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Writer's pictureAmeya Agrawal

How to Prepare for WAT (Writing Ability Test) For IIMs




Writing Ability Test (WAT) is a test that assesses a person's ability to write effectively. It is commonly used as part of the admissions process for graduate programs, such as MBA programs, to evaluate an applicant's writing skills and to determine their suitability for the program.



A Writing Ability Test typically consists of a prompt or question that the applicant must respond to in writing. The prompt may be general, asking the applicant to discuss a particular topic or issue, or it may be more specific, asking them to analyze a particular situation or problem.

The applicant is typically given a certain amount of time to complete the test, and their response is then evaluated by a panel of judges or experts. The response is typically graded on several factors, including grammar and punctuation, clarity and coherence, and overall effectiveness in communicating the applicant's ideas.


More and more MBA schools are now replacing the Group Discussions with WAT ( Writing Ability Test)

Because, it was observed that not everyone is comfortable in talking and expressing their points in a crowded or loud environment and no matter what, those candidates who are loud or dominating prevents other from sharing their points of view

Overall, a Writing Ability Test is a way for organizations to assess an applicant's writing skills, thought process and to determine whether they have the potential to succeed in a particular program or field.


It is utmost important to know well in advance if your WAT exam will be conducted on computer or using a Pen and Paper.

Some candidates are comfortable typing on computer as it allows cut, copy,paste while some prefer pen and paper.

You need to practice accordinly so that you get comfortable with the mode of exam. You can ask this information directly to the admissions team and also get a clarification if basic edit and cut copy paste functionalities will be available. These functions comes in handy if you have a change in thought during writing and need to move entire sentences or paragraph to suit the flow. Using a pen and paper is tricky because you will need a solid clarity even before you start writing the first sentence.


  • You are usually supposed to write 250 to 300 words

  • Time alloted: Usually 30 mins


Is there a structure or template for writing answers for WAT?


It is not necessarily useful to follow a specific template when writing a paragraph for a Writing Ability Test because the topics can vary largely. Instead, it is more important to focus on clearly and effectively expressing your ideas in a way that is well-organized and coherent.


Make sure you have a stand in your mind regarding the prompt you received for WAT

But here is a general template to give you an idea.


  1. FIRST PARAGRAPH: START WITH TOPIC OF THE PROMPT

  2. SECOND PARAGRAPH: GIVE REFERENCES, RELEVANT FACTS AND FIGURES AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  3. THIRD PARAGRAPH: EXPLAIN THE IMPACT

  4. FOURTH PARAGRAPH: FUTURE SPECULATIONS: POSITIVES AND NEGATIVE

  5. CONCLUSION

Let us learn in detail how to structure these paragraphs.


FIRST PARAGRAPH: START WITH TOPIC OF THE PROMPT

Start with a topic sentence that clearly states the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should be the first sentence of the paragraph and should provide a general overview of what the paragraph will be about.


For example: "The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has been a controversial issue for many years.


SECOND PARAGRAPH: GIVE REFERENCES, RELEVANT FACTS AND FIGURES AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND


Provide evidence or examples to support your main idea. In this step, you should provide specific examples or evidence that support the main idea you introduced in the topic sentence.


For example: "GMOs have been shown to increase crop yields and reduce the use of pesticides, but some people are concerned about their potential negative effects on the environment and human health."


You can also provide consequence of Issue. Historical connection of issue does not mean to explain very old facts, it means how this is related and developed in last 20-30 years. Use facts, figures, statistical data,reports to strengthen the points. Reference from any Survey, Departmental reports or Research paper also will be helpful. Though you should note that you are not expected to know all the technical details.


Be sure about the facts you are stating. Don't write random numbers for facts.

THIRD PARAGRAPH: EXPLAIN THE IMPACT

Explain how this evidence relates to your main idea. In this step, you should explain how the evidence you provided in the previous step relates to the main idea of the paragraph. This will help to strengthen your argument and to provide more context for your readers.

For example: "The potential benefits of GMOs for agriculture are clear, but the potential risks need to be carefully considered as well."


You can also talk about the impacts through different perspective. It is best to consider the following perspective as you can get good content to write.


Remember the word PESTEL so you can structure your points accordingly. PESTEL is a framework used to analyze the external factors that can impact an organization or business. It stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal, and it is used to identify the key forces that are currently shaping the business environment. By considering each of these factors, we can develop strategies that are better suited to their current and future operating environments while answering our prompts.


  • Political

  • Economic

  • Social

  • Technological

  • Environmental

  • Legal

You can also write using the below perspectives.

  • Financial Impact

  • Constitutional Impact

  • Cultural/Religious Impact

  • Geographical Impact

  • Use facts, figures, statistical data, and reports to strengthen the points. Reference from any Survey, Departmental reports or Research paper also will be helpful. Any constitutional reference, mention Topic/Issue related ARTICLE Number or Chapter Number from Constitution of India and its amendments will be very good points.

