✍️ WAT Concepts

IIM Ahmedabad WAT Topics: AWT Format, 30+ Questions & Sample Outlines [2025]

Master IIM Ahmedabad's unique AWT (case-based) format with 30+ actual topics, sample outlines, and insider scoring secrets. Includes GD comparison & practice plan.

by
🎯

What You’ll Learn

  1. Why IIM Ahmedabad WAT Is Different
  2. WAT Topics for IIM: Understanding the AWT Format
  3. WAT Topics for IIM 2024: Actual Questions Asked
  4. Practice WAT Topics for IIM Calls: 30+ Case Scenarios
  5. IIM WAT Topics 2024 with Sample Outlines
  6. WAT Topics Asked in IIM Interviews 2024
  7. GD vs WAT Importance in IIM Admissions
  8. GD Topics Asked in IIM Interviews
  9. WAT Abstract Topics: IIM-A vs Other IIMs
  10. IIM-A vs Other IIMs: Format Comparison
  11. Before & After: AWT Transformations
  12. 4-Week IIM-A AWT Practice Plan
  13. Self-Assessment: AWT Readiness
  14. Key Takeaways

Why IIM Ahmedabad WAT Is Different

IIM Ahmedabad doesn’t conduct a WAT. It conducts an AWT—Analytical Writing Test. This distinction isn’t semantic; it’s fundamental to your preparation strategy.

While other IIMs ask opinion-based questions like “Is higher education overrated?” or abstract topics like “The sound of silence,” IIM-A presents business cases requiring structured analysis and clear recommendations. You’re not being tested on your opinions. You’re being tested on your analytical ability—how you break down problems, weigh trade-offs, and make defensible decisions.

30 min
Time (Longest among IIMs)
300-350
Word Count
10%
Final Selection Weightage
<2%
Score 9+/10

The extra 10 minutes (compared to IIM-B’s 20 minutes) isn’t a luxury—it’s a requirement. Case-based analysis demands more structured thinking, and IIM-A expects you to use that time for proper framework application, not just faster writing.

⚠️ Critical Distinction

If you prepare for IIM-A using traditional WAT approaches (opinion essays, abstract interpretations), you will underperform. AWT requires: Problem statement → Structured analysis → Clear recommendation → Justification. Practice this framework, not general essay writing.

Coach’s Perspective
IIM-A’s AWT is the closest you’ll get to testing critical reasoning under pressure. This is exactly what they want to see: can you expose facts, conclusions, AND assumptions? Can you challenge false dichotomies? When they give you “pivot vs raise funding vs sell,” they’re testing whether you see the hidden fourth option—or whether you just pick one and defend it superficially. The best responses don’t just answer the question; they reframe it.

WAT Topics for IIM: Understanding the AWT Format

The AWT format at IIM Ahmedabad follows a predictable structure. Understanding this structure lets you prepare frameworks in advance rather than inventing approaches under pressure.

AWT Topic Structure

1
The Scenario Setup
Every AWT begins with a business scenario: company size, industry, current situation, constraints. This isn’t flavor text—it contains data you must use.

Example: “A tech startup with 18 months runway, 50 employees, and declining user growth…”
2
The Decision Point
You’re presented with 2-4 options, often mutually exclusive. Your job is to analyze trade-offs and choose—or propose a hybrid.

Example: “Should they (a) pivot to profitability, (b) raise another round, or (c) explore acquisition?”
3
The Justify Requirement
You must justify your recommendation with reasoning and, ideally, reference the scenario’s constraints.

Example: “Justify your recommendation with consideration for stakeholder impact.”
4
The Hidden Test
The real test isn’t which option you choose—it’s how you analyze. Strong candidates acknowledge trade-offs, weak ones only defend their choice.

Example: “While Option B has merit because…, the current market conditions make Option C more viable because…”

IIM-A AWT Response Framework

Section 📊 Content ⏱️ Words
Problem Restatement Identify the core dilemma in your own words 40-50
Option Analysis Evaluate each option’s pros/cons with scenario data 120-150
Recommendation Clear choice with primary justification 60-70
Implementation Note How to execute, risks to mitigate 40-50
Total Complete structured response 300-350
Coach’s Perspective
The Verb Test applies perfectly to AWT. Every recommendation must have actionable verbs: “The company should pivot by reducing headcount 20% and focusing on enterprise clients.” Compare this to: “The company needs to make changes to become profitable.” The first passes the Verb Test. The second is vague nonsense that could apply to any company in any situation.

