1) INTERVIEW WAS FOR: IIM Calcutta
2) ABOUT YOURSELF (Education/Work Experience/List of
calls): B. Tech. in Engineering Physics from IIT
Bombay in 2006, prepared for IAS exams, taught at IMS
and now working at Zeus Learning, calls from all 6
IIMs.
3) No. OF PEOPLE AT THE PANEL: 3
4) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE INTERVIEW : It was an okayish interview, and I think my
performance was average. They were smiling throughout
the interview, but they did not seem too happy or
unhappy. However, it could be because I gave very
diplomatic answers, to which one of the professors
said, “He’s already talking like those MBA types”.
5) KIND OF QUESTIONS ASKED: One professor began by
giving me a case study on a food products company.
Later, another professor asked me about my background,
and when I brought in the fact that I had appeared for
the IAS exams, the entire interview went on those
lines, as in why did I appear for it, what I want to
achieve in life, what do I think of diplomacy
vis-à-vis the business world, and so on.
6) DURATION OF THE INTERVIEW: 15-20 minutes.
7) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE: I believe it was strictly
OK.
8) AREAS WHERE YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER: Even
though the interview was on expected lines and I did
not really falter at any point, my performance was not
very good either. With just one interview (IIM-B) to
go, I’ll try to be more confident during the
interview, and not just before it.
9) 3 QUESTIONS THAT YOU FOUND DIFFICULT TO ANSWER:
They asked me to name a family-owned company which has
a democratically elected CEO. When I guessed Wipro,
they asked me who the CEO of Wipro is. But this was
not an out-of-the-blue question; I got myself into
this.
10) FINAL RESULT/ EXPECTED RESULT: Can’t say. Final
calls expected sometime in April.
11) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UrPERCENTILE.COM
SUBSCRIBERS PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW: Be calm and
confident. If the interviewers are asking more about
your opinions on issues rather than your knowledge of
those issues, you should say what you know, and what
you think is right, but do not take any extreme stance
on any issue.
FOR GD:
1) GD WAS FOR: IIM Calcutta
2) NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE GD: 10
3) NUMBER OF PEOPLE EVALUATING: 3 (the same 3 who took
the interview)
4) ABOUT THE REMAINING MEMBERS IN THE GD: One of the
guys was my junior from IITB. There was also one guy
who had studied in New York and come through the GMAT
route. The others were mostly familiar faces from
previous interviews, mostly engineers, a mix of
freshers and with work-ex.
5) GD TOPIC: A case study on a consulting firm’s
recruiting strategy at a B-school. The HR people are
facing problems because students take the offer, then
get better offers from elsewhere and come back and
bargain with them. The CEO gives a novel suggestion,
‘let the students try out whatever they want for a
year and then come and join us if they want’. What are
the pros and cons of this strategy?
6) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE GD: It was a good GD,
with most people speaking enough and making good
points.
7) DURATION OF THE GD: We were given a minute to read
the case and write down some points, about 15-20
minutes to discuss it, and then asked to speak
one-by-one, giving a summary of the GD or any points
that we wanted to say but couldn’t.
8) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE: Just average. I spoke 3-4
times, emphasizing that the idea is good because it
offers an additional choice to students, and helps the
company differentiate itself from its competitors. I
also said that most students tend to try out different
jobs in the beginning of their career, and with this
new approach, the company might end up as the
beneficiary of the students’ search phase instead of
the victim.
9) AREAS WHERE YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER: I
could have spoken a little more often. Also, I was
speaking when the professor asked us to stop, and then
asked me to begin summarizing. I was a little
surprised and unprepared for that.
10) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UrPERCENTILE.COM
SUBSCRIBERS PREPARING FOR GD: Co-operate rather than
compete. Think before speaking. At the end, if you are
asked to summarize, it is OK to ask for about 5-10
seconds to collect your thoughts before starting to
speak. 11) FEEDBACK ON THE WEBSITE URPERCENTILE.COM: It is a
good forum for people to share their knowledge and
experiences, and help each other perform better in
achieving their goals.
