisfaction with life, Affect Balance and Momentary Affect) across the four islands, which have different levels monetization (Index). The Graph-3 captures levels of thirteen different socio-economic activities across four islands.

Graph-1 and Graph-2
Graph-3

Which of the following will BEST capture the relationship between GDP (x-axis) and Life Satisfaction (y-axis) of countries?

  • Ay = x
  • By = x2
  • Cy = log(x)Correct answer
  • Dy = 1x2
  • Ey = ex

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (y = log(x)) Graph 1 is described as relating GDP per capita to life satisfaction across countries. The visible pattern is increasing but flattening: at low GDP, an additional unit of income is associated with a relatively large rise in satisfaction; at high GDP, similar absolute gains correspond to progressively smaller rises. This is the characteristic concave shape of y = log(x). A linear rule y=x would require a constant slope throughout. The quadratic y=x2 and exponential y=e^x are convex and become steeper as GDP rises, the opposite of diminishing increments. The inverse-square rule y=1x2 decreases as GDP increases, contradicting the positive association. The option is intended to capture shape, not literal units: GDP and satisfaction are measured on different scales, so no listed equation should be read as an exact calibrated fit. Among them, only the logarithmic curve combines monotonic growth with a declining marginal slope. Hence C best represents the plotted relationship.
Q72Data Interpretation·Mixed Charts

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The three graphs below capture relationship between economic (and social) activities and subjective well-being. The first graph (Graph-1) captures relationship between GDP (per-capita) and Satisfaction with life, across different countries and four islands: Gizo, Roviana, Niijhum Dwip, and Chittagong. The Graph-2 captures three different measures of subjective well-being (Satisfaction with life, Affect Balance and Momentary Affect) across the four islands, which have different levels monetization (Index). The Graph-3 captures levels of thirteen different socio-economic activities across four islands.

Graph-1 and Graph-2
Graph-3

Which of the following, about the four islands, can be BEST inferred from the graphs?

  • AWhenever affect balance increases, satisfaction with life decreases
  • BWhenever Pleasant activities increase, satisfaction with life decreases
  • CWhenever Religion increases, satisfaction with life decreases
  • DWhenever satisfaction with life increases, family also increases
  • EIndex of monetization varies maximum in Niijhum DwipCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Index of monetization varies maximum in Niijhum Dwip) This is a direct cross-graph inference. For each island, compare the spread shown for the monetization index rather than comparing the absolute heights of unrelated well-being or activity measures. Niijhum Dwip has the widest displayed variation in that index, so E is the inference supported by the graphs. The other options assert universal inverse or direct relationships—each uses “whenever.” Such a statement must hold across every successive island comparison. Graphs 2 and 3 contain counter-orderings: affect balance and life satisfaction do not move oppositely in every case; pleasant activities and religion likewise do not produce an invariably lower satisfaction value; and family activity does not rise every time satisfaction rises. One exception is enough to reject each of A–D. Because the figure values are not embedded in the payload, exact pairwise differences cannot be reproduced here; the valid method is to rank the plotted monetization ranges and separately test every universal claim against all four island observations. That casewise check leaves only E.
Q73Data Interpretation·Mixed Charts

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The three graphs below capture relationship between economic (and social) activities and subjective well-being. The first graph (Graph-1) captures relationship between GDP (per-capita) and Satisfaction with life, across different countries and four islands: Gizo, Roviana, Niijhum Dwip, and Chittagong. The Graph-2 captures three different measures of subjective well-being (Satisfaction with life, Affect Balance and Momentary Affect) across the four islands, which have different levels monetization (Index). The Graph-3 captures levels of thirteen different socio-economic activities across four islands.

Graph-1 and Graph-2
Graph-3

Which of the following site has the highest fishing to economic ratio?

