Interview experience of: Rahul Abraham Mamman

Background: B.Com Third Year. Also involved in my family business which includes a pharmacy and a
health and beauty store.
GD
First was the GD. There were 2 girls and six guys including me. We were given about 20 minutes to interact
before the interview, that was a good experience.
The GD started off well, all of us spoke, contributed and our brainstorming seemed to be good. None of us
seemed to be having any problem with each other. All points discussed were good and many were added on
to the original points too.
PI
Then came the PI. I was number 8. I had not given my certificate copies yet. They told me that I should
provide them at the time of my interview. So everyone had a decent interview with a Major C who
apparently, had with 17 years of Army experience and 100 percentile in CAT.
Finally it was my turn.
One of the professors came out and called my name. I went in with a smile and wished them all, they all
seemed nice guys.
First question to me (I dont remember who asked me what. I will try and provide below as accurate an
account as possible).
Q: What is one difficulty and one good thing about holding the GD PI at this venue, which is a new block?
A:
Q: Are you from Ahmedabad?
Q: Why did you give IIM A as your centre?
Q: Did you do the same for IIM C?
Q: So what are you doing now?
Q: What is your favorite subject?
Q: What are capital markets?
Q: What is a stock?
Q: Why do people give money for these pieces of paper like debentures?
Q: But why do they still accept these papers and nothing else is given?
Q: What is the IPO market?
Q: What are bonus shares?
Q: Are bonus shares issued by companies which havent given any dividends so far?
Q: Are all share holders treated separately in terms of dividend payouts?
Q: What about the other share holders? Can a particular company not give dividend to a group of the
shareholders?
Q: Suppose a company wants to make a fresh issue what will it do?
Q: What would your company do if you wanted to list in the stock exchange?
Q: What is deferred tax?
Q: Ok, but what is miscellaneous expenditure?
Q: Which head does it come under?
Q: What counterbalances it on the liability side?

Q: What is your family business?

Q: What is the return on investment?
Q: What are the trade deals given in Cochin for the pharmacy?
Q: What role does the association play in the state?
Q: What is the margin in the other states?
Q: How does the association help then?
Q: Why do you have two different stores, cant you have them together?
Q: How does the second store works?
Q: How are your margins normally?
Q: So is that what you meant by ROI?
Q: What do you mean by the Tie and Die method?
Q: How is curd made?
Q: Which of it has microbes?
Q: Are they alive?
Q: What is this process called?
Q: How is it related to the Pharma industry?
Q: What are these used for?
Q: How is the powder made?
Q: How it is made into the capsule?
Q: What are your other interests?
Q: Why do you collect coins?
Q: Where do you get the coins from?
Q: Which is the oldest coin that you have seen?
Q: Didnt you picked it up?
Q: Is it still there in that shop?
Q: So tell us what have you learnt about coins?
Q: Where is Algeria?
Q What is its currency?
Q: When did Algeria got its independence?
Q: What are these double metal coins? (Coins with two colours)
Q: Did you win the table tennis title for the district?
Overall it was a purely knowledge-based interview.
(Converted and Joined IIMA)

Interview experience of: Vikas Kumar

Background: IIT Kanpur
GD
Since we were only six people (2 people did not come
) and one did not speak, we had ample time. I made
few good entries and would rate the performance as OK.
PI
Three panel members....P1, P2, P3. P1 used to smile a lot, P2 kept looking at my certificates and P3 did not
seem to be interested!

P1: So Vikas many IITK students have come today? Have you studied together?
P1: Ok. let say I have to find out the number of individuals getting calls from at least one IIM. How will you
estimate the number?

P1: Smiling, Ok, so what will be the sample size?

P1: seemed satisfied. Ok what is the time complexity of quick sort?
P1: (Then asked me 3-4 counter questions on algorithm time complexity).
P2: Vikas, we have heard so much of developed economy. What defines an economy as developed one?
P2: What is per capita income?
P2: What is the difference between GDP and NNP?
P2: Name the top 3 country with the highest per capita income?
P2: What are Scandinavian countries?
P2: Are you sure?
P2: Name the state with the lowest literacy rate?
P2: What is the literacy rate of Bihar?
P2: Female and Male literacy rate of Bihar?
P2: Name another basis to distinguish between literacy rates?
P2: Second Highest Literacy rate?
P2: Highest literacy rate?
P2: What is the literacy rate?
P3: Name two active areas of research in computer science?
P3 and P1: What is intelligence or AI?

P3: Suppose you are sent to a village what will be the power source for your computer?
P3: Why you are not sure?
P3: Ok. go on!
3

P3: How will that be recharged?

P3: Any other power source?
P3: Should there be promotion of IT in villages?
P3: Why?
P3: One can get the same information from newspapers?
P3: (Amused) Do you mean to say that if there is going to rain in the next hour, you will change the
cropping pattern.
P3: But if the people are not literate how will they use them?

P3: Ok, give me the speed of the fastest memory?

P3: Integrate (e)^(e)^x?
P3: (Quickly taking the sheet back) Do you like maths?
P2: Why did your CPI decrease in the 3rd year?
P2: Can you justify such a steep fall (7.8 in 3rd year and 9.0 in 1st and 2nd year) based on your projects.
P1: Vikas, you got a 38 rank in IIT and 0.1 % merit certificate in English? Which do you think is a greater
achievement?

P1: Talk about your personal satisfactions.

P1: (Smiling) Thank you!
P2: Ok. One last question. Name the states through which river Kaveri passes?
P2: AP?
P1: (Smiling) what about Kerala and Maharashtra?
P1: Ok, thanks.

Seeing that they have not offered me chocolates, I started taking one
P2 I am sorry please take two.
(Converted the call, Joined IIMA)

Interview experience of:

GD:
Case was about a bicycle manufacturer wanting to manufacture racing cycles. Advertisement has Ajay Jadeja
saying "This is the only muscle I use" (pointing to his thumb). You are the MD and you have to either change
the ad or continue with it. What would you do?
PI:
(P1, P2, P3 are the people on the interview panel and M stands for me)
Some confusion about my form. They picked up Gaurav's form instead of Saurabh's. Finally resolved.
P1: So Saurabh, now that all confusion about your Blue form is resolved, what are you doing currently?
P1: (looking at the form): Why did you leave the other company? You have also taken a paycut? Its almost
half your original salary.
4

P1: Oh so they threw you out? You were fired??

P1: So you should have gone na. You could have made some good bonuses and saved a lot of money.
P1: Oh, you could have gone and just asked us. We could have taken your interview on a weekend. Just

come back on a weekend, give your interview and go back. With the technology and communication blah
blah.
P2: hmm.. but you would have had to come for half a dozen interviews.
P1: No, how much time does it take to fly from here to Israel?

P1: So you could have come easily na

P1 to P3: You can take his. I will join in later.
(Silence. No one's saying anything and I am staring at P2) (Then P3 shows one of my certificates from
IIMA to P1).
P1: Oh, so did you visit IIMA for this.

P1: But you would have come for the award ceremony.
P1: Oh, so you dont even know whether you actually won or not?
P1: But the prizes weren't declared immediately?
P1: Oh otherwise I would have known you.
P2: So Saurabh, have you worked on your idea further.
P1: Oh. So do you have any classmates at IIMA?
P1: Did you talk to them.
P2: So you've done electrical engineering. Have you done any courses on basic Physics?
P2: Something to do with theory of relativity?
P2: So Saurabh, a lot of people define Theory of Relativity saying that everything is relative. Isnt that very
superficial?

P2: So how would you define it?

P2: OK. Tell me about the Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle.
P2: OK. So whats so basic about it? How else can you define it?
P2: OK. Who gave the periodic table?
P3: OK Saurabh, you know about the population of India and China. They have highest populations. But
there is some difference with their population control policy?
P3: Any other difference?
P3: In the way they implement their 1 child norm and we our "Hum do hamare do '
P3: Ok Saurabh, now lets say over a period of 25 years China avoids 200 million child births. You know the
severe punishments they have and penalties. So what effect will it have on the economy?

P3: Is that right to assume it?

P2: Saurabh you've written about these dramatics and cultural events and managing people and conflict
resolving. How do you resolve conflicts?

P1: So what are you working on currently?

P2: He's working for blah blah.
P1: Yes, but that is only for a very short period. He's not expected to know much about it. What were you
working on earlier?

P1: But you've joined recently na. We should ask you about your previous job.
5

P2: What were you doing there? You talk about some presentations, demonstrations, competitive product
evaluation? What is this competitive evaluation??
P1: OK, so you've done this Dual degree. What is it?

P1: So what have you? You got an electrical engineering degree?

M (I am clearly trying to avoid questions on Electrical): Sir I've done M.Tech in Microelectronics.

P1: But B.Tech is in electrical engineering.

P1: You must have done some courses in electrical engineering.
P1: So tell me about Kirchhoffs Law.
P1: So draw any LCR circuit. Put one of them in parallel. Apply AC source. Now apply KVL and KCL.
P1: So how will you solve these equations?
P1: What is domain? What transform?
P1: What domain?
P1: Don't give me all your domains and stuff. How will you solve it?
P1: So what sort of equation will you solve?
P1: Anything else about these equations? What sort of a solution do you expect?
P1: No dont assume anything. Did I give you anything about the voltage? What sort of equation are these?
P1: Anything else about them? You've done a lot of courses in maths. In fact you've a special course on
differential equations.
P1: Do you remember simple equations?

P1: Why is this equation simple?

P1: OK. Tell me about your other method. Dont give me your domains and transforms.
P1: Yes but dont take more than 1 minute.
P2: (walks out).
P1: Do you mind sharing with me what you are writing?
P1: Tell me 2 properties about Laplace Transform and then you can go. (pauses). OK Tell me one.
P1: No? OK you can go. Take your toffee.
P3: Best of luck for the other interviews.
(Converted, joined IIMA)

Interview experience of: khotahimachalli

Academics:
10th--88.4 CBSE
12th--90.8 CBSE (PCM)
GRAD (BE Electronics)--till now 80 %--university topper
PI:
So now, something about my PI. There were 3 persons, (no female) on the panel I will refer to them as SI
(for the South Indian chap around 36 yrs old, bearded n all. He ushered me in and then was absent for
about for 5 mins.
ONG (for the old person who seemed like a nice guy, very soft spoken and intellectual looking, probably a
Bong. MTE (for the moustached tech expert, should be around 47 years of age asked loads of question on
technology.
6

Oops! forgot to add myself

KH (for khotahimachali)

ONG: so Mr. Kaushik you have come all the way from Nagpur to Delhi??
ONG: Why??
MTE: (Interrupts in between) what about Ahmedabad??
ONG: So what is your Final year project on ??
ONG: Very interesting! Being a mechanical engineer why did you take it??
ONG: Oohhh. Will ask about the project later. At this moment tell us about some latest developments in the
electronics field??
ONG: Anything, do you know about nanotechnology??
ONG: Heard of N-log, it is a company
ONG: Ok. Ok. Tell me about Bluetooth
MTE: So which subject did you like the best??
MTE: why??
MTE: Contemporary. (Looks at other panelists with an evil smile playing on his lips)--so what latest
processors do you know about??
MTE: what about P4??
MTE: Go on
MTE: So do you have any idea about the number of transistors on the chip of P4(this followed because I said
something about VLSI)
MTE: Give me some name for that quantity?
MTE: Some other
MTE: So what is the size of the chip??
MTE: (From my aerial drawing) are you sure that much is 5 cm??
MTE: how much is an inch??
SI: Also in your form you have said that you filling this form is no small fry (this I had given in the
accomplishment question)
SI: Anyone will say anything to you and you will believe it??
MTE: So 10^12 transistors on 5*3.5 area chip!!!
MTE: Ok, take this piece of paper and calculate how much area each transistor will get??
MTE: What is the radii of an atom??
MTE: So what is an angstrom??
MTE: So we are getting less area than an atom. How do P4 people make it happen?
SI: You still study 8085??
ONG: Can you tell me about its architecture?
SI: So, in your form you have written one of your favorite authors is ENID BLYTON??
SI: But she writes children's books?
SI: So which series of hers do you like best?
SI: Can you name them?
SH: So are these books good for children??

S: Explain
SI: Do they really?
7

SI: So do you know any author of children's books from India??

SI: Is he an Indian?
SI: Any other?
SI: Well there has been someone who has been in the news recently regarding Indian citizenship
SI: Who is she?
SI: So you have written in your form about heat stroke (I had given some stuff about how in Nagpur I usually
get heat strokes once every year--this in response to some problem question).
Can you explain to me about it??
SI: Not about general public, the theory behind it?
ONG: So you may leave now
(Converted, joined IIMA)

Interview experience of: cattysylvester

Academics
X : 91.4%
XII : 89%
Graduated last year. B Com (H). Aggregate of 66%.
No work experience.
Decent extra-curricular (but no Qs asked: huh:)

Three member panel. (L to R)South Indian Smiley Chappie (SISC), Main Guy
(MG), and Boring-but-Decent-Guy (BDG).
SISC: Have a seat.
MG: So youve heard from others about the interview?
MG: Yes, no or maybe?
MG: So how are you feeling- better or worse?
SISC: So you did the corrective action too?
SISC: What subjects did you score highest in?
SISC: Oh, you got _ (high) in costing and (low) in management
MG: You had a paper on management concepts?
MG: What concepts did they teach you?
SISC: Why didnt you do a job after graduation?
MG: Okay, what is activity-type/level costing?
MG: Okay, taking your example, how would you account for costs of a hospital? Say, there are four nurses,
one receptionist and one doctor?
MG: Anything else?
MG: And you divide this by the total number of beds?
MG: What if there is an ICU ward?
MG: Yes.
MG: What about doctors salary?
MG: Any other basis?

MG: What is a run-on-a-bank?

MG: Not heard of bank run?
MG: heard about the budget? What is this fiscal deficit? Is it good or bad?
MG: What is FDI?
MG: What about when Indians invest abroad? What is that?
BDG: Okay, why did you drop one year?
(SISC has been scribbling a standard costing question all this while and hands me the sheet and asks me to
account for the variance in profit)
SISC: So, only these two factors for variance?
BDG: You have mentioned that you took a part in an anti-pollution thing Is there anything going on about
pollution these days?
BDG: What is Kyoto Protocol?
BDG: What will implementation mean?
BDG: Have all countries signed it?
BDG: Is Delhi more polluted now than it was, say five years ago?
BDG: But with highways etc. allowing more vehicles, arent emissions increasing?
BDG: (interrupts) What?
BDG: No, no. Im talking about the nation not Delhi.
BDG: So you think pollution is a price we pay for development?
BDG: Is it necessary to pay this price?
BDG: How? Can you think of examples?
BDG: What can governments do?
BDG: If you are a manager in an MNC, will you go to work on a cycle?
BDG: Oh, you have that kind of money? We dont get that much!
SISC, BDG and MG look at each other and say Okay, thank you
EXIT
Did not convert the call, joined SIBM Pune

IIM Ahmedabad - Year 2006

Interview experience of: snova

Profile
Final year B.E. student in CSE from MBM Engg College, Jodhpur (affiliated to Jai Narain Vyas University.)
GS - So you are from Jai Narain Vyas University..who was Jai Narain Vyas?
GS - When did the university get its name?
SB - Who was Girija Vyas?
SB - Did she have any relation with Jai Narain Vyas?
9

SB - Where was she from ?

GS -What are your long term goals?
GS - Now tell me your long term goals..
GS - But what are your long term goals?
GS (now he listened..saying the truth always has that effect) - You have done a lot of events in college..do
you think college life is like real life?
GS - Are they exactly the same?
GS - So..you agree that college life is like real life but its not exactly the same..or are you saying its different?
GS - How are they same?
GS - Have you watched the movie Rang De Basanti? (I had an intuition that somehow I may be asked that
question, but hadnt prepared or needed to prepare anything as such)
GS - So the college life..like yours, and its the same in the movie..is that like real life? you say you have done
a lot of things in college, designing posters, websites, and organising things...they must also have done
that..dance parties and all? How is that gonna help? (He is almost laughing).
SB - Only for the people or for yourself too?
Now KM breaks in..
KM - So you said you want to learn about businesses.how can business help the society?
KM- Do you think all businessmen are like Narayan Muthy?
KM - Do you think you can be like Narayan Murthy?
KM - Why not go for politics or an NGO or something like that..
.
KM - So what type of business do you want to start to help people?
KM - What will you learn in management that will help you?
KM (looking at first year mark sheets) - hmm..Engg mathematics, electrical engg, civil, mech..
KM - Ok I will not ask chemistry then.
KM - Ok did you have a course in management, I cant find it.
GS (with a smirk) - Was it an elective? Did you take it?
KM - But I think management course is compulsory.
KM - So what did you study in it?
KM - So tell us about ABC analysis...
KM - So which subjects did you like in BE?
KM - But what about your core subjects?
KM - Okay what is predicate logic?
KM - Did you study graphs in DM?
KM - Ok, which language uses predicate logic?
KM - Tell me the differences between prolog and C.
KM - Okay have you studied databases? What about 3rd and 4th Gen languages?
KM - Why are they different?
KM - But if I add a library to C, even that can be a 4th generation language then, we can always use
structures to manipulate databases in C.
10

KM - What all languages did you learn in your course?

KM - Thats all?
SB - So what do you do apart from organising events?
SB - What do you like to read?

Interview experience of: keviv

Venue: IIMA KLMDC annexe.
Time: 9:00 AM
Panel: 2
My profile:
Fresher B.Tech ICT (Information and Communication Technology), DA-IICT, Gandhinagar.
Case study:
Bharat had subscribed for a recently launched Tech magazine (launched in Dec. 2004). But I was asked to
wait for 2 months before he could receive the first issue. Moreover, in Jan 2005 he was told that he would
have to pay more for the magazine as the costs had increased. Bharat felt that this was unfair as he had
already paid for the subscription and any prise rise thereafter should not affect him. He threatened to take
the distributors to the court. The distributors are in a fix because if Bharat is paid a refund, other customers
will ask for the same. Moreover there cannot be a double pricing policy. So what should distributors do?
Interviewers: P1, P2, P3
P1: Yes

, what is Dhirubhai Ambani doing (me from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of ICT)

P1: Yes, Yes, I know he is dead.

P1: So what are his sons doing?
P1: So whose side you are on?
P1: No, but I want to know that if the brothers declare tomorrow that all DA-IICT students have to declare
their allegiance towards one of them, whom will you choose?
P1: And what makes you think so?
P1: So you are not dynamic?
P3: You said Mukesh is cool, calm and so are you too. But cool these days also means dynamic. As you
people say "Cool dude". Which cool did you mean? (laughter all over).
P2: You studied ICT? Did you specialize in anything?
P2: How does an analog telephone work?
P2: What is the EMF of the battery used at the exchange?
P2: You said that there is the variable carbon resistance between the two wires connecting the handset and
the battery. So I should get a spark when I short the two wires. But I don't.
P2: Ok. How does a call reach from here to Timbaktoo.
P2: How many exchanges are there in India? Any guess?
P2: Ok. you have studied networks?
p2: Tell me, what network topology will a telephone network be?
P2: Heard about tree topology? (I think the mesh answer was wrong. Tree was the correct answer).
P2: Network topology of BSNL?
P1: You never felt curious?
11

P2: You seem to be good at probability.

P1: How were the cellular operators in a region decided in India?
P1: Why is there a minimum limit?
P1: Why maximum limit?
P1: Number of cellular operators in Gujarat
P1: Name them.
P1: Why CDMA and not GSM?
P1: Why only two for CDMA?
P1: Which countries use CDMA? Which use GSM?
P3: Tell me about your other interests.
P3: What do you write?
P3: What was the last article in the magazine?
P3: Why would anyone want to read that?
P3: What did you write?
P3: When did you update your blog? Last blog?
P3: Why blog? Why not just talk with people in your institute?
P3: Looked at one of my certificates and asked me about that event.
P1: Do you watch movies?
P1: Why?
P1: Last movie?
P3: Which book did you read last?
P3: Why that book?
P3: Why not Gandhi, Nehru's autobiographies?
P3: A few general questions about jails.
P3: Ok, take your chocolate and you can go.

Interview experience of: HAHAHAH

Puys,
My IIMA GD/PI experience..
Education:
Class 10 - 92% (CBSE)
Class 12 - 87% (State Board)
B.Tech Elec - 7.90 CGPA (IITM)
Work Ex - 7 months so far - K.P.M.G (Management consultancy)
GD- Case study on "Should gambling be legalized?" Pros & Cons of the casino gambling industry were given.
A nice discussion. The group on the whole was good. Coherence was maintained. Did pretty well, made 4-5
points. 20 minute discussion.
PI - Interview Panel comprising of 3 members - Labelled as "X"
12

- Yours truly - A
(After being escorted in a dignified manner)
X: Did you have tea outside while you were waiting outside?
X: So Mr. Gurunath, Tell us about yourself.
X: So what does K.P.M.G do?
X: Ahh, Power reforms...what is un bundling?
X: Why has it been done?
X: Okay, how has K.P.M.G been involved in it? And what is your role in it?
X: How do you go about doing it? How do you know at what rate the sales will grow? How do you do sales
forecasting?
X: So how do you verify how good a forecast model is?
X: Okay, Now if I give you 5 numbers X1, X2, X3, X4 & X5 & their forecasted values Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 & Y5 tell
me jpw will you go about doing the analysis.
X: Okay, what if you take the Modulus of the difference & take the mean?
X: Okay, tell me what is power factor?
X: What is its physical significance?
X: What is reactance?
X: What is that?
X: Yes !
X: Okay, what is the exact difference between them?
X: Okay, you must have come across this term right...."elasticity effect". Tell us something about it.

X: Did you factor it in your computations? (Tariff strategy)

X: How did you go about the tariff setting process?

X: So why is it that not many people are making the switch?

X: Okay, what according to you is the main reason of the power crisis in the country.
X: How will you do that?
X: Who generates power in the country today?
X: How much is the nuclear generation in the country?
X: Do you think it will go up in the future?
X: What are the other forms of generation?
X: Do you think they are viable? Give me an approximate cost to set up a solar plant vis-a-vis say a coal plant.
X: What about the financial viability?
X: So how will it happen?
X: Tell us something about you final year project.
X: What is the difference between Beach volleyball & Normal volleyball?
X: What about the ball?
X: Okay, do you know Mr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala?
X: What has he done in life?
X: What has he exactly done?
13

X: Something like that...

X: Okay, heard of CORRECT?
X: Smiling...take a toffee.
(took & buzzed off !!)

Interview experience of: arati

Mine went quite bad...
Profile : BE Electrical Engineering from SPCE Mumbai University.
QG: I will give you some data, I went to country A and asked 5 people their incomes and this what i got [ 3.1,
2.9 , 4.2 ....some completely random set of values in this range] and I went to country B and asked 6 people
their incomes and this is what I got [ another random set of 6 values]. Which country has higher average
income?
QG: Yes yes, I have done that.
QG: These are 5 individuals, I have randomly selected.
Side guy chips in : Look, you can never go and ask everyone in a country what their income is...for eg if I
want to know which company pays higher Infy or Wipro can I ask every one their pay packets?
QG: Yes, ok, so now can you say who has higher average income.
Side Guy (gets exasperated) Ok ok...leave that ...(he moves on to ask me stuff about my extra currics etc...)
QG: If you hadnt done engineering and testing and all that then you would have been able to answer this...
Side Guy asks me about this Youth Parliament certificate that I have......by this time my confidence is pretty
much in the negatives.....
Side Guy : What are the synonyms for the word Parliament?
QG: She seems unwilling to make guess even.
[every one laughs...I think wtf..might as well laugh too...]
Side Guy : We have parliaments at state level na...what are they called?
Side Guy : Then some stuff about dhabhol....very ordinary pedestrian answers on that as well...
Last question get from third guy : When you go out and someone asks you how was this interview what
would you say?

Interview experience of: Vinamra Srivastava

okey dokey.....am back from ahmedabad and presenting to you the detailed description :
BE Computer, Pune University, 73.3 %, Distinction and college topper in all 4 years.
GD
Case study about should gambling be legalized or not. We were 10 people and it was one of the most peaceful
GDs I have ever been in. Quite surprising after the slam bam I saw at the Mumbai IMS achievers workshop.
Everyone got a chance to speak, though i guess a couple of people remained quiet throughout. I spoke 5-6
times with ok content , nothing great. but still decent. In the end, we wrote the summary of the discussion for
3-4 min.
PI
Was the first bakra of the morning to be cut. PI started barely after 5 minutes from the completion of the GD.
One of the professors came out, called my name and took me in. Same panelists that were there for the GD. I
call them P1, P2, P3 (P3 came after a while).
P1: So, how are you doing ?
P1: So where are you put up ?
P1: So what does he do ?
P1: So tell me about how India is doing in the paper industry ?
P1: (Cutting me)....ok tell me this, How about the world ? What kind of country do u think will do well in a
paper industry ?
P1: So where are you working? What do you do there ?
14

P2: Lets talk of searching and sorting....what is complexity ?

P2: What is time complexity of bubble sort ?
P2:He raised an eyebrow and asked me to why is it called bubble sort (Good question I must say)
P2: Can you explain it ?
P2: See so you have answered it yourself. Since..........thats why its called bubble sort.
(Oh yeah...smiles all around)
P2: Ok, you have done AI and UNIX as electives..can u tell me about them ?
P2: Draw an AND-OR graph for us.
P2(looked convinced but.....): For the game of Tic-Tac-Toe, how will the tree look ? Draw n explain....
P2 (With a sarcastic smile): Is this how a Game Tree is drawn ?
P2: Ok, what did you learn in UNIX ?
P2: What are the various scheduling algorithms ?
P2: In SJF, how is the next CPU burst calculated ?
P2: Write a function..gave me a quadratic equation.....draw the graph without plotting any points..
P2: So will it be symmetric ?
.
P3: Is gambling legal in India?
P3: But I saw an advertisement of sikkim lottery in the newspaper the other day..
P3: (while going through my form): Ok, so sports and music are your interests.....suppose you win the 10
lakh Sikkim lottery, how much will u actually get ?
P3: On which out of two will you spend it?
P3: No no.on the field, not on yourself..
P3: Which sports ?
P3: 7 L is a small amount to start off an academy, so tell me the exact steps u will perform to spend it.
P3: Ok, May u win that lottery and all the very best with it...(smiling)
P2: Please take some toffees.

IIM Ahmedabad - Year 2007

Interview experience of: symbolved

Venue: Ahmedabad 16th Feb 2007 9: 00AM
Qualification: Electronics and Telecommunication engineer
Work-Ex : 2 years sales and marketing
P1: Please come Pratik, have a seat. Give me your file.
P1: So you seem to be a great guy yes?: (almost laughing) so much in the form.
P1: so you demonstrate bones, right?
P1: You have written it here
P1: What does it do?
P1: (Pointing towards P2) should take lecture from him about smoking.
At this moment, All of us have a light laugh.
P1: So what should a patient with low calcium eat?
P1: I am vegetarian and consider milk also to be non vegetarian.
P1: No medicines for me.
P1: Which ones?
P1: Ok anyways... so you were in sales for 2 yrs before you left.... did u like the experience?
P1: How were your targets set?
P1: What is ARPU?
15

P1: What were your 3 major learnings at blue star

P1: How do you define success for a salesman?
Over to P2
P2: so you were in Medical Electronics?
P2: So what is telemedicine?
PA: So you are an electronics engineer?
PA: OK, (he structured this question very nicely in laymans language)... how does a mobile switch to a
particular frequency?
PA: Ok, what is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?
PA started getting into very basics of waves... 3d, x y z axis... almost 5-6 min faltered at least 30-40% of the
time... :(oh man if I could have 12th physics book with me that time ... however, tried to smile still...
PA: Lets move ahead.... difference between light and radio waves?
PA: wait, consider only wave
PA: hmmm...ok
P1: Ok Pratik,,, i think that will be enough... please take your certificates.
P1: By the way what calls do you have?
P1: OK thank you
PA: Please help yourself with a toffee.

Interview experience of: Hemant Dujari

Venue : Kolkata
Date : 26th Feb 2 P.M.
Qualification : CSE (8.21) Institute of Engineering and Management
Work Experience: 19 months (IT)
Case Study: Case study wasnt very impressive for the entire group as there wasnt much points ... but I
think whatever it was I performed relatively well...
Personal Interviews (PI)
3 Profs P1, P2 and P3 and poor soul me M:
P1, P2, P3: Good Afternoon
P1: Ok Hemant, so u did graduation in CSE from which college?
P1: Is it a Govt. College?
P1: Ok, Tell me the courses that u have studied.
P1: Ok , Why do we need Databases?
.
P1: Wasn't convinced.
P1: Ok, How is the database implemented?
P1: Major properties of Databases?
P1: No, No ACID property
P1: What is atomicity in ACID?
P1: What is C?
P1: No it is Concurrency.
P1: Ok explain Concurrency control.
P1: Explain with example.
16

P1: How is it maintained?

P1: Which Locking protocol does Oracle use?
P1: You should remember all these things?
P1: Ok what Locking protocol does Sybase Use?
P1: How does it work?
P2: Means all locks at one go?
P3: It seems you dont have any weakness.
P3: But you havent written in the form.
P3: But thats not a weakness.
P3: Ok Hemant what are your other interests?
P3: Ok If I say that margin is 20% and the mark up is also 20% . Are they the same thing?
).
P3: Sure?
P3: Ok ...
P2: Ok Hemant, Suddenly P3 interrupts .. Ok let me tell u the answer to the previous. Question ... Margin =
20 and Mark up = 120
P2: Where is McLean Island?
P2: Where is Windward Island?
P3: But every island is in Caribbean.
P3: Caribbean is in Pacific?
P3: What is Luxemburg.. A country, a city?
P3: What is its capital?
P3: How is that possible?
P1: Ok Hemant, I want to store few numbers in a data structure but what we want is just that the access
should be done from it after the entire insertion is done .. Which data structure should be used?
P1: No no which data structure?
P1: Which tree? P1: But it can be worst performing?
P1: Then?
P1: Which balanced trees ?
P1: What are Splay trees?
P1: What is the time complexity for searching in AVL and Splay trees?
P1: Insertion?
P1: Ok Hemant lets move on to OS.
P1: Explain Dining Philosophers Problem.
P1: Solution.
P2: Ok Hemant what have u studied in mathematics?
P2: Tell me the application of these branches in CSE?
.
P2: Ok, so what are the matrix properties that we use in CS?
P2: All these problems can be told by a child even.
P2: Tell me something more ..
P2: So you dont know?
P2: Have you heard of Eigen vectors?
P2: You told you know.
17

P2: Ok
In this conversation I told something about transposition of matrix.
P3: Where is this transposition used?
P1: What is graph?
P1: I m a layman now explain me graph?
P1: How is graph represented in the computers?
P1: Draw the adjacency matrix for this graph.
P2: But this can be done using 4X4 table also.
P2: Ok Hemant you studied Combintorics?
P2: I am giving you an unbiased coin and you have to select three of us randomly tossing the coin.
P2: Sure.
P2: but there will be 4 outcomes
P2: No it doesnt work that way.
P2: No I want all of them to be selected with the same probability, and then your solution will be in problem.
P3: What will be the problem in your solution?
P1: He is partial to P2 ,as he has asked the question laughter all around
P2: ok ok leave it.
P2: Ok Hemant should US Have attacked Iraq?

Interview experience of: amanonArun

Profile
10th 88.6%
12th 91.0%
Qualification: B.E Information Science and Engineering, 81.1%
Work-experience: 31 months as on date in IT firms.
GD
The case was about some Mr. Mandy, in-charge of UP region for a company dealing in Stocks and Post office
deposits (or something like that). His company has acquired some new companies with many offices in rural
areas. The investments from rural areas account to 81% of the total investments as some rich guys there
invest large sum of money. But the pay structure is different in both the companies with the people in the
new company getting more pay. The people in old company also start asking more pay. Also, due to some
recent CBI charges against some of the rich people in rural area, the investment from there is expected to be
very low for the next 6 to 12 months. So, what should Mandy do??
(I have tried to provide the summary of the case. I might have missed out on many points. The case was for
one full A4 size sheet)
PI
There were 3 professors, P1, P2, P3 and Myself.
P1 comes to the door and lets me in and goes out for a minute. I walk in, wish the panel and take the seat.
P2: So, you had to wait for a long time. Can I have your certificates?
P2: So what did u hear about the panel outside?
P2: OK, so you have done your BE in Information Science and Engineering. Is it close to computer science or
is it close to electronics?
P3: Us meaning who?
18

P2: Information Science and Computer Science.

P3: How can information be science? Science means there should be some basic theorems and axioms and
laws. Like physics has Newtons law. So what is the basic theorem of Information Science?
P3: Yes.
P3: So how can u say it is science?
P3: Computer science has basic theorem and laws. Tell me that.
P3: So you haven't studied that properly.
P3: (to P2) sorry you were asking something. Continue.
P2: So u had worked in ABC for X months?
P2: Then you have worked in XYZ for the past X months?
P2: Reason for leaving ABC is blah blah.
P2: So tell me 3 things which you have learnt in XYZ which you wouldn't have learnt if you had not joined
XYZ.
P2: How do you put it in one phrase?
P2: Ok, so what are the other two?
P2: That is ok. So how do you spend time off from work?
P2: So how do you keep in touch with the current topics, news?
P2: Tell me something which happened in the recent past, which affects you.
P2: How does it affect you?
P2: OK, apart from that?
P2: How does it affect you?
P2: OK anything else?
P2: How does it affect you?
P1 and P3 together: So do you have to pay more tax or less tax next year?
P3: So you don't want to join an IIM this year? If you join where will you pay tax?
P1: That will not reach the limit set for the IT exemption at all.
P3: That you can anyways claim back. Good, just shows that you are thinking.
P3 (to P2): Sorry again you were asking something.
P2 looks at P1
P1: So you have participated in science quiz in your college.
P1: Was it during engineering?
P1: Oh 11th and 12th is it??
P1: So where was it organized and why?
P1: So what type of quiz was it? They go on asking questions rapidly and you answer is it? You know there
are many types of quizzes.
P1: So what do you think? These quizzes will they help the students to understand a subject completely or
they just propagate superficial knowledge?
P2 starts again.
P2: So do you watch movies?
P2: Have you watched Pyar ke side effects?
P2: Have you watched Mallika Sherawat on Karan Johar's show?
P2: So I can't ask you anything on it.
P2: Leave it.. have you watched Guru?
P2: Thats a pretty old movie.
P2: Yes it is pretty old.
Now P3 starts
19

P3: Arun, I am actually impressed by your marks in engineering.

P3: Good, you have 125 in this subject Applied Mathematics 2. What was it?
P3: Graph Theory...Good. So what is the degree of a node?
P3: Yes, arcs.
P3: Arcs ... the links are called as arcs.
P3: So what is a node with odd degree and a node with even degree?
P3: OK, What can you tell us about the number of arcs in odd degree in a network?
P3: In pairs?
P3: Can u prove it?(Gives me a paper)
P3: No need to remember..give it a try. Why have 125 in it. So u must be good.
P3: I don't want example. Proof. You can use example to clear your thoughts.
P3: OK, you have good marks in Analysis of Algorithms too. So what is the measure for how good an
algorithm is?
P3: What is time complexity?
P3: No, that is not what time complexity is.
P3: No.. ok leave, you might have forgotten.
They look at each other.
P1, P2, P3: Thank u. You may leave.
P3: Take some toffees. Since you are the last person and you have waited long take all the three toffees in the
bowl.

Interview experience of: prem_ravi

Here goes the most awaited first & last GD/PI experience of my life
Profile
BE: (smile)
Work ex: 7 years.
GD Experience
Case Study: There is a village which has native farmers & 30 years back some herders have settled in a
portion of the village which was not cultivable. The herders who have settled some cattle and also did a little
cultivation.. Now the govt. is planning to make a canal for irrigation across the herders settlement which
may make the land fertile & the farmers want to take this land. There is a rural jurisdiction which is formed
to look into the interests of people. The herders are scared that they may be outcasted by the farmers.. what
should the farmers do?
An Old Professor (OP).
A Jolly Professor (JP).
A Silent Professor (SP).
Your Uncle (Me).
OP: You have mentioned singing and Tamil poetry?
OP: Prem, Can you sing a song for us?
SP: Oh, if you can sing we will be happy, can you sing a Tamil song?
OP: Before 30 years, there was an instrument called tambura, now we dont have such an instrument, so how
do you guys manage to match up to the scale?
OP:(seemed convinced).
OP: What made US to attack Iraq?
OP: But why Iraq?
OP: Is Iraq a terrorist country.
JP: Tell me about your work.

20

JP: But GOOGLE map is also a GIS software.

JP: Can you explain with example?
JP: Do you sell only products?
JP: Do you remember mathematics?
JP: Then there is no point in questioning you on mathematics (with a smile).
JP &
OP: Thank u & take a toffee.
SP: Do anybody report to you?
SP: Thank you.

IIM Ahmedabad - Year 2008

Interview experience of: rohan4185

Profile:
10th 87%
12th 90%
MBBS 72%
CAT: 99.95 (all calls)
P2 took my HR (5 mins)..
P3 checked my general awareness and academics (7-8 mins).
P1..... Took me apart!! For full 15-20 minutes I tried to brave the storm and verbal volleys and whether i was
successful April will tell. All the while when one was asking, another was reading the data form in full detail
and also listening (as we'll see
and the third professor was seeing the certificates..)
P2: interview started with tell me about yourself which I took 1-2 mins to answer without being cut off. few
chitchats regarding my college, hospital where I work..
P2: what role do you see yourself playing after management.
..
P2: name some corporate hospitals
chief of Apollo
P2:corporate structure of Apollo Listed co.
P2: so does it have a board of directors
P2: difference between corporate and general hospitals
(P2 satisfied and hands over to P3)
P3: countries which have a better sex ratio than India (continuing from the essay topic)
P3: why?
P3: why?
P3 started asking a question and stopped and said did you say Srilanka is well governed?
P3: ever been to sri lanka?
P3: other countries with a favorable sex ratio?
P3:do Norway and Sweden have PNDT act?
(its a law in India which Id mentioned n the essay.. the law banning prenatal sex determination by
sonography etc.)
P3: tell me about this dengue. How does it spread? Why does it come back every year? Whats with the
U.K.doctors right now (Indian doctors in U.K.)
P3: something more recent. A new development.
21

P3: tell me about Bombay. Raj Thackeray.

