Essay Writing in IIMs is gaining more importance and so is the concern among the aspirants who have been short listed by the IIMs. The points of concern range from ‘duration’ of writing essays, ‘probable topics’ and ‘how to prepare’.
In this article of MBAUniverse.com, IIM students guide you on your concerns and help you deal with them.
Duration
The duration of writing the essays vary between IIMs. While IIM Ahmedabad gives you the duration of 10 minutes, IIM Bangalore’s Essay Writing duration is 30 minutes. In IIM Lucknow it is for 15 minutes. Here it becomes a challenge for the candidates to write the essay in such a short span. But with regular practice, this will not be a matter of concern for the students.
“Pick up current topics from newspapers/magazines etc. and try to gather your thoughts on the same within stipulated time in a simple structured way,” advises Pratik Mukherjee, IIM Ahmedabad student and aspirant mentor.
Preparation
The best way to prepare for essay writing is to read a lot and practice according to time. Be aware about the current affairs topics as much as possible. Develop your own opinion around it and express your views in the form of writing. “Read up the current issues, as much as possible.
Analyze what you read and form your own views,” says Pratik. The best way to practice is to pick up a current affairs topic and write about it for the stipulated time every day. In this way, your thought process will be clearer and the speed will also improve. Also practice writing on generalized topics.
Probable topics
The topics can be anything under the sun. They can be either on current affairs or a general topic such as a proverb or a phrase or something on personal experience or abstract topics. Ashwin Gurunathan, an IIM Lucknow student gives some ideas on topics.
“Some abstract topics can be Faith is to believe what you do not yet see reward for faith is to see what you believe. Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. When you find that you are on the side of majority, it is time to reform. Science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind. Latest topics like Radia tapes, scams, social networking, Wikileaks and lot more can also be expected,” he informs.
“If the topic is abstract think hard before putting anything on paper. Come up with a punch line if possible,” says Ranjan Panda, IIM Kozhikode student.
While writing the essay
While writing the essay you must keep in mind some points such as you will not get any option of topics and will have to write on what you have been asked to write on.
“As soon as the topic was declared by the panel, your time starts,” Pratik mentions. Here, the key is to write as fast as possible in order to finish the essay. Don’t waste time in thinking and planning the structure of the essay, you will not be able to complete it.
“Essay writing should be precise rather than beating the bush or repeating the same point again and again,” Ranjan says.
Your focus should be to start the essay and put as many important points as possible. It is not a compulsion to present it in an impressive and flowery language. But accuracy and correctness of spelling and grammar definitely matters a lot. It is important to develop the ability to think and articulate fast. For the B-School panelists, it is a tool to see how you structure your thoughts and produce them in least time.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on Essay Writing.
