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 5
The interview experience is listed down:
1.AWT – Indian movies usually depict a lot of violence nowadays as a result of which there is a rise in the number of crime rates in the society whereas there are also arguments which says although there are movies that concentrates on violence more but still the number of crime rates are declining. (Something similar to this abstract)
We had to write for or against the two statements given.
#IIMAhmedabad
2. SIMS Pune College Snap
5 min for thinking
10 min for discussion in group
5 min In conclusion part either you can narrate a story , play a role play or panel discussion.
Last 2 min you will have to speak individually.
Name – Bodhisatwa Banerjee
Nmat Score – 250
GEM Candidate (No work ex, 1.5 gap years)
Acads – 9/8/7
NMIMS Interview Transcript (Feb 3) :
Panelists P1 and P2 both were male,
P1: How should we pronounce your name?
Me: Said.
P1 : Do you know what the Bodhi tree is?
Me: Answered.
P1 : So did you feel enlightened entering Nmims?
Me: Might feel enlightened if I convert
P1 : Why you aren’t confident you will convert?
Me: I am confident but there are other factors like work ex which I don’t have.
P1: So you don’t have work ex, tell me when did you graduate?
Me : 2022
P1 : Month?
Me : July
P1 : So what did you do in that period?
Me : I lacked clarity about my future path so was preparing for UPSC Civil Services during that time.
P1: So tell me what subjects you have to study for UPSC?
Me : Said History, Political Science, Economy etc.
P1 : So was it Indian history or World History
Said mostly Indian focused but there was some World History too such as tye Worl wars.
P1 : What was the first British and Indian conflict?
Said The Battle of Plassey in 1756.
P1: What about the 1857 war?
Said that was later, with British forces on one side and Rani Laxmi Bhai, Nana Saheb, Bahadur Shah Zafar 2 on the other side.
P1: Where was Rani Laxmi Bhai from?
Said Jhansi.
P1 : When was the India Bangaldesh war fought?
Said 1971, he asked the month to which I said don’t know.
P1 then asked who signed the document of surrender. I guessed Sam Manekshaw which he asked whether I was sure about, I admitted I wasn’t sure.
P1 then asked what topics I studied in Political Science and Economics so I described those.
P1 then asked what sports I followed the most to which I said Cricket.
P1 : Name any 3 cricketers who represented West Bengal and then played Test cricket for India. (Other than Sourav Ganguly)
I said Mohd. Shami, said that although he’s from UP he represented West Bengal in Ranji Trophy. Rest 2 couldn’t answer.
P1 named some Cricketers who played long back that I didn’t recognize.
P1 asked about other interests which I said then
P1 then started asking about currencies of countries.
Asked Brazil and Denmark currency which I couldn’t answer then asked Canada currency which I was able to say.
P1: What quality do you have that I should choose you over someone with work ex
I said I was a fast learner and related an incident about it.
P2 who didn’t say much till now then started.
P2 : From what I heard it seems you are more suited to the Arts field what we do here is quite technical how will you cope up?
I said that I came from a technical background only as I was an engineer but I agreed as I had a more creative bent so Marketing and Strategy with its problem solving aspects most interested me.
P2 : So tell me what are eddy currents?
I said it happened in the core of a transformer and was affected by magnetic Flux linkages. But couldn’t finish explaining as P1 interrupted and said they were done.
3.IIM Shillong Interview- Mumbai
Slot 1 pm ( started 2 hours late at 3 pm)
Time around 20 mins
Two male panelist around 40 years
Extempore- “JAM session” (2 mins to think, 3 to speak)
P1- Tell us something about your work profile and responsibilities
Gave the prepared answer
Follow up questions back and forth, very conversational
P2- asked about pharma and healthcare industry in India (workex in pharma)
Follow up questions
P1- Asked questions from my Who am I essay- answered I think
P2- Education and then asked about National education policy- said I dont remember exactly, they laughed a bit
P2- asked about hobbies and then if I know maths
Asked questions about calculus and quadratic equation- said I dont know, countered how will you manage MBA, tried answering something
P2- Ideal company looking to join from IIM shillong and why?
Asked me to take a toffee while leaving.
Overall a very conversational interview, not stressful, panel seemed cheery, not very grumpy.
Extempore topics were very random and abstract, some people even got the topic “Keeping up with the Kardashians”
4.IIM Shillong Interview Experience (5th Feb, 2024)
CAT %ile : 97.86 %ile
Profile : 97/97/90
Workex : 13 months
P1 – female professor around 50s
P2 – male, extremely young – could have passed for a student
Extempore topic: Elephant in the room
P2 – Tell us about your profile
While I was answering, P1 was going through my entire folder and got ahold of my transcript
P1 – What did you do your engineering in?