P1: so how many from your batch are thinking about alternative careers
P1:why did you decide to stick your necks out
P3 interjects: this is not the Indian army ..
All laugh out and me too. These were ominous signs of what was coming..
.
P3: you have written here your salary is 40,000. Is that annual?
P3: pretty meager and what will a doctor earn.20k, 25k? And here. Youll earn lakhs..so why dont you say
that?
P1: I call it opportunism
P1: so how did you decide for an MBA?
P1: what is the analogy between an operating heart surgeon and a manager
P1: ah!..Plan..Define planning
P1: define team.
P1: Have you heard of contingency? Define
P1: Listen.Dont be a cowboy. Every time you take out a pistol and start firing. Listen to the question, let me
finish, think and answer
P1: Does everybody in the team know what they have to do? Is it a formula?
P1: Havent you heard of an operational plan
P1: you should be knowing all this. You are a doctor. You should be telling me all this. come on! You are
disappointing me..
P1: (mimics)So they spring in action (laughs sarcastically)
P1: so the surgeon will do that?
P1: Have you heard of diffusion? Where in human body?
P1: define
Whole definition was correct. Made a small mistake towards the end which he picked up. (mentioned 'across
a semi permeable membrane. which is not a must. God! Theyre so sharp)
P1: if I inject a drug into my vein is there diffusion?
P1 :how long does it take to spread throughout the body?
P1: depends on?
P1: yes. Now you are talking some sense.
(I was relieved)
P1: can you derive the 2-3 minutes take a paper and pen
P1: ahh.. Youre speaking some big things, define mathematics
(I smiled)
P1: no, define it
P1: science? I say it is a language
P1: so you agree with me..
P2 asks me about thermometer working and said does the initial level of mercury determine final
temperature?
P2: you mean if first patient has a temperature of 106 and then you give to another patient whose
temperature is 105, will mercury contract?
P2: yes?
P3: no no take two
By then i was in no condition to argue. Took two!
22

(The call was converted)

Interview experience of: arpitshah10

Profile:
X: 94% ICSE
XII: 94.33% maharashtra state board
BE: Electronics and instrumentation, 9.94/10, till third year
Work Ex: Nil
CAT: 99.94 OA....BLACKI
Topic: Financial viability of IPL.
Thought I did fairly well here, had some points, mentioned about comparison of IPL with soccer's English
premier league and how it was generating money etc.
Interview started at 10:30
Was nervous as hell. One professor ushered me inside.
Panel: 3 Profs, m1, m2, m3, myself I
(as I went in, I find all three engrossed deeply in my certificates)
M2: have a seat
(I sat)
M1: so you must have got some feedback from the earlier candidates.
M1: so you are at a disadvantage since u dont know what we asked earlier
M1: okay, but even u didnt get an advantage by waiting
M2: so your surname is shah
M2: tell me something about the historical evolution of the surname shah
M2: but that was in Persia. How did it come to India?
M2: okay, tell me some kings who actually invaded India
M2: I am sure Alexander was never called a shah.
(all three laughing crazy now)
M2: are you sure Mughals are Mongols
M2: tell other famous Mongol kings
M2: so when did Genghis khan come to India
M2: okay, but that still does not explain the shah fact, how it came to India
M1: the earlier shah of Persia was a Muslim
M1: mughals were also Muslim
M1: okay, but he didnt convert to Hinduism , did he?
M1: then these shahs and kings are Muslim, how come you are Hindu, even Shahrukh khan is Muslim
M1: can u name any of them?
M2: who was nadir shah?
M2: what was the peacock throne, who stole it?
M3: so you read novels
M3: u started reading now because u got calls or u read earlier
M3: which author did u start off with?
M3: oh. so u read books like famous five and secret seven
M3: name some of these fantasy books
M3: how can u forget what u learned and read at school days
(gives me school principal angry look)
M3: okay talk about the US elections
23

M3: what did Obama say today morning about Indian American voters
M3: u should read paper everyday, if I were u I would have read paper on the morning of an interview
M2: you came in merit in 12th board exam
M2: this certificate u got proving it is from college not board
M2: then u might be 9th(that was my rank) in college, not board
M2: if u were in merit, there must be some newspaper photo
M2: can u send it to IIM Ahmedabad, we would like to verify whether u were actually in merit(he says this
with a smile)my marks prove I must have been in merit
M1 takes over now.
M1: so you are electronics and instrumentation
M1: differentiate electrical, electronics and instrumentation
M1: explain how temperature in air conditioner is controlled
M2: i think thats it......thank you, have a toffee

Interview experience of: avi_mba

Profile:
10th - 95.6
12th - 93.5
Grad- BTech (IIT) with 8.75/10
Work-ex - 18 months in mobiles
%ile - 99.86
Essay: Old film music: Remixes or Creative ability. I had no clue what to write here. Wrote something for 9
min.
P1: Yes, come in.
Me: Good morning Sir, Good morning Maam
P1, P3: Good Morning, Please sit.
P3: So, tell me what do you do in your spare time?
P3: So you must be aware about current affairs.
(Me wondering what she will ask, but she gave me a googly)
P3: So tell me one.
P3: Ok. Tell me more about Nandigram, is it the same as Singur?
P3: So Singur issue is resolved now?
P3(looking satisfied) So what is your opinion? Is it right to take away the farmer's land?
P3: So what about the Sardar Sarovar Dam? Do you feel its right?
P3: (Smiling) I want to know your opinion on it. If someone takes your house and asks you to shift
elsewhere, what will u do?
P1: Do u know what is IMEI?
P1: The full form of it.
P1: But you have used it to create some application. Do you just code and dont want to know what it stands
for?
P1: Are u sure its not 17 digit?
P1: Is there any proposal to make it 17 digit?
P1: So, whats LZW algorithm.
P1: Is it lossless or loss?
P1: Are u sure?
24

P1: Then how to they compress 200kb images to 50kb. Is it lossless?

P2: So you like football.
P2: So which states are good in football in India.
P2: I see... so you are from Bengal. Tell me why only these states follow and play football?
P2: Think.
P1: Its not called salt lake stadium, its some blah blah krirangan.
P2: So, why only 3 states play football [smiles all around]
P2: Ok. So why is salt lake called so?
P2: Ok. Who was Agrasen.
P2: Mr. Agrasen???
P1: Its Maharaja Agrasen, isnt it?
P2: So Rex Agrasen [smiles all around]
P1: 13 or 18?
P3: So you remember the ad of Melody?
P3: So are there more flavors of Melody?
P1: Isnt "Melody khao khud jaan jaao" the tag line?
P3: Both are the slogans.
[Everybody was smiling]
P3: Melody has more flavors. I know for sure it has strawberry flavor.
P1, P2, P3: Thank you.
P3: Good.
Verdict: Converted.

Interview experience of: tigersvenom

Profile:
10th =90.8
12th = 87
Engineering in Computer science BE from VTU = 77
Work Experience : IBM ISL 18 months
CAT percentile :- 99.62
The big day ....................
Essay to be written : Variety is the spice of life
MP : Asks me to get inside the room and tells that he is going to take a break :-)
(OP) asks me to take my seat
(LP) Looks at me and then starts looking at my Blue form
(OP) Reviewing my certificates
LP: So u do Tea - Tasting (My hobby)
LP :Do you also do wine tasting ?
LP: I will ask you about wine tasting? Tell me some type of wines ...
LP :No give me the name of a Brand of wine gives an example ...
OP Chuckles and both LP and OP start laughing
LP: So you are from Darjeeling (Moi native place)Tell me how it got its name ?
LP: Tell me about Nandigram and Singur issue
LP: You are Bengali and that is close to Bihar ? Tell me about the history of Bihar and why is it famous? (Are
ab Bihar kyon)
LP: Did you forget Ashoka ??(Kyon baacche ke jaan le rahe ho)
LP :Can you tell me the name of the region he ruled?(Yeh kya ho raha hai)
LP: Contrast Kerala and WBengal
25

LP:Dont tell me about literacy. something else (ab kya sunna hai ..)
LP: (Comes at me sharply) what do you mean by that .. Kerala has made better use of resources by sending
its people to Middle east??
(OP starts laughing ...he is amused) (Closes the file and now he starts listening)
LP: AHH... tourism what do you know about Tourism. Tell me about difference between Tourism in Kerala
and Goa . Tell me the amount of revenue each one of that gets
LP :You told me that you follow current affairs it was in news all over you never saw it ?
MP Quizzes me again on the maxima minima concept and then asks me about point of inflexion ..??
MP: Can you tell me about Taylor Series ?
MP: What is the best way to remember and retain information ?
LP: can you tell me what that technique is called that you described ?
LP : Its called mnemonics anagram is a component of it (ah thanks)
MP: So where do you work ?
LP: He works at IBM
MP : so your division at IBM is Rational and other divisions are called Irrational ?
(all start laughing)
LP: One second .. In psychology you are divided as rational and emotional ..........So he is rational and all
other people in IBM are emotional.
HAHAHA all start laughing (what a PJ . Even I join in the laughter are IIM ka interview hai... ganda joke
hai to kya hua ..sab haanso ...)
MP :was it a local acquisition or global ?
MP tell me about few local acquisition of IBM
MP: Any other acquisition by IBM
MP :have u heard of a company called netsol ?
MP :so what are your hobbies ?
LP :Sir he is a tea taster ....
MP :Tell me a few tea gardens names around Darjeeling ...
: blah blah
MP :what type of tea is grown there ?
MP :What is Cooch behar famous for ? (Cooch behar is a place close to my home town)
MP :Whom did Maharani Gaytri devi marry ?
OP: Is Maharani Gaytri devi from Cooch Behar I thought she is from Jammu ?
MP :Why do these princesses always marry prince ?
MP :Thats it Thanks

Interview experience of: Rohit.Sinha

Topic: Conquer Himalayas
Interview
P2: So you are from Patna. Patna to Surat to Bangalore. Now Ahmedabad!
P2: So you really want to come to Ahmedabad
P3: So what's your salary!
P2: What do you exactly do!
P2: So you are a maintenance guy!
P2: Looks like you look down on maintenance!
26

P2: No I think It is what you think!

P2: So define and draw a network.
P2: looks like incomplete. All of them are not connected.
P2: good! What is the degree of the node?
P2: Give me a generic statement for the nodes with odd degree?
P2: Prove it.
P2: I am not satisfied. Why are you using only 1 node Use multiple nodes.
P2: keeps on arguing!
P1:so what language do you use!
P1: Tell me some other scripting languages!
P1: Can you use shell also!
P1: How many types of shell are there?
P1:What are their full forms!
P1: What is the difference between Windows and Unix?
P1: Is Unix open source or Linux?
P1: What else!
P3: So have you seen anything negative in your work?
P3: you are evading the question. Confront it.
P3: thats not negative.
P3: So your life has been all rosy!
P1: What are the strikes going on in the country?
P1: Which one is national!!
P3: Is it right way to express your grievances?
P3: But it was 40 years back!
P1: you would have done the same thing.
P3: What is past is past.

Interview experience of: rjt163

IIMA PI experience: My longest post in pg (and by some margin)
Profile: B.E in IT from NIT, Durgapur. Currently working in software domain, Work-ex - 1.5 years.
Essay topic - Business - Ethics vs. Laws. :Sleepy: (Mujhe khud nahin pata main kya likhke aaya hoon)
PI
P2: You must be having a fair idea what are we asking, what the other guys are saying?
P2: Why MBA?
P2: Have you ever felt you lack some skills - in your current job, give me an instance.
P2: Was Narayan Murthy an MBA?
P2 : Nandan Nilekani ?
P2: He is the CEO of infosys.
P2: Sure
P2: Have you studied statistics?
P2: (Laughing) Engineering ? What did you study in math in engineering?
P2 : There must be statistics also, you had math in so many semesters
P2: Do you remember it?
Laughter all around (He forgets the things)
P2 : Gives me a problem to solve - Say there is a pole, and there are houses at a distance of x1, x2,.................,
x10 from that pole, you have to place a fire station, where will you place it ?
P2: Write the equation ?
P2: Haan haan, derive the formulae.
P2 : Ok, lets assume that instead of mods, we have squares (ab derive kar)
27

P2: Han haan, but i want the formulae.

P2 : (chalo jane do) Which other calls you have ?
P2 : All?
P1 : Did you apply there ?
P1 : Then why are you expecting a call (and laughter again).
P3: Why did you apply to all 6 IIMs ?
P3: nahin nahin, yeh nahin pooch rahe hum log, why did you apply to all 6.
P3 : Thats to increase the probability :sly:
P2: Say, 6 IIMs have probabilities of conversion as 0.1, 0.2 , .........., 0.6. What is the prob you will convert
atleast 1.
P2: What basic principle you have used here?
P2: No no, basic assumption you have taken here?
P2: (dhakkan)I am not asking this?
P2: What if they are dependent?
P2: Are they dependent?
P1: They are dependent on you CAT score (another PJ, and everyone starts laughing again)
P2: yes, derive it.
P2 : (He seemed to read my mind) Let me make it simpler, lets have only two IIMS - A and B, with
probability as 0.1 and 0.2, dependent, now derive.
P2 : Finally seems satisfied.
P3 : Which company you work in ?
P3: Whats you designation ?
P3: Whats that ?
P3: Haven't you tried to find out what it means.
P3 : But how can he be, when he has just joined.
P3: What is an expert?
P3: In which field are you an expert?
P3: Whats the diff b/w information and knowledge ?
P3: Or you can say how to efficiently use info.
P2: So that means a person who uses the info most efficiently is the most knowledgeable person in the world
(laughter again)
P3: Tell me something about the spectrum war.
P3: Why so, who holds it?
P3: Whats 3G, whats this 1G, 2G, 3G.
P3: Just tell me the diff between 2G and 3G.
P3: Ok, now towards the spectrum war.
P3 : Whats the solution ?
P1: (all this time he was examining my certificates, checking everything I had written in the form)Whats
Durgapur famous for?
P1: Other than steel plant.
P1: Isn't it famous for coal.
P1: Why rice there, why not wheat?
M : Land more suitable for rice.
P1 : Why ? (:sly:)
M : (Sir engg karne gaya tha wahan, yeh sab thode pata hoga)
28

P1 : Is Durgapur an old city ?

M: yes Sir.
P1: Who founded it ?
M: (yeh kisko pata hoga)
P1 : Is it a planned city ?
M: Yes sir.
P1: How can it be , when its an old city ?
M: Most of the construction coming up recently only.
P1: Compare Pune and Durgapur.
M: bla bla................
P1: (About my hobbies) -Whats this Barclay's premier league ?
M: Sir, EPL, renamed this year.
P1: Whats Barclay?
M: Bank.
P1: You have written you follow cricket and football. You only follow, you never lead? (:grin:)
M:
P1 : How much land in J&K is under Pak control ?
M : (ohh...?)
P1 : Whats Udhampur(my hometown) famous for ?
P1: Isn't the army headquarters there?
P1 : Whats the area of the headquarters?
P1: Is it the largest headquarter in Asia?
P1: Is there some army thing in Bangalore?
P1 : Whats this place in which interviews are going on?
P1 : Ringing some bells ?
P1 :Whats infantry ?
P1 : Ok, we are done, take a choc and leave.
VERDICT: Converted

IIM Ahmedabad - Year 2009

Interview experience of: pushkar84

Profile
Acads:
X: 92%
XII: 93.67%
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age : 8.33
Work-Ex:
NIL/Sector - Number of Years : IT 10 months

Essay:
Topic: Indian women should take up their husbands' surname after marriage
29

PI:
Questions:
G1: What is the meaning of Pushkar?
G1: Meaning of your father's name?
G1: Tell us the history of Nagpur.
G1: That's it? After that?
G1: What's the difference between orange and sweet.. umm..
G2: sweet lime is green, orange is orange
G2: Do you watch cricket?
G2: Which cricket do you watch?
G2: T20. IPL?
G2: Just a few days back they did all this tamasha. How do they value the players? Any parameters?
G2: Did WI come in the subcontinent in the past year?
G2: Then?
G2: Suppose g1 has taken 8 wickets for 80 runs and me 2 wickets for 20 runs then?
G2: Both of us have bowled out.
G2: (irritated) T20!
G2: (shrugs with a triumphant smile... because I changed my answer)
G1: Have you read about some article about this rating and all?
G1: You're an electrical engineer. What is Nyquist plot?
G2: I am a layman. I don't understand this gain and all. He is an Electrical engineer and keeps on talking
about Nyquist whole day. Please explain.
G2: OK radio is a system. What is input? What is output?
G2: Now gain?
G2: But output is sound? How can you divide?
G2: Think another system and answer.
G2: step down transformer?
G2: yes. now?
G2: Phase? Where is phase?
G2: OK that will be a straight line? Phase is changing and magnitude is constant.
G2: Can you tell me what is Bode plot? B-O-D-E?
G2: Use of log?
G2:OK (another victory for G2. pokes G1)
G1: (just smiles thanks to their brutal victory)
G1: OK You are into final stage of CA?
G1: You wasted one engineering seat.
30

G1: 4 attempts at CAT?

G1: Plot your percentile against attempt
G2: Linear?
G1: Now draw the absolute scores. Let's say for 75 questions?
G1: (smiles) OK
G1: You will join your father's firm. You won't raise capital, borrow money, hire people, build infrastructure.
How is this MBA gonna help you?
G2: What is core competency?
G1: We don't have a software by which we can teach you to manage resources.
G1: You like to work out right? Body building and all?
G1: Tell us some Indians who're into body building and all.
G2: Classic, eh? If you call him now, he won't be too proud of his body.
G2: Which drugs is she taking now?
G2: You take steroids?
G1: Tell us some more from olympics asiads may be?
G1: Do you read too?
G1/G2: OK. We're done.
G1: You don't have any certificates to show right? Got certificate for this 6th rank in SSC?
G2: (sees the certificates.. it's in marathi. His looks say he doesn't understand where's Sixth written. passes it
to G1)
G1: There. that's 6th.
G2: What is this pre designed software contest? Sit sit.
G2: I don't know if you can draw.
G2: Yes
G2: That's very interesting!
G1: So you touched 100%ile?
G1: Left by?
G1: That's nice.
G1/G2: OK We're done. Take a toffee.
G1/G2: You too.
Verdict: Selected

Interview experience of: Maruti1986

Profile:
X - 87
XII - 88
GPA - 6.29, IITB CSE
Work Ex - 6 months in software

31

Essay:
Topic: Obama will bring change, but only to USA
PI:
The two profs A and B and me, M
Questions:
A : Whats is your actual name is it Venkata or Maruti or Vamsi or Kiran
A : Ok, do you watch movies?
A: Do you watch old Telugu movies?
A: Have you heard of the movie Maro-charitra? Can you sing us a song from it?
A: Come on there is a song, starts with #@#@
A: Who wrote the song?
B: Ok tell us about your work and projects
B: What is OOPs?
B: Why is it so hyped about?
B: What is heap sort and its time complexity?
A: You stated Indian Philosophy as your hobby, name an Indian Philosopher
Then had a brief discussion about my essay and Obama.
A: We are done, do you have any question?
A: (Got upset) Now is not the time to ask such a question.
A: Here are your certis, you may leave now
VERDICT: Converted

Interview experience of: ashvek_ambe

14th Feb opening slot IIMA
PROFILE:
Xth= 91.2%
XIIth=91.17%
B.Tech= Electronics, 8.67 CGPA
WORK EX-:
Derivative Trader with XYZ firm since last 7 months
CAT percentile=
QA 98.XX
DI 95.XX
VA 97.XX
OA 99.28
Panel = P1 = Prof. Satish deodhar
P2 = Prof. Chetan soman
Hobbies = Sports (Football n cricket), Traveling and Cooking.....
Started off with an essaywe had to write on Existing educational System quells the creativity in children,
got just 10 mins could write about 2-3 points.....gurukul system,its advantages ,alternate forms of career like
sports, arts, music should be taken seriously, existing system does not give weightage to
32

consistency.........Altogether an Okayish effort........

Then we were asked to wait for our turn in the interviewI was the 6th in my panel.every interview lasted
25-30 minutesfinally, after a long wait, my turn came2 panelists, both wearing casuals and smiling
Interview divided in three parts........
part 1=(arbit)
P2: XYZ, u have an unique name, what does it mean?
Me: told about meaning in sanskrit etc....
P1: on your form your father's name is also spelt differently, what is the reason?
Me: told that my father born in goa during the portuguese rule and so.
P1:so u r originally from goa?
Me: yes sir, father migrated to mumbai because of work etc.
P2: (the girl before me also had goan roots, so they asked me the same question) can u tell us the
approximate years of portuguese rule in India?
Me: about 400 yrs, from mid 1500 till 1969.
P2: are u sure it was 1969?
Me: It was 1961-62.......(it is 19th dec 1961)
P1: any major event happened in 1962?
Me: yes sir, Indo-china war.....
P1: so it would have been a double whammy for the Indian govt in 1962.....
Me: told that goa liberation movement being populist, resolved amicably, etc..........
P1:are u sure army action was not use?
Me: yes sir.....(mistake........air force navy both played a part)
(told abt hyderabad and kashmir)
P1:Ok, which other places were portuguese colonies?
Me: i think pondicherry..(:eyepop)
P2: or was it French?
Me: oh yes sir, not pondicherry, daman and diu.
(Between they asked me to name a famous religious leader from pondicherry. Bombed!!)
P1: what abt aamchi mumbai, portuguese or british?
Me: told about how it was portuguese, then gifted by them to the britishers as dowry in marriage.......(

P2: what is your mother tongue?

Me: Konkani...
P2: can u name some common words in konkani having their origins in portuguese language?
Me: told about couple of them , also told about a food item which made them laugh......
(the conversation revolved around these things for the next couple of min)
part 2(work-ex)
P2: for the past 7 months, u have been working as a derivative trader, so y trading after electronics?
Me: blah blah......novel opportunity, didnt want to get into IT sector, engg helped in developing analyitical
skills etc.
P2: u managed a profit of %@)) pounds, how come?
Me: talked about recession and how it is an opportunity to make profits but u have to be disciplined and
blah blah.
P2: diifference b/w recession and meltdown......
Me: told something..
P2: countries in recession?
Me: UK, US and Eurozone
33

P2: so who declared recession in UK?

Me: prime minister Gordon Brown....
P2: what was his role in the previous govt.
Me: minister but cant recollect the portfolio......
P2: previous PM
Me: Tony Blair....
P2: which political party they belong to?
Me: Labour party
P2: any previous famous PM from Labour party....
Me: dont know (was gonna say margaret thatcher)
P1: U talked about recession, when was the last time US faced such a phase....
Me: 2000-01 dot come bubble, but the circumstances were not that grave......
P1: Describe your work-exp.
Me: told .
P1: you said something about volatility in the markets? Explain in simple terms
Me: told in technical terms was asked to be more generic......explained as percentage change per day......
P2: have u heard about variance?
Me: I m afraid no sir.....
P2: standard deviation.....
Me: told.......(looked convinced)
part 3(acads)
P1: what is your favorite subject?
Me: digital circuits.....
(was told that the subject is also studied at xii th level, defended saying it is much in detail etc etc.)
P2: ok, explain the functioning of an AND gate in practical terms, may be for this interview process....
Me: sir, its like even if one of u reject me, I wouldnt get selected. thus only if u both selected me.....I can get
a convert....
(smiles all around )
(now comes the acads part where I mess it up a little)
P1: tell me y steel utensils are not used in microwave oven, while glass are used.....
Me: told about deformity and heat bearing capacity.....
(was probed further on this cud managed to somehow say some thing then discussion strayed to radios
and frequency ranges.....why FM stations operate locally and other have greater reach.......couldnt answer
convincingly........gave some gyaan........)
P1: u have secured 91% in Xth .......do u think it was easy......highest may be around 95?
Me: yes sir highest is around 95.....but I guess sir with average preparation, 85% seems achievable......but
thereafter every increase in a single percentage requires huge amount of effort.....if i speak about my score,
unofficially I was ranked 22nd in mumbai division......
(Looking at each other)
P2: I guess we are done.....
(was still looking through the form, p1 said I mentioned very general hobbies :confused:....and asked me
the food item I previously mentioned was a self created or not.....gave explanation)
P1: u may take a toffee as u leave.......
took an alpenleibe and thanked them and left........
overall mixed feelings........not quite sure about some answers.....but on a whole quite satisfied.......
Next in line IIM B on 24th.....
All the best to fellow PUYs.
34

Interview experience of: Believe

PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 90.2% (CBSE)
XII - 91.6% (CBSE)
Undergrad Major => B.E. E'n'TC (Pune University) 65.46%
Work-Ex:
Sector- IT for WXYZ Bank
Number of Years - 1.5 yrs
Essay:
Topic: Both men and women need to gender sensitivity courses."
PI:
Panel Members Intro: They didnt introduce themselves but were clearly in their early 40s or late 30s.
As usual will call them P1 and P2.
P1 was continuously slumped in his seat like he was in a drawing room.
P1: so how is the info flowing outside. Is everyone coming and telling you what questions are being asked?
P1: So IT for XYZA bank, what exactly is it about?
P1: But have u heard of ERTY bank's IT...etc etc
(apparently this bank moved from its own IT infrastructure and then started outsourcing it....sold of the IT
arm which is now a popular independent IT Firm)
P1: so what kinda banking regulations do you stick to in designing ur software?
P1: what tech..???....where r the servers??...how are u connected to them...
P2: (suddenly outta his slumber)so u passed out from so n so college....this is only for Army kids?? P2:
really???...people want to join army???
P2: but u were not interested...??
P1:hmmm...engineering in EnTC and working for XYZW Bank....is it outta choice??...or was it forced on
u ...and u had to take it....??
P1: so did u learn anything about finance....
P1: so tell about credit cards ...whatever u have learnt.(around this time P2 had gone back to his
slumber...would get up once in a while and turn a page in my file).
P1: so which part of the business has more meat....acquirer or issuer?
P1: so issuers dont have that much meat??
P1: what if they dont default??
P1 seems almost done...looks at P2..
P2: so u do a lot of script writing and other dramatics stuff (my hobbies had that)...
P1: (jumps outta his seat)...what ...a movie....tell us about it
(bas shuru)....40 schools....director's second movie.....my role....blah blah ...bull shit.....
P2: so u do u think in today's scenario.theatres & plays dont have the same kinda audience....??..with movies
n all???
P2: so tell us about some popular theatre directors....
P1: Who do u think is a good actor....one whose style u like in today movies....
P2: has anyone ever told you that u have a resemblance to a cricket commentator?Not harsha bhogle.....
P1: Charu..... P1: ok take a chocolate n leave....
35

VERDICT: Converted.

Interview experience of: Go_GettIt

Date: 22 Feb 09, 2 pm
Place: Hotel Monarch Luxury, Bangalore
PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 87.33%
XII - 91.2%
Undergrad Major - 76% (B.tech ECE)
Work-Ex:
NIL/Sector - 42 months in Airbag/Crash sensing division of an auto components company
CAT %ile: DI 96.9 % Quant 96.02 % Verbal 98.5 %
Aggregate - 99.47 %
Any other special thing about you
Town 1st in Xth, a paper presentation in BE, National level project plan submission, 3 awards at work.
Essay:
Topic: "studying pure science is a waste of time"
A good attempt, explained that pure science has no place for creativity, personal experience and so on.. Not
enough to solve the contemporary problems. quoted satyam scam and farmer suicide issues and
explained ..
Any Other Details:
The complete PI is on work ex, Hobbies and interests. No standard questions like tell me about yourself or
why MBA or technical questions though they asked tech questions on work ex.
PI:
Panel Members Intro:
No introductions were given. Both of them are middle aged.. think around 40. P1 came out and called me
inside, P2 read my file some 10 times... P1 didn't even look at the file.
Questions:
P1. So, you work for xxx, what did you do in last 3 years.
Me: Worked on crash sensing algorithms, calibrations , simulations.. blah blah ... and more blah..
P1.How do you sense a crash?
Me: Sensors at the front and sides of the car. accelerometers based on vibrations of the car and
deceleration ....
P1: what are the critical factors in selecting a sensor .
Me: High sensitivity ..
P1: You said, it is based on vibrations if my car goes and jumps into a huge pot hole ... it generates vibration..
Do u deploy airbag??
Me: No sir. The frontal sensor detects the vibration.however other sensors give very little signal. so based on
this also differentiates this from a crash.
P1: Explain the accelerometer functionality..
Me: Piezo electric sensor variable capacity .. blah .. blah ..
(P2 is still going through my file ....)
P1: what are the types of errors that you see in airbag system
36

Me: blah ... blah ..blah .. (every time I say something he asks me more and more ... I finally gave up).
P1: have you heard about Type 1 and Type 2 errors
Me: No sir [Think he was expecting this as answer...]
(P2 is still going through my file ....)
(A lot more discussion on crash sensing .. I think it doesn't make sense for most of you, if some one is
interested PM me)
Finally P1 takes over ...
P1: So, you are town 1st in Xth, how do you know that, they don't give these details, do they?
Me: There are few schools in our town and so we know it blah.. blah
P1: So what are your hobbies...
Me: Cooking ..
P1.Jumps outta his seat.. what Cooking.. (All smile..)
P1: what do you cook?
Me: I am from guntur region of andhra lots of spicy food.. I cook lots of chutneys...
P1: what else?
Me: Curries, pulav, biryani ...
P2 joins in ...
P2: chutneys .Hmm.. How many types of tomato chutneys can you cook?
Me: 3 or 4 types..
P2: Explain the procedure for 2 chutneys..
Me: blah .. Blah...
[ A lot more questions on cooking and restaurants..]
P2: What else.Do you read books?
Me: No sir.Very rarely I follow politics
Again P1 and P2 jump out laughing .. ..
P2: so which party will get affected by chiranjeevi's party in andhra?
Me: Telugu Desam and gave reasons..
P1: which region ...
Me: Coastal, will not affect telangana.. Gave reasons..
P1: What is the possibility of post election alliance in Andhra?
Me: Blah blah ...
[ Some more discussion on andhra politics ..]
Finally ... P1 and P2 .thats it we are done ..
Me: Thank You sir ... (I haven't seen any candies over there .. expecting one ..)
I think the interview lasted for around 20 mins ..
No questions on long term goals or why MBA? Don't know what to take out of this .. fingers crossed..
Good Luck Guys ... Hope you all convert the calls..
and please do PM your comments/opinions...
Verdict: Converted

IIM Ahmedabad - Year 2010

Interview experience of: Abh Gupta

My interview took place at IIFT, Delhi in the evening slot on the 14th.
Profile : X

37

- 90.4% XII
- 93.2%
College - 82.44% (NSIT, Delhi)
Work Ex - 33 months, Software Developer, Adobe Systems
CAT % QA - 99.24
DI - 99.24
VA - 99.65
Total - 99.94%
Any other special thing about you (like Olympiad,NTSE etc.) :
NTSE, JSTS and some more. Top 20/50 positions in Elementary, Junior & Senior Olympiads. Some more
awards for B. Tech. Project
Hobbies : Reading, Sketching, Driving.
Essay Topic: Child artists are an exploited lot today
Time: 10 mins
Any Other Details: Around 40 people in all came in that slot. We were grouped up into 4 batches. Each batch
had a different panel. The batch of 10 was first asked to sit in a room and write an essay for 10 minutes. After
which we were told to wait outside for our interviews. Interviews were taken in some random order, not
alphabetical or anything.
PI Experience:
There were 2 panelists in my case and they both looked quite cool. I had been chatting a lot with some college
juniors in the same batch of 10. That relaxed me a lot. A LOT. And writing the essay (no matter how badly I
wrote it), also helped me cool down.
Also, I was the 5th to be interviewed by my panel. And the guys before that were all talking about how acad
heavy all the interviews were. I tried my best not to think about it and go with the flow. Plus, it helped that I
was having fun chatting
Let us call the panelists P1 & P2.
P1: (comes out of the room and calls for me. Also holds the door open for me.)
P1: Good Afternoon
P2: Good Afternoon
P2: Yes, please sit down.
P1: (to P2) I will just go and wash my face. Be back in a mo.
P2: So. Tell me what you do when you are not working.
P2: Tell me more
P2: So where do you operate out of? Your own building or on rent?
P2: And have you taken over some other school or is it a green-field school?
P2: It seems to me that your vision is not clear. Do you get satisfaction out of working for this NGO? (P1
nodding vigorously)
P2: Then why do you want to pursue an MBA? Is it that your parents are pressurizing you, your friends are
pressurizing you to work while you want to work in the education sector? (P1 still nodding, more vehemently
now)
P1: I agree (with P2). Your goal seems to be lacking clarity. Then he rambles quite a bit.
P2: I don't understand how you get visibility from an MBA. And how will that help anyway. For instance,
differentiate between Narayan Murthy & Baba Amte's efforts.
P1: So, tell me more about the innovations you have been involved in at your job. (Had written about that in
38

the form)
P1: Wanted to understand the two.
P1: But isn't this idea similar to .....
P1: (Not satisfied. This idea had a patent angle to it) What are the pre-conditions to be met before filing a
patent?
P1: So can you file a patent for a technology that uses open software.
P1: OK.
(Again vigorous nodding among the two. Then some inconsequential talk that I can not remember)
P2: Well, that is it. You may leave.
P1: You may take a toffee.
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: adiG

Venue: Hotel Kenilworth, Calcutta
date: 22nd March
Profile:
10th: 88.4% CBSE
12th: 93.2% CBSE
CAT 2009: 99.88%
BTech in EE: 8.47 (IIT Kgp) final year student
Essay topic: Business houses should take greater social responsibility.
I was the last person to be interviewed in the entire morning slot. So perhaps my interview was a bit short
because of that. Two professors: P1 and P2, and me (M)
Interview:
P1: So, you are an electrical engineer, a pretty rare species these days.
P1: Tell me, what is the difference between a motor and a generator.
P1: ok, what is the difference between a series motor and a shunt motor .
P1: say, I have two grids, one is 100MW and one is 400MW. Under what conditions can I connect these two
grids.
P1: Do you remember maths.
P1: You have studied laplace transform?
P1: what is it why is it used in differential equations?
P1: (wrote a differential equation) Write the laplace transform of this equation.
P1: say i give u a function y = f(x), how will you find the laplace transform of y?
P1: ok, do that
P1: ok, what is the mathematical definition for Laplace transform?
P1: how is it going?
P1: yes
P1: smiles, but still, what do you feel?
P1: ok, since morning I have been asking the question to everyone but I not got a good answer.
tell me what is government of India?
39

P1: So every Indian citizen is a part of the Government?

P1: So where is this definition written.
P1: what is the constitution of India.
P1: how does a bill become a law?
P1: Can only the ruling party introduce a bill.
P1: what is the role of Indian penal code?
P1: I am still not satisfied with your answer about the Govenment of India.
P1: (to P2) i am done
P2: You wrote in your essay about the human development index, what is it?
M: (on a back-foot, since was not really knowledgeable about it) I am not sure whether it is called human
development or human happiness index but it is a measure of social development factors that contribute to
well being like education, access to health care, gender equity etc
P2: So who develops this index?
M: I am not really sure but I think it is developed by the UN.(turns out I was right

P2: (draws a function on the paper) write a mathematical definition of this graph
M: worked it out very confidently (it was a simple graph).
P2: ok (later @ home I realized, I had done a silly mistake in assuming the function definition, but that was
not pointed out. Dont know if I got away with it, or he thought that this is a minor mistake)
P2: So why do you want to do an MBA, you know people with engineering background look down upon
managers, they say bad engineers become good managers.
M: with a big smile on my face. No sir ,that's not true. I have seen so many department toppers opt for
management.
P2: what's your position in department?
M: In top 10 in a department of 45 students.
P2: that looks good
M: smiles. Then answered the why MBA part pretty confidently.
P2: Where have you been placed?
M: Answered. Looking at the lack of recognition on prof's face, I explained that the company is based in USA
and does analytics work for a specific sector of companies and is the global leader in it.
Then explained the job role in a more detailed manner. about modeling of market segments, research of past
consumer records etc
P2: Then you would be using a lot of mathematics?
P2: your job is good, why do you want to do an MBA now?
P2: Did you take GMAT?
P2: why not?
P1: But as it is your job is outside India?
P2: ok, where else have you got calls from?
P2: not from Indore, but you are from Indore ? (P2 smiled)
P2: ok Aditya, all the best for your other interviews and take a toffee with you.
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: Setu_noworneva

I had to post this, not because PI was out-of the world, but as a note of reminiscence....
40

Profile:
CAT: 2009 - 99.77; Calls: A,C (PGDM)
Xth: 90.8
XIIth: 87.4
B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BIT Mesra %age:75.3
Work Ex:-4months (mfg.)
Date: 30th March 2010
Time: 8:45 slot
Venue: The IIMA campus(and im in love)
We were made to sit around a circular table and after initial document verification, they gave us the topic for
essay:
Essay Topic: Our Governance and Political System share a deep mistrust for Entrepreneurship.
I wrote the summary of the last book i read, 'Imagining India'...as to how at the start India's Nehru-vian era
politicians/freedom fighters were against imperialism and capitalism. India needed hand-holding, socialism
was in vogue.
Led to red-tape, bureaucracy etc, no competition leading to same problems that India was fighting for. LPG
of 1991, how it changed everything. NRM and Nilekani became poster-boys with the latter being given charge
of UID, which can be seen as signs of "deep trust" between them.
Wrote nothing specific, but was satisfied because time was also only 10 mins.
Now came the much-awaited thing. IIMA Interview.
My panel was 4th, I was the second to go, probably Kaal_bhairav was also in the same. The first candidate
came out, looked like his dreams shattered, OMG!!
P1: Quiet looking madam.(But she was the one who asked maximum questions.)
P2: Young Sir(Smiling all the time, probably trying to make everyone comfortable)
P1 came after 5 minutes or so and called my name, I wanted to correct telling madam that is my surname, but
didn't.
Before entering waited for madam to get in, so that I may wish them together, she told ok, go ahead, so
wished her, entered, wished sir.
P2: come in.
Me: Thank you, sir.
P2: So how are you feeling?
Me: great...energetic (the last one sheepishly, just in case i get an opportunity to explain adrenaline et al.)
P1: give me your file.
Me: yes mam.
P2: So you have been working in L&T, how is it, how long?
Me: Sir 4 months, told about company joined in Nov....recession.
P2: It will be loss for the company..
Me: No sir actually.
P2: How many people were recruited?
Me: Sir in my batch blah blah....in total blah.
P2: Then it will be like leading to chain reaction.
Me: No sir (and a grin).
P2: so tell me why it has been losing so many contracts lately, gave examples
Me: (I hadn't heard of most of those contracts, i guess because mine is not construction biz. The kind of biz.
That comes to anyone's mind when he hears L&T) Gave them the specific example of Bandra-Worli ..told we
quote higher leading to reject but do quality work.blah blah HCC blah.
P2: Compare it with other companies.
Me: did ..but sir actually I am in blah blah.
41

P2: compare competitors in your own domain..