WAT Topics for IIM 2024: Actual Questions Asked

These are verified AWT topics from IIM Ahmedabad’s 2024-25 admission cycle, collected from PaGaLGuY, InsideIIM, and direct candidate feedback.

Verified IIM-A AWT Topics (2024-25)

1
The Attrition Crisis
Scenario: “A company faces 30% attrition in its tech team. The HR head believes it’s compensation, the CTO believes it’s culture, and the CEO believes it’s lack of career growth.”

Task: “Analyze whether the problem is compensation, culture, or career growth. Recommend solutions.”

Key Insight: Don’t just pick one—the best answers recognize these factors are interconnected.
2
The Startup Runway Decision
Scenario: “A tech startup has 18 months of runway. User growth is slowing but unit economics are improving.”

Task: “Should they: (a) pivot to profitability, (b) raise another funding round, or (c) explore acquisition? Justify your recommendation.”

Key Insight: Consider market conditions (funding winter), team morale, and founder goals.
3
The Pricing Dilemma
Scenario: “A SaaS company entering India faces a pricing dilemma. Global pricing is $99/month. Indian competitors charge ₹999/month.”

Task: “Should they maintain global pricing, match Indian pricing, or create a differentiated India-specific product?”

Key Insight: Consider brand positioning, segment targeting, and long-term market development.
4
Quick Commerce Trade-off
Scenario: “An e-commerce company is deciding whether to enter quick commerce. Current delivery is 2-day; quick commerce requires 10-minute delivery.”

Task: “Analyze the quick commerce vs profitability trade-off. Make a recommendation for the company’s strategy.”

Key Insight: Consider capital requirements, competitive dynamics, and customer segment differences.
💡 Topic Pattern Recognition

IIM-A AWT topics consistently test: (1) Resource allocation under constraints, (2) Strategic trade-offs with no clear “right” answer, (3) Stakeholder balancing, (4) Growth vs sustainability decisions. Practice these four archetypes, and you’ll be prepared for 80% of possible topics.

Practice WAT Topics for IIM Calls: 30+ Case Scenarios

These practice scenarios mirror IIM-A’s AWT format. Use them for timed practice (30 minutes each) with the Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Justification framework.

Strategy & Growth Decisions (10 Topics)

  1. Market Entry: A successful Bangalore startup is deciding between expanding to Mumbai (larger market, more competition) or Chennai (smaller market, first-mover advantage). Analyze and recommend.
  2. Product Line Extension: A premium coffee brand is considering launching an instant coffee variant. Risk of brand dilution vs. revenue opportunity. Recommend with justification.
  3. M&A Decision: A profitable mid-size IT company receives acquisition offer at 2x revenue. Founders are 45, company has strong growth trajectory. Accept, reject, or negotiate?
  4. Diversification: A successful coaching institute for CAT is considering entering UPSC preparation. Synergies vs. focus dilution. Analyze and recommend.
  5. Channel Strategy: A D2C brand with 80% online sales is considering opening physical stores. Customer acquisition cost online is rising 25% YoY. Analyze the trade-off.
  6. International Expansion: An Indian SaaS company has 40% revenue from US clients. Should they open a US office, hire remote US team, or continue operating from India?
  7. Platform vs. Product: A successful product company receives investor pressure to become a platform. Platform economics are attractive but execution is risky. Recommend strategy.
  8. Price War Response: A market leader faces aggressive pricing from a well-funded competitor. Match prices (margin hit), differentiate (marketing cost), or ignore (market share risk)?
  9. Technology Investment: A traditional manufacturing company is deciding between incremental automation (lower cost, lower impact) or full digital transformation (high cost, high risk, high potential).
  10. Exit Strategy: A first-generation entrepreneur with a ₹100 crore revenue company is planning succession. Sell to PE, bring professional management, or groom family successor?

