Decision Making - Advanced Level: logical choices ADVANCED

Exam-focused holistic practice ★ worksheet: 20 advanced-level decision making questions. Worksheet 23 of 30 targets logical choices. Build proficiency in choice selection, optimal decisions, critical choices with detailed solutions. Ideal for advanced competitive exam preparation.

📝 Worksheet 23 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Advanced level

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Your progress through Decision Making
Worksheet 23 of 30 (76% complete)

Question 1

Situation: Investment decision for conservative investor nearing retirement (5 years from retirement) Considering risk assessment, what is the most appropriate decision?
For a conservative investor nearing retirement, capital preservation is paramount. Government bonds provide guaranteed returns with zero loss risk, aligning with the short time horizon and risk tolerance.

Question 2

Decision: Accept job offer immediately or negotiate with current employer? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
Accept: guaranteed 25% raise. Negotiate: 50% chance of 15% raise, 50% chance of 0% raise → expected = 7.5% raise. Guaranteed 25% > expected 7.5%.

Question 3

Situation: A company must decide between expanding to Location A (high rent, skilled workforce) or Location B (low rent, requires training employees). What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
This considers the strategic impact beyond immediate costs. Even with higher rent, a skilled workforce and better market access can generate higher returns, making growth potential the primary criterion.

Question 4

Decision: Hospital choosing between specialized cancer center or expanded general services Considering all stakeholder impacts, what is the most ethical and practical approach?
Greatest good for greatest number - 10,000 patients vs 500. General services impact broader community while cancer center serves niche population. This approach balances competing interests while prioritizing overall welfare.

Question 5

Situation: Business expansion decision for cash-strapped startup with limited runway (6 months of cash left) Considering risk assessment, what is the most appropriate decision?
With only 6 months runway, survival is priority. Maintaining current operations gives 90% survival chance with minimal investment, avoiding overextension risk.

Question 6

Scenario: Choosing a location for new factory Criteria weights: Labor costs (25%), Logistics (25%), Tax incentives (20%), Skilled workforce (20%), Energy costs (10%) Scores: Location X: 8/7/9/6/8, Location Y: 6/8/7/9/7, Location Z: 7/9/6/8/9 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
X=2.0+1.75+1.8+1.2+0.8=7.55; Y=1.5+2.0+1.4+1.8+0.7=7.4; Z=1.75+2.25+1.2+1.6+0.9=7.7. Location Z scores highest.

Question 7

Decision: Company considering automation that will eliminate 200 jobs but increase efficiency by 40% Considering all stakeholder impacts, what is the most ethical and practical approach?
Balances efficiency gains with social responsibility. Saves 100 jobs while improving efficiency, providing transition support for affected workers. This approach balances competing interests while prioritizing overall welfare.

Question 8

Situation: You're the captain of a ship that hits an iceberg. You have 30 minutes before sinking. 100 passengers, lifeboats capacity 80. What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
In maritime emergencies, traditional protocol prioritizes vulnerable populations. This maintains order, maximizes survival of those with least chance of self-rescue.

Question 9

Situation: Factory fire with 50 workers inside. You can either: try to extinguish fire (30% success, 10 minutes, saves all) or evacuate (100% success, 5 minutes, saves 40 workers). What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
Expected value: Extinguish = 50×0.3 = 15 expected saved; Evacuate = 40 guaranteed saved. Guarantee of 40 saved is better than 15 expected.

Question 10

Situation: A government agency needs to allocate limited disaster relief funds between flood-prone and earthquake-prone regions. What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
Risk assessment should prioritize areas with highest probability of imminent disaster, as prevention is more effective than post-disaster relief.

Question 11

Situation: Business expansion decision for cash-strapped startup with limited runway (6 months of cash left) Considering risk assessment, what is the most appropriate decision?
With only 6 months runway, survival is priority. Maintaining current operations gives 90% survival chance with minimal investment, avoiding overextension risk.

Question 12

Decision: Outsource manufacturing or build in-house facility? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
Outsource: guaranteed 300 cost savings. In-house: 70% chance of 500 savings, 30% chance of 100 loss → EV=350-30=320. Outsourcing gives guaranteed savings with lower risk.

Question 13

Situation: Factory fire with 50 workers inside. You can either: try to extinguish fire (30% success, 10 minutes, saves all) or evacuate (100% success, 5 minutes, saves 40 workers). What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
Expected value: Extinguish = 50×0.3 = 15 expected saved; Evacuate = 40 guaranteed saved. Guarantee of 40 saved is better than 15 expected.

Question 14

Decision: Pharmaceutical company setting price for life-saving drug Considering all stakeholder impacts, what is the most ethical and practical approach?
Balances profit motive with access to medicine. Differentiated pricing maximizes revenue while ensuring affordability in developing nations. This approach balances competing interests while prioritizing overall welfare.

Question 15

Scenario: Selecting a candidate for promotion Criteria weights: Technical skills (30%), Leadership (30%), Experience (25%), Cultural fit (15%) Scores: Candidate P: 9/7/8/8, Candidate Q: 7/9/7/7, Candidate R: 8/8/9/9 Based on weighted multi-criteria evaluation, which option should be selected?
P=2.7+2.1+2.0+1.2=8.0; Q=2.1+2.7+1.75+1.05=7.6; R=2.4+2.4+2.25+1.35=8.4. Candidate R scores highest across all criteria.

Question 16

Situation: A student needs to choose between two summer programs: Program A costs $2000, lasts 6 weeks, and provides college credit. Program B costs $1200, lasts 4 weeks, and offers internship experience. What should be the primary criterion for this decision?
This addresses the fundamental value proposition of each program's outcomes. College credit provides long-term academic value, while internship offers immediate practical experience. The choice depends on career goals, making this the primary criterion.

Question 17

Situation: Factory fire with 50 workers inside. You can either: try to extinguish fire (30% success, 10 minutes, saves all) or evacuate (100% success, 5 minutes, saves 40 workers). What is the best decision in this emergency situation?
Expected value: Extinguish = 50×0.3 = 15 expected saved; Evacuate = 40 guaranteed saved. Guarantee of 40 saved is better than 15 expected.

Question 18

Decision: Outsource manufacturing or build in-house facility? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
Outsource: guaranteed 300 cost savings. In-house: 70% chance of 500 savings, 30% chance of 100 loss → EV=350-30=320. Outsourcing gives guaranteed savings with lower risk.

Question 19

Decision: Invest in R&D for new product or improve existing product? Based on expected value analysis, what is the optimal strategy?
New product: 30% success → 500 profit, 70% failure → -200 loss = EV = 150-140=10. Improve existing: 80% success → 200 profit, 20% no gain = EV=160. Existing product improvement has higher EV.

Question 20

Situation: A professional can either: take a promotion with 20% raise but 10 hours more work weekly, or start a side business with potential for 50% income increase but high failure risk Considering opportunity costs, what is the best choice?
Promotion offers guaranteed 20% raise with known trade-offs. Side business has high failure risk (typically 50%+). The opportunity cost of not taking promotion is guaranteed income loss for uncertain gain.
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