Vivek Agarwal scored 93.4 percentile in CAT 2023 and is creating this page as a reference for future applicants who will clear the CAT exam or any other major exam in the future and want to prepare for GD PI or WAT but do not have many resources or a network that can help them prepare like Vivek does.
Vivek says, “I didn’t have many resources, but I prepared with whatever information I could find online. Later, I realized that applicants like me share their interview experiences in groups, and edtech giants use them to discern the trends of questions asked in interviews. Hence, I decided to share those experiences on this website, which could help you understand the pattern of questions asked in interviews and design your preparation plan accordingly. One request: if you find this helpful, please consider sharing the website and refrain from copying and sharing it elsewhere.
Keep these five things in your hand, as what experience says:
- Current affairs (Refer it through business and economics)
- Knowledge about your state and city. (videos on internet)
- Civics (politics) and position holders name
- Academics
- General HR
Click here to explore those interviews
The MBA interview, a pivotal moment in the application process, serves as a platform for candidates to showcase their potential beyond their written credentials. It’s a dynamic exchange where intellect, ambition, and personality intertwine. Candidates must articulate their career aspirations, demonstrate a deep understanding of their chosen field, and convey how an MBA aligns with their goals. Beyond the academic and professional journey, interviewers often seek glimpses of leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. The interview is not just about answering questions but also about forging a connection, presenting oneself authentically, and leaving a lasting impression that distinguishes the candidate from the rest.
Page 10
The interview experience is listed down:
1.IIM A BA Sociology, Fresher
AWT: A passage on how AI will replace the role of a manager. Our job was to identify the underlying assumptions made and counter it with arguments.
2 panelists.
Q. What did you study in Sociology?
Q. What was Karl Marx like as a person?
Q. What was Marx’s relationship with Engels? What does it signify
Q. What is Adam Smith’s “invisible hand”?
Q. Did you have Philosophy as a subject?
Q. What else did you study in Sociology?
Q. I mentioned my dissertation so they asked several questions about that.
Q. What is feminism? (Many follow up questions. They grilled me here)
Q. Are you interested in the sciences?
Q. What would you say is the scientific temperament?
Q. So how would you differentiate between a musician who possesses a scientific temperament vs one who doesn’t?
Q. Explain the sociology of science and technology.
Q. Give me two reasons why we shouldn’t select you.
Q. From a sociological perspective, explain why all the candidates for this IIM A interview have worn masculine clothing.
Q. Define the “Us vs Them” bias (defined). Now relate it to a sociological theory.
Lasted for 25-30 minutes. They asked me a lot of counter questions. For the entire panel (7 of us) they focused on our undergrad specializations.
2. NMAT 250(GEM)
Acads (94/85/84)
17 months work ex in a startup.
8 Feb 2024 Morning slot
1M and 1F in the panel
Group 1 and serial no.1 😬
Mine interview was also of 7-8 min duration. It revolved around my work ex only. In the end, they asked
1) 3 strength and 3 weakness
2) where do you see yourself in 10 years?
3) if you were an animal, what would you be?
Don’t know, what to make of it. They Didn’t roast me and were just neutral😐
3. NM Interview transcript
Date – 08/02/24
Fresher
Undergrad : BFM
Two panelist
Male (50)
Male (30)
Good cop bad cop
Ee
Short interview –
approx 8-10 mins
Why mba as a fresher?
What is wealth management?
Name different asset classes
Why do people invest in art?
Give Financial advice
How does repo rate affect mutual funds?
Why do gold prices fluctuate?
4.SIBM Pune – Interview Transcript
GEM Fresher
10/12/UG – 10/91.6/84.1
GE – Existing Energy Crisis.
Five industries were given and we need to find out the top 2 industries that will be affected the most.
Personal Interview (Lasted 20-25 minutes)
2 Panelists,
P1 – Male
P2 – Female
A – Me
Exchange of greetings.
P1 – Are you a little Nervous?
A – Admitted, but, said confident for the PI.
P1 – Is this first interview of the season?
A – Answered
P1 – Indirectly asked Why MBA and why SIBM Pune?
A – Answered.
P1 – Do you have a family business?
A – Said Yes
P1 – L2 and L3 questions on family business and why you aren’t joining it.
