Written Ability Test (WAT) for IIMs

WAT is a paper-pen based writing test of 15 to 30 minutes duration conducted by IIMs and other top B-schools to test your writing skills after you are shortlisted for final admission round. This test is conducted just before your personal Interview session. Most of the IIMs have replaced Group Discussion (GD) round by WAT in their final selection round.

Managers and Business Leaders are expected to possess strong effective verbal and written communication skills to make effective presentations and proposals. While verbal communication skills are assessed during Personal Interview, written communication skills are assessed by IIMs through Written Ability Test (WAT).  

WAT for IIM goes by different names. While IIM Ahmedabad has WAT as Academic Writing Test (AWT), IIM Calcutta and IIM Bangalore have named it as Writing Ability Test (WAT). WAT has been reintroduced in the IIM CAP 2025 selection process. List of IIMs using WAT for admission 2025 include:

Table: List of IIMs participating in IIM CAP 2025 

Top MBA Colleges Using WAT are:

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Delhi/Kolkata
• Goa Institute of Management (GIM) Goa 

IIM WAT Topics are as follows:

IIM Ahmedabad WAT Topics 

• Your Views on Change of Union Budget Presentation Date
• How Effective has been Brexit – Share your Opinion and Thoughts
• How do you see State of News Media in India
• What are your views on Performance of Refineries in India
• Spending money on Statue of Unity resulted in wastage of resources

IIM Bangalore WAT Topics 

• Aadhar has been a game changer as it has enrolled more than 100 crore people in India. However, a lot of people are worried about the privacy and protection of their data. What are your views on the same

IIM Calcutta WAT Topics 

• Social media has given the freedom of speech to the masses. However, it has led to a lot of false information being spread resulting into incidents of violence and riots. What are your views on the same?

There are different types of WAT topics on which you would be asked to write a well worded fact or opinion based coherent piece in 15-30 minutes. The types of WAT Topics for MBA admission in an IIM or other top B-school can be based on:

• Current Affairs,
• Business, Economics, Finance,
• Social or Political issues,
• Sports related news
• Abstract topics.

Type of WAT Topics include Abstract WAT Topics, Business & Economy WAT topics, Current Affairs WAT topics, and WAT Topics on Social and International Issues. Here are latest WAT Topics for IIM and MBA Admission 2025. 

• Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 - Balancing Tradition with Modern Economic and Environmental Challenges?
• Is there a North-South Divide in India? Is it hindering India's Economic and Social Progress?
• Should India Host the 2036 Olympics: A National Opportunity or a Financial Burden?
• Indian Wedding Industry: A Cultural Celebration for Rich or a Social Burden on Poor?
• Quick Commerce in India: Urban Necessity or Waste of Resources?
• Gold Investment in India: A Symbol of Personal Prestige or a Barrier to National Economic Growth?
• Global Food & Hunger Crisis: India’s poor ranking at 105 in Global Hunger Index must be a National Priority
• PM Internship Scheme: Can it Really Solve Youth’s Employability Challenge?Work- Life Balance is a Myth
• Innovation Vs Invention: What is more important?
• Red is red, blue is blue and never the two shall meet
• Brevity is the soul of wit
• GD Topic: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Is it Beneficial for Retiring Employees or Just an Eyewash?
• Is India ready for Electric Vehicles?
• MBA GD Topic: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Old Wine in New Bottle or Effective Legal System?
• Russia Ukraine War: Reasons for Conflict & Impact on India
• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): A convenience or a trap
• Crypto Currency: A bright future or just a fad?
• Agriculture Role in India and Subsidies: Problems & Challenges
• $5 Trillion Economy: The Vision, Challenges and Roadmap for India