Tips to Crack WAT (Written Ability Test)

By Ruchi Shrimali

Most IIMs and top B-schools in India have done away with the Group Discussion (GD) round and introduced the new Written Ability Test (WAT). The most cited reason for the switch was that WAT offered a more equitable platform to management aspirants to demonstrate their communication skills, which would not be affected by their typical personality traits.

The Written Ability Test is nothing but an essay-writing test with severe time constraints. While IIM Bangalore allows 30 minutes to put down one’s thoughts on a given topic, at IIM Lucknow you can expect to get only 15 minutes to wrap it up. And at IIM Ahmedabad, time can be as little as just 10 minutes!

Here is the weightage of WAT, PI and GD in various IIMs:

Institute Name	Interview	WAT	GD
IIM Ahmedabad	70% (PI & WAT, academic performance, work experience and extra-curricular achievements)
IIM Calcutta	44%	10%	-
IIM Raipur	30% (PI & WAT)	--	--
IIM Rohtak	30% (PI & WAT)	--	--
IIM Kozhikode	35%	20%	--
IIM Indore	35%	15%	--
IIM Lucknow	30%	10%	10%
IIM Trichy	25%	15%	--
IIM Ranchi	40% (PI & WAT)	--	--
IIM Udaipur	20%	10%	--
IIM Kashipur	30%	10%	--

 

Ability to write quickly will come in handy if you want to finish your essay in time. The only way to increase your speed is to practice, practice and practice. Tarun Mandal, who has successfully cracked CAT this year, says, “The teachers of my institute suggest that I should not stress too much about using flowery language. Instead, I should focus more on presenting as many ideas and points as I can, different angles in which I can analyse the topic, throw light on the logic behind my arguments, and rely more on correct spellings, grammar, and accuracy of information.”

Shiksha Expert Arvind Joshi asserts, “The ability to write about something within a short span of time requires a certain amount of intelligence. The brain has to assesses the relevance of the topic, then search for the data already stored within (stored earlier in the brain by way of theoretical and practical inputs), and then start making specific points to be written down on a piece of paper within the parameter of the stipulated time frame. For putting it down in writing, again, a feedback of expression, controlled by grammar and correct spellings is vital.”

Arvind Joshi’s tips for WAT:

• Write as frequently as you can. This will help you to develop your confidence.
• Increase the complexity of the topic gradually. First tackle topics that you love like cricket or movies. Then, move on to current affairs, economic policies of the country, and topics that are discussed in the editorial columns of leading Indian newspapers.
• Find a competitive study group you can interact with. This can be done online or offline. Do the first few exercises alone but later you can start discussing the subject your peers. Analyse what you have written and ideas and tips that others put forth.
• Master the art of précis writing. Take the help of your teachers and college seniors, wherever necessary.

Hitesh Gossain, alumni of IIM Ahmedabad, warns, “You must remember that in the Personal Assessment round of the top B-schools, the essay you write in the WAT is often a precursor to some of the questions during the Personal Interview (PI). Hence, it will be a good idea to write only what you are confident about or you can readily defend.”

He also advises, “One should try to avoid jargons and try to capture the examiner’s attention with an interesting first line. Keep sentences short and be wary of preaching. Use active verbs in the sentence structure to keep up the reader’s interest. If you do offer to point out your weakness, make sure that you give them a positive twist to show how you overcame it.”

Arun Dev, another Shiksha expert, points out, “There is no specific word limit in WAT generally. What you write and how you write in the given time frame is important." However, IIM Calcutta did have a maximum limit of 200 words last year.

Arun Dev’s tips for WAT:

• Express subject knowledge clearly. The thoughts and ideas should not be jumbled up.
• Any opinions and ideas that you express must be supplemented with adequate logic, examples, data and facts.
• Ensure that your essay has a proper structure with introduction, main body and conclusion. Also pay attention to your grammar and spellings.
• Make sure that your handwriting is legible.
• Present your thoughts succinctly and do not beat around the bush.
• Present the most important points early on. Ability to think fast will be appreciated in WAT.

Here is a list of WAT topics from last year that you can refer to for practice:

Institute Name	WAT Topics 2012
IIM Ahmedabad	In today’s world, business and ethics don’t go hand in hand. How does corruption affect the society in general?
IIM Bangalore	Foreign coaches are white elephants for Indian sports.
IIM Calcutta	Enrollment in schools is increasing in India but India ranks second last in reading and Math abilities. How do you explain it?
IIM Lucknow	Advertising is legalised lying.
IIM Kozhikode	Contentment is a natural wealth and luxury is artificial poverty.
IIM Indore	MBAs are suited to family-managed businesses, not professional organisations.
Common Admission Process for new IIMs	European economic crisis will adversely affect Indian economy.

 

In the end, here’s a quick tip from Shiksha expert Dr Sudhiranjan Dey, “ It would be wise to make a list of your points on rough paper quickly, and then pick them up in correct order while supplementing them with correct information and your ideas.”

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Best of Luck!