IIM Trichy

Mentorship
Programme, 2015
An External Relations Cell Initiative

For any queries, please contact us at: mentor@iimtrichy.ac.in

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WAT/PI Preparation Kit

How to prepare for Written Ability Test (WAT)

Take few minutes in the beginning to gather your points

To write an essay follow the rule of 3S, i.e. structure, structure, structure. Without a proper
structure dont ever start writing

Ensure that your essay has a proper structure with an introduction, a main body and a
conclusion; also pay attention to the grammar and spelling

Avoid over-zealous remarks on religion and politics

Practice writing at least 1-2 essays daily within a set time limit of approx. 15-18 minutes.
This will help you to think fast and under pressure

Be well versed with prcis writing. Take help from your teachers and college seniors if
necessary

Contact your mentor if required

PESTEL is a good to analyze a wide variety of topics

P Political
E Economical
S Social
T Technological
E Environmental
L Legal

Try to capture the reviewers attention; starting with interesting first line or an appropriate
quote is one of the many good ways to start.

Avoid jargons; good vocabulary is an advantage. If you do not possess good vocabulary, do
not worry as clarity is what matters. So keep sentences short, lucid and avoid preaching.

Avoid: The parameters of your responsibility are included in the job description
you received on your initial day of work at the association

Use: Your responsibilities are listed in your job description. You received your job
description on the date of joining

Use active verbs in the sentence structure to keep up the readers interest. An example is as
follows:
o

Avoid: This is a good introduction of the topic

Any opinions and ideas you express must be supplemented with adequate logic, examples,
data and facts
o
o

Use: This introduces the topic well

Avoid: The Indian Pharma industry is booming

Use: The Indian Pharma industry is booming. During 2007-12, it grew at CAGR 12%
driven by rising generic drug exports

Make sure that your handwriting is legible. Neatly presented essays hold the readers
attention

What to expect for WAT?

The topics mentioned below were given to the candidates during last years WAT process. They are
only indicative in nature and r epetition is unlikely. However, these will give you a general idea of
the trends followed. You may want to prepare accordingly. Needless to say, be well versed with
current affairs. A lot of the topics may be based on latest issues.
1) Is it correct for people to send their parents to old age homes?
2) India doesn't have enough infrastructure facilities for the differently abled
3) Good basic primary education is costlier in India; suggest ways for the government to make it
affordable for common people
4) Indian Education System
5) FDI in retail
6) Education system in India needs a revamp
7) Impact of reality shows on society
8) Quality of teachers at primary schooling level and its impact
9) Freedom of press
10) Are mobile phones affecting work life balance (receiving late night official calls etc.)?
11) Modi government v/s AAP
12) Impact of talent shows on children
13) Will doing away with red beacons reduce VIP culture?
14) Political scenario in the country
15) Governments invasion of privacy
16) Privatization of school education
17) Abstract topics
18) Probable topics - Make in India, NITI Aayog, e-commerce, Delhi Elections etc. (these are probable
only because these are recent)

Personal Interview

Dressing etiquette is extremely important. Please be well groomed. Shave properly and wear
ironed formals, preferably a black suit with a blue tie.

You must be thorough with your resume. Be well prepared with questions on courses you
completed in graduation, especially subjects that you claim you are interested in, term projects
in case of the engineering students, academic details etc.

Confident body language and good communication skills are expected

Maintain eye contact and address all the panel members

Goal clarity: Answers should be in line with the question asked; it is expected to have reasonable
clarity regarding your goals

Basic etiquettes like requesting permission before entering the room, gr e e t i n g t h e

p a n e l i s t s a n d b e i n g p o l i t e go a l o n g w a y i n c r e a t i n g a l a s t i n g i m p r e s s i o n

Listen to questions carefully, ask for clarifications if required

Maintain brevity in answers, no beating around the bush

Most important: wear a smile.

Possible Questions
1) Why MBA?
2) About yourself, your strength and weaknesses. This question needs to be answered very carefully
3) Why should you be chosen or rejected?
4) Short and long term goals
5) Questions on graduation subjects. You may prepare 1-2 subjects in detail should you be asked
about your favorite subjects.
6) People with work experience are expected to know relevant details about their company and job
profile; an indicative list includes stock prices, turnover, latest results, key business areas,
competitors, etc.
7) In case you have switched jobs, you might be asked for the reasons
8) You may be asked about your hobbies. Be sure to only tell about hobbies you actually pursued and
can substantiate as well. For example, if you like travelling, you could be asked questions on
where all have you have travelled. Further, you could also be asked about those places, so prepare
accordingly. The key is to not fake/lie here
9) Narrate an incident where you faced a challenge , how you overcame it and the lessons
learnt
10) Which among the new IIMs would you choose to go to if you get through all? (Talk in terms of
faculty, pedagogy etc.). Its advisable to go through websites of all the institutes you have a call
from to update yourself with relevant details.
11) Justify time lags, if any, in education
12) In case you say that you would like to take up marketing, you could be asked the following
questions (and similar questions for other fields as well)
a. Sell a pen/bottle etc.
b. Difference between consumer & customer
c. 4 Ps of marketing
d. Difference between sales and marketing
13) Questions on your ability to estimate (e.g. how much does it cost to build a 1 km road) and
come up with answers. Your thought process matters here, not the answer. A good way to
tackle these questions is by thinking aloud so that the panel gets a clear idea of your approach
14) What would you do if you do not get admission this year?
15) Difference between MBA/PGDM
16) Meaning of your name
17) Qualities of a good manager and a good leader, difference between a manager and a leader
18) Abstract questions like whats the difference between science and art? Is a scientist an artist as
well? Justify

Needless to say, the list is not exhaustive but these a r e i n d i c a t i v e questions you may come
across during the PI process. The range of questions asked in the PI varies. While some may be asked
questions on current affairs and their background, others may be asked specific/technical questions like
graphs of functions etc. PI questions depend on a number of parameters like the kind of panel member
and their background. Counter-questions based on the answers you give etc. must be answered well.
Prepare to the best of your ability but the vast possibilities of PI questions make the process quite
daunting. What matters is your confidence and the way you answer.
At times, the motive behind asking seemingly irrelevant questions is to see how the candidate handles
the situation. This is especially true during stress interviews. The aim of stress interviews is to
intimidate you and throw you into panic. Be calm. The way you handle the situation will measure your
success. If you do not know an answer, say that you are unaware of it. DO NOT fake an answer.

How to prepare on General awareness?

Keep abreast with the daily news, especially as D-day comes nearer. You need to have a general
idea on the following issues. Following is a list 1 of online resources that contain an exhaustive list of
topics. Please keep in mind that the list is only indicative and not exhaustive. :1) http://www.mbarendezvous.com/general-awareness-topics-1.php2
2) http://testfunda.com/examprep/mba-resource/current-affairs/article/mba-entrance-tests--generalknowledge--current-affairs-for-2014.htm?assetid=a15a22f7-c3e4-43b4-8b90-0df95f3d8a89

3) http://www.pagalguy.com/tags/general-knowledge-28599956
4) http://www.jagranjosh.com/mba/mba-general-awareness-1346063074-q1356759364-1
5) http://gdpi.hitbullseye.com/General-Knowledge-Questions.php

IIM Trichy is not associated with these websites in any way. We found that these websites have adequate material
for your preparation. However we dont guarantee the veracity of the information provided in these websites.

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