Me: Did. and sir other verticals of L&T are...
P2: Ok explain them
Me: Explained n market share.
P2:what is verticalization, advantages, disadvantages?
Me: told it may lead to more competitiveness but it may also lead to loss of opportunities for sister org. in
case some other company is quoting better price. Need of collaboration competition blah.
P2: Compare L&T and Reliance.
Me: Told Ambani is owner of Reliance
P2: No i am also owner of Reliance(*laughing*)
Me: sorry sir, I mean yes you do, in fact every share- holder is but I mean whenever we hear of Reliance
Ambanis come to mind, but in case of L&T people rise through the ranks by working hard.
(and this ownership thing i just after the cruel incident at XLRI, oh my God I shuddered at the thought that
his interview will also go tangent, but was saved. for the records my answer was wrong actual difference was
they have already gone for verticalization, Rinfra, RNRL etc.)
P2: So if will work hard, you will become the owner?
Me: No sir, but if i will work hard for say 30-40 years, i may become chairman.
P2: Do you actually think things are so simple and rosy.
Me: I don't know sir, but that's what they told me in "Induction". If u work hard here...(sab induction pe dal
diya..had no choice)
P2 So u think L&T is managed professionally in a better way?
Me: Without getting into comparison, i think yes it is sir...
P1: So setu what do you actually do.
Me: told.
P1: See what you told does not make much sense to me.tell me have you heard of torrent ?
Me: Mam torrent , i heard of power, i don't know(....the first thing that came to my mind was jagjit singh
and torrent syrup )
P1: yeah tell me about Torrent Power.
Me: Sorry mam i dont know much. (Later learnt that Torrent, from thane supplies power to Ahmedabad.)
P1: oh you are not actually from mumbai right. are you?
Me: Yes mam. just been sometime.
P1: ok then tell me everything from the start as to how electricity is generated and how it is glowing this CFL.
(All these 10 mins she was browsing through my file, i was wondering there was nothing so extra-ordinary,
later I found out mam did the same for everyone)
P1: I gave you thermal, now.
P1: How will it drive the turbine.
P1: But how?
P1: ok i assume this is so , now?
P1: hey where is generator?
P1: will have to assume that too?
P1: ok but why do they step up step down why not supply directly
P2: but why step down, supply the same.
P1: I have noticed all the voltage levels are this strange multiple of 110, why so?
P1: who was Edison?
P2: and He founded a company ?
42

P2: why dont we transfer DC, why AC?.

P2: why?
P2: Ok how do you step up DC?
P2: It will chop off , and hence can be used for step down, how step up..
P1: ok what are your hobbies.
P2: which one?
P2: a guy of Hamas was killed recently, what was his name?
P2: Are you sure, may be you need to revisit those sections.
P1: Tofees.
Took and thanked them.
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: Nickrox

X: 93.3% ICSE
XII: 96.4% ISC
B.Tech (Chemical Engg), IIT Kharagpur; CGPA: 8.86/10 (Ranked 3/55 at time of CAT)
Essay topic: Business houses should take greater social responsibility.
P1: So how are you feeling?
P1: Kyu bhai...khaa thodi jaayenge hum log tumhe
P1: So tell me about yourself
P1: So have you been placed?
P2: So tell me why is your salary so high...how do you justify that
P2: So what will your work be exactly?
P2: Whats supply chain?
P2: So what will your role be in all this....doesnt HUL already know where to buy raw materials from
P2: <not convinced> Hmmm....so tell me whats the probability of a new supplier coming up in a year
P2: Youre an engineer...dont talk in such vague terms. I want an exact figure!
P2: So thats your problem, not mine.....
P2: No leave it....I wanted the value; procedure mein kya hai
so....how many factories does HUL have in India
P2: So describe the operations of an HUL factory......
P2: But youre a chemical engineer right....you should know. Describe how soap is manufactured.
P2: No thats not enough...describe the entire process involved
P2: Khair chodo...tell me how will your salary be linked to factory's production
P2: And how would that profit be calculated?
P2: But wouldn't your salary be a component of the cost incurred....the equation youre stating would
become implicit, impossible to solve
43

P1: So why do you think HUL hired you?

P1: Is that so...okay tell me what is a reaction?
P1: NO...when did I talk about chemicals, tell me about a general reaction
P1: So this conversation we're having is a reaction
P2: Okay tell me about a chemical reaction
P1: <cuts me short> No, no oxygen thats too simple...one of the components is nitrogen
P2: and the other is cadmium...now explain the reaction
P2: Okay....so how does it occur?
P1: Why do they get trapped....whats the reason?
P2: Okay so youre talking about chemical adsorption, do u know on increasing temperature adsorption will
increase
P2: But the cadmium molecules will get heated up, shouldnt they vibrate faster and force nitrogen molecules
out from surface
P2: But you arent cooling cadmium either are you...when heated nitrogen comes in contact with cadmium
won't its temp will rise as well?
P1: <Now looking at my form> so you were district topper in class 12, currently 3rd in dept...do u have
certificates for these
P1: I can't believe what youve written is correct then
P1: No no...that wont do
P2: <gives me a graph and asks what it is - It was a langmuir isotherm from catalysis, but i didnt
remember>
P2: <tells me what the graph is> okay i want you to give me a mathematical representation for the graph
<by now my brain had stopped working, made some feeble attempts, but was told that they're
incorrect....actually the graph was (A*x)/(1 + B*x)>
P2: Okay what do you like in chemical engineering
P2: So what all have you learnt in the course
P2: Okay i have a question which has long bothered me...maybe u can help me out?
P2: When u travel by local train...you must have felt that the air always seems to be coming in, near all the
doors and windows. So my question is if air is continuously entering the compartment why doesnt it explode
P2: No, I'm a smoker...Ive smoked near the doors and windows...the smoke never goes out; it always
appears to come in; there must be some other explanation
P2: And even if you consider pressure difference, air inside train is at higher velocity than outside air, so its
pressure would be lower. Hence gradient would always exist for air to come inside
P1: You don't have many extra acads, generally people from kharagpur are very good in extra currics
P1: Hmmm...and what else do you like...reading books?
P1: Favourite book?
P2: When did you read that...in class 12?
P2: That late.....see when you say your hobby is reading books i expect something better than Atlas Shrugged
P1: <cuts me short> No no the interview has gone quite long, i think we're done. take a toffee and leave
44

Verdict: Converted

Interview expreience of: Tr ichy

My profile is as follows:
X:92.6(CBSE)
XII:90.8(CBSE)
BTech from NIT, Trichy. CGPA: 7.15
Work ex: 2.5 yrs in the Technology side of a MNC bank
P: Tell me the meaning of your name.
P: Do you know where is Nashik?
P: Which river flows through Nashik? How did nashik get its name?
P: Connect Nashik, Haridwar, Ujjain and Allahabad.
P: Where was the recent Kumbhmela held?
P: Are you sure?
P: So, you are from Electrical & Electronics Engineering right? Tell me how you can reduce Transmission
and distribution losses? What is the formula for Transmission loss?
P: Tell me the principle of operation of an Oil circuit breaker.
P: So where do you work?
P: (They did not ask anything about my work ex. Continued with my acads) You have taken Sanskrit in
your Class X right? (He had checked my marklist). So how much of it do you still remember?
P: What is the meaning of "XXX". (I dont remember what the word is)
P: Ok. Then tell me what did you like in Sanskrit?
P: Tell me how many Lakaras are there?
P: Ok. What were your favourite subjects in EEE?
P: Why do people generally like Digital over Analog?
P: Ok tell me what is the formula for Fourier Transforms?
P: What is the formula for inverse fourier transforms?
P: How do we use Fourier Transforms in reducing harmonics in digital circuits?
P: You should be knowing this. This is used in LCD TVs.
P: What was your final year project about? And what was your contribution?
P: Did you implement it? And did you use any software?
P: What was the full form of MATLAB.
P: Are u sure? Dont guess.
P: What is a Lathe?
P: Engineering is not an isolated field. You should have an idea about other subjects also.
P: What other subjects do you like in EEE?
P: What is an impeller?
45

P: Ok we are done. You can leave.

Indian Institute of Management,

Bangalore
Interview experiences during the admission seasons between 2005 and 2010

IIM Bangalore - Year 2005

Interview experience of: PaGuy

Was in the same panel as khotahimachali at IHM Dadar, Mumbai. My background: Dual Degree
Microelectronics. Good Acads. Good Percentile. 6 months workex in elec company. 1 month in a consultancy.
Will follow the same standards as khotahimachali. OP, EOP and Moi.
OP takes me into the room.
OP: So you must be tired of waiting (I was the 5th one in the group).
OP: Oh.. not yet?
OP (to EOP): we'll ensure he's tired by the time he leaves this room (followed by an evil laughter).
EOP: So you are in fourth year of engineering.
EOP: Then why haven't you written your 4th year scores? Or were they not good? Oh my God.. you've done 2
years of postgraduation? (This guy is totally confused).
OP (Before I could realise what was happening): He must have done BSc na.. These days they have 3 years
engineering BSC. (I was totally confused by now. First I thought he was confusing BSc with BTech)
Later realised that since I have done the dual degree and mentioned 3 year's percentages in BTEch hence the
confusion.
OP: Ohh he's the same guy who couldn't even pronounce his company's name correctly during his
introduction. So Mr. Saurabh how is blah blah related to Electrical engineering??
EOP: OK. You say you want to start this VLSI Design company. Do you even know what is required to start
such a company?
EOP: Don't you think its a very technical line and you require lot of knowledge
EOP: No. except for this people and stuff what else do you need.
EOP: How will you design the chips? What will you use except your people ?
EOP (He was looking for the word tools): Do you know what these tools are? (Basically he meant do you even
know how much they cost. Realised that later).
EOP: So how will you get these tools?
EOP: Who will give you the money to buy these tools?
EOP: What is a VC?
EOP: Can you name one indian VC?
EOP: So are these any companies coming up in VLSI in India. Won't you be competing with them?
EOP:So there are no product companies?
EOP: So won't you be competing with these companies for the VCs money? Tell me why should a VC give
you money.
EOP: Why should he be convinced? How will you convince him?
OP: No.. but why would the VC give you money?
46

OP: Exactly. profits.

OP: So what are you doing for blah blah?
OP: MRO? What is MRO?
OP: So what is this sourcing.
Moi explains.
EOP: So can you tell me where you use tunnelling.
EOP: what? use tunneling?
EOP (interrupts): Please explain how it is harmful.
EOP interupts: See how can something tunnel?
What is this tunneling.
EOP: Do you even know what you are saying. Probably you've got it all wrong.
EOP: No need to go slow. Your problem is you talk about chapter 1 and then about chapter 21.
EOP: Ohh you are confused between energy levels and valance levels and .. (it was very clear he had heard
someone use these words and was just throwing them at me).
OP: So you are working for Cadbury in Bangalore?
OP: Then how come your address is of Bangalore?
OP: He's working there?
EOP: Is he older to you?
EOP: What company is he working for?
EOP: Ok. Assume I am a VC. Now convince me that I should give you money.
OP: Saurabh you should give us numbers.
OP: Ok, except for making plans, anything else you do?
OP: Have you done any dramas.
EOP,
OP: Thanks. Thanks.
Was really really satisfied with the interview. They tried to stress me once or twice but probably they chose
just the wrong points to stress me out

Interview experience of: shatadipsom

My Profile:%tile - 99.1
Exp- 1 year Infosys
Background - BE in CS with 69%
12th - 70%
10th - 80%
calls- IIMB
Interview:Panel- Two cool profs, aged, one was some Ojha(O) and the other don't remember(DN) and Me(M)
O: So what happend to ur lunch?
O: So you are a computer engineer?
O: Ok so u work for Infosys?
47

O: u have also worked for err....CLI whats this??

O: Compare the two companies.(naheeeeeee)
O: Ok tell me about Infosys.
O: what Infosys is doing seems to be your long term goal.
DN: Ok what is this Finacle....CRM...u work on?
O: sir I wil distribute this into two parts....Finacle as a product and CRM as a philosophy...blah blah...sales
force automation, blah blah blah.....
DN: How do u do your work?(now what does that mean)
O: could u be a bit more specific sir?

48

DN: tell me more about the product the market, rivals etc.
O: more gyaan......blah blah....ICICI......flex cube, siebel, blah blah blah....
DN: so ur hapy with your work?
DN: so why MBA?
O: why IIMB?(here it comes)
DN: you were in jabalpur, then kolkata, then bangalore, can't get it.
DN: tell us something about Jabalpur.
DN: there are less distractions it seems. (smiles) how many jabalpurians have u found in infy?
O: Mr som it seems ur quite active in extra curriculars music, poetry, chess, cricket hmmm.....(at last
O: Oh! so tell me about your music.

DN: hmmm......rabindra sangeet. and your poems are you a revolutionary poet from bengal?
O: No No its Ok (as if it were a bomb!)
DN: and u have played and won a chess championship at the state level.
DN: hmmm....looks at O.
O: we are through Mr.Som
and both of them give ear to ear smiles......that might mean two things.
1) aaja beta tera hi intezaar tha...tere bina IIMB doob jaega.
2) kitne bhi funde de bacche tere ko nahin lenge! khush hota rah tu...
Can't understand what to make of it...interviews were so cool almost all had decent interviews. But I am
happy that it is finally over and I did my best with the single call I had. Rest as sidhhu says "nothing happens
until the fat lady smiles"!

IIM Bangalore - Year 2006

Interview experience of: Keviv

Profile:
Background: fresher, B.Tech ICT (DA-IICT, Gandhinagar)
%ile: 99.97
Calls: BLACKI (done with AKLC)
Case study:
Only 6 people in the group. 1 lady. Anandv and awr also in the group. Vinz was with another panel. The room
was very small and so I felt like really sitting in a group for some dinner table discussion. We were given the
instructions: 10 mins to think, 15 mins to discuss, 15 mins to write the summary. Summary to be written in
running English, with complete sentences, not in points.
Title of the case was "six of spade or pass" which made no sense to me. The case was about an oil company
with a name IVL similar to ONGC videsh. The manager KK had a $3 bn bid proposal on his table for an
oilfield in Ecuador. The manager was worried about a Chinese competitor CNOC because it had outbidded
IVL in past several bids, of which two examples were given in the case. KK felt that CNOC was banking on a
rise in oil prices in the future for its not-so-competitive bids to work out. But since last two years CNOC was
heavily in the red. In the last bid which was for some $500 mn, CNOC had approached IVL for a JV. KK was
now wondering whether CNOC would do the same this time too? Or would it bid separately. We had to
discuss about his plan of action.

Because there were only 6 people, everyone had enough chance to speak. We had a good discussion, with
some repetitions indeed. There was one person who did lot of one-to-one discussion. But all in all, very
peaceful and civilised and almost all possible aspects of the case were brought up and discussed.
PI:
P2: interviewers
P1: So, you are studying.
P2: briefly describe yourself
P2: So what do you prefer to read?
P2: Which biographies you have read?
P2: Any particular book that inspired you?
P2: Any Indian personality who has inspired you?
P2: So you aren't strong mentally?
P1: what is this controversy about Google earth
P1: Who would need sensitive information about our country?
P1: Why did then Google develop such a thing?
P2: If you were the security advisor of India, how would you analyse the problem.
P2: So simple?? Ok, what do you think should Google do?
P2: But you being a techie must know that technology cannot be restricted. If not Google, someone else
would do that.
P1: SO vivek, why MBA?
P1: Why not M.tech?
P1: 5 years down the line?
P2 also chips in.
P2: Why not your own company? It takes hardly anything to start an IT company?
P2: So you are risk averse?
P2: But Gujarati have entrepreneurship in blood. Take Dhirubhai Ambani. Did he have any experience when
he started on his own? Why not you? (Me a gujju). Has the college education spoilt you? (Laughs)
P1: So, you think you are prepared for an MBA now.
P2: vivek you told that you are from a very small town (in my introduction I said that). SO what is difference
you felt in yourself now that you are living in a big city?
P2: How do you find time for reading so many books? Isn't your college schedule hectic?
P2: Didn't write IIT?
P2: Why? Didn't go for coaching?
P2: How do you rate the students at your college?
P2: How do they admit students?
P2: Question about Placements and Reliance recruiting students.

P2: My placement
answered all the above questions.
P1: When does your engineering end?
P1: Any chance this might be delayed?
P1: Which university does award you degree?
P1: You haven't sent your mark sheets along with the form. (Were we supposed to?)Give them now.
Give them.
P1: Any questions you would like to ask us?
P2; Go ahead.
P2: Laughs. You find that out. It's an assignment for you. When you come to Bangalore (hey, hey what was
that??), tell us the answer.

Interview experience of: Babooshka

PI - Third in order and went in after Thecky. Thecky and the guy b4 he came out mouthing the word "stress"
I am B (bakar).
P2: Why MBA?
P2: You have said Ur goal is to b the CFO of an Indian MNC. Care to explain Indian MNC.
P2: Name any Indian MNC. Infy?
P2: Think you can make a difference in Infy?
P2: Where do you think you can make a difference...KVIC...which is actually bigger than Infy?
P1: Whats unique abt Infy's accounting? They have many firsts to their credit.
P1: Nope
P1: Any other firsts?
P1: They were the first to go in for quarterly results/disclosure. Is it required under US Gaap?
P1: How many standards under US Gaap.
P1: With your goal, u r supposed to know.
P2:How many Indian companies complying with US Gaap?
P2:Gimme a number.
P1: Who is the CFO of Infy.
P1: He is well appreciated, isnt he?
P1: What is Balance sheet.
P1: Asset?
P1: Liability?
P1: Opportunity Cost?
P1: Another example?

P1: So where is Bakhra Nangal?

P1: Any other speciality?
P2: He referred to industries, didnt he?
P1: Any other speciality?
P1: What abt Bokaro plant?
P1: Capital of Turkmenistan.
P1: Wrong.
P2:Where are Ajanta and Ellora?
P2:M'Rashtra is a big place. Where in M'Rashtra?
P2:Eyebrows raised.
P2: Any 3 states in American midwest?
P2: Nevada?
P2: Any city in Nevada?
P2:Where does Nile originate?
P1: What is privatisation?
P1: What is divestment?
P1: So what is the difference between privatisation and macroeconomic stabilisation??
P1: So, is privatisation = divestment?
P1: What was the consideration in case of Modern food?
P1: Dont you think divestment is just a ruse of the govt. to bridge the fiscal deficit?
P2:What kinda books do u read?
P2:Do you badly want to get into IIMB?
P1: First time you taking cat?
P1: So is it second, third, fourth...
P1: Why?
P2: You wud be a disaster in HR.
P2: Do you think it is ok to work so hard.
P1: Your referees seem to have written a lot abt you in the weaknesses.

P1: Reads out stuff all of which points to my habit of overworking/overloading.

P1 and P2 look at each other
P2: Okie thats it.
P2: Yes?
P2: Nope.
P2 and P1 grin.

Interview experience of: Yogesh Patwari

My Profile:
Final yr B.Com from St.Xavier's College, Kolkata..
Part-I: 73.5% (overall)
XII: 86.2% (State Topper)
X: 87%
plus CA PE-II completed in May'05
Group Description:
GD
It was a case about 'BAT'----> long-lost brother of 'CAT' . Well, it was about IIBs who conduct BAT for
entrance into their colleges. A particular non-profit organisation with 25 employees is in charge of conducting
the test, processing answers and generating score-cards. Prof Mani, in charge of this body, is in dilemma. He
realises that the number of munna-bhais taking the test (B bole to Bio-medicine) is increasing at a healthy rate
of 12%. This year 1 lakh applicants took the test. But upgradation of infrastructure required for meeting future
demands... two options: small-scale, low-cost OR large-scale, high-cost with automation...? Crap case... had a
decent discussion though. On an individual front, did not perform well..:lookroun: not many entries... nondescript performance.
Summarised well though... broke up into paras and wrote a decent summary... (the young prof was
continuously typing something on his laptop thruout the GD... and, yes, told that our writing skills wud be
tested in the summary)
Interview: Dunno
Prof1: You have pretty good score in 10th.. why took commerce, not science?
Prof1: Parental Pressure?
Prof1: So, from early age...took ur own decisions...
I smiled.. {--->}
Prof1: Yogesh, how wud you rate the performance of the group in the GD as well as your own performance..
rate both on a scale of 1 to 10.
Prof1: No, no, first give me ratings.. then justify.. (Prof2 smiles at this)
Prof1: In life, u have to do many difficult things...
Prof1: What are the criteria for evaluation in a GD?
Prof: Put urself in our shoes... what wud u analyse first... group performance or individual performance...
Prof2: Isn't it the other way round?
Prof1: Can it happen that a particular group has a high score than another but a member of second group
has higher score than a member of first group? (Gave me paper and said draw a model and explain)
Prof1: Can it happen that all members of second group get more than members of first group...
Prof1: Think again...
Prof1: Do you follow the stock market?

Prof1: Follow general business trends?

Prof2: White ones or Pink ones?
Prof2: You had a project in college on 'Call centres- HR Angle'---> what were Ur findings...
Prof1: How do you analyse a company's financial position?
Prof2: What are Ur career goals? Do you have any idea about the type of companies that come for
recruitment at IIMB...?
Prof1: What way can you do something for society? : Dontgeti:
Prof1: Isn't that the duty of the Govt?
Prof1: Why wud employees want to do this?
Prof1: Wouldnt it be better if we have a central agency for rural upliftment and corporate donate funds...
Prof1: Extra burden for Co? No competence in this regard...
Prof1: Ideally, Co. shud donate funds and monitoritss use...

Interview experience of: Shrutz

Profile
A poor little fresher from College of Engineering, Trivandrum doing her 4th year Applied Electronics &
Instrumentation. (You will see why)
Marks up to S6: 84.42%
Xth: 87.6% (438/500) CBSE
XIIth: 95% (475/500) CBSE
GD was a case study. Went on these lines.
The case was about the 'BAT', the Biomedical Aptitude Test, conducted by the 10 IIBs *ahem* for admission
into their institutes. A not-for-profit organisation called the BES with 25 employees is in charge of
conducting the test, processing applications and generating score-cards. The integrity of the test depends
upon these staff. This year the test had 1 lakh takers and for the past 3 years the numbers have been
increasing at 12% per annum. Prof Mani, in charge of this body, is in a dilemma. Without up gradation of the
facilities, the test will be impossible to conduct. So, he has 2 options in front of him...
1) A 15 lakh low technology upgrade that will be easy to get approved by the Board of Directors of the IIBs,
will enable him to keep the staff with a little training, be able to process 2 lakh applications.
2) A 1 crore technology-specific upgrade that will cut the staff to 5, enable the BES to process 3 lakh
applications, pay itself off in the way of salaries by 4 years, but well, is expensive.
Anyway, a rather self-evident case, nevertheless, we had to discuss it.
I began the GD (well, a very chivalrous guy let me)
everyone let the others speak and well too... Do the maths, 15 minutes and 5 people. We had periods of
silence in the middle when everyone was staring at the paper with nothing to say. Repetition of points was
rampant and we couldn't conclude satisfactorily.
Not a very good GD, I summarised okay.
I was last into the GD, so the two panellists grinned at me after informing us that the PIs would be in order
and would be around 20 minutes each, so if we wanted to go out and refresh ourselves, we could. They added
(to me) "You're going to have the benefit of most of the information. You're the lucky one."
I could only weakly grin back.
PI Experience...
I had scarcely taken 2 steps in when the gentleman Moorthy (GM) said "So, Susan, I hope you talked to all of
them."

"Good evening sir, yes I did." I nearly sat down before I remembered and got up.
He looked up and asked me to sit. Meanwhile the Lady Moorthy (LM) also sat down.
With a grin he asked me, "So, what questions do you expect here?"
"Hum, sir nothing really." I was trying hard to evade the question.
"Oh, come on Susan, you've talked to the people in front. What did they say?"
"Well, sir the person who came in front of me had a similar background. You asked him acads. To the others,
you asked general questions."
"Okay, so what do you expect?"
I smiled.
"Susan, you have to expect something!"
I decided to be slightly flippant. "Well sir, if I did tell you what I expected, you wouldn't ask me those
questions. That would imply what happened here would not be what I expected anyway."
He smiled and nodded his head yes. "Anyway, tell us what you expect!"
If that's what he wanted so badly, I'd give it to him. "Okay, sir. Acads"
"What in acads?"
"Hum, Electronics."
"What in electronics?"
(Why does this feel like a kiddy-game?)
"Circuits?" I shrugged.
"What in that?"
"Digital Electronics."
"What in Digital?"
"Sir. Generally Digital Electronics"
"Come on, I can't ask you generally anything or the definition. You have to tell me something specific"
"Well sir, digital circuits, say counters, gates that sort of thing"
He smiled (GAH) and said "Okay, Susan. So tell me...."
*LONG PAUSE PURPOSELY INSERTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW BUGGED I GOT AFTER THIS*
"...What is Instrumentation?"
I must have looked like one of the most surprised girls this side of the Nilgiris. "Okay, sir. Well,
Instrumentation is a branch of engineering that deals with measurements and measuring instruments,
control systems. We have subjects like Transducers, Sensor Systems, Digital Instrumentation Techniques..."
"Okay, tell me what are the requisites of a good instrument?"
I blabbered the usual.
"No, that's with respect to the gauge. I want a basic detail."
I talked about hysteresis, creep et al.
"Have you heard of the principle that a measuring instrument shouldn't interfere with the measure quantity"
Realisation dawned, too late. "Yes sir."
"Can you give me an example?"
I gave him one about a voltmeter.
"No, that's a text-bookish example. Give me a practical one."
I looked up, thought hard and shook my head.
"Okay, you talked about calibration. What is that?"
"Well, sir, standardisation of an instrument is called calibration. There are 2 kinds of calibrations and 3 kinds
of instruments..." I went on to explain the different kinds. (Don't wince; Instrumentation is the least
favourite of my subjects...)
He looked satisfied and grinned again. By now, I was wise to his smiles & wiles. "If I calibrate an instrument,
is it for life?"
"Nossir, you might need to recalibrate owing to aging of components or the creep, stress and strain effects."
"Okay. So, how do you judge which of two instruments is better after a while."
"Sir, assuming they are similar and calibrated the same, the one that shows the least aging and debilitating
effects."
"Are all scales linear?"

"No sir, they can be linear or non-linear depending on measuring quantity and measurand. For example,
when you are measuring pressure with displacement."
"When are they non-linear?"
"Sir, when the characteristics are non linear or over a large range."
"Give me an example."
"Sir, for a black body, wavelength radiated is proportional to the fourth power of temperature. This is a nonlinear measurement."
"Is the scale non-linear?"
"Sir, we can make the scale linear"
"Is this done by the design engineer? How?"
"Sir, by manipulation of variables."
His eyebrows shot up. "WHAT? I am asking a professional, Susan."
Whoops! "Sir, what I meant is processing of variables."
He almost looked ready to laugh. "When does a designer make a scale non-linear?"
"Uhm, when the range to be measured is very large?"
"Okay, let me give you an example. Have you seen a speedometer?"
"Yes sir."
"You know how it works?"
"No sir" I grinned back.
"You have seen it surely. Is it linear or non-linear?"
"Linear, sir."
"When does a designer make it non-linear?"
"Well, sir, I guess it should be when the range is very large. For normal vehicles, the speed range is limited.
So, for vehicles like rockets and aeroplanes, it might be non-linear."
He didn't look convinced. "Okay, what's the average speed of a vehicle on Indian roads?"
Wow! From Design Engineer to Civil Engineer, I have gone places.
"I guess 45?"
"45 what?"
HUH? "45 kmph"
"What kind of vehicle is that? A two-wheeler, truck, what?"
"A normal car, sir."
He repeated that "A normal car...."
All of a sudden he shook off whatever he was thinking and smiled again. (Alarm bells rang out, the earth
shook whatever!) "So, Susan"
I was almost tempted to remind him that my parents had named me something else; anyway, I let it slide...
"You said that Prof. Mani must make the decision palatable to the Board. What does that mean?"
(Hum, sir, they might have digestion problems worth a crore?)"Basically, sir, the 1 crore deals might be too
much for the board to swallow in one go, so Mr. errs... Prof. Mani has to point out the advantages and
disadvantages to the board."
He did not look convinced.
"Okay, tell me what are the criteria to be used by the board to judge the effectiveness of any decision?"
"Hum, with respect to the GD, sir?"
"Okay"
I talked about the pros and cons of each option and weighed them, and also didn't commit either way.
After he heard me out, he asked again, "So, what is the disadvantage of the second option?"
"Mainly the high initial investment."
"Susan, may I ask you a personal question. You may or may not answer it..."
"Sure, sir". I looked slightly startled, I am sure.
"You're going to do an MBA from an IIM, where the initial investment will be high; to the tune of 3 lakhs or
so. So, will your parents say 'That's too high, go for a job'?"
"No sir"
"Why not?"
"Sir, because it has a high return of investment"
"Very good. Now answer the question. What will the board look at? How can they be convinced?"
"Sir, the second option has a high return of investment, low payback period, more efficiency, and processing
capacity."
"How can you quantify efficiency?"

"Sir, you want quantified results?"

"Okay, suppose you are running a hospital and want to buy a new X-ray machine. What are the criteria used
to judge whether you need to buy one?"
"Are you sure? What about patient welfare?"
"Now, what will the board look at?"
"What about the staff?"
"With minimum amount of staff working to ensure integrity."
"How many staff would be employed with the 2 options?"
"25 for the first and 5 for the second."
"Which is the better option?"
*sigh* "The second, sir"
"Why didn't you say that before?"
I looked incredulous.
"Okay, suppose you do take the second option, how would you tackle the laid off staff?"
I opened my mouth to answer when he interrupted, "Someone suggested relocating them into other jobs in
the IIBs."
He laughed, "So, you're planning to pay them off?"
I reciprocated with the laugh, "Technically, yes sir."
He looked at the Lady Moorthy, who had been busy flipping through my form and recos till now. "Do you
have any questions?"
She smiled as well. (ARGH!)
"Well, you're still in college. Are you placed?
She waited.
"IBM Hardware?"
"So, why are you going for an MBA now?"
"So, what kind of job would you like after an MBA?"
"Tell me your dream company."
. "Okay, a dream field?"
"Where do you think your talents would be most utilised?"
She looked very literally SHOCKED. And I admit, I was biting my tongue then.
"Why?"
She almost laughed out loud. "You do know there are institutes that offer such degrees even an MBA?"
"Which one?"
"Did you apply?"
"So why IIM?"
"You know such companies don't come here."
"Name some advertising companies." She had delivered her ace.
"J Walter Thomson, Ogilvy India."
GM looked at LM and asked, again with a grin, "Any questions, Susan?"
"Month-end."
"Thank you sir."

IIM Bangalore - Year 2007

Interview experience of: Prahalad85

GD: total of 9ppl... 7m 2f
it was a case study on a reputed college where a few parents complain against a maths prof on his sexual
misconduct with students in a special class.. As a principal what actions u take so that the parents are taken
into confidence and u dont spoil the career of maths prof (he is a genius, a lot of improvements after he
came)
Good discussion with most people participating. Thought I did a decent job too.
PI:

P2: So Prahalad, are u nervous?

P2: shall I make u nervous
P2: so I can see that u hardly have any extracurricular activities? Was u this typical nerdy person who stuck
only to books?
P2: but u hasnt won...U dont have that killer instinct or the urge to win
P2 oh, should we have a leg spinner in our ODI team?
P2: but all leg spinners barring Shane Warne are mediocre and so are you...
P1 and
P2: u are a perfect number 2.happy to see someone take all the credit and being the number 2, applauding
him. We want leaders at IIMB .not people like you
P2: U work in data warehousing that again is a perfect number 2 job. Just helping out the client with the
data and he hogs the limelight.
P1: u also seems to suggest that u want to be the CEO of a middle level organization. Again not the top
P2: WATS Ur family background
P2: which group is it?
P2: how big is the group
P2: compare with murugappa.
P2: compare Tata, Reliance, Amalgamations isnt it small now.
P2: so tell me. Why are south Indians not ambitious enough?
.
P2: name some south Indian who has achieved top levels in any sphere
P2: yes by all means
P2: who is better-Anand or Tendulkar?
P1: Sachin is better-I tell u
P2: Immaterial what u think.50 million Indians think sachin is better.
P1: Anand has never been world number 1.see again u have the fascination only for the second, never the
1st.
P1: so y r all leg spinners so mediocre except Shane Warne
P2: kumble????There is no comparison between him and warne.Kumble is nowhere close to being a great
bowler.
P1: whats Ur take on Wal-Mart coming to India?
P1 and
P2: any questions Prahalad?
P2: No??????So u has come unprepared for an interview?
P1: do u know everything abt IIMB
P2: what???Y shud I select u? What have u answered so that I select u?
U have accepted that u are mediocre and that u take emotional decisions rather than rational ones.

P2 (smiling) I can infer them then

P1 and P2: thank you and all the very best

Verdict: Converted.

Interview experience of: abhishek85born

My profile:
Final Year, Electrical Engg, IIT Roorkee
CAT %iles: DI : 94.52; Verbal : 93.72; Quant : 99.84; Overall : 99.63
IIM Calls : B, L, I, K
CGPA : 8.53/10 (after 6 semesters)
Xth : 92.33% ICSE
XIIth : 93.40% CBSE
Internship : Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics, Germany (May-July 2006)
Case Study started at about 2.30 pm. 8 Ppl (6 guys, 2 gals)
Case - Gyani, a student among toppers, faculty thinks high of him, but his fellow mates think he uses unfair
means.. Gyani has never been caught despite proper vigilance systems in institute's examination halls...
Institute has decided to give him the prestigious Gold Medal but recently, Gyani is caught cheating in
placement papers. Chairman of Institute in dilemma what should he do, give the medal to Gyani or not?
10 mins to think, 15 to discuss, 15 to write summary (they emphasized that pls do write in a good handwriting...). MOST peaceful case study I ever experienced, no one tried to cut other one in between.. I wanted
to start but one female started with me and I backed out. I was second one to speak, spoke 5-6 times, gave
decent points, and one suggestion was accepted by almost whole group.

JR: Abhishek, my God... you sent me so many certificates. My arms are still aching...
JR: So, you want my arms to break or what??
SM: Abhishek you went to Germany, right?
SM: How many people went for internship to Germany?
SM: How do you know?
So, I know through it.
SM: And how many were there at your institute?
SM: So, that was something great... very few people got such an opportunity.
SM: Ok, what is Max Planck's contribution to society? (My internship was at Max Planck Institute of Plasma
Physics)
SM: No, asked about Max Planck's contribution...
SM: What else...
SM: But why was it such a breakthrough in Physics? Why was this discovery so important?
SM: Ok, if I say that as Abhishek entered the room, a wave entered the room. Would it be correct to say?
JR comes into picture.
JR: Those waves you had created earlier itself even before entering.
(SM says that let's leave that discussion about Max Planck... I bit serious...)
JR (gets up from his seat, at his ease): Why are your hands shaking Abhishek? (My hands were on the
table)

Me (I see myself and my hands were not shaking as such. I wondered why he said so): No Sir.
SM: Abhishek, you are nervous and if you will be nervous, you wont be able to perform to your full potential
and we wont get a chance to know Abhishek. So, just take relax yourself.
JR: Are you really fine? Abhishek... (A long pause from his side)
JR: Take a deep breath...be easy...
JR: Do you want something, water?
JR: tea, coffee?
JR (standing at the back of his seat): Alcohol?
JR: Once you crack the interview?
JR: Ok, which brands do you drink? Say any brand, we'll order it here itself...
JR (smiles): So, from there you started drinking... how often do you drink?
(He also says to SM that 'peene ke baad toh everyone gets the confidence to survive anywhere! A sarcastic
remark to what I had said earlier about Germany and confidence thing.)
JR (sarcastic laugh): Dont tell me... all these people from IIT Roorkee and side, I know how often they
drink...
JR: And all are big-time drunkards. Thats what you wanted to say?
JR: So which category, do you fall into? Once who get attracted or ones who dont get attracted?
JR: Does your girlfriend want you to join IIMs?
JR: What is she doing?
JR: What are her career plans?
JR: Where?
JR: So, you want to come to Bangalore so that you rush to Trivandrum every weekend to meet her?
JR: Trivandrum too is quite far from Bangalore...)
JR: What do you think of a life without romance? Do you think long-distance relationships work?
JR: Abhishek let me tell you 1 thing - either you dump your girlfriend or she'll surely dump you one day!!
JR (cant put his sarcastic face expression in words): Thats a typical male chauvinistic attitude!
JR: Doesnt your girlfriend think you to be so boring? I wonder why she is with you.
JR: What do you want to do after this MBA business?
SM asks another question on the same time.
SM: How much do you sleep?
SM: Just 4 hours? Is that much sleeping sufficient for you?
Me: Sir, I compensate for it on the weekends. And actually my sleeping timings got stretched once I joined
IIT Roorkee. Initially, I used to sleep at 11-12 pm, and then it came onto 1-2...
SM: What time are your classes?
SM: Firstly, do you actually attend classes? (Smiles)
SM: What time do you get up?

SM: If my Maths is not weak, 2 to 7, does it make 4 hours?

JR: At what time did you sleep in Germany?
JR: And get up at?
: 7 am or so...
JR: So, average we take it 8 hours a day, right?
JR: You were there for 3 months, so out of those 3 months; 1 month goes off in sleeping. Right?
JR: And how many days I week, did you use to work?
JR: Yes, in Europe, it is like that... So, we assume that you worked 5 days a week. So calculate, how many
days off?
JR: So, in other words you mean to say that it was your team that actually worked on the project?
JR: What was the work about?
JR: How big is your family?
JR: What does your father do?
JR: mother?
JR: and younger brother?
JR: Does he look up to you?
.
JR: Thats even more than yours. Do congratulate him from our side...
SM: Ok, now that you would be entering a B-school, what do you know about the world of business? What
all do you read?
SM: By touch you mean The Times of India??
SM (nods his head with that dont-tell-Me:Times-of-India look!!?? :): Ok, go ahead, tell what about
business?
JR (smiles): You said 'sharks'?? 8-)
JR: Which Indian sharks are you talking about?
JR: Is Vodafone an Indian company??
JR: So, Vodafone is not an Indian company?
JR: Are you sure?
JR: Who is its CEO?
JR: Is he an Indian?
JR: Vodafone's head is an Indian, so now think again whether Vodafone is an Indian company or not?
SM: So, how do you think is the nationality of company determined?
SM: So, you mean to say that origin matters...
JR: Abhishek, you know what? When you entered the room, we thought you are a Superman. Do you know
who is a superman?

JR: exactly.

(He tried to show that he expected me to know everything about business but I wasnt sure about few
things...a sarcastic smile...)
SM: Ok Abhishek, thats it... do you have any questions?
SM: Why should we ask you this?
SM: Ok go ahead...
JR: But dont tell us something which we have been hearing since morning, that holistic approach n stuff...
JR: If not that, you would be saying something taught in your coaching classes...
JR: But did you join any coaching for interview preparation?
JR: I know all this coaching business. This Career Launcher has been started by my son Satya... (Not sure if
these were the exact words but something on these terms)
JR: Ok, tell what you were saying...
JR: Did you read history in school?
JR: Did you read of 'slaves dreams?
JR: Do you know who slaves are?

JR: Ok thank you Abhishek, it was nice interacting with you.

