What You’ll Learn
- Why Business Case WAT Is Your Hidden Advantage
- What Makes Business Case Studies Different
- The 4-Step Framework for Case-Based WAT Topics
- 20+ Case-Based WAT Topics with Analysis Angles
- Harvard Business Case Preparation Techniques
- Business Case GD Topics: When Cases Become Discussions
- Business Case Study Sample: Before vs After
- 5 Fatal Mistakes in WAT Business Topics
- 4-Week Business Case Discussions Preparation Plan
- Self-Assessment: Rate Your Case Analysis Skills
- Key Takeaways
Picture this: You walk into your IIM-A interview, confident after months of WAT preparation. The topic appears on the screen—but it’s not a debate about “Technology: Boon or Bane.” Instead, you’re staring at a business scenario: “A D2C brand with ₹50 crore revenue must decide between expanding to offline retail or doubling down on quick commerce. Analyze the trade-offs and recommend a strategy.”
In 30 minutes, you need to demonstrate analytical thinking, stakeholder awareness, and strategic reasoning. Most candidates freeze. They’ve practiced opinion essays, not business case WAT analysis. And that’s exactly why this format is your hidden advantage—if you know how to approach it.
IIM Ahmedabad doesn’t call it WAT—they call it AWT (Analytical Writing Test). The name change signals everything: this isn’t about fluent English or beautiful prose. It’s about structured problem-solving in written form. And the skills you develop here transfer directly to consulting case interviews, boardroom presentations, and strategic decision-making.
What Makes Business Case Studies Different from Opinion WAT Topics
When you encounter WAT topics on business in the case format, the evaluation criteria shift dramatically. You’re not being judged on how eloquently you argue “for” or “against” a position. You’re being assessed on analytical rigor, stakeholder awareness, and the quality of your recommendations.
IIM-A evaluators look for candidates who can “connect global business frameworks with Indian market realities.” Understanding local context while applying universal principles is the differentiator that separates 8+ scores from 5-6 scores.
| Dimension | Opinion-Based WAT | Case-Based WAT (AWT) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Persuade with arguments | Analyze and recommend |
| Structure | Hook → Arguments → Counter → Conclusion | Problem → Stakeholders → Options → Recommendation |
| Evidence Type | Examples, quotes, general data | Financial logic, market data, strategic frameworks |
| Stance Requirement | Take a clear position | Recommend with nuanced trade-offs |
| Evaluation Focus | Persuasiveness, language, flow | Analytical depth, business acumen, clarity |
| Word Allocation | More words on arguments | More words on analysis |
The key distinction lies in the nature of “taking a stance.” In opinion WAT, fence-sitting is penalized. In business case discussions, acknowledging trade-offs and presenting conditional recommendations demonstrates maturity. “Option A is optimal IF the company has cash reserves; otherwise, Option B provides a lower-risk path” shows business judgment that evaluators value.
Many candidates treat business case WAT like a consulting case interview—they try to ask clarifying questions or request more data. Remember: you’re writing, not conversing. Work with the information given, state your assumptions explicitly, and proceed with your analysis.
The 4-Step Framework for Case-Based WAT Topics
After analyzing hundreds of successful IIM-A AWT responses, one structure consistently produces high scores. This framework works for any case-based WAT topics—from startup dilemmas to corporate turnarounds—and can be executed reliably in 30 minutes.
State the core dilemma in 1-2 sentences. Don’t summarize the entire case—extract the DECISION that needs to be made. Use verbs: “must choose,” “should determine,” “faces the decision of.”
Identify 3-4 stakeholders affected: employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers, regulators, society. For each, note their primary concern. This demonstrates systemic thinking.
Present 2-3 options with pros and cons for each. Don’t create strawman options—make each genuinely viable. Use specific criteria: cost, time, risk, scalability, brand impact.
Clear recommendation with justification. Include implementation considerations: “In the first 6 months…” or “The key success factor is…” End with conditions or contingencies.
Time Allocation: The 5-20-5 Rule for Business Case WAT
For IIM-A’s 30-minute format, allocate your time strategically:
The Verb Test for Case Recommendations
Every recommendation must pass what I call the “Verb Test.” If your conclusion has no verbs, it has no action—and no action means vague nonsense that evaluators will penalize.
- “The company needs better strategy”
- “A balanced approach is recommended”
- “Stakeholder alignment is important”
- “Digital transformation is the answer”
- “The company should ACQUIRE a logistics partner within Q2”
- “Management must REDUCE workforce by 15% while RETRAINING 30%”
- “The board should REJECT the acquisition and INVEST in R&D”
- “Operations should MIGRATE to cloud infrastructure over 18 months”
20+ Case-Based WAT Topics with Analysis Angles
Preparing for WAT business topics requires exposure to diverse scenarios. Below are actual case-style topics that have appeared at IIM-A and similar topics you should practice. For each, I’ve suggested the key stakeholders and primary analysis dimensions.
Don’t just read these topics—write at least one response for each category. The gap between “understanding” a case and “writing about it under time pressure” is enormous. Your first 5-6 timed attempts will feel painful. That’s the point.
