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How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of top B-Schools? - Getting admission in B-Schools is quite a task these days due to the complexity of the admission process. Gone are those days when getting admission to top B-Schools was just a cakewalk one reason for this is the increased competition. Major top B-Schools be it IIMs, XLRI, IIFT or other B-Schools take admission through an entrance exam, post which the further selection rounds are held for shortlisted candidates. The admission process of top B-Schools includes GD-PI & WAT rounds. Clearing the B-Schools entrance exams can be achieved with hard work and dedication. But the challenge that candidates face is when they have to take part in the GD-PI & WAT rounds on qualifying the written entrance exam.
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The very first question that comes to a candidates mind when he/ she is wanting to take admission to top B-School is - How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of top B-Schools? Overall selection of candidates is based on the composite score of entrance exams, GD-PI & WAT rounds, candidate’s profile, work experience, and much more. In this article of How to prepare for GD-PI & WAT rounds of Top B-Schools? Careers360 will help you know what WAT, GD-PI is? Common yet major preparation tips for selection rounds of IIMs and other top B-School.
Communication Skills
Writing Ability
Attitude & Aptitude Level
Interaction skills
Decisiveness
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Before moving straight onto the preparation tips, let us first look at what exactly the GD-PI & WAT rounds are and why they are conducted by top B-Schools to provide admissions to candidates.
WAT round is very much like the essay writing part, in which candidates are given a topic to write.
The round is conducted in offline mode i.e. pen paper-based and candidates are allotted a time duration of 15-30 minutes depending upon the institute they are applying for.
Out of the 20 IIMs, most of them have replaced GD round with WAT round as it is a great assessment process to judge candidates.
The word limit of 200 to 400 words is given to candidates.
Within this word and time limit, candidates are required to formulate ideas, jot down the points and provide a structure to reach a conclusion.
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In the GD round a group of 8-10 candidates is formed and given a topic to discuss.
The round can be conducted in both online and offline modes and the time duration is usually 20-30 minutes.
Group members are called group participants while the person conducting the GD round is called GTO (group testing officer) or if more than one person is conducting then GTO panel/panelists.
Candidates are given time to think in advance after the topic is disclosed and then participants discuss the same to reach an effective conclusion.
Personal or face to face interaction of selected candidate with the judges/interviewers is called the personal interview.
Candidates are judged on the basis of their interpersonal communication skills, responsiveness, confidence.
It is better to be well prepared as your overall impression will be impact full in a face to face round.
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Gain Subject Knowledge
Make Notes on Ongoing Trends
Time Management
Gain Subject Knowledge - Do not go unprepared for a WAT round. Gaining knowledge on major managerial subjects is one of the major preparation tips for written ability tests. Update yourself with current trends. Read national as well as international magazines/journals.
Make Notes on Ongoing Trends - One of the preparation tips for a written ability test is to make a bullet board and paste ongoing events on it. If it is not possible to have a bullet board, then buy some colourful sticky notes or flashcards and stick them in a visible place. Note all important information on them and get to read it every time your eyes attract the colour.
Time Management - As time is precious in all domains of life. Hence, while appearing for the WAT round, candidates must keep the value of time and try to submit their complete work within the stipulated time as per specifications of the B-Schools.
Note - Expert Ramnath Kanakadandi advises candidates to go for a CODER approach i.e.
Hence, collect the knowledge about the subject, organize and develop the important sticky/flash notes, express the same within the specified time limit and review them before submission.
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Read More
Avoid Jargon/Slangs
Practice in Front of Mirror
Don’t Deviate From Your Point
Read More - To prepare for group discussion rounds it is advisable to candidates to read as much as possible about the latest topics. A group discussion topics can be divided into Abstract Topics, Current Affairs Topics, Business & Economy Topics as well as Social Issues Topics. Go through some of the topics and try to add something extraordinary.