Operations & HR Decisions (10 Topics)

  1. Remote Work Policy: Post-COVID, a company must decide: return to office (culture concerns), stay remote (productivity questions), or hybrid (complexity). Analyze trade-offs.
  2. Outsourcing Decision: A company’s IT costs are 15% of revenue. Outsourcing could reduce this to 10% but risks quality and control. Recommend with analysis.
  3. Compensation Restructuring: A startup wants to shift from fixed salaries to higher variable pay. Employee pushback expected. How should they implement this change?
  4. Supply Chain Resilience: A company sources 70% from a single Chinese supplier. Diversification adds 8% cost but reduces risk. In current geopolitical context, what should they do?
  5. Talent Acquisition: A company needs 50 engineers. Option A: Hire experienced at ₹30L/year. Option B: Hire freshers at ₹8L, invest in training. 2-year horizon. Recommend.
  6. Quality vs. Speed: A food delivery company faces complaints about delivery time. Reducing time requires more riders (cost) or accepting quality trade-offs. Analyze.
  7. Unionization Response: Workers at a manufacturing plant are organizing. Management can fight, accommodate, or proactively address concerns. Recommend approach.
  8. Layoff Decision: A company must cut 15% headcount due to market downturn. LIFO vs. performance-based vs. voluntary separation package. Analyze each approach.
  9. Gig vs. Permanent: A logistics company relies on gig workers. New labor laws may require converting them to permanent employees. Comply early, wait and watch, or lobby?
  10. Office Space: A 500-person company with 40% hybrid workers has a 5-year lease expiring. Renew full space, downsize 40%, or shift to flexible coworking? Analyze.

Ethics & Stakeholder Decisions (10 Topics)

  1. Whistleblower Dilemma: An employee discovers financial irregularities by the CFO. Report internally (career risk), report to board (escalation), or report externally (company reputation)?
  2. Data Monetization: A health app has valuable user data. A pharma company offers significant payment for anonymized data. Analyze privacy vs. revenue trade-off.
  3. Environmental Compliance: A factory can comply with new pollution norms by investing ₹50 crore or paying ₹2 crore annual fines. What should they do?
  4. Product Safety: A car manufacturer discovers a defect affecting 0.01% of vehicles. Recall cost: ₹500 crore. Estimated accidents: 50 over 5 years. Analyze the decision.
  5. Competitive Intelligence: A sales team has opportunity to hire competitor’s disgruntled employee who has client list. Legal but ethically gray. Proceed or decline?
  6. Community Impact: A new factory will create 500 jobs but displace 200 farming families. Analyze stakeholder perspectives and recommend approach.
  7. Influencer Partnership: A children’s brand is offered partnership with a popular influencer whose content is sometimes controversial. Revenue opportunity vs. brand risk.
  8. AI Hiring: An AI-based hiring tool shows 40% better prediction but has potential bias issues. Deploy with monitoring, delay for fixes, or abandon the tool?
  9. Supplier Ethics: A key supplier (30% of input) is found using child labor. Alternatives exist but at 20% higher cost. How should the company respond?
  10. Crisis Communication: A data breach affecting 10,000 customers has occurred. Immediate disclosure (trust, legal exposure) vs. fix first (time to remedy, cover-up risk)?

IIM WAT Topics 2024 with Sample Outlines

Sample outlines show how to structure your 30-minute AWT response. These aren’t templates to memorize—they’re thinking frameworks to internalize.

Sample Outline 1: The Attrition Crisis

✅ Structured Outline (3-minute planning)

Problem Restatement (40 words):

30% tech attrition = 3x industry average. Three diagnoses (compensation, culture, career) are likely all partially correct. The question is: which factor has highest leverage for intervention, given limited resources?

Option Analysis (120 words):

Compensation: If below market, easy fix but expensive. Data needed: benchmark against FAANG/startups, not industry average. Risk: competitors can match.

Culture: Harder to measure, harder to fix. Look for signals: Glassdoor reviews, exit interview patterns, tenure of leavers. Takes 12-18 months to shift.

Career Growth: Most common in tech. If senior roles are blocked by long-tenured leaders, no compensation can fix this. Check: promotion rates, new role creation, learning budgets.

Recommendation (60 words):

Sequence the interventions: immediate (compensation adjustment if below market), medium-term (career ladders, rotation programs), long-term (culture). The 30% attrition suggests systemic issues—single-factor fixes rarely work. Start with data: exit interview analysis to identify actual driver before spending on any solution.