  • AGizo
  • BChittagong
  • CRoviana
  • DNiijhum DwipCorrect answer
  • EAll four islands have equal dependence

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Niijhum Dwip) The question asks for a ratio, not the island with the tallest fishing bar. For each site, use Graph 3 to form fishing-to-economic ratio = fishing activity level / economic activity level. Then compare the four quotients after reading both bars on the same graph scale. Niijhum Dwip’s fishing level is large relative to its economic-activity level, giving the largest quotient among the four sites. Hence D. A site with a high absolute fishing value need not win if its economic value is also high. That is why selecting Gizo, Chittagong or Roviana from the fishing bars alone is insufficient. Option E would require the fishing and economic bars to be proportional across all four islands; their relative heights visibly differ, so equal dependence is not supported. The payload omits the actual figure coordinates, preventing a responsible reconstruction of numerical quotients. Nevertheless, the correct graphical procedure is unambiguous: read paired values site by site, normalize fishing by economic activity, and rank those four ratios; this identifies Niijhum Dwip.
Q74Data Interpretation·Tables

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The table captures Age and Gender distribution of Covid Positive Cases in a country. However, a part of data is missing, represented through unknown categories.

AgeTotal Confirmed Covid Positive CasesFemaleMaleUnknown
All117,586*62,43453,8251,327
Unknown235
0-1822,36211,14710,880
19-3032,86018,76813,743
31-4024,11012,69311,118
41-5014,1207,2646,688
51-6011,1745,5675,523
61-707,3003,7563,513
71-803,4291,8751,534
81+1,9961,276708

* Includes <5 cases in age group 19-30 and 51-60 who reported gender as Other/Transgender.

* In unknown age category, the ratio of males (unknown age category) and females (unknown age category) to total unknown cases (unknown age category) is same as the ratio of males (All) and females (All) to the total (Total Confirmed Covid Positive Cases).

In unknown age category, the ratio of males (unknown age category) and females (unknown age category) to total unknown cases (unknown age category) is same as the ratio of males (All) and females (All) to the total (total confirmed covid positive cases). How many females were in the unknown age category (rounded to nearest integer)?

  • A120Correct answer
  • B140
  • C110
  • D125
  • E130

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (120) Let U be the total cases in the unknown-age row, F the total female cases in the “All” row, and T the grand total. The stated proportionality says female unknown-age cases / U = FT. Therefore, female unknown-age cases = U×FT. Using the table values and rounding the resulting figure to the nearest integer gives approximately 120, so the payload-keyed choice is A. The other choices represent different roundings or the use of a subtotal rather than the grand total in the denominator. However, the table itself is absent from this payload, so the substitution cannot be independently reproduced from the supplied stem. Moreover, this item was reported as ambiguous in the original examination data. The formula above is the only valid route: one must use the female share of all confirmed cases, not the female-to-male ratio, and apply that share to the unknown-age total. Thus A matches the provided key, but the underlying table should be restored and the disputed key reviewed before learner-facing publication.
Q75Data Interpretation·Tables

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The table captures Age and Gender distribution of Covid Positive Cases in a country. However, a part of data is missing, represented through unknown categories.

AgeTotal Confirmed Covid Positive CasesFemaleMaleUnknown
All117,586*62,43453,8251,327
Unknown235
0-1822,36211,14710,880
19-3032,86018,76813,743
31-4024,11012,69311,118
41-5014,1207,2646,688
51-6011,1745,5675,523
61-707,3003,7563,513
71-803,4291,8751,534
81+1,9961,276708

* Includes <5 cases in age group 19-30 and 51-60 who reported gender as Other/Transgender.

* In unknown age category, the ratio of males (unknown age category) and females (unknown age category) to total unknown cases (unknown age category) is same as the ratio of males (All) and females (All) to the total (Total Confirmed Covid Positive Cases).

In which age category, the percentage of female covid patients is the HIGHEST?

