Read inside:

• Tips and Tricks

• Previous years’
WAT and GD topics,
expected topics
• PI experiences

How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ?
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How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ?
 CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Tips and tricks to crack GD-WAT
• Tips and tricks to crack PI
• GD and WAT topics to expect this year
• Know past years’ WAT/GD topics at top B-Schools
• 8 personas you encounter in a GD
• Group Discussion Evaluation parameters
• Personal Interview evaluation parameters
• Commonly asked questions in Personal Interview
• GD/PI/WAT experiences from students of top B-schools

How to Crack
2 GD–PI–WAT ?
INTRODUCTION
CAT is one of the biggest exams for MBA aspirants. With
the hope of getting an enrolment in a top B-school,
every year lakhs of students undergo coaching and
prepare for the entrance test. A good coaching institute
and an experienced mentor can help in winning half of
the battle (this is when you secure a good percentile).
The remaining half of the battle is a little tough – yes,
we are talking about Group Discussion (GD) and Written
Ability Test (WAT).

A few B-Schools have started conducting only Written

Ability Test followed by Personal Interview while some
still focus on GD, WAT and PI. Marking your presence in a
Group Discussion or impressing the interrogator through
your written ability is of utmost importance – only then
will you make it to the next round of Personal Interview.
It is at this point of time that a candidate experiences
nervousness, confusion and anxiety. Shiksha brings to you
tips and tricks to crack GD-WAT-PI, GD-WAT topics one
can expect this year, a list of past years’ GD-WAT topics,
and 8 personas you encounter in a GD.

How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 3
 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR GD – WAT – PI
FOR GD-WAT
Once CAT exam is over, the next focus of
every aspirant is on cracking GD-WAT-PI.
Doing so can get you an enrollment in a
top B-school, which is the dream of every
MBA aspirant.
Some management schools shortlist the
candidates on the basis of GD, while
some do the same on the basis of WAT.
By conducting GD-WAT-PI, candidates are
judged on the following parameters:
• Communication skills
• Writing ability
• Subject knowledge
• Listening power
• Attitude
• Confidence
• Leadership skills
• Way of presenting views
• Interaction skills
• Decision making ability
• Problem solving ability
• Critical thinking ability
• Analytical thinking
• Open-mindedness
Making a good impression during GD/
WAT is the first step to success. Clearing
this will land you into the next round,
which is the Personal Interview. Here once
again you get to make your impression
and fulfill your dream of studying in a top
B-school. Here are some tips and tricks
that can help you crack GD/WAT.
How to Crack
4 GD–PI–WAT ?
1. Know the subject topic carefully
To participate in a GD/WAT, it is
important to first know the subject
topic completely. Make sure that you
pay utmost attention to the topic
that is being given. If you do not
understand the topic properly you will
not be able to participate in the GD
nor will you be able to write on the
given topic.
2. In case of GD, try to initiate the
discussion only if you know the
subject too well
While participating in a GD make
sure that you initiate a discussion
only if you know the topic too well.
If you are not very clear on the topic,
it will be a wise decision to wait till
the discussion catches up, so that you
get a fair idea of the topic. If you are
not well-versed with the topic, but
still start off the discussion, people
would know that you are presenting
irrelevant points and in no time you
would be out of the discussion.
3. Use facts, figures and examples to
support your point
While in a GD/WAT, support your
point using facts, figures and
examples. This will let the evaluator
know that you have a pretty good
idea about the topic, and whatever
points you are presenting forth are
no guess work, but your knowledge
about the topic.
4. Give others a chance to speak
when participating in a GD
Being in the limelight is certainly
great, but in the meanwhile, you
should also give others a chance to
speak. This can help you pick more
idea to put forth your point.
5. Speak politely/ write correctly
When participating in a GD, make
it a point to speak politely. Many
students fails to understand the
difference between being loud and
being rude. To put your point across
accurately, all you need to do is be a
little loud – remember that you do
not shout or sound rude.
Also, while appearing for
WAT, make sure you do not
make grammatical, spelling or
punctuation errors, and write things
to the point so that the examiner
does not have to hunt for valid
points.
6. Agree to people who are right,
and when needed disagree
politely
During a GD, there might be several
instances when you might or might
not agree with other’s point of view.
If you feel the person in front of
you is right, make it a point to put
forward your agreement on the
point. Also, if you disagree with
someone, do so, but politely.
7. Summarise
If the GD comes to a conclusion,
there can be nothing better than
that, but if it doesn’t, summarise
the discussion. The same applies
for WAT – after putting forth your
points, summarise the same in a
concluding paragraph.
8. Speak clearly/ write readable
text
When participating in a GD, it is
not important only to put forward
your point, but also to make sure
that what you are saying is being
understood by others – for the
same, it is important that you speak
clearly.
In case of WAT, it must be ensured
that the handwriting is readable.
If you write relevant points, but
in a handwriting that cannot be
understood, you are sure to lose a
brownie point.
9. Be sensible
Do not just write or speak only
because you have to. Every word
you say or write must make sense
and must relevant to the given
topic. Speaking or writing just to
increase your speaking time/ article
length does not make any sense.
10. Create a thought flow; follow
the same
Whether participating in a GD or
appearing for WAT, it is important
that you firstly create a thought
flow, and secondly remain intact to
the flow. Deviating from the topic
will do nothing, but land you in
trouble.
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 5
TIPS AND TRICKS TO CRACK PI
Talking about Personal Interview (PI), it is
essentially a two-way discussion between
the panel and the aspirant. The objective
of PI is to engage the MBA aspirant in a
discussion and evaluate his/her analytical
skills, clarity of thoughts, future goals
and communication skills. Some of the
commonly asked questions in PI are ‘Why
MBA?’ or ‘Why do you want to join this
institute?’ and so on. Here are some tips to
prepare for PI:
• Know yourself and your CV well. Don’t
make unnecessary claims that you
cannot substantiate in the interview
later
• Read up the latest current affairs and
popular essay topics; develop your own
opinion
• Be confident about what you say in
front of the panelists
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ?
Here are some more aspects that one must
always keep in mind:
• Introduce yourself in a very brief and
formal way
• Limit your introduction to yourself. DO
NOT speak about parents, siblings and
family, unless asked by the interviewer
• Give straight and simple answers to the
questions asked by the interviewer
• To the point and precise answers are
far better than beating around the
bush
• Don’t try to be aggressive or
overconfident. And definitely, DO NOT
try to impress the panel by using some
cheesy mugged up lines. It won’t work
• Dress formally
CAT 2017: GD & WAT TOPICS
TO EXPECT THIS YEAR
Now that CAT results have been declared,
selected candidates are preparing for GD/WAT
(Group Discussion / Written Ability test).
For many students it is a difficult task to
decide which topics they must prepare for,
since the list is long. And it is certainly not
possible to prepare for every topic. While
preparing for GD/ WAT, candidates must keep
in mind to choose topic that can belong to
either of the following categories:
• Abstract
• Factual
• Opinion-based
• Case-based
• Argumentative / Controversial
• Current topics
• Static topics
Based on the happenings in 2017, here
is a list of topics one can expect for GD/
WAT this year:
• Net Neutrality
• Goods and Service Tax (GST)
• Juvenile Justice Bill
• ISIS
• Make in India campaign
• Climate Change Summit
• Greek Debit Crisis
• Indian Population an asset
• Smart City Project
• Demonetisation in India
• Bitcoin and The Virtual Currency
• Are digital payments secure enough for
the Indian economy to go cashless?- give
views
• Slowdown of Indian economy
• India needs a uniform civil code- for or
against?
• Should Indian economy be privatized?
• Will Merging the General & Railway
Budget save exchequer from unnecessary
spending?
• IT industry is going to create huge job
opportunities in India- For or against?
• IIM Bill beneficial for the students- give
views
• Gender bias in portraying Women in
Advertisements- give views
• E-commerce discounts harmful in long
run- for or against?
• Making Aadhaar mandatory is not a good
idea- for or against?
• Law should be an instrument of social
change- give views
• Browsing at workplace affects
productivity- for or against?
• Can we dream of hosting the Olympics?
• Chinese Goods vs Indian Goods
• Extra-curricular activities should be made
compulsory in school- for or against?
• Ways in which Technology is impacting the
Banking sector
• Youth of India- confident or confused?
• Should national anthem be played in
cinema halls?
• Should GD be part of campus placements?
• Give views on the present system of
education in our country
• Reliance Jio a sustainable business model
in a country like India- agree or disagree?
• Ethics in Business are just a passing fad- for
or against?
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 7
 • Advertising- a waste of resources: agree or
disagree?
• Globalisation vs. Nationalism
• Do we need more entrepreneurs than
managers?
• An MBA is necessary to succeed in life-
agree or disagree?
• Hard-Work or Smart-Work- which is more
desirable?
• Women are better multi-taskers- agree or
disagree?
• Is celebrity brand endorsement an effective
advertising strategy?
• Remixing in music- how good or bad is the
trend?
• Should there be a NOTA (None of the
Above) choice in voting?
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail
sector good for India- agree or disagree?

