Hello Supriya.

Here are some tips to crack GD PI WAT.

Preparation for  GD-PI-WAT involves two basic steps: gaining procedural knowledge and improving general awareness.

Procedural knowledge implies knowledge of the processes of GD-PI-WAT, their objectives, dos and don’ts etc. Most test prep companies conduct training sessions for the same after the CAT and a few other entrance exams have been conducted. As these activities involve interaction, it is advisable that candidates join a preparatory course for GD-PI-WAT as soon as they are through with most of their written tests.

Ideally, candidates should start improving general awareness (including self-awareness and subject knowledge) as soon as they start their preparation for the written tests. As General Awareness is a very vast area, it makes sense to follow the top stories as and when they happen. Post the written tests, candidates should start enhancing their general awareness full-time by reading newspapers and magazines such as Outlook and Outlook Business. While reading up on news-making events, candidates should consider various aspects and arguments and use their own judgement to decide what their stand should be.

PIs may include many questions from the subjects candidates have studied during their graduation or post graduation. Candidates should revise important concepts learnt in at least two major subjects and think about their real-life applications.

As the PI tests candidates’ self-awareness too, they should spend a few days introspecting. (Some common PI questions are discussed below)

What kind of topics of GD-WAT should a student prepare for?

The GD-WAT topics for MBA normally require you to take a stand, so they require you to be analytical and argumentative rather than descriptive. The topics of GD/WAT are mostly of sociological significance and may be based on long-standing or newly uncovered issues. Students should go through the topics allotted by various B-schools last year, to get an idea on how to crack GD/WAT and what can be expected at these rounds. Also, students should read up on the sensational stories of 2017-18, build arguments for/against the issues and decide their standpoint.

What are the common PI questions that an aspirant should expect?

Through a personal interview, selectors try to assess candidates’ interests, aptitude, and personality. They try to understand the candidates better by uncovering their aspirations, motivation, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

With this aim in mind, the most common PI questions posed by selectors are:

What is the meaning of your name? (typically used as an icebreaker)

Tell me something about yourself.

Why do you want to do an MBA?

What are your plans after an MBA?

What are your career goals?

Where do you see yourself 5/10 years from now?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Elaborate on your work experience.

What are your hobbies/interests? (technical questions on the same)

Candidates are questioned about the shift in academic streams if any.

Candidates are questioned about a gap year if any.

Candidates are questioned about poor academic performance.

Some general awareness questions are asked.

Academic questions from the subjects the candidate has studied are also asked.

Information pertaining to the candidate’s hometown is also sought in many cases.

Hope this information is useful.

Goodluck!