Group discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT) are an integral part of the MBA/PGDM admission process. It is crucial to know what to say and what NOT to say during a GD and PI. The same goes for WAT. MBA aspirants should know what to write and how to write in 250-300 words within 20 minutes.
Over the last few years, the top IIMs have done away with GD and WAT has gained prominence. Most of the top B-schools conduct Essay Writing round as well to judge candidate's ability to communicate with a group of people in a lucid manner. However, the new IIMs conduct GD for selection of candidates. Many other top MBA colleges also conduct the GD round so work on your communication skills.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.Admission process has started at many MBA colleges. Those who have made it to the PI shortlist must prepare for WAT/GD and PI without wasting any time. Shiksha brings to you 13 must-do things to crack GD-PI-WAT rounds of top MBA colleges in India.
Q: Which CAT exam slot is the toughest?
Q: How to prepare for CAT?
Preparing for the Common Admission Test CAT can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and study plan, it is possible to succeed.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for CAT:
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus of CAT thoroughly. The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
- Make a Study Plan: Once you understand the exam pattern and syllabus, make a study plan that works best for you. Allocate time for each section, and include time for revision, practice tests, and solving previous year's question papers.
- Strengthen Your Basics: CAT is a test of your fundamental concepts in Mathematics, English and Logical Reasoning. Hence, focus on building a strong foundation by revising and practicing the basic concepts.
- Read and Analyze: To improve your Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, start reading newspapers, magazines, and books regularly. Analyze the content, style, and tone of the passages to gain a better understanding of the language.
- Practice Regularly: Practice is the key to success in CAT. Solve as many practice tests and previous year's question papers as possible to get familiar with the exam pattern and build your speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: CAT is a time-bound exam, and time management is crucial. Practice solving questions within the stipulated time frame to build your speed and accuracy.
- Join a Coaching Institute: If you find it challenging to prepare for CAT on your own, consider joining a coaching institute that offers specialised coaching for CAT. They will provide you with a structured study plan, guidance, and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.
Remember, consistency, and dedication are key to success in CAT. Keep practicing and working hard, and you will achieve your goal.
Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2024, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2022 and CAT 2023 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.
The most important things to keep in mind are:
- CAT exam mode is online
- Each question carries three marks
- There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts
The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:
- Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high
13 Must-Do Things to Crack GD-PI-WAT
MBA Personal Interview (PI)
1. It is okay to say ‘I don't know' in an MBA interview, instead of answering a question without any knowledge about the topic (read bluffing). Be humble and state that you don't have much knowledge of the topic.
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2. Here’s the classic opening question in a PI – ‘Tell me something about yourself’. Answer to this question usually leads to the next question. Typically, one should talk very briefly about family, education, career goals, hobbies, and interests. Do not talk a lot about the past. Briefly refer to past education, life journey, and future plans.
3. Another common question is, ‘Why do you want to do an MBA?’ Answer such questions keeping in mind the holistic development you’ll get during MBA and acquisition of skills for life long success in personal and domestic space. Remember, post an MBA, one lands a job in corporate organisation where there are opportunities of rapid career growth along with high monetary returns. But at the same time, management as a career, is also a challenging profession.
Q: Is CAT exam tough for an average student?
CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?
Q: Why is CAT considered a difficult MBA entrance exam?
Q: When should I start preparing for CAT exam?
Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not.
Divide your preparation into two phases -
- Covering the CAT syllabus
- Practicing mock tests, sample questions and revision.
The CAT syllabus includes the following topics:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences, Questions based on passages, para meaning, order of sentences
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism
- Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Arithmetic, Mensuration.
You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation:
- CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha
- Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
- 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/ Simon and Schuster
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha.
Q: Can I prepare for CAT within 3 months?
4. One more common interview question is – ‘Where do you see yourself five years from now?’ While answering this, focus on skills development, increased responsibility while highlighting your goals as achievements. But do not say I want to become VP or General Manager or something similar.
Also Read: Top questions asked in Personal Interview (PI)
MBA Group Discussion
5. For preparation of GD topics read newspapers regularly so that you don't fall short of knowledge on current affairs. You must have complete information on political, economic, social and Science & Tech issues of the recent times.
6. Enter the group discussion at the right point i.e. when others are taking a small pause or have completed their point which you can counter or elaborate upon. Be loud and assertive but be polite in explaining your points.
7. It is not necessary to arrive at a consensus during a GD. Candidates can have different opinions but what is important is concluding the discussion with convincing points and with civility.
8. Do not try to prove others wrong in a GD. Just remember it is not a debate but a group discussion and everyone has the right to their opinion.
9. While participating in a GD, focus on the following:
- Content
- Team approach
- Leadership skills
- Communication skills
- Analytical & logical reasoning
10. Ensure participation by showing maturity and putting up relevant points. Build your arguments with facts, figures and situations. Keep a logical approach throughout the GD. It becomes easy to build on other's arguments and conclude.
