⚠️
Quick Navigation
Most WAT failures aren’t from lack of knowledge—they’re from avoidable mistakes. Candidates who know these WAT mistakes to avoid can often improve their scores significantly without learning anything new. They just stop doing what hurts them.
This guide covers the 15 most common errors, organized by category, with specific fixes for each. Consider it your pre-flight checklist before every WAT.
⚠️
This Builds on Core WAT Frameworks
This guide assumes familiarity with WAT basics. For foundational frameworks, see: Opinion Essay WAT, WAT Essay Structure, and Personal Reflection Essay WAT.
The Mistake Severity Matrix
| Severity | Impact | Mistakes in This Category |
|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Critical | Can sink an otherwise good essay | No stance, fence-sitting, fake statistics, unfinished essay |
| 🟠 Major | Significantly reduces score | No counter-argument, moralizing tone, generic opening, poor structure |
| 🟡 Moderate | Costs some marks | Too many arguments, verbosity, summary conclusion, weak examples |
| 🟢 Minor | Polish issues | Grammar errors, illegible handwriting, word count issues |
Coach’s Perspective
Focus on eliminating critical and major mistakes first. A simple, well-structured essay with clear stance beats a sophisticated essay with fence-sitting or fabricated evidence. Evaluators forgive minor polish issues; they don’t forgive fundamental errors.
Section 1
Structure & Organization Mistakes
These WAT mistakes to avoid relate to how you organize your essay. Structure errors are often invisible to the writer but obvious to the evaluator.
🔴
Structure Mistakes (4)
🔴 Mistake #1: Delayed Position (Opening Without Stance)
▼
What It Looks Like
“In today’s rapidly changing world, the question of Universal Basic Income has generated considerable debate among economists, policymakers, and social scientists…” (Position appears in paragraph 3, if at all)
Why It Hurts
Evaluators read hundreds of essays. If they can’t find your stance by line 2-3, they assume you don’t have one. Long wind-ups waste precious words and signal academic essay habits, not managerial thinking.
The Fix: State position by line 2-3. Context is 1-2 sentences max. Template: “[Hook with data/context]. [Clear stance with conditions].” Example: “With 40% informal workforce, UBI isn’t academic—it’s urgent. India should adopt targeted UBI, replacing inefficient subsidies.”
🟠 Mistake #2: No Counter-Argument
▼
What It Looks Like
Essay presents only supporting arguments. No acknowledgment of opposing views or trade-offs. Reads like advocacy, not analysis.
Why It Hurts
One-sided essays suggest you either don’t understand the complexity or are intellectually dishonest. Managers must navigate trade-offs; pretending they don’t exist signals immaturity.
The Fix: Always include counter + rebuttal. Template: “Critics argue [strongest opposing point]. However, [your rebuttal with conditions/safeguards].” This shows you understand both sides but have reasoned your way to a position.
🟡 Mistake #3: Summary Conclusion (Not Actionable)
▼
What It Looks Like
“In conclusion, this essay has examined both the pros and cons of UBI. As discussed, there are compelling arguments on both sides. More research is needed to determine the best approach.”
Why It Hurts
This is academic essay conclusion, not managerial writing. “More research needed” is a cop-out. MBA programs want decision-makers, not fence-sitters who defer to future studies.
The Fix: Conclude with recommendation, not summary. Template: “Therefore, [subject] should [action] with [safeguard/condition], because [benefit] while [managing risk].” Actionable, specific, conditional.
🟠 Mistake #4: Stream of Consciousness (No Visible Structure)
▼
What It Looks Like
One or two giant paragraphs. Ideas jumbled together. No clear progression from point to point. Reader can’t scan for key ideas.
Why It Hurts
Evaluators spend ~2 minutes per essay. If they can’t quickly identify your structure, they’ll assume you don’t have one. Poor organization suggests poor thinking.
The Fix: Use visible paragraph breaks. One idea per paragraph. 5-paragraph structure: Opening → Argument 1 → Argument 2 → Counter/Rebuttal → Conclusion. Use transition words (“First…”, “However…”, “Therefore…”).
Section 2
Content & Argument Mistakes
These WAT mistakes to avoid relate to what you argue and how you support it. Content errors often come from wrong instincts about what evaluators want.
🔴
Content Mistakes (5)
🔴 Mistake #5: Fence-Sitting (“Both Sides Have Merit”)
▼
What It Looks Like
“There are valid arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, the answer depends on various factors and context. A balanced approach is needed.”
Why It Hurts
This is the single most common WAT killer. MBA programs train decision-makers. Fence-sitting suggests you can’t commit, can’t handle ambiguity, or haven’t thought deeply enough to form a view.
The Fix: Take a clear stance WITH conditions. “Yes, with safeguards X and Y” or “No, unless condition Z.” If you genuinely see merit in both sides, pick the one you can argue better and specify when the other wins: “A is better for context X; B dominates when Y.”