Implementation (50 words):

Phase 1 (Month 1): Exit interview audit, compensation benchmarking. Phase 2 (Month 2-3): Address highest-leverage factor. Phase 3 (Month 4+): Monitor leading indicators (engagement scores, internal application rates) before attrition actually changes.

Word Count: ~300 | Structure: Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Implementation

Sample Outline 2: The Startup Runway Decision

✅ Structured Outline (3-minute planning)

Problem Restatement (45 words):

18-month runway with improving unit economics but slowing user growth presents a classic startup dilemma: pursue growth (burning cash) or pursue profitability (limiting scale). The decision depends on market timing, founder goals, and team morale factors not specified in the scenario.

Option Analysis (130 words):

Option A (Pivot to Profitability): Viable because unit economics are improving. Requires headcount cuts (morale risk), slower growth (market share risk). Pro: control over destiny. Con: may never reach scale.

Option B (Raise Another Round): Challenging in current funding winter. Likely down round = founder dilution, team demoralization. Pro: more runway. Con: sets up for same decision in 24 months.

Option C (Explore Acquisition): Prudent to explore regardless. 18 months is enough time for M&A process. Pro: liquidity for team. Con: founders may need to stay through earn-out.

Recommendation (70 words):

Recommend Option A (profitability) with Option C (acquisition exploration) running parallel. Don’t pursue Option B unless A fails. Rationale: Profitable companies have better acquisition valuations and more negotiating leverage. Running acquisition conversations while cutting costs creates urgency that helps both tracks.

Implementation (55 words):

Month 1: Identify path to profitability (typically 20-30% cost cuts). Month 2-3: Execute while quietly engaging 2-3 strategic acquirers. Month 4-6: Evaluate acquisition interest. If strong, proceed. If weak, company is now profitable and sustainable. This preserves optionality.

Word Count: ~320 | Structure: Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Implementation
Coach’s Perspective
Notice how both outlines challenge the false dichotomy presented in the question. The attrition question presents three competing explanations—the strong answer recognizes they’re interconnected. The runway question presents three options—the strong answer combines two of them. IIM-A evaluators reward candidates who see complexity, not those who pick the “right” answer from given options. Always ask: is there a hidden fourth option?

WAT Topics Asked in IIM Interviews 2024

Beyond AWT, IIM Ahmedabad’s Personal Interview may reference your written response or ask related analytical questions. These are verified PI follow-ups and standalone analytical questions from 2024.

AWT-PI Connection at IIM-A

💡 Important: IIM-A Usually Doesn’t Read Your AWT in PI

Unlike XLRI and SPJIMR (where PI panelists often read and ask about your WAT), IIM-A typically scores AWT separately. However, you should still be prepared to defend any position you took—consistency matters if it does come up.

Standalone Analytical Questions in PI (2024)

1
Business Case in PI
“If you were the CEO of Paytm right now, what three things would you change?”

What They Test: Current affairs awareness, strategic thinking, ability to prioritize under pressure.
2
Estimation Question
“Estimate the number of restaurants in Ahmedabad. Walk me through your approach.”

What They Test: Structured thinking, comfort with ambiguity, ability to make reasonable assumptions.
3
Ethical Dilemma
“Your best-performing sales manager is fudging expense reports. What do you do?”

What They Test: Values, ability to navigate gray areas, understanding of systemic issues.
4
Industry Analysis
“Quick commerce players are burning cash. Will this industry survive? Why or why not?”

What They Test: Business model understanding, unit economics thinking, market structure analysis.

How to Prepare for Analytical PI Questions

✅ Do This
  • Practice case-style questions out loud with a mentor
  • Follow business news actively (not just headlines)
  • Develop 2-3 frameworks you can apply to any business question
  • Admit what you don’t know, then structure what you do know
  • Connect questions to your work experience where possible
❌ Don’t Do This
  • Memorize “correct” answers to business questions
  • Pretend to know about companies/industries you don’t
  • Give one-word answers without structure or reasoning
  • Avoid taking a position (“it depends” without explanation)
  • Panic if you don’t know—use frameworks to think through

GD vs WAT Importance in IIM Admissions

Many candidates ask: “Should I focus more on GD or WAT?” The answer depends on the school, but understanding the relative weightages helps you allocate preparation time efficiently.

