Sample WAT Topics for CAT | CAT Interview Preparation Guide PDF Download

The Written Ability Test (WAT) is an integral part of the selection process for top B-schools like the IIMs. It evaluates your ability to think critically, structure ideas logically, and express opinions clearly within a limited time. 

• Word Limit: The word limit for the WAT in CAT interviews varies depending on the institute, typically ranging from 200 to 400 words. For example, IIM Ahmedabad suggests 300+ words, while IIM Lucknow may expect around 200+ words, and IIM Bangalore around 400 words.
• Rules: Candidates must write an essay on a given topic within the specified word limit, usually within 15–30 minutes.
• Expectations: WAT assesses written communication, critical thinking, and the ability to express ideas clearly. Candidates are expected to demonstrate knowledge of current affairs, business, and social issues, with a formal, concise tone.

Here are 5 sample WAT prompts with model responses to help you understand how to approach diverse topics—ranging from social issues to abstract themes. Use them to practice structuring your thoughts under time pressure and refining your writing style.

Sample 1: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Employment

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed industries from healthcare to manufacturing. While AI offers exciting possibilities like faster data analysis and automation of routine tasks, it also raises concerns about job security. Some worry that machines will replace humans, while others argue that new kinds of work will appear. 

Striking a balance between innovation and workforce welfare is essential as we navigate this shift. AI-driven tools can boost productivity and open new markets. For example, chatbots can handle customer queries 24/7, and machine learning algorithms can predict market trends. Such advances create jobs in tech fields: data analysts, AI ethicists, and software developers are in high demand. At the same time, automation is replacing some repetitive jobs. Factories that once needed many line workers now use robots, and software can perform routine office tasks. It is natural to worry about being left behind as machines become more capable. 

History shows that technology can also lead to new roles even as it disrupts others. Experts predict that while some jobs may disappear, others will emerge — such as roles in AI oversight, programming, and creative fields that require human judgment. To cope with these changes, workers may need to learn new skills, and businesses should invest in training. If used wisely, AI can complement rather than compete with humans by handling routine chores and letting people focus on innovation. 

In conclusion, the future of employment in the age of AI depends on adaptation and balance. By emphasising education and human strengths like creativity and empathy, society can harness AI as a powerful tool. With the right approach, AI will be a boon for the workforce, not a curse.

Sample 2: Gender Equality: Myth or Reality?

Gender equality means giving all people, regardless of gender, the same rights and opportunities. Although modern laws and global discussions emphasise equality, there is debate over whether true equality has been achieved. In many places, women’s literacy and workforce participation have grown. Still, gaps remain in pay, leadership, and social treatment. 

This raises the question: is gender equality today real, or merely a goal we have yet to reach? On the positive side, progress is clear. More girls attend school than ever, and women often pursue higher education and careers. Laws against gender discrimination and programs for equal pay are becoming more common. For example, many companies and governments now include quotas to ensure more women in leadership roles. 

These steps have opened doors for women in fields like science, business, and politics. Yet these gains coexist with persistent challenges. Unfortunately, many barriers endure. Across societies, women on average earn less than men for similar work. Cultural expectations still place more domestic and childcare duties on women, limiting their career growth. Moreover, issues like harassment and violence can impede women’s freedom. For example, women still occupy only a small fraction of top executive and political positions worldwide. These realities suggest that full equality has not yet arrived.

In conclusion, gender equality is partly real but remains incomplete. Achievements in education and policy show we are moving in the right direction, but ongoing disparities remind us that much work is left. Closing these gaps will require continued effort from governments, companies, and communities. Ultimately, gender equality should be the rule, not the exception, and realising it demands perseverance and commitment.

Sample 3: Is Ambition a Strength or a Weakness?

Ambition is often viewed as the driving force behind personal growth, innovation, and success. It pushes individuals to dream big, work hard, and overcome challenges. However, unchecked ambition can also lead to stress, unethical choices, and strained relationships. Whether ambition is a strength or weakness depends on how it is channelled.

When guided by purpose and values, ambition can be a powerful asset. It motivates entrepreneurs to take risks, leaders to pursue impact, and students to strive for excellence. Many breakthroughs in science, business, and the arts are the result of ambitious individuals who challenged the status quo. For instance, the journey of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam from humble beginnings to the presidency of India illustrates ambition grounded in service and vision.