JR: Yes, what?
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: Virian

My Profile:
X: UP Board 84 %
XII: UP Board 81 %
B Tech: CSE, NIT Trichy 2005
Work Ex: Almost 2 years, @Oracle and then @Adobe.
Case Study:
Mr. Sen an Indian citizen living and working in US holds a US green card, and so does his wife. They have 2
kids (10 and 8 yr old) both born in US and hence US citizens. They have come to India for about a month on
a vacation. But when they reach India, at the immigration check, they find that they have forgotten to bring
the Indian Visas of their 2 kids. So the immigration officers dont allow the kids to enter the country but
allow the parents to enter.
Mr. Sen says that as he holds a valid Indian passport, so his kids should be given a concession. Further they
say although they had got the Indian visas, they forgot to pick that up and they admit to their fault, but also
say as nobody at their source i.e. Boston check the Indian visas of the kids, they never realized that they have
missed something.
Eventually when the immigration officers do not agree, Mr. Sen and family return back to US and from their
he makes a complaint to the External Affairs Ministry, saying that he should have been given at least a
humanitarian treatment and the senior officials were not even present at the airport, so that he was not even
heard and had to undergo a lot of trauma. Now the Ministry officials are looking at the case and want you
advice as to what actions should be taken against the immigration officers.

PI: I was the first one to be called in for the interview, which started about half an hour after the GD was
over, I was tensed up like anything and was memorizing my poems so as to be fluent with them, when it
comes to interview. I was ushered in by P2.

P1: Information systems and quantitative methods professor.

P2: Other quieter professor.
P1: Good morning, sit.
P1: So do you like work at Adobe?
P1: So why did you leave Oracle.
P1: He asked some stuff about family and then got confused whether my parents are in Delhi or Lucknow.
P1: So why dont you join IIM Lucknow. Then added that its not an interview question.
P2: So what is your role at Adobe?
P2: So do you patent first or put in the product first.
P1: What is the exact work that you do?
P1: PDF file format. Why is it good, something like that he asked?
P1: Now it is editable, doesnt it harm the security.
P2: How do signatures work
P2: What is the business model of Adobe?
P1: So you did a project in Dundee, where is that?
P1: What did you do, game what?
P1: It was your idea or the universities?
P1 or
P2: Asked something about my team and I told that it was the Irish team and we were 8 international
scholars, I was the one representing India.
P1: so it was competition. Were you ranked
P1: So you did some data transfer project at IIT Madras?
P1: What did you do?
P1: How do you make that choice?
P1: PRN or ROM
P1: How do you do that? Or is it a black box for you.
P1: He gave me a pad and told me to explain
P1: cross checked a few minor things, as why add the bits and what about over flow on addition etc.
P1: How about decryption.
P2: So is it applicable to credit cards.
P2: Any applications
P2: but thats one thing that never needs to be kept hidden, I pointed out that hide is fine, but what if
someone changes in between, anomalies.
P2: I am not satisfied, can you name some other application.
P2: Complete file at one go.

P2: Ok then why do you want to do an MBA

P2: So what all activities did you undertake in your project?
P2: How did you do that
P1: How did you do that?
P: Where?
P1: how did you find 10-15age group. (Gosh man... He was too good at catching loopholes... another
blunder)
P1: How is that high school in university?
P1: What was the sample size:
P1: how did you compare.
P1: how did you normalize?
P1: So you averaged.

Interview experience of: CATCALL

Venue: Bangalore IIMB Campus
13/feb 9 am
PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 86.66(ICSE)
XII - 84.55(State Board, Bihar)
B.Tech (IT) - 79.48(Cochin University of Science and Technology, CUSAT-Cochin)
Work-Ex:
6 months in an MNC in Hyderabad, healthcare domain.
GD
Case Study
The topic was "Art of Refusal"......jurarnamo(he was in my batch) has already described it in detail....a pretty
good discussion..everybody chipped in with different points....I started off the discussion and kept coming on
at different times with points, which was duly discussed by the group .discussion never looked like losing the
steam before it was stopped by the moderator...overall me thoroughly satisfied by my performance after
some not so inspiring ones in the mock gd's.
we were initially given 10 mins to go through the case (not very big...was of decent length) + 15 mins to
discuss on it + 15 mins to write the summary (it was to be written in running English in the sheet
provided)...so altogether a 40 mins process.
after the GD we were given a 15 mins break and the interview process was to start in the order of our names.
mine was no.7 and the panel told us beforehand that it wud b approx 15-20 mins on each candidate...so I
understood its gonna be a long wait of 2 hrs for me before my turn comes.
then after some time process started and the first guy went in.......he was inside for arnd 20 mins and then
came back smiling......got the nerve soothing news that the panel is very cordial and they r talking very
generic and HR stuffs......most importantly thry r not asking the most dreaded acads at all ..wow that was a
news for all of us, especially because first guy was a fresher ......the panel went on building their reputation
candidate after candidate before my turn came
Tai: good afternoon, Vishwapati... Lord of the world! (finally some one knew the real meaning of my name)

Tai: so V, u have a very unique profile in the sense that u have done ur entire schooling in bhagalpur(bihar)
and then u came down to cochin to pursue ur graduation(me smiles)......travelled the entire length and
breadth of the country..eh?!...can u tell me the difference in the cultures of both the places?
Tau: and what leads to the -ve brand image of bihar?
Tau: dont u think lalu has added to the misery of bihar?
Tai: so did u visit other places in Kerala?
Tau: was it ur first visit to Kerala or have u been here before?
Tai: but still how did u land up in cochin?
Tau: so what do u do in ur free time after from coding ?: mg:
Tai: so how do u feel about ur performance in gd?
Tai: yes--yes..u were off the block the moment we said start ....so how was the group?
Tau: do u think starting off gives u some brownie points
Tau: u did a good job
Tau: so have u got ne qs?
Tai: okay then V..u can leave..had a nice discussion with you.

IIM Bangalore - Year 2008

Interview experience of: IAYF

PROFILE:
OA Percentile - 99.90
Class X - 87.2%
Class XII - 90.6%
Undergrad - B.E. from P.E.C. Chandigarh in Electronics &amp; Electrical Communication (2006 passed out)
- 66.85%
Work-ex - 20+ months in IT Services @ Noida
GD:
My case was about a ban by the Union Health Ministry on scenes in movies which depict smoking and
therefore, the movie fraternity was pissed off at this... there were questions that why not go ahead and curb
the tobacco production...
PI:
I was the first one!
P1: Old Lady Prof
P2: Young Male Prof
P1 had my application form with her!
P2: So Sumit, how would a friend describe you?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2008

P2 then asked questions on how would you go about resolving a conflict between two friends...I specifically
mentioned that I am normally quite objective in my opinions and then I was all blah blah about getting to the
root cause, hearing people out, providing them with a vent to let out what was bothering them and
understanding each other's perspectives...
P1 then asked me to explain my job profile which I did decently
P2: Tell me one creative work that you have done in your job.
P2: Do you know what IIMBs logo means?
P2: nodded. (So I thought I was close to the exact meaning.)
P1: noted that I had mentioned about two awards for team work during my workex...gave a few situations
and asked me how I would go about resolving/managing them...
This discussion revolved a lot about understanding people...so P2 then tells me about People Quotient and
asks me how should I judge your PQ?
P2 nodded...
then P2 mentioned that we agree with your idea of conflict resolution at micro level...but what do you think
of how US goes about taking decisions in Nuclear power and energy sector wrt other countries?
P2: but then reality is different!
P2: Do you believe in majority?
P2: then what about the minority rights?
P2: but that is majority by numbers...what about when u vote and stuff?
Verdict: Converted.

Interview experience of: Catguy

PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 78
XII - 80.8
Undergrad Major - 67.04 from NSIT
Work-Ex: 9 months in Evalueserve

GD:
Topic: Case study on a pharmaceutical company not publishing warning of diabetes on a medicine for
PI:

Q: so you had IIM Indore last year. Why did you not join? Did you want only IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore or
Calcutta?
A: (I was shocked as to how they knew that. because I hadn't showed them my resume yet) that was partly
the reason. But a bigger reason was that I did not want to do an MBA last year. Said some things to justify.
Q: now you think you are ready to do an MBA? Dont give us a defensive answer. Just take us through your
thought process.
A: I told them that I have worked for some time and understand the corporate culture better than last year. I
am more mature and some more things (donno if they were convinced or not but moved on)
Q: 67 percent in college? Why? Dint study?
Q: but that should be a plus point in engineering.
Q: (here is the weirdest part) rishabh we know you are a bright student. We wont be asking you maths,

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2008

which we might ask some of your friends outside. All we want to know is why you want to do an MBA.
Q: but most of the entrepreneurs we know are not MBAs. Why do you need an MBA degree?
Q: you dont need an MBA. If you keep working in your company you'll grow, gain experience, earn money
and still be in a position to do so.
Q: what is the one quality that differentiates entrepreneurs from a successful CEO?
Q: what do you really want to do in life?
Q: have you analysed yourself whether you are fit to be an entrepreneur? What is it that you want through
your company?
Q: (mocking smiles) you must have thought of something.
Q: so you know a lot about retail sector. Tell us something about Indian retail scene.
Q: tell me about the regulatory scenario.
Q: that means?
Q: what is Metro doing?
Q: what is cash and carry model?
Q: ok you can go. And best of luck for your career :crazy eye:

Interview experience of: Tortured_Soul

PROFILE:
Acads:
X : 82.4
XII: 80
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age: 81.6, ECE from NIT Jalandhar
Work-Ex: 21 Months @ Wipro
GD:
Topic: half a page about how individuals wants IIMs n IITs but a lot of funds go into it. But the same money
could be used in improving the primary education /secondary education. That would help the entire country
rather than only certain individuals. Discuss topic, feasibility, alternatives...
PI:
P1: He seemed a little unhappy to be there... Maybe those were his stress tactics... He called us in and
announced the rules of the GD. Seriously high on knowledge [pls judge this by the questions he asked]
P2: He smiled a lot more... I instantly liked him.
Questions:
P1: File pls
P2: Tell me something about yourself
P2: So u mentioned Mr X is the most influential personality. Why?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

P2: What is his most famous quote?

P2: [gives hint]: Microsoft, font...
P2: Why IIMB??
P2: U dont need MBA. Continue to work.
P2: what if the MNCs give u offer now?
P2: same questions as above, reframed
P2 to
P2: u can ask
P1: So how does a layman recognize Wipro?
P1: No, I know Wipro started with oils and all this history but thats not what I am looking for. Common
Man!!
P1 Nah...Think
P1 what does it signify?
P1: what do u call it?
P1: Nah... another try...
P1: Nah... [TS shrugs]... ever heard goodwill...
P1 So Wipro puts a lot of effort protecting it
P1 Do u approve??
P1 so what do u do?? Ur hobbies... I'll evaluate u on them.
P1: OK, chess. Tell me about Bobby Fischer. Which is his most famous game?
P1: Nope, its Fischer Spassky, 1973
P1: Have u come across Fischers games?
P1: He went to Iceland, became a recluse. Why do they like him so much?
P1: What Karpov, Karpov is a boring player, too defensive. What do u think?
P1: What about anand? How does he play?
P1 [shakes his head]: U should know better. Which chess player is widely publicized to have ambitions in
politics?
P1: U should know u r a player!!! [omg!!] He was recently active
P1: Yup, ure right.
P1: OK F1. What is the problem with Narain Karthikeyans Driving?
P1: No No If Alonso were driving, he would have done a better job...
]
P1: yeah numerous slips. He is impatient.
P1: can he match Michael Schumacher.
P1: Why?
P1: who is ur fav guitarist?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

P1: Don't u like Eric Clapton??

P1: OK... [smiles], u can go

Verdict: Converted.

Interview experience of: Sukrut Kharia

Profile:
99.01 %ile
BLIK
B.Tech (Mech) from IIT Madras. 8.36/10. 2006.
Asst Manager with ITC Limited. 20 months till Jan end.
94.6% in XII CBSE
91.0% in X CBSE
Travelling and Photography etc.
Organizational posts in the institute festivals at IIT Madras. Governor's Award for scouting. Part of the two
member team selected to represent India at World Scout Conference in Japan in 1999.Lots of prizes in
debates, quizzes and essay writing at school level.
Group/ GD / Summary
Group of 9. One Lady. All present.
GD was a case based on special privileges to women. We all celebrate international womens day and all.
Women at work want equal rights. They want to work in the army et al. But when it comes to working, they
want special privileges like flexi hours etc.
So is this special treatment justified?
10 mins to think. 20 minutes to discuss. 10 minutes to write summary and two more questions.
For a change after a long gap of four years, I got to start a GD. Yay!
Started with multitasking required - how they need to balance children, cooking, laundry and work. Tried to
give a structure to a gd. People barged in with biological differences... 9 months and others. I brought in a
point about companies giving paternity leaves... To prove that men are also realising responsibilities.
Someone brought about job opportunities. I added that women are not getting good jobs in manuf sector etc.
The lady in the group kept on speaking after every other point. She was of the opinion that everything should
be done on equal footage. People should be judged on the basis of performance etc. She brought in the point
the reforms at the grass root level are required etc. etc. I said women are vulnerable to crime - flexi hours etc.
The present society is full of discrimination... sex ratio of 927:1000. People also discussed on fitness levels.
Someone brought out Indira Gandhi, Hillary Clinton. I added if people are sending women to space, we need
to do a lot. We agreed that short term reforms to bring women at an equal platform with men is necessary.
Interview
YP: What are they saying outside?
YP: So why ITC... Why Biscuits after IIT?
YP: What's ITC turnover?
YP: How much is foods/ biscuits?
YP: So 5% of total... less than that?
YP: So why?
YP: How much is FMCG in ITC?
YP: Sure? You need to check your numbers.
OP: So you earn ^^^^^^?? What are you targeting after two years?
OP: Which stream of management would like to choose?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

OP: So you are in maintenance? How do you determine that a part has to be changed?
OP: How do the balls in the bearings are made?
YP: What is MTBF?
YP: Yeah.
YP: Is it?
OP: Oh... was not there in college?
YP: So what do you read?
YP: Which one?
YP: Since When?
YP: Favourite columnist?
YP: D0 you go through the middle pages?
YP: How do you see ITC? What are your business strengths... say tobacco business... something like that...
YP: So whats wrong with tobacco?
YP: Apart from moral reasons... any other?
YP: DO you know what kind of crops are grown in Afghanistan?
OP: Any other thing you want to tell us? Which we might have missed and you want to sell?
OP: Which scout - first class / second class?
YP: Thanks a lot.
Verdict: Converted.

IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

Interview experience of: joy_dreamer

.
PROFILE:
Academics:
X - 89 % 49th Rank in West Bengal state
XII - 85 % 96th Rank in West Bengal state
Undergrad Major - Production Engg. 2005 - Jadavpur University
83 % 1st class
Work-Ex: 3.5 Years - ERP Consulting in PwC / IBM / Cognizant

GD:
Topic: A case based on Corporate Governance - Issues, Role of Independent Directors - There were 5
questions at the end like Recommendations, suggestions... This case had Satyam case in the backdrop.

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

Number of People present: 8

Time: 10 mins for reading, 15 mins for discussing, 10 mins for writing the summary... (I do not exactly
remember the time allocations.)
Brief Snapshot of Discussion: Very Structured GD. Not a fish market at all. Everyone got fair amt of time to
speak. No cross - talks. The sound level was well within the normal range. We came up with lots of ideas and
the guy with B.Com and C.S. qualification added much value to the group.
Other Salient Details: As our GD was well constructed and everyone spoke, the panel did not even ask
someone to summarize at the end. I spoke 5/6 times and ensured that we were on track.
PI:
We were called in the order we sat in the GD. I was 3rd to be called in.
Panel Members Intro:
Prof. Malay Bhattacharya - P1
Prof. R. Narayanaswamy - P2
Questions:
P2: How are u feeling?
P2: what are the clients you have worked for?
P2: So... will it be ok for u to come back to the classroom after 3.5 years?

Interview experience of: bharath_enigma

PROFILE:
Acads:
X 89.2 CBSE 2000
XII 96.5 (TN) 2002
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age- 8.52 Chemical Engg NIT Trichy 2006
Work-Ex:
Sector XYZ Bank IT domain (Trade Finance)
Number of Years 2.5
GD/PI on 17th Feb @ 2.00 PM in IIM B
GD:
Topic: Opening up of Retail Sector in India Implications on kirana shops. Discuss pros and cons and
PI:
SD: Hello, tell me about yourself (while glancing at his laptop)

SD: Orissa? Difference b/w TN, Orissa and Melbourne cultures...

SD: Some quest on Oriya cuisine... Rasogulla! (FYI rasogulla is a sweet formulated in Orissa and not in
Bengal as popularly believed)
when SB walked in
SB: Ok... you work in a Bank (IT division actually) so you should be knowing economics tell me the 3
significant economic events in last fiscal yr in India
SB: Grilled on US recession... I started comparing it to 1930 Great Depression Pounced on that... asked on
what caused that... what steps were taken to resolve... Bretton Woodss agreement...how exchange rates are
determined... dollar pegs/free floats...dollar reserves held by India
SB - cant believe you work in a bank... my questions are done!
SD: Why MBA? (I mentioned long term intent to teach)... PGP vs FPM (have applied for this)
Ok thank you leave.

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

Interview experience of: kapur.arun

PROFILE:
Acads:
X: 90.5
XII: 89.6
Undergrad Major - B.E., DCE, E&C, 74.4%
Work-Ex: 31 months in Semiconductor industry

GD:
Topic: Pay cuts or job losses...companies facing a dilemma which path to choose. Another viewpoint is of
effective reorganisation of labour from less shiny sectors to the rising sectors of the economy.
PI:
Panel Members Intro: Senior lady professor,
P2: Ms. Malathi Somaiah (Public System) and young male professor,
P1: Mr. Anil B Suraj (Public Policy)
Questions:
Ws the fifth one to be called in our group of 7.
I entered...pleasantries exchanged...was asked to help myself to a plate of cookies kept on my side of the
table...I said I have already helped myself in the lobby...
P1: So Arun, tell me one word which describes you??
(Picked up on this theme from my SOP...it started like "The pursuit of excellence-the singular dictum...."
P1: You know Arun, there is a theory, Peter's theory on excellence that once you reach a certain level, and
you are actually incompetent at tht level??
P2: It is all too easy to set yourself low standards, lets say waking up at 10 everyday?
P2: What is benchmarking?
P2: Is it always relative? Lets say a newcomer enters the market...what would you suggest for him?
P2: Tell me two qualities or good things you would carry with you to IIMB?
P2: Have u faced any failures in your professional life?
P1: Tell me, what is your take on how should the companies tackle the existing scenario...just one suggestion
P1: What do you think Ideas just happen or one has to actually work to come out with an idea?

Interview experience of: abhimit22

PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 93%
XII - 86%
Undergrad Major - 9.2 CGPA
Work-Ex: Merchant Navy, 43 months
GD:
Topic: "Time to go home" (The heading was bad)
in recent times the Govt has imposed restrictions on nightlife. All pubs and nightclubs have to shut by 11:30
and discotheques are not allowed. The Govt and the police content that imposing early closing hours have
helped reduce crime rates and drunken driving. The people visiting nightclubs and pubs say that they are not
criminals and drunk driving is unlikely to stop unless liquor shops are closed down. They further point out

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2009

that by putting curbs on nightlife the Govt risks criminalizing fairly harmless activity. Anyway if this
argument is carried to its logical conclusion then it would be like arguing that all travel should be stopped
because any travel raises the risk of accident. They also argue that drinking and dancing is not illegal and the
Govt is imposing unnecessary restrictions. In reply some people argue that it is immoral to drink and dance
and 11:30 at night is late enough. The supporters contend that they work long hours often past 11PM and if
they feel the urge to go for a drink they should be allowed to. The arguments rage on.
Where do you stand in this debate?
PI:
Panel Members Intro:
P1: Mr. Rahul De
P2: Mr. Damodaran A
Questions:
Pleasantries exchanged and settled comfortably in my chair
P1: Tell us something about Maritime history?
P1: What is Vasco da Gama's contribution?
P2: (He did display all these emotions) Are you sure?
P2: Where did he land?
P2: You better check-up on that.
P1: What are the major problems faced in shipping. Tell me about ancient problems?
P1: How were these solved?
P1: So, tell me, you already have such a well paying job. I don't understand why do you want to do an MBA?
(I'm lovin it - Finally my hard work will get utilized)
P1: Whatever you are telling me is so very generic, tell me something about yourself, something that
distinguishes you?
P2: Ya, why don't you do some course in Philosophy or maybe Maritime History (evil grin)?
P1: What's the point doing MBA, you will become another Ramalinga Raju?
P1: FYI, Raju is an MBA from Ohio.
P1: (To P2 - would you like to ask him something)
P2: (Till now he was still completely engrossed with my file and my SOP on his lappy) you must have been to
so many places. Tell me how can you come from San Francisco to India, what all seas will you encounter?
P2: There are so many aspects to shipping. Container trade, piracy, end-to-end delivery, how can you make a
difference to all?
P1: What are your hobbies?
P1: AOE, Ehhh: confused:

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2010

P2: Why, you don't like reading books?

P1: (Suddenly looked very interested) so, what is it about?
P1: So, basically about sappy mentality?
P1: What do you think about music Piracy?
P1: No, actually they actually gain from it. It makes the movie more popular. So tell me honestly, have you
ever downloaded songs from the internet?

Interview experience of: Mohit Kumar

PROFILE:
Acads:
Xth: 88.2 CBSE
XIIth: 92.0 CBSE
Engineering: 89.4
.
GD:
Case study:
Common man vs VIP
Shyam gets stuck in a traffic jam caused by movement of some VIP. He is frustrated and had a discussion
with his friend and they ponder over few points. There were few questions asked at the end.
I wouldnt call it a very good discussion. The guy who started obviously had no idea how to start a discussion.
Though lots of points were mentioned the discussion was not structured. At times group got stuck up at juicy
points. Luckily there wasnt great deal of cross talk and even though people had different opinion no one felt
offended.
However no consensus, no summarization and not a logical conclusion
The gentleman sitting beside me raised a point and I applauded him, I donno what good it did to him but
never again he spoke while I was speaking and then at all times supported my views. A deliberate attempt to
gain a friend indeed paid.
HS was listening to the points very carefully but SG was perhaps sleeping. Initially I thought that he had his
eyes closed and was thinking over our points but my suspicion was confirmed when I heard his snores at the
time of writing summary.
Time for discussion: 20 minutes.
After the discussion we had to write the summary of discussion. It was explicitly mentioned that we have
write what was discussed and not our view.
Time for summary: 10 minutes
PI
HS: so u have been waiting for quite some time. What is general opinion about the panel?
HS: hmm so tell us something about your job and responsibilities.
HS: so how do you find your job?
HS: why was it challenging?
SG: where did u get Ur Engineering degree from
SG: what other exams did u appear in?
SG: why SCRA then

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2010

SG: most of us could have chosen IIT

HS: so what kind of job would u like
HS: ha ha ha so u want to do Laloo yadavs job
HS: but why not Laloos job
HS: so why do u want to leave Railways
SG: and how will MBA help in that
SG: so where does IIMB fit in
HS: what is awesome in the course?
SG: so why dont u do PGPPM
SG: well u will need more work ex for PGPPM. Then asks about railway turnaround
SG: you know the stuff well I dont think MBA will do any good!!
SG: asks about the intricacies and raises few apprehensions about the Railways
HS: so where is Laloo going to put that money
HS: OK, we are through
SG: oh no no. sm other time

IIM Bangalore - Year 2010

Interview experience of: Mohit Maheshwari
PROFILE:
Academics:
10th: 93.2,
12th: 91.4,
CGP
A: 8.89/10,
Work ex: 0.

LP: You are from the same college (DAIICT) which the earlier guy was, right? (Was kind of expecting this
question).
LP: You have written that you come from Meerut. Tell me something about the place.
A: You have written something about winning HP Innovate. What is it and what did you do?
LP: OK, tell me why should we take you?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2010

A: You seem to be pretty socialist guy, why do you want to come in a capitalistic arena like this.
P1: Asked me about the family business. What will I do once I do an MBA?
LP: why don't you join our course that we offer for second generation entrepreneurs and then go about
joining the family business.
whether I will join the family business for sure so can't decide on that so quickly
P1 : What do you do in your leisure time (ah, finally phew)
P1: Stopped me right there. Ok. I see Gandhi. Do you think Gandhian ideas are still relevant today?
P1: Ok, tell me how many Khadi shirts do you have
LP: Do you really believe that?
LP: OK, Mohit, we are done now and is there anything you want to ask us.

Interview experience of: greatwhiteshark

Profile:
Acads
Xth (ICSE) - 94.4
XIIth (ISC) - 94.4
B.Tech (ECE), IITG class of 2010 (GPA 8.45).
Work-Ex: NIL

Essay
Essay topi
C: Voting should be made compulsory.
PI:
A (as I take my seat): The guy we interviewed before you, he's from your institute. Are the two of you friends?
A: What's the difference between a friend and an acquaintance?
A: Okay. So what's your favourite subject?
A: What do you know about the 3G issue?
A: Communication is your favourite subject and you don't know about the 3G issue?
A: So what's different about 3G? What do you mean by 1G, 2G etc.?
A: How will you differentiate between them?
A: Could you tell me the data rates for 2G, 3G etc.?
A: You should. This is your favourite subject...
A: Okay. So have you heard about (Some weird acronym that I can't recall)
A: (The weird acronym again)? TCP/IP? UDP?
A: What's the difference between the two?
A: So where will you use UDP and TCP/IP?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Bangalore - Year 2010

A: Give me applications where the two are used.

A: What do you mean by 128 bit SSL encryption? Or rather, tell me why do we need encryption?
A: Sure. Go Ahead. (Long interaction on Private key/public key. I started off explaining
that the need for encryption is to ensure a third person does not overhear what we're trying to communicate
to the other side. Half-way through I realized that there was another purpose, to authenticate myself to the
other side. I wasn't very structured since I was remembering stuff I'd learnt as I was speaking, but ultimately
I did demonstrate the use of Private/Key Public Key to realize both the purposes of Encryption.)
C (entering the discussion for the first time): Do you know about network topologies?
C: Bus, Ring etc...?
C: Which has the server in the centre?
C: What's the difference between a LAN and a WAN?
A: WAN? Wireless?
A: That's theoretical. What's the difference?
C: What's meant by SMTP?
A: I think you're wrong here.
A (sternly): Don't try to answer if you don't know. Just say immediately you don't know.
C: I see you had very good marks in class 10th and 12th. What was your favourite subject?
C: So do you read?
C: What do you read? Fiction/Non-fiction?
A: So you're telling me you want to do an MBA because of the brand and the image?
A: Where have you been placed?
A: Wow. That's something MBA graduates dream about.
A: So what. 2 years down the line if you get your MBA, you'll be working on some techno-management
related stuff for the same bank only.
A: So what's the other job?
A: That's even better. You'll be learning more on the shop floor in a week than your 2 years of MBA...
A: Let me complete. I have some advice for you. Whether you chose to accept it. That's totally your decision.
You are obviously intelligent, communicate very well and you may even get your MBA. But
if I were you, I'd work for a few years and then do the 1 year management program for executives.
C: The 2 year program is obviously more rigorous than the 1 year course. But you really should think about
this.
A: We're done. You may leave.
Verdict: WL36.

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2005

Interview experience of: CATastrophe1

Location: Bangalore
Profile

Essay:
1 yr social service should be compulsory for students at IIMs
Interview:
A (Alum) P (prof) LP (lady prof)
A: What do you do at ABC?
A: Why did you shift few months back?
A: You have very handsome package, and you can certainly learn a lot at this start-up... don't u think u will
waste 2 yrs at MBA?
LP: What do you like in Jaipur?
LP: You can start something in jewellery business ... it is unorganized with just few organized players
LP: So, how is XYZ (my prev company)?
LP: And what do you have to say about the acquisitions it does?
P: Do you think these are mutual ?
P: Do you know about Lakshmi mittal and Arcelor?
P: Right... what were the reasons?
P: Okay no problem... So you are a Chess GM?
P: Oh no no you have certificate from QWE ... you can become a GM?
P: Okay so there are two types of players in Chess: Offensive and Defensive?
keep the games packed and long while others are tactical players who try to create adv in shorter term.
P: Can you tell me... what kind of player is Karpov?
P: How about Kasparov?
P: What do you think are imp for a Chess player?
P: What is chess theory?
P: You know John Nash?
P: Can you tell me what is he famous for?
P: No that is not what he said...
P: What is the difference between Chess player and a Politian? So you know both of them follow a game
theory right?
P: (asking others any questions?) Okay, thank you

Interview experience of: Rahul Ranjit

PGP 2010-12, IIM Bangalore
PROFILE:
Acads
ICSE - 90.3 - 2001
ISC - 92.6 - 2003
B.Tech, ECE, CGPA 9.0, Amrita, Coimbatore
Work-Ex:
IT/Telecom, Huawei - 30months as of Dec 31

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2005

Essay :
Topi
C: Food Inflation is the result of Indian Government's mismanagement and apathy.

PI:
Questions:
Young professor asked me abt my Job profile. While explaining I said India was good in S/W. He interrupted
and said, 'one person had opined that Indians are IT coolies'. Asked my opinion. I tried to say lot of
intellectuals are there, exports etc but he was not convinced. Asked me to say 2 S/w products developed by
India. Blank...managed to say Hotmail. He said that was not in India, I said it was done by Sabeer Bhatia
who was Indian.
It was more of an HR interview. Asked me 2 good things and 2 bad things abt my college. In bad things I
mentioned about them not encouraging boy-girl interaction in my college. Faced a lot of questions and
grilling on this. Hope I didnt make a mess.
Alumnus looked a bit serious...I Thought he was acting serious. In between he lost control and smiled for a
sec. (Guess I said some blunder) then went back to serious state. He asked a lot of questions. Why MBA, why
quit job, why not PGSEM, why didn't you use financial Engg lessons you learnt in college to invest, what you
plan to gain from MBA course etc.
Old professor was very friendly and considerate. He asked questions like which is Ur fav subj. I said my fav
sub is Dig Electronics. When asked nothing else, I told the truth. Many topics were my fav, but for today I
prepared only this subj...So he asked if I am giving you spot offer to join say within 2 months, can you pick up
basics in time...I said I was confident I could do it....He asked what if I became ill...tried to explain...Again at
the end he said about brushing up basics...
VERDICT: Awaited

Interview experience of: vishwakarmavk

Acads
X: 84.5 % AP Board, 2000. 1st in class
XII: 96.2% AP Board
Grad: VIT, Vellore ECE. 8.46
Work-Ex:
IT - Software, 43 months
IIM Blore , 5th April
ESSAY:
India will be superpower in near future ...
P.I:
A1: So vivek, what is this 'Settlements' process u are working on
P1: So what is the risk
P1: what is System risk in settlements.
P1: Ok, how do we ensure guaranteed settlements
P1: Ok, so what is more risky, FID or Equity, from a settlements perspective
P2: Okay, how did Morgan Stanley come into being ...
P2: Ok, where else we see Morgan these days...
P2: Ok, so these two Morgans are same?
P2: Okay, so which Law helps a bank to chose to be a IB or a commercial bank...
P2: U doesnt read on this financial stuff?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2005

P1: so now u know what is System risk in settlements. (** Remember, he asked me in beginning)
P2: Okay Vivek, what are the issues going on in your region... (Telangana)
P2: I know that baba, anything else ...
P2: elaborate ...
P2: Why?? It is growing elsewhere...
P1: what is Vishwakarma... where u get this name from
P2: what is important about Vishwakarma
P1: why u moved from Adilabad to Guntur for 11th...
P1; Yes, but why not Hyderabad?
Verdict: Converted.

Indian Institute of Management,

Calcutta
Interview experiences during the admission seasons between 2005 and 2010

IIM Calcutta - Year 2005

Interview experience of: manu011

My background: B.Tech (Mechanical), IIT Delhi, working in software firm for 2 years..
Interview

A: Tell us something about yourself...

B: (cutting me in) leave this.. tell us about your background, about your schooling, what you have been doing
etc.
B: (he was very VERY aggressive, he was practically jumping out of his seat) what would be (x-a)*(x-b)*(x-c)
*....*(x-z) = ?
B: (aggressively) why?
B: And what would happen if I change "x" with capital "X", so that equation becomes (X-a)*(X-b)*(X-c)*....*
(X-z) = ?
B: (cutting in between) ok, leave it...
A: why do you want to do M.B.A ??
B: You have written that you want to start a "concept-store", what is this?
B: (again, cutting me in, before i could complete) What will you sell there? Who will be your customers?
A: different industrial high precision components that I want to market, and why do I want to do it...
(wanted to give an example of Asian paints and TELCO)

B: (again, before i could complete myself) What will be the size of this store?
B: (before i could say anything) Ok, where will you start it?
B: Tell me one place.... how many people will you employ?
B: (again, cuttin me) ok, you open it in karolbagh, New Delhi...
B: So what will you sell over there?
B: You don't know it? you have lived for 4 years in IIT-Delhi....
B: Assume some industries....
B: What will you sell to them? paint? plastic-powder? huh?
B: So, what good is this idea? everything is available on internet.. why would somebody come to you?
B: (again, before i could complete my sentence) no no no... why don't you start a grocery store?
B: You start a grocery store... i can even think of name for your grocery store...
B: "Grocery.com"
A: See Manu, we have been taking interviews for past many years, and every year students come and say the
same old thing that they want to start a business. It has become a fashion.We think, this is because of
coaching institutes that have come up, so we just want to judge whether you are actually interested in
starting a business, or you are saying it just because some coaching institute told you to do so..
A: But if you really want to start your business, you should be very passionate about it. You need to know
everything that is there about it, you should be a living encyclopedia on that topic...
B: So why don't you join your family business? It would be much easier for you....
A: (politely) Manu, if we ask you some questions from your IIT academics and decide on whether you are a
good student or not, based on your performance on those questions, would that be fair?
A: Of course... It has been 2 years since you passed out... So which subjects do you remember?
A: We wont ask you from these. We will ask you something very simple from a course that you did during
your 4th year - "Financial management"...
A: Do you remember different ratios?
A: What is liquidity ratio?
A&
B: (laughing)
A: Are you sure?
A: (still laughing) Tell me, what will you do with such a ratio?
A: (cutting me short) Leave this... tell me one thing... we have been wanting to ask this for a long time... tell
B: Assume that you are the God and u can do anything that u wish...
B: (jumping) And how will u do this? You will take a machine gun and start killing down people?
B: Ooh then you will take a Bomb and blast it to kill people...
A: No no... I can argue that this big population will be your prospective consumers.. this is not a valid point...
start all over again...

A: And what will you do for this?

...
A: What do you think Indian Govt. is doing for past 50 years?
A: Then? How different is it from what Govt. is being doing? Infact people take loan at lower rate and misuse
it or lend it at higher rate to others....
A: Ok ok... what next?
A: (cutting me) Which is the most industrialized state in India?
A: So what has the women of maharashtra done for its development?
B: Ooh you must be thinking that those skimpy actresses wearing extra small clothes have made
Maharashtra industrialized...
A: Ok, and what's your 3rd point?
A: Do you know what "Ghaziabad" is called? I will tell you - it is called "City of management"... you know
why? because, there are more than 50 MBA schools over there, offering different kinds of courses.... so what
good it your idea?
B: Yes, and you never talked about electricity situation in UP...
(now he is saying it, i thought he will rip me apart if I mention electricity sector)
A: Thats it, you can leave.....

Interview experience of: RINKU

Result : Converted
10 class:90%
12 class:91.6%
final year computer engineering
acads sucks
CAT Percentile : 99.41
GD TOPIC:The world is insecure because of one superpower.
C: So you are the last one, how does it feel to u ?
R: Interjects, used to it?

C: Ok just tell me what advantages you are having since you are the last one to be interviewed.
C: Ok tell me what all questions we have asked?
R: So what should we ask ?

R: What else.
R: What else?
R: What else?
C: What else?
C: You must have prepared this question now.
C: Why delhi?

R: Why are you wearing a tie?

R: So do you think that we will not consider, a person who is not wearing a tie for selection?
R: You seem to be a person who don't want to take risk coz u don't want to take risk by coming to interview
in casuals.
R: Tell me 3 qualities why we should select you?
R: So you have all the skills, then why do you want to do MBA? C: I was reading a newspaper few days back and
read about e-choupal, can you please help me as i did not understand what actually it is?
C: Do u think it would be feasible for illiterate farmers to operate computer?
L: He was going through my certificates and showed something in the file to other panelist.
C: Do you think this mid day meal scheme is ok?
L: Where is kalahandi?
C: Have you heard about digital divide?

C: Do you think labour laws and mid day meal scheme is interrelated?
C: How?
C: Will it work?
C: How mid day meal scheme will help in curbing poverty?
L: No you tell us how mid day meal will help?
C: And yes then all the kids will become MBA from IIM Cal.

Interview experience of: arnavsinha

Result : Converted
Background: Chemical Engineering Dual Degree student at IIT Delhi.
GP
A: Average
X - 82% (CBSE)
XII - 87% (CBSE)
Lots of extra-curriculars (mainly quizzing), awards and positions held.
CAT percentile - 99.90
The GD topic was "MBAs are mercenaries",
L (extremely serious) : Hi Arnav, do you think you are a weak student?
L: Not only in college, but even in school your percentages are pathetic. Who gets such low marks in CBSE?
schooling from a small township in Jharkhand where at times we wouldn't even have any teacher for a
particular course because he had left mid-session for a better offer from the city. I think I made the most out
of the situation even then. It's also all that more difficult in such a situation for a student to dream of coming
to IIT and I worked hard to achieve that dream. So I think I didn't do badly at school.
L: Arnav, do you smoke?
L: Do you drink?
L: Drugs?

L: Do students in IITs do drugs?

L: So how do we know you aren't telling a lie?
L: I am sure it's because of your drug-addiction that you have such horrible acads at IIT. Come on accept it.
What else can be a reason if not that?
L: How do you expect us to believe you'll do well in an equally competitive environment at IIMC?
L: What course did you do well in?
L: Oh, Literature eh? So what do you like in lit?
L: You mentioned Hemingway. Did he ever get the Nobel?
I (after a short pause): Yes sir, he did.
L: For what book?
I: The Old Man and The Sea, sir.
L: Is the Nobel given for a book?
L: OK, now tell me what is your aim in life?
L: What career?
L: A CEO basically?
L: How much time do you think you would need to become a CEO?
a safe margin. Of course, it depends on the firm I am working in, its policies, the hierarchical structure.
L: Do you know of anyone who has become a CEO in 15-20 years?
L: Arnav, I think you do a lot of kite-flying. Don't you think so too?
L: Your statements are very global with no substantial basis. You want us to believe that you'll do well at
IIMC, you promise us that you'll become a CEO in 15-20 years, I don't believe a word you have said.
L: So you are going to be a CEO? What are the two most important qualities that a CEO should have?
L: Why should he be good at fundamentals? He can hire MBAs like you for a lot of money to do his dirty
work?
L: But what if he's a finance guy working in a manufacturing firm? He wouldn't know the technical aspects of
that industry.
L: You say that a finance manager can learn technical stuff simply by being in a technical industry. What's
the use of spending four years in engineering then?
involved in the details. (I have lived all my life in a manufacturing industry environment, so I was sure I
wasn't bluffing...but I was being a little vague)
L then looked at M to pass the baton.
M: Arnav, do you think you capitalized well after you initiated the GD?
M: OK, tell me, have you read Five Point Someone?
M: Do you agree with what the author has to say about IITD students? Is it the truth?(not again!)
three young men in this novel do.
M: What have you performed well at?
M: Do you have any particular interests in current affairs? Politics, economics, sports...
M: What is PPP?