1) INTERVIEW WAS FOR : IIM Calcutta 2) ABOUT YOURSELF (Education/Work Experience/List of calls) : B. Tech and Masters from IIT Delhi, 10 months work-ex with a consulting company, Calls from IIM's - BCIK
3) No. OF PEOPLE AT THE PANEL : 3
4) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE INTERVIEW : The interview majorly revolved around "Why MBA" ? Though this question never came up directly, but all the interviewers were interested in determining whether I was keen on an MBA or not.I think I did a good job in convincing them why I want to do an MBA , how it is a part of my goal for a long term successful career in the corporate world.
5) KIND OF QUESTIONS ASKED ( 100 words): I have a research background, have printed 3 papers and an open offer of Phd from foreign universities. So most of the questions were about why I don't want to go into research? Also, they talked for around 5 mins about my work-ex.
6) DURATION OF THE INTERVIEW : Approximately 15 mins 7) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE : I think I did a good job
8) FINAL RESULT : Converted
9) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UrPERCENTILE.COM SUBSCRIBERS PREPARING FOR INTERVIEW : I think for PI's -- its very important to be prepared and to know your goal clearly. You should be very clear about what you are talking about. Every body has some goals in life, and you should be confident in explaining to the interviewer how the management degree fits into your long term goals. There are some people people who want to do an MBA because they want to earn a lot of money, there might be others who see it as a want to learn and then serve the society in a better way. Do a lot of thinking before the interview of how you want to present yourself. Also, there is a general list of around 40 questions which you should definitely write and prepare. 10) HOW URPERCENTILE.COM HELPED YOU IN GETTING THIS CALL ?: I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank your website as well as the yahoo group for all the help that you guys have provided in the last two years. I have been a silent member of this group for nearly the last two years-- written to the group once in a while. I would like to acknowledge the important role the yahoo group has played during my prepartion for the written exam as well as the GD/PI process. It is helpful as well a source of inspiration for me as well as many other CAT aspirants who wish to seek admissions into the prestigious business schools.
FOR GD :
1) GD WAS FOR : IIM Calcutta
2) NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE GD : 12
3) NUMBER OF PEOPLE EVALUATING : 3
4) ABOUT YOURSELF (Education/Work Experience/Calls etc) : B. Tech and Masters from IIT Delhi, 10 months work-ex with a consulting company, Calls from IIM's - BCIK
5) ABOUT THE REMAINING MEMEBRS IN THE GD : Most of them were engineers - generally freshers. However, there was one person with 6 years work-ex , but he didn't speak at all in the GD.
6) GD TOPIC : For the first time this year, IIM C gave a case study.It was about a low cost airlines whose staff is facing trouble with the customers. The airlines is always overbooked, and so a lot of passengers get angry and irritated when their flight gets cancelled at the last moment.
7) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE GD: GD was a fish market in the beginning.There were 3 people who were literally fighting amongst themselved to speak.
8) DURATION OF THE GD : around 15 minutes
9) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE : I spoke only 3 times, but could be heard and made good points.
10) AREAS WHERE YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER: I think I could have spoken a few more times.
11) FINAL RESULT : Converted 12) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UrPERCENTILE.COM SUBSCRIBERS PREPARING FOR GD : Please remember GD is a mode of discussion.We are here to discuss problems/cases/topics and present our view points and not to convince everyone of out points. So if there is someone in the group who doesn't agree with you or has a different view point -- please don't loathe him. Also, make sure you give others a chance to speak and not be too dominant.
From : Sulagna Bhattacharya
FOR GD :
The topic was: “The way forward for India is to join hands with Pakistan on Nuclear matters.”
Woo, it was a fish market, and the 3 Profs never tried to cool down the room. However, we were supposed to “discuss”(i.e. shout) for 10 minutes, and then they randomly called us(total 11) to summaries the discussion, and also to add anything we thought, within 1 minute. In the discussion part, I couldn’t shout, and indeed I didn’t. First, it was useless – my voice won’t be heard – and I think it would be a bad impression as well. When the group attained a comparative trough, I spoke then – only 4 times. But the summarization task made me very happy. I was the 6th to be called for it. The previous 5 boys started speaking,and mixed up the group’s points with their own, and never tried to clarify it. Also, they all were stopped in the middle of what they were saying – couldn’t do any time management. But I started as :”several points for & against the proposal were discussed. Some of these are:………………………..Now, what I think is that……………………………..I also think………………………….So India must adopt a very cautious approach while considering this proposal, keeping in mind its own internal security issues. Thank you.” I didn’t give the Profs a chance to stop me. And I was quite satisfied right after that ……those after me started following the same answer structure as I did!