🔴 Mistake #6: Fake Statistics (Fabricated Evidence)
▼
What It Looks Like
“Studies show that 73.2% of companies that implement CSR see 45% increase in profits within 2 years.” (Numbers too precise, source unnamed, probably invented)
Why It Hurts
Evaluators can tell when numbers are fabricated. Overly precise statistics without sources scream “made up.” This destroys your credibility for the entire essay. Integrity matters—especially at ethics-focused schools like XLRI.
The Fix: Use directional evidence you’re confident about. “Studies suggest…” or “Evidence indicates…” is honest. If you know a real stat, cite the source: “MIT research found misinformation spreads 6x faster.” When uncertain, argue with logic and examples, not invented numbers.
🟡 Mistake #7: Too Many Arguments (Breadth Over Depth)
▼
What It Looks Like
Essay lists 5-6 reasons, each in 1-2 sentences. No argument is developed with evidence or explanation. Reads like a bullet-point list converted to prose.
Why It Hurts
Shallow arguments suggest shallow thinking. Evaluators want to see you can develop a point—claim, evidence, implication. Five weak arguments don’t add up to one strong one.
The Fix: 2 strong arguments > 5 weak ones. Develop each: State claim → Provide evidence/example → Explain implication. Cut your weakest arguments; invest those words in strengthening your best two.
🟠 Mistake #8: Strawman Arguments (Misrepresenting Opposition)
▼
What It Looks Like
“Critics of regulation just want corporations to exploit people without consequences.” “Those who oppose UBI think the poor don’t deserve help.”
Why It Hurts
Misrepresenting opposing views to make them easier to refute is intellectually dishonest. Evaluators recognize strawmen. It suggests you either don’t understand the other side or are arguing in bad faith.
The Fix: Steel-man the opposition. Present the STRONGEST version of the opposing argument, then address it. “The most compelling argument against UBI is fiscal sustainability—at current proposed levels, it would cost 2% of GDP…” This shows intellectual honesty.
🟡 Mistake #9: Generic Examples (No Specificity)
▼
What It Looks Like
“Many companies have benefited from CSR.” “Several countries have implemented successful policies.” “History shows that…”
Why It Hurts
Generic examples are worse than no examples—they suggest you’re padding without real knowledge. “Many companies” could mean anything. It doesn’t demonstrate actual understanding.
The Fix: Name names. “Patagonia’s ‘Don’t Buy This Jacket’ campaign showed…” “Brazil’s Bolsa Familia reduced poverty by 20%.” “The EU’s GDPR implementation demonstrates…” Specific examples build credibility.
Section 3
Style & Tone Mistakes
These WAT mistakes to avoid relate to how you write, not what you write. Style errors often come from wrong models—academic essays or op-eds instead of managerial memos.
🟠
Style Mistakes (3)
🟠 Mistake #10: Moralizing Tone (Preaching, Not Analyzing)
▼
What It Looks Like
“We must all come together to save the planet.” “Companies should always do the right thing.” “It is our moral duty to…” “Society needs to wake up and realize…”
Why It Hurts
Preachy tone suggests you’re more interested in moral posturing than practical analysis. MBA programs want managers who can navigate trade-offs, not columnists who lecture. Moralizing is the opposite of managerial thinking.
The Fix: Write like a manager, not a moralist. Focus on trade-offs, constraints, implementation, incentives. Instead of “Companies should be ethical,” write “Ethical practices reduce regulatory risk and improve talent retention—enlightened self-interest aligns with responsibility.”
🟡 Mistake #11: Verbosity Over Clarity
▼
What It Looks Like
“It is of paramount importance to note that in the contemporary socio-economic landscape, the implementation of comprehensive regulatory frameworks pertaining to digital platforms necessitates careful consideration…”
Why It Hurts
Complex vocabulary and long sentences don’t impress—they obscure. If evaluators have to work to understand your meaning, they’ll assume you don’t have clear thoughts. In 250 words, every word must earn its place.
The Fix: Simple, clear sentences. One idea per sentence. Cut adverbs and filler phrases. “Careful consideration is needed” → “This requires care.” Clarity is sophistication in business writing.
🟠 Mistake #12: Generic Openings (Clichéd First Lines)
▼
What It Looks Like
“In today’s rapidly changing world…” “Since time immemorial…” “In the modern era of globalization…” “Technology has transformed our lives…”
Why It Hurts
Evaluators have read these openings thousands of times. They signal “generic essay incoming” and waste precious first-impression real estate. The opening should grab attention and signal your stance, not put the reader to sleep.
The Fix: Open with a hook: surprising statistic, provocative claim, or direct stance. “40% of India’s workforce lacks any social security—UBI is no longer academic.” Skip the wind-up; get to the point.
Section 4
Execution & Mechanics Mistakes
These WAT mistakes to avoid relate to how you execute under time pressure. They’re often the easiest to fix—just awareness and practice.