IIM-A Admission Weightage (2024-25)

Component 📊 Weightage 💡 Implication
CAT Score 25-30% Already done—can’t change this
Academic Record 20-25% Already done—can’t change this
Work Experience 10-15% Already done—can’t change this
AWT (Written Test) 10% Controllable—prepare intensively
Personal Interview 25-30% Controllable—prepare intensively
Diversity/Gender 5-10% Can’t change this

GD vs WAT: Key Differences

Aspect 💬 Group Discussion 📝 WAT/AWT
Control Level Low—depends on group dynamics High—entirely your output
Luck Factor High—rowdy group can sink you Low—same conditions for all
Preparation ROI Moderate—skills help but situational High—practice directly improves output
Recovery from Error Difficult—others may amplify mistakes Possible—can revise during review time
IIM-A Usage Sometimes used (varies by year) Always used (AWT is standard)
Coach’s Perspective
Here’s the math: You’ve already earned your interview call based on CAT + academics + work experience. Those components are fixed. The controllable portion—AWT + PI—is 35-40% of your final score. This is where preparation creates differentiation. GDs are chaotic with less control than PIs. WAT/AWT gives you 30 minutes of controlled output. If you must choose where to invest preparation time, invest in what you can control.
✅ The 10% Swing

A 10% weightage for AWT might seem small, but consider: the top 500 candidates for ~400 seats are separated by fractions of a percent. Moving from 5/10 to 8/10 on AWT could be the difference between waitlist and admit. Don’t underestimate the AWT’s impact on borderline cases.

GD Topics Asked in IIM Interviews

While IIM-A varies its use of GD year-to-year, other IIMs consistently include GD in their selection process. Here are verified GD topics from 2024 interviews across top IIMs.

Verified GD Topics (2024)

Policy & Economics GD Topics (IIM-B, IIM-C, 2024)

  1. “Should India have a Presidential system?”
  2. “Is economic growth compatible with environmental sustainability?”
  3. “Should India adopt a population control policy?”
  4. “One Nation One Election: Good or bad for democracy?”
  5. “Is UBI (Universal Basic Income) viable for India?”
  6. “Should voting be made compulsory in India?”
  7. “Is the Indian judiciary too activist?”
  8. “Privatization of PSUs: Necessary or hasty?”

Business & Technology GD Topics (IIM-A, IIM-B, 2024)

  1. “Is social media a threat to democracy?”
  2. “Remote work: Temporary trend or permanent shift?”
  3. “AI will create more jobs than it destroys—agree or disagree?”
  4. “Is the startup ecosystem in a bubble?”
  5. “Should tech giants be broken up?”
  6. “Cryptocurrency: Future of money or speculative bubble?”
  7. “Is data the new oil—or the new toxic waste?”
  8. “Quick commerce: Innovation or urban indulgence?”

Social & Ethics GD Topics (XLRI, SPJIMR, 2024)

  1. “Can business be a force for good?”
  2. “Is profit compatible with purpose?”
  3. “The gig economy: Opportunity or exploitation?”
  4. “Is meritocracy a myth?”
  5. “Technology connects but isolates—discuss”
  6. “Should companies take political stands?”
  7. “Mental health in competitive environments”
  8. “Work-life balance: Myth or achievable?”

GD Success Strategies

1
Initiate When Prepared
First speaker gets noticed but also sets the bar. Only initiate if you have a strong, differentiated opening. A weak start is worse than a strong second entry.
2
Build, Don’t Just Speak
Reference others’ points: “Building on what Rahul said…” or “I’d like to add a different dimension to Priya’s point…” This shows listening and collaboration.
3
Summarize Strategically
If discussion is chaotic, offering a synthesis earns points: “We seem to have three perspectives emerging…” This shows leadership without domination.
4
Quality Over Quantity
3-4 substantive entries beat 8-10 superficial ones. Evaluators count impact, not interventions. One data point or unique angle is worth five generic comments.
Coach’s Perspective
GDs are chaotic—less control than PIs. You can’t have one predefined role (moderator/summarizer/etc.) because you must adapt to group dynamics in real-time. The same frameworks work for both GDs and essays—PESTLE, stakeholder analysis, cause-effect. The difference is execution: GD = points/entries, Essay = sustained argument. When you have zero content knowledge, use frameworks to generate points. Become the synthesizer instead of the leader.