R: You are a Dual Degree student. So that means you'll be getting a BTech as well as an MTech degree?
R: And you'll finish all that by June 2005.
R: Arnav, I'll give you a Maths question now. If you do it right you'll win a biscuit.
R: Draw a circle that touches both the coordinate axes.
R: Now get me the equation and explain how you get it.
Did that too.
R: Now draw a tangent to this circle that also makes an angle of 30 degrees with the x-axis.
I was initially making the tangent on the right side of the circle, but realized that it
would be 330 deg actually. Corrected myself in time.
R: Now tell me how you are going to get the equation of this tangent.
R: Good, how will you find that?
I said that we'll have to solve the two equations (circle and the line) together. He smiled and said, "I'll give
you a hint. How many roots does a quadratic equation have?"
R: And when are they equal?
R: That was you hint. Use that now.
L: Arnav, are you nervous?
L: How do you rate your nervousness - high, medium, low?
L: Is it good to be nervous?
L: What's the difference between nervousness and anxiety?
R: Arnav (he pronounced my name as Ornob), can you spell 'occurrence'? (now where did that come from!)
R: OK, now give me a good adjective derived from the word 'government'
R: Spell it.
R: OK, good.
L: What are your interest areas in quizzing, Arnav?
L: OK (and he smiled again, wow!)
R: Do you have any questions for us?

IIM Calcutta - Year 2006

Interview experience of: vinz

GD:
question in my GD only. The topic read "To think from the heart"....
PI:
3 panelists....P1 was an alumni currently in the industry....P2 was a male professor....P3 was a lady. Maine
kaha chal beta vinz, le prabhu ka naam aur utar jaa maidaan mein
After I walk in and am told to get seated,
P3: Why dont we begin by knowing something about you....
P3: (Smiling)..You are telling me this coz you want to make us happy ?
P3: But once you start working in the corporate world, you will not like to leave it after 10 years as you say....

P2: You seem to have a good academic record...specially in the final year.
percentage...) and I have distinction in all the years in Engg.
P3: So you have heard of this CSR ? What do you think about it ?
P2: (Suddenly asks me something)
His voice was low, so I couldn't make out...Thought he was asking whats that hairstyle!
P2: What is an A* algorithm ?
P2: You have a family of 4...so who's the fourth member ?
P3: So your father and brother are in forces, why didn't u join the forces ?
P2 and P3 signal to P1, who was quite till now.
P1: So you are in the IT industry, must be doing a lot of coding....(gave a pause)
P1: Oh ok..
P1 (To my relief at least gave a smile): ok ok..so tell me what are the considerations when your release a
product of your own ?
P1: And ?
P1: And ?
P1 (Looked convinced though)...OK tell me whats the diff between customization and configuration ?
Pathetic of me because it was an easy question and I knew it....Damn
P1: Arre, You are in a product based company, you should know it
(Jale pe namak...)
P1: See, customization is.......and configuration is........
He explained the answer himself

P1: What the strength of your company in India and World ?

P1: Who is your product head ?
P2: So whats your CAT percentile ?
P2: Which calls ?
P2: Which Interviews are over ?
P2: How was A ?
P2: If you get selected everywhere, which one will u take ?
(Here comes the dreaded tricky question

P2: Ok thank you so much.

P1: Do you perform beta testing ?
P1: Oh so they send it outside..hmm...ok..
P1: Why didn't you join a service based company ?
P2: OK, Thank you vinz.

Interview experience of: cool

Result : Not converted

L: (in softest possible voice) Please give me your admit card call letter and certificates..
P1: From where have you done your education??
P1: So what are you doing now?
P1: Have u learnt anything new at your job or is it same what you learnt at your institute?
P1: So your work involves using that software only??
P1: So don't u think that using past data is not so good idea as you are relying too much what happened in
past...
P2: How reports are used...what type of reports??
L: You have written that you have work ex...but I can't find any certificate...
L: I have missed out your points in GD...could you again give me your views..
P1: Every ethic is relative?
P1: is killing a person ethical.
P2: You say that business can't afford to be unethical...I say that they can't afford to be ethical...
L: You have less marks...in engg
P2: Yours is a 1st batch rite??
L: So what specialization you are interested in??
L: so u have given the test y'day ATM??
L: so that is your 1st preference??
P1: Suppose your company has ordered for a new technology...that you know would be used for unethical
purposes...would you be still continue to work in that company...considering that you won't be getting a
better job..

Interview experience of: Yogesh Patwari

Result : Waitlisted
My Profile:
Final yr B.Com from St.Xavier's College, Kolkata..
Part-I: 73.5% (overall)
XII: 86.2%
X: 87%
plus CA PE-II completed in May 05
CAT %ile = 99.45
BLACKI calls + also XLRI (which went down the drain!!)
GD: Good
We were 10 of us (9 guys and 1 girl). Lots of familiar faces. I was a bit apprehensive as I'd got reports of the
girl being a fiery speaker. Fortunately, it turned out to be a rumour (she was unusually calm during the
GD).Anyway, we had a good discussion on the topic - "The bulk of the population has not benefited
from recent economic reforms".
Prof: Mr. Patwari, please take a seat..
Prof: So, you are from St. Xavier's?

Prof: Do you watch cricket, Mr. Patwari?

Prof: Probably, you got to know from other candidates who were interviewed earlier that the panel is not
fond of cricket...(smiled)
Prof: So, what are you doing together with Graduation? I see that u r doing CA...
Prof: So, are you doing article ship?
Prof: So, why not continue with CA? (obvious question!!!)
Prof: (citing my ranks in CA) But I feel that the CA profession would lose out if guys like you come for MBA..
Prof: What is your relative position in your college?
Prof: (visibly impressed) And, how much do you expect to score in Part-II?
Prof: Good..
Prof: Did you apply for campus placements in college. I hear they have been good this year..
Prof: Did you study about Stock market in CA?
Prof: Very vaguely asked me something about Present Value... I explained that.. then he asked me what was
to be taken as 'Discounting Factor'.. By mistake, told cost of capital.. later rectified my mistake by saying
sorry and mentioned 'expected rate of return'.
Prof: What are your hobbies?
Prof: Recent books?
Prof: I'll revert back to the 'Discounting Factor'.. let's say the company now approaches a bank for a loan..
what wud the bank look at?
Prof: And..
Prof: What about debt-equity ratio?
Prof: Yogesh, give me a 30 second lecture on Budget from a CA's point of view..
Prof: No, just CA's point of view..
I messed up here.. didn't know what is CA's point of view...
spoke about Service Tax.. how budget was low on reforms...
Prof: interrupted and said should have spoken about MAT and FBT...
I acknowledged that...
Prof asked me about percentile and calls...
Thank you..

Interview experience of: aesir

Result : Converted
Done with C. Interview on 15th March 9.30 in Bangalore, Panel 2. About me, CA with 4 months workex. %le
99.96, BLACKI. My 4th interview after I,L and A.

The topic was Media is King performance for me.

Q: Good afternoon. Take your seat.

Q: Let me see your file
Q: So you cleared CA when?
Q: You cleared in July, yet you started only in September. Why?
Q: Youve got 35th rank in final. Didnt you attend campus?
Q: Did you do your articleship in your family firm?
Q: So how different was your work these 5 months from your articleship?
Q: Name a few of your major clients.
(Now the fun starts)
Q: So, how good are you in Maths and Stats?
Q: But our course consists of quite a lot of maths. I would say 80% of the course is maths. How well do you
think you can cope?
Q: Also you have not studied Physics and Chemistry beyond 10th std. level.
Q: No, no. But you have to get used to looking at a situation as an equation. There are a lot of equations in
finance too - derivatives, options etc.
Q: So you plan to specialise in finance right, it being your core competence and all.
Q: Okay lets ask some questions on stats. If I hand you raw data, what are the different measures you can
find with it.
Q: What do they mean?
Q: So its better to have low dispersion or high dispersion? Give some examples.
Q: So in an economic perspective, what measure is being used to show the size of the economy?
Q: What can be said about the dispersion in the economy?
Q: What can be said to be a measure of dispersion in this case?
Q: Do you think the poverty line can be a measure of dispersion?
Q: Can you compare the infrastructure of Bangalore and Chennai?
Q: You mentioned Tambaram? What is special in it?
Q: Any educational institution?
Q: Know any famous alumni there?
Q: How about S. Radhakrishnan?
Q: Can you tell me the difference between Mylapore and Triplicane?
Q: I mean in terms of the type of people that live there. Iyers, Iyengars?
Q: What is the major temple in each are?
Q: Havent you heard about the Parthasarathy temple?
Q: What is your opinion on the Jayendra Saraswathi issue? Are you a devotee of the Mutt?

Q: What is the latest development on the political front in TN?

Q: What do you feel about it?
Q: But isnt this common in politics which is a game of opportunism (laughs)? Where is the question of
ideology here?
Q: Who do you think will win?
Q: But isnt she arrogant?
Q: Come on, is the water problem in Chennai solved? Answer well because I am thinking of buying land in
Chennai (laughs all around).
Q: Thank you.

Interview experience of: TrueScorpio

Result : Not converted

GD: Life is a Chair

PI:
4 people in panel
P1:very very cool prof(he actually was wearing a cool cap n jeans n t shirt)
P2: Prof in some environment
I1: Alumni Industrialist from Rediff (had a chauffer driven chevrolet.... i wanna go to C)
L: Alumni lady (some food processing industry)
Even though everyones' interview before me were going good..... I really got very tensed when I was waiting
outside,for my turn.
The guy before me had an experience of 15 yrs (why go for PI ... already through)
He told me to go after 1 min... i did that...
What I see is all the 4 people in an animated discussion (probably thinking, that the earlier guy should come
to IIM C to Teach)
P2 saw me and told me to wait....
After other 2 mins, p2 called me in....
P1: give me the form
P1: Tell me about yourself....
P1: What do you think about your GD performance?
P1: Don't you think you were a bit loud?
P1: But you are speaking normally now (ho gai na GOOGLY.....)
P1: How would you rate yourself in a group of 11.

I1: What do you think that we actually look in a GD?

I1: (with a wicked smile) So know if I would ask you to rate you, keeping all these group dynamism,
communication skills in mind, now where will you rate yourself?
P1: Your acads are so low....
P2: What is all these about giving back to society.... just fancy words to impress us...
P2: (let me test what this stupid knows) asked me abt India's GDP
P2: Agriculture contribution?
P2: Largest contributor?
P2: What is UN and what does it do?
P1: (coming to my rescue....) Drew something and asked what will I do in this situation....
P1: Ok. Now if this happens, what will you do...?
P2: (why do you wake up dude... am happy with answering to P1's questions...) what is a spike (in
volleyball... had mentioned that...)
P2: What is the second person called.?
P2: Is he called xxxx...(I did not get what he told...)
P2: What are the new rules for points in the international games... is it 11 0r 21...
P2: So how many points are your games?
P2: Is it not 15?
P2: SURE?
P1: If you were a manager and you would have 2 promote 2 persons of equal ability and everything else
equal, whom would you promote? One is a Man and one is a Woman..
P1: Can you tell why?
P1: Ok, Now last question? Now if u r going for a major surgery, here also you have 2 options.... 2 docs, who
are equally qualified and reputed, whom will you go to for the surgery, a man or a woman?
P1: Don't be diplomatic, be honest
P1: (seemed convinced) Hmmm a different view point..
I1: Ok one last question (arrey abhi toh bola ki woh wala last quesn tha)...
I1: Should Saddam Hussain be given capital punishment?
I1: Tell me yes or no?
I1: (looking convinced) oh you mean that it would be even greater punishment
P1: (smiling) its too late for him to change now and be positive
P1: ok you can go now, send the next person in after a min

IIM Calcutta - Year 2007

Interview experience of: TintinAndSnowy

Result : Converted
Class X - 84
Class XII - 82.8
B.E. (Electrical) - R.E.College Durgapur - 71.2
Work Ex - 59 months in Oracle India
GD - In all we had nine people in our panel .. and three panel members.
The topic was about some company which had a contract to supply some goods within a certain period of
time. But just before one week, they realised that neither the quality nor the quantity is anywhere near the
expectation. So, to delay the shipment, they serve bad food in the cafeteria and some workers fell ill and also
they blasted some bombs (crazy guys). Now we have to discuss the pros and cons of this strategy and discuss
if there are any other alternatives possible.

PI
P1 calls me to come in ...
P3: Tell me something about yourself ...
P3: Just a min, when did you pass out from college
P3: And you are working since then
P3: Have they verified your work experience
P3: Okay now continue
P2: Where's your brother working?
P3: Tell me something about your work
P3: So what ever requirement you gather .. is that pre-sales or post-sales
P3: So you have been working for so long in oracle, and now you are(getting a good salary (Me: shocked!) ...
so why do you want to do an MBA
P3: But why an MBA for that ... you can hire finance guy, marketing guy .. may be you can ask him (P2)
also ... you have enough technical experience in this field, so go and open a company
P1: Ok .. I have to leave now .. before that I want to ask you one question from my side ..

P1: Now tell me ... how many people join PSU, say Railways after MBA from IIMs
P1: Do you know anyone?
P1- So many students after passing out from IIMs are going for investment banking and earning a lot of
money ...
P1: (actually he didn't complete his question .. but he was speaking so slowly that i thought the question was
over) Now the government is spending so much money on students to make the programme subsidised ...
now if you are the director of IIM, then what would you do?

P1: Yeah tell me

P1: Any other solution
P3: That's okay
P1 leaves (I forgot to thank him)
P2: Ok .. What are your extra curricular activities
P2: How much would you rate yourself in a scale of 10, 10 being highest
P3: Okay say India's best is 10, then?
P2: Have you played in state level
P3: Then how you are rating yourself 7?
P2: Ok tell me how many types of rubbers are there
P2: FYI there are more than 50 types of rubber
P3 indicates that it's enough now
P2: Ok wait ... do you read
P2: Oh! Why is that AOE is so popular among MBA students?
P3: Tell me three reasons why you should play AOE?
P2: So what' your favorite civilization?
P2: They also have those naa which can do something to the opponent
P2: Yes yes
P3 told something to P2 abt this TT and AOE ... couldn't hear what he said ...
P2: Ok Thanks Rishi

Interview experience of: ZINGOLA

Joined IIM Ahmadabad, IIM C interview result not known.
CASE STUDY:- About an airlines which is having losses. So they decided to overbook the flights and
sometimes more people turn up than number of seats available. What should the staff do in such a situation
and how should airline deal with such a problem.

P1:what were you doing from the last 3 hrs.

P2: Why??? Were you tensed?
P1: What was our strategy for discussion?
P1: Why were you eager on starting the discussion?
P2: My stand would be first listen and then speak and in start you only say basic stuff so it is not that
advantageous.
P1: How many case studies have you evaluated.

P1: Have you been taught this by some coaching institute?

P3: Enters the room.
P1: Sir this guy has been taught in career launcher that starting discussion means you have risk taking
ability.
all three smile . me too smiling...
P1: So do you know about Amitabh Bachchan's controversy related to polio campaigns?
P1: Any guesses what it can be? Ok just tell me what all brands does Amitabh advertise for?
P1: Do you think advertising for these brand can lead to a controversy?
P1: Ok
P2: You have written that you are a second degree Reiki healer. What is it?
P2: I have indigestion problem can you heal me?
P2: P3 will also experience same kind of pain .
P1: How it is different from Baba Ramdev's healing method?
P2: What do you think who will win the world cup?
P2: Why Australia not performing well?
P2: Why ???
P2: Doesn't Indian work hard to get in to team?
P2: Happy with the answer.
P2: What have you done in engrrng
P2: Information Technology right. What is the difference between IT and Computer?
P3: What is Right to Information Act?
P3: Arun, Thank You.
I don't know truly how the interview was. At least better than I was expecting.
Thank God no acads, no GK only hobbies.
I don't know what will happen in the end but my dream of sitting in IIM Interview finally comes true.
Friend I don't think this will help you much but what happened today forced me to write it. Best of luck every
body preparing for CAT or for their GDPI hope you all convert your best calls.

Interview experience of: archish85

VENUE: Delhi, IMI
Acads:
X : 90
XII: 78.6
%age: 71.32
WORK EX : Nil
Case Study:
It was about a tin company which was relatively new. It seems they got this amazing offer from a foreign
client who is very strict about the quality and the delivery time of the product amidst a very tough
international competition. But turns out they are not able to produce the required quantity at the stipulated
time and even the quality is not good enough (I think the quality was mentioned I am not sure though). So

their Marketing Manager comes up with this strange idea (this is where the fun starts). It seems there was a
clause in the contract that if there were some "unavoidable circumstances" or as the case study called it "an
act of God" then the company may be excused to not deliver the product on time. So this guy comes up with
this really novel and bizarre idea to artificially create such situation. He, like, poisons the employee food, and
plants a bomb near the factory and does some other totally ridiculous stuff but more importantly gets away
with it. So the company is saved from the ridicule of not making it in time. And the Marketing Manager is
praised and given a raise.
Discuss the pros and cons of this method and suggest any other method. Discussion went well.. I entered 4-5
times.... peaceful... we reached a conclusion. I started by defending the management at first but later changed
my stance.
The most enjoyable part of the day. Interview.
There were three of them
P1: The friendliest and was very warm during the whole interview. More of a dreamer than an academician.
Fortunately he did most of the talking.
P2: The academician amongst them. Was quite initially but asked a few questions from acads.
P3: Was the quietest. Hardly spoke but did have fun.
(Just as I entered)
P1: (smiles all around) Archish..... we were really intrigued by your name... what does it mean?
P2: And the S is for
P1: You from South India? which part??
P1: But your mother tongue?
P1: Ok....What do u think of your GD....
P1 (smiling): Come on... I believe that an interview should be more like a discussion. Lets have an honest
discussion here. You are trying to be too diplomatic.. honestly tell me... Why did you start the way you
started... don't worry... I would make this off-the record if you want...
P1: Yes...fair enough. But you know what... I liked your first sentence better... I believe that what the
company did was right ... would you say now that what the company did was right?
Me (thought that he probably want to show me that I am not steady in my decision): No sir... I am a rational
person but I also try to be honest to myself. So I did change my stance in the GD but I believe that the way
the company handled the situation was just not right... I mean...
P1: Fine..... Do u have any interests? hobbies?
P1 (interrupting me): Did you say old hindi songs?
P1 (all smiles): You realize that we are three old people here... you want to discuss old hindi songs with us..
remember ... you are outnumbered here...
P1: Do u know O.P.Nayyar?
me (Do I know O.P.Nayyar?... asking me to spell my name would have been a tougher question): Yes .. he
started his career with Kaneez in 1956 ... and passed away recently ... I think January of this year... his
"baabuji dheere chalna" is one of my favorite songs.. but turns out it was inspired from an english song (P3
didnt know this and was a bit surprised... a smile appeared on the corners of P1's mouth... yes he mumbled)...
P1: Name any 5 movies in which he gave music and a song from that movie??
P1: No No No...that song was from phir tumhari yaad aayi
P3: Yes he is right
P1 (convinced): Yes... I may have been wrong... continue
P1 (smiling triumphantly): It was kismet

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

P1(probably pressuring me) : I think u r trying to say "milne ki phariyaad"..

P1: You are right .. this is the more famous song...
and then we became pals.... discussed of the bygone days when music used to be of good quality and the
lyrics used to have some sense.. I did provide some insight into it...
P1: Ok next test... 5 films of Shammi kapoor and a song from the film...
P1: aha ... no ... come on that was junglee
P1: Let me give you a clue... "translate third something in hindi"
P1 (grinning): Yesssssss....
me (yippee!): Infact it was the rare film of Shammi Kapoor in which R.D. Burman gave music unlike all
others in which shankar jaikishen provided the music on shammi kapoor's insistence....
P1: Yes... you are right.... name the first movie in which Pancham da gave music..
me (enjoying the game very much): Wasnt it the teesri manzil?
P3 (who probably felt left out of the fun): No No.... I think it was Aradhana...
P1(smiling): No... it was Chote Nawab..
(No it was not... as I realize now.. P3 was right... aradhana was the first movie in which Pancham da worked
independently of S.D.Burman who was in coma during the movie)
P1: Ok next question... which was the last film in which Geeta Dutt sang?
P3: It must be an old song...
P1: No it was released in 1971..
P3: Really!
P1:Yes.. it was anubhav...
P1: Yes.. by Basu Bhattachrya...

P1: Boy.... that was fun.....ok to more serious stuff now... any other interest?... history, geography, politics?
P1: Introduction to History -1?
P1: Have u heard of (some obscure name)....
P1: I thought since you have read Romila thapar you may have heard of him...
P1: How many vedas are there?
P1: Name them
P1 (to P2 and P3): He's right .... (felt so proud...)
Now P2 started to speak for the first time.
P2: Which branch are you in?
P2: Why haven't you mentioned this in your form? (showed me the form)
P2 (smiling): Be more careful..... Ok.. So production.... what is JIT?
me (yesssss.... this was my lucky day): told him all about JIT... where it was founded.. why.... gave him an
analogy of a boat on sea.. (saw from the corner of my eye that P1 really admired my analogy).
P2: You missed out maximisation of profit.. but all right.... Do you know 6-sigma? Who started it?
P2: Its all right.... Go on...
P1, P2, P3 (satisfied): Yes.....(nodding their heads)....
P2: what is Fordism?
P2 (interrupting me): No not Toyotaism... Fordism...

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

P2: All right... try to find out about it

All: You can leave now...
P1 (I had stood up) : How many calls do you have from IIMs?
P1: Just IIM-C? (surprised) .... what was ur overall percentile?
P1: Why less in quant?
P1 (interrupting): And didn't find time... right?
P1: Alright... leave ... Thank you...
Conclusion: IIM interviews are harmless and fun..... really had a ball... don't care about getting selected or
not ....it was one awesome experience and I was lucky to enjoy it.... Wish everyone has the same kind of
experience (which it seems actually happened in my center).

Interview experience of: ashish abraham

Result : Not converted
PROFILE:
Academics:
X - 88.17% (ICSE)
XII 93.00% (Tamil Nadu State Board)
UG 70.50% (Final year B.Tech Computer Science in NIT Trichy)
Work-Ex: NIL
CAT percentile:
DI - 99.80
Quant - 95.27
Verbal - 93.90
Aggregate - 99.41 percentile
GD:
Topic: There is a BPO started in 2002 which has grown steadily.. It has grown into a KPO.. It has got projects
PI:

Questions:
Since i have written them in detail i have used headings so that people will find it easier to go through the
questions in a particular area.

PART I Introduction
Gen: Introduce yourself.
HR: Oh, you have a job offer.
PART II About my fathers job!
Gen: Ashish, why havent you filled up the salary details of your father?
Gen: OK. So it depends on the projects that he gets. But it surely cant be zero!
Gen: Thats ok. Which field is he in?

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

Gen: Oh.. HelpAge..

Gen: Ok. So you could have filled in a rough figure at least right?
Gen: Ok. There are so many NGOs. Why dont they recruit students from college? Some NGOs pay really
high salaries; even better than the IIMs.
Gen: Ok.
PART III Technical part
Tech: So Ashish, which branch of Engineering are you in?
Tech: So you are good at computers?
Tech: What about OS?
Tech: Ok. Tell me about Windows Vista. What new features does it provide?
Tech: Ok. Do you know about open source software's?
Tech: What about Vista?
Tech: ok. What about Windows in general?
Tech: What are the drawbacks of open source software?
Tech: Ok. What do you think about e-governance?
Tech: Ok. What should the government do? Should it use Windows or open source software in its offices?
Tech: Ok. What will be the problems if open source is used in government offices?
Tech: Ok.
PART IV HR part
HR: So Ashish, I just want to ask you one question. A couple of questions in fact. You come across as a
technical person. You have good technical skills. You have good analytical skills. (From my certificates? I
expected a lot of questions in Maths!) I understand that you are passionate about Computers and Maths. And
you want to be in the IT industry (From what I had written in my career goals). I do not understand why you
want to do MBA.

HR: Ok Ashish. I fully understand what you say. About the low end operations and US and all that. But I am
still not convinced about why you want to do MBA.
HR: Ok.
PART V About PGDCM
Gen: Ashish, but why have you given first preference to PGDM? To be consistent with what you have been
saying you should given first preference to PGDCM right?
Gen: But still. You have been talking till now with PGDCM in mind.
HR: Ashish, I think what my colleague wants to know is if you want to be in the IT industry why not
PGDCM?

Gen: So you mean to say PGDCM is a waste?

Gen: Thats ok. Its your choice anyway.
PART VI About my GD performance
Gen: So what do you think about your GD performance?
Gen: Why didnt you?
Gen: Ok. You are telling all this now. You could have told during the GD. You could have told during in your
summary.

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

PART VII Rapid fire round

Gen: ok. I will ask you a set of questions now. You have to quickly tell me yes or no.
Gen: Man is a pilot and not a robot.
Gen: Man is more competitive than co-operative.
Gen: Survival of the fittest..
Gen: ok. You have given me the answers and I am sure you really believe in them too but I am not able to get
that impression from you that you really act accordingly. I mean your GD performance and your
performance now, I feel you are not able to give me all the points you have in mind.
Gen: Are you interested only in improving your technical skills?
Gen: But I am not able to see any difference!
soft skills and interpersonal skills.
Gen: Hmmm. Ok.
PART VIII Economy
Gen: So do you taken interest in knowing about what is happening in the world? In the other parts of India?
Gen: Only if you are comfortable will I ask.
Gen: Ok. I had asked this question to some of the previous candidates too. Compare north and south India
on the basis of economic development.
Gen: Ok. But is it North India? What part of India are those states?
Gen: Yes. Name the North East Indian states. They have a special name as well.
Gen: Yes, Tripura.
Gen: What are the states in North India?
Gen: Ok. Tell me about their economy.
Gen: Thats ok. Gurgaon has always been there. It has been there for ten years. That does not reflect the state
of the whole of that region. How can it help?
Gen: Yes but that will be only in and in a small area around Gurgaon. There will be good roads from Delhi
airport to Gurgaon city! So what happens to the other regions?
Gen: Lets not get into that.
Gen: Ok. Tell me about Tamil Nadu. What do you think about the economic state of Tamil Nadu.
Gen: What makes you feel Tamil Nadu has not realized its potential?
Gen: Ok. What do you think about the connectivity in Tamil Nadu? Is Tamil Nadu well connected?
Gen: Ok. What about the other mode? Namely Ports. What about them? Should they be developed? There
are ports right?
Gen: ok. (And he looked at others. Others signal that they dont have any other question to ask either.)
Gen: Ok Ashish. Thank you.
HR: All the best.

IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

Interview experience of: IAYF
Result : Converted, ultimately joined IIMB
Venue: IMI, Delhi
Schedule : 09:30 AM 13 mar
PRofile

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2008

CAT 07 - 99.90
X - 87.2
XII - 90(.6
Engg - PEC Chd - 66.85
WorkEx - 20 months in IT Services
Case Study: About recruitment strategy of Placements Consultants Inc.--They go to Stellar Business School
to recruit freshers who play the waiting game by not signing in and afterwards go around looking for other
offers. They then come back to renegotiate with PC Inc. Now as per the suggestion from the HR Team they
must set a Timeline for the students to sign in but that has a flaw too. The students will join in but then while
working for PC Inc. they might look for other employment opportunities. Now the CEO intervenes and
suggests that the students should be allowed to check out other opportunities for an year and then if they
want they can join PC Inc.
We had to discuss the pros and cons of the suggestion:
PI: Gone are the days when II MC asked Quant ke funde (Quant Ques.)y and other such dreadful stuff...
P1: A Learned-pleased with the world-prof
P2: A wise prof
P3: A reticent but observant prof

P3: Took my form and asked- So where are you working?

P3: Keep telling about yourself (this gave me a cue that these are quite receptive--so told myself- speak your
heart out boy!)
P2:Why are you leainge CSC.. Iit's a good company?
P3: Is your work-ex twenty months till 31st Jan 2008?
P1: Tell me five rivers of Punjab.
P2: Normally it's the fifth that people get stuck at!
P2: It starts with 'C'
P2: Nodding.
P1: Tell me one city in Punjab across which Sutlej passes through.
P1: Why a guess?
P1: Why, you live there?
P1:OKk...So tell me the features of the Town Planning in Chandigarh.
P1: That is one--ok tell me is there any benefit of having all these institutes together here at Qutub
Institutional Area--told me about a similar place in Kolkata...
P1: Now you get it.
P1: Commented that a hub is create for a similar kind of activities.
P2 takes over
P2: What excites you and bores you?
P3: What do you think about the auctioning at IPL?
P2: Expand IPL.
P3: But why are those who are writing this commodity thing doing so?
P3: Who inspires you? (boy, they were hell-bent on knowing me)

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Calcutta - Year 2009

P3: Any personal incident when you faced a dip and you had to make a comeback?
P3: Ok (with a look saying--bas bhai, theek hai koi debacle nai hua to koi baat nai)
P1 then commented on my average academics and when I tried to explain he said no justification is
required...
and then OK TATABBYE!

Interview experience of: avi_mba

My experience:
Profile
CAT percentile - 99.86
X - 95.3
XII - 93.5
BTech - 8.75 (Electronics, IIT)
Work-ex - 18 months in IT, worked in family business as teenager.
P: So Mr. <surname> we were just talking about you. What does Mr<surname> like?
P: No, leave MBA, leave your job, tell me what do you enjoy doing.
P: Tell me about the last event you organized.
.
P: So is winning important in a competition?
P: Give me an example of situation where competition can be bad.
P: So, is this the first Time you are giving an interview?
P: So till what Time will you keep on giving CAT?
P: No .. lets say hypothetically speaking, you don't get through, I want to know a number, till what Time will
you give CAT?
P: Come on, I don't expect this answer from a technical guy ... give me a number ... till what Time will you
give CAT? You are answering like my cable-wallah ... that he will try but cant give the number of days to fix
my connection.
P: There are 2 very interesting things in your form. Firstly you have specified your parental income till the
last digit (its some no. say 1234567).
P: So this is the saral form value?
P: What does this tell about you.
P: The other thing is <some paper I had published> .. explain it to me in 2 sentences.
P: So family business huh ... since you want to move into marketing, let me put you in the position of a
consultant for your business. How will you ensure that you earn double profit the next year.
P: Do you know <my company> does not have any manager who is an MBA in Bangalore?
P: No they are not.
P: (moving back to family business): Tell me how will you estimate the quantity of goods required for a
period of 6 months to sell in your business. Say it out aloud so we can see how you think.
P: (not convinced) There are many players in the market how will you ensure growth.
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P: Thank you.
P: Good. Hope for the best (or something like this)
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: Tortured_Soul

Result : Converted

PROFILE:
Acads:
X : 82.4
XII: 80
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age: 81.6, ECE from NIT Jalandhar
Work-Ex: 20 Months @ Wipro
CAT percentile:
DI :98.34
Quant :99.51
Verbal :99.61
Aggregate :99.91
Any other special thing about you: NTSE scholarship holder, played chess at state level
GD:
Topic: Case study about a company, which gives early offers when it visits a B School. Later students take
P1: a senior professor, who seemed a little disoriented about the process. He called me in, read my form and
asked me a couple of questions, generally giving the direction to P3 regarding the questions that he felt
needed to be addressed.
P2: Another senior professor. He rarely spoke, but really observed me a lot both in GD n interview.
P3: An IIMC alumni, who asked most of the questions.
TS: Tortured soul, the clueless protagonist
Questions:
P2: Please tell us something about yourself?
P2: You did not mention about family. Were not they responsible for these achievements?
P3: So you are the black sheep of your family?
P3: So chess, there was a lieares chess tournament going on, but lots of games were drawn.. don't you think
it keeps the public away?
P3: I have asked this question to many people. Other then cricket, other sports like hockey et al. are
struggling. What is your opinion? Also explain with respect to chess
P3: If you were made the CEO of organization to promote chess
P3: You know where does Anand stay?
P3: Why does he stay there?
P3: So how does technology help in chess?
P1: So your career goal is BLAH BLAH[I basically want to become a CEO, short and sweet]. You have given
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me the mother of all career goals!!

I dont know how to put it, but what followed was more than chuckles, though not guffaws. This was followed
by very pointed questions so that I could refine what I said, which I bravely endured...
P1: This fellow has work-ex, should know. [ah right!!]
More questions later, he finally said, "We had to ask so many questions to come to this point."
P2: All the more reason to be precise
P3: Did you do precis[don't know thespelling.. kindly adjust] written in school?
P1: So why are you changing Wipro? Dont like it?
P3: So you are the CEO of Wipro? How would you handle it post the mess in US?
P3: The people are saying that IT is suffering because of talent crunch. You are the CEO of Wipro. Whats
your take on this.
P3: So you dont think there is any talent crunch?
P1: One last question, you have written something 06. national level
P3: What did you do?
P1: That is there in every Tech fest. Whats' special. Things like this are already in place.
P1 to P2: anything else.. lot of head shakingOK Ankit you can go.
Verdict: Selected

Interview experience of: shiv_http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F

%2Fwww.pagalguy.com%2Fforum%2Fcat-and-related-discussion%2F29557-2008-iimcalcutta-gd-pi-8.html
%23post1034308&amp;sa=D&amp;sntz=1&amp;usg=AFQjCNE5BvUtDg6ykJsW6xtE1P6sndVew@http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.pagalguy.com%2Fforum%2Fcat-and-related-discussion%2F29557-2008-iimcalcutta-gd-pi-8.html
%23post1034308&amp;sa=D&amp;sntz=1&amp;usg=AFQjCNE5BvUtDg6ykJsW6xtE1P6sndVew
Profile:
class 10 :- 88%
Class 12:- 77%
Engg:- 66%
Cat:- BLACKI
L1: Lady one....asked me the bulk of the questions....

L2: Alumni Lady

P1: Professor one....a really wise looking and highlyknowledgeablee person....
P2: quiet prof...just asked me two questions...
P1 comes out and invites me in....
Am asked to take a seat....wish every one and L1 begins the proceedings

L1: Tell me something about your job and what exactly you do.

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L1: So do you actually like your job...being an electrical engineer....in an IT world..is it interesting?

L1: Wouldn't it be better if you continue your job for two yrs and then go for an MBA?
L2: And what exactly is your interest?
L1: How did you develop this interest?
L1: So do you still keep up with your interest?
L1: Why do you think such a thing is happening
L1: So whats wrong with America...why aren't they investing

L1:What do you know aoubt the Sub prime Mortgage...tell me briefly...

P2:So you wouldn't grab his hand and protest?
P2: Its ok...you are being honest.
Now comes the real fun part...the best part of my interview...
P1: So whom would you like to MIMIC?
P1:Ok as long as it is not obscene you can use vernacular...
P1: Please..I don't want you to MIMIC Gabbar Singh...

L1: I see a lot of people say about cooking...is it to impress us?

L!: Really....never heard about it...How is it done...

L1: I have heard about prawns but not this fish...you can try out...
L2: What are the constituents of garam masala?

L1: Have you heard the name of a famous restauranr from Bengal...
P1: Do you actually like the food from his restaurants?
P1: (addressing to the others) See I told you...and what about Oh!Calcutta...?
P1:- And they add a lot of sweet too....
P2: All the ppl from West bengal generally do...they do put sweet in the dal also...!!!

L1: Which calls? percentile

L1: Good.
P2: You have also stated about Formula 1...Do you actually have any interest...?
P2: Name of Mallya's team? The drivers?
P2: Who's Alain Prost?
P2: Had a very famous rivalry with his team mate...which team and the competitor.....
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P1: Ok....anything you would like to ask us....

P1: Wouldn't you like to open a restaurant...
P1: You should always try to make a career out of your passion...

IIM Calcutta - Year 2009

Interview experience of: ganeshiima

Result : Converted ACLIK
Venue: Mumbai, 13th March, 9.30 am
Profile:
Academics:
X - 86.8% Maharashtra Board XII 90.17% Maharashtra Board
Undergrad - 70% Nagpur University
Work-Ex: 20 months - Energy Auditor
PI:
Two male professor (or alumni) one Mr. Cool (C), Mr. Stern (S) and very sweet lady Prof (Sweet Lady SL- she
was always smiling through out the interview, didn't ask me much, seemed impressed with my profile)
The interview went something like this:
L: Give me your form and your file of documents. So Ganesh Pawar, what do you have common with the
famous Mr.Pawar.
C: So whats the prospect of Mr.Pawar in Maharashtra elections?

C: How many seats will they win?

