I was shortlisted for IIM Bangalore’s PGPBA i.e., MBA (Business Analytics) programme, but there was practically no difference between the process of PGP and PGPBA.
My Written Ability Test (WAT) was scheduled for 29th March at 10am on the Mettl Platform. The link for shared around 10-15 minutes before the slot. Mettl automatically closed and blocked all background activities and tabs on my PC, and after capturing my face and ID card, the test began.
Duration – 30 minutes, maximum 250 words.
Topic –
The Indian economy could grow as much as 11.5% on year in FY22, reports IMF. India is also projected to reclaim the status of the world’s fastest growing major economy and the only key nation to record double-digit growth. Discuss this projection in the context of “jobless growth” criticism levied by critics.
My Answer Pointers –
India - a human resource driven country
GDP contraction due to COVID
Massive recession, people losing jobs
Promising Union Budget
Employment and Infrastructure boost
Social Security Schemes like NREGA
Blended Offices encourage work
Positive Placement Figures at B-Schools
Focus on service industry due to automation
Skill India programme etc.
All these points prove that job prospects seem positive in the future, hence the notion of "jobless growth" may be more of a leftist sentiment than a long-term truth.
Things to remember –
When WATs are being conducted online, the word limit is extremely strict, to the length that I was stopped mid-sentence as soon as 250 words were complete, because the text box only accepts that much. I then had to go back and cut short/ remove previously written sentences, which led to a slight waste of time.
There is an inbuilt toolbar on the platform which allows you to bold, underline, italicize etc., which is key as it catches the reader’s eye.
You are allowed to keep a rough paper and pen with you, but the proctor requires you to always keep your head straight looking towards the screen, which makes it difficult to jot down on paper. Hence, it is recommended to jot down the points you remember within the text box itself, and keep deleting as you cover them.
Finally, remember not to use any kind of unfair means as that will immediately cancel your test, and if your WAT is not submitted, your interview will be cancelled too.
The results of my WAT-PI are still awaited, let’s see how things go. Meanwhile, keep reading and all the best!