WAT Abstract Topics: IIM-A vs Other IIMs

IIM Ahmedabad rarely uses abstract topics—that’s the domain of IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode. Understanding this distinction helps you calibrate your preparation.

Abstract Topic Distribution by School

IIM 📊 Abstract % 💡 Topic Style
IIM Kozhikode 90%+ Abstract “Blue is better than Yellow,” “The space between words”
IIM Lucknow 70-80% Abstract “The sound of silence,” “Black and white in a colorful world”
IIM Calcutta 50% Opinion-based “Is higher education overrated?” “Technology connects but isolates”
IIM Bangalore 60% Policy-based “Should India have a Presidential system?”
IIM Ahmedabad 0% Abstract (Case-based) Business scenarios with decision requirements

If You Have IIM-A + IIM-L/K Calls

Many candidates receive calls from multiple IIMs with different WAT styles. Here’s how to prepare for both:

1
Core Skills Overlap
Both formats test clear thinking, structured expression, and time management. The core preparation—practice writing under timed conditions—applies to both.
2
Differentiated Practice
Allocate 60% practice to your most-desired school’s format. If IIM-A is priority, do 60% case-based AWT practice, 40% abstract/opinion topics for other schools.
3
Abstract → Case Bridge
Abstract topics can be approached analytically. “The sound of silence” → analyze as a business case: when is silence valuable in organizations? This bridges the two formats.
4
Day-Before Switch
The day before each interview, do 2-3 practice essays in that school’s specific format. This mental switch helps you calibrate tone and approach.

Sample Abstract Topics (For Multi-School Prep)

Interpretation Options:

  • Blue = calm, strategic, long-term thinking. Yellow = impulsive, attention-seeking, short-term.
  • Blue = established brands (IBM, Facebook). Yellow = challengers (Snapchat, Bumble).
  • Blue-collar vs. yellow (gold/status) collar—commentary on labor dignity.

Approach: Pick ONE interpretation, commit fully, connect to concrete examples. Don’t try to cover all possibilities.

Interpretation Options:

  • In a noisy world, silence is a competitive advantage (deep work, focus).
  • Organizational silence—when employees don’t speak up, disasters follow (Boeing 737 MAX).
  • Meditation/mindfulness movement in corporate India.

Approach: Ground the abstract in specific examples. “Silence in organizations” + Boeing case = concrete essay.

Interpretation Options:

  • Parental expectations on Indian students—pressure cooker culture, Kota suicides.
  • Investor expectations on startups—growth at all costs, BYJU’s crash.
  • Self-expectations—imposter syndrome in high-achievers.

Approach: This topic invites personal reflection. One genuine personal example + one business example creates balance.

IIM-A vs Other IIMs: Format Comparison

This comprehensive comparison helps you adjust your preparation for each school’s WAT style.

School Time Words Weightage Style Key Focus
IIM-A 30 min 300-350 10% Case-based (AWT) Analytical reasoning, recommendations
IIM-B 20 min 250-300 15% (Highest) Policy/Current Affairs Grammar STRICT, logical consistency
IIM-C 15-20 min 250 10% Opinion-based Strong stance, intellectual rigor
IIM-L 15 min 200-250 10% Abstract Metaphors, unique interpretation
IIM-K 20 min 250-300 10% HIGHLY Abstract Creativity, original thinking
IIM-I 10 min (Fastest) 200 10% Current Affairs Speed, quick thinking
XLRI 20 min 250-300 12% Ethics-focused Values, social responsibility
🎭
Inside the IIM-A Evaluator’s Mind
AWT Topic: “The Startup Runway Decision”
What Makes an Essay Stand Out
“Most candidates pick Option A, B, or C and defend it. The top 2% recognize that these options aren’t mutually exclusive, propose a sequenced approach, or identify constraints in the scenario that make certain options unviable. I’m testing whether you can see what’s NOT written in the prompt.”

Before & After: AWT Transformations

These transformations show how to convert a mediocre AWT response into a high-scoring one. Study the specific changes, not just the overall improvement.

Transformation: The Attrition Crisis

❌ Before: 5/10 — Picks One Option, Shallow Analysis

I believe the problem is compensation. In today’s competitive market, tech employees expect high salaries. If the company is not paying market rates, people will leave for better opportunities.

Picks one option without analyzing others. No data from scenario.

The company should do a salary survey and increase compensation to match market rates. This will solve the attrition problem.