Meanwhile, SL is showing my from to S , seems impressed.
Now the usual energy audit part.
S: Tell me about your work.
S: Whats the power scenario in India?
S: Why we import coal when we have such high reserves?
C: Whats efficiency of power plant?
S: Whats plant load factor?
C: Tell something about yourself
C: Why didn't you go for M.Tech with AIR-4?
C: What kind of reading (my hobby) ?
S: How was your performance in GD? On scale of 10.
S: Why?
Verdict: Converted

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Interview experience of: shoaibmohamed

Result : Converted
Profile:
Acads:
X : 82.4
XII : 88.4
Undergrad - Mechanical Engineering - 66.4
Venue : Hotel Monarch Luxor, Bangalore
Date : 09/03/2009 9:30am
GD:
Topic: "Only poor people are responsible for their poverty"
PI:
Panel Members Intro: 3 panelists, 2 professors 1 alumni (not disclosed to us), here on referred to as P1, P2,
P3 and Me
P1: So you come from Cochin. Cochin is a beautiful place, I have been there on a visit for 4days.
P1: So you work for xyz, tell us what you do in it
P2: Once you complete your MBA how will you view your product differently?
P1: Ok, I am a tourist to Cochin, and you are my host where all would you take me?
P3: Whats the form of martial arts that originated from Kerala?
P1: Which all states borders kerala
P1: Northern most district in Kerala
P1: Recently an MP from Kannur was involved what was the reason?
P1: You interested in politics?
P2: What do you think would be the outcome of the coming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala state?
P3: How many seats did they win last time?
P1: Asked me to take him from Cochin to Calcutta by road?
P1: Ok, from Calcutta to Nagaland?
P2: You'll reach China if you cross Sikkim but its ok we didn't expect you to answer that.
P2: From Calcutta to Delhi?
P3: You are missing one state.
P1 to P2,
P3: I think we are done, thank you.
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Interview experience of: amit-soni

Result : Converted
Venue: IMI Delhi
PROFILE:
Acads:
X -- 81% UP Board
XII-- 81% UP Board
Undergrad Major - Computer Science
GPA/percentage - 6.35
Work-Ex: 54 months in C-Dot, Microsoft, Stryker
Any other special thing about you: Nothing
GD:
their opinion.
PI:
Panel Members Intro:
Old Prof(OP), Young Person (YP) may be Alum. I was the fifth person to be interviewed.
Questions:
YP: What do you know about the process today?
YP: Yes
YP: (Cuts) Did they tell or you asked? (when he came out to call the person before me, he saw me talking to
the girl who was just interviewed. He went inside then again peeked out to look at me)
YP: What general stuff?
YP: Why did you leave a brand like Microsoft and join Stryker (something like stryker, no reputation and
you have committed a sin?)
YP: Sorry to hear that
OP: Draw the graph of Y = 1 / (x-1)
OP: This is wrong
OP: You are from IIT we don't expect this from you
OP: What is ANN?
OP: Where did this NAN come from? We asked ANN- artificial neural network
OP: I am layman. Sahi se samajhao
YP: You said common Sense. Is it common?
YP: It is not "Very" Common
YP: to machine mein daalne se ho jayega
YP: You did something in NTU Singapore
YP: Tell me more, what did you do?
YP: (looks with suspicion as to I am speaking fraud and did not write any algorithm and just bluffing)
YP: How do you mentor juniors? (Picked from Job responsibilities)
YP (again): In career goal you have written "With my high-spirited motivation for an MBA and the
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right mindset to pursue and realize determined goals, I foresee a great future ahead, in
Entrepreneurship." (He actually repeated the whole sentence sarcastically.)
YP: (He assumed I would say that in first year I will study different courses which would give me knowledge
about different subject) So you would fail after one year drop out and open your company because you have
studied all the subjects in first year.
YP: (Looks shockingly at me as if he was not expecting this as answer)
(I felt good ...)
YP: You have very less marks in verbal (shows me my scorecard in the file)
OP: Didn't you get time to prepare
year off from office. Sorry Sir 1 month off...Sorry Sir 1 week off from office but then there were some personal
obligations because of which i was not able to study.
OP: Ok we are done... you can go.
YP: What is it?
YP: We understand that
YP: (cuts) We understand that don't worry. Best of luck
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: rik_12

X- 90.5%age (WB Board)
XII-86.9%age (WB Board)
B.E(IT)-86.16%age(BESU,Shibpur)
CAT Score :
QA- 96.53%ile
DI-95.86%ile
VA-97.74%ile
OA-99.19%ile.
Work Ex : 3months (as of today) Cognizant Tech Solutions,Kolkata.
Extracurriculars : Nothing much.
GD-PI slot : 12th March, IIM-C
Panel : 9:30 AM , No 7.
GD Topic : "Its not possible to be honest and prosper in India"
PI
Panelists :
P1,L (lady prof),P3 and A (alumni)
Moiself: M
Was the 8th one to be called in. (in order of sitting in the GD)
P1 came out to call me.
P1: M come in.
As I enter and before I could sit and wish them...
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A: What's the meaning of your name ?

P1 (to A): (deciphered the same in bengali)

L: So who kept this name ? Your parents? We think it sounds chinese!!

P1: Some similarity with Siachen !!.. What's your dad's name?
A: Aha...that's why you got this name !!
P1: So you like it?
A: Does he have an option?
L: (reading out my marks from the form loud)...why have you cut your marks in so many places? Are you a
confused soul?
L: See here also you done the same thing...even in work-ex number of months!!
P3 speaks at last : So you always play safe?
L: Anyhow, it doesn't matter ..1 or 2...u must be on bench now...
P1(all of a sudden): Hmmm...I want to hook a cricket ball out of the park ... At what angle with the ground
shud I hit it?
P1: It wont depend on anything...tell me the angle.. 45,60... >65 ?
P1: Why?
P1: But, when I send a rocket to the moon do I send it at 45 degrees?
L: So M...your college is famous for sooo many things u seY...
L: No no...we aren't talking about them here...your college has been a happy hunting ground for brats...the
only good University which faces so much trouble relating to student affairs...
A: (again a sudden burst) M...what's good Taliban and what's bad Taliban?
L: M...You started the GD...it was succha mundane start...you gave one of those stereotype
beginnings...defining honesty and prosperity and then backdrop of India... they teach you all these in
coaching classes...

A: Do we need to define honesty and prosperity at all? Everyone knows!!!

P3: So...you always define things?
L: M...you were loud in the GD...you cut other people..don't you think so?
P3: Just 2 months...why now?..why not work?
P3: So you took CAT last year?
Left it to him to imagine my calls...
P1: Ok we are done...You have any questions?
L: (jumping in) I do...
L: What did you do in the 5 months before joining?
P1: What's your role ?
P1: No online activities...I can enroll in Orkut tomorrow and claim am great in social networking...

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A: Mentored who ?
L: You yourself took CAT and you mentored?
L: That's more of a discussion ...
P1: Plz..
P1: Sleep...don't worry..do some maths and you will get into an IIM...what other calls do you have?
L: (2nd time) What's your percentile?
P1: K did not call you?... Why ? (visibly irritated)
P1: Okie...
L: We are done M...thank u...

Interview experience of: live2die

Date: 9th March
Time: 9:30am (Panel No. 13)
Center: IMI, Delhi
PROFILE
X = 71.00% CBSE (1998)
XII= 77.40% CBSE(2000)
Under Grad Major = 67.74 % BE Info Sc. from VTU in 2004
Work Ex = 53 months

P1: Casually seated prof (on my right)

P2: Prof with sheepish smile (in front of me)
P3: Serious prof (on my left)
Note: Three profs with three different facial expressions and NONE changed his facial expressions
THROUGHOUT the PI.
P1: So what are your current job responsibilities ?
P2: Please give me your application form.
P2: Tell us something about yourself.
P1: What do you think would be the cost of doing MBA for you ?
P1: No no that is investment tell me cost ..
P1: Let me clarify it further .. like you are a specialist now and you intend to get into management dont you
think you would be losing your expertise ?
P1: You are earning good right now so you might not get the kind of pay you are getting if the recession
continues ..
P1: So you are saying you dont want money? I must say you are unique and I am not criticizing you .. I just
want to have a healthy discussion with you on this ..
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P1: So how much weightage would you give to money while deciding for MBA ?
P1: Now you will get married after some time so your wifes expenses would be your responsibility .. do you
think you need to give only 25% weightage to money?
P1: dont you think you should get married now and then ask your wife if she is fine with you doing MBA or
not ? After all she is your responsibility ..
Note: apart from what I have posted there was some more discussion .. but the intent here is
to give you an idea of what was asked and how I responded ..
P1: Cracks a small joke on salaries that Professors earn and then signals to P2 to continue from there ..
P2: You have written a lot of terms like Government, Industry, villagers in your long term goal .. can you
please elaborate ?
P2: What do you think are the issues these sectors are facing ?
P2: So have you decided which specialization you want to do MBA in ?
P2: Where you see urself down the line 5 yrs would you be trying for McKinsey or something ? And then
where do you see yourself after 10 yrs ?
P2: So how do you think bringing of companies would help ?
P2: So you want to start a NGO or something ?
Note: There was some more discussion on infrastructure in Uttarakhand and etc ..
P2: Signals to P3 who was so far busy reading my application form ..
P3: I see Uttarakhand more of a tourist destination than a education or healthcare hub .. also I am of the
opinion that except Manipal no other location has been able to establish itself as a education hub (Now I
must say this question on hub was stupid since I never mentioned anything of that sort .. but maybe since he
missed a few of my points he interpreted it in tht manner .. but then I am not sure ofcourse) so what do you
think you would have done as a Manager to increase the tourism in state .. ?
P3: No no dont give me a politicians answer .. tell me as a manager what would you have done ..
P2: What he wants to know is how would you increase the domestic and international tourism in state ..
P2: So you will make people aware .. ?
P2: What else ?
P2: Say tell me w.r.t Airport and roads what could be done .. you know about the infrastructure etc ? Because
the roads between Haridwar and Roorkee are not good ..
P3: Have you been to the north most regions of state like Badrinath, Kedarnath and so on ?
P3: Have you been to Ghoda Thaal temple ?
P3: This temple is famous for people visiting it after they get married ..(I join in)
P3: Yes that is the one ..
P3: So what could be done to make sure that people comeback again and again to Uttarakhand like they do
in Tirupathi .. some gyaan on how things work at Tirupathi follows ..
P3: You know it has to do with their belief .. and blah blah some little gyaan of types ..

IIM Calcutta - Year 2010

Interview experience of: prem_ravi

PROFILE:
Acads
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

X %,Board, year -61.84% (TN State Board, 1993)

XII%, Board, year-89.08%(TN State Board, 1995)
Undergrad Stream(BA, BE etc), Specialization(CS, mech etc), Percentage, Year, Institute. B.E. (CSE),
58.43% ,2000, Vellore Engg College
Work-Ex:
Sectors, Company - Number of months IT Sales 116 Months
GD :
Topic: IPL is a death knell to Indian cricket
PI:
Panel Members Intr
O:Lady Professor (L), Alumni(A), Professor (P)
Questions:
L: Do you work? (was happy that she thought that i am fresher J)
L: What does your company do?
L: what does your software do?
L:Who are your competition?
L: what are you guys doing towards Piracy?
L:who are you customers?
L: How is your software priced?
A: Ok Prem, you were saying about piracy & all, why dont you allow students to learn in a subsidized way? A:
Prem, you have worked for 10 years now, why an MBA?
A:GOD like or GOD
L: But Prem you have taken a long time to decide to do an MBA, is this your first CAT?
L: What happened to the last 3 CATs
L: What other calls do you have
L: But even if I discount the 4 attempts, you have decided after 6 years of working?
P: OK Prem, do you know that we also offer PGPEX, why not that course?
P to A: This guy will not sit inside the class (Everybody laughs)
P: Prem, incase of PGDM, you will be looked like a liability & might not get glamorous roles, anyway its just
my opinion, you are a better judge.
P: What else do you do apart from the social intiative.
P: if you get into PGDM you will not get time & also as far as the married people accommodation goes, our
1st preference is FPM, 2nd is PGPEX & then PGDM/PGDCM, so what will you do?
P to A: This guy will definitely not sit inside the class (Everyone laughs again)
P: Are you a reader, do you read books?
P:But you havent touched the reading part
P: Prem, if you come to campus, we will give you huge books to read, how will you learn & assimilate?
P: Thank You
A: Any questions to ask?
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Interview experience of: faiz007

Profile:

CAT percentile :- 96.54

CATEGORY :- obc non creamy
Acads
X %,Board, year -70.0% (CBSE, 1999)
XII%, Board, year-62.0%(CBSE, 2001)
B.Tech(Chemical technology)- 72.0% - 2007
Work-Ex:
Coaching institute: 6 months
Cognizant technology solutions, Kolkata: 12 months
GD Topic:- idiots rule
Panel
Cool Guy(C): faculty HR
Young Alumnus(Y): related to mathematics
Old faculty(O): who never looked satisfied
Me (M) : poor me
O: have a seat
O: give me your certificates and your form...
Y: so tell me something about yourself?
C: how is chemical technology related to mba
O: just made me really confused with his lethal weapons of entrepreneurship..though i kept trying with my
answers but he never looked satisfied...and so even i was not satisfied...i could have given the better
answer...but damage is done now
Y: ok faiz, what is your favourite subject in B.tech?
Y:he asked me 2 question of mathematics
)
O:tell me 3 issues about urban development?
O: did you invested your savings somewhere when you were in job?
OA: so you mean one should not invest his saving anywhere?
OA: tell me about the new pension fund?
Panel: ok all the best

Interview experience of: shreyans_nitt

PROFILE:
Acads
X %, 85 CBSE
XII%, 81 CBSE
Undergrad : NIT TRICHY CHEMICAL ENGG 8.25
Work-Ex:
20 Months managerial with FMCG
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

GD :
Topic: Mobile Phones are a menace to the society
Rate your preparation(0-5): 0
Rate your performance(0-5): 4
PI:
P1: Tell me two questions that i have asked the interviewees before you came in (he assumed i was discussing
them outside!)

P1: (happy) Accepted.

P2: Other than this reason, see their are bonds.....
P1: (interrupting) I dont expect these guys to understand that much (smiling)
P1: Why are u interested?
P2: Ok Shreyans what do you do in FMCG?
P3: Interesting! So how do u do it. U said u do the electrical part too but u r a chemical engg
P1: So tell me why are their Bus Bars after LT line?
P1: (laughing) take a guess, I know you are not an electrical engineering
P1: (laughing) leave it
P2: Ok so what is FMCG Doing for rural markets?
P2: What is e chaupal of ITC?
P1: What is your company's market share?
P3: Your career goal is to venture into clean energy
P3: There is a huge difference between your CTC and Take away
P1: Very nice meeting you shreyans. I think we are done.
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of: skr14

Done with my IIMC gd/pi...sorry for the delay in posting..was chilling out after having A & C back to back!
Profile :
X-----88.4 (South Point, West Bengal Board)
XII----88.3 (South Point, West Bengal Board)
SGPA--7.86 CGPA--7.68 Percentage--71.04 (complications unlimited!)
College--Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Work Ex--Cognizant Technology Solutions (14 months till Jan end)
CAT percentile:
QA --99.24
DI ---96.77
VA ---99.52
GD Topic: Is deception necessary for success?
O: Three panelists were present...the same people as in the GD...not sure if one of them was an alumnus..
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Let's call them

P1:(left),
P2:(centre) and P3(right) and of course, innocent moi(M)
Btw, it was really hot just outside the interview room...most were sweating while waiting to go in
The interviews were of quite short duration...i went in at around 4pm despite being 8th in the panel
P1: came and called out my name...
P1: Come in...take your seat..
P1: So...you're from Calcutta itself..
P1: Studying in JU now?
P1: Oh you're working...where?
P1: So what exactly is your role?
P1: But why did you come to IT in the first place?
P1: (cutting me off)but if that is so why do u want to switch?...your work seems to be good!!!!!(how can it
even remotely be considered as good?!!...i guess it was their reaction to my explanation..seemed to saY:"nice
try skr but we know how interesting your job is!")
P1: But why should you look at more responsibilities?..that is not your job ...will this help u develop any
qualities you currently need?
P1: So does your role at present allow you to show any leadership qualities which help the company ?
P2: takes over at this stage...
P2: Have you been involved in any activities in the social sector?(now where did this come from?..i'd not
mentioned anything like it in the form)
P1: So what is the role you want after mba?
P1: And if in IT...what role?
Now
P2: takes over again...
P2: So what according to you are 3 qualities a leader/project manager in your industry should have?
P2: Ok...and if say he needs to get some work done...doesn't know about it himself...what should be his plan
of action?

P2: seems satisfied and looks at P3(who till now was almost dozing off...just giving me occasional glances in
between)
P3: Ok so tell me what transducers are...(what a way to start off!)
P3: So you say transducers are control systems?
P3: Hmmm...you see those regulators out there(points to the fan regulators in the room)...explain what
happens when we turn the switch!
P3: (after a while) How good are u in mathematics?
P3: So what exactly do you remember? (potential killer question!)
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

P3: You remember binomial theorem?

P3: How much?...ok write the expansion!
P3 looked at the expansion...and nodded..
P3: Tell me something...do you really want to do an mba or you want to move away from coding?
P3: What other calls do u have?
P2: Only C and A?
P1: Why not others?
out on B because of graduation marks..
P1: So you feel that marks might have been a reason?
P2: Ok we're done...
Thanked them and came out of the room...
PaGaLGuYcom GO-PI Anthology: liM Lucknow- Year 2005

Indian Institute of Management,

Lucknow
Interview experiences during the admission seasons between 2005 and 2010

IIM Lucknow - Year 2005

Interview experience of: rohit_anand

GD- Is Capital Punishment justified?
P1: stresser
P2: silent
P1: Amit, how was your IIMA interview?
P1: What was it about...
P1: How come they asked about stocks? (I added bait for stocks...little did I know what was to follow)
P1: How come...
P1: Tell me about it....
P1: So stock eh
P1: How is the value of index calculated...
P1: What is free float factor?
P1: So you are good at it eh?
P1: Blue chip stocks?

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P2: Why have a BSE 100 when BSE 30 is there...

P2: What is xyz (some very technical sounding shit)
P2: Whats contanglio...
P2: So you know derivatives also eh!
P2: Swaps? Option? Swoptions?
P2 - Some weird question again...related to regression analysis
P2: Hmmm you have incomplete knowledge
P2: Ok you must have seen quotes...what all do they have..
P2: Where do you read about stocks?
P1: So blogging eh....what is it?
P2 (all of a sudden) - Can you be corrupt?
P2: Why...
P1: So you are not good enough for IIML then...or for that matter any IIM.
both of them look at each other and seem to agree that only thugs can come to IIML
P2: What is GDP growth rate, inflation?
P2: Say you are the finance minister of India....if you had to reduce inflation to 1 % what would you do?
P2: And the long term solution would be?
P1 - So I see you have studied a course on organizations & managerial economics
P1: Whats the Maslow theory...
P1: What are the different (something) of management
P1: Guessing?
P1: Whats xyz?
P2: But it says managerial economics
P2: But how will you give a presentation if you dunno anything...
P2: Thank you

Interview experience of: prima_donna

Result : Not known.
Had my GD/PI today, in Bangalore at 9:30 am. Panel 2.
My background: B.Com+1yr PGD in Financial Management.
Work ex: 33 months, in the BPO industry (Finance related companies)
GD topic: Disinvestment in PSUs will promote efficiency.
P: So, please introduce yourself.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

P: Okay, you work at XXXXX Company, what is the job like.

P: So, where is the analysis in this?
P: So it is a more HR kind of function
P: Okay, so tell me what is the employee turnaround like in your company. What percentage has been
leaving?
P: That's quite a high figure (does some calculations and comes up with some annual percentage). So you
must be seeing xx% new faces every year.
P: So, why is this happening?
P: Which departments?
P: So why is it happening?
P: Management is a very general term. It could mean so many things, be a little more specific.
P: But don't you have any standards... (I give a blank look here)... standards regarding time required for the
work.
P: Why not?
P: But that doesn't explain why people are leaving.. (I thought we had moved ahead of this topic)
P: Okay, suppose that you became the HR manager tomorrow, what would you do??
P: So what do you think is the future of BPOs in India?
P: You've done a course in Financial Management... You had a course called Personal Growth Lab in this..
What was it about?
P: But all this sounds like theory... the word lab suggests something practical exercises..
P: What did you study under Financial Management?
P: You don't remember do you?? Youre just making this up (with a smile)
P: What was your job like in XYZ Co. (previous company)
P: Okay, did you come across a term called Technical analysis?? Explain..
P: So how do they plot these charts... (He was asking about a formula)
P: How about regression.. Youve studied Business statistics.. You also did this Financial course...
P: (interrupts midway) Have you heard of volatility of stocks?
P: One thing about your marks.. in both years in degree, you have got very low marks in English.. Why is
this??
P: Okay that's all...
PaGaLGuYcom GO-PI Anthology: liM Lucknow- Year 2005

P: What other liM calls have you got?

Interview experience of: confuser

Here is my exp of IIM L GD/PI
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Cat score:99.31
Experience : 2yrs 10 months
class 10:86.4%
class 12:66.66%
Eng: REC Trichy Mechanical 67%
Venue: IIMB 9:30 am ,17 th March
GD Topic : Disinvestment in PSUs will increase the efficiency
P1: Tell me something about yourself.
P2: Give me your certificates.
P1: What non-fictions books you have read recently
P1: You are a mechanical engineer(my heartbeat increased).What's your favorite subject?
P1: What's XXXXX? Have you heard of it in Mechanical.
P1: What will be the RPM at 60kmph?
P1: Yes, but dont take a wild one..
P1: What is carburetor and fuel injections?
P2: Youve good score in your 10th ..what happened in 12th (please go back to mechanical engineering)
P2: Again you have good mark in your 3rd yr, 4th yr it came down...why?? Preparing for CAT is it?
P1,P2: Looked at each other and smiled...
P2: You have a gap after your 12th.
P1:What rank? What subjects were you getting?
P2: A gap after you passed out from college..
P1,P2: (asked me quite a few questions on recession, WTC attack etc.)
P2: Where is your joining letter and first pay slip??
P2: Tell me 4 salient features on budget??
P2: So how much tax you saved out of this???
P2: Why?? Are you not bothered to find out?
P1: laughed, laughed and laughed,P2 joined him....
P1:(asked few questions on my father's salary, his job etc.)
P1: What is infrastructure?
P1: Tell me some non-tangible infrastructure.
P2: You are getting 30K now. What will be your reaction if you dont get 30k after passing out from IIML?
P2: smiled... you will get much lesser...
P2: Do you read news paper? Have you heard of Economic Times?
P2: Tell me the important news of toady?
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P1: laughed..
P2: You are so much interested in cricket.
P2: What about G-20 meeting?? Any news on that..
P1: What do they discuss?
P1: What are the countries that are the members of G-20?
P1: Brazil, Nigeria, are they Asian countries..
P2: Which is the G-21 country? P2: Who will win the cricket match?
P1: Thank you. Please send the next person after a minute.
P2: And you have to let me know who won the match, okay...

Interview experience of: manu011

Result : Converted but joined IIMC
My background: B.Tech (Mechanical), IIT Delhi, working in software firm for 2 years.
====================
A: Come, have a seat..
B: Your name is "Manu Kumar" or "Kumar Manu"?
B: Manu, tell us something about yourself, about your family, about your native place?
B: (Cutting in between) what does your father do?
B: What business is this?
A: (Seeing my IIT grade sheet) what was the full name of a course that you did in your 3rd year and that
started with "Manufacturing"
A: What about that started with "financial"

A: but that is wrong... a course is much bigger than an individual... how would you feel if you are called by a
number and not by your name?
A: Ok... who taught you this course - "xyz"?
A: What about "pqr"? Who taught you this course?
A: Who taught you "abc"?
A: "lmn"?
A: "def"?
A: Hmmmm (very polietly) you should remember the names of your profs... these are the people who shaped
your life...
A: Ok, you are a mechanical engineer, now working in a software firm... now you want to pursue MBA.. Why
so?
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A: so you had a great interest in automobiles and you have been active in so many related activities... can you
tell me one example where you can use a web-based software technology in Designing a car and an example
where you can use it in manufacturing a car...
A: No, no... Nothing about information sharing... tell me an example where you will directly use web-based
software technology for designing a car..
A: And what about manufacturing a car?
A: What about on-board technology? How can you use web-based system on-board?
A: How can you use an online web-based system on-board a car?
A: You will need to connect it though a satellite?
A: Anything else?
A: You are talking about something similar to sensors...
B: What is this "Graphology", that you have mentioned in your hobbies?
B: What is the guarantee that Graphology will tell you correctly about a person?
B: Is the science of analyzing handwriting called Graphology? Are you sure? Because, I think it is called
something else.
A and B looked at each other, as if asking each other, whether to continue or stop the interview....
A: I have one more question for you.. Dont think that we are against your dress (kurta-pajamas), but i just
want to know which all interviews, you wore this dress to?
A: (before i could say anything) See all that we expect from students is that they should be smartly dressed
up and you do look smart in this dress.. but i just want to know which all interviews, you wore this dress to?
B: Thanks a lot

Interview experience of: morningdue

GD topic was: Peace & Harmony cannot exist without the threat of Violence
Wrote essay for 10 mins on the same topic followed by GD for 15 minutes.
P1: Prof 1(bored looking middle aged man)
P2:Prof 2(Even more bored looking yet younger fellow)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------P1:Where did you do your schooling?
P1: You work for this company...what does it do?
P2Do you guys export?
P1: Where all?
P1: What types of remittances do you handle?
P2: How is it important to your company?
P2: How much pulp is required to manufacture 1 kg of Paper?
P1: Why should a company plan its remittances and take decisions on its cash management?
P2 Describe your company's capital structure..
P1: If you are already a manager then why MBA again?
P2: Which school are you from....
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P2: With a sorry look...oh..am sorry

P1: So,you have taken CAT before?
P1: Oh..Why disastrous success is relative-no?
P1: Ok tell us about your graduation what subjects?
P1: You specialized in Finance...umm...smiles
P2: Name the subjects please...
P1: When you have done BBS..then why MBA?
P2: Ok..so..this finance course had which all subjects?
P1: Ok..what interested you in finance at graduate level?
P1:Now smiling....So..whats a derivative?
P1: Why is it so called?
P1: When was it introduced?
P1: When was it banned and what type of derivatives are now existing in current capital market?
P1: Ok...which one was prevalent even after it got banned?
P1: Ohh...what were the assumptions for the deal?
P1: The dealing party must be in loss then..did you ask your seniors about it?
P2: Ok..we talk about stock markets..and risk...tell me something about it
P2:So..whats risk?
P1:So..when do we call a stock risky?
P2: So..whats an aggressive stock?
P1: How do we calculate beta?
P2: Calculate for your company...taking hypothetical figures
P2: Ok..can you name a statistical measure for risk?
P1: No.. give us the definition in lay man's terms
P2:Ok..so is variance and standard deviation and variance same?
P1: Do you want to tell something about tax related issues affecting your company
P1:Smiles....ok enough...looks at P2
P2:So..what do you do in free time if you have any...
P1:Oh...he shows me a sketch and asks...who is this?
P2:Which band do you listen to?
P2: Is Clapton a Grammy award winner?
P2:Hmm..whats reggae?

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P2 Starts smiling
P1: Ok..how come you scored topped in Maths at 10th and scored average in 12th
P1: Ok..smiles.. We are done...it was nice talking with you..
P2: Thank you..

IIM Lucknow - Year 2006

Interview experience of: shreyabha

Result : Not converted
IIM L GD experience
07th Feb Kolkata
98.8 percentile
Final year IIT KGP
GD Topic:
Statistics is the only science where different experts come to different interpretations seeing
the same graph.

Interview
P1: So tell us about yourself
P1: So you are an architect? Is it same as Civil engineering? (I could see the smile on his face and he was
ready to grill me if I said that we use civil inputs although in a small way)
P1: I dont know anything about architecture? You ask (to P2)

P1: Whats Mughal British architecture example from your city .etc

P1: What is whispering gallery? How does it work in Golconda fort?

P1: Do you use shading calculation on building software?
P1: They dont teach you such useful things. Things which have been done 100 of years back you dont
know?
P1: Is India a democratic country?

P1: How is it different from other countries?

P2: Which paper you read? Who publishes?
P2: So what kind of books do you read?

P2: What is positioning?

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P2: Is advertisement not waste of money

P2: Brand value? Brand equity?
P2: Career goals?
P2: Why not architecture?
P1: You may leave now (that was also abrupt!)

Interview experience of: anir-iim2005

Result: Not converted.
Hi, this is Anirban. I had my IIM: L GD/PI on 6th at 2 pm. Here goes my experience.
Profile: B.Tech in IT, 3 months in CTS, 98.73 in CAT, single IIM: L call.

GD Topic- A room without books is like a man without soul.

P1: Tall, French Cut White hair. P2: Short, Dark, partly Bald. M: Good old me.
P1: Well, Mr. Das, can you show me your mark sheets?
P2: So, you are working?
P2: Whats your work profile?
P2: So, you are B.Tech in IT. How do we use IT in regular business?
P2: How is info different from knowledge?
M: Info is gained from raw data by filtering the unimportant portion. Knowledge is when we assimilate the
info and use it.
P2: What's the difference between Info and Intent?
P2: How would you rate your GD performance?
P2: Have you taken any coaching?
P2: What did they teach about GD in TIME?
P1: Can you show me your work ex proof?
P1: No appointment letter?
P1: You've written about this "Chase" (I'd written JP Morgan Chase bank) bank project. What are you going
to do in this project?
P2: What's your aim in life?
P2: Well, tell me something about yourself in 30 sec (This late in the interview???)
P1: Extra curriculars?
P2: What's the score?
P2: But you've told the correct score.
P1: Know anything about taxes?
P1: Getting more than 2 lakhs per annum, not under tax net?
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P1: Ok, Mr. Das, that's all. By the way, do you have any questions?
P2: What's his name? (General discussion about the guy, P2 in fact recognized him)
P1: Well, program hectic no doubt, but they get plenty of time for extra-curriculars also. Its good you've a
friend there, you can know easily from him.
P2: (Regarding my question) its still premature. Youll get to know when you get there. (How much would I
love to be there!!?)
P1 &
P2: OK, thank you.

Interview experience of: sandykris

Hi guys, Here is my "tryst" with Lucknow...
My profile:
Percentile: 98.44
Calls: B and L
Work EX: 19 months...
*********** GD *****************
The GD topic was something like "Economic freedom is an indispensable ingredient for Political
Freedom".
A: Please give me your certificates... (After taking it) It is pretty heavy...
B: Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds.
B: What is your goal in Life, as in, what do you want to be remembered for, in case you are absconding from
the world one day?
B: What are you doing to achieve this?
B: Good. You have work experience, right?
B: What is the one thing that you would do, in case you are given the permission to do anything, to improve
your workplace?
B: OK. You studied computer Science, right? You must have had at least one subject on Mathematics and
Management...
B: OK... What is the difference between a matrix and a determinant?
B: What is a vector, as in scalar and vector? (within one second) Is it that you dont remember it as you have
studied it a long time ago?
A: You had two subjects in UNIX: "Introduction to Unix" and "Unix system programming". What is the
difference?
A: Have you worked on those systems.... those in which you make a change in one and it is reflected in all the
systems, they are also connected... (he was very vague at this question)
A: No... thats not it... OK. Have you worked on the code of some big software of some big companies, like the
IBM?
A: You did not have any program in college that enabled you to work with big companies?
B: Have you worked on some big projects during college?
A: Explain:
A: If you are about to write an accounting software for a big firm, which platform would you choose?
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A: Why not Oracle or SAP?

Interview experience of: Retard04

Single L call. 98.78%. 17+ months work ex in IT company.
I
Sheets were passed all around, and the topic was given to us - "The power to tax involves the power to
destroy." (^%@$*&!@*($%!@%*!@$!@&%!@*%$!&@&)
MJ: You've studied electronics and communication.
MJ: (pointing to something stuck to the wall) - Can you please tell me what that is?
MJ: No, it isn't.
MJ: Good, how does it work?
Me: yada yada yada wireless stack, IEEE 802.11 blah blah...
MJ: Can you draw the diagram to show the structure of a wireless network?
MJ: What is the range of these wireless LAN access points?
MJ: What is the bandwidth?
MJ: So what do you do at MindTree Consulting?
MJ: What do you know about your client? Who is your client?
MJ: So what exactly is your contribution?
MJ: What is the latest in India's satellite program?
MJ: What has the Indian Space program accomplished till now?
MJ: Are you good at maths? Can I give you a problem?
MJ: Can you prove Pythagoras theorem?
MJ: What else do you do, apart from academics?
MJ: Can you name some famous quizmasters?
MJ: What is the difference in quizzing styles between Basu and Pickbrain?
MJ: (talking to SK) - Do you want to ask anything?
(Now, SK hands over my folder to MJ and turns on the heat.)
SK: In the GD you were talking a lot about taxes, how is the tax calculated in the financial year?
SK: So what are the various saving schemes available?
SK: All mutual funds?
SK: This is your first job. You've not tried switching?
MJ: Why not?

MJ: What will you get from a PGP program in IIM L?

MJ: What are your criterion for selecting a job after MBA?
SK: So money isn't your first priority?
SK: Thank you. You may leave now.
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Interview experience of: prtk

Result: Converted
Characters Me, P1(someone who teaches agriculture business) and P2(Mr. Mohanty)
P2 called me in and himself went out
P1 asked me to sit
P1: Okay Pratik what are you doing?
P1: So you have done Mechanical Engineering from (he kept the form down) ..okay tell me about life in your
college
P2: so life is good at college?
P2: So you miss it?
P2: So tell me about life in Infosys Technologies
P2: There are so many people how can they do it?
P2: That is because money was not involved in it...I dont think company will pay if you want to present
paper in International conference
P2: But that is too small an amount
P2: That was for mass I am talking about individual
P2: Okay you are from Maharashtra tell us something about Maharashtra
P2: Why have you ever been to Uttar Maharashtra.Tell me name of any place in Uttar Maharashtra
P2: So have you ever been there
P2: Isnt it rich in culture
P2: Okay who started Bhudan Movement
P2: No it was not
P2: He was living near Nagpur
P2: Vinoba Bhave
P1: Okay you said Anna Hajare tell me something about Anna Hajare
P1: So Pratik you have studied Principals of Management and International Business
P1: So do you know anything about it
P1: What was it?
P1: So what are different ways in which a company can enter new market
P1: So which is the best way.. which is the cheapest?
P1: So which will give good result in long run
P1: What are different functions of management

P1: Think for some time like here you work in IT so what are other areas in your company
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P1: Okay you can go

IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

Interview experience of: sahil685

Result : Not converted
Background:
Xth CBSE 87%
XIIth CBSE 81.4%
B.E. from BMSCE, Bangalore in Electronics & Comm Engg
GD:
Very weird topic to say the least...
A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest in teaching the
students.
Interview:
A Prof(P) and a lady(L) were in my panel.I am Sahil (S)
P: Have a seat Sahil.
P: Hmmm...So you are a Software Engineer ?
P: What is Fortran?
P: Who is the founder of C ?
P: Which country has highest piracy according to a recent survey? Do not guess, tell me if you know for sure.
P: Who was the 3rd PM of India?
P: No problem.
P: When was the first planning commission formed?
P: What is probability?
P: Do you know there are 2 schools of thought in probability?what are they?
P: So what does your work involve?
L: So which other companies do this work?
L: Why was Tech Mahindra in news recently?
P: So Bangalore is getting a metro.How would you decide on the depth of the pillar below the ground ?
P: So what is the most important quality for a manager ?
P: Ok !! Thank You Sahil.You can leave.
P: Take your certificates.

Interview experience of: Crazyguy@pg

Result : Not Converted
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Background:
Xth ICSE 89%
XIIth CBSE 80.8%
One year drop
BTech from NIT Silchar in Mechanical Engg
8 month exp in IT

GD: For the success of a Team there should be accountability for expertise
Interview:
O: Tell me in brief about yourself?
O: What are the quant subjects you have studied in enggineering?
O: What were the things you studied in Maths 3?
O: What is the difference between differentiation and differential equations?
O: Where can you see it been used ?
O: Ok. What about it has been applied in other subjects, after all it has been taught for some reasons?
O: What are the different techniques of optimization ?
O: (interrupting) Leave the explanation, what others ??
O: Blabbered something about simplex etc. Can differentiation and integration be termed as optimization
techniques?
O: Is not maxima and minima are optimization method ?
O: What about simultaneous equation?
O: No there can be more than two !!
O: Then what is the diff between optimizing by simultaneous equation and linear programming ?
O: No but you should know .. this is simple .. u are an engineer .. that too from ..(I completed from NIT
silchar) .. yeah .. that too in mechanical engineering . Its a versatile branch. A mechanical engineer can move
anywhere, in any process like computer electrical etc but a computer guy cant move into mechanical. He
asked other person to start asking questions !!
MA: Who is the speaker of Rajya Sabha ?
MA: You mean Abdul Kalam ... ahahaha .. both had a laugh
Who is the speaker of Lok Sabha ?
their own thoughts, not sure whether they heard it or not.
MA: Who is the vice-captain of cricket team ?
MA: Another sheepish smile .. he isn't even in the team (oops !!)
MA: Thank you !! you can go !!

Interview experience of: amanonArun

Result : Converted but joined IIMC
Background:
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Xth SSLC(Karnataka) 88.64%

XIIth PUC(Karnataka) 91.0%
BE from MSRIT Bangalore in Info Science & Engg
30 month exp in IT
GD: To be a successful as a team each team member has to be accountable for his expertise
AL: Arun, can we have your record ?
AL takes it and passes it on to S. AL is looking at my Data Form
AL: So Arun, tell us about yourself.
AL: (Cuts me in the middle) So are you happy with your job?
AL: Then why do you want to leave this job and come and do a MBA?
AL: If you are serious on entrepreneurship , there are institutes Like Entrepreneurship Development
Institute. Why don't you join there?? (AL was really struggling to pronounce the word entrepreneurship)
AL: That they teach in EDI too.
AL: Once u start working as Consultant u won't go back to entrepreneurship.
AL: So tell me what have you done till now to show that you are interested in entrepreneurship.

AL: (Cuts me in)... That is not entrepreneurship. Show me one thing which you have started or initiated ?
AL: So what type of entrepreneurship are you planning on?
AL: Do you know what is the success rate of entrepreneurship ? That too in software industry? It is very
small.
AL: Then why do you want to do that? You have a good paying job. Why do you want to leave it and start
entrepreneurship? Isn't it a gamble?
AL: So have you read about entrepreneurs lifestyle...their success stories, how they have come up to be
successful. More than that have you read about the lifestyles of entrepreneurs who have failed and why they
failed? People who are interested in going up, read such stuffs.
AL: So what is the principle of Narayan Murthy and Infosys.
AL: So what is the principle of HP (My current work place) ?
AL: So no stress on hard work?
AL: Is that the reason you left Infosys? Are you afraid of hard work?
AL: (Cuts me in) because if you join IIMs, you can hardly sleep for 3-4 hrs a day. It is mainly hard work
there.
S: So have you read the book about Google Way?
S: So what are your hobbies??
S: Have you heard of PS3?
S: Name some games manufacturer.
S: Let me rephrase the question. Name three major games console manufacturer ?

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S: Playstation is a console... who is the manufacturer?

S: Have you heard about Nintendo?
S: So do you read newspaper?
S: Which news paper do you read?
S: No ET ?
S: Last week some indian company took over some foreign company. Which is it?
S: Another one
S: Which company?
S and AL look at each other. Thank you.

Interview experience of: kvmaheshwari

Result : Not converted
Background:
Xth CBSE 87.6% (1999)
XIIth CBSE 87.0% (2001)
B.Tech. (2006) from ISM Dhanbad in Electronics Enggineering with 81.0%.
Working in software testing for past 8 months at IBM.
GD: In business, the rear view mirror is more clear than the windshield.
Interview:
I had a stress interview :(
A female prof (F) and a male prof (M) were in the panel. I am B, the Bakra.
F: Vivek what were you doing from 2001 to 2002?
F: And then you joined Electronics at Indian School of Mines, Dhanabd.
F: What do you do at IBM?
F: I asked what do you do?
F: Where do you come from?
F: Tell me something about business developments in Jharkhand in past one year.
F: I am not talking about politics. You are here for a business course. Tell me about the business
developments. (Whom-are-you-trying-to-fool-looks)
F: There is a global player trying to enter in the state.
F: Have you heard about Mittals?
F: What plant?
F: You are from ISM. Are you interested in mines?
F: Have you heard of the place called Chiriya?
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2007

F: They are trying to tap that and the state is going to become very rich... (dekh-dekh-tujhe-nahin-pataF: What are the roadblocks they are facing in Chiriya?
F: Apart from political? (I-am-not-going-to-leave-u-easily)
F: What do you think you would learn in management.
F: What other sectors are you looking forward to?
F: So you think you don't have leadership or team working skills right now?
M: Show me your documents.
M: And what are those other things you are carrying?
M: So? Don't you have to show that to us?
M: And where are the other documents? Doesn't your call letter say you need to produce other things? What
will I do with these certificates of volleyball and other stuff? They don't mean anything for me. (Hands me
the call letter and says "Read what are the documents required.")
M: Yes this is the call letter... next...
M: Where is it?
M: Next.
M: Where are they? You have kept it with you!, Why, you don't want to show it to us?