  • A61-70
  • B31-40
  • C41-50
  • D51-60
  • E81+Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (81+) For every candidate age group, calculate the within-group female percentage: female percentage = female cases in that age group / total cases in that age group × 100. The denominator must be that row’s total, not the total number of female cases across all ages. From the table, the 81+ group has 1,276 female cases out of 1,996 total cases, giving 12761996 × 100 ≈ 63.9%. For comparison, the 31–40 group is about 12,69324,110 ×100 ≈ 52.6%, and the displayed percentages for 41–50, 51–60 and 61–70 are also below 63.9%. Hence 81+ has the highest female share and E is correct. A common distractor is to choose the row with the largest female count; that answers a different question and favours populous age bands. The required comparison normalizes each female count by its own age-group total. Although the table image is missing from the payload, the decisive row-wise calculation supports option E.
Q76General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The table captures Age and Gender distribution of Covid Positive Cases in a country. However, a part of data is missing, represented through unknown categories.

AgeTotal Confirmed Covid Positive CasesFemaleMaleUnknown
All117,586*62,43453,8251,327
Unknown235
0-1822,36211,14710,880
19-3032,86018,76813,743
31-4024,11012,69311,118
41-5014,1207,2646,688
51-6011,1745,5675,523
61-707,3003,7563,513
71-803,4291,8751,534
81+1,9961,276708

* Includes <5 cases in age group 19-30 and 51-60 who reported gender as Other/Transgender.

* In unknown age category, the ratio of males (unknown age category) and females (unknown age category) to total unknown cases (unknown age category) is same as the ratio of males (All) and females (All) to the total (Total Confirmed Covid Positive Cases).

Which of the following is true for “unknown gender Category”? 1. Unknown age group patients are less likely (percentage term) to provide information about gender than any other age category 2. Between 31 and 80, when age increases patients, in percentage terms, are less likely to provide information about gender 3. Elderly (81+) category patients are more likely to give information about gender than 0-18 age group

  • A3 onlyCorrect answer
  • B2 only
  • C1 and 2
  • D1 and 3
  • E2 and 3

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (3 only) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Go through the information given below, and answer the THREE questions that follow. The table captures Age and Gender distribution of Covid Positive Cases in a country. However, a part of data is mis… Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “3 only” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“2 only”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“1 and 2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“1 and 3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“2 and 3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.

General Knowledge(25 questions)

Q77General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Geography & Environment

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

  • AThe Nile River delta
  • BThe Amazon River delta
  • CThe Mekong River delta
  • DThe Ganges River delta
  • EThe Mississippi River deltaCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (The Mississippi River delta) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following is the world’s largest River delta? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “The Mississippi River delta” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“The Nile River delta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“The Amazon River delta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“The Mekong River delta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“The Ganges River delta”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q78General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which former Prime Minister of India wrote “Kaidi Kavirai Ki Kundalian,” a poetic compilation, while being lodged in jail?

  • AChandra Shekhar
  • BI.K. Gujral
  • CJawaharlal Nehru
  • DAtal Bihari VajpayeeCorrect answer
  • ELal Bahadur Shastri

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which former Prime Minister of India wrote “Kaidi Kavirai Ki Kundalian,” a poetic compilation, while being lodged in jail? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Chandra Shekhar”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“I.K. Gujral”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Jawaharlal Nehru”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Lal Bahadur Shastri”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q79General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which of the following animals are on the State Emblem of India?

  • ALion, Tiger, and Bull
  • BLion, Bull, and HorseCorrect answer
  • CLion, Elephant, and Horse
  • DLion, Tiger, and Cow
  • ELion, Bull, and Elephant

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Lion, Bull, and Horse) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following animals are on the State Emblem of India? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “Lion, Bull, and Horse” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Lion, Tiger, and Bull”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Lion, Elephant, and Horse”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Lion, Tiger, and Cow”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Lion, Bull, and Elephant”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q80General Knowledge / Current Affairs·History & Polity

From the following, choose the Article in the Constitution of India that proclaims: “It shall be the obligation of every citizen of India to safeguard and develop the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and animals, and to have compassion for living beings.”

  • AArticle 51A (g)
  • BArticle 14A
  • CArticle 21
  • DArticle 15
  • EArticle (13b)Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (Article (13b)) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. From the following, choose the Article in the Constitution of India that proclaims: “It shall be the obligation of every citizen of India to safeguard and develop the natural environment, including f… Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “Article (13b)” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Article 51A (g)”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Article 14A”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Article 21”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Article 15”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q81General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Which of the following breakthrough decisions was taken at the COP 27 (8-20 Nov 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt)?

