Latest IIM Calcutta MBAEx interview questions compilation
IIM Calcutta MBAEx Interview questions
* Why MBA?
* Post-MBA goals?
* Wexp related questions
* Myntra - Jabong merger (as I mentioned E-comm is my post-MBA goal)
* Any questions for us?
* How did you reach the venue?
* After knowing that I came by Uber cab next question was why Uber? Why not Ola?
* Compare Uber and Ola from the customer's perspective.
* If you are hired as a consultant for a third-app cab company who are starting its operations in India, what will be your strategy to beat them?
* Going by your strategy by what time you can expect to break even?
* I said 2 years. Then they said that Ola and Uber could not achieve that even in 5 years and you are expecting to achieve that in 2 years. I said with proper planning and execution it is achievable.
* Why don't you like Capgemini?
* I said no I do like working in Capgemini.
*Then why are you here for the interview?
* I explained then that even after completing my course I am ready to go back to my current employer if there is an offer.
* Why MBA?
* Why IIM C?
* Tell us about your weakness.
* Tell us about one scenario where you have provided an innovative solution.
* What are your short-term and long-term goals?
P1: Delhi weather is really terrible nowadays, what is the reason for this?
Me: Told her about the construction, 1cr+ vehicles in Delhi, and crop burning in the neighbouring states as the reason.
P1: What can be the solution for this?
Me: It’s a collective responsibility that needs to be shared equally by the centre, states and citizens. Gave some examples as well.
After this chit-chat, the real interview began -
P1: You have travelled a lot in your career. Can you tell us about it
Me: Told her about all my jobs and locations in brief. Also, emphasized what I learned from each job and place.
P1: What is your reason for shifting from Company 1 to Company 2?
Me: Told her that the new role was my dream role at that point of my career.
P1: Then Why did you shift from Company 2 to Company 3?
Me: Even though the company provided me my dream role but I didn’t find any motivation as the learning opportunity was not there. I justified what I said with the evidence from my resume.
P1 was really very smart interviewer, she verified each and every word of mine with my resume and achievements and moved to other questions only after getting satisfied.
P1: What do you think the current situation in IT is? What should people do to save their jobs?
Me: Told her about the current situation - the declining margins, protectionism etc. Told her that the only way out is to Reinvent yourself.
P1: What are digital technologies?
ME: Told her
P1: What is your favorite?
Me: Blockchain. Explained to her in detail.
P1: When you like technology then why MBA?
Me: Told the reasons clearly, and the situation that inspired me.
P1: Which companies are you targeting for IT consulting?
Me: Told her.
Finally, P2 got a chance to speak
P2: Why IIMC?
Me: Told him about the ROI - which is best among top colleges, and the focus of curriculum on numbers amongst other reasons.
P2 was satisfied and again went into silent mode. P1 took over again.
P1: How did you prepare for interviews?
Me: Told her, how my wife helped me.
P1: Why she is not doing an MBA?
Me: Told her that we have a 2-year-old daughter, so, it's difficult for her to manage her studies and child.
P1 said that many women did their MBAs. It is difficult but they can do it. I told her that Once I was done, I would try to change her mind as well.
P1: What is your opinion on #METOO?
Me - I told her that Women have all the right to name and shame people who harassed them.
Some cross questioning on this. But she was satisfied with my answers.
P1: What is your Risk Management as you have a wife and 2 year old daughter?
Me: Since I have 2-year-old daughter, I know what I am going to leave behind. This will inspire me to work hard and even harder.
Both P1 and P2 were in awe.
P1: Any question for us?
Me: asked about the placement stats for IT consulting companies
P1: Thank you.
It was really one of the best interviews of my life. I found both the Professors really smart and polite. I got a good feeling after the interview and started dreaming of IIMC. Fortunately, this dream became a reality on 25th Nov’17, when I received the much-awaited email of the Admission Offer. And now, I am eagerly waiting for 24th April'18, which will be my FIRST day in my DREAM college.
Few Tips -
1) Be 200% clear about Why MBA? This question can come in various forms and you should be ready to tackle it.
2) Know your Resume thoroughly. Have reasons for each job change.
3) Be Honest. Professors are very smart they will catch if you cook stories.
I was interviewed by 2 professors, and I alumni. The interview lasted for 25 minutes. Got the following questions:
* About Zoom shares dipping, Guesstimates on the number of people using Zoom in a month in 1 state.
* Why are Indian firms not the leaders in software development, and cloud?? Many more questions on this.
* Instances, where I led my team to success.
* Where you had to try something new how did you manage that team structure??
* STG, and Organizations you want to join and why?? some questions about this.
* Why IIM C?
* What is Quantum Physics? - I think it was just to push me off my balance, had some industry, and tech-related questions before this.
_____
Interview Venue – IIM-C Campus
Duration – 20-25 mins
Panellists – Both faculty (learnt later, no introduction), P1-Lady, young, P2-Gentleman, senior
The interview started with P2 asking me to show my govt ID (Aadhar)
P2 started: So, you work in xyz? – Yes
Where have you worked in XYZ? – I said the place names only, and didn’t go into any more details.