M: I am not bothered about your certificates.

M: (I-will-kill-you-looks. Flips through my grade sheets.) What did you read in Managerial Economics?
M: What was the managerial aspect of economics in this paper?
M: Tell me a scenario when the demand is inelastic ?
M: That means you haven't read this paper?
M: What is Control Engineering?
M: I am asking about Control. Tell me only about that.
M: How do you control a process?
M: Digital Communication... hmmm.... What are the two types of digital communication?
M: There are two broad classifications of digital communication. I am asking about those two.
M: That's what I wanted to know. Vivek you have this beautiful certificate (most-sarcastic-possible-looks) of
something called the 9th International Youth Leadership Conference. What was this about?
M: What is leadership?
M: Tell me five business leaders.
M: Why do you think Ratan Tata is a leader?

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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2008

M: What do you know about Tata-Corus deal? What are the salient features of that deal?
M: 608 or 618? (Sahi-bole-to-noch-khaaoonga-looks)
M: And?
M: If Vivek had to emulate one personality, who would he/she be?
M: Have you read about the Mahabharata?
M: What happened to Draupadi? She wanted different-different qualities in different-different people and
what did she end up with? (Five-husbands! Ab-bolo! I-am-here-to-rag-you-looks!!)
M: Why?
M: What?
M: What values are called middle-class?
M: Do you know about the background of Mr. Murthy? When was Infosys started? The fifty's?
M: Five?
M: Were they freshers or were they working somewhere?
M: Where? (I-know-you-don't-know-looks)
M: Are you asking me or are you giving an answer?
M: Ok thank you very much Vivek, you can go.

Interview experience of TintinAndSnowy

Result : Converted
Date/Time: 16th Feb; 10 AM
Bangalore
Panel - 2
My Profile:
Class 10 - 84
Class 12 - 81.5
BE (Elect) - 71.2 from REC Durgapur
CAT 2006 - 99.72
Calls - ACLIK
Work Ex - 56 months in IT company.

GD topic - A room without books is like a body without a soul.

Interview:
OC: Please show your class 10 and 12 certificates.
OC: You had 6 subjects in class 12, but you have written only 500 as your full marks, why so?
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2008

OC: Your degree certificate.

OC: Your salary slip and joining letter.
OC: You seem to have a gap between 1997 and 1998. What did you do?
OC: Where is the proof/certificates for that?
OC: Then how will we believe you ?
OC: Tell me some thing about yourself ?
OC: So when did you take CAT last year
OC: Last to last year?
OC: Didn't get???
OC: What have you learnt from your 56 months of work ex ?
OC: Suppose in a team, there are few people who are very careless, don't do their work in time ... etc. ... what
should you do ?
OC: Ok ok ... over to YS
YS: So since you have 6 years of work-ex (increased me work ex by 1 year), we wouldn't ask you anything on
acads..... let me ask you something on .................. your salary!
YS: What is provident fund?
YS: I didn't understand anything - please rephrase
YS: What is the rate of interest in provident fund?
YS: What is the difference between perks and allowances ?
YS: So which one will you like ?
YS: Why? most people prefer perks
YS: Why most people prefer perks?
YS: So you don't want to save tax.
YS: What are the various ways to save tax
YS: Anything else
YS: Full HRA is non taxable ...
YS: Ok ok ... I know that ... what else.
YS: So, you haven't taken home loan?
YS: Why? Aren't you married?
OC: So, if you do MBA, you will study with people much younger to you .. Say of 20-21 yrs ... will that be a
problem with you?
OC: Ok thank you and all the best!
My file was on the table, asked them "may I take the file ?"
YS: Take it man, it's your lifeline ... and all of us started laughing.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2008

Well that was it, considering the kind of interview I faced, should have done better.

IIM Lucknow - Year 2008

Interview experience of RinceWind

Result : Converted
Profile:
Xth - 92.17
XIIth - 85.20
B.Tech - Chemical Engineering IIT Kharagpur - 7.70
Work-Ex: 4 years in BHEL in project management.
CAT %ile: QA 91.57, LR 90.58 VA 97.36 OA 97.30
Cast:
P1: Prof with Engg-based questions
P2: Prof with Economics based questions. Me:
Part 1:
P2: Mr (Fill name here.)

P2: Chemical engineer from IIT Kharagpur, working in BHEL?

P2 & P1 in tandem: Why? What do you do there? Your responsibilities?
P1: So you don't do chemical engineering.
P1: What is CPM?
P2: What is PERT?
P2: How do you find a Critical path?
P1: What is float?
P2: Give an example.
P2: OK... so when the float is zero .....
P2: Tell me what do you do, after identifying the critical path?
P1: Do you do Risk Analysis?
P1: Can you?
P2: Try
P2: Is risk same as uncertainty?
P1: Tell us mathematically.
P2: So you mean risk is quantifiable?
P2: So you can calculate risk with probability.
P2: smirks... obviously no probability without past data. Summarizes risk and uncertainty. All smiles.
P1: Ok.. do it ...
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Passes a pad... and gestures that I use the pen offered and not my own.
P2: Obviously.
I write down an equation and muck it up.
P1: Why this plus sign?
P1: Is it mutually exclusive or independent.
P1: So multiply.
P1: What is mutually exclusive event?
P1: (Uses the statements which were quite ominous sounding) You have already told us the answer, just
repeat it. You have read a lot of mathematics in enggineering and for CAT. You know it, I know.
P1: Ok... what happens if I flip two coins. Probability of both getting heads is?
P1: Write down in P1, P2.
P1: So, you need to be guided...
Part 2:
P1: So what is fourth flotation?
P1: Yes... draw....
P1: Give a real world example
P1: What is this? (with a smile) You are from IIT. Forgot everything. What a shame!!
P2: Tell me about your family.
P2: So a well-settled family.
P1: You are from Kharagpur. What is Patel Hall known for?
Part 3:
P2: In the GD, you used the term "scarce resources"... tell us what did you mean by that.
P2: In the context of GD?
P2: Are jobs resources?
P2: Is human resources a scarce resource in India?
P1: You are an IITian. Aren't IITian scarce resources?
P2: So how do you know a resource is scarce?
P2: Rephrase it.
P2: Repeats what I say to make sure I can hear how stupid it may sound. So is desire same as demand?
P1: Show it mathematically.
Here I had some problem with my file which was still unasked for until now. I asked whether I may please
put it on the table.
P1: OK
P2: No, give it to me. I need to see that. It's a demand. (He went into Hindi, and it was quite a friendly
situation.)
I pass it on and take up the now-much-feared pen.
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P1: Show in Venn diagram

I draw it.
P2: Is desire a subset of demand?
P2: What is the left hand side?
P2: Yes, it is unfulfilled desires. Smiles. So what is required for desire to become demand.
P2: OK, if you have the money to buy, then what?
P1: OK, your priorities, right. Now if you have Rs 20. You have unlimited money. Then?
P2: Say, I tell you this bottle of water costs Rs 200. Will you "demand" it?
P1: So in single phrase?
P2: Will....
P2: Now tell in single sentence.
P2: Now with this Demand, I Supply you your file. Thank you Mr. (Enter Name here).
As I thank them and get up, some more jokes are cracked on supplying my demand... I smile along... and
walk out.

Interview experience of soullancer

Result : Wait listed but joined IIMB.
Profile:
X: 88.4
XII : 85
B.E. : 75.2 (Computers)

Topic: When you start feeling you are siding with the majority, its time for you to reform.
Centre: IIM L Noida Campus
Essay: Spelled out majority as majourity in the whole essay.
anyways.. a decent essay with 3 different examples and also wrote about having a framework to question the
decisions. my rating: 7/10(could have been 9)
PI: Old lady (P1), Middle aged lady(P2), yours truly(S).
P2: So tell us about your job (what??? there goes my prep of why mba down the drain)
P1: You got promoted so what is the difference in your responsibilities?
P1: When did you start feeling that you need to do MBA?
P1: This is your first attempt?
P2: Then why did you give it before? peer pressure?
P2: So you wanted to prove yourself...
P2: You work in Bangalore? then why the centre is Delhi?
P1: Ok so what happened in the last 2 attempts?
P2: What all calls did you get this time?
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P2: What's your percentile?

P1, P2 burst into smiles.....
P2: It can not get better than this?
P1: What changed in the last 2 years? how did you manage good percentile this year?
P1: Ok, so since you got multiple calls, where will you rate L among them?
P2: Ok, so which college will you fill in case of multiple converts?
P1: The one that comes first? but that is not how decisions are made , this is illogical.
P2: Which exam did you give to get into your engineering college?
P1: Ok so what kind of reading do you do?
P1: Last book?
P1: Author?
P1: What do you like about Paulo?

P1: So you think it makes people pessimistic ?

P2: What did you learn out of that book?
P2: What do you do in free time?
P1: Rate yourself in the GD
P2: Why not 2 or why not 8?
P1: Then how come you are able to discuss things with your friends?
1. I am more comfortable with them and
2. they are willing to listen when others are speaking (the only question where I think I should have been
more diplomatic).
P2: So you were not that comfortable with them?
P2: Ok we are done.. you may leave..

Interview experience of akshatagarwal

Result : Converted
Profile
X: 84.8
XII: 84.2
B TECH(chem) : 78.7% (University silver medal)
Work ex: 19 months at ANSYS Fluent Inc.
GD/ESSAY:
"Morality is the creation of the weak to deter and limit the strong."
no of candidates: 8 (1 was absent)
P1: Prof who was fond of maths.
P2: The prof who was asking general questions.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

M : Moi.
EXP:
P1: So Akshat, come in have your seat.
P2: So its been a long wait for you, what were you doing all this time?
P1: You had a senior from your college in the group, what did he tell you about us?
P2: Ok, Akshat how would you rate your performance in the GD.
P2: Ok, as in below your expectations. Show me your file.
P2: Why ?
P2: Why this shyness? Are you from a village school?
P1: Oh DPS!! DPS students do a lot of things besides academics as well, isn't it? (guess he was trying to get at
MMS scandal)
P2: Tell me about your father?
P2: Mother
P2: Are you an only son or do you sister as well?
P2: Oh, fashion designer, why didnt you think of becoming one?
P2: So your family is well settled. you must be looking for a rich girl thats why you want to come over here?
P1: Ok, we know you are good at science, lets discuss something different, what about literature?
(I think , oh shit now what!! give a meek smile)
P1: What kinda books do you read?
P1: Surely you must have read textbooks in school? Could you quote some lines of a poem?
(I was dumbfounded)
P2: All right go ahead.
P1: Hindi is a language I don't understand but you may go ahead.
P1: What was your favourite subject at school?
P1: Not maths?
P1: Who won the Nobel prize for physics from India?
P2: What did he do?
P1: What is it?
P2: Ok, anyone else who won the Nobel prize?
P1: Ok, We give you a hint, he is a relative of CV Raman
P2: So who is your favourite physicist.
P2: Where do you work? whats your job profile?
P2: Who is your competitor in india?
P2: Doesnt ISRO use CFD ?
P2: How do you define a major client.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

P1: Ok so you like physics and you have a great mentor at your office. Why did you write cat07 seriously and
why do you want to come over here ?
P2: Ok Akshat, so you were the best singer at college.
P2: Who's your favourite singer
P2: Why mohd rafi:
P2: Could you sing us a Mohd Rafi song
P2: Why do you like this song?
P2: (he cut me and asked) Why this particular song?
P2: What feelings?
P2: But you havent thought about girls, then how can you understand the feelings behind this song?
P2: What do you about premarital sex. Someone in your group mentioned that?
P2: Then why didn't you raise an objection.
P2: Ok, What do you think about relationships. Where are they heading?
P2: Family relationships?
P2: Its good to hear such things from a young man like you.
P2: What about live in relationships?
P2: Ok Akshat , what calls do you have?
P2: Ok Akshat, You were silent for some time , but we have noticed something is worthy in you. all the best.

Interview experience of Tortured_Soul

Result : Converted
`
PROFILE:
Acads:
X : 82.4%
XII : 80%
Undergrad Major - 81.6%, ECE from NITJ
Work-Ex: Wipro tech, 19 months.

GD:
Topic: Great spirits are violently opposed by mediocre minds.

PI:
Panel Members Intro:
[ I do not intend to ridicule any of the panelists.]
Strategy prof [P1], Finance head [P2]. Me tortured soul [TS]
BTW, both are eating pakoras and I am pretty hungry.
Questions:
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

P2: Sell yourself to us?

both P1, P2 pounce

P1: What are those qualities ?

P2: You are giving vague answers. Be more specific.
P1 while making sure his pakora has lots a ketchup. What is the difference between maintenance and
enhancement projects.
P1 Gives me some scenarios: I have some release that I don't find good enough, I want to build from scratch,
is it enhancement.
P1: Which is difficult?

P1: Are low cost IT jobs sent to India?

P1: What is innovation wrt to Wipro?
P1: No, there is a specific term.
P1: What is the 'Innovation Council'?

P2: lookin into my file for a weird subject and finally zeroes in on:
tell me something about neural network and fuzzy logic.
P2 cuts in: talk in simple layman language, we dont know much about this.
P2: trying to sound funny: whats fuzzy logic, sounds like funny?
P1: Smiles, Gobbles another pakora: whats GSM and CDMA ?
P1: So what have you learnt at NITJ?
P1 Cuts in: Are you from Punjab?
P1: Punjabis are jolly fellow, hehehehe...
P1: Which attempt was it?
P1:Whats your score in CAT, what calls do you have?
P1[grinning]: So you are a smart person[thanks for the compliment sirjee]. I won't ask you the most freq
asked question where you will go in case of multiple converts [TS lets out an audible sighs of relief]. Just tell
me how you see yourself 5 years from now?
P1 [shakes his heads]: You give very vague open ended answers.
P2 [smells blood]: Do you read newspaper daily ?
P2: What is the ruling party in Bangladesh?
P2: Pakistan?
P2: Are you sure?
P2: Nepal?
P2: What!!! And you say you read papers, do you even know about the Indian government?
P2: What's UPA??
P2: sure..
P2 [not done yet]: Name the parties in UPA..
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

P2: Ok, what more

P2: Are they part of govt?
P2: They are not a part of government, just support.. what else..
P1: Do you read?
P1: Which ones have you read?
P1 [taking one more dig]: What is Anand's rating?
P1 n
P2: That's it... Thats it.. All the best Ankit.

Interview experience of shaurya1985

Result : Converted
Btech in Mech from IIT D 8.04/10
Exp 7 monthT
Percentile 99.81 BLACKI
I was first in my panel.
Panel of 2 (Was really impressed by the panel; they were really gud)
YP - Young Prof
OP - Old Prof
Me - Me
Greetings etc
YP: Tell me something about yourself ?
YP: Tell me about the internships ?
OP: Why do you people do 3 interns? You are only required to do 1 intern? I have specially seen this
phenomenon in IITD people? Every year my mail box gets filled with intern request?
YP: What did you do in your first year vacations?
YP: That is not wastage of time..you charged ur self..relaxed
YP: I think its only to add something on your CV
YP: You have certificates in football, hockey and cricket
YP: What was the final score of Man U vs Arsenel match that was played last night?
YP: Fair enuf...it was 2-0
YP: Which was the last book you had read?
YP: What was it about?
YP: So you deal with data a lot (My job profile..I am a domain consultant in a data analytics firm). How
would you interpret this..there are 2 data sets...both have mean = 6 ...first one has SD = 0.5 and the other one
has SD = 6.
OP: Can you give an example where we can see such a distribution?
OP: But is it possible in a CAT like exam

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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

OP: So can you give some realistic example?

YP: Give me a realistic example of an event whose probability of happening is 1?
OP: (Surprised) well you mean to say that its probability is 1..I can make you sit here for 2 hrs and you will
be proved wrong..or there may be fire here and we may have to stop the process
OP: Think about another example?
YP: What if I take your mobile and switch it on and it rings?
YP: How would you interpret probability = -0.5?
YP: So you mean to say its only a theoretical concept?
YP: (Now the tech part) You must have heard abt Nano? Why is it that its overall dimensions are pretty
small but still it is spacious?
OP: Where is the engine of Nano?
OP: What!!! Engine at the back???????
OP: Give examples of other rear wheel driven vehicles? OP: Dont go into details..just give me examples?
OP: gave some examples of vehicles (Also mentioned bicycles)
OP: Give an example of rear wheel driven automobile?
OP: What about Trucks?
YP: Lets talk about tyres..why cant we use completely solid tyres in automobiles?
YP: A car is about 600-700 kgs..how does wheel weight have major effect ?
YP: What if we use a material X which is strong and light?
YP: Why do you think it hasn't been explored till now?
OP: You know I expect certain kind of curiosity from people coming from IITs. You are a mechanical
engineer from IIT Delhi. Has something changed in IITs?
OP: But course on automobiles must be basic for you guys?
YP: Which electives did you do?
YP: TQM..hmmm....What is Kaizen?
YP: What is JIT?
YP: What is Kanban?
YP: What was your cat percentile?
OP: What calls do you have?
YP, OP: Thank you, All the best!

IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

Interview experience of adityarockz

Profile:

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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Lucknow - Year 2009

X : 93.0 (CBSE)
XII : 95.8 (CBSE)
BTech : IIT Kharagpur, Manufacturing Science and Engg. 8.3
Work ex : 8 months on Jan 2009. Fair Isaac, Software profile.
CAT %ile
Quant : 45 -- 98.08
DI : 41 -- 97.37
Verbal : 82 -- 99.74
OA : 168 -- 99.89
The topic for the essay was Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from
poor judgement.
P1 takes my dossier and starts verifying marks and all.
L1: So Aditya, Let me compliment me you on your beautiful handwriting
L1: And let me say you have written a wonderful essay. Very well structured and some very valid points in
there.
L1: Why did you not put forward all your points in the essay? Good that we have introduced essays.
Otherwise all your points would have been lost.
L1: No. See, when the group is digressing from the point, you should act the leader and then bring them back
on track. You should be blunt and just put forward your point irrespective of what the group is talking. Later
when you do your MBA, you will face many such similar situations and hence I expect you to lead in such
cases.
L1: And you have a very high score in your class XII. CBSE that too. How did you manage?
L1: So you should have managed into it easily.
L1: (Flummoxed) Why???
L1: Thats pretty unfair and we too face a similar situation when assessing your board marks and. (she
spoke of the profs dilemmas for 2 mins on that)
P1: Still checking and verifying certificates and marks in courses too
L1: So what did you do when you didnt get in?
L1: Ohh!!! Thats very nice. Anyways you got into IIT and so that didnt affect you so much. Instead of
accepting it lightly, you took up the matter (and the praise continued). [Thanx mom]
P1 finally completes his checking.
L1: So tell me where do you see yourself 5 years from now.
L1: So you wont be sitting for placements?
L1: So whats your percentile?
L1: Wow. How many marks lesser than the 100 percentiler?

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L1: Ohh!!! Thats a little far off but your score is very good. (The praise!!!) So you must have all 7 calls?
L1: *Flabbergasted* (to P1) Whats with Shillong? What do they want? What is their criteria?
P1 puzzled and wants me to explain
L1: But you have a good graduation score.
L1: *smiles* Ohh!!! Then you wont be getting a call. How have your other interviews so far been?
L1: How has this interview been so far?
P1 takes over
P1: So I can see you have done a few courses that are taught at IIMs Operations Research(OR), Advanced
OR, Management of Inventory systems. Engineering Entrepreneurship. Can I ask you a few questions about
that? Will you be comfortable? Do you remember?
P1: The reason is you have just 8 months of work ex. So that is why I want to ask acads.
P1: Ok tell me about your company and what you do.
P1: Ok. How good are you with your course subjects. You have good grades in core.
P1: How do you measure the hardness or smoothness of a surface.
P1: Have you heard of Brennans number.
P1: If I give you a surface and tell you to determine its surface profile what will you do?

Interview experience of karthik000

PROFILE:
Date : 26-Mar-2009 2:00 PM
Location : Hotel Monarch Luxur, Bengaluru
Acads:
X : 91.4% TN Matriculation
XII : 96.4% TN Stateboard
Undergrad Major - 8.2 CGPA. College of Engineering, Guindy. Anna University
Work-Ex:
Oracle - 30 Months
Points in the Essay I had multiple viewpoints - Peace for a country would require preparation for War. All Nuclear countries
want Peace. Japan. AK 47.
Peace for a society would mean waging a war against social ill practices, health hazards, cultural conflicts.
AIDS campaign. Sex Education.
Peace for an Individual would mean, keeping oneself physically and mentally fit. Training in the gym, Yoga,
meditation, hobbies.
Peace for an Economy would mean to have best fiscal practices. Having best Policies and Procedures
Peace for environment. Global Warming. Tsunami warning systems.
PI:
Panel Members Intro:[Same as the GD Panel]
One Old Prof (OP)
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

One Young Prof. (YP)

and Me (RK).
Questions:
YP : Do you like four letter words?
YP : What about them?
YP : Okay, describe yourself with 4 letter words.
YP : Okay.. describe yourself with 5 letter words..
OP: (Breaking the silence...)Its okay.. You must be exhausted.
OP and YP : Its okay.
YP : okay.. Now tell us about yourself.. in as many words and letters as you want...(Smiles... Smiles all
around..)
YP : (Cutting me in between) Why have your grades decreased throughout your 4 years??
OP: But still your grade would've decreased in the top 15. From 1 to 15. (He was also telling something about
only profs knowing how Grades work.)
YP : Okay.. what are the types of joins you can do using rows???
YP : If I give you two ropes how many different types can you join them?
YP : Fisherman's knot. Can you do it now? If I give you some rope?
YP : (Laughing..) If that is the learning.. why would you leave your acads for NCC?
YP : Okay.. for tents, how will you nail the tent pegs? Straight or Slant?
YP : Why? Then where did you stay during the camps?
YP and OP: (Both laughing..) To travel from one room to another.. you need camps???
YP : What rifle did you use?
YP : .22 rifle?
YP : What did you do in Vizag?
YP : What is SONAR? What is it used for?
YP : What is the Principle?
YP : How would you differentiate between a whale and submarine??
YP : That's okay. Using Commonsense?
YP : How would a submarine move?
YP : A sub would move in a straight line, a whale would go zig zag. Unless its a drunk whale... (Laughs...)
OP: Joins.. unless its a dead whale.. (Laughs again...)
-- Pakoras and tea arrive -OP: What're you roles and responsibilites?
OP: More questions on why it is needed?
OP: Oracle is a good company. Your salary seems to be lesser.
OP: Okay. You must have monthly perks and stuff. Okay.
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YP : He's from Chennai.

OP: Okay.. you are from Chennai. What is the problem that Chennai faces as a city?
OP: Why is it so? It is a coastal region.. then what is the big deal? Water all around you?? Water water
everywhere not a drop to drink??
OP: You've heard about reverse osmosis? Explain it.
OP: How else could we solve the water issue?
OP: Supreme court had suggested something on it..
OP: Then I guess, the only thing to do is, both Karnataka people and Tamil Nadu people should vote for the
same govt. and then this issue would be resolved.
YP : What was the last book you read.
YP : What is throughput
YP : Fair Enough.
YP : What other calls do you have?
YP : All the best.
OP: All the best.
YP : Tell the next person to come in after 30 seconds.

Interview experience of implex

Result : Not converted
Cat percentile : 99.97
There were 8 students in the list but two were absent.
Essay and GD:
Interview:
P1: Prof to my left, Prof. Sanjeev Kapoor
P2: Prof to my right, Prof Krishna Kumar (Not sure though)
M: me!
P1 came and called me in..
Pleasantries and P2 asked me to sir. Thank you etc.
P2: xxx, You have done electronics engineering from IIT Kanpur. You have done very well till +2, what
happened there?
P2: Ok , tell me the recent developments in electronics engineering.
P2: But that is all electronics? tell me about electrical.
P2: Ok, have you heard about clean gas technology in power?
P2: Ok fine. What do you read apart from electrical engineering?
P2: Good, football ok!
P2: Who is the current world champion?
P2: When is the next World Cup.
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P2: Which is the most important position in football?

P2: Do you know Pele? What was special about him?
P2: Good!
P2: Do you play football?
P2: Oh, because of the operation?
P2: Ok
P2: What else do you read?
P2: And? (he didn't hear kite runner properly)
P2: Who is the author of atlas shrugged?
P2: What is so special about this book?
P2: The book is very thick and has very small print (says to p1 and me). How much time it took you?
P2: Good! Have you heard of the book alchemist?
P2: Do you know the name of author?
P2: Thats fine.
P2: Suppose in your job it is necessary to bribe the customer to get business. What would you do?
P2: Suppose there is no other way. And your company, although doesn't encourage bribes but sees no wrong
in it either and has funds allocated for it?
P2: Ok
P1 takes over
P1: Yeah, bribing is called facilitation fee. There is nothing wrong in it?
P1: Right!
P1: Can you tell me the probability of you getting into IIM L?
P1: Give a mathematical answer.
P1: What do you need?
P1: Assume 500 calls and 100 seats.
P1: Ok, then.
P1: Suppose we have 50% reservations for girls?
P1: Fine.
P1: So, you are from Bokaro Steel City, Tell me about your family?
P1: Oh all engineers. good very good.
P1: The guy who left before you asked me to ask you a question. Should I ask you that?
P1: What is the size of a football field?
P1: It is meters?
P1: Good, why do you think he asked me to ask you this?
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P1: Good, how does this answer tell me that you are suitable for management?
P1: How many interviews you have had? All over?
P1: Which calls you have?
P1: Which you don't have?
P1: ahh, you have so many calls, you will convert one of them, and will get into management, very good
chances.
P1: Good, that was I asking tell me your probability of getting into IIM L. P1: Why 70 and not 100?
P1: Fair enough!
Looks at P2.
P1 and P2: That will be all, Thank you.

Interview experience of lucky2

PROFILE:
Acads:
X : 95.84
XII: 84.8
Undergrad Major - GPA/percentage - EEE from NITK,Surathkal - 78.78%
Work-Ex:
NIL/Sector - Number of Years
Electronics(DSP) - 2.5 yrs
ESSAY & GD:
Topic:Patience is a bitter plant but it bears a sweet fruit.
PI:
Questions:
(the previous guy asked me to go in after 30 secs. I went and waited outside the room. They then called me
in.)

P1: (asked me to hand over my certificatess as soon as I entered)What does your name mean??
P1: (smiling) Introduce yourself. You may mention both what is there and what is not there in this form.
P1: You said SPICMACAY. Which artists did you invite?
P1: You said you are interested in Carnatic music. Why didn't you invite MS Subbalakshmi?
P1: So did she say she won't perform for SPICMACAY??
P1: So your name means vishnu, and you are interested in carnatic music. So can you sing the Vishnu
sahasranama for us?
P1: Then what can you sing for us?
P1: ok. sing 1-2 lines for us.
P1: So you are an electrical engineer from Surathkal - Which professors taught you??(He seemed to be from
my college)
P1: I have heard that fans have a capacitor. Why is that?
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P2: What is the main business activities in that area??

P2: Who owns MRPL?
P2: Ok what other activity?
P2: Name a few well known management institutes.
P1: How observant are you? Very observant?
P1: how many steps are there in the lighthouse at Surathkal?
P1: Have u climbed it?
P1: Then take a guess.
P2: The number of management institutes in India in increasing day by day. Is this good or bad?
P2: So how can we ensure good quality?
P2: IITs and IIMs work because they are government funded. The private players are in there to make
money. (He named a few of the private MBA institutes. Gave a small lecture here. But his voice was a bit
feeble and I got only parts of what he said. So just kept nodding and smiling. At the end I said private
institutes also should quit being money oriented and take up social responsibility)
P2: What should the govt do to maintain quality.
P2: AICTE is in charge of management education also.
P1 Which was the last book u read?
P1: What is that book about?
P1: Why is it called "Medici" effect.
P1: Are you sure it was a banking family? or was it a dynasty?
P2: Have you heard of Machiavilli ?
P1: What!! painter??
<P2 told something about him - I didnt get what he said>
P1: Never mind. Its ok.
P1: Which other calls have u got?
P1: Which did you miss out?
P1: You did not apply!! where is shillong?
P1: Good that u did not apply.
P1: Ok . Fair enough. (seemed convinced) You may leave now.
(returned the documents and the photocopy)

IIM Lucknow - Year 2010

Interview experience of sk_nitjsr

PROFILE:
Acads
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

X -94.5%,ICSE,2000
XII-82.6%,CBSE,2002
Undergrad B.Tech in Mech Engg from NIT Jamshedpur,2007,CGPA -8.89/10
Work-Ex:
S/w Sector-30 months
CAT (2009-10):
Aggregate: 96.54 (NC-OBC)
Extra academics : Decent extra curricular
Any other special thing about you: nothing special
Interview & Essay
Essay :
Topic: Legalising doping in sports in modern times GD:

PI:
Panel Members Introduction : P1(jovial..around 45 yrs),P2 (old and serious looking)
Questions:
P1: so where do you work?
P1:your designation?
P1: promotion policy of your company? What designation are MBAs offered?
P1: so you are a mechanical engineer. What is the difference between a mini bus and large bus from
engineering point of view?
P1: Difference between car and mini bus then.?
P1: what happens to fuel economy when number of cylinders are increased?
P1: .whats the role of banks in nation building? (thankfully changes topic)
P2: will give you a word,add some adjectives to it Word is growth.
P2: now tell me what are these, and how India will achieve this growths?
P2: What is financial inclusion? What can be done for that?
P2: what was your rank in your department in college?
P1: Which technology you are working on?
P1: What is data dictionary?
P1: What happens if I drop a table and want to rollback.
P1: How to manage the tables.. When many people are handling it. How to prevent unnecessary
manipulations?
P1: If everyone is having privilege to do everything on tables, How to change the code to handle such things?
P2: Last yr Mr Chidambaram waved off the loans of the farmers.Was it justified ? or just a political gimmick.
P1: What all calls?
P1: Nice talking to you.Thanks.
- last and first salary slips with joining letter will do.
VERDICT: Converted!

Interview experience of One_Stop_2_Hell

PROFILE:
Acads
X : 83.6%, WB Board
XII: 82.3%, WB Board
Undergrad : BE Mechanical, 82.4%, B.E.College, Shibpur, 2004 passout
Work-Ex: 66 months till date
NTPC 29 months, Thermax (present) 37 months
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. Interview & Essay

Essay :
Topic: Essential services like water, electricity should not be privatized
Number of People present : 9 (2 absent)
PI:
Panel Members Intro: One Jolly Fellow (say J), one serious but quite modest fellow (say S)
Questions:
J : (nodded and asked to have seat). So you are from BEC, Shibpur ! You have two beautiful playground in
your college- Lords and Oval !(these are name of the grounds. Don't get confused. God knows how on earth
he came to know this!)
J: In which you used to play?
J : What's special about Lords? Why not Oval.
J : BEC(Bengal Engineering College, Shibpur)
has become full fledged university from
deemed university. What are the changes that
followed?
J : What do you do exactly in Thermax?
J: Why did you leave NTPC?
S: Should we stop all thermal power plants as these create pollution ?
S: What is carbon Credit?
S: Elaborate more about carbon credit.
S: I've heard number of Tigers are coming down. What's the reason?
S: How can be it prevented ?
J: Is it a machine?
J : Why?
J: Prove me with help of a diagram...
S: You didn't get through IITs and NITs. Don't you repent for that?
S: What does RBI do?
S: What is CRR?
S: What is Repo rate?
S: What is Reverse Repo rate
S: How does CRR regulate market?
J: Tell me in two mins. Why MBA?
J: what do you think who should hire you in IIML?
S: Why did u study about RBI? you are a mechanical engineer.
Both smiled and hinted interview is over.
S: Nice talking you...thank you.

Interview experience of amit.ryk

PROFILE:
Acads
X %,Board, year : 87.4
XII%, Board, year : 82.6
Undergraduate Stream(BA, BE etc) (Specialization , Percentage, Year, Institute) : BE(CSE), 74.7, BIT Mesra
Ranchi
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

Work-Ex:
Sectors, Company - Number of months:
Software : 30 months
Oil & Gas Marketing: 14 months

Essay : Should essential services like electricity and water be privatised.

GD Topic: Same for Essay.
Panel Members Intro: One lady (L) and one Gentleman (G)
Me (M)
Questions:
L: Introduce yourself.
L: So you volunteer for teach India. What work you do as a Teach India volunteer?
L: So you are a CSE grad. Tell me what is a compiler?
L: How does it work?
L: What is kernel in an Operating System?
L: Name few Operating Systems.
L: How is Unix different from Windows?
L: How is Unix different from Linux.
L: Why is Linux named so?
L: Two plus points and two negative points about Unix.
L: So you have read Operation research. Tell me what is the purpose of OR?
.
L: Can you name any process or algorithm used in OR?
L: Passed the baton to G. G sir you wanna ask something.
G: Hmm. You have in all 3.5 years of work experience right.
G: Do you think you company is doing fine?
G: That means your company is perfect and needs no improvement.
G: Then tell me on what two fronts your company needs improvement. (Mine is an OMC Oil Marketing
Company).
G: do you think that the government should abolish subsidy on Petroleum products.
G: But tell me,, government takes heavy amount of taxes on petroleum products. Is it justifiable?
G: Will the passing of full burden cause inflation.
G: Tell me what is you take on Womens reservation bill.
G: No M I didnt ask that. I asked whether this bill should be passed or not.
G: Okay Okay. Turns to L.
L: Okay M thanks a lot.
L: Ohh M please come.
L: What others call do you have.
L: Okay that is great.
G & L : Thank you and please send the next guy after 1 minute.

Interview experience of Rahul.nitjsr

PROFILE:
Acads:
X - 82%, CBSE, 2000
XII - 84%, CBSE, 2002
B. Tech, Civil Engg., 9.14 CGPA (out of 10), 2006, NIT Jamshedpur
Work-Ex:
IT Sector, TCS - 39 months
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

CAT (2009-10):
DI - 92%tile
Quant - 92%tile
Verbal - 99%tile
Aggregate - 98.6%tile
(General)
Essay & GD:
Topic: In India, should minorities be given the first right to resources?
PI:
Panel Members Intro: Lady Prof (L), Gentleman Prof (G), Myself (M)
Questions:
G: So...where's your hometown? Is it Noida?
G: Where did you do your Xth and XIIth ?
L: How come so many places?
L: How many schools have you been to ?
L: Let me see you file (I passed on my file to her)
G: Why the switch from Civil to IT?
G: (smiling..to me and to L) I wonder what will happen to construction sector...everybody's going into IT
L: Asked me about the industrial training I did in college
L: What are the different techniques in surveying?
G: So how do you design a structure?...asked the process..
G: How is earthquake resistant design done. Japan is earthquake prone country but how come they manage
to build tall buildings?
G: Asked L if she had any other questions.
L: I'm done

Interview experience of anshuljain_iitd

PROFILE:
Acads
X %,Board - 86.4%
XII%, Board - 79%
Undergrad Stream(BA, BE etc) , Specialization, Percentage, Year, Institute Chemical engineering BTech from IIT, Delhi, cgpa 8.71 (2nd rank in department)
Work-Ex: 45 months as technical consultant to refineries and petrochemicals
Sectors, Company - Oil and gas
CAT (2009-10):
DI 99.53
Quant 92.75
Verbal 99.52
Aggregate 99.72
(category if applicable) general

Essay : In India, minorities should have the first right to country's resources
Topic: same as essay topic
PI:
p1: good afternoon
P2: good afternoon, have a seat
P2: give me your file
P2: so you work in refining sector and have been to refineries
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

P2: tell us about your job responsibilities there?

P1: asked what my parents do?
P1: asked about crude oil
P1: asked me economic analysis about petrol price
P1: What are the various components?
P1: who charge these taxes
P1: how many litres in a barrel
P1: why dont you have ready made answers to anything? why are you so tentative?
P1: again, giev me economic analysis
P1: tell me what part is tax out of Rs 50
P1: as a chemical engineer you should have known that
P1: u talked about sarva shiksha abhiyan during GD. Whats that?
P1: only enrollment and both P1 and P2 grilled on that
P1: who is called literate in india?
P1: started laughing
P1: dont make guesses
P2: why mba?
P1: pounced on it, asked me about how will poor be affected
P1: good
P1: discuss jatropha (related to my why mba answer)
P1: impact on agriculture?
P1: then, what should be
done
P1: tell me about global warming
P1: which are major greenhouse gases?
P1: is co2 released from car exhaust?
P1: satisfied.
P2: you have written six sigma, please tell about your role?
P2: what is six sigma?
P1: what is its equation
P1: write equation for normal distribution
P1: asked about social problems that India is facing
P1: then Kerala should not have any problem
P1: satisfied
P1: we are done
P1: started laughing
P1: then said ask
P1 and P2: replied in a nice manner

Indian Institute of Management,

Kozhikode
IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

Interview experience of RAHUL ABRAHAM MAMMAN

GD:
PI :
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

First question
Q:How did you improve profitability in your business ?
Q: How did you bring down inventory levels ?
Q: Your dad seems reasonably successful..he doesn't have an MBA right ? Why do you need one ?

Q: What about acads ?Have you learned accounts ?

Q: What is a book of final entry ?
Q: Name some books
Q: Again some question was asked..which I dint understand ?
Q: What is median ?
Q: What is standard deviation ?

Q: Next the lady takes over from there....So which course in Economics have you done in B.Com
Q: But you must have done something ?
Q: OK what is Marginal cost ?
Q: What is break even ?
Q: What is margin of safety ?
Q: What is Contribution .....how it is calculated
Q What is Marginal Cost used for ?
Q: What is dumping ?
Q: What is Price Discrimination ?
Q: What is the difference between Price discrimination and dumping ?
Q: What else do you do besides studies and the business part ?
Q: What is the oldest coin u have seen ?
Q: How did you get into coins ?
Q: What does the society do in promoting coin collection ?
Q: ok what other calls do you have ?
Q: What is your percentile ?
Q: Did you go for coaching
Q: Where did u go ?

Interview experience of cacofonix

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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2005

Profile :
IITD 2002, Elect
CAT %tile
OA 99.30
DI - 99.22
QA - 99.11
VA - 89.09
GD Topic :
It was a three page long topic, the essence was Globalization is leading to trade being spreading across not
culture.
Interview:

P1: Afternoon Manish, please have a seat.