FOR PI
I was the 2nd to be called. When I was waiting outside the door, suddenly a brown cat came from somewhere & rubbed his/her head against my ankles. I stooped down & patted him, and the child started purring a lot. So I was talking to him, and he was purring, when suddenly the door opened, the 1st student came out with his tongue hanging out, followed by a Faculty!!! While going in I heard somebody say “Now she will be grilled. The Prof must dislike the fact that she was talking to a cat! How childish! ” However, I wasn't perturbed by this comment at all. It's no crime to love animals.
Among the 3 profs, I Think one of them is the Director of IIMC himself – he resembles a lot to the photo of IIMC Director as is often published in papers. But I’m not sure. However, this PI, especially the panelists, proved to be the gentlest, nicest, and most sympathetic of ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s how it went:
After wishes and the things, it started, though initially it took very peculiar shape. Read this conversation:
Q – Please hand me over the document photocopies.
A – Sure Sir…….
Q – You need to give the originals as well.
A – Sure Sir, I know. Here they are –
Q – (Another Prof) you need to keep the Cat Admit very carefully.
A – I know sir………
Q – If you are selected, this should be an ID.
A – I know that sir….
Q – (the 3rd Prof) You must keep this very carefully. The admit is very important in case u r selected.
A – sure Sir, I already know that !
Q – (the 1st prof) No no, you must keep the admit card very carefully.
A – Sir, I assure you all that I SHALL keep it very carefully!
Q – (2nd Prof) no no, you see, it is REALLY needed in case u get admission.
Q – (1st prof) So you must keep it VERY VERY carefully.
A – (it was going beyond limits now, I decided. I smiled & said) Sir, I am perfectly aware that if this is lost, I am also lost, at least for this year.
(All the 3 smiled and changed the topic. I wonder WHY they were saying the same thing so many times?????)
Q – So where have you graduated from?
A – SAJ college
Q – oh, that’s near…..near…………
A – Shovabazar Metro station.
Q – right, right.
Q – (2nd Prof) where did u do ur schooling from?
A – Holy Child Institute.
Q – oh that’s one of the nicest schools in Calcutta………..and a very old one too!
A – yes Sir.
Q – so you did ur M Sc & MBA?
A – yes sir.
Q – why didn’t u do Ph D?
A – it is my fallback option sir. If I fail in this Endeavour, as failures are always possible, I’ll take on Ph D as my alternative option.
Q – which subject u wd like to do Ph D in?
A – Haven’t finalized it yet……..but would like to go in for Quantitative economics.
Q – (3rd prof) so you are interested in Econometrics!
A- yes.
Q – You have written u want to start a CAT training inst which would cater primarily to those who r deserving but can’t afford to join coaching centers.
A – yes.
Q – that’s good. Very good, indeed!
A – thank u sir.
Q – what r ur ST goals?
A - ………………..
Q – but that’s too general. Can u be more specific? U have 5 yrs work exp, and so have an idea how the industry works.
A – certainly. I’d go in for spl in finance or HR.
Q – Why?
A – owing to my job profile…………………etc etc….
Q – (2nd prof) what is HR?
A – HR is all abt planning, executing & implementing the right set of tools & incentives to implant the desired level of skills to the employees so that they r converted from liabilities into assets…..also the right set of tools must be selected for sustaining the imparted changes as well.
Q – (3rd Prof) why are so many equations used in linear regression model?
A – 2b frank sir, its long since I am out of touch with academics……
Q – its okay ,its okay, you neednt answer…
A – but all the same I would like to attempt the answer……….i think…………..(gave an answer which was partially correct).
Q – fine.
Q – U have left ur job since july 2005……why?
A - I didn't join any Cat coaching center, so I needed more time that the others for prep. But, I had that confidence in me, so could take such a risk. And it paid…..at least till this stage…….
Q – that’s fine. But in case u r not selected – there can always be such things – what will u do?
A – I’ll apply to JNU for Ph D in International economy, also take NET in june, and of course will take Cat 2006.
Q – (2 of them together) AGAIN take CAT?
