Clearing the GD-WAT-PI rounds is necessary for MBA admission as the final selection is done on the basis of an aspirant's performance in these. Read here 14 parameters on which candidates are judged in GD-WAT-PI rounds of MBA colleges.
Parameters For GDPI Rounds for MBA Admissions: Many candidates prepare well for Group Discussion (GD), Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), but fail to make it to their dream B-School. Why does it happen? When a candidate appears for the GD-WAT-PI, they must keep in mind that they are being judged not only on their entrance exam score but also on what they have learned throughout their academic and professional journey as well as their personality traits which will make them good or a bad manager.
A candidate's body language, communication ability, team spirit, convincing ability, opinions, knowledge, and general behaviour are the key aspects that are evaluated during the GD-PI-WAT round. One must be humble, likeable, knowledgeable and ambitious to be a good manager. MBA colleges too look for these qualities in their prospective students. To help candidates understand the GD-PI-WAT session better and prepare accordingly, Shiksha has prepared a list of 14 parameters on which they are judged in GD-WAT-PI.
Also Read: MBA Admission 2026: Application deadlines of top B-Schools
14 Parameters on Which You are Judged During GD/WAT/PI
Communication Skills
In GD-PI, one of the most important things that are noticed is your communication skills. In a GD, not only should you put your point across with clarity, but also assertively yet politely. Make sure that you are loud enough to be heard by everyone, but do not shout or be rude while conveying your thoughts. In the PI, be humble, soft-spoken and honest. Always remember that the interviewers know more than you.
Written Ability Test
Lately, many B-schools have started conducting Written Ability Test (WAT). WAT is a round where candidates are judged on their writing skills. Since many candidates are good at expressing their thoughts verbally but their writing skill is not so strong, clearing this round becomes a challenge for them. When appearing for WAT, candidates must ensure that what they write should make sense, and most importantly, it must be grammatically correct. Try writing in short sentences, and don't use heavy words without knowing their meaning or usage. Add data and facts to make your essay convincing.
Subject Knowledge
Another crucial parameter on which a candidate is judged in GD, WAT and PI is subject knowledge. Whether appearing in a GD, WAT or PI, it is extremely important to have subject knowledge of the topic. Interviewers not only expect a candidate to speak or write, but they look for a matter that makes sense – this can only happen if you are well aware of the topic that is provided during the GD-WAT.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.
On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Listening Power
In a GD, it is important to speak and put forth your views, but it is equally important to listen to others. This is one parameter that several candidates fail at. In an attempt to display their knowledge, they forget to listen to others. This may be dangerous because if you haven't heard the argument correctly, you will end up countering it incorrectly too.
Attitude
Always remember that your attitude will make a huge difference in GD-PI. Stay positive and show your positive personality. Be kind enough to give others a chance to speak and when putting forth your views, be polite. Do not let others have an impression about you are rude or arrogant.
Way of Presenting Views
You must be careful about how you present your views. It must appear that the point that is being discussed in the GD is relevant and makes sense. Many candidates know what to talk about or write, but they do not know how to present it. Also, when appearing for WAT, the thought process must be presented linearly, so that it makes sense. Scattered thoughts will only confuse the examiner.
Interaction Skills
It is very important to interact with your fellow mates, and if needed, with the examiner too. Use your interactive skills and start the discussion. Also, when attempting WAT, write as if you are interacting with the reader. This will help you in presenting your thoughts effortlessly, and at the same time, will make it simple for the examiner to understand your thought process.
Also Read:
- Scored low in CAT? Don't fret. You can still get a good college
- How to get direct admission in top MBA colleges without CAT?
- How to get direct admissions without entrance exams
Confidence
Being confident will help you reach great heights. If you have a valid point but you do not put it across confidently, you might fail to earn a brownie point there. On the other hand, if you speak with confidence, you will be noticed and people will be interested in listening to what you have to say.
Decision-Making Ability
Candidates who possess decision-making ability are sure to mark an impression on the examiner. At any given point of time, the examiner might expect a decision from you. If you do not know how to make a decision, you might fumble and miss out on the chance of making it to the next round.
Problem Solving Ability
Group Discussion and WAT are all about testing a candidate’s problem-solving ability. The examiner will lay utmost focus on how you respond to a particular situation. The problem put in front of you needs to be comprehended well to draw the right inference.
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Leadership Skills
When participating in a GD, it is important to lead the discussion. This will give the interviewer an impression that you are well aware of the topic that needs to be discussed. Driving the discussion is a good idea, but make sure that you appear as a leader and not a dominator.
Critical Thinking Ability
Your ability to think rationally to understand or solve a problem is one of the parameters that is judged by the examiner during GD/WAT-PI. A candidate must have the ability to understand the logical connection between the ideas that are being presented and should identify the significance of ideas to succeed in GD-WAT-PI.
Analytical Thinking
A candidate must possess the quality of analytical thinking. For any given topic, the candidate must first gather information (using his/her GK skills), identify the issues and problems that need to be spoken about and organize the information in a systematic form.
Open-mindedness
It is good to have a point of view, but at the same time, it is also important for the candidate to be open to new ideas and views too. Also, one of the qualities of a good candidate is to accept what is right with a positive approach.
When it is time for you to appear in the GD-WAT-PI, keep in mind the above-mentioned parameters on which you will be judged.
Preparation Tips for Crack GD/PI at Top MBA Colleges
MBA is a long journey. It is beyond just getting a high percentile in an MBA entrance exam, such as CAT. To prepare for the GD PI round, students should have strong knowledge of current affairs, self awareness and communication skills.Students should thoroughly analyse their resume, and the answers they give should not sound scripted. Students should begin working on GD preparation as soon as they give the entrance exams. Students should know their core subjects especially if they come from a BTech or commerce background.
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Saumya Jain is an English Literature graduate from the University of Delhi. She has over 8 years of editorial and content writing experience. At Shiksha.com, she has spent more than six years creating research, stud
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