“This will solve” is overconfident. Ignores other factors.

Additionally, they can offer better benefits like work from home and gym memberships. These things matter a lot to young employees.

Generic suggestions without connecting to the specific scenario.

In conclusion, compensation is the main issue and fixing it will help the company retain its tech talent.

Conclusion just restates opening. No nuance.
Word Count: ~150 | Problems: Single-factor thinking, no scenario reference, overconfident conclusion
✅ After: 8.5/10 — Multi-Factor Analysis, Sequenced Recommendation

30% attrition—triple the industry average—signals systemic failure, not a single root cause. The HR/CTO/CEO diagnosis disagreement suggests they’re each seeing the elephant from different angles. The question isn’t which factor is “the” cause, but which has highest intervention leverage.

Reframes the problem. Recognizes complexity.

Compensation is easiest to benchmark but hardest to sustain as a differentiator—competitors can match raises. Culture issues typically surface in Glassdoor reviews and exit interview patterns—data the company has but the prompt doesn’t share. Career growth is the most common tech attrition driver: when senior roles are blocked by long-tenured leaders, no compensation compensates.

Analyzes each factor with specific reasoning.

My recommendation: sequence interventions by time-to-impact. Immediate: audit compensation against FAANG/unicorn benchmarks (not industry average). Medium-term: create visible career ladders and rotation programs. Long-term: culture shifts that take 12-18 months to manifest.

Doesn’t pick one—sequences all three with timeframes.

Critical first step: analyze the 30% who left. Were they top performers or average? Did they leave for competitors or different industries? The answer determines whether this is a poaching problem or a push-out problem—fundamentally different solutions.

Adds dimension not in the original question.
Word Count: ~280 | Strengths: Multi-factor, sequenced, scenario-aware, original insight
Coach’s Perspective
The “After” essay demonstrates critical reasoning as master skill. It exposes the hidden assumption in the question (that one factor is “the” cause), challenges the false trichotomy (compensation OR culture OR career), and provides a specific, actionable framework (sequence by time-to-impact). This is what IIM-A tests: not your opinion, but your ability to think through complexity.

4-Week IIM-A AWT Practice Plan

This plan specifically targets IIM-A’s case-based AWT format. If you have calls from other IIMs, supplement with abstract/opinion practice using the topics in earlier sections.

IIM-A AWT Mastery Plan
20 case essays in 4 weeks
📅 Week 1
Framework Building
  • Learn Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Implementation structure
  • Practice 3 untimed case outlines (focus on structure)
  • Read 5 sample high-scoring AWT essays
  • 2 timed practice essays (30 min each)

Focus: Structure over content. Get the framework automatic.

📅 Week 2
Strategy Cases
  • 5 timed strategy/growth case essays
  • Focus on trade-off analysis and quantification
  • Practice challenging false dichotomies
  • Self-evaluate using rubric

Focus: Strategic reasoning, market/competition analysis.

📅 Week 3
Operations & Ethics Cases
  • 3 operations/HR case essays
  • 3 ethics/stakeholder case essays
  • Practice implementation recommendations
  • Get mentor feedback on 2 essays

Focus: Stakeholder analysis, ethical reasoning, practical implementation.

📅 Week 4
Simulation & Polish
  • 5 full simulations (AWT + PI mock)
  • Practice defending AWT positions verbally
  • Review all 20 essays, identify patterns
  • Day before: 2 light practice essays

Focus: Integration with PI, confidence building, peak performance timing.

AWT Self-Review Checklist
0 of 10 complete
  • Problem restated in my own words (not copied from prompt)
  • All given options analyzed with pros/cons
  • Clear recommendation stated (not “it depends” without direction)
  • Recommendation includes implementation considerations
  • Scenario data/constraints referenced in analysis
  • Trade-offs acknowledged (not just pros of chosen option)
  • Actionable verbs throughout (Verb Test passed)
  • Word count within 300-350 range
  • Completed within 30 minutes (including 3-min review)
  • Contains at least one insight not obvious from the prompt

Self-Assessment: AWT Readiness

Rate yourself honestly on each dimension. This assessment identifies gaps specific to IIM-A’s case-based format.