Avoid Jargon/Slangs - Do not try to showcase your vocabulary skills in a group discussion round as it may leave a reverse impact on your results. Be clear and specific to what you have to say. Avoid technical jargon and common slangs while in a formal group discussion round. It may happen that Jargon/Slangs may not be known to other group participants or group testing officers
Practice in Front of the Mirror - If you feel you are low in confidence at the time of speaking openly, then practice speaking in front of the mirror. Think about what you have to say, and then be clear with your words. See your facial expressions, body gestures while you speak this way you will learn how to speak and express yourself in front of others
Don’t Deviate From Your Point - Be specific with your points. For example, if you are with the pros of any topic stick to the same and do not deviate from your wordings on hearing others as per the preparation tips for group discussion. Do not be diplomatic until you are concluding the group discussion topic
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Showcase Confidence
Improve Listening
Have a Presence of Mind
Have a Formal Dress Code
Showcase Confidence - Being confident enhances your personality. Looking confident and feeling confident should be one of the preparation tips for the personal interview. Remember that being nervous is easy and natural, thinking the same will make you look pathetic and may reduce your chances of success in a personal interview
Improve Listening - Understand the difference between hearing and listening. Do not hear the interviewer, try to listen to what he says or asks you. By listening carefully you will be able to answer accurately and up to his/her/their expectations
Have a Presence of Mind - One of the Preparation Tips for Personal Interview apart from listening is to be present. Do not make the interviewers wait for your answer else it may leave them guessing and doubting your preparation
Have Formal Dress Code - Remember you are going to appear for a personal interview for admission in one of the top B-Schools. Hence, select a proper and formal dress code. Male candidates can go for a formal light shade full-sleeve shirt with pants. Footwear could be Oxford, Derby, Brogue, etc., While female candidates can wear a half sleeve shirt along with trousers/knee-length skirt with heels/Ballerinas. Be formal and remember that appearance also matters in a personal interview.
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 would take place on November 30, 2025.
Important dates for CAT 2025
Release of Notification: July 2025
Registration: August 2, 2025-September 21, 2025
Date of Examination: November 30, 2025
Declaration of Result : December 21, 2025
For most current and accurate information kindly see to the official notification and IIMs website or check the CAT website.
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-2025-syllabus
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cat-2025
The student cannot join the postgraduate MA program directly in the second year of the MA after completing the MBA.
Universities generally expect students to begin the first year of a masters' program even though they had qualifications at the level of a bachelor's degree. The university's curriculum along with the courses are planned to give an in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
But you could opt for:
Postgraduate Studies:
Research Career: In case research interests you, then you can pursue a Ph.D. in your specific interest.
Specialized Master's Programs: Find any specific master's course that supports the career goal.
Professional Certifications:
Make a professional certification in CFA, CA, or FRM to enhance the professional skills and better opportunities in the career field.
Job Entry via MBA
After gaining an MBA from a renowned institution, it's possible to get entry into the corporate world where the diversity in the career field is assured.
In the end, it would depend on what you would like and what you are particularly interested in. It will be better if you take a suggestion from your academic advisor or career counselor.
Hello Pratik,
If your family income exceeds 8 LPA, it will affect your eligibility for the NC-OBC category under the CAT reservation rules. The NC-OBC category requires that the family income should be below 8 LPA to qualify. If you anticipate that your income will exceed this threshold, you should update your status and notify the CAT authorities .
Here's what you can do:
Email the CAT authorities
: Inform them about the potential change in your income status and request to be considered under the
General
category, if applicable. You should do this before the examination or any further processing, as your eligibility for the OBC category depends on the income criteria.
Documents and Proof
: Make sure you have a valid
OBC certificate
and any relevant documentation regarding your family income, in case they require verification. Also, be aware that if your income exceeds 8 LPA, you might need to apply under the
General
category, as the OBC-NC reservation is no longer applicable.
General Category Consideration : If your application is accepted as General, you will be evaluated based on the General category criteria, including cutoffs and ranking.
To summarize, notifying the CAT authorities is the correct approach to avoid discrepancies later, and if your income is above the threshold, you will be treated as a General candidate for the admissions process.
For more details about CAT exam you can check out an article by Careers360 whose link is given below:
Link: https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hi Shreya ,
Having a tattoo on your wrist should not create a problem during the CAT exam as long as it does not contain any content that violates exam rules , such as communication-related symbols , unauthorised messages or any text resembling formulas or answers .
For a safe side , it is recommended :
1. Inform the Invigilators : Let them know about your tattoo during the identification check , so there are no misunderstandings .
2. Follow the Guidelines : Ensure you follow all instructions regarding permissible items and dress code on the exam day .
Hope this helps you .
ALL THE BEST .
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