KNOW PAST YEARS’ WAT & GD TOPICS AT

TOP B-SCHOOLS
Preparing for WAT/GD is the first thing on the minds of candidates who had appeared for the
CAT 2017. Now that the results of the exam are out, selected candidates need to appear in GD/
WAT.
Many students face the trouble of selecting which topics they should prepare. Here is a list of
past years’ WAT/GD topics that can help you prepare better:

IIM AHMEDABAD old practice of having just a couple of

channels. We were asked to analyse the
2016-17 (Essay Writing)
argument.
• A big data company has come up
• I saw my father retire after 35 years of
with a model that links the number
service from the same company. This
of flu searches on its search engine to
reflects the loyalty and dedication of
the number of people suffering from
an employee towards his/her employer.
it... The parameters chosen by it are
However, in present day, job burnout
location from where searched and
is widely seen. Employees should be
timing of searches... Give 3 assumptions
loyal to their company and value their
that strengthen their model and
current jobs. (Author’s view). What
arguments that weaken its plausibility.
assumptions have the author made
• Case study on freedom of expression.
in putting up his argument? What
Should there be limits or not?
further evidence would strengthen his
• An argument of an anonymous
argument? What factors can weaken
author was presented in the problem
the author’s argument? Write a
sheets. It stated that 24*7 channels
coherent analysis of the argument in
do not possess quality content, they
around 250-300 words.
are responsible for distracting the
children and we should revert to the

