Written Ability Test

Written Ability Test (WAT) is an important part of final selection to MBA programme in IIMs and other top MBA colleges. Read below about the important details about how IIMs conduct WAT round, What are the key topics to prepare, How to score high in WAT and more

What is WAT?
WAT is a paper-pen based writing test of 15 to 30 minutes duration conducted by IIMs and other top B-schools to test your writing skills after you are shortlisted for final admission round. This test is conducted just before your personal Interview session. In fact most of the IIMs have replaced Group Discussion (GD) round by WAT in the final selection round.

All the IIMs Conduct WAT
Out of the 20 IIMs almost all of them, have replaced GD round by WAT round as their final selection process for admission to their flagship programmes. IIMs found WAT a better testing process to assess a candidate than GD as many candidates could not express their opinion and views during GD while who could speak louder made their presence felt during GD round.

In WAT round a candidate can freely put down his views and thoughts on paper coherently without fear of getting disrupted. 

Important Topics for WAT and How to prepar
Writing Ability Test (WAT) topic in an IIM or other B-school can be based on Current affairs, Business, Economics, Finance, Social or Political issues, Sports related news or could be based on abstract topics.

Topics for WAT are carefully selected to enable the candidates to express their coherent views and opinion, place the relevant data and other facts to add value to their writing. Since there are many changes in the economy, tax structure, number of things are happening around, the scope of WAT topics 2021 has also increased on such changes touching the common life.

For example, Farm Bills 2020 and Farmers’ Protests, Covid-19 impact & Vaccination, Budget 2021, National Education Policy (NEP), Recently held US Elections, Gig Economy, Demonetization, GST, Make in India, Bank Recapitalization, among others are the latest WAT topics 2021 and the candidates may be asked to write on them. 

Weightage to WAT in Final Selection
During the past few years weightage to WAT in IIMs has increased. Now WAT carries 10 to 15 percent onwards in almost all the highly ranked IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Bangalore, Lucknow and other top MBA colleges in India.

The new IIMs who have joined hands and are going through Common Admission Process (CAP) by conducting single point WAT and PI round coordinated by IIM Raipur for admission to 2021-22 batch have also increased the WAT and PI weightage to 35-40 percent.

High scores in CAT exam may not suffice to take you through the final selection process unless you have understood how to write in WAT and practiced on probable WAT topics to hone your writing skills.