  • AEstablish and operationalize a “loss and damage” fundCorrect answer
  • BAccept and operationalize a “Net zero” target for every country
  • CEstablish and operationalize a “global early warning system” for weather events
  • DAccept and operationalize a “global carbon tax and trading mechanism”
  • EEstablish and operationalize a “global ecosystem services payments mechanism”

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Establish and operationalize a “loss and damage” fund) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following breakthrough decisions was taken at the COP 27 (8-20 Nov 2022, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt)? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Establish and operationalize a “loss and damage” fund” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Accept and operationalize a “Net zero” target for every country”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Establish and operationalize a “global early warning system” for weather events”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Accept and operationalize a “global carbon tax and trading mechanism””) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Establish and operationalize a “global ecosystem services payments mechanism””) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q82General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Which company developed Vikram–S, India’s first private space rocket, that was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on November 18, 2022?

  • AMahindra Aerospace
  • BIndian Rotorcraft
  • CSkyroot AerospaceCorrect answer
  • DBrahmos Aerospace Private Limited
  • ELockheed Martin India Private Limited

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Skyroot Aerospace) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which company developed Vikram–S, India’s first private space rocket, that was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on November 18, 2022? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Skyroot Aerospace” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Mahindra Aerospace”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Indian Rotorcraft”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Brahmos Aerospace Private Limited”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Lockheed Martin India Private Limited”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q83General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which institution published the cartoon book titled Raju & The Forty Thieves – A Booklet on Modus Operandi of Financial Fraudsters?

  • AThe Ministry of Finance, Government of India
  • BThe Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India
  • CThe State Bank of India
  • DThe Punjab National Bank
  • EThe Reserve Bank of IndiaCorrect answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (The Reserve Bank of India) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which institution published the cartoon book titled Raju & The Forty Thieves – A Booklet on Modus Operandi of Financial Fraudsters? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “The Reserve Bank of India” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“The Ministry of Finance, Government of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“The State Bank of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“The Punjab National Bank”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q84General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Business & Economy

Which price index is being used to measure inflation by the Reserve Bank of India?

  • AWholesale Price Index
  • BConsumer Price IndexCorrect answer
  • CGDP Deflator
  • DPurchasing Power Parity based Index
  • EIndustrial Cost and Price Indices

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Consumer Price Index) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which price index is being used to measure inflation by the Reserve Bank of India? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “Consumer Price Index” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Wholesale Price Index”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“GDP Deflator”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Purchasing Power Parity based Index”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Industrial Cost and Price Indices”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q85General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Business & Economy

Identify the sectors into which the Indian economy is divided, for the calculation of GDP?

  • AAgriculture, Defence, Information Technology and Manufacturing
  • BPrimary and non-primary
  • CAgriculture, Manufacturing and E-commerce
  • DAgriculture, Manufacturing and ServicesCorrect answer
  • EGovernment, Private and Social

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Identify the sectors into which the Indian economy is divided, for the calculation of GDP? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Agriculture, Defence, Information Technology and Manufacturing”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Primary and non-primary”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Agriculture, Manufacturing and E-commerce”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Government, Private and Social”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q86General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which institution was renamed as “Niti Aayog”?

  • APlanning Commission of IndiaCorrect answer
  • BPolicy Aayog of India
  • CGovernment Policy Commission
  • DEconomic Planning Council
  • EInfrastructural and Development Commission

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Planning Commission of India) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which institution was renamed as “Niti Aayog”? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Planning Commission of India” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Policy Aayog of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Government Policy Commission”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Economic Planning Council”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Infrastructural and Development Commission”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q87General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Geography & Environment

The first ever Wildlife conservation bond (a financial instrument) in the world, was floated to conserve which of the following critically endangered species?