FOURTH PARAGRAPH: FUTURE SPECULATIONS: POSITIVES AND NEGATIVE

So far you have taken a stand and have presented the details and even some facts about your arguement. Now it is time to balance your view points. In this paragraph you can mention about the future implication about the things you shared above.


You can also talk in a sentence about the other side of the coin. For example, if you are talking in favor of arguement, you can talk about a point in against explaining the potential drawback and then frame it in such a way how despite the minor drawback, your overall arguement still holds ground.

Makes sure that you come forward as someone who has well thought about the prompt and ain't just randomly talking in favor of your stand.

You can follow a analytical or critical approach. Remember the word SCAMPER


SCAMPER is a brainstorming technique that can help you generate ideas for writing. To use it, first consider the topic or argument that you need to write about. Then, go through each letter of the acronym SCAMPER and use it as a prompt to come up with ideas related to your topic:

  • Substitute: What could be substituted in the argument to make it more interesting or effective?

  • Combine: How could the different parts of the argument be combined to create a new perspective?

  • Adapt: How could the argument be adapted to a different audience or context?

  • Modify: What modifications could be made to the argument to make it stronger or clearer?

  • Put to another use: How could the argument be used in a different way than it is currently being used?

  • Eliminate: What parts of the argument are unnecessary or could be removed?

  • Reverse: How could the argument be reversed or viewed from a different perspective?

Let us understand this method using an example

Suppose you are writing an argument about the importance of recycling. Using SCAMPER, you might come up with the following ideas:

  • Substitute: Instead of recycling paper, plastic, and metal, what if we focused on recycling electronic waste?

  • Combine: What if we combined recycling with composting to create a more comprehensive waste reduction program?

  • Adapt: What if we adapted the recycling program to make it more accessible to low-income communities?

  • Modify: What if we modified the recycling bins to be more user-friendly and easier to use?

  • Put to another use: What if we used the recycled materials to create art installations or public amenities?

  • Eliminate: What if we eliminated the need for people to sort their waste by implementing a single-stream recycling system?

  • Reverse: What if, instead of focusing on the benefits of recycling, we focused on the negative consequences of not recycling?

CONCLUSION


Again, this template is meant to provide a general structure that you can follow, but you should always adapt your writing to the specific prompt and topic. It is important to remember that the most important thing is to clearly and effectively express your ideas in a way that is well-organized and coherent.



What are some DOs and DON'Ts for WAT?




DOs

  • Practice writing under timed conditions to improve your speed and comfort with the time constraints of the test.

  • Make sure you create a flow in your mnd before you start writing

  • Review basic grammar and punctuation rules to ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

  • Develop your critical thinking skills to be able to analyze prompts and questions and provide well-reasoned responses.

  • Review sample prompts and questions to get a better idea of the types of questions you might be asked.

  • Get feedback on your writing from others to identify areas for improvement and to develop a more effective writing style.

  • Make sure you have atleast 5 minutes after completing the review before final submission


DON'Ts

  • Don't wait until the last minute to start practicing. It's important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare, so start practicing as soon as possible.

  • Don't start writing without deciding on a flow of your arguement

  • Don't try to memorize sample responses. It's important to practice writing, but it's equally important to develop your own unique writing style and voice.

  • Don't be afraid to take risks with your writing. A Writing Ability Test is an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities, so don't be afraid to try something new or to express your own opinions.

  • Don't be discouraged if you make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and the important thing is to learn from them and to continue improving. Keep practicing and you will see progress over time.

  • Don't write crafted numbers of facts. Make sure you write facts that you know are authentic.

  • Don't overwrite

  • Don't Overexplain

  • Don't cross the word-limit. ( A minute extension is often acceptable)


What are the types of WAT topics?

Topics in WAT could be of different types. Here is the list of expected domains and some examples on which your WAT prompt could be based upon.


Opinion-based:
  • Do you agree or disagree with the statement that technology has made us more isolated from one another?

  • Should the government be responsible for providing healthcare to all citizens?

  • In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the world today?


Philosophical:
  • What is the meaning of life?

  • How do we know what is true?

  • Is free will an illusion?


Abstract:
  • What is beauty?

  • What is time?

  • What is creativity?


Current affair-based:
  • Write a response to the recent protests in Iran

  • Discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.

  • Analyze the current state of politics due to Russia- Ukraine War


Case studies:
  • Discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the renewable energy industry.

  • Analyze the success of Apple's marketing strategies.

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to combating poverty.


Economics:
  • Discuss the role of monetary policy in managing inflation.

  • Analyze the impact of globalization on income inequality.

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to reducing the national debt.


Sports:
  • Discuss the impact of doping on professional sports.

  • Analyze the role of technology in modern sports.