Where are working now? – I said the place name
He asked me which schools I had applied to if I had received calls and if the other interviews were done – I gave him the actual facts.
So, you work in xyz, do you think xyz (PSU Oil & Gas Company) should be divested?- No. Despite govt control, I have seen xyz to be an agile and forward-looking company.
In general, what do you think about divestment? – Some of the more ancillary companies can be divested, but those which are of strategic importance, should not be.
So what do you think about HMT? Tractors are of strategic importance – Yes sir, but there are plenty of private players available in the market… (I was not aware of HMT being a tractor manufacturer!)
(interrupting me) But it all started with HMT, didn’t it? They destroyed (or sold or something along those lines) HMT and then the others came in, only Escorts was there perhaps.. – I nodded in consent when he said Escorts.
(once again asking for my opinion on disinvestment) – I would still say, sir, that the companies which are of strategic importance to the national security, like xyz is for energy security...
(interrupting me) Ok so you are talking about national security – I nodded my consent.
So you passed out 10 years ago, (I corrected him, 11 years ago), (something about adapting to classroom environment and family) – I understand sir. I have been preparing for the past year for this, first for the GMAT and then for the applications. Initially it was difficult, but once I got into the groove (some phrase like that) I was comfortable. My family also knows this and supports me.
You must be aware that the MBAEx course requires a fairly deep understanding of mathematics, will you be able to cope with that (not exact words) – Yes, sir. When I started my GMAT preparation, initially I was a bit rusty, but after some practice I got into the groove.
So tell me, between differentiation and integration, which one is more real? Which one can we see? – I would say integration, as we are adding up the miniscule parts and getting an overall picture.
So differentiation is not real? – Both are real, but we can see the result of integration but we have to imagine the elements of differentiation.
So what would be the derivative of a tree? – (I was flabbergasted, but I believe I concealed my feelings well) (after a second’s pause) Well sir, trees are made of cells… so those are the building blocks… We would have to go back in time to see the differentiation into cells.
(after some ramble) asks about the growth rate of trees – Yes sir, the growth rate is differential, but we cannot see the growth rate as such (at this point I was just going with the flow)
But you can see the speed at which a car moves, how does the speed get calculated? – I am not aware of the exact mechanism, but it would involve counting the number of rotations of the motor… transmission system (I know, stupid answer)
Yes, so you can see the speed at which the car travels… isn’t that differentiation? (goes on to further explain how the speed is calculated) – Yes that is differentiation, but can we actually see the speed?
Don’t you think it is the average? Distance divided by time? .. don’t remember the entire thing … ultimately he stopped when I said that it was not average as it was the instantaneous speed and the delta-t was infinitesimal.
P1 takes over
So you have written so many achievements in your application, why do you still want to do an MBA – I want to get a holistic learning on professional, business and managerial skills which would enable me to handle greater responsibilities
(in a somewhat sarcastic tone) Business, professional and managerial skills… I would say you have already shown those skills, what extra do you want to get through an MBA? So the first answer of why do you want to do an MBA is that I am not satisfied– (this started my downward spiral) I tried several answers – I have had a somewhat blinkered view of operations only and want to have a holistic view to broaden the scope of my work (I should have stuck to this line, but she didn’t seem convinced, and insisted that I state the real reason)
At this point a staff member entered the room to offer refreshments to the panelists, while I was in the middle of an answer… This gave me an opportunity to collect my thoughts (but I had already gone down into the rabbit hole).
I tried reasoning – I had quickly realised that academic prowess would not be enough to guide me through my professional career…
(interrupting me) Yes, now you are coming to the point, you want to do an MBA (stress on ‘want’ in a somewhat condescending tone) – I continued without getting affected, I have wanted to do an MBA for long but couldn’t pursue an MBA because of several family constraints. I was aware of the company sponsorship available and waited till I became eligible.
She hardly listened to my answer, repeating, why do you want to do an MBA? – Then the really difficult part started, I tried to explain that I wanted to be able to take more informed decisions…” So you don’t take informed decisions now?”… Yes, I do, but sometimes I don’t get time to analyse the entire situation and have to act on instincts… “So how do you take decisions?” – (I was getting defensive and she could sense victory) I analyse the pros and cons.. ¬– Right, so that’s what an MBA teaches you, to analyse the pros and cons, doesn’t it (looks at P1)… I said something about being able to take decisions under pressure situations and she kept grilling, how do you take decisions under pressure – sometimes I have to act on instincts… Is this a pressure situation for you – I guess so.
(Somewhere in this conversation she had asked whether I wanted to do an MBA because everybody does so, and I had denied that being the case)
I was not sure how to respond. She continued (smiling), forget you are in an interview, forget what your contacts, internal and external, have told you, and give us an honest answer as to why you want to do an MBA… I asked for permission to drink some water to gather my thoughts once again but I realised it was a losing battle.
(with an air of resignation, yet that of being absolutely honest and frank) So, since you want an honest answer, although I have already been giving honest answers but since you seem to differ, I would say that I like challenges and I have seen my batchmates do this course and I believe that I can do it also.
She was glowing with an air of victory and looked at P2 signalling she was done.