A – Answered
P1 – Preferred Specialization
A – Marketing
P1 – Asked about 2 Indian and 2 Foreign brands.
A – Took my time and answered.
P1 – Do you watch shark tank daily?
A – Answered.
P1 – Asked about Jubilant Foodworks and companies under it.
A – I said I only remember 1 – Domino’s.
P1 – Is Domino’s good or bad for India and why?
A – Answered.
P1 – Compare between Oven Story and Domino’s and what you prefer?
A – Answered.
P1 – Asked about Apple’s recent controversy about Iwatch.
A – I said I am not aware about it, but, I know about regarding another one and explained the same.
P2 took over
P2 – Preferred Specialization?
A – (in my mind – A repeat question), Answered Marketing.
P2 – Skillset required for a marketing professional.
A – Answered.
P2 – Select any top 2 skills you mentioned and elaborate with a relevant experience.
A – Answered.
P2 – Asked about my leadership skills and positions of responsibility.
A – Answered.
P2 – How technology can be incorporated into Indian’s social development?
A – Answered.
P2 – Do you read news?
A – Said Yes.
P2 – Any 2 recent news?
A – Was about to answer but was cut.
P2 – Since, you are a CS graduate, any 2 incorporation in the interim budget in technology.
A – Answered and how it will help in building future entrepreneurs.
5.SCMHRD Pune – Interview Transcript
GEM Fresher
10/12/UG – 10/91.6/84.1
GE – A case involving AI + Sports
2nd – Adding on to it to act as critics and defenders on the solution provided
Personal Interview (around 25 mins)
P1 – A Male Professor, 50 or so
P2 – A Young Male, 30-35
A – Me
P1 – TMAY
A – Answered
P1 – Why MBA?
A – Answered
P1 – Preferred Domain
A – Marketing
P1 – Why Marketing?
A – Answered
P1 – A creative tagline or advertisement that you remember.
A – Answered
P1 – Any controversial advertisement.
A – There has been many, but, couldn’t recall right now.
P1 – Fresher?
A – Yes
P1 – Why MBA as a fresher?
A – Answered
P1 – L2 and L3 questions on the same
A – Answered
P1 – When you wanted to do an MBA and what all you’ve done?
A – Answered, P2 appreciated the answer.
P2 took over.
P2 – Preferred Specialization.
A – Marketing
P2 – Again, why marketing and not sales. ( Starts to build up some pressure)
A – Answered
P2 – Cross question and add on to pressure.
A – Answered (P2 Appreciated)
P2 – Top 2 strengths.
A – Answered the 1st
P2 – Cross question, How will this help me as a recruiter?
A – Answered
P2 – Second skill?
A – Answered
P2 – Tell us about an incident.
A – Answered
P2 – Your weakness?
A – Answered
P2 – Anything apart from this. This is irrelevant.
A – Answered
P2 – Tell us a time when you utilise your creativity to solve a problem.
A – Answered.
P2 – Why not get a workex and do MBA with some L2 and L3 questions.
A – Answered.
P2 – What industry you follow?
A – Answered
P1 came back
P1 – Followed Buget? Any recent tech news. Any brand, all at once
A – Answered all 1 by 1.
P2 – Explain something you remember about Budget.
A – Answered.
P2 appreciated and said very good interview.
P1 – A guesstimate to find out % of households with OTT subscribers in next 3 years.
A – Asked 1 or 2 clarifying questions regarding the assumptions that I could say.
P1 – Open to your own assumptions.
A – Answered
6.NMIMS Transcript
7th Feb, Mumbai, Morning Slot
Profile:10th: 93 12th: 88.4
BSc Statistics: 81.25
MSc Computer Science: 86.4 CSE
Workex: 28 months in the financial sector primarily in analytics functions
NMAT: 238
WAT: The passage was about how India’s youth will help contribute to
1. Labour Force
2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3. Consumer Market.
There will be challenges in getting them ready for these aspects so what can the Government do to overcome these challenges?
PI:2 Panelists, Both Male,
They were rushing through each candidate, only the first 3 interviews in the panel lasted for 10-15 mins, all the remaining ones were completed in 5-10 minutes
Q: What was today’s WAT Topic about, what are your thoughts on it?