A – Certainly. Instead of destiny taking over me, I’ll change my destiny.
Q – What was your Cat strategy for self –prep?
A - (answered).
Q – Which books did u follow?
A – Only my 10th & 10+2 Maths books. Although there are so many books for each section, I didn't buy them.
Q – But ARE there any such books available in the market? What are the names of such books?
A – Many books are available,Sir. But I don’t know the names.
Q – the how do u know these books exist?
A – on each of my GD/Pi day, the other students often discuss amongst themselves how many books they consulted.
Q – how many books did YOU follow, amongst those mentioned by them? (don’t know why he repeated this Q)
A – I didn't buy such books,Sir. I only went by the books available to me.
At this point, the (assumed) Director(he was going thru the papers) told the others: “you know, she has done a German language course as well, and is certified from Munich.” Then we had another 2-3 minutes talk over it. Then 1 of them asked: “when have you painted last?” I said: “a year ago. Will u like to see a snapshot of my painting? I have it with me.” They saw it & all the 3 appreciated it very much. Then – we parted.
Now tell me – WHY,WHY,WHY is it always so that, others are asked SO many things, but me none? It’s quite peculiar. I expected At least IIMC to conduct a challenging & grueling PI. Or – is it possible – as other students said after I came out – that going by my GD perfo (since I spoke – ooops – shouted so less # of times) they already had decided unanimously NOT to take me in, so didn’t want to waste their time by asking anything? This very thought gives me creeps ! No Q about budget, N-deal, Hostile witness……..not even Yuan revaluation, patent bill amended, Post-MFA,WTO HK, VAT…………NOTHING !!!!!!!!!! No Q like Introduce urself, acads, job exp, hobbies………what on EARTH is going wrong with me???????????
However, once it is over, nothing is in my hands. I can just wait & wait & wait…………….but I would like to assure myself only on one point: Unless they ask me proper questions, how can they decide I am not worth taking in !
FINAL RESULT : Selected
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From: Sambit Misra
FOR INTERVIEW:
1)INTERVIEW WAS FOR : IIM C
2) ABOUT YOURSELF (Education/Work Experience) : B Tech(dual degree) Mech IITM
3) No. OF PEOPLE AT THE PANEL : 4
4) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE INTERVIEW: IIMC was mostly Non technical
leadership questions and some questions from culture, history etc (picked from a course I had in IIT) why MBA and all that.
5) DURATION OF THE INTERVIEW : Around 20 min
6) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE : It was OK.
7) AREAS WHERE YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER : Being more confident about the answers and views which I knew
to be correct, be more relaxed and composed.
Going to practice interviews might have helped.
8) QUESTIONS THAT YOU FOUND DIFFICULT TO ANSWERS :
Guess I was not convincing enough about why I would want a
MBA. This is just my guess.
9) FINAL RESULT : Not selected
10) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR
INTERVIEW : Have a broad knowledge base, know whats
happening around you in your core areas and be confident,quick
footed while answering. I don't think the panel looks correct or
wrong answers per se but to judge how observant you are and
good at reacting to situations.
FOR GD :
1) GD WAS FOR : IIMC
2) NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE GD : 6 for IIMC
3) NUMBER OF PEOPLE EVALUATING : The panel was present in case of IIMC
4) ABOUT YOURSELF (Education/Work Experience) : B Tech, (dual degree) IITM no work ex
5) ABOUT THE REMAINING MEMEBRS IN THE GD : Some were from IITs and evidently some had work ex
6) GD TOPIC : Need for leaders in India (not exact topic but close)
7) BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE GD : IIMC started degenerating to a fish market with a couple of people trying to hog the whole time.
8) DURATION OF THE GD: Around 15-20 min
9) HOW WAS YOUR PERFORMANCE: Initial performance was good but kind of lost out later on with the chaos.
10) AREAS WHERE YOU COULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER: Going from the final results from the IIMC panel evidently the panel liked noisy attention grabbers. But from my experience from many other GDs suggest that its better to be a well behaved member in a well behaved group, there is a greater chance of more people getting selected from a constructive well behaved group than a fish market group.
11) FINAL RESULT: Not selected
12) YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR GD: Contribute meaningfully to the group and be respectful for the other members. Obscurantist behavior is mostly harmful.