Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication - PGDM 2025
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) is only the first hurdle in securing a seat at a top Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The next phase—the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI)—plays a crucial role in determining final admission. Unlike CAT, which primarily tests analytical and quantitative abilities, WAT and PI assess a candidate’s personality, communication skills, general awareness, and clarity of thought. This article outlines seven key strategies to help aspirants excel in WAT and PI, increasing their chances of securing admission to prestigious B-schools.
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The Written Ability Test (WAT) is an essay-writing exercise that evaluates a candidate’s ability to think critically, structure arguments logically, and communicate ideas effectively. In addition to structuring essays effectively, candidates should focus on developing a strong introduction that immediately captures the reader’s attention. A thought-provoking statistic, a relevant quote, or a brief anecdote can make the introduction compelling.
Furthermore, the conclusion should provide a clear takeaway or recommendation, ensuring the essay does not end abruptly. Avoiding redundancy and ensuring coherence between paragraphs enhances the overall flow of writing.
To strengthen critical thinking, candidates should analyze multiple perspectives on a given topic before drafting their essay. This habit helps in presenting a balanced viewpoint while ensuring depth in arguments. Practising under timed conditions also improves the ability to articulate ideas within the given constraints.
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Aspect | Details |
Time Limit | 20-30 minutes |
Word Limit | 250-400 words |
Evaluation Criteria | Clarity, Structure, Grammar, Relevance, Critical Thinking |
Common Topics | Business & Economy, Social Issues, Current Affairs, Ethical Dilemmas, Policy Matters |
Follow a Structure: Divide the essay into an Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
Stay Neutral & Balanced: Avoid extreme viewpoints unless backed by strong evidence.
Use Data & Facts: Quoting statistics and reports (e.g., World Bank, NITI Aayog) adds credibility.
Work on Language: Ensure grammatical accuracy and avoid verbose sentences.
Practice Daily: Writing 1-2 essays per day on trending topics will help refine articulation skills.
Beyond newspapers and online resources, candidates should explore government policy documents, economic surveys, and industry reports to develop a well-rounded perspective. Reading books on economics, international relations, and business strategy can further refine analytical skills.
Engaging in peer discussions or participating in online forums focused on business and current affairs helps in understanding diverse viewpoints. Writing summaries of key issues and forming personal opinions can be beneficial for both WAT and PI.
Also, developing the ability to connect current events with business implications can give candidates an edge in discussions. For example, understanding how global supply chain disruptions impact Indian startups can demonstrate critical thinking skills.
A large portion of the interview and WAT revolves around current events and socio-economic developments. Candidates must stay informed about national and international affairs.
To stay well-informed, it is essential to read reputed newspapers like The Hindu, Economic Times, and Mint, which provide in-depth coverage of national and international affairs, business, and economic trends. Additionally, following credible online sources such as RBI Reports and UN Reports ensures access to authentic data and policy insights. Listening to news podcasts and YouTube discussions from platforms like The Print and India Today helps in understanding diverse perspectives and expert analyses. Engaging in debates and discussions further refines critical thinking and enables the formation of well-rounded opinions on various issues.
Example of Trending Topics:
Category | Sample Topics |
Economy | Impact of Inflation on Startups, India’s Digital Economy Growth |
Politics | G20 Presidency, Impact of Electoral Bonds |
Business | Rise of AI in Indian Businesses, India’s Unicorn Boom |
Society | Role of Women in Leadership, NEP 2020 Implementation |
The Personal Interview assesses a candidate’s personality, confidence, communication skills, and problem-solving ability. Questions are often a mix of academic, professional, and personal aspects. Candidates should be prepared for stress interviews, where interviewers deliberately challenge responses to assess composure and confidence. Practising how to handle difficult or unexpected questions calmly can help in maintaining a structured approach under pressure.
Also, storytelling techniques can be effective in making responses engaging. Instead of giving generic answers, narrating real-life experiences with a clear problem-action-result framework adds credibility to responses.
It is also crucial to be well-versed with personal achievements, projects, and leadership experiences. Interviewers often ask for examples of teamwork, problem-solving, or handling conflicts, so having specific incidents ready can make responses more impactful. The candidates must know a few of the CAT interview questions in prior. A few are listed below.
Question Category | Sample Questions |
Personal Questions | "Tell me about yourself.", "Why MBA?" |
Academic Questions | "Explain a concept from your graduation field." |
Work Experience | "Describe your role in the company." |
Business Awareness | "What do you think about the Budget 2024?" |
Situational | "What would you do if you had to lay off employees?" |
Know Yourself: Be prepared with answers about your background, strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations.
Be Honest & Authentic: Avoid scripted answers and ensure natural responses.
Work on Body Language: Maintain eye contact and exhibit confidence.
