Written Ability Test of IIMs - A Glimpse

IIM A essay topics(2011-13 Batch):

1. India’s huge population is a big hindrance to its development

2. Networking is more important for success than acads

3. Collectivism is a myth

4. Something on the recently passed- Education Bill

5. Social Networking is a waste of time

6. Is business ethics contradictory to terms?"

7. One should not study the subject which lacks practical applications

8. India claims high literacy rate but India is actually illiterate( Something like that)

9. Diversity is not necessarily an indicator of Inclusiveness.

10. Information Communication and Technology has done little to bridge Digital Divide

Few pointers(My take):

· IIM A has a 10 minute essay(Thinking + writing)

· Topics given will not test pure general knowledge; basic knowledge about current issues is required though.

· Important is what opinion you have on the issue given as the topic

· Evaluation of all possible options!!!! Is a must

o Consider the topic: India’s huge population is a big hindrance to its development

§ Don’t get swayed by the tone of the topic, evaluate both aspects(here one can justify that he thinks, huge population is an advantage to India)

§ First figure out whether you agree/disagree with the topic

§ Next is to structure your thoughts:

· 1^st paragraph: what you think the topic conveys

· 2^nd para: For the topic(objective evaluation)

· 3^rd: Against(objective evaluation)

· 4^th: your stand and reason(Subjective is okay but not ‘too radical’)

· Each para’s first line must be what you want to say; remaining lines must be examples or support for the statement

· Use connectors to link the paras....however, moreover, etc

· No time for proof reading!!! (only 10 mins)

Any single statistics or any organization you write about be prepared with the background research....(eg: In the easy if you mention about the literacy rate(how the govt calculates it?) or NREGA(when, where did it start and any recent news?)

Study data about INDIAN ECONOMY well!!! Stats and industry scenario is very helpful in any topic!!!

Writing this in 10 minutes is very difficult but possible.

That was my topic and what I followed, so can you...

Ensure you practice at least 10 essays before your final day(allotting 10 mins time) and do get them checked by profs!!!

For other calls IIM L/B/K

· There is a lot of time, so think and structure your thoughts for the 1^st 3-5 minutes

· Follow the four paragraph rule but elaborate on each para

· Give three-four reasons/examples/arguments for each for and against the topic

· Proof reading is a must here!!!

· IIM B is very particular about grammar and spellings!!!

Other views that might be helpful:

a) So the essay topic was "Social Networking is a waste of time". Since 10 mins were too less it is important that you jog down all the points you have in mind. Arguments are required but don't make elaborate once. Realistically you will be able to write a max of 200 words. So plan you have a introduction, body and conclusion in these 200 words. One more important thing is write about the topic from the first word itself. My personal experience was that I was able to write about 4-5 points but did not have a conclusion. Though it worked for me, I strongly advise that you have a conclusion of about 30 words. For preparation, general awareness and current affairs will help. I did not have a lot of time on hand before my interview. So did not practice much. My only practice was during the TIME 2 day workshop. All the best for your preparation.

b) What is looked for?
• Subject knowledge
• Clarity of thought
• Flow of ideas
• Examples
• Facts
• Correct usage of grammar
• Correct usage of words
• A neat hand-writing

How should you write?
• Always write in paragraphs
• It’s not a natural but learned skill
• Different paragraphs express different ideas that contribute to the main idea
• A paragraph should ideally contain :
(i) Topic Sentence: it is the 1st sentence expressing the main idea of the paragraph- Say what you are going to say
(ii) Supporting Sentences: they expand the main idea expressed in the topic sentence- Say it
(iii) Concluding Sentence: rounding off what has been said or a logical conclusion of the idea in the topic sentence- Say it again!!!

