MBA season is here! Students are gearing up for the intense MBA admissions process to crack their dream MBA College. The process across all major IIMs and other B-schools is pretty much standard now. WAT has recently been incorporated by some of the major colleges to replace Group Discussions. But certain colleges are still conducting GDs.The goal is this article is to break down what WAT is, the types of topics generally given, how you can ace WAT, and the 75+ WATs you can take to prepare! Let’s start!
Admissions = Group Discussion + Written Assessment Test + Personal Interview
What is WAT? | BreakdownAs the name suggests, WAT is a written test where students are given a specific topic to write about. Here’s a breakdown of the test:
Time Limit: 10-20 minutes
Sequence: Before the personal interview
Weightage: 10-20%
Scoring Parameters: Written communication, articulation, analytical ability, problem-solving, grammar etc.
Types of WAT TopicsThere is no fixed WAT topic for all students. Even the types of WAT topics could be different on different days. For example, on day 1 of admissions, the students might be given a business problem to write about and on another day they could be asked to write their thoughts on abstract topics.Here’s a list of different types of WAT topics to help you:
Abstract: Topics like peer pressure, freedom is a myth etc.
Philosophical: Topics like are we in a simulation, meaning of life, Ship of Theseus etc.
Current Affairs: Topics like the rise of crypto-currencies, Plus one, the third wave etc.
Business Problems: Topics like managing a remote workforce, building loyalty etc.
Social & Cultural: Topics like gender pay-gap, climate change, cultural identity etc.
Do note that these are just mere examples to give you an idea of each topic type. Prepare for WATs by taking these free 75+ WATs!Over 80% of students enrolled for InsideIIM's MBA Admissions Bootcamp converted their best b-school calls from institutes like. If you're looking to convert your interview call this admissions season, sign up now for Season 2 of the MBA Admissions Bootcamp - WATPI Edge!WAT Writing Tips | Writing a kick-ass submissionHere are some tips or general directions you can follow to make a kick-ass submission:
Start with a hook: Every great video/article starts with a hook. The goal is to capture the reader’s attention in the first few lines. Readers should feel excited reading your submission.
Use data: If you can back your argument or opinion with relevant facts and data. Using data helps strengthen your opinion and make your case to the reader.
Break text in points: Ask yourself do you want to read big paragraphs or individual points? It’s good to break your submission into different paragraphs and use sub-headings as well as bullet points to convey your message.
Add your personal story: This one is tricky. If you’re given a topic where you have to make a strong argument you can also share personal anecdotes to make the submission interesting and showcase your personal side to the reader. As I said this one is tricky and might only work with certain topics. If you’re unsure it’s better to avoid.
Always conclude: Make sure you conclude the submission. The conclusion should be concise and should act as a final verdict.
Proofread: Make sure before submitting you proofread your submission to avoid grammatical mistakes.
Bonus Hack | Admissions Prep BootcampMBA Admissions Bootcamp: If you need help for your WAT-PI prep you can checkout-InsideIIM’s MBA Admissions Bootcamp. You’ll get 5 live mock interviews, 5+ live sessions, study material like current affair topics and much more.ConclusionHope this article gives you a good idea on how to prepare for your MBA admission process. You can also check out our interview preparation guide as well. If you liked the article do drop a like and share your thoughts/suggestions in the comment section below. If you want to connect, you can reach out to me on LinkedIn.All the best!