This article shares Personal Interview feedback of CAT/ XAT Toppers currently studying in IIMs, XLRI and other top B schools
(prHWY.com) March 9, 2013 - Noida, India -- MBA aspirants are now focusing on group discussion, WAT and personal interview rounds. Crossing this hurdle will open gates of their dream B schools. To help aspirants, MBAUniverse.com has already launched a WAT, PI, GD preparation module (
http://www.mbauniverse.com/gd_pi_preparation/gd_pi_wat_preparation.php). It is being updated regularly for the benefit of aspirants.
As part of our GD/PI experience series, we bring you a detailed feedback of CAT/XAT /NMAT Toppers of various institutes including IIMS, XLRI, JBIMS, etc.
Personal Interview (PI):
Pooja Sharma of JBIMS, 99.99 percentile in Maharashtra CET says the toughest question was "Why do I want to do MBA after engineering?" This was a very important question and the answers needed to be a well thought-out one. Also, I was a fresher and was grilled a lot on the point so I had to justify my choice to the panel. The easiest question was about my hobbies. Reading is my hobby and I read a lot of books. I was asked about my favourite book, Pride and Prejudice, and other books by Jane Austen. I could answer these questions well".
It is important to be honest because if you try deceiving the panel you get trapped in your own lie. You need to think well before answering a question because usually the question that follows would be based on your previous answer. Also, in the PI, I believe, it is important to divert the panel to a topic that you want to talk of or a topic that you believe is your strength. This can work well in your favour. You also need to be confident and you should be able to convince the panel about your answers or about your point of view".
Siddhant Gupta, IIM Raipur: I had my PI in Delhi. I was given a topic on financial crisis in Europe. I was asked to speak on any topic from current affairs during the interview. I chose to talk on KFA bailout. I explained the problem and was asked for possible solutions. I suggested some solutions and a few cross questions were fired.
Then I was asked a few questions on chemistry (I am a chemical engineer). Towards the end, I was grilled on "Which IIM will I choose if I happen to get multiple converts". I linked it to the question related to the meaning of name and the panel seemed impressed.
Ajinkya Deshmukh - IIM Bangalore, 100 percentile in CAT 2011: For PI, I was keen to focus on the subject of my choice in my undergraduate programme and be thorough with it while having a general idea of some other subjects to present an opinion if asked. It was important to be thorough with some of the current issues at that time like the 2G verdict, to hold a discussion at length in the interview.
I prepared myself for questions about my work experience with clear explanation about my role in the company, the business I am working for etc. I found the mirror test extremely useful for PI. You time your answers and sit in front of mirror and answer the questions.
My sincere advice to MBA aspirants would be to do an MBA only if they really want to, not by following the crowd or trend. Remain focused in approach. Keep yourself updated about various courses/ exams and do your best. Believe in your own self.
Sumant Darshan - IIM Ahmedabad, 99.85 percentile in CAT 2011: In personal interviews, the most common question is: tell us about yourself. Prepare the answer of this question well and do not be monotonous. Do not forget to mention your future ambitions. Always maintain the eye contact with the interviewer and try to channelize the course of discussion to your strong points (education, extra-curricular activities, etc). When you are asked a question, think very briefly and frame the answer. Remember, your answer will lead to further questions. If you need clarification in a question, do not hesitate to ask it.
If you have some work experience, expect some questions on it. Here, the basic understanding of the concept is essential.
MBAUniverse.com is conducting live chat sessions (Topper's Mantra) with a number of students who have made it to reputed B schools. We are also publishing stories based on those chats for our readers.
Click here for stories on live chat sessions:
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article.php?id=6672
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article.php?id=6753
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article.php?id=6709
###