  • Evaluate the impact of gender inequality in professional sports.


Some other topics could include

Social or political issues: These topics might include current events, public policy, or social issues. For example, you might be asked to write about the impact of technology on society, the role of government in healthcare, or the challenges facing the education system.

  • Business or economics: These topics might include issues related to finance, marketing, or management. For example, you might be asked to write about the challenges facing the global economy, the role of innovation in business, or the impact of globalization on the workforce.

  • Environmental or sustainability: These topics might include issues related to the natural environment, climate change, or sustainability. For example, you might be asked to write about the impact of deforestation on biodiversity, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, or the role of renewable energy in addressing climate change.

  • Science or technology: These topics might include issues related to scientific research, technological innovation, or the intersection of science and society. For example, you might be asked to write about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, the role of science in solving global challenges, or the potential impacts of space exploration on humanity.



Are there any topics that I can practice?


Below are some sample topics that you can try practicing on.

  1. Discuss the role of technology in the modern workplace.

  2. Should the government regulate the use of social media? Why or why not?

  3. The concept of "fake news" has become a hot topic in recent years. What are the implications of fake news, and how can it be addressed?

  4. Many people argue that college education is not worth the cost. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

  5. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Discuss the causes and potential solutions to this problem.

  6. The rise of the gig economy has led to a shift in the way many people work. Discuss the pros and cons of this trend.

  7. Should the government provide free college education to all citizens? Why or why not?

  8. Many people argue that standardized testing is an ineffective way to measure student performance. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

  9. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common in many industries. Discuss the potential benefits and risks of using AI.

  10. The concept of "net neutrality" has been a hot topic in recent years. What is net neutrality, and why is it important?

  11. The rise of e-commerce has had a significant impact on traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Discuss the effects of this trend and how it might continue to evolve in the future.

  12. Many people argue that the criminal justice system is biased against certain groups of people. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

  13. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has been a controversial issue for many years. Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of using GMOs.

  14. The rise of automation has led to concerns about the future of work and the potential for widespread job loss. Discuss the potential implications of this trend and how it might be addressed.

  15. IPR for life-saving drugs should be granted or not?

  16. Is the smart cities initiative in India a failure?

  17. Demographic dividend in India: Myth or Reality?

  18. Challenges to higher education in India.

  19. How National Education Policy is going to give a

  20. complete overhaul to the Indian education system?

  21. Will the reduced GST (Goods and Services Tax) aid in the faster growth of the Indian Economy?

  22. Should we be concerned about Global warming?

  23. Is banning of Pakistani actors justified?

  24. RTE (Right to education) - A boon or a curse?

  25. Is linking Aadhaar with bank accounts a good idea?

  26. Why should digital marketers care about net neutrality?

  27. Is the stock market similar to online gambling?

  28. Cashless Economy- Is India ready for it?

  29. Indian economic slowdown reasons

  30. How has technology changed the world of jobs?

  31. Reliance Jio is a sustainable business model in a country like India- agree or disagree?

  32. Ethics and Business- Is it an ideal combination?

  33. Impact of coronavirus on the tourism industry.

  34. How urgent is the requirement of bullet train services in India?

  35. Is indefinite stay orders rotting the essence of the Indian Judiciary?

  36. Does the Federal Reserve need to stop printing money because it's creating an unsustainable bubble?

  37. What can be done to reduce income inequality?

  38. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector good for India- agree or disagree?

  39. Caste-based reservation is an impediment to a casteless society.

  40. US-China Trade Talks: A political drama or renegotiation of rules of the game?

  41. Strong leaders emerge when institutions are weak. Economic growth is more important than Ecological Protection.

  42. IPR for life-saving drugs should be granted or not?

  43. Is the smart cities initiative in India a failure?

  44. Demographic dividend in India: Myth or Reality?

  45. Challenges to higher education in India..

  46. How National Education Policy is going to give a complete overhaul to the Indian education system?

  47. Will the reduced GST (Goods and Services Tax) aid in the faster growth of the Indian Economy?

  48. Should we be concerned about Global warming?

  49. Is banning of Pakistani actors justified?

  50. RTE (Right to education) - A boon or a curse?

  51. Is linking Aadhaar with bank accounts a good idea? Why should digital marketers care about net neutrality?

  52. Is the stock market similar to online gambling?

  53. Cashless Economy- Is India ready for it?

  54. Indian economic slowdown reasons

  55. How has technology changed the world of jobs?

  56. Reliance Jio is a sustainable business model in a country like India- agree or disagree?

  57. Ethics and Business- Is it an ideal combination?

  58. Impact of coronavirus on the tourism industry. How urgent ie the requirement of bullet train services

You can try practicing in the comment section below. Write the topic number and share your writing sample. Others in the community will read, get inspired and share suggestions. Let us work as a community and help each other get better at WAT
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