WAT And PI For Top IIMs?

How Should I Prepare For WAT And PI For Top IIMs?

Before we start inspecting the elements of good performances in Written Ability Test and Personal interviews (WAT-PI at IIMs), here is a small catch-phrase for the candidates. “The aim of an argument, or discussion, should not be victory, but progress” – Joseph Joubert

WAT and PI are an important part of MBA selection process; it aims at a candidate’s personality assessment. This is your test for leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. Your performance depends much on the clarity of your thoughts and how you balance between the things that you should say and what you should not say in the interviews. Not just IIMs, but the top B-schools depend much on these rounds to judge candidates’ abilities.

This article will help you with some brilliant tips from MBA toppers and mentors so that you can give your best shot when in front of the board.

Components on Which You Are Judged in IIMs WAT-PI Round

Remember, that this is an unsurpassed chance of achieving admission to your preferred college. Begin with understanding, why WAT/PI is conducted by IIMs and top B-Schools. Every candidate is unique and you must ponder your strengths to give the best. The panelists are looking specifically for the below-mentioned capabilities in candidates when shortlisting them for admissions.

• Ability to Communicate
• Leadership
• Group Dynamics
• Attitude & Aptitude
• Listening Skills and open-mindedness
• Confidence
• Presentation skills
• Decision making
• Problem Solving
• Analytical skills
• Interpersonal skills

How to Perform Better In WAT and PI Rounds?

Written Ability Test (WAT)

This is about writing an essay inside recommended word limit, articulating your view and knowledge on the topic given. Though, the essay writing assessment, the simple it may look, is in reality hard to crack bearing in mind the ratio of aspirants and seats. One needs to make sure that the script is grammatically accurate, rich in vocabulary, driven by facts and figures, and depicts oneself as an appropriate manager of the future.

• Start preparing for WAT immediately after the CAT Exam.
• Being part of mock WAT sessions is a great way of working on your weaknesses and strengths. Feedback from each WAT session contributes a lot. Firstly, you get more insights into the topics, and secondly, you know how to conduct yourself in the WAT. This includes understanding the topic and presenting your thoughts.
• However, there is no replacement for the knowledge. Since knowledge is the key, make reading a habit. Read popular magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc., and stay informed of current affairs.
• Understand the topic well and make notes of your ideas before phrasing them to the essay.
• Be mindful of not being diverted from the topic and do not repeat the points. Your ideas and thoughts should come out to be logical and to the point.

Personal Interview- PI

PI is a face-to-face interface between the interview panel and the candidate. Normally, the questions related to the background, lifestyle, experiences of the candidates are discussed here. The panel at this point tries to evaluate if the candidate has enough capabilities and skills to successfully pursue an MBA career.

• Share your answer with utter confidence and drive the interview in the direction you desire and make you comfortable.
• Try to be part of as many PIs as possible and prepare well for the general questions. Questions like, why you chose MBA, your strengths-weaknesses, short-term long-term goals, etc. are very commonly asked questions.
• Mock interviews help you understand how to deliver what you think. The feedback from mock is very valuable in bringing out a better version of yourself.
• Your willingness to learn and your smartness are valued a lot by the interviewers.
• If the PIs are not going as you planned, do not get disheartened. Let it not affect the next questions and conversations. Be tough, confident, and honest with a strong positive outlook.
• Statement of Purpose is required by a few IIMs. This is mostly about your personal data and you can mention your achievements, career goals, and how you can contribute to your B-school while trying to achieve your goals. A range of information relating to your name, places where you lived, the Governors and CM names, extracurricular interests, and reasons for poor academics, and more are asked in the SOP.
• Prepare well for current affairs, trends, and opinion-based questions. Invest a lot of time in knowledge sessions so that you could tackle different types of questions. IIMs ask general knowledge questions like the name of the Deputy Prime Minister, Vice President, etc. Technology disruptions are also one of the liked questions of the interviewers.

Summary

1. The freshers should prepare well on topics from your curriculum, college and internship projects. Experienced candidates need to have a fair view of everything you do in your job profile. Present your roles, responsibilities, contributions, business environments, competitions, and initiatives, as soon as you get a chance.  Know who your company CEO, Business Unit Heads are. Study and have an insight on vision and mission statements, core values of your company, its revenue, acquisitions/mergers and Sales, Profit and Loss, etc.
2. If you have been shortlisted for an MBA interview from IIMs or any top B-schools, go through the complete checklist of do’s and don’ts in WAT-PI before attending the interview.
3. Know Thyself- Your strengths and weaknesses
4. Work on Knowledge boosters. If you wish, you can subscribe to our website or enroll in various personalized programs from coaching institutes.
5. Practice mocks daily for getting smarter in your interactions.
6. Take your mock interactions seriously and work on them

Being well prepared is the key to faring well in your test rounds. Confidence and composure only comes from a good preparation level. Do not fear personal interviews, focus on standing out and find out your unique traits to use them effectively.

All the best for the WAT-PI round at IIMs!