🔴
Execution Mistakes (3)
🔴 Mistake #13: Unfinished Essay (Time Mismanagement)
▼
What It Looks Like
Essay ends mid-sentence or mid-paragraph. No conclusion. Arguments trail off without resolution.
Why It Hurts
An unfinished essay cannot score well, regardless of how good the beginning was. It demonstrates inability to manage time—a critical managerial skill. The conclusion often carries your recommendation; without it, your stance is incomplete.
The Fix: Time management is non-negotiable. Use 3-14-3 split (plan-write-review) for 20 minutes. Write conclusion BEFORE the last argument if time is tight. A complete simple essay beats an incomplete sophisticated one.
🟢 Mistake #14: Illegible Handwriting (Unreadable Essays)
▼
What It Looks Like
Tiny cramped script. Words running together. Letters indistinguishable. Evaluator struggles to decipher words.
Why It Hurts
If evaluators can’t read your essay, they can’t score it fairly. They won’t spend extra time deciphering—they’ll move to the next essay. Illegibility is especially costly in handwritten WAT (most IIMs).
The Fix: Practice writing 250 words by hand in 15 minutes. Use clear paragraph breaks with visible line spacing. Don’t write too small to fit more words. Legibility > word count. Neat handwriting is a small advantage; illegible handwriting is a significant disadvantage.
🟢 Mistake #15: No Review Time (Submitting First Draft)
▼
What It Looks Like
Grammar errors, spelling mistakes, incomplete sentences, repeated words—errors that would be caught with a 2-minute review.
Why It Hurts
Careless errors suggest careless thinking. They’re especially costly because they’re so avoidable. Two minutes of review catches most mechanical errors and often reveals unclear sentences that need tightening.
The Fix: Always reserve 2-3 minutes for review. Don’t write until the last second. During review: check opening (is stance clear?), check conclusion (is it actionable?), fix obvious errors. Don’t rewrite—just clean up.
The Master Checklist
Pre-Submission Error Check
0 of 10 complete
- Position stated by line 2-3 (not paragraph 2-3)
- Clear stance taken (no fence-sitting)
- Only 2 strong arguments (cut the rest)
- Counter-argument acknowledged and rebutted
- No fabricated statistics
- Conclusion recommends action (not just summarizes)
- Tone is managerial (trade-offs, not moralizing)
- Visible paragraph structure
- Essay is complete (not cut off)
- Grammar and legibility checked
Frequently Asked Questions: WAT Mistakes to Avoid
Quick Revision: Top Mistakes
Question
What are the 4 critical (score-killing) WAT mistakes?
Click to reveal
Answer
No stance / fence-sitting, Fake statistics, Delayed position (no stance by line 2-3), Unfinished essay (time mismanagement).
Question
What’s the fix for fence-sitting?
Click to reveal
Answer
Take clear stance WITH conditions. “Yes, with safeguards X and Y” or “No, unless condition Z.” If both sides have merit, pick one and specify when the other wins.
Question
Why is “moralizing tone” a mistake?
Click to reveal
Answer
MBA programs want managers who navigate trade-offs, not columnists who lecture. Moralizing (“Companies should do the right thing”) shows posturing over practical analysis. Focus on constraints, incentives, implementation instead.
Question
How many arguments should a WAT have?
Click to reveal
Answer
2 strong arguments > 5 weak ones. Depth over breadth. Each argument should have: claim → evidence → implication. Cut weak arguments; invest those words in strengthening your best two.
⚠️
Want Expert Feedback on Your WAT?
Get your practice essays evaluated by coaches who can identify the specific mistakes holding you back—and show you exactly how to fix them.
Understanding WAT Mistakes to Avoid for MBA Success
Most WAT failures come from avoidable errors, not lack of knowledge. Understanding the WAT mistakes to avoid can improve your scores significantly—sometimes without learning anything new, just by stopping what hurts you. This guide covers the 15 most common errors across structure, content, style, and execution.
Critical Mistakes That Sink Essays
The most damaging WAT mistakes to avoid include fence-sitting (“both sides have merit”), fake statistics, delayed position (no stance by line 2-3), and unfinished essays. These can sink an otherwise competent essay. Fence-sitting is the most common killer—MBA programs want decision-makers, not fence-sitters who defer to “more research.”
Major Mistakes That Reduce Scores
The next tier of WAT mistakes to avoid includes: no counter-argument (one-sided essays suggest intellectual immaturity), moralizing tone (preaching instead of analyzing), generic openings (“In today’s world…”), and poor visible structure (stream of consciousness writing). These don’t necessarily sink an essay but significantly reduce scores.
The Prevention Strategy
Preventing WAT mistakes to avoid requires a pre-submission checklist: Is your position stated by line 2-3? Do you have exactly 2 strong arguments? Is there a counter-argument with rebuttal? Does your conclusion recommend action? Is your tone managerial? Focus on eliminating critical and major mistakes first—a simple, well-structured essay with clear stance beats a sophisticated essay with fence-sitting or fabricated evidence.