Written Ability Test (WAT) is an important part of IIM Final Selection process for MBA program. WAT has been reintroduced in the IIM CAP 2025 selection process. Many other leading B-Schools like IIFT and GIM Goa use WAT in its final selection process. Read this article to understand complete details of IIM WAT process. Also check latest WAT Topics for IIM CAP 2025 and MBA admission 2025.
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
IIM | Is WAT Part of Admission 2025 Process? |
IIM Kashipur (2011) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Raipur (2010) | No |
IIM Ranchi (2010) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Tiruchirappalli (2011) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Udaipur (2011) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Rohtak (2010) | No |
IIM Nagpur (2015) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Jammu (2015) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Bodh Gaya (2015) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Sirmaur (2015) | Yes (IIM CAP 2025) |
IIM Sambalpur (2015) | No |
IIM Amritsar (2015) | No |
IIM Visakhapatnam (2015) | No |
Top MBA Colleges Using WAT are:
IIM WAT Topics are as follows:
IIM Ahmedabad WAT Topics
IIM Bangalore WAT Topics
IIM Calcutta WAT Topics
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:
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.