She then asked which schools I had applied to and which ones I had got calls from – I gave the same answer that I had given to P2.
P2 then, almost as an afterthought, leafed through my application one more time, stopping at the extra curriculars, and said, so you have interests in quizzing, photography and travel blogging – Yes, I do
Where have you travelled to – (I was relieved finally at having a comfortable question) In my first solo trip, I went to Paris. I have also been to Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
And in India, where have you travelled – Well thanks to having been posted in multiple locations, I have seen many parts of India. I have covered most of Maharashtra & Gujarat. I have also been to Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh… (didn’t let me continue)
P1- So you are from xyz University – Yes
Which year? – Mine was the 2011 batch
2011 to? – (I was surprised by this because I had thought my previous answer was clear enough) – No actually, it was from 2007 to 2011
She looked at P1 with a broad smile and they both nodded, and I was thanked and asked to leave.
_______
* Tell me about yourself, what do you do, and what brings you to MBAEx. (All in one question
)
* What is the difference between sales and marketing? (Since I stated that my post-MBA goal was in marketing space in the previous question)
* What marketing tools have you used in your work?
* How have you used online research in your work? (Since I mentioned that my work in analytics and data science involves a lot of research about algorithms, tech, and business context)
* What are the actions that your company is taking to be more environmentally friendly? (Since I work in an energy company).
* One question about five lions and a sheep in a field. If a lion eats the sheep, it transforms into a sheep. What might be the outcome? You can make any assumption that comes to your mind. (I think they wanted to test my thought process)
* Why do loss-making startups have high valuations? (The question came since I worked in an analytics startup before)
* Questions on farm laws that were the trending news in India. Was asked about my perspective on how I would have reacted as a policymaker.
9. Any questions for the panel?
_______
The interview started with questions regarding my profile and role in the org.
Q1. Why does my org hire a lot of freshers? Justification for the same.
Q2. Vaccination availability in India.
Q3. What can the govt do to improve vaccination in India
Q4. Calculus questions. I didn't know the answer to a few and told the adcom the same.
_______
Q1: Walk us through your career trajectory.
A: Talked about my economics education, work experience, and job roles and that currently I am working as an Economist at the EIU
Q2: Profile-cased questions. What is Omitted Variable Bias?
Q3: If you have high R2, but insignificant t-values for independent variables, what does this point at?
Q4: How do you build an econometric model? What's the process that you undertake?
Q5: The Indian economy is in a slump whereas stock markets are rising. What do you have to say, being an economist?
Q6: Have you read Poor Economics? Do you agree/ disagree with the theory?
Q7: Do you think there is corruption and moral compromises in politics? How was your experience working for the state government?
Ans: I was able to answer the questions confidently because I had revised basic and advanced economics concepts, thoroughly reviewed my resume and thought through some examples of the projects for talking points.
Q8-9:Standard Questions: Why MBA? What are your aspirations and goals post-MBA? Do you know of companies that hire for such roles?
_________
Short Interview - two panelists.
Started with tell us about yourself, why MBA, short-term and long-term goals. Also asked what you are expecting from this course.
Asked about the difficulties faced by the industry I work in and the steps taken for resolution; dug deeper into the responses I gave.
Asked me if I read the newspaper, I said yes. Asked me about the biggest news in present times.
________
The Panelist straightforwardly started the interview with my GMAT Score and how GMAC calculate percentile.
The next question was if we add your individual scores in Verbal and Quants ( 36 & 50), they don't add up to 710. So, how has been the final score calculated?
How is percentile calculated then gave me a scenario to calculate the percentile of a student.
Then the second panelist referred to my application and asked me questions about my attempts at the UPSC Civil Services exam.
He then asked the difference between Administration and Management, Polity and Politics and how will I be able to use my professional skills through and after my MBA.
___________
1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Why are you quitting your job at this moment?
3. Why the interest in supply chain management?
4. What will you bring with you to the campus?
5. Where are you from?
6. What is the historical significance of the place of your residence?
7. What is the significance of Sangam and where does the Saraswati river flow to?
8. What do you know about chicken neck?
9. What happened at Dhoklam?
10. What is the present status at Galwan Valley?
11. What is DBO?
12. What is the historical significance of the name Daulat Beg Oldie?
____________
1. Why MBA now? (explained to them about my takeaways now with 10-year work-ex compared to 4 years ago. Some cross-questioning explained them with GAP analysis how the program will help to bridge the gap)
2. Why this program? Why not ISB? (talked about peer learning at IIM’s, elaborated on the lines of discussion with many PGPX and ISB alums who are my undergrad batch mates)
3. About changing jobs and whether the reasons were aligned or random? (explained the rationale behind every job change and how this MBA fits into the scheme of things)
4. Asked me to calculate the Roi for the MBA
5. Cross-questioning on which roles I aim for post-MBA, whether those companies to campus
6. About the infrastructure industry and current slowdown.
7. Moved on to the general economy, Is the current slowdown attributed to the rural economy? (explained with some figures from NSO data about falling rural expenditure) How agriculture workforce can be shifted to other sectors to fuel growth?
8. Any questions for us?
____________