1|Page

CONTENTS
WAT Preparation .................................................................................................................................... 3
WAT Topics ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Analytical Topics from previous years WAT process ....................................................................... 4
Expected Topics on Current Affairs: .................................................................................................. 6
Expected Questions for PI ...................................................................................................................... 9

2|Page

WAT Preparation
Here are some pointers which might be helpful for the Written Ability Test
For Analytical Topics
1) Like all essays you have written in the past, a proper and well thought out
introduction is the key to grabbing the attention of the reader. Make your
introduction an abstract of the body, i.e., an indicative structure of the content.
2) State each of your points in one paragraph each. Structuring and articulating your
point is what fetches you marks.
3) Structure is the key to scoring points on the WAT. There are multiple formats you
can follow to structure your answer. A widely accepted structure is the SER model.
a. State the point,
b. Explain/Justify your point with examples and anecdotes
c. Re-state the point with the summary.
4) State your points in the order of their importance as perceived by you. So the most
appealing points needs to come before any of the other.
5) The conclusion should be a summing up of all the points provided and may contain
an inference.
For Abstract topics
1) Follow a model of analysing the topic from the obvious point of view. Then move to
various other points of view (e.g. if you were writing about the colour black, you can
start by stating that it is not a colour at all but a state of a body absorbing all
radiation, and then move on to the connotative and denotative meaning of the
colour).
2) Make sure to have an appealing introduction and conclusion.
For Argumentative topics
1) It is imperative that you provide points both for and against the motion of the topic.
2) The overall view that you have of the topic is the focal point of your analysis.
3) Provided you can provide some very insightful reason so as to stick with one side of
the argument, you may state your side and justify your arguments in detail.
For all topics
1) Please do not sermonize, or give normative, philosophical commentaries. The
expectation from the article is an objective analysis of the facts.
2) You may generate ideas using the PESTEL model, i.e. look at the Political, Economic,
Scientific, Environmental and Legal implications of the issue at hand. Please note not
all topics will have all the implications, but try observing from all points of view.
3) Please try and make your handwriting as legible as possible.
3|Page

4) Practice some topics across the broad array of genres, the more you practice the
better you get at articulating your points.
5) Your time is limited for the WAT, so please make your write-up as brief and content
laden as possible without having to leave the content looking unfinished. Time
management is crucial. You may to have omit some points of discussion, so please
make sure you state the most forceful points/analyses.
The above is only indicative and it is not an exhaustive preparation manual.

WAT Topics
Analytical Topics from previous years WAT process
1. News channels are repeating shows / debates on same event hour after hour.
What can be the reason?
2. How advertising affects voters perception?
3. Notice period for employees before quitting job is one of the highest in India as
compared to rest of the world. In the current scenario, when its easier for
companies to find and train replacements, such long notice periods are now under
consideration. What are your views on it?
4. What are the problems arising due to increasing Illiteracy rates? What measures
can government take to check it?
5. Criminalization of Politics with so many criminals being selected. How can we stop
it?
6. How modern day technology is impacting family relationships i.e. family members
living at far/distant places?
8. Essay on Drought, and how to tackle it in India, role of Government and nongovernment Organizations.
9. Should we invest on health education or on health drugs and how?
10. Future families will be disconnected across much geography but connected
through electronic media. What in your opinion will be the effect of this on family
life?
4|Page

11. Foreign language versus local language being taught in Indian schools.
12. Is there a need for Human Intervention to preserve nature and wildlife? What
steps should government take to preserve natural resources?
13. Current lifestyle reason for rising depression and feelings of dread in youth. What
is your viewpoint on it?
14. Indias 1.2 billion population is an asset for the country. Comment on it.
15. Corruption is the root cause of current economic and social woes in India.
Comment on it.
16. India has more skilled Human Resource. Comment.
17. IS FDI in multi brand retail a boon or bane?
18. Business and ethics don't go hand in hand these days. Comment.
19. Essay on Financial crisis in Europe.
20. Essay on Women's Reservation Bill.
21. Essential services like water, electricity should not be privatized. Comment.
22. Essay on Corporate Social Responsibility.
23. Discuss the role of Public Private Partnership in India's Economic Growth.
24. Voting should be made compulsory. Comment.
25. IIMs should make one year of social service compulsory for all students.
Comment.
26. Role of women in socio-economic growth of the country.
27. Lack of transparency and corruption make India a difficult place for business.
28. Education is the best weapon to change the world.

