One thing that an MBA course promises its students is “truck loads” of writing – in the form of assignments and presentations – throughout the 2-year long tenure. Thus, it is very essential that students have an innate love and skill for writing.
The Writing Ability Test is a common feature in the short listing procedure of almost all MBA entrance exams. In the recent past it has been observed that many institutes have included WAT either in replacement of the Group Discussion or in addition to it. In this age of Twitter and Whatsapp, the written communication has gone for a toss and thus WAT becomes an essential component to be tested.
WAT: Features & Facts
After clearing the exam cutoff, candidates are called for further rounds and WAT is one of them. Important features of WAT essays
- Time allotted is anywhere 15 - 45 minutes.
- Word limit is 150 - 500 words, this means anywhere between 1-2 A-4 pages.
- The types of essays asked are- Factual Essay, Abstract Essay, Case Study Based Topics
- It could be paper based or computer based.
The overall weightage for the WAT component in MBA admission processes lies between 10% to 15%.
WAT: Focus
Even though the weightage of WAT may be around 10% - 15% but it is a very crucial aspect of the selection process. The candidates are judged on five areas through the essay they write, namely:
- Communication skills
- Written skills
- Vocabulary skills
- Creative skills
- Analytical skills
The skills mentioned above help panelists decide which candidates have an edge as far as their communication is concerned. Apart from this, a candidate’s presentation skill is also tested and gives an interviewer a closer look into the thought process of a candidate.
WAT: 4Cs in Your Essay
MBA Rendezvous gives you 4 Cs that can help you stand out from the rest-
Content: The star of your essay is the actual information you write and share. Whatever topic you are given, the essay should focus on it and there should be no deviation. Make sure you have well-thought and relevant ideas and information.
Coherence: It is extremely important that you make sure that what you write is not haphazard or disjoint. The essay should have a proper structure with an impactful start, meaningful body and logical ending.
Competence: You must ensure that the language you use for essay is competent and fluent. There are no grammatical mistakes (at any cost). Be articulate in expressing your ideas. Use quotes and idioms to make the essay sound impressive.
Check: Keep checking and correcting your essay while you practice for or perform during the exam. Also, keep a check on the time. It is important for you to stick to the time and the word limit
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