Startup Strategy Cases
Corporate Turnaround Cases
Ethical Dilemma Cases
Market Entry Cases
Harvard Business Case Preparation: Building Your Analytical Toolkit
The case method originated at Harvard Business School, and understanding Harvard business case preparation techniques gives you an edge in AWT. While you won’t have time for the full Harvard method (which involves 2-3 hours of prep per case), the underlying principles translate directly to 30-minute WAT scenarios.
The Harvard Case Method Essentials
Harvard cases follow a consistent structure that mirrors real business decisions. Learning to recognize these patterns accelerates your analysis:
For business case studies practice, access free cases from Harvard Business Publishing’s teaching collection, IIM case centers, and business news sites like The Ken and Morning Context. Reading 2-3 detailed cases weekly builds pattern recognition that helps in timed scenarios.
Building Your Case Knowledge Bank
You don’t need to memorize cases—you need to build a mental library of business patterns. Here are 10 essential Indian business cases every WAT candidate should know:
| Company/Case | Key Decision | Use For Topics On |
|---|---|---|
| Tata-Air India Acquisition | ₹18,000 Cr acquisition of loss-making airline | Turnarounds, brand revival, privatization |
| Reliance Jio Launch | Free service disruption strategy | Market entry, disruption, pricing strategy |
| Zomato-Blinkit Merger | Pivot from food delivery to quick commerce | Diversification, synergies, capability building |
| Patagonia Climate Trust | $3B company transferred to climate trust | Purpose vs profit, stakeholder capitalism |
| Byju’s Growth Crisis | Aggressive growth leading to layoffs | Sustainable growth, governance, edtech |
| Infosys Founder Transition | Professional CEO vs founder return | Leadership succession, corporate governance |
| OYO’s Pivot Strategy | Asset-light to franchise model | Business model evolution, hospitality |
| Mamaearth IPO | D2C brand going public | D2C strategy, omnichannel, valuation |
| Flipkart-Walmart Deal | $16B acquisition by foreign player | M&A, foreign investment, e-commerce |
| Chandrayaan-3 | ₹615 Cr budget vs Hollywood film costs | Frugal innovation, ISRO efficiency, R&D |
Business Case GD Topics: When Cases Become Discussions
The same business scenarios that appear in WAT also show up in Group Discussions. Understanding business case GD topics helps you prepare for both formats simultaneously. The key difference: in GD, you’re building on others’ points; in WAT, you’re building your own complete argument.
How Business Cases Transform in GD Format
In GD, a case topic might be framed as:
“Startup founders should prioritize growth over profitability in the first five years—discuss.”
This transforms a case decision into a debate format. Your preparation for business case discussions should cover both angles:
- Winner-take-all markets justify early losses (Uber, Jio)
- Network effects compound with scale
- Market timing matters—late entry to established markets fails
- Investor capital is available for growth stories
- Byju’s, WeWork show growth-at-all-costs failure
- 2022-23 funding winter killed unprofitable startups
- Unit economics must work at small scale first
- Sustainable businesses attract better talent
Top 10 Business Case GD Topics for 2025
Based on recent IIM and XLRI GD patterns, prepare for these business case GD topics:
- “Quick commerce is killing traditional retail—is this progress or destruction?”
- “Should Indian startups list on Indian exchanges or seek global listings?”
- “Is the gig economy exploitative or empowering?”
- “Should companies mandate return to office?”
- “Is aggressive tax avoidance by MNCs ethical?”
- “Should AI companies be liable for job losses caused by automation?”
- “Is hustle culture necessary for startup success?”
- “Should social media companies be regulated like utilities?”
- “Is the MBA degree still relevant in the age of online learning?”
- “Should India encourage or restrict foreign e-commerce players?”
Business Case Study Sample: Before vs After Analysis
Let’s examine a complete business case study sample to see the 4-step framework in action. I’ll show you a weak response and a strong response to the same case.
“A company faces 30% attrition. Is the problem compensation, culture, or career growth? Recommend solutions.”
BEFORE: Score 4.5/10
Attrition is a major problem in today’s corporate world. Generic opening—tells evaluator nothing specific about THIS case.
There are many reasons why employees leave. Some want more money, some want better culture, and some want career growth. Just restating the question—no analysis.
I think compensation is the most important factor. If you pay well, employees will stay. Oversimplified claim with no evidence.
However, culture is also important. Companies should have good culture. This means treating employees well and having good values. Vague—what specific actions?
In conclusion, companies should focus on all three factors—compensation, culture, and career growth—to reduce attrition. Fence-sitting conclusion. No specific recommendation.
AFTER: Score 8.5/10
Problem Identification: With 30% attrition, the company loses institutional knowledge, faces recruitment costs estimated at 50-150% of annual salary per departure, and signals market weakness to competitors and clients. The core question isn’t which factor matters—all three do—but which lever will yield fastest ROI. Quantifies the problem, reframes the question intelligently.
Stakeholder Impact: Remaining employees face increased workload and uncertainty. Managers lose trained team members. Customers experience service disruption. Shareholders bear the financial burden. Each stakeholder’s patience has limits—the 6-month window before cascading departures is critical. Names stakeholders with specific concerns.