How to Crack
8 GD–PI–WAT ?
2015-2016 (Essay Writing/ Case Study)
• Case study on freedom of expression.
Should there be limits or not?
• Should airports in India be named after
cities or after the famous personalities?
• Case study on the views of an employee
in the firm regarding a research. Find
out the assumptions, and arguments to
support and oppose the statement.
• Direct cash transfer will reduce the
problem of leakage in subsidy
• Organic food, good for individuals, bad
for society
• Imagination is more important that
knowledge
• Of all the inventions and discoveries in
the world, which one would you have
liked to do/ make and why?
• Topic: How social are social networks?
2014-2015 (Essay Writing/Case Study)
• “Many Bollywood movies crossed more
than 100 crores in 2014.
• 2014 was a golden year for Bollywood.”
Analyse the statements.
• Discuss the problems faced by illiterate
people. What steps should be taken by
Indian government to increase literacy in
adults?
• The telecom and communications sector
is planning to levy a toll charge for Voice-
over-Internet and messaging applications
such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, etc. Their
argument is there’s a huge investment
and infrastructure cost which these
apps don’t have to bear. Analyse this
and present two arguments – one in
favour and another against the telecom
company.
• ‘Car for All’ is a company that sells entry
level cars. It is now thinking about
acquiring a luxury brand. Though
exciting, the company fears that their
association with low-cost car may turn
down customers. Analyse.
• Ancient Indian scientists haven’t received
due recognition. According to ancient
scriptures, Indian scientists had developed
aviation technology long ago. But the
Wright Brothers are unduly credited with
the invention of the airplane. Analyse.
• Human achievements can be measured
in two ways – intrinsic excellence and
via assessing the impact on life. Without
the likes of Beethoven, Bach and
Shakespeare, etc., life today wouldn’t be
very different. However, without Galileo,
Newton and Faraday, life today would be
very different. Analyse.
• There are mainly two kinds of human
work – one requires physical labour,
while the other one is to ask someone
else to do it. The first one is unpleasant
and underpaid while the second one is
comfortable and well-paid. The second
one has the privilege of becoming an
advice or order. For perfect happiness
as human beings, one should aim for
the second type of work. Discuss the
robustness of the author’s view.
• Students’ union should not be affiliated
to any political party. Affiliation to
political parties is the root cause of
violence, unrest and disruption in
academic ambience. Analyse.
2013-2014 (Essay Writing/Case Study)
• Case Study: Entrepreneurship in India.
• A college event which has changed you as
a person.
• Case Study based GD: Village has all
amenities, crop failure, loan on cash,
minister help. What as farmers could be
done?
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 9
 • Case Study: remote village – community
farming – involving. Discuss.
• Case Study: RBI initiative to pull out of
circulation the old currency.
• Essay Topic: Historical monument which
made you thinks out of the mundane.
• Write an essay on a mathematician/
historian that has inspired you.
• Case Study: GPS System – Boon or Bane –
Should it be moderated or allowed freely
in the market.
• Case Study based on legalisation of
marijuana in India.
• Which cartoon character has inspired you
the most (100 words).
• RBI has asked to return old notes.
Underlying reasons? What can make it
more effective in getting this exercise?
Historical monument that has inspired
you.
2012-2013 (Essay Writing)
• Mankind should end war before war ends
mankind.
• Religion, a curse for society.
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
• How would you control farmer suicides?
2011-2012 (Essay Writing)
• Sensationalism in media should be
censored.
• Everything should be as simple as can be
but not simpler.
• Indian agriculture sector.
• Profit is the only business of business.
• Direct democracy instead of
representative democracy can solve the
problem of corruption.
2010-2011 (Essay Writing)
• India v/s Bharat- a divided nation.
How to Crack
10 GD–PI–WAT ?
• Layoffs can give a new direction.
• Asian Union- is it possible?
• Concerns over child labor is a mischievous
ploy by western economic interests.
2009-2010 (Essay Writing)
• FDIs in Educational Institutes.
• India needs US in the present times.
• Red vs. Blue
2008-2009 (Essay Writing)
• The educational system is quelling
creativity in Indian children.
• Obama will bring change, but only to
USA.
• Professional management is a mere
rhetoric in family run businesses.
• Should Nehru’s temples of learning
remain elitist?
• Indian women should take up their
husbands’ surname after marriage.
• Reading pure science is a waste of time.
• NGOs are yet to get their due in Indian
society.
2007-2008 (GD)
• Worsening female to male ration in India.
• Financial viability of IPL.
• You would not like to be the Prime
Minister of India because…
• CAT should go online
• the details.
IIM CALCUTTA
2016-2017 (Essay Writing)
• Global warming and depletion of ozone
layer is a big threat. Should moving to
another planet mitigate it, or do you
suggest some other measures?
• Corruption and Poverty go hand in hand.
• Mahatma Gandhi once said ‘Anger
and intolerance are enemies of correct
 understanding’. In the light of recent
events, do you agree or disagree with the
statement and why?
• Euthanasia should be legalized in India or
not?
2015- 2016 (WAT)
• Allowing limited usage of performance-
enhancing drugs in sports – pros and cons
• Everyday 368 people die in road accidents
in India. What are the measures you will
take to improve upon this situation?
• Education scenario in India, and how to
improve it?
• Easy availability of loans has increased
the consumerism of materialistic society.
This is affecting the morale of the youth,
in longer terms. What are your views on
this?
2014-2015 (WAT)
• Young people are spending lesser time
reading books. Examine the reasons
behind this trend. What can be the
negative consequences arising out of
this?
• Reasons for disproportionately low
number of women in top managerial
positions, and how this issue can be
solved.
• Very few women are at Top
Management in Companies,
your views. Reasons and
suggestions.
2013-2014 (WAT)
• Reservation – Why? Has it achieved its
objects?
• Corporate social responsibilities- Just
spending the money or finding out where
it is spent.
• Privacy Intrusion Vs Surveillance
• A lot of bureaucrats and govt. employees
are joining politics – Do you think that
good trend?
• What was the objective behind
reservation in India? Has it been
achieved?
2012-2013 (WAT)
• Give your views on book launches, social
hype around books and bestselling
novels.
• Unhappy is the country which has no
leaders.
• Has the definition of heroes changed?
How about heroes in India. Give your
opinion.
• Suicides in colleges are on an increase.
Analyze and give comments regarding
this trend. How would you act to
counteract this?
• People are not taking care of their old.
Suggest how we can save our old.
2011-2012 (WAT)
• Politicization and Commercialization of
sports – reality or fake?
• Modern life has corruption, how will an
honest man go up as businessman or as a
civil servant?
• Case studies suggest that enrollment in
increasing in Indian schools & that India
ranks 2nd from bottom in reading and
math abilities. How would you explain
the contribution of B-schools?
• Is reading no more a leisure thing? How
has the advancement of technology
affected the concept of leisure?
• Do women in the 21st century still
face a lot of barriers to rise to senior
management positions?
2010-2011 (GD)
• Affection leads to infection.
• Devil is in the details.
• Small is beautiful.
• Bharat vs. India.
• BPO is primarily profit driven.
• It’s the time for Underdogs.
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 11

