Decision Making Reasoning: Eligibility Conditions Questions with Solved Examples for SSC CGL, CHSL

Decision making questions give a set of rules (eligibility conditions) for a post or a scheme, and then describe some candidates. You decide whether a candidate is selected, rejected, or sent for another decision. The method is the same every time: check each condition one by one. These decision making reasoning tricks for SSC give the method and solved examples.

How the Question Looks

A paragraph lists 3 to 6 conditions, such as the age, the qualification, the marks and the experience. Then a few candidate cases follow. For each case you choose from 3 to 4 decisions, for example "selected", "not selected", "refer to the HR" or "data is inadequate".

Step-by-Step Method

1. Read the conditions and number them (i, ii, iii ...).
2. Find out which conditions are compulsory and which ones give a special case.
3. Check the candidate against condition (i), then (ii), then (iii).
4. If a compulsory condition fails, write "not selected" at once.
5. If the data for a condition is not given, choose "data inadequate".
6. Check the special rules (exception) at the end.

Solved Example (Complete Set)

Conditions. To be selected for a post, a candidate must (i) be 21 to 30 years old, (ii) be a graduate with at least 55% marks, and (iii) have at least 2 years of experience. If a candidate fulfils (i) and (ii) but has less than 2 years of experience, and has a postgraduate degree, his case is referred to the HR. Otherwise, the candidate is not selected.

Tips

• Words like "at least" include the number (at least 2 years means 2 years or more).
• Words like "more than" and "less than" do not include the number.
• Check the age with the upper and lower limits both.
• Do not let the strong profile of a candidate in one area make you ignore a failed condition.

Quick Tips

• Number the conditions and tick them for each case.
• "At least" includes the number, "more than" does not.
• One failed compulsory condition is enough to reject.
• Check the special rule at the end.

Quick Revision Points

• Check each condition one by one.
• A failed compulsory condition means not selected.
• At least n includes n.
• More than n does not include n.
• Use "data inadequate" only when a needed fact is missing.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Using the conditions above: 22 years, graduate with 56%, 2 years of experience. What is the decision?
   Answer: Selected
2. Using the conditions above: 31 years, graduate with 80%, 6 years of experience. What is the decision?
   Answer: Not selected (age)
3. Using the conditions above: 28 years, graduate with 54%, 3 years of experience. What is the decision?
   Answer: Not selected (marks)
4. Using the conditions above: 26 years, graduate with 60%, 1 year of experience, with a postgraduate degree. What is the decision?
   Answer: Refer to the HR
5. Using the conditions above: 26 years, graduate with 60%, 1 year of experience, no postgraduate degree. What is the decision?
   Answer: Not selected
6. Using the conditions above: 20 years, graduate with 65%, 3 years of experience. What is the decision?
   Answer: Not selected (age is less than 21)
7. Using the conditions above: 30 years, graduate with 55%, 2 years of experience. What is the decision?
   Answer: Selected (30 and 55% are allowed)
8. Does "at least 55%" include 55%?
   Answer: Yes
9. Does "more than 30 years" include 30 years?
   Answer: No
10. What is the first step in a decision making question?
    Answer: Number the conditions and read the special rules

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Logical Reasoning notes page, read the previous topic Inequality Reasoning and the next topic Conditional Statements. Also read the Reasoning notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is decision making in reasoning?

It is a question in which eligibility conditions are given, and you decide the result for each candidate.

How do I solve decision making questions?

Number the conditions, check each case against each condition and apply the special rule at the end.

What does "at least" mean?

It means that number or more, so the number is included.

What does "more than" mean?

It means above that number, so the number is not included.

What if a condition is missing in the case?

Choose "data inadequate" if the option is given.

What is a special rule?

It is an exception, like referring the case to the HR if one condition fails and another is met.

Is this topic asked in SSC exams?

It is asked in some SSC and bank exams, and it is good for the practice of careful reading.

How much time should I take?

About 60 seconds for one case.

What are the common mistakes?

Not reading the special rule and mixing the "at least" and "more than".

Do I need any formula?

No. It needs careful reading and a table.

How can I practise?

Make your own conditions and 5 cases and solve them.

What if two conditions fail?

The candidate is not selected, unless the special rule says otherwise.