However, ambition becomes problematic when it turns into obsession. The desire to succeed at any cost can lead to unhealthy competition, ethical compromises, and burnout. In the corporate world, scandals like Enron or the 2008 financial crisis were partly driven by relentless ambition without accountability. Moreover, personal ambition may sometimes overshadow team success, creating conflict in collaborative environments.

The key lies in balance. Ambition should be accompanied by self-awareness, empathy, and ethical boundaries. Ambitious individuals who also value teamwork, fairness, and long-term impact are more likely to sustain success and contribute positively to society.

In conclusion, ambition in itself is neither good nor bad. Like fire, it can light the way or cause destruction, depending on how it is used. When rooted in integrity and balanced by reflection, ambition is undoubtedly a strength.

Sample 4: Should Social Media Platforms Be Held Responsible for Misinformation?

Social media has revolutionised communication, giving individuals the power to share information instantly. However, this power comes with a significant downside: the rapid spread of misinformation. From fake news during elections to misleading health advice during the pandemic, false content has had real-world consequences. This raises a crucial question—should social media platforms be held responsible?

Supporters of platform accountability argue that these companies are not just neutral carriers of information. Their algorithms actively promote content that engages users, often prioritising sensationalism over truth. When misinformation spreads and causes harm—be it panic, polarisation, or public health risks—platforms cannot escape blame. Just as newspapers have editorial responsibility, tech platforms should ensure basic fact-checking and moderation.

On the other hand, critics of strict regulation believe that holding platforms accountable threatens freedom of expression. They argue that users should be responsible for what they post, and that platforms cannot feasibly monitor every piece of content. Moreover, excessive regulation could lead to censorship or biased moderation, especially in politically sensitive contexts.

The middle path may lie in collaborative regulation. Platforms can invest in better AI moderation, promote credible sources, and provide warning labels for questionable content. Governments can set transparent guidelines rather than arbitrary controls, and users can be educated to think critically. Responsibility, then, becomes shared rather than one-sided.

In conclusion, while social media platforms may not be solely responsible for misinformation, they do play a central role in its spread. They must take proactive steps to prevent harm without compromising free speech. Accountability, when fairly distributed, strengthens both democracy and digital integrity.

Sample 5: Does Failure Teach More Than Success?

Success is often celebrated, while failure is avoided or even feared. Yet, many of the world’s most impactful individuals—from entrepreneurs to athletes—credit failure as a powerful teacher. This leads to an important question: does failure teach us more than success?

Failure often brings lessons that success cannot. When we fail, we are forced to reflect, reassess, and improve. It reveals gaps in preparation, flaws in strategy, or misplaced assumptions. For example, Thomas Edison famously said he found "10,000 ways that won’t work" before inventing the light bulb. Such persistence is shaped not by smooth victories but by failures that build resilience.

In contrast, success, while encouraging, can sometimes be misleading. It may reinforce habits that are not truly effective or create overconfidence. A company that succeeds due to market luck may not adapt when conditions change. Without understanding why something worked—or if it merely appeared to—one risks repeating mistakes masked by temporary wins.

However, failure is not automatically educational. The value lies in how one responds to it. Failure can demotivate or trigger self-doubt if not approached with a learning mindset. On the other hand, success can also teach important skills like confidence, focus, and consistency. Ideally, both success and failure offer insights, but failure demands deeper introspection.

In conclusion, while success brings recognition, failure often brings wisdom. It challenges assumptions, strengthens character, and sharpens strategy. Therefore, for those willing to learn, failure can indeed be life’s most effective teacher.

Some Practice Topics

You can use the list below to continue your preparation:

• The Role of Financial Literacy in Achieving Economic Stability and Personal Wealth

• Is India ready for complete electric vehicle adoption?

• The role of AI in replacing human jobs – threat or opportunity?

• Climate change: Responsibility of the individual vs. the government

• Online education vs. traditional classroom learning

• Freedom of speech vs. responsible speech

• Is economic growth more important than environmental sustainability?

• The relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals in modern India

• Should voting be made compulsory in a democracy?

• Success through merit vs. success through connections