📊 IIM-A AWT Readiness Assessment
Case Structure Fluency
Can’t structure
Need to think
Mostly automatic
Fully automatic
Can you apply Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Implementation without thinking?
Trade-off Analysis
Pick one option
See some trade-offs
Analyze all options
Find hidden options
Do you challenge false dichotomies and see options not given in the prompt?
Business Knowledge Bank
Limited
Basic concepts
Good examples
Deep + current
Can you reference unit economics, funding stages, organizational dynamics fluently?
Quantification Comfort
Avoid numbers
Use when given
Add reasonable estimates
Quantify trade-offs
Can you make reasonable numerical estimates and use them in your analysis?
30-Minute Time Management
Always over time
Sometimes finish
Usually finish
Finish + review
Can you complete 300-350 words with 3 minutes for review?
Your Assessment

Key Takeaways

🎯
Key Takeaways
  • 1
    IIM-A Does AWT, Not WAT
    The Analytical Writing Test uses case-based prompts requiring structured analysis, not opinion essays. If you prepare using traditional WAT approaches, you’ll underperform. Practice the Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Implementation framework until it’s automatic.
  • 2
    Challenge the False Dichotomy
    When given Option A, B, or C—look for Option D. The best AWT responses don’t just pick from given choices; they reframe the problem, sequence interventions, or identify hidden constraints. This is what separates 7/10 from 9/10.
  • 3
    10% Weightage Matters at the Margin
    The top 500 candidates for ~400 seats are separated by fractions of a percent. Moving from 5/10 to 8/10 on AWT could be the difference between waitlist and admit. The controllable portion (AWT + PI) is 35-40% of your score. Invest preparation time accordingly.
  • 4
    Use the 30 Minutes Wisely
    IIM-A gives you the longest WAT time (30 minutes) because case analysis requires it. Allocate: 3 minutes planning, 24 minutes writing, 3 minutes review. The planning phase is where most candidates underinvest—and where top scorers gain their advantage.
  • 5
    Prepare for Multi-Format if Multiple Calls
    If you have IIM-A + IIM-L/K calls, allocate 60% practice to your priority school’s format. Core skills (clear thinking, time management) transfer, but topic types differ dramatically. Do format-specific practice the day before each interview.
Final Coach’s Note
IIM-A’s AWT is the closest thing to a live case interview in written form. They’re testing whether you can think like a manager—break down ambiguous problems, weigh incomplete information, make decisions under uncertainty, and communicate recommendations clearly. Students want templates and shortcuts. But there are none. What separates top scorers isn’t a secret formula—it’s genuine analytical ability developed through practice. 20 case essays with serious self-critique will prepare you better than 50 rushed attempts.
🎯
Want Expert Feedback on Your IIM-A AWT?
Self-review catches errors. Expert feedback catches blind spots. Get personalized guidance on your case analysis approach.
Book Free 15-Min Call Explore Courses

Frequently Asked Questions: IIM Ahmedabad WAT Topics

WAT (Written Ability Test) at most IIMs involves opinion-based or abstract topics like “Is higher education overrated?” IIM Ahmedabad uses AWT (Analytical Writing Test) which presents business case scenarios requiring structured analysis and clear recommendations. You’re tested on analytical reasoning, not creative writing or opinions.

IIM Ahmedabad gives 30 minutes for AWT—the longest among all IIMs. This extra time (compared to IIM-B’s 20 minutes or IIM-I’s 10 minutes) is needed because case analysis requires structured framework application. Recommended time split: 3 minutes planning, 24 minutes writing, 3 minutes review.

AWT carries approximately 10% weightage in IIM Ahmedabad’s final selection criteria. While this seems small, the top 500 candidates competing for ~400 seats are separated by fractions of a percent. Moving from 5/10 to 8/10 on AWT can mean the difference between waitlist and admission.

Unlike XLRI and SPJIMR (where PI panelists often read and ask about your WAT), IIM Ahmedabad typically scores AWT separately and PI panelists usually don’t read it. However, you should still be prepared to defend any position you took, as consistency matters if it does come up.

Use this framework: (1) Problem Restatement (40-50 words)—identify the core dilemma in your own words; (2) Option Analysis (120-150 words)—evaluate each option’s pros/cons using scenario data; (3) Recommendation (60-70 words)—clear choice with primary justification; (4) Implementation Note (40-50 words)—how to execute, risks to mitigate. Total: 300-350 words.

Leave a Comment