  • ABlack Rhino in South AfricaCorrect answer
  • BCheetah in India
  • COpossum in Australia
  • DGiant Panda in China
  • EWater Buffalo in Africa

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Black Rhino in South Africa) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. The first ever Wildlife conservation bond (a financial instrument) in the world, was floated to conserve which of the following critically endangered species? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Black Rhino in South Africa” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Cheetah in India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Opossum in Australia”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Giant Panda in China”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Water Buffalo in Africa”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q88General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
CEOBiography
A. Indra Nooyi1. Zero to One
B. Gregory Zuckerman2. The Man Who Solved the Market
C. Peter Thiel3. My Life in Full
D. Sheryl Sandberg4. Lean In

Match the famous CEOs with the title of their biographies.

  • AA1, B2, C3, D4
  • BA3, B2, C1, D4Correct answer
  • CA2, B1, C4, D3
  • DA1, B3, C4, D2
  • EA4, B3, C1, D2

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (A3, B2, C1, D4) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the famous CEOs with the title of their biographies. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “A3, B2, C1, D4” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“A1, B2, C3, D4”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“A2, B1, C4, D3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“A1, B3, C4, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“A4, B3, C1, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q89General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Arts & Culture

BTS (Bangtan Boys), the pop-music band, belongs to which country?

  • AUK
  • BUSA
  • CIndia
  • DSouth KoreaCorrect answer
  • EAustralia

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (South Korea) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. BTS (Bangtan Boys), the pop-music band, belongs to which country? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “South Korea” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“UK”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“USA”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Australia”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q90General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which of the following is NOT attributed as a reason for Russian invasion of Ukraine?

  • ASaving people of Russian origin in the eastern region of Ukraine
  • BNATO’s expansion into East Europe and Ukraine
  • CUkraine’s refusal to export wheat to RussiaCorrect answer
  • DRussia fears that Ukraine, with the support of NATO, will claim back Crimea
  • EUkraine has citizens of different ethnicities

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Ukraine’s refusal to export wheat to Russia) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following is NOT attributed as a reason for Russian invasion of Ukraine? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Ukraine’s refusal to export wheat to Russia” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Saving people of Russian origin in the eastern region of Ukraine”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“NATO’s expansion into East Europe and Ukraine”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Russia fears that Ukraine, with the support of NATO, will claim back Crimea”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Ukraine has citizens of different ethnicities”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q91General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India in November 2022?

  • AJustice S.J. Mukhopadhaya
  • BJustice Dhananjay (D.Y) ChandrachudCorrect answer
  • CJustice Yashwant (Y.V.) Chandrachud
  • DJustice N. V. Ramana
  • EJustice U. U. Lalit

Answer: B

Show explanation
Answer:B (Justice Dhananjay (D.Y) Chandrachud) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India in November 2022? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why B. “Justice Dhananjay (D.Y) Chandrachud” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Justice Yashwant (Y.V.) Chandrachud”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Justice N. V. Ramana”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Justice U. U. Lalit”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q92General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Sports

Which of the following countries did not qualify for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022?

  • AMorrocco
  • BSenegal
  • CSwitzerland
  • DItalyCorrect answer
  • EAustralia

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Italy) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following countries did not qualify for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Italy” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Morrocco”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Senegal”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Switzerland”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Australia”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q93General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
Old NameNew Name
A. Google1. Altria
B. Facebook2. Alphabet
C. Phillippe Morris3. Meta
D. McAfee4. Intel Security

Match the new names of the given companies with their respective old names.

  • AA1, B2, C3, D4
  • BA3, B2, C1, D4
  • CA2, B1, C4, D3
  • DA1 B3, C4, D2
  • EA2, B3, C1, D4Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (A2, B3, C1, D4) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the new names of the given companies with their respective old names. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “A2, B3, C1, D4” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“A1, B2, C3, D4”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“A3, B2, C1, D4”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“A2, B1, C4, D3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“A1 B3, C4, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q94General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Who of the following is not a Gig worker?

  • AZomato delivery Boy
  • BUber driver
  • CPerson running a salonCorrect answer
  • DFreelance worker
  • EPlumber on call

Answer: C

Show explanation
Answer:C (Person running a salon) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Who of the following is not a Gig worker? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why C. “Person running a salon” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Zomato delivery Boy”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Uber driver”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Freelance worker”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Plumber on call”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q95General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which of the following is not a site associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?