Prepare for Extempore Topics: Practice impromptu speaking on various subjects.
Mock Interviews: Take multiple mock interviews to fine-tune responses.
Academic and professional background-related questions form a significant portion of the PI. Candidates must be well-versed in their undergraduate subjects and current work profile (if applicable). For candidates with work experience, interviewers expect a deep understanding of their industry and role. Staying updated on sector trends, key competitors, and technological advancements is essential. Reviewing the financial performance of one’s company and understanding major industry challenges demonstrates preparedness.
For fresh graduates, revising core subjects and their practical applications is important. Explaining concepts in a simple and structured manner indicates strong conceptual clarity. Candidates should also relate academic knowledge to real-world business scenarios to showcase practical understanding.
In addition, understanding the intersection of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Data Analytics with one’s field of study or industry can set a candidate apart. This reflects awareness of future trends and adaptability to change.
Let us discuss a few preparation tips with respect to the candidate’s background.
Aspect | Preparation Strategy |
Undergrad Subjects | Revise core concepts and applications. |
Work Experience | Be clear about roles, projects, and industry trends. |
Industry Awareness | Know key competitors, emerging trends, and challenges. |
Tech & AI Influence | Be aware of AI’s impact on your sector. |
Mocks and discussions help build confidence and improve articulation. Apart from structured mock interviews, engaging in informal discussions with peers, mentors, or professionals helps in refining articulation. Recording mock interviews and analyzing voice modulation, pauses, and clarity can lead to noticeable improvements.
For Group Discussions (GD), practising different formats such as case-based discussions, abstract topics, and role-based exercises ensures versatility. Developing the ability to lead discussions without dominating and encouraging quieter participants to contribute can demonstrate leadership qualities.
Additionally, keeping responses concise and backed by data or logical reasoning enhances credibility. Observing successful debate formats, such as TED Talks or Model United Nations (MUN) discussions, can offer insights into effective speaking techniques. It is also for the candidates to be aware of the various trending GD topics.
Regular practice and self-assessment help in identifying areas of improvement, allowing for targeted efforts to enhance performance. It also reduces nervousness by building confidence and familiarity with the subject matter. Additionally, it aids in refining the structure and clarity of answers, ensuring that responses are well-organized, concise, and effectively communicated.
Dos | Don'ts |
Listen attentively | Interrupt others |
Present facts with examples | Be aggressive |
Maintain composure | Speak without evidence |
Engage in logical arguments | Deviate from topic |
Good communication is vital for both WAT and PI. Clear and concise articulation enhances impact. Effective communication is a cornerstone of success in both the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The way you convey your thoughts, ideas, and arguments can significantly impact your performance. Mastering communication skills goes beyond just speaking fluently—it involves clarity, conciseness, confidence, and the ability to engage your audience.
To enhance vocabulary, it is essential to read extensively across various genres, including literature, news, and academic articles. Practising impromptu speaking helps in developing quick thinking and articulate responses, making communication more effective. Recording responses and analyzing tone and delivery can provide valuable insights into speech patterns, helping to refine pronunciation, pacing, and clarity. Engaging in structured debates and discussions sharpens critical thinking, argumentation skills, and the ability to present ideas persuasively. Additionally, avoiding fillers such as "um," "like," and "you know" ensures a more confident and polished delivery, making conversations more impactful and professional.
Each IIM has a unique selection process, balancing CAT scores, academics, work experience, diversity factors, and WAT-PI performance. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) follow a multi-stage selection process for admission into their MBA programs. While each IIM has its own selection methodology, the general process includes a mix of academic performance, entrance test scores, work experience, diversity factors, and personal assessment. Understanding these criteria and their weightage can help aspirants strategize their preparation effectively.
Component | Weightage (%) |
CAT Score | 30-40% |
WAT-PI Performance | 30-50% |
Academics | 10-20% |
Work Experience | 5-10% |
Gender & Academic Diversity | 5-10% |
Note: The weightage varies across IIMs, with newer IIMs often assigning higher importance to WAT-PI performance.
Securing admission into a top IIM requires a blend of knowledge, personality, and communication skills. By focusing on WAT preparation, staying updated on current affairs, refining interview skills, and enhancing communication, candidates can significantly improve their chances of success.
With consistent effort and the right strategies, you can confidently face the WAT and PI and secure your place in a premier B-school.
CAT tests logical, quantitative, and verbal skills, while WAT-PI assesses communication, critical thinking, general awareness, and personality.
Practice writing daily, follow a structured format (Introduction, Body, Conclusion), use facts, and avoid extreme views.
Common questions include:
Personal: “Tell me about yourself,” “Why MBA?”
Academic: “Explain a concept from your field.”
Work Experience: “Describe your role.”
Current Affairs: “What do you think about Budget 2024?”
