How to write well worded essay in 15 minutes for IIM Admission 2014

Unlike essay writing in XAT, Written Ability Test is not a part of CAT on line computer based test. IIMs and other B schools individually put the candidate to take this test in time duration from 15 to 30 minutes.The expectation is to understand the topic in accordance with its key words and form the piece of writing in a logical and coherent manner. It accounts for 10 to 20 percentage points in final admission round.Candidates may expect questions in their Personal Interview round out of their written essay.

Also Read: Role of Essay writing in IIMs Admission process

Written Ability Test: Time is limited

Good writing requires dedication and concentration, and time. While you have former two at your disposal the latter (time) is limited- so it has be managed in the best professional way. Your essay may be the first one, in middle order or may be the last to be examined by the designated examiner. Unless you have something different and interesting to write-how do you expect him to read it the way you want? Essay must not turn into a nightmare of confused paragraphs and differing styles that sometimes is not even properly read by the examiner. You have to practice writing with a thoughtful writing-style.

What could be the subjects for WAT Topics?

Topics in WAT are mostly based on current affairs, socio political happenings, business and economics, International affairs, philosophy. Recent trends show that IIMs are gradually focussing more on Socio-political or socio economic aspects in choosing the topics for WAT.

Click below to score high marks in GD PI WAT process of B schools for Admission 2014 

Is there any syllabus for WAT?

Since WAT topics have no fixed syllabus, candidates can be asked to write on any topic under the Sun. The most important aspect of WAT is how do you the approach the topic as it is going to test your knowledge and understanding with your way of presentation. Following few points are very much needed to write a good essay in limited time period.

You can’t write without Knowing the key terms

Every subject has its terminology. A candidate is supposed to know the same to the standard that is expected from a well educated person whatever the topic could be.

Examples of topics on Economy- Inefficiency of public distribution system; Privatisation of Economy; Capitalism vs. socialism; Financial crisis; Budget; Disinvestment in PSUs; Role of Public Private Partnership; Fiscal and Monetary policy; Economic growth in India Vs China and others- need the understanding of economic terms to base your thought process with no ambiguity.

Also Read: IIMs WAT process: Key Economic terms to score high in Essay round

You are supposed to know the key terms like Public sector and Private sector; What’s budget, its key components, difference between deficit and surplus, revenue and expenditure; what’s the difference between Fiscal and Monetary policy, who formulates and implements them; tools like progressive taxation, CRR, Bank rate, Repo rate, SLR.

Examples of Topics on Politics    

How can we make youth politically more active; Women's Reservation Bill; Ban politicians with criminal records from contesting elections; Pre election opinion polls; crumbling Democracy; Presidential vs Parliamentary democracy. 

Before proceeding to write, think whether you are aware what are the ingredients of Women reservation bill; what are pre election polls or exit polls-are they prevalent in our country? What stuff do you have in your mind? Whether you are aware about the different forms of Government in a democratic system else how would you rate any of them better or worse?

Examples of Topics on Social issues

Corporate social responsibility; Portraying women in advertisements show gender bias; Social media is a waste of time; Role of women in social change; Society bears the brunt of terrorism.

The need is to know what could be the relation between corporate sector and society in general; how the gender does bias is depicted in picture and in language; where does terrorism hit the social well being, how does it grow, what can society do to nip the menace in bud.

Make the understanding clear

There can be hundreds of such issues and you may be asked to write an essay on any one of them. But one thing is clear, if you know the key words, have an understanding of their application, you may write well. The need will be to follow the undernoted writing tips.

Key writing tips to improve the score 

Final admission depends on WAT and PI round to a great extent as the weightage to this round is more than the CAT percentile. If an essay is written with a clear and coherent flow of thought with rich contents, it may get the candidate through the last round of admission process. The crucial role, this essay writing plays, is the candidate’s ability to face the Board and answer the penetrating questions based on whatever was expressed in the essay.

Also read: How to increase your WAT score

Click below to score high marks in GD PI WAT process of B schools for Admission 2014

Following are the Ingredients that you should possess before writing the essay

a. Good command over the topic/subject
b. Clear and Coherent flow of thought
c. Ability to recollect the facts and examples, and insert them at the appropriate place

d. Ability to write effectively with correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation in good handwriting

How to begin, form the body and conclude

a. Give a few seconds to outline what you are going to write

b.Practice well before the WAT day to write in paragraphs

c. One paragraph should have one idea gradually moving forward to concluding part

d. Begin with what you are going to write in the essay; introduce well; explain well in the body of the essay which is the main idea and should have good subject knowledge; conclude with logic on whatever you have already written

Last but not the least

a. Before moving forward to write, read the direction attentively

b. Words like Analyse, describe, narrate, discuss, comment, examine, critically examine have different meaning and the essay is to be written accordingly. Understand the words and give due weightage to them.

c. Avoid using abbreviations, slangs and write complete words and sentences.

d. Quotations/citations should have acknowledgements else don’t use them

e.Write appropriate vocabulary words in simple and crisp language. Avoid using idioms and phrases if you are not well versed with them

f. Don’t write anything superfluous which you may not be able to explain in your PI round

Quick Preparation tips for WAT 2014

a. Read articles on contemporary social, economic, political, national and international issues

b. Read the Newspaper editorials, specific articles by distinguished people to have a clear and unambiguous flow of thought.

c. WAT topics on MBAUniverse.com site may prove to be a great help

d. Books containing short essays on current topics can be another source of preparation.

e. More practice only can build your confidence since writing is hard work for the new and experienced writer alike. With a lot of practice, you’ll eventually get to that more confident place.

f. Read something basic, not directly in your field of expertise. There’s a host of journals and most fields have journals that are considered very good in their field. Reading good literature in general is essential to re-training your brain to good English construction and style.

g. Your reader is your examiner so think twice before writing anything irrelevant. Avoid stretching too far your ideas and incorporate necessary figures, data, terms and concepts, if you understand them well
Much like drawing or playing a musical instrument- you may learn the art of writing in a short time and before the WAT day. So don’t wait, begin today.