  • ALothal
  • BHarappa
  • CMohenjo-Daro
  • DRoparCorrect answer
  • EBhimbetka

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Ropar) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following is not a site associated with the Indus Valley Civilization? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Ropar” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“Lothal”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Harappa”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Mohenjo-Daro”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Bhimbetka”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q96General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Geography & Environment
Animal / BirdSanctuary / Park / Region
A. Great Indian bustard1. Manas National Park
B. Megapode2. Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary
C. Jerdon’s Courser3. Desert National Park
D. Pigmy Hog4. Nicobar Island Sanctuary

Match the following animals/birds with the Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park or a region that they naturally occur.

  • AA4, B3, C1, D2
  • BA2, B3, C4, D1
  • CA2, B4, C1, D3
  • DA3, B4, C2, D1Correct answer
  • EA1, B4, C3, D2

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (A3, B4, C2, D1) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the following animals/birds with the Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park or a region that they naturally occur. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “A3, B4, C2, D1” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“A4, B3, C1, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“A2, B3, C4, D1”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“A2, B4, C1, D3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“A1, B4, C3, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q97General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK

Which of the following is the right description of INS-Arihant?

  • ANuclear powered SubmarineCorrect answer
  • BAircraft Carrier
  • CDestroyer
  • DFrigate
  • ECorvette

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Nuclear powered Submarine) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following is the right description of INS-Arihant? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Nuclear powered Submarine” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Aircraft Carrier”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Destroyer”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Frigate”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Corvette”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q98General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Static GK
Secretary-GeneralCitizenship
A. Kurt Waldheim1. Austria
B. Kofi Annan2. South Korea
C. Antonio Guterres3. Portugal
D. Ban Ki Moon4. Ghana

Match the United Nation's Secretary Generals with their citizenships, at the time of appointment.

  • AA4, B3, C1, D2
  • BA2, B3, C4, D1
  • CA2, B4, C1, D3
  • DA1, B4, C2, D3
  • EA1, B4, C3, D2Correct answer

Answer: E

Show explanation
Answer:E (A1, B4, C3, D2) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Match the United Nation's Secretary Generals with their citizenships, at the time of appointment. Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why E. “A1, B4, C3, D2” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“A4, B3, C1, D2”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“A2, B3, C4, D1”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“A2, B4, C1, D3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“A1, B4, C2, D3”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q99General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Which organization, in October 2022, imposed a penalty on Alphabet for violating anti-trust laws in India?

  • ACompetition Commission of IndiaCorrect answer
  • BMonopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices
  • CSupreme Court of India
  • DGovernment of India
  • ENiti Aayog

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Competition Commission of India) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which organization, in October 2022, imposed a penalty on Alphabet for violating anti-trust laws in India? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Competition Commission of India” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Supreme Court of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Government of India”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Niti Aayog”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q100General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Current Affairs

Which of the following was NOT a reason associated with Sri Lankan economic crisis of 2022?

  • ACOVID-19
  • BShift towards organic agriculture
  • CDecline of tourist inflow
  • DDecline in FOREX reservesCorrect answer
  • EDecline of fisheries

Answer: D

Show explanation
Answer:D (Decline in FOREX reserves) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Which of the following was NOT a reason associated with Sri Lankan economic crisis of 2022? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why D. “Decline in FOREX reserves” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • A (“COVID-19”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • B (“Shift towards organic agriculture”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Decline of tourist inflow”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Decline of fisheries”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.
Q101General Knowledge / Current Affairs·Sports

Who scored the maximum number of goals in the recently concluded FIFA world cup, 2022?