Read The Hindu, Economic Times, follow RBI reports, and watch business news. Join discussion forums and listen to podcasts.
Stay calm, structure your responses, and be honest. Practice handling tough questions with mock interviews.
Very important! Maintain eye contact, sit confidently, avoid fidgeting, and use hand gestures naturally.
Be clear about your job role, projects, industry trends, and challenges. Relate your experience to management skills.
Take mock interviews, record yourself, engage in debates, and practice structured discussions on business and social issues.
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Although, it's very unlikely that you will secure a seat in top ABM with CAT 67 percentile. Here's is a breakdown to your question:
· CAT Percentile vs. Score: A CAT score of 67 typically translates to a percentile in the range of 90-95 percentile based on the provided data from previous years. While this is a decent score overall, it falls short of the cutoffs for most top-tier ABM programs.
· Cutoffs for Top ABM Institutes:
· Overall Good CAT Score: Generally, a CAT percentile of 90 and above is considered a good score for securing admission to decent MBA programs in India. For top-tier institutes, a percentile of 95 and above is often preferred.
· MBA Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile: While there are MBA colleges that accept CAT scores in the 60-70 percentile range, these are generally not the top-ranked or most sought-after ABM programs. The focus of those lists is on general MBA programs, not specifically ABM.
While securing a seat in ABM can be tough, you can research about other colleges, consider other examinations, to improve your application profile.
You Got This !
Hello,
achieving a 99.99 pecentile in the CAT exam significantly enhances your prospects for admission to JBIMS, which evaluates candidates using an application rating(AR) score, which includes
-entrance exam score (CAT/MH-CET/CMAT) : 60% weightage
-Past Academic Record (PAR) : 15% weightage (https://cracku.in/colleges/jbims/admission-process/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Extra-curricular Activities/Work Experience : 20% weightage (https://jbims.edu/uploads/announcement/Revised_M_Sc__Finance_Admission_Procedure_Batch_2024-26.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Diversity (Academic/Gender): 5% weightage
while ahigh CAT percentile is crucial, a lower academic record may impact your overall AR score. Nonetheless, exceptional performance in other areas, such as entrance exams and extracurricular activities, can help offset weaker academic credentials. it's advisable to review JBIMS's detailed admission criteria and consider strengthening other aspects of your application to enhance your chances
To find the 2024 MHT CET answer key, you'll need to check the official Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell website. This is the primary source for all official announcements and documents related to the MHT CET exam. After the exam concludes, the CET Cell typically releases a provisional answer key.
Once released, the provisional answer key will likely be available as a downloadable PDF file. You'll need to navigate to the official website, look for the MHT CET section, and find the link related to the answer key. This link might be labelled "MHT CET 2024 Answer Key" or something similar.
After downloading the answer key, you can compare your responses with the official answers. If you find any discrepancies or have objections, the CET Cell usually provides a window for raising objections. You'll likely need to pay a specified fee for each objection raised. The official website will provide instructions on how to submit your objections, which may involve logging into your candidate portal and following the provided steps.
Finally, after considering all objections, the CET Cell will publish a final answer key. This final version is considered definitive, and the MHT CET results will be based on it. Keep an eye on the official website for all updates and announcements regarding the 2024 answer key.
I hope this helps.
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query
Okay, so you're a bit confused about what to put in those CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT forms regarding your 12th scores. Since you did CBSE, they usually only consider your final 12th standard marks.
Even though you did great in 11th, scoring 495 out of 500, for these entrance exam forms, they're specifically asking about your 12th board exam marks .You mentioned you got 400 out of 500 in 12th, which comes out to 80%.
Therefore, when filling out the forms for CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT, you should enter 80% as your 12th percentage. The aggregate of 11th and 12th isn't typically what they're looking for in these sections. They want to know how you performed in your final board exams. So, stick with the 80% from your 12th results. Good luck with your applications!
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query:-
Determination of the best time to start the journey of CAT examination is based on individual factors like your current skill level, knowledge ,potential, learning pace and availability. To give yourself the best chance of success on the CAT exam , which usually takes place in November, it's advisable to begin studying between January and March of that same year. This 8 to 12-month preparation window is widely recommended by experts. But if you're managing your college along with the CAT preparations make sure you start from 2nd year onwards. It will hep you manage stress and you'll have ample amount of time to get along with the syllabus , pattern and various practice and mocks .
You'll be able to build a strong foundation in each sections and be able to know your strengths and weaknesses in different topics. The CAT syllabus is extensive, and early preparation allows for thorough coverage. Assess your learning speed and adjust your preparation timeline accordingly.
Essentially, while the ideal start time is subjective, beginning your CAT preparation well in advance is generally considered the most effective strategy for achieving optimal results.
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