Textile and Fibre Engineering
P1 – Wow and your elective courses are quite interesting! Do you remember anything from econometric methods.
Unfortunately, I can’t recall much ma’am
P1 – No worries, you have done a course on financial accounting and compliance for startups as well?
Ans – Went on to explain the course, how beneficial this understanding was for me, etc
P1 – If you are the VC and I am a startup founder, what are some of the things you would check?
Ans – Talked about business model, USP of product/service, market size, etc
P1 – Can you talk about current problems in terms of sustainability in the textile sector?
Ans – Answered in detail, they seemed a little impressed
P2 – What is your stance on fast fashion
Ans – Answered taking examples of H&M, Zara and some measures on using sustainable materials
P2 – What are some sustainable materials used?
Ans – Talked about natural fibres and advent of Khadi, talked a bit about reusable technical textiles. Apologized for not knowing the exact materials
P1 – No worries, how important is yarn selection?
Ans – Talked about chemical and physical properties and selction based on the properties of the final fabric (anti-wrinkle, anti-wicking, etc). Type of yarn selected affects the dyeing and chemical finishing method used, etc.
P2 – What was your role in your company? What was the type of engagement with team members? What was the hierarchy like? How did you conduct research? What were the expert agencies you connected with?
Answered as per my work experience in strategy consulting – this part went by quite easy
P1 – Why Bangladesh being a smaller country is before India in the apparel industry?
Ans – I answered why India’s products are not competitive in the market. What can be changed in terms of supply chain efficiency. “Unfortunately, I am not aware of the exact growth drivers of the apparel market in Bangladesh”
P1 – Okay, do you know anything about the Interim Budget with respect to textile sector?
Ans – I cannot recall anything specific to textile sector but I do know that there is increased allocation for domestic manufacturing and production under ‘make in india’ and also for the PM Mudra scheme which encourages startups by provision of low interest loans without collateral. This can increase startups in the domestic textile sector.
P1 started talking about my hobbies suddenly. You have many accolades in basketball. What is this certificate for IIT BHU for?
Ans – Explained
5.SIBM PUNE TRANSCRIPT
First Admit card, gepi call letter and ID verification-all physical copies
GE topic was Climate policies most negatively affect which of these industries and rank them
Discuss about the top 2 industries and devise solutions.
1. Fossil fuel industry
2. Heavy manufacturing
3. Construction
4. Agriculture
5. Transportation
GE went quite chaotic many didn’t understand the topic and were ranking the industries based on which industries affect the climate
SIBM PUNE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
2 panelists- 1F 1M
Ma’am was quite cheerful and friendly while the sir was acting distant and disinterested
1st panelist ma’am spoke to me
1. Your smile is beautiful, do you have a sense of humour? _No I don’t because I can’t deliver a punchline_ Do you watch stand up comedies? _I said no and she made the conclusion that I’m a serious person_
2. TMAY _I mentioned my own tutoring point and my hobbies being polymer clay Badge making_
3. What is that polymer clay? _I answered and also elaborated the process of making these badges_
4. What do you know about monetization of your interests? _mentioned that I like art and created merchandise which I sold in my 12th grade_
5. Why did you start your tutoring point after graduation? _answered how business is my interest and how I wanted to help my family_
6. How does MBA come into play here? _explained why I wanted to do MBA_
2nd panelist took over
7. Which MBA specialization would you like to take? _mentioned marketing_
8. How did you run your 12th grade business and why did you stop it? _mentioned the process, manufacturers and why I stopped it_
9. Mention 2 ways SIBM Pune can improve it’s marketing? _mentioned how they can expand their social media presence_
6.NMIMS- 5/2/2024
Profile- BCom Hons, 89.5%/ 93%/ 8.45
Work Ex- 15 months
WAT- Make in India.
PI- 1M, 1F
No intro or personal questions
Stress Interview
Grilled on my profile in both the companies I’ve worked.
Duration: 6Mins
7.My friend appeared for NMIMS Intervirw and his interview was over within 2 minutes
Qns asked introduce yourself
While he was doing so one interrupted and asked in which year Indian contract act was made he said I can’t recall then the interviewer said thank you you may go.