2009-2010 (GD)
• Monopoly leads to constraint of freedom.
• There is always a tomorrow.
• Gandhi v/s. Gandhi.
• Only poor people are responsible for their
poverty.
• Should there be international men’s day?
• 33% Reservation for woman in jobs. Should
it be there or not?
2008-2009 (GD)
• Should Indian politicians be evaluated for
their political skills before nomination? If
yes, how?
• Year 2025.
• Artists must know mathematics.
• Go Ahead. Don’t wait for me.
IIM LUCKNOW
2016-2017 (WAT)
• The government has no business in running
businesses.
• Corruption and poverty goes hand in hand
• Cultural diversity hinders democratic
governance.
• Everybody loves a good drought.
• Building monuments on the names of great
leader is a waste of public money
• Should national anthem be played in
cinema halls?
• Advertisement is all glitter but no truth
2015- 2016 (WAT)
• Entrepreneurs can learn some things only
How to Crack
12 GD–PI–WAT ?
• MBAs do not make good business leaders.
• We are corrupt because we are poor.
• Only poor people are responsible for their
poverty.
• 33% Reservation for women in jobs, should
it be there or not?
• Should students recruit the faculty?
• There should be an international men’s day.
• Social Networking is a menace.
• Life is a chair.
• No man is an island.
2007-2008 (GD)
• There were case discussions on issues
related to rates of attrition in companies
recruiting students from B Schools because
of multiple offers.
from other entrepreneurs.
• Higher pay- is it a solution to corruption?
• It is possible to mark the thin line that
divides the right and the wrong?
• Be patient with friends and enemies.
2014-2015 (WAT)
• Should the budget for space program in
India be invested into poverty alleviation?
• Nothing is right, nothing is wrong,
everybody has a different opinion.
• Is privatization the only way to bring down
the real prices in the power & electricity
industry?
• Higher education in India should be free.
• What do I want to do in life?
2013-2014 (WAT /GD)
• Private Hospitals are traders to human
misery.
• Competition leads to cooperation.
• Alternative medicines.
• Do means justify any end?
• Experience is the name we give to our
mistakes.
• We earn a living by money, we live by
giving.
• The best forms of victory are by subduing
the enemy without physical violence.
2012-2013 (WAT)
• What good the moon can be of if it
cannot be bought or sold.
• The things appear large from the valley,
but small from the top of the mountain.
• The more you study the more you realize
how ignorant you are.
• Not only who earns is rich but also the
one who gives is also rich.
2011-2012 (GD/WAT)
• The bad news in time flies the good news
& you are the pilot!
• Intuition is the loss of scientific
Knowledge.
• Glory is transitory but obscurity is forever.
• There have been discussions to abolish
the death penalty. What are the pros and
cons of abolishing capital punishment?
2010-2011 (GD/WAT)
• If there is censorship in movies than why
not in advertisements?
• Role learning is burdensome but
indispensable.
• Arab world will definitely have an impact
on India.
• Are women capable of taking more stress
as compared to men?
• A person is better in a good environment
and a troubled family than in good family
and troubled environment.
• Inflation vs. growth
2009-2010 (GD/WAT)
• Legalizing doping in sports in modern
times.
• Essential services like water, electricity
should not be privatized.
• In India, Should minorities be given the
first right to resource?
• Unpleasant prison terms can lead to
faster reformation against criminals.
• Women’s quota will increase gender
disparity.
• In a socialist Country such as India, should
salaries of executives be regulated?
• Right to Education.
• The nuclear liability bill.
• GE and GM Crops (The Bt Brinjal case).
• IPL: Sports and Glamour?
• Unique Identification Numbers will be
panacea to India’s problems.
2008-2009 (GD)
• Great spirits have always encountered
violent opposition by mediocre minds.
• Helping hands are better than praying
lips.
• Necessity is the mother of all inventions.
• Habit and routine can waste and destroy.
• Thinking about the worst always prepares
you for the worst.
• Education is the progressive discovery of
our ignorance.
• He who knows being poor knows
everything.
• A fool can ask more questions in an hour
than a wise man can answer in 7 years.
2007-2008 (GD)
• Education is what remains after one
forgets what one has learnt in school.
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 13
 • Hope for ill gains is the beginning of loss.
• Happiness is a mystery like religion, and it
should not be rationalized.
• Law is the creation of the strong to rule
the weak.
IIM KOZHIKODE
2016-2017 (Essay Writing)
• Future wars will not fought on health and
prosperity but on water and air
• Is India ready for cashless economy?
• Marketing with a social cause gives the
brand a human face?
• Is India ready for cashless economy?
• Private sector promotes employability
whereas public sector promotes
employment.
2015-16 (WAT)
• Management Education – For too many
and too cheap
• Mass Media, a boon or a curse?
• Should there be age discrimination in
hiring for coveted jobs?
• Bureaucrats should not be allowed to join
political parties after retirement.
• The formulation of the problem is more
important than finding its solution.
• B-School, an impediment or booster to
entrepreneurship.
2014-2015 (GD/WAT)
• Politicians should be asked to go to
business school.
• Negative effects of Animal Conservation
Practices.
• Politicians should attend a business
school.
• Package shouldn’t be the sole criteria
while deciding a job.
How to Crack
14 GD–PI–WAT ?
2013-2014 (GD/WAT)
• Presidential form of election should be
held in India or not.
• What should be the priority of India
in the 21st century – employment or
entrepreneurship?
• Poverty is just a state of mind.
• Are the efforts of political parties and
youth empowerment?
• Should medical profession be included
under the consumer protection act?
• MNC’s are colonizing the Indian market.
2012-2013 (WAT)
• Objectivity is the summation of
subjectivity.
• Equality may perhaps be your right but it
is not practically required.
• If everybody is thinking alike it means
someone is not thinking.
• A true friend stabs you from the front.
• Friendship is unnecessary; it is not
required for our survival but adds value
to our survival.
• “The true essence of democracy can be
judged by a ten minute conversation with
a voter” – Winston Churchill.
2011-2012 (WAT)
• To disbelieve is easy, to scoff is simple but
to have faith is hard.
• Adventure is very easy to write about but
very hard for one who is doing it.
• Sometimes we put walls not to keep
people out but to see who cares enough
to break in.
• A child can be forgiven when he is afraid
of dark, but the real tragedy of life is
when men are afraid of light.
2010-2011 (WAT)
• What is the measure of success for a man
or for that matter for a woman?
• Intuition is the most valuable thing.
• Reality is an illusion, but a persistent one.
• Technological progress is like an axe in
the hands of a pathological Criminal.
• Not everything that can be counted
counts, and not everything that counts
can be counted.
• Life has no meaning. Rather, it has a
meaning which we don’t understand.
2009-2010 (WAT)
• An eye for an eye makes the whole world
go blind.
• Man is born ignorant; not stupid, but is
education making him stupid?
• Genetically modified plants can improve
food security for a country like India
which has an ever growing population.
• Freedom of opinion can only exist when
the govt. itself feels secure.
• ‘Man is a credulous animal; he needs
something to believe in. If he doesn’t find
anything good to believe in, he’ll believe
in something bad’.
• Opinion formation is encouraged only
when government is secure about its
existence.
• Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion,
for every opinion now accepted was once
eccentric.
• History is always the story of the victor
and not the vanquished.
• Martin Luther King’s quote – ‘If you
cannot die for something, you do not
deserve to live’.
2008-2009 (GD)
• Discussion on a person who is a
perfectionist. It was about his pursuit for
perfection because of which he was not
even able to deliver something which was
good. How does this affect his career?
• Janaki is working in some BPO or IT
company. She is now called Jane. For her,
4th July is the Indian Independence Day.
She works when people are sleeping.
She has no social life, no identity, etc. So,
do you think this industry is killing the
current generation of India?’
• A discussion on the changing Indian
society and its values. How kissing has
taken the place of the traditional Indian
Namaste.
• A discussion in which the following
article was given. “In the year 2006, TIME
magazine voted “YOU” as the man of
the year. Social technologies have given
power back to the people. E.g. Wikipedia,
YouTube and social networking sites.
During the aftermath of terror attacks
in Mumbai, power of people was again
seen. Government seems to losing power.
You are the power now”.
2007-2008 (GD)
• What should be done to uplift status of
Muslims?
• Should PSUs be privatized?
• SEZs- Impact on farmers.
• Poaching of tigers: decreasing numbers in
the state of Madhya Pradesh.
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GD–PI–WAT ? 15
 IIM TIRUCHIRAPPALLI 2013-2014 (WAT)
2015-16 (WAT)
• Importance of language.
• Weddings and restaurants have different
• Khap Panchyat – Land system their role?
varieties of food and most of the time a
Do you criticize the method?
large amount goes waste. In a country
• Is animal testing ethical in the name of
like India, we cannot afford that. What
scientific advancement?
are your thoughts about the same?’
• Indian of the year.
IIM BANGALORE 2012-2013 (WAT)
2016-2017 (WAT)
• Globalization is helping a lot of third
• Who do you think is the most successful
world countries. Does it really help the
leader of the year?
underprivileged people who actually
• The Internet is influencing everything
need it?
in our lives like consumption and
• Is education being diluted by increasing
travel choices and even ideologies.
number of seats and decreasing the
Do you think this has implications for
course load?
“social engineering” or “psychological
• Renewable sources of energy.
manipulation” of individuals?
• Are shortages artificially created in India?
Surplus production and still people starve!
2015-16 (WAT)
Lot of graduates but a lot of workforce
• Artworks often lead to social unrest. How
shortage!
to strike a balance so that rule of law can
be maintained?
• Who do you think is the most successful
IIM INDORE
2016- 2017 (WAT)
leader of 2015?
• Cause of terrorism and ways to control
• Essay on Imagination is more important
them.
that knowledge.
• With changing times, paper based books
• Poor condition of health care in India.
are being replaced by online study books.
• Essay on the most inspirational person
Comment.
you have ever met.
• Humanities is important with science.
Recent survey suggests that companies
2014-2015 (WAT)
look for individuals with broad skill base.
• Recently in India, the closing time of Bars
Hence suggest measures that companies
from 11 PM to 1 AM. Reasons behind this
should deploy to make students more
and consequences/ramifications?
employable
• International/ IB schools in India required
• How will the growing migrant crisis affect
by the society?
the domestic and foreign policies of the
• Do celebrities have a responsibility
countries in the long run?
towards consuming and believing in the
• Companies prefer students with a broad-
products and causes they endorse?
based education. How can universities

