MBA admission 2014: How to crack WAT (Written Ability Test)?
Written Ability Test (WAT) has become an essential part of admission process in top B-Schools. It's purpose is to analyse the candidate's logical and analytical thinking, thought clarity, subject knowledge and perspective. Unlike Group Discussions (GD) where the chief aspect is speech and expression, WAT analyses written communication. WAT, an essay-writing test within a stipulated time period, can vary from 10 to 30 minutes. It could be topic-based or case-based. Right before the WAT begins, candidates are generally allowed to compose their perspectives on a rough sheet.
According to Shiksha expert Dr Sudhiranjan Dey, “WAT is something where your thinking abilities, abstraction abilities, process mindset abilities, articulation, exposure, intellect, personality and attitude is depicted through your writing. You need to list out the points on rough paper and pick them up in order to write on them with your own thinking, information known from media/sources and create a sharp, brief and solid piece conveying all that you wish to express. Your creativity, articulation and abilities to convey the message in simple but unique and accurate manner will get you greater marks.”
Here’s a look at some articles and forums that further helps us understand WAT:
1. Insite – An IIM Kashipur Students' Initiative
This page, started by IIM Kashipur students, helps with relevant content for MBA preparation. On the link below, there are 10 slide photos on understanding WAT and how to crack it. Read more.
2. Crack WAT
Write quickly and precisely, present ideas and point in different angles, avoid jargons. These are just some of the tips to crack WAT. Click here to read the entire article.
3. Tips to Prepare for Writing Ability Test
Read some more elaborate tips on how to communicate well through writing. Click here.
4. Tips to ace WAT
Topics can be related to political, economical, socio-economical, international or security issues. In some of the top B-Schools like IIM-Ahmedabad and IIM-Lucknow, candidates get five minutes time to think and then 10 minutes to pen down their thoughts on paper. Read more.
5. Written Ability Test Topics
Here, you can get an entire download on various topics, and arguments made in favour or against each topic.