Options Analysis:
Compensation Fix (Option A): Immediate 15% market adjustment. Pros: Fast, measurable, addresses hygiene factor. Cons: Expensive (₹X crore annually), may not address root cause, creates entitlement without loyalty. Best if: Exit interviews cite “below market” consistently. Specific numbers, clear conditions.
Culture Overhaul (Option B): Leadership training, transparent communication, work-from-home policy. Pros: Addresses intrinsic motivation, sustainable. Cons: Takes 12-18 months to show results, requires management buy-in. Best if: Attrition concentrated in specific teams/managers.
Career Path Program (Option C): Defined promotion criteria, skill development budgets, internal mobility. Pros: Signals long-term investment, attracts growth-oriented talent. Cons: Requires organizational restructuring, may surface unrealistic expectations. Best if: High performers leaving while average performers stay.
Recommendation: Implement a phased approach. Immediate (Month 1): Targeted retention bonuses for top 20% performers to stop the bleeding. Short-term (Months 2-6): Launch transparent career frameworks with quarterly feedback. Medium-term (Months 6-18): Culture audit and manager accountability metrics. The key success factor: CEO visibility in communicating that attrition is a board-level priority. Phased, actionable, with verbs and timelines.
What Made the Difference?
| Element | Weak Version | Strong Version |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Generic statement about attrition | Quantified problem with business impact |
| Stakeholders | Not mentioned | 4 stakeholders with specific concerns |
| Options | Vague preferences | 3 options with pros, cons, conditions |
| Recommendation | “Focus on all three” | Phased action plan with timelines |
| Verbs | Missing—”should have,” “is important” | Present—”implement,” “launch,” “audit” |
5 Fatal Mistakes in WAT Business Topics (And How to Avoid Them)
After reviewing thousands of WAT topics on business responses, these errors consistently separate high scorers from mediocre ones:
Fix: Extract the decision in ONE sentence. Use remaining words for analysis.
Fix: Simple language with specific actions beats impressive-sounding vagueness.
Fix: Take a clear stance. Conditional recommendations (“Option A if X, else B”) show nuance without fence-sitting.
Fix: State assumptions: “Assuming 15% market growth…” or reference known data points from your case bank.
Fix: Always ask: “Who wins? Who loses? Who must execute?” This surfaces implementation challenges.
4-Week Business Case Discussions Preparation Plan
Systematic preparation for business case discussions requires deliberate practice with feedback loops. Here’s a structured plan that builds your analytical muscles progressively:
- Memorize the 4-step case framework
- Read 3 detailed business cases from HBR or IIM case centers
- Practice stakeholder mapping on 5 cases (no writing yet)
- Build your 10-case knowledge bank
- Write 2 full case responses (untimed)
- Write 3 case responses in 35 minutes (relaxed timing)
- Practice the Verb Test on all recommendations
- Read business news daily—identify case angles
- Study 2 model case responses from toppers
- Get feedback on Week 1 responses
- Write 4 case responses in 30 minutes (actual timing)
- Practice option generation—3 options in 3 minutes drill
- Work on specific weak areas from feedback
- Mock session: Write 2 cases back-to-back
- Review and iterate on your best response
- Full simulation: 3 cases in 90 minutes
- Practice handwriting legibility at speed
- Review your case knowledge bank
- Mental rehearsal: First 5 minutes routine
- Rest and light revision before actual WAT
Aim for 15-20 timed case responses before your actual WAT. Research shows success rates improve significantly after candidates cross the 12-case threshold. Quality feedback on 5-6 responses matters more than writing 30 responses without review.
Your Daily Practice Checklist
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Read one business news article and identify the case angle (15 min)
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Practice stakeholder mapping on a new scenario (10 min)
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Write one paragraph using the Verb Test (10 min)
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Review one case from your knowledge bank (10 min)
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Practice rapid option generation—3 options in 3 minutes (5 min)
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Update statistics bank with one new data point (5 min)
Self-Assessment: Rate Your Case Analysis Skills
Before diving deeper into preparation, honestly assess your current readiness for case-based WAT topics. This self-assessment identifies specific areas for focused practice.
Key Takeaways
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1Use the 4-Step Framework Every TimeProblem Identification → Stakeholder Analysis → Options Analysis → Recommendation. This structure works for any case-based WAT topic and demonstrates systematic thinking that evaluators reward.
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2Apply the Verb Test to Every RecommendationIf your conclusion has no verbs, it has no action. “The company should ACQUIRE,” “Management must RESTRUCTURE,” “The board should REJECT”—specific verbs force concrete thinking.
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3Build a 15-Case Knowledge BankKnow Indian business cases (Tata-Air India, Jio, Zomato-Blinkit) plus global examples (Patagonia, Amazon). These become your evidence pool for any business scenario.
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4Create Genuine Trade-offs in Options AnalysisDon’t present one good option and one obviously bad option. Strong candidates show genuinely difficult choices where reasonable people could disagree—this demonstrates business maturity.
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5Practice 15+ Timed Responses Before Your Actual WATThe gap between understanding cases and writing about them under pressure is enormous. Systematic timed practice with feedback is the only path to AWT mastery.