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 reduce the gap between curriculum and
requirement of the industries?
IIM SHILLONG
2016-2017 (WAT)
• A family of 4 persons want to buy a car,
2015-16 (WAT)
three models are available and their pros
• How can small companies survive and
and cons mentioned. All family members
compete against large companies?
preferred a different model. Which one
Suggest some policies to safeguard
should they choose?
them.
• Is sedition law being outdated?
• Case study related to ethical dilemma.
2014-2015 (WAT)
• Case- You are the marketing manager
• Our PM has taken the initiative for skill
of a chocolate producing company.
building and vocational training. What
Price of raw materials has gone down.
steps will you follow to achieve this
Statistics were given for that. Rival
idea?
companies have not reduced the price
• Make for India vs Make in India, give
of the product. How will you price your
your views.
products?
• Reluctance of foreign companies in
• Case - This case was about silk handloom
establishing their offices in India despite
manufacturers in Assam and the
assurances by Govt. of India. Reasons?
problems they have with the middlemen.
Suggestions for improvement.
They asked to design a program that
• It asked out suggestions about the
makes both the weavers and the traders
education reforms and the skill-set
happy.
development that our PM has planned
• Case - About a vendor who had under
and how can our thoughts contribute
quoted his price by mistake and was
towards its success.
asking for a hike. But the firm was not
• Businesses cannot be run on
in a condition to match that additional
undemocratic principles. Give your
price, as it itself was not performing well.
opinion.
So how should the manager proceed in
such a case?
2013-2014 (WAT)
• Is the concept of paid news a threat
2015- 2016 (WAT)
to the integrity and honesty of print
• Business of a business is Business.
media?
• It’s smart to be a little dumb.
• Recently, govt. has announced dwellers
• Short prayers reach heaven
in forest should be relocated so that
• Deal gently with the bird, if you want to
endangered species don’t bam extinct.
catch.
• Are management and leadership
both important for the success of the
2014-2015 (WAT/GD)
organization.
• Is FDI in defense really necessary for
• Management is doing right thing but
India? What are positives and negatives?
leadership is doing things right.
• Inflation and its social effects.