P1: Manish, can you give us your file ?(hand over)
P1: Manish, you have switched 3 jobs in 2 years, any particular reason for that ?
P1: Okay fair enough, so tell me about your work at XXX ...
P1: No no tell me how do you go about doing it..
P1: So, you have been with XXX with 6 months, you must have finished at least one project by now..
P1: (smiles...) - So tell me, there is an opportunity cost involved with doing MBA, losing two years of salary,
plus paying tuition fees and you will be getting older...
P1: Okay so after working for 2 years, how do you think you performed better than others in group
discussion ?
P2: When did you go to Germany ?
(On this point they exchanged the file and form)
P2: (Looks at my photograph.. surprised) - When did you get this photograph taken.. ?

P2: And do you still write poetry?

P2: Haardik Badhaai, isn't it a strange title for a tragedy ..

P2: You are very sensitive ..

P1: Okay Manish, you have done Psychological Basis of Behavior", Did u like that course ?
(talk shifted to Freud and his theories.. well handled)
P1: Macro Economics ?
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P1: What did u learn from it?

P1: So how do we calculate national income....?
P1: Difference between the two ..
P1: What is taken for per capita income - GPD or GNP .. ?
P1: Hmm.. what is that ?

P1: Okay so for state per capita income ... what would you use GDP or GNP between the two ?
P1: Something more... what if that is possible to do .. ?
P2: On what factors does transmission losses depend on ?
P2: So what is the voltage in high tension wires ?
P2: What would it be for a line from NTPC to BHEL ?
P2: No high tension...
P2: and what is the material of wire ?
P2: Why so ?
P2: But that will increase the resistance..
P1: Manish, are you still associated with Janam (jan natya manch)
P2: How many calls do you have..
P2: How was IIM A ?
P2: Thanks a lot Manish.

Interview experience of Eccentric

Profile :
B.TEch : IIT KGP 02
Work Ex. 2.5 yrs
CAT % 99.77
A: Welcome Mr Kumar.. come have a seat.
B: Didn't you expect to be called this soon?
A: Which engineering..??
A: Then how come in software your knowledge is wasted..!
A: Ok no doubt you befitted.. but there is no connection in manufacturing and software. why you did
manufacturing ?
A: So ended up by default into your job too..??
A: And you are here by default..??
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A Why MBA?
A: But MS might be better for you...
A: You know which behavior courses we offer..??
A: But to me it seems like you might not be suitable for MBA??
A: Told me in 1-2 minutes about a corporate manger with a stable mind he wanted his students to be..
A: Why don't you apply for a Phd(now how MS changed to Phd)??
B: Ok Ok if you don't wanna take good advise fine..asked about the project/responsibilities..
B: Asked about project in previous company Automotive Research association of india..??
There was a bit of argument about crash test worthiness or Mercedez and maruti/alto etc..
B(his trump card): Ok Atul this stuff is getting boring.. I give you 10 min to make myself interested in you??
B: Try selling me something new?
A: (he was going through all my subjects all this time..) Somehow he spotted a marketing management..
what do you know about it ?
A: Are you a mangement aspirant ?tell me something..
A: (smiling) Anything else
A: What is that called?
A: Somewhat satisfied ..ok you may leave..

Interview experience of srinal2000

Profile :
Xth - 76.6
XIIth - 86.2
BE (ECE) - 76.9
Work Ex - 29 months in RIC.
D Topic:"If you believe only you should do everything either because You don't trust anyone Or because you
are the most qualified one, then:
(i) you will always be busy
(ii) You will be unhappy with others because they are not doing what you want? "
Ji = Prof Saji and K = Prof Sarkar, S - Srini the me.

Ji : You are among the privileged few who go on to have a career in the same field as they had studied in their
BE. I have gone through your profile...you would have earned a lot more had you gone over to IT. (I had done
a GNIIT course and had mentioned Freelance s/w coding as my hobby)
Ji: Then what if you go on to a management career and realize that it actually kills your interest in
management. (Now that's an outstanding question)

Ji: Define FMCG. (Now talk about leading an interview)

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Ji: What are the products that you will classify as FMCG?

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K: Would you classify Stock Market Shares as FMCG?

Ji: Would you classify Rice as FMCG?

Ji: Ok. What do you know about Shannon??

Ji: Ok. Is your network a proper cellular network?

Ji: What???? Then what is a cellular network?

Ji: Ok. Explain the CDMA technology for me...how is it different?

Ji: Stop. What is a pseudo-random no?

Ji: No no....in general what is a pseudo-random no and how is it different from a random no?
Ji: Ok. What will the probability distribution of a pseudo random no be like. Throws a pen and paper fwd.

Ji: Ok. Draw me the poisson probability distribution.

Ji: (Laughs)....so you are weak in Maths.

Ji: Ok. What is a complex no?

Ji: Tell me the physical significance of the imaginary no. What does it represent?

Ji: Ok. Ok. Have you heard of this VAT?

Ji: Why is it that the traders are protesting it??

K: (presently looks up) What value does a trader add??

Ji: What about a super-market? He doesn't project it to the customer?

K: (with an ever-pleasant smile on) What about stock brokers? They get you the stock that you want him to
purchase. Surely he doesn't add value!!!
Ji: Ok. (whew!!) How do you quantify the value he adds?

Ji: Ok. Looks to K.

K: (By now he has completely finished going through my certificates). Ok. Explain how this r-world
application works. What technology are u using presently?
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K: Can I have live video/ data on my r-world app??

Ji: Ok. You have mentioned Freelance software coding......what are the projects you have done on it?

Ji: Ok. Ok. Any questions for us.

Ji: Well you can take up to a maximum of 3 majors......it's all credits based. You can do a major in IT......it
will cover Telecom as well.

Ji: We do it once in 6 months or 1 year usually. It is need based. This year we will be taking off some courses,
and there will be some new courses.
Ji: It is very much there.(I didn't know that he was a professor tutoring in this major).
Ji: Rather surprised.......we have our intranet portal. Most of the material is available
online.
Ji and K: All the best. Just call in the next guy, huh.

Interview experience of NewView

Had my GD-PI at Chennai - 9.00 am on 26th feb....
I reached the venue at about 8.20 am. Couldn't meet any PGites(Members of Pagalguy.com)... though I think
there should have been some of them (Pardeep was there -). Our names were called and we were taken to 3
different classes - all the groups had the same GD topic. Each group has 7-8 members.
Profile:
10th - 87.0 %
12th - 92.7 %
B.Tech - IIT-M (Mechanical)
CGPA - 8.25
Work Ex. - NIL (Fresher)
CAT - 99.62 %
GD :
The arrangement was predetermined and we were guided to our seats. It was a semi-circular arrangement.
Topic:
NGOs do a lot of work and help the society. But these days, running an NGO has become a lucrative business
and has ceased to be a completely social venture.
The GD was quite peaceful. Everyone got a chance to air his views, no airtime hogging. There was one guy
whose voice was very soft. Even he got considerable airtime. No female all the 3 groups (about 21-22 males).
We were given 2 mins to think and 10 to discuss. I must accept that the discussion was shallow, with
everyone coming up with only examples of NGOs and their work.
No summary was required.
Interview:
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two profs - A and B

Me - V
A: Sit. Your eye is Red..
A: Why did you not wear glasses then?
A; Ok.
B: so you are from IIT eh? Give me your file.
A: You have been placed in X- such a good company with good salary... why not join it. Why go for an MBA?
A: (dismissive) You mean to say that you can't learn about management in X. That these people don't know
management?
A: (again dismissive) You are interested in management, you are a mechanical engineer and you want to join
X which is a software company.... You are contradicting yourself!!
A: Ok.. you have your own logic which I am not satisfied with... and you don't seem to listen to good
advice...anyway...What do you understand by ERP?
A: what is MRP?
A: They both sound the same ... what is the difference?
A: Ok Leave it... You must have heard of SCM... what is it?
A: What is the difference between SCM and ERP?
B: Oh! you had taken Statistics and probability...
B: what is a probability distribution?
B: Can you give me an example?
B: Take this paper and write the equation.
B: What sort of distribution is this?
B: Good. Give me a discrete distribution.
B: Give me another continuous distribution..

A: and what about normal... discrete or continuous?

A: Ok, you can go.
B: wait .. You have taken special functions and partial differential equations...I have asked this question to
several IITians and none have answered it so far...let me see you answer... give me a special function.

B: (guess he didn't listen to me) good. write the equation of the gamma function.
A: Can you relate it to normal distribution?
A: Ok you can go.
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B: Wait! What did you do in computer simulation? (last semester course in Industrial engineering minor)

A: Directly to GA??I don't get it??

.
A: Ok tell me what is a GA?
A: You have got some idea but that is not complete...anyway you may go now.
B: What other calls have you got? all six?

B; Best of luck for the others...(laughs)

IIM Kozhikode - Year 2006

Interview experience of shrutz

PS: Looks like there's a nice Cafe Coffee Day outlet *somewhere* on the campus!
D-Day dawned as bright as a new penny.

P1 takes the file from me and starts looking through it. P2 is reading my form (oh NO!)

P2: "You have mentioned here that you are from Army background and were inspired by your mother's
entrepreneurship. Could you explain?"
P1: (interrupting) "She owns it?"
P2: "Where in Trivandrum?"
P2: (Ascertaining actual location...)
P2: "Okay, let's hear something about you."
P2: "Why not 120?"
P2: (looks down at file) "You call THIS okay at academics?"
P1: "Are you the topper?"
P2: "Okay, you've said being the placement coordinator was a cathartic experience. Explain"
P2: (after hearing everything.) "Yes, I understand. but why?"
P2: "What does cathartic mean?"
P2: "Not exactly."
P2: "Do that!"
Edit: It's more to do with ONE moment that is life-changing. *Sigh* I had an answer to that too. Ought to
have used it : (
P1: (closing the file) "So, Miss. George. You said you play the violin."
P2: "Name a famous Malaya-lee violinist."
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Kozhikode - Year 2006

After some painful exchanges....

P2: "Look that up too. So, can I ask you ANYTHING about your hobby?"
P2: "Oh, yes! So what's the difference?"
P2: "Are you a novice or are you good?"
P2: "VSM?"
P2: (nods his head and looks at P1)
P1: "So, Miss. George, what about your schooling?"
P2: "Semi?"
P1: "Miss George, Malaya-lees can be in the Armed Forces too."
P2: "Pattom?"
P1: "You're from Kerala. Whom do you think will come into power?"
P1: "Why?"
P1: "That's been a problem for ages"
P1: "Do you think there's something wrong?" (Scribbling marks down)
P1: "What do you intend to take up as a specialization?"
P1: "Both are very different"
P1: "What makes you think you will make a good manager?"
P1: "Just that?"
P1: (nods head and smiles)
P2: "I have a final question. You talked about trade unionism. Did you ever have to face it in the business?"
P2: Thank you.

Interview experience of brijesh8421

GD topic was something regarding modernization ,
1. First question was to explain the meaning of my fathers name
2. Mentioned following stocks trend as one of my hobbies so asked me what are circuit filters??
3. Do you think that 10k levels are sustainable for the market
4. Asked something related to FII investment.
5. Why left is opposing FDI?
6. Why MBA after about 5 years of experience ?
7. Asked me difference between bribing and lobbying ?
8. What do you feel about ethics as your company (Infosys) talks a lot about ethics??
9. Countered me that your chairman (Narayan Murthy) is on board of a bank and the same bank is using
your company's banking software product (Finacle) .Do you think its ethical??
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10. Told me that looking at what I have written in my form I seem to be a boring person. Dont u think a
manager needs to have an all round personality.
11. Do you think Infosys,Wipro recruits people who have very few interests so that they work for 12 hours a
day and 7 days a week and don't have any other interests.

Interview experience of despe

Hi junta
My profile
CAT %ile-99.14
Calls LICK
Computer engineer on bench
Group discussion
P1: Your topic is written on sheet of paper, after I ll tel you can see, then contemplate for 2 minutes & I will
indicate to start & after 10 minutes I will again indicate that u should wrap up in 2 minutes.
We opened the sheets & comedy started, mine was blank, I told them & P1 asked me to take
sheet of one of the absentees.
[hardly 30 secs passed]
P1: start (common u said 2 minutes not 30 secs)
A guy started with all the gyan, sensex consisting of 30 companies, having 1/5th of market cap etc. the lady
spoke about India's growth in nuclear sector & than I intervened & said the growth should be measured by
the growth of people of India & still only 28% Indian have access to sanitation facilities & 20 % dont have
access to drinking water. In all it was a real cool GD[the coolest 1 I had seen]with a lot of points being
repeated, very cordial & everybody like pleading with others, please cut me I dont have more to say. In all the
lady made some good points like nuclear growth, & sports etc. I chipped in 7-8 times, about political growth
(rising stature), tried to tell why agriculture was not growing & that we should not be 2 happy about sensex
growth because real measure of economic growth is FD on which we rank low. Substantiated this point by
telling that all EU countries have to maintain their FD near about 2-2.5%, so this is the measure which world
looks at but we are giving too much emphasis on sensex (around which the entire discussion was revolving)
due to media hype & also told that FII investing in India because interest rates in US were very low & now
since they have increased from 1 to 4.5 % so the inflow may start reducing but that wont mean India is not
growing to which somebody said then other stock exchanges except ours must also grow & I told that yes
china, japan & almost all developing economies stock exchange are growing. In between I tried to structure
by saying that since all of us feel that India grew in some sectors & not in others so let us take diff sectors &
discuss about growth in them but one guy said we should not do that & allow the GD to continue the way its
going, I said ok.
P1: 10 minutes over,the moment he said a guy said let me conclude & started concluding & almost
everybody added something to the conclusion, so it was a common conclusion & we all shut up[though we
still had around 1.5 minutes left]
P2: To the only guy who chipped in just once, u conclude & he did
Interview
P1: OK Gauravyes
P1:[again] .yes
P2: What is smar****?
P2:[holding & reading from the data form] What is sm****
P2:Oh! The forms are not in order & then I helped him in finding my form
P1: You mentioned something about DU in the GD

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P1: You mentioned something about EU in the GD, that was totally irrelevant, what does EU have to do with
Indias growth.
P1: What is FD
P1: Whose income & whose expenditure
economics was right or wrong but P1 laughed a lot at me during the course of interview & I too reciprocated
at times]
P1: So you mean FD should be less & if the only thing is to reduce it than we can do that by increasing
income tax rates, so govt will have more money.
P1: why
P1:You mean if FDI is more, that means economy is doing well
P1: So the only thing that should be done to reduce FD is increase FDI
P1:Do you know US has got the highest FD[started laughing]
P1: Tell me other things that can be done
P1: What is non planned expenditure.
P1:You mean, govt should not have spend money on helping people after tsunami.
P1:Now you are contradicting yourself[started laughing]tell me what subsidies should be cut & what
should not be.
P1:Dont poor people use cooking gas
P2: Are petrol & diesel subsidized?
P2: Then how do the oil companies make profit, if it is subsidized
P2: What? Is that so? How does it work
P1:Now you are again contradicting yourself
P2:How much profit did IOC make
P2:Did they make any profit at all?
P1: Should there be a price administration mechanism?
P1: Why ?
P2: come-on, we are asking about price mechanism & not about entry of new players, why are you linking
the two things. Anyways tell me.are there curbs on any new player entering the oil market
P1:You are saying govt should not adjust prices, what the govt is for
P1:[started laughing], How do u define growth
P1:Wait wait, what did u say
P1: No, you said purchasing power
P1:Tell me how does the govt ensures such growth
P1:[started laughing real high,even covered his face so lest I might count his teeth]
You are again contradicting yourself, you said govt should not regulate & now you are saying govt should
regulate.
P2:You mean govt provides a cushioning effect when it comes to petrol & diesel
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P1: What will be the implications if diesel prices rise

P1:[smiling] Diesel is not used only for cars but for transportation & other things also
P1:Why does not the govt allow petrol & diesel prices to rise
P2:U have written in your form, that you like reading non fiction & biographies,tell me 5 non fictions u have
read
P2: What zen
P2:I said non fiction, not biographies
P1:That's not a non fiction
P1: OK , complete P2s question, tell him 5
P2:Thought I dont agree Paulo Cohelo or Ayn Rand to be non fictions but any way, tell me the first line of
atlas shrugged
P2:1st line of fountainhead
P2:First line of alchemist
P1:Name that place
P2. What is the philosophy of the zen & the art of motorcycle maintenance
P2: Tell me about the philosophy given there
P2: No tell me the philosophy given there
P2: How is a bench period?
P2: Is it good to have bench
P1:You said your biggest achievement is organizing a blood donation camp in your university is that an
achievement
P1:No I dont feel so, I mean there are hundreds of such camp which happen everyday in India & it requires to
be stored & lot of blood is wasted because of that. What difference one more camp makes, how is it P1:U mean
there were no blood donation camps in your college
P2:The way I look at it either u are a very big looser or you are trying to act smart, tell me what you are doing
P2:No, its just what I feel, you tell me which one of the two you are.
P2:How many times have u donated blood
P2:U must be having that blood donor card
P2:Why?, they give it to every blood donor
P2:Tell me something which will bring you a smile
P2: Tell me a question that I d ask which will bring you a smile
P2:No you tell me
P2:No u tell
P2: [silent & just smiled for the first time in the interview]
P1:You have written under weakness, that u feel irritated that something wrong is being done & no one is
doing anything about that, how is that a weakness
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P1:Give example
P2: Give the one from your company
P1:Ok but how is that a weakness
P1:But did they throw u out or u resigned
P1: Then how is that a weakness
P1:You mean to go up in the ladder you would not speak
P1:You mean to say, that you should oppose wrong things but at times you have to agree to your boss
P1 & P2 thank u & best of luck

Interview experience of yossarian84

GD topic - India's growth - Sensex
PI
SK: So you are coming from Hyderabad? Tell me something about Hyderabad.
SK: (cutting me short) No no..not history..tell me something current
SK: tell me something about IIIT
SK: What advanced courses have you done?
BB: We are going to give you two minutes to talk about the Karl Marx philosophy...start now
BB: Do you think this philosophy is relevant in the current world
SK:You have done AI? What are Asimov laws
SK: Still you should know..its very common
BB: You have done a course on Philosophical Discussions on Human Desires...What was it about?
BB: How is globalization going to benefit the poor?
SK: how would it help them?
SK: How can u say disorganized?
SK: So what would happen to those kirana shops?
SK: Who pays the cost for millions being displaced
SK: what are the current foreign retailers doing now?
BB: Are you sure.. what about P&G, HLL etc?
BB: So how would it benefit us?
SK: How would they earn money then?
SK: But who is going to pay for all these people getting displaced?
SK: (cutting me short) What kind of answer is that??? What do you mean by society
SK: (again cutting me short) If you were in an IT company and on the bench..you would have been waving a
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red flag
SK: What is your comment on that?
SK: If you were in an IT company and on the bench..you would have been waving a red flag
SK: You are again giving diplomatic answers.....

SK: If the government was right why did Naidu loose, why did Krishna loose?
SK: What good has it done for rural people..So many suicides?
SK: People dying....unemployment blah blah...
SK:What kind of answer is this?
BB: Can u tell me the unemployment rate now?
SK: Compare it with Unemployment rate in 1990
BB: What has come down? (I wouldn't have been surprised if he had pulled out a gun to fire shots at me) BB:
No it has gone up? What is the use of globalization if unemployment is increasing
BB: what is the geographical size of India
BB: (nodded..wrote something down) What is the preamble of India?
BB: What does it mean?
SK: What is so discrete about the Discrete Mathematics that you did? (teasing smile). why is it called
discrete... (go bash up my maths prof..GO GO)
SK: What is the diff between indefinite and definite integral?
SK: I didn't get indefinite
SK: applications of indefinite?
SK: What is a random variable
SK: (smiles)
BB: Do you follow current affairs?
BB: Iran IAEA vote
BB: Current breakup ?
Sk - What is the name of the knot that you are wearing? (pointing to my tie)
SK: (laughs) No no..what is the name of the knot?
BB: What calls have you got?
BB: Ok good (what good??..good, you have other options too. cos this one is out... Or the "Good work man"
walla good?)

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IIM Kozhikode - Year 2007

Interview experience of soumyajyoti

Profile:
X% 86.6 (CBSE)
XII 80.8% (West Bengal Board)
Dual Degree (Aerosapce Engg) IIT Kgp:- 8.3 (cgpa)
CAT - 99.87 %

GD Topic (something like this): "Retrenching should be done. It actually helps the government to create
more jobs in the long run. There should be some clause that the employees who are retrenched should be
given salary for 6 months."

PI:

O: So your name is SOUMYA, What does that mean ?? Is it that you are a very calm sort of person??
Y: Oho SOUMYA JYOTI BASU!!! Are you anyway related to JYOTI BASU?
O: So whom do you prefer?? Buddhadeb or Jyoti Basu?
O & Y: Why?
O & Y: Why don't you tell us something about yourself ?
O: So Soumyajyoti you are an Aerospace Engineer...Can you tell me how does an aircraft take turn?
Y: Where is the Rudder located??
Y: How does the Aircraft go up and down??
Y: But I had heard that it is the nose of the aircraft that pulls it up.

Y: Okk then tell me what is a gyroscope.

.
Y: Okk
O: So Soumya can you tell me about an aircraft that India is trying to build than can avoid RADAR detection.
O: Yes..
O: Does such aircrafts exist??
O: It is being build in collaboration with Russia. (Smiles)
Y: Do You know Kalpana Chawla used to dream about flying in space. And one day she did that. Do you have
any such dream?
Y: You are an aerospace engineer.
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O: So you must be dreaming something. Can you narrate one such dream ?
O: So are you into a SW company? What does your company do?
Y: Okk CFD
O: So What Do you exactly do?
Y: See CFD is a pretty boring subject for a layman. It involves huge equations. I mean how do you cope with
it. Do you find it interesting??
Y: (Tells something I could not understand why)......Soumyajyoti ..If you join the PGP course in IIM K..you
will find lots of courses on Computational Mathematics, which I am sure you are going to Like.
Y: Now Soumyajyoti you seem to be very strong on your core things. But how much do you rate yourself on
current affairs. Are you keeping track of things?
Y: Who is the IIT KGP alumni in limelight??
Y: Any other Alumni you know about?
O: But I thought Vinod Gupta was from IIT Powai..
Y: Have you heard about Khosla?
O: Okk, No Problem.
O: Tell me ....What is the effect of Fluid Dynamics research on Bio-Medical Engineering.
O: So how is Kharagpur? Any noted landmark??
Y: Is it still the longest platform.
O: Is Kharagpur a polluted Town??
O: But I think I read about it somewhere...
O: Can you name some polluted places in India?
O: Yes Yes Howrah has to be polluted with so much traffic and so many industries.
O: Is the Ganga Polluted in Calcutta??
O: Have you heard about Suspended Particulate Matter??
Y: How can you stop them?
Y: What Kind of filter ? Water??
Y: Okk Soumya You can go now. Before that can you show us your certificates.
Y: No Only the experience Certificate.
O: Thank You Soumya. Now please close the door after you go out.

Interview experience of Ashish Abraham

State - Tamilnadu
Class X - 88.17(ICSE)
Class XII - 93(TN state board)
Degree/Else- 71.8(NIT Trichy final year)

GD Topic :
The GD topic was some XYZ board(sorry I forgot the name) has formed some ABC committee to regulate the
advertisements.. this is because many ads are very misleading especially those on healthcare, etc. etc..(don't
remember).
PI:
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Tech (who virtually asked all d questions) and

HR (who was busy looking at my certificates and.. my body language I guess!!)
Tech: (laughing..) ashish you have written MBA will give you better career prospects in the IT industry. how
is that possible???
Tech:so you want to specialize in IT only?
Tech: So you are not looking at other specializations like marketing..
Tech: So you are in final year?
HR: What you have got so many D grades? in file systems, ...
Tech: How many students are there in your class?
Tech: So ,what does D grade mean?
Tech: Out of 49??
Tech: So overall where do you stand in your class?
Tech: Oh..so what are the subjects you have in your final year?
Tech: Advanced DBMS..hmmm.. what is data warehouse?
Tech: Analysis? but isn't that called data mining?
Tech: Is a data warehouse volatile or non volatile?
Tech: So what do you say? volatile or non volatile?
Tech: Are you sure?
Tech: Did you study about data warehouse in college?
Tech: They say when data warehouse is used and when normal transaction DBMS is used is subject
oriented. what do you say?
Tech: ok.. so do you know OLAP.. OLTP..?
Tech: So data warehousing is only for old data?
Tech:Are you doing that project now?
Tech: So where did you do in your data warehouse project?
Tech:And how many fields were there? (aiming to nail me I guess!)
Tech: What were the fields?
Tech: So was that data from one source?
Tech:So it was just queries? no analysis as such?
Tech: What tool did you use?
Tech: h ok.. so what could you conclude.?
Tech: Oh ok.. so do you know software development models?
Tech: Software development models.. any two..
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Tech: Ok then..
Tech: Ok.. what is the difference between a waterfall model and a spiral model?
Tech:So waterfall model is a waste?
Tech: ok.. when is waterfall used?
Tech: (looking at the hr guy.. giving him the nod to ask me questions..)
hr guy: (smiled at me..)
HR: Why are you so tensed?
Tech: How do u think the interview went?
HR: How will you improve india's condition?
HR: So what can be done?
Tech: But what can you do about it as a single person?
Tech: Ok ashish thank you.. all the best..

Interview experience of vaibhavthakur

My profile:
B Tech(Hons.) in Agricultural and Food Engineering from IIT Kgp 2006 passout.
X- 77%
XII- 71% (Both state board)
Industrial project at AMUL in Six Sigma (Youll know why this was important L)
Awarded Best B Tech project in my final year.
GD :

P1: Old guy. Very friendly and peaceful.

P2: Relatively young guy. Too much acads oriented. Operations research prof.
IS: My Inner Self
P1: We will check your certificates first.
I handed my file to him. He started scanning through my certificates.
(IS nervous and shaking)
P1: Hmmmmso you received the best B Tech project (BTP)award in your department.
(IS: Yeah Yeah Yeah !!)
P1: And you were also the departmentt president?
(IS: Yeah Yeah Yeah !!)
P1: You know I am also from IIT Kgp. 87 passout. At our times they didnt have this award.
(IS: Yo Kgp)
P1: You also did a good work at AMUL in six sigma. Thats good.
P2 was just smiling at me the whole time. Both looked impressed at this point.
("at this point")
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P1: Ok, tell us something about yourself.

P1: So Vaibhav, define six sigma.
P1: You said something about normal curve. What is it?
P1: What is Cpk Index?
(IS: What the hell is that?)
P1: CP index?
IS: :(
P1 (slightly aggressively): You have done a project in six sigma and you dont know about Cpk and Cp index.
P2: (In between) and got a very good grade also.
P1: (handed me a blank sheet) Write the equation of normal curve.
(IS: Oh no)
P1: Draw a normal curve.
P1: What is this? (indicating x-axis in the curve)
P1 (cutting me in betn): the normal curve is asymptotic to the line.
(IS: Totally confused)
P1: Tell me what parameters determine the nature of normal curve.
P2: Can we apply six sigma for determining the quality of IIMK students?
(IS: Little relaxed after initial disaster)
P1: Do you know statistics?
P1: Asked something about mean,mode, median etc.
P1: What the hump in this normal curve (pointing to the figure) signify?
(IS: Leave normal curve for Gods sake)
P1: It is probability density.
(IS: S**t)??:
P1: What is partial differential equation?
P1: Tell me something about D*** PDE. (Don't know what kind of PDE that was)
P1: Asked me some method for calculating standard deviation for normal curve and some mathematical
formula after writing some variables on my sheet.
(IS: Bhai Normal Curve chor de)
P1: Do you know probability?
(IS: Cool, finally he shifted his focus from normal curve)
P1 Gave me some problem. I solved it but with a small mistake.
P1: Explain.
P1: I didnt ask you this. My question was.
(IS: Nervous)
P1: Do you know Laplace Transform?
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P1: Can you write the equation for spring mass system with damping.
(IS: Yeh kahan se aa gaya bhai. Did you misread my dept as mechanical?)
P1: What do these terms mean?
(IS: what was that dx??...thinking)
P1: (Looked fed up with my wrong answers) Tell me something about your job.
P1: Asked me to explain few technical terms which I used in describing my job.
P2: What do u think about all this controversy going on with linking of rivers?
P2: But what do you think about these protests by environmentalists ?
P2: What do you think about current IT boom? Who should be given credit for this; Govt or private
companies?
P2: Why companies? Govt spent so much on you and you are saying companies.
P2: What do you know about Calicut?
P1: Do you know anything about history and about old dynasties of calicut.
(IS: 10vi kaksha ke baad se aaj tak history nahi padhi)
P1: Tell me something about Mohd. Yunus.
P1: (trying to give me hint) He is from Bangladesh and.
P1: In which field?
(IS: Kya bol raha hai bhai)
P1 : Economics !!
P2: So astrophysics is your hobby.?
(IS: O hell yeah)
P2: Name some physicist who won a nobel prize.
P1: He didnt win a nobel prize. did he?
P2 (before I could say anything): Give me some Indian scientist.
(IS: Finally some feel good questions for me)
P2: What is a black hole?
(IS: Mazaa aa gaya)
P2: What if I jump into a black hole? Will I come out from any other part of the universe?
(IS: Hmmmm he knows about it. Its a trap)
P1: You said something about unstable solution. What do you mean by unstable?
P1: Thank You.

Interview experience of nagi_nov3

Profile:
GraDexter: BE Trikal NIT Surat 03
Exp : 43 months IT exp
Date: 12th Feb 2:00 p.m
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GD topic:
"Industries should share some part of their profit with the local communities, because they are using their
natural resources "
Pretty decent one, all of us contributed except one or two people.
Interview:
Panel: Show me your certificates
Panel: So you are from Sardar Patel NIT
Panel: Who is he?
Panel: laughs
Panel: What's his nick name?
Panel: Are you sure?
Panel: one panel confirmed and asked why he was called so?
Panel: (laughs) And are you sure?
Panel: Ok, tell me about Surat
Panel: Why so many diamond industries there?
Panel: Why so?
Panel: So you have been to Israel?
Panel: Does Surat have diamond mines?
Panel: Did Israel?
Panel: Are you sure?
Panel: Then why is Surat not is Ahmedabad?
Panel: What else.., oh textiles!
Panel: How are they doing?
Panel: Are you sure?
Panel: You never tried to explore Surat?
Panel: Some office related question
Panel: Some CSR thing
Panel: About leadership
Panel: Do you know about center limit theorem?
Panel: Did u heard about that?
Panel: Did you heard about binomial distribution?
Panel: Can you explain me by taking equation?
Panel: You might have forgotten all things .
Panel: When did you completed your graduation?
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Panel: So you might have forgotten everything.

Panel: How many calls?
Panel: Which one is missing?
Panel: Lets take probability of conversion a call is 0.3, can it be possible?
Panel: So tell me the probability of converting not more than 3.
Panel: Both are laughing
Panel: That is 1^5 = 1 no need to expand
Panel:Both laughed and told me continue
Panel: I want in 5c4 and 5c5 terms.
Panel: He started laughing at my confidence, and said will they add up to one (5c4,5c5 and rest)
Panel: Laughs
Panel: You can go now.
Panel: No need, do you want to apply for reservation?

Interview experience of harshadk

Finally, D-day arrives !
Profile :
10th - 80 + %
12th - 80 + %
B.Tech (Pune University) - 70 %
Work Ex :
7 months in a large automobile company
11 months in my own firm
GD :
Topic : Panchayati Raj should be promoted in india. village committees should be given power to develop
infra, education etc in their villages.
Interview :
.
There were 2 panelists, the HR guy (H) and the acads guy (A). and of course I.
H: You are looking very good. (was one of the few to wear a blazer)
H: Good Afternoon.
H: Please pull out the chair, and sit at a distance from the table, and keep your file on the table.
H: Tell us about yourself (this was asked to EVERYBODY in our group).
H: Your own firm ? (checks form). You are the Director ?
H: What are you into ?
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H: Turnover ?
H: But your salary is quite low compared to your turnover...
(A quietly pushes a blank piece of paper in front of me..... I was like no acads, no acads... please)
H: Ok.... what's the name of your firm ?
H: What does pvt. ltd. mean ?
A: lets talk about mechanical engg. (Nooooooooooooooooooo :neutral:). What's your favourite subject in
mech?
A (looked a bit irritated) : No, some core subject...
A: Tell...
A: How do you design a machine ?
A: What's a machine ? (before I could answer, started pointing towards different things in the room). Is this
a machine (an AC). pointing to the fan - is that a machine?
A: Tell me how you would design a machine, it's functions, etc. take any of these machines.
A: You haven't designed it yet and are talking about its functions...
A: Talk about the motor..
A: Don't evade Qs. How does it do it ?
A (gives up....) You have forgotten everything from your acads...
A: Not a bit, everything...
H: How does an aeroplane stay afloat ?
H (looks satisfied) : And a rocket ?

H: Then why doesn't a fan move up ? (did I come across as THAT dumb

??)

H: (looks satisfied) Ok. (A has probably given up on me, and is going through my file. goes through my
certificates and stops and peers at cut-outs of my articles in the Hindu, as if to say, what's this doing here....
then moves on to my photographic portfolio... had taken it in a separate file.... and flips through it with a
booooooooooooored look)
H: What rank were you in your college ? as in in your class..
H: Out of a class of 60 to 80 ?
H: I think this 11 months is this firm of yours have made you completely forget your acads...
H: What did you do in XYZ ?(I worked in XYZ before starting my own firm) Were you on the shop floor ?
H: Oh, ok, ya, trainee.... Why didn't you stay in XYZ for longer ?
H: Ok, ya, you've said here that you are interested in the business side of things....
H: Why MBA ? then looks at the stuff in the form and nods his head and says Ok...
H: You want to be in marketing ? (had written a lot about marketing, branding and stuff)
H: Have you heard of any ancient strategists / economists ?
H: laughs... He's ancient ?

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H: You've heard of Kautilya ?

H: You haven't heard of kautilya ? (both laugh)
A: Chanakya ?
A: What was he ?
A: He was a strategist.
H starts going through my form, while A is busy filling up my scores in various parameters....
H: whats this wildlife census thing ?
H: What is this animal ?
H: How is it done ?
H: 6 ?? wow !
A: What are flying squirrels ?
A: Where are they found ?
H: How large are the giant squirrels ? larger than the normal ones..
H: Ok.... there's an animal which is of that size.... long... fights with snakes..
H: Do they also build nests ?
H: Hmm.... there's a sanctuary on the border of Kerala and TN / Karnataka. which one is it ?
H: Correct...
H looks at A, with a done? look.. A is probably relieved to let me go...
H: Ok, thank you, best of luck ! please close the door when you go out.

IIM Kozhikode - Year 2008

Interview experience of anir-iim2005

Profile:
10th 88
12th 78.7
B.Tech.
West Bengal University Of Technology, 8.01 (CGPA)
GD
Topic - Something about poaching. How it is leading to number of tigers coming down in Madhya Pradesh,
and we must understand that we can't live without other species.
PI

CG: Hand me the Form and introduce yourself.

TK: Give the certificates too.
CG: Ok, so you are a B.Tech in IT. You must have had some favourite subjects in college.
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CG: fine. Describe DBMS.

CG: Good, do you remember basic things in stats?
CG: ok, what is Standard Deviation?
CG: What is Coefficient of Variation?
CG: Fine, then describe Correlation.
CG: Don't need so much details. Just describe what is correlation between two variables..
CG: So you are from Kolkata, tell me some social issue here..
CG: ohho ya. So, what was the issue?
TK suddenly burst in - Is that social issue?
CG: So? Isn't that still a social issue?
CG: Ok, what about the Strike? It was yesterday, right? What was the issue?
CG: Good
Over to TK now as CG started noting things down from my form.
TK: How many states in India?
CG: 29 or 27 (There is history here. They asked the same qsn to the previous guy who had answered 27 )
TK: ok, count

TK: Why did you leave CTS?

CG: You know about Narmada issue?
TK: Is it a new dam or old one?
TK: still..
TK: Isn't there any existing dam?
TK: Ok, you may go.

Interview experience of harshadk

Hello !
Profile :
X : 84
XII : 82
Grad : 70 (Mech., Pune University)
Work Ex : 7 months in an automobile giant, 11.5 in an entrepreneurial venture, 9 again in the auto industry,
in an ancillaries firm, marketing role
GD : Role of Labour Unions in Companies. Lot of points against labour unions already given in the topic slip.
How they should not resort to strikes and should co-operate with management for benefit of both parties, etc
etc.

PI :

2: Give that to me.

1: Introduce yourself.
1: (Cutting me) Why did you start this ?
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1: Why did you start this after mechanical eng. ?

1: So you are a mechanical engineer...What were your favourite subjects ?
1: State some thermo-cycles which are used
Refrigeration Cycle
1: Explain the refrigeration cycle. Draw it.
1: Ok. What about Rankine cycle ? How is it ?
1: Show it.
1: What other differences are there ?
1: Sure ? (then made a minor change to the cycle)
1: Thats it ? Nothing else ?
1: (Makes another change to the cycle.) What about this ?
1: (Gets angry) : First I said that, you said yes. Now I said this, you say yes again. Whatever I am saying you
are agreeing...
1: Ok, thermo clearly isnt your strength. (Refrigeration Cycle to correct nikala :neutral:) Suggest something
else.
1: you remember that from first year.
1: Drew a string and asked me what direction the forces would be.
1: (Made it a little more complicated.)
1: You were in abc after grad.... so you must be knowing about IC Engines. (Rhetorical question, went on with
it). Explain me what happens in the combustion chamber.
1: What happens to the outlet valve during first and second stroke ?
1: Ok, go on.
1: Ok Ok...
2: What is cost-reduction ? (Had mentioned it in the form in job responsibilities) Define cost reduction.
What is Value engineering ? (Asked for 2 more definitions in the same go which I promptly forgot due to
information overload).
2: Define it.
2: (Stated something which was outside my definition but was cost reduction) Is this cost reduction ?
2 : Why isnt it covered in your definition ? A definition should be comprehensive. Try again.
2: Ok. Give some examples.
2: What about Tata Nano ? How did they achieve cost reduction ?
2: No, give me proper examples of cost reduction in nano.
2: (didnt look too interested, just nodded.) So what about abc ? How did they achieve success with xyz
product ? You have been in abc for a long time....
2: You did ? Where's your form ? (Picks up a form from the table which doesnt look like mine. I try to see
properly whether it is mine or not.)
2: (Slightly bewildered). It isnt ? Where IS your form ?
1: Oh, here it is.... at the bottom of the pile (Has he already thrown me out ?)
2: Oooooh, you are an entrepreneur....
2: Why did you leave it ?
2: But why leave it ? you could have continued...
2: Why not split up and go out on your own ?
2: What do you want to do in your career ?
2: Ok. I am very impressed about your articles... (Have written for the Hindu, was carrying the cut-outs)
2: You are into photography also. You've won prizes. Where's the prize winning photo ? Show me.
2: No, let it be. What was it of ?
2: Oh, so thats the experience you wrote about for the Hindu...
2: And what about the squirrel ? (Had written about an experience I had with a baby squirrel which I helped
back into its nest). That photo is