5|Page

Expected Topics on Current Affairs:

Make in India

Suggested Readings:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/gestepahead/building/article/make-in-india-from-vision-to-reality1285615-12.html
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/opinion-on-make-in-india-campaign/article6736040.ece
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/et-500-will-the-make-inindia-dream-turn-into-reality/articleshow/49515928.cms

Net Neutrality

Suggested Readings:

http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/net-neutrality-in-india-licensing-to-zero-ratingsits-a-complicated-debate/
http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/what-is-net-neutrality-and-why-it-is-important-in-india262120.html
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/net-neutrality-debate-facebook-shuts-downfree-basics-in-india/articleshow/50950026.cms

Digital India: A distant dream or achievable reality?

Suggested Readings:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34865080
http://yourstory.com/2015/07/digital-india-narendra-modi/
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/With-40-illiterate-populace-digitalisation-distantdream/articleshow/47965544.cms

6|Page

The rise of Start-ups in India: A bubble in the making?

Suggested Readings:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/is-the-bubble-bursting-for-indias-onlinestart-ups/articleshow/49877963.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Is-it-the-end-of-bubble-for-overvalued-Indianonline-startups/articleshow/49887161.cms

Relevance of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan & Swachh Bharat Cess

Suggested Readings:
http://www.firstpost.com/business/to-make-india-clean-modis-swach-bharat-dream-needs-adesignated-organization-2506248.html
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-04/news/52428601_1_sanitation-drinkingwater-ldcs
http://taxguru.in/service-tax/swachh-bharat-cess-sbc-india.html

Negative Interest Rates in Japan

Suggested Readings:

http://www.vox.com/2016/1/29/10868604/japan-negative-interest-rates
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/13/upshot/negative-interest-rates-are-spreading-across-theworld-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html?_r=0
http://www.bloombergview.com/quicktake/negative-interest-rates

Chinese Stock Market Crash and its impact on India

Suggestive Readings:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/omkar-goswami-what-china-s-market-crashmeans-for-india-115082701311_1.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/business/monday-mayhem-10-things-to-know-about-indianmarkets-crash/story-mAQJlFbMptL8ltbGSzqIjM.html
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/dark-clouds-over-chinese-economy-world-wide-impact-andwhat-it-means-for-india-1188368.html
7|Page

US Fed rates hikes and its impact on India

Suggested Readings:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/effects-of-past-us-fed-interestrate-increases-offer-guide-to-future-risks/articleshow/50265367.cms
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world-news/see-one-fed-hike16-lift-off-timing-was-rightkaushik-basu_5446081.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/business/historic-fed-rate-hike-made-in-us-felt-in-india/storyYRLlvcjCx78w0soEBFX6EI.html

Indias Monetary Policy

Suggested Readings

http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/monetary-policy-a-13-year-debate-on-unshackling-thereserve-bank/
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/government-rbi-sign-pact-to-target-cpi-at4/article6950836.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/going-beyond-inflation-targeting/article7550932.ece

Current Rates:
Policy Repo Rate: 6.75%
Reverse Repo Rate: 5.75%
Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 7.75%
Bank Rate: 7.75%
Cash Reserve Ration (CRR): 4%
Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): 21.5%

8|Page

Expected Questions for PI

General
1.
2.
3.
4.

Tell us something about yourself.

Tell us about an instance when you handled crisis.
What differentiates a manager from a leader?
Who is your role model?

MBA
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Why do you want to pursue MBA?

Which specialisation will you choose, and why so?
Why MBA after engineering?
Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?
Why MBA without work-ex? (for freshers)
Dont you think you can go up the ladder without an MBA degree?
Which colleges (apart from New IIMs) have shortlisted you?
If you convert more than one call, which college will you choose?

Activities and Interests

1. What do you like doing in leisure time?
2. How do your hobbies relate to your career goals?
3. Why dont you pursue your hobbies as a career option?

Strengths and Weakness

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Give examples of your strength.
Why should you select you?
How are you different from other candidates?
What have you done to overcome your weakness?

9|Page

Academics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What are your favourite subjects?

Questions on core subjects of graduation.
Tell us about your final year project.
What difficulties did you face while working on the project?
Why are your academic scores low?

Work Experience
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Questions on the company you are working for.

Questions on the industry of your company.
What is your role at your workplace?
What is the business impact of your work?
What have you learnt from your work?
What motivates you to go to office daily?
What challenges have you faced at your workplace?

Achievements and Failures

1.
2.
3.
4.

Tell us about an instance when you failed.

How did you handle failure?
What did you learn from failure?
What is the biggest achievement of your life?

To have insights on dos and donts of the personal interview and how to approach
the Why MBA and Tell us something about yourself questions, please read our PI
preparation article here: http://insideiim.com/iim-rohtak-watpi-preparationseries-a-guide-to-ace-the-interviews/
All the Best!

10 | P a g e