8.IMT
Interview Location:- Hyderabad
Profile:- GNEM, 2 years work experience in Digital Transformational Consulting at #Capgemini Technology India Services Ltd. Under-graduation-#BBA ( Finance)
WAT:- Generative AI in business – Benefits and challenges
1F and 1M
1. How are you prepared for today?
2. Did you speak to guy just interviewed before you?
3. What is leverage?
4. Do you know anything about Adani being leveraged? What do you think about it?
5. What did you study in online courses during college?
6. What are the subjects taught during your under graduation?
7. What are liquidity ratios
8. What steps would you take to manage your working capital management? ( I said negotiate longer terms with accounts payable and shorter terms with accounts receivables)
9. Pick one if you had to work on, which one would you choose?
10. Do you think what Amazon did between 2007-2010 where they made no investments and they didn’t pay their vendors for months is that good? ( in relation to my answer of longer terms with accounts payable)
11. Are you aware about things happening around the world?
12. What do you mean by Net-zero? Will India achieve this target.
13. Why did you leave the company in only 2 years.
IIML WAT/PI experience :
Profile: 9/8/9, GEM, 6 months work ex, CAT: 99.98
9.#Wat topic: Should governments regulate Social Media
Interview:
(2 panelists, 1M 1F)
M. Which college did you go to? Why?
A: Answered
M. Tell me quickly about your history. Which cities have you lived in, colleges and where you work. Who is in your family and what do they do?
A: Answered
M. What business does your father do? Why are you not a part of it?
A. Answered
M. Is your brother a part of the same business? What is he doing?
A. Answered
F. What did you prepare for the interview?
A. Said just calmed myself down and started reading up about global scenarios
M. What makes you a good debater. Tell me one point important in debating.
A. Answered, also mentioned about my Wat answer
M. Shouldnt governments in a democracy be strict and decide what conversations should take place?
A. Opposed their view and answered
M. You’ve become an engineer in the computers field, do you know P and NP problems?
A. Did not know, and said that
M. Arey, then what do you know.
A. Answered about data related subjects and said that I work in an analytics field.
M. How do you do analysis
A. Answered
Q. Okay tell me about formula for covariance and correlation.
A. Dont know the formula but explained the concept
M. That i dont want to know, you are an engineer. Anyways..
F. What was the one question you hope we ask you?
A. Was hoping we discuss my hobbies
F. Tell us about them
A. Spoke about rubiks cube.
M. Thats just dexterity whats new
A. Spoke about looking ahead and solving problems quick.
M. So you can consider chess also the same
A. Yes, it requires looking ahead and solving positions, but doesnt require the same dexterity.
M. Is chess a game?
A. Yes i could call it a game/sport.
M. What is a game?
A. Answered to my best
F. Is snakes and ladders a game then?
A. Answered yes but I would disqualify it if allowed
F. What is the one question you hope we dont ask you?
A. I was hoping we dont go too deep into my academics and engineering
F. Haha, we already that, I wont pester you more. Why are you in a hurry to do an MBA? You like your job, work more.
A. Answered
M. You can learn outside of a college also, in your job. Keep learning throughout, anyways thank you so much.
A. Thank you, have a nice day
Overall:
Male was strict but I think mainly on purpose to see if I get too thrown off
Female was sweet and nice
Would rate the interview an 8/10
SPJIMR interview, PGDM finance
01-Feb
Profile: 9/9/8, 98.49 CAT, 19months workex
Introduction
How would you tell the difference between Mumbai City and suburbs (directed at someone who called themselves a Mumbaikar)
Why did you quit a corporate job for family business?
How did your BBA help in family business?
Why MBA after BBA?
Dream company
Your role at Enactus
Impact at Enactus
E-commerce industry in India
Sibm interview
Ge- essay on anyone out of 4
I choose the ” IMPACT OF AI ON BUSINESSES STRATEGY”
PI –
1M 1F
M- TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I mentioned the startup I am running
F- what do you think about the statement running BUSINESSES is easier than doing jobs in India.
M- Tell us about your biggest achievements till date
Ok thank you you can leave the meeting.
10.1 F(late 30s) 1M(in fifties) SIBM PUNE
CIVIL ENGINEER, GEM
94.60/84.15/83.80
PS: my name is ayush gandhi
P1: sonal ma’am
What scheme launched by government has your name in it?
What is ayushmann cards
Which specialisation
Any 2 economic developments that the country needs to make
P2:(some police chief officer)
Any links with mahatma gandhi?
What what his mother’s name?
Then he tried to put me in stress, asked me minimum moves to do checkmate in chess… i said 2. He said not possible, tell me. Although i was 100% sure, still said it’s wrong anyways leave.
What is teentaal(i play tabla)
Who was zakir hussain’s father
Who are beatles
What will you bring to the table if we select you?
P1:
What is your back up plan if not selected.
Country with highest inflation
Click here to explore more interview experiences #6