Also Read: 80+ Trending GD Topics for MBA
Written Ability Test
11. WAT topics can be as abstract as ‘describe the colour blue and pink’ or more substantiative like 'hard work or smart work' to something more focused on current trends. So keep reading the news, latest social trends and articles on India’s growth stories. Read philosophical books and articles. Do not forget to read editorial sections of newspapers daily.
Also Read:
12. This essay writing round tests the candidate’s written ability, knowledge of the topic, understading of the topic and clarity of thoughts. So, practice writing short essays with a proper- beginning, middle and end. Practice how to put your thoughts in a words in logical and lucid manner.
13. While preparing for the WAT or the essay round, refer to available textbooks and guides. But the daily practice is the key here.
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Important FAQs Related to GD-PI-WAT
Q: What is WAT?
Q: What kind of questions are asked in the WAT round?
Q: How can I approach the WAT topic?
Q: How can I prepare for a GD?
Q: What kind of questions will be asked in a GD?
Q: How can I perform well in a GD?
Q: Is it important to give an opinion during GD?
Q: What should I carry to a Personal Interview?
Q: How to handle a tough question at a Personal Interview?
Q: Why do I need to have a resume to an MBA interview?
Q: How do I conclude the MBA interview?
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Yes, students with 80% and above in CAT are eligible for a waiver of INR 3.50 Lacs at Jaipuria Institute of Management Noida. The total course fee for PGDM is INR 15.75 lakh. After waiver, students have to pay INR 12.25 Lacs as PGDM fee.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Jaipuria Noida considers CAT score for scholarship to PGDM Marketing Management students. Below is the criteria and fee after waiver for PGDM:
| Course | Criteria | Fee After Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| PGDM Marketing Management | 80% & above | INR 12.25 lakh |
| PGDM Marketing Management | 70% & above | INR 13.25 lakh |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Students with 90 percentile and above in CAT are eligible for 50% fee waiver. The total tuition fee for MBA is INR 6.97 lakh. MBA students need to pay INR 3.48 Lacs after waiver for the course. The waiver is offered on the total tuition fee of MBA.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
14 candidates have scored 100 percentile in CAT 2024, out of a total of 2.93 Lacs candidates. Out of 14 toppers, 1 is a woman candidate. Check below CAT 2024 result data:
Check the below table for data and statistics of CAT 2024 test takers and toppers.
| CAT Toppers | Gender and Discipline | State |
|---|---|---|
| 100 percentiles 14 - Nos | Female - 1 Male - 13 Engg – 13 Non-Engg – 1 | Andhra Pradesh 1 Delhi 2 Haryana 1 Kerala 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Rajasthan 1 Telangana 2 |
| 99.99 percentiles 29 -Nos. | Female - 2 Male - 27 Engg – 25 Non-Engg - 4 | Chandigarh 1 Delhi 4 Gujarat 2 Haryana 1 Karnataka 3 Kerala 1 Madhya Pradesh 1 Maharashtra 5 Odisha 1 Punjab 1 Rajasthan 3 Tamil Nadu 1 Telangana 1 Uttar Pradesh1 Uttarakhand 1 West Bengal 2 |
| 99.98 percentiles 30-Nos | Female - 1 Male - 29 Engg – 20 Non-Engg -10 | Bihar 1 Delhi 2 Gujarat 2 Haryana 4 Karnataka 4 Madhya Pradesh 3 Maharashtra 3 Tamil Nadu 2 Telangana 3 Uttar Pradesh 2 West Bengal 4 |
A
Beginner-Level 1
Answered Yesterday
The HCL Career Aptitude Test is part of the TechBee programme for students who have completed their Class XII. The test dates are announced every year and the candidates are communicated on the registered email address itself.
The HCL TechBee CAT has been scheduled on November 14 for batch 1 of the y
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The total tuition fee for NIMS University MBA course is INR 4 lakh. Students who have passed CAT get 100% waiver in tuition fee for both years only if they secure 90 percentile and above in the exam. For such students, the tuition fee for each year is not applicable.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Students who have secured 90 percentile and above in CAT are eligible for NIMS University scholarship for MBA students. Under this scholarship, students get a 100% waiver on the total tuition fee applicable for two-years. After waiver, student do not have to pay any tuition fee in both the years.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Saintgits Institute of Management offers MBA based on valid entrance exam scores. The Institute accepts minimum aggregate of 60% in graduation and valid scores in accepted entrance exams. Saintgits Institute of Management accepts entrance exam scores of CAT/ MAT/ XAT/ CMAT etc. Apart from this, cand
U
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
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Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
A candidate who scores just 20 on the percentile scale in CAT, hence, will find it really difficult to get admission for MBA programs to any top part of the elite business schools, for all these institutes have put a very high cut-off percentage on a general basis in the range of 85 to 99 percentile
U
Contributor-Level 10
Is 80% in CAT enough for PGDM scholarship at Jaipuria Noida?