How should you write?
• Follow a flow of paragraphs
• Always let the first paragraph be an introduction to the subject matter
• Expansion/ support/ refutation of the idea must follow in subsequent paragraphs
• The last paragraph must have a conclusion of the main idea
• There could be two forms of writing- Deductive and Inductive
• You should have good knowledge of the topic to write about
• Read the directions carefully
• Recognize action words- discuss, evaluate, argue, comment etc.
• Focus on the issue rather than peripheries
• Choose words with precise meanings; avoid ambiguity
• Do not use Jargon
• Do not use Slang
• Do not use Cliché
• Do not use Abbreviations
• Do not use Quotations without acknowledgments
• Make tentative statements; avoid definitive statements- it leaves a scope for further discussion

c) Read the topic carefully and determine what you have been asked to write.
Are you expected to present the pros and cons of a particular issue? Are you expected to present an analytical piece? Are you required to write an argumentative essay or come up with different prespectives vis-a-vis an abstract topic?
Once you have a clear picture, jot down the important points that occur to you

Now reorganise thoughts into the three-section format:

A terrific introduction:
Employ a quote, [only if it is relevant] or a generic observation pertaining to the topic at hand.

Supporting ideas:
This effectively is the body of the essay that is generally fleshed out over two or three small paragraphs. You can move from one paragraph to other by means of connectives such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover' or 'To illustrate' etc. If you wish to present a deviation from the main line of thought or state an exception, you can use words like 'however', 'but' etc.
Examples will be the key to showcase your understanding of the topic. Provide those that are a function of your reading, observation or personal experience.
You must be politically correct and at the same time avoid wishy washy examples that do not stand scrutiny.

Conclusion:
Wrap up the essay with a fitting finale, using connectives such as ' In conclusion' , 'Hence' or 'Thus'. Otherwise, however well written the essay, it will hang and have an unfinished feel to it.

Tick the important checklist
A] Cogency and coherence: The essay should have a smooth flow of thought and maintain relevance at all times. Moving back and forth will have a stilted effect.
B] Sentence structure: The word choice and construction of sentences should be apt and concise. Certain principles of grammar and usage must be adhered to.
C] Proofreading: Spelling errors and slang are a strict no-no in a formal essay.

You might want to read up on:

European debt crisis

Draft telecom policy

Wikileaks,
* Internal Security - Naxal, saffron terror, Kashmir Autonomy, North-east, States Reorganisation (Telangana etc.)
* Right to Education, Foreign Education Bill, Autonomy - IITs/IIMs,issues with new IITs/IIMs, Ragging, Sex Education, Corporal punishment
* Census, UID - Aadhar, Public Distribution System (PDS)
* Tata Nano, Singur, Land Acquisition
* Arundhati Roy, Mamata Banerjee - West Bengal, Nitish Kumar - Bihar, Coalition politics
* Scams / Corruption - 2G, CWG, Adarsh, IPL, Karnataka, Jharkhand
* Climate change - science, politics & economics
* Female foeticide, Women reservation, Khap panchayats, Honour Killing, Gujjar reservation
* Reality TV shows, Item numbers, moral policing, censorship, freedom of expression, News channels, Cinema
* Public-private partnership, SEZ, Microfinance, Basel III, Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy - azim premji, Buffett, Gates
* Cricket and state of other sports in India, IPL, Asian Games, CWG, World cup - cricket, hockey, FIFA, Olympics, Doping in Sports, Betting in Games
* Inflation, Unemployment, Recession, Outsourcing, economic disparity, HDI
* Social Media impact: socio-cultural, politico- economic, Telecom revolution: e/m-commerce, Mobile Number Portability
* Corporate Governance - Radia Tapes, housing, insurance scams, satyam
* Disaster Management: (BP, Mumbai) Oil spill, Floods, fire, terror attacks, earthquake, stampede, building collapse, air crash
* Air India, TATA, Birla, Ambanis, Mahindra, Hero Honda, Bharti
* Indo- US, EU, China, Pak, Russia, UN Security Council, ASEAN
* Financial Crisis - PIIGS
* Homosexuality, Live in Relationship, Capital Punishment, Domestic Violence, Euthanasia
* Judicial Activism, corruption in judiciary

*Reading on all these topics and other recent news is quite important but most important is

YOU HAVE IN DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF EACH AND EVERY WORD ON OUR PI FORM!!!!

All the best !!!

Atin Jain

PGP 2011-13 | IIM Ahmedabad