Q: You already have a master’s degree, why another one?
Q: What are important requirements for research to be good?( Had mentioned quantitative research)
Q: What is big data?
Q: If you don’t get Mumbai campus are you okay with other campuses? If you don’t get the general MBA program are you okay with HR?
Thank you.
7.Siib (abm) 8/02 /2024
P1 male in 40s & P2 female in 50sP1 : Tell me something about you that makes you a good choice for this programme.
Why Abm? Which are the skills you are looking for ? Tell me an incidence where you had shown your problem solving skill.
What if supply chain management isn’t an option for you, what’ll be your choice and why? Umm, That looks purposeful..
P2:Do you read newspaper? Which? Tell me a agricultural , global and a local news?
Regional crop? Cross questions on it variety and allWho is the agril. Minister of Maharashtra?
Thank you. You can logout.
8.Gem 9/8/8 SPJIMR (Finance)
Gi1All 5 finance
1)Basic Intro-answered
2)What’s blockchain-answered
3)What’s the difference between hashing and encryption-Couldn’t answer
4)How do you decide to invest-Told many ratios
5)Explain P/E ratio and its significance-answered
6)How will you decide a stock is overvalued or undervalued-answered that using valuation methods, can find intrinsic value using DCF valuation
7)Tools for capital budgeting-answered
8)NPV vs IRR-what will you choose and why-answered
All 5 qualifiedGi2
1)Comment on the role Aamir Khan played in Tare Zameen Par vs his role as parent in Dangal
2)What would fulfil you?
3)Why do you want lose weight?
4)Why is Virat Kohli your model?
5)One word what are you afraid of?
6)One word on why Spjain?
7)Best thing about today?
8)What alternate profession would you chose if you have made a lot of money already?
9)ABC vs Sp Jain what will you choose?
9. NMIMS, Profile: Integrated M.Sc. in Mathematics
Duration: 7-8mins
P1: Panellist 1, female
P2: Panellist 2, Male
P1: So, I see that you have done masters in Mathematics. Also you have done a lot of extracurricular activities, sports, NCC,.. From your profile I can make out that you are a proper sports person. Why do you want to do MBA now?
P2: You have mentioned something about wanting to do sports management, is that right?
– Told them about my long-term plan of starting a platform for underprivileged children in terms of sports.
P1: For that, there are also social management courses available which are great and you can pursue that.
(I seemed a little confused about social management)
P1: Have you heard about social management?
– Yes, but I haven’t done much research about it.
P1: Ok
P2: You have done masters in Mathematics, there are great research institute like TATA, did you not want to join them?- Told them that based on my experiences I was more interested in MBA.
P2: No, there is nothing wrong in wanting to do MBA, but did you not want to contribute to research?
P1: Don’t you think that we require more people like you in research who are good in mathematics?
– Yes, we do, but my interest lies more towards this field. – Mention that I prefer managing events and task and work with people .
P1: Yeah, there is nothing wrong in that. You have NCC ‘C’ Certificate, Did you not want to join the defence with it?
P2: If you had joined research institute like and worked with them, don’t you think that your mindset would have changed?
P1: What qualities do you posses with you NCC certificate
P1: You are from which place in Assam?
P1: Ok, you’re from Tinsukia, do you know of any NGOs in Tinsukia?
P2: There are wrestling champions, they are generally from Haryana, Punjab .. maybe there is something to do with their body or build up. In which field of sports do you think that people of northeast can excel in?
P1: where did you do your schooling from?
P2: Tell us about your parents.
P1: What will you do if your MBA plan does not work out?
P1: okay we are done with the interview, it was nice interacting with you.
(Both panellist were chill and it was a comfortable conversation.)
10. IMI, New Delhi
2 Female panelists
F1- Strategy and management
F2- Accounting and finance
F1
TMAY
Everything about company
Company ‘s Headquarters
What is my Role?
Instance of leadership.
#Extempore topic- How digitization helps remote areas with an example from your current role.
Any recent trade agreement of India with any other country.
3 organizations that helps in trade
What is WTO?
F2
No of union territories and states in India Last formed union territory and state
Industry and commerce minister
Click here to explore more interview experiences #11