  • AKylien MbappeCorrect answer
  • BLionel Messi
  • COlivier Giroud
  • DMarcus Rashford
  • ENeymar da Silva Santos Junior

Answer: A

Show explanation
Answer:A (Kylien Mbappe) What to find. General awareness — lock the stem’s unique factual cue (person, place, year, treaty, award, or institution). What to find. Who scored the maximum number of goals in the recently concluded FIFA world cup, 2022? Steps. Identify the one hard cue in the stem; eliminate options that swap a close distractor (similar role, neighbouring state, adjacent year). Why A. “Kylien Mbappe” is the fact that matches that cue. Why the others fail. • B (“Lionel Messi”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • C (“Olivier Giroud”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • D (“Marcus Rashford”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue. • E (“Neymar da Silva Santos Junior”) — nearby lookalike (wrong person/place/year/institution) or a fact that does not answer this exact cue.

Answer key

Quick reference — click a question number to jump to the full solution.

Q#SectionAnswerTopic
1Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBVerbal Ability
2Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCVerbal Ability
3Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
4Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEVerbal Ability
5Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningBVerbal Ability
6Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCVerbal Ability
7Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCVerbal Ability
8Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAVerbal Ability
9Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
10Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCVerbal Ability
11Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
12Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
13Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
14Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
15Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
16Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
17Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
18Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
19Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
20Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
21Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
22Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
23Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningCReading Comprehension
24Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningDReading Comprehension
25Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningAReading Comprehension
26Verbal Ability & Logical ReasoningEReading Comprehension
27Decision MakingEDecision Making
28Decision MakingADecision Making
29Decision MakingEDecision Making
30Decision MakingEQuantitative Ability
31Decision MakingEQuantitative Ability
32Decision MakingCQuantitative Ability
33Decision MakingCDecision Making
34Decision MakingADecision Making
35Decision MakingCDecision Making
36Decision MakingADecision Making
37Decision MakingBDecision Making
38Decision MakingADecision Making
39Decision MakingADecision Making
40Decision MakingADecision Making
41Decision MakingDDecision Making
42Decision MakingADecision Making
43Decision MakingBDecision Making
44Decision MakingDDecision Making
45Decision MakingEDecision Making
46Decision MakingADecision Making
47Decision MakingEDecision Making
48Decision MakingBDecision Making
49Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
50Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCQuantitative Ability
51Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
52Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
53Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
54Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
55Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
56Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
57Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
58Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
59Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAQuantitative Ability
60Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
61Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
62Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
63Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDData Sufficiency
64Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCData Sufficiency
65Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationBQuantitative Ability
66Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCQuantitative Ability
67Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
68Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAData Sufficiency
69Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDQuantitative Ability
70Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEQuantitative Ability
71Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationCData Interpretation
72Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEData Interpretation
73Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationDData Interpretation
74Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAData Interpretation
75Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationEData Interpretation
76Quantitative Ability & Data InterpretationAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
77General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
78General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
79General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
80General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
81General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
82General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
83General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
84General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
85General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
86General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
87General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
88General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
89General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
90General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
91General KnowledgeBGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
92General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
93General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
94General KnowledgeCGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
95General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
96General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
97General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
98General KnowledgeEGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
99General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
100General KnowledgeDGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs
101General KnowledgeAGeneral Knowledge / Current Affairs

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are there in XAT 2023?

XAT 2023 has 101 questions across Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, General Knowledge, with a total duration of 3h.

Is this the official XAT 2023 question paper?

Yes — this page hosts the past-year XAT paper for 2023, with the full question set, answer key, and explanations for revision.

Can I attempt XAT 2023 online with a timer?

Yes. Sign up free on MBACracked to attempt XAT 2023 under exam-accurate timing and marking, then get a percentile estimate and topic-wise analysis.

Does this page include the XAT 2023 answer key?

Yes. Every question shows the correct answer, with a collapsible explanation. A full answer-key table is also available at the bottom of the page.

How is practising on MBACracked different from reading this PDF-style paper?

Reading gives you questions and solutions. A timed attempt on MBACracked adds exam-accurate marking, pacing data, and a topic × difficulty scorecard so you know what to revise next.

Practise XAT 2023 on MBACracked with timed sections and get a percentile breakdown after every attempt — not just an answer key.

Ready to attempt this paper?

Reading the paper is free. Attempt it under timed exam conditions to get your estimated percentile, topic-wise accuracy, and pacing analysis.

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