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GD–PI–WAT ? 17
 • Work experience is a prerequisite for
MBA education.
2012-2013 (WAT/GD)
• Students were asked to evaluate the
case of a successful bakery shop, which
received a big order from an international
bakery company, ‘The Cake International’.
Data on the bakery shop’s profit and
losses along with other information
was provided. Students were asked to
give their advice on whether the bakery
shop should go ahead with the Cake
International’s proposal or not.
• A company wanted to reduce its labor
cost, so it moved to a new place where
it acquired cheap fresh talent. In this
process the company’s supplier lost 18%
of its employees to this company. What
should the company do, move back
and incur losses, or stay there with new
employees and suffer supply shortage
because of migration.
• Which is more important: experience or
talent of the youth?
2011-2012 (GD)
• Arabic Prison system vs. Indian Prison
system.
• Being agriculture minister of India what
will you do to regulate onion prices?
• Recently MPss were given 50k Rupees to
buy tabs and digitize work. Is the hard
earned money of Indian taxpayers being
misused?
• Subsidy on LPG should be removed.
2010-2011 (Case Study)
• A case about a civil officer in a north
eastern state who is very honest and is
known for his integrity. He has more
How to Crack
18 GD–PI–WAT ?
enemies than friends. Son–in-law wants
him to use his position to win him a
tender of 2 lack computers for state
government or else he will commit suicide
touse his position to win him a tender of
2 lacs computers for state government or
else he will commit suicide. Students had
to discuss the case and suggest a solution.
• A manager of a company producing
toxic material has received a notice
from nearby people that the company
is polluting environment. So either they
should shift there company or should
adopt eco-friendly methods.
2009-2010 (Case Study)
• A person working with a consulting
firm gets an opportunity to sell some
very important data to another major
competitor in the market for a big
amount. His own company is not ethical
in its practices. What should the person
do?
• An advertisement agency is known for
originality of work. It has been given a
deadline for a huge contract. The design
team of the agency finds the deadline
too short. Someone in the design team
suggests picking up the idea of another
ad firm in a foreign country. Should they
steal the idea and complete work within
the deadline or be original and risk losing
the contract?
• A guy is unemployed. Decides to start a
BPO. He almost clears all the hurdles but
struck with OS installation in computers.
He doesn’t have any capital left. The Bank
is unwilling to give loans. What should he
do?
• The Tribals at Andaman are facing certain
problems. The authorities are to decide
 between losing revenue and protecting
the tribals.
• Case related to Student Council starting
a Stationery store within campus to
benefit the students. They purchase
at wholesale prices and sell at rates
cheaper than outside market. They gain
handsome 10% profit margin. They
plan to take up loan and expand their
services to people staying in the nearby
area too. However, few days later
they face opposition from a group of
students, claiming that the council have
greater interests and are corrupt. What
should the student council do?
2008-2009 (Case Study)
• Mr. Vinod Joshi of Neon Engineering
is in a dilemma whether to increase
payment to Sinha Industries after the
bidding process has been completed.
Sinha Industries had increased the
quality of their products and wants arise
in payment per product. Sinha Industries
has over 65% of their revenue coming
from Neon Engineering. What should
Mr. Joshi do?
• There is an employee, Narain in a
software company who had earlier
worked in a hardware company. He’s
been recruited here because of his
previous experience. He along with 2
other fresher was recruited for the job
but put on provisional basis for 1 yr.
After some months, Siva Dasia, the head
of Deptt. Of Computer Sciences in the
company makes it clear to Narain and
the other heads to whom Narain report,
that Narain’s work has not been up to
the mark. So, Siva Dasia helps Narain to
get another job by giving him letters of
Recommendation. Narian files a court
case that he’s been asked to leave the
company despite good performance and
also misuses the LORs that Siva Dasia
has given him to prove his case in the
court. The court puts a stay on Narain’s
removal from the company. Now what
should Siva Dasia do?
• A case study involving the director of
some agricultural dept. and the impact
of the proposals by Non-EU and EU
groups about subsidies in agricultural
sector.
• There is a farming community called
Beris. They have been cultivating
groundnuts in some region for a long
time. 30 years ago a herder community
came into the area and they were
grazing animals on some unused land.
There was some water hole also. Some
people of the herder community settled
there and started growing vegetables.
Things were fine b/w herders and the
farmers. Now government is planning
an irrigation project which will provide
irrigation to the unused land. So both
the communities want to claim the
unused/unregistered land. The Beris
(farmers) think that they can grow cash
crops. The herders also want the land
since they have been using it for more
than 30 years. To settle land disputes
like this/to give unregistered land
away to villagers govt. has established
rural councils. Rural councils have a
reputation of being unfair and favoring
vested interests. What should the
herders do?
How to Crack
GD–PI–WAT ? 19
 8 PERSONAS YOU ENCOUNTER IN A GD
Immediately after the results of CAT and
other MBA exams are declared, candidates
need to appear for Group Discussion (GD),
Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal
Interview (PI) round. Admissions to these
institutes are on the basis of performance in
written test and GD/PI rounds. It is still easier
to showcase one’s talent in PI as compared to
GD. PI is a one-on-one conversation with the
interview panel. But in a GD, candidates have
to present their opinion with six-eight other
candidates trying to enforce their opinion
alongside. Your performance in GD is affected
by people around you. So we decided to list
out the types of characters / personalities
who participate in a GD. Here are eight
personalities you may encounter during a GD:

1. Leaders
When a GD commences, no particular role or
character is defined. Characters automatically
comes out during the discussion. Often, one
person stands out and emerges to be the leader
of the group. Leaders are those who direct the
discussion. It is not necessary that they’ll speak
much but they take care that the discussion
must go well. They try to give a chance to all
the GD members to share views. They tend to
be generous but quick with observations.

2. Discussion Hogs
You will definitely see one or more persons of this
category during a GD. Hogs are people, who has
something to say more or less for almost anything
and everything. These characters have a tendency
to dominate the discussion. They can be harmful to
you as well as the entire group as they do not allow
others to speak or share their thoughts.

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3. Introverts
If you see a person in your GD who is shy and speaks
less, you may categorise him/her as introvert. The reason
behind their shyness could vary from lack of confidence
or feeling over-powered by other strong contenders.
The introverts may or may not present their point in the
whole discussion. And if they state their point, chances
of cutting their point is higher and easier. However, if
encouraged by the leader of the group, these people
could state their points of view well.

4. Challengers
The one who has a question for every comment
made during the discussion are the challengers.
These people try to target mostly on the
statement made by the strong contenders.
Challengers’ questions can be right or wrong.
They play an important role in a discussion as they
help in bringing out the real facts. But sometimes,
the situation can be uncomfortable, as they might
ask something embarrassing or personal.

5. Devil’s Advocates
Devil’s advocates, also known as butchers, are people
in a group who are in search of an opportunity to cut
others’ point. They are those who do not let others
complete their sentence. They just state their point of
views without letting others speak or complete their
sentences. They are impatient and tend to speak their
mind. They believe in getting things without giving
it a second thought. The group members need to be
cautious of such characters.

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 6. Protectors
Protectors are those people in a group who take
care of keeping the conversation on track. If they
see that the conversation is diverting from the
subject, they ask others to get back to the subject.
These people are quietly forceful, talk straight and
to the point. They are different from leaders as
they do not tend to lead the conversation, but talk
straight and stick to subject.

7. Observers
These people are hard to understand. Initially, they
are quite and rarely speak. In the early stages of the
discussion, anyone can confuse them with introverts.
But the USP of these characters are that they come
out to be intelligent and well organised. They first
observe everyone around them and the conversation
going on. They understand the concepts first and
later give valid points with logical solutions. They are
sharp and resourceful.

8. Aggressive/ Loud
You might see people with loud body language or who
are very aggressive. They tend to disturb the statements
with loudness such as speaking in high voice or loud
actions like banging desk or stomping foot. While they
speak, others cannot speak. Sometimes, it can become a
little messy to deal with them.

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22 GD–PI–WAT ?
GROUP DISCUSSION EVALUATION
PARAMETERS
Following are the parameters on which a candidate is judged
during a Group Discussion:
• Value of the point presented: This includes presenting a new
point, rephrasing an existing point, quality of example provided
• Body language: This includes sitting posture, eye contact, head
movement, style of listening
• Communication skills: Language command, voice clarity

PERSONAL INTERVIEW EVALUATION

PARAMETERS
When appearing for the Personal Interview, the candidates are judged on the
following parameters:
• Personality: Walking style, mannerism, temperament, body language
• Communication skills: Ability to express views, language command
• Knowledge on the subject: Clarity of concepts, ability to present examples
• General Awareness: Knowledge on current affairs

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN

PERSONAL INTERVIEW
• Your introduction
• Academic/job details
• Skills possessed by you
• Family background
• Achievements
• Your objective in life
• Your strengths
• Your weaknesses
• Hobbies
• Work experience
• Reason for choosing MBA
• Your goal 5-10 years from now

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 GD/PI/WAT EXPERIENCES FROM
STUDENTS OF TOP B-SCHOOLS
Learn from WAT-GD-PI experiences of students who made it
to top B-Schools. Click on the links to read detailed student
accounts.

• Know how Ananya Mishra cleared the WAT-GD-PI at IIM

Ahmedabad
• My interview experience at IIM Calcutta: Pratham Mani
• Omkar Pk Mukherjee: How I converted my IIM Calcutta call
• Know how Aditya Chandrayan converted his MDI call
• Biswanath Chakraborty shares his interview experience at IIM
Bangalore
• Achintya Bhattacharya’s WAT-PI experience at IIM Bangalore
• How I converted my IIM Lucknow call
• Nishant Shah’s journey of making it to IIM Ahmedabad
• Gursimran Ahuja’s IIM Ahmedabad WAT-PI recall
• My journey of converting 9/9 calls: Wasim Khan Pathan
• How Dhiraj Bedi converted his IIM Calcutta call
• Shubham Varshney shares his WAT-PI experience at IIM-A
• Shubham Ranka shares his interview experience at IIM Calcutta

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24 GD–PI–WAT ?
 IBA is the first and only Quality Group, formed to bring together
Indian Business School to high quality institutions involved in the
become a member of the international accreditation and support
Council for Higher Education services of the world.
Accreditation (CHEA) International IBA stands oR
ABOUT INDUS BUSINESS ACADEMY
Indus Business Academy (IBA) - Bangalore, formerly known as Indian Business Academy run
by Arihant Education & Research Foundation (Non-Profit organisation), is one of the top
B-Schools in Bangalore, one of the top 1% colleges in India and one among the only 42
out of more than 5000 colleges in India to receive an International Accreditation by IACBE.
IBA started its operation in the year 2001. Its 8.5 acre Wi-Fi campus (dedicated to a single
management program) is situated before the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru.

IBA STANDS FOR

‘IBA’ stands for three success mantras viz. Inspiration, Breakthrough
and Achievement. At IBA, these three success mantras are represented
by a success formula viz. Success = Inspiration X Breakthrough X
Achievement (S = I X B X A). Students of IBA imbibe these fundamental
values and this has led to their success in various walks of life at the
national and global levels. Learning at IBA is rooted in the 3D model
of Discussion, Dialogue and Discourse facilitating the development of
Creative, Enlightened and Organic (CEO) leaders.

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GD–PI–WAT ? 25
 RANKING & AWARDS
Presently, IBA is ranked by vaious renowned ranking agencies as mentioned below:
• IBA Bangalore chosen as ‘ExtraOrdinaire Brand 2017-18’ by Consumers &
Industry, Survey by Times Network & NexBrands Inc.
• IBA Bangalore chosen among ‘Best Education Brands 2017’ by The Economic Times
• Awarded as the ‘Most Innovative Institute’ in India by AIMS (Association of Indian
Management Schools) in 2016
• Honored with the ‘The Academy of Success’ award and ‘The Cultivator of Bright Minds
• Award’ at the World Business Conclave 2016, Hong Kong: “Celebrating Asia-P ’s
Success Story” (Process Reviewed & Evaluated by PwC, ASSOCHAM and HKGCC)
• Listed among 100 Fastest growing Private Institutes in Asia by WCRC Survey (Process
Advised & Evaluated by KPMG)
• Ranked 24th by Competition Success Review (CSR) in ‘All India B-School Survey’ 2017
• Ranked 41st by Business India in ‘All India Best B-School Survey’ 2017
• Ranked 55th by Business World in ‘All India B-School Survey’ 2017
• Ranked 59th by Times of India in ‘All India B-School Survey’ 2017

PROGRAMME OFFERED AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• O ers Two Years Full Time Residential PGDM Program
• PGDM program approved by AICTE, Ministry of HRD (Govt. of India) &
Internationally Accredited by IACBE (U.S.A), recognized by CHEA, U.S.A
• Focused B-School ering only Management Program since 2001
• Students with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks
are eligible to apply
• Students, who are in Final year of Bachelor degree are also eligible to apply
• Candidate should have appeared for anyone of the following exams: CAT
2017 / XAT 2018 / ATMA 2017-18/ MAT 2017-18 / CMAT 2018 / GMAT 2017-18/
26 MAHCET 2018 or any State govt. entrance exam

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GD–PI–WAT ?

IBA ADVANTAGE
• Internationally accredited by IACBE, USA (Recognized by CHEA, USA)
• IBA Bangalore is 19th among the 42 B-Schools (out of 5000+ B-Schools in India) to get
an International Accreditation
• Dual Specialisation Course (HR, Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics & E-Biz,
Operations, Retail, International Business, Entrepreneurship Management)
• 2 Months of Corporate Internship
• Student Community from 26+ States & more than 14% students up to 4 years of work
experience
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification by KPMG
• Bloomberg BusinessWeek B-School Connection
• Certificate Programme in Entrepreneurship by NEN & EDII
• ERP – SAP/Navision Course
• Capstone Business Strategy Course (Offered by Harvard, MIT and IIMs)
• Specialisation courses taught by Senior Practitioners
• Foreign Language
• Live Project Management Course
• Art of Living Yes+ Program to handle Stress
• Foreign Study Tour for Global Exposure
• Business Laptop to Access Database for Case Study & Data Mining

LACEMENT STATISTICS

PLACEMENTS STATISTICS
For the batch of 2017 – Highest CTC Offered:
Rs. 10 Lacs, Average CTC: Rs. 5.90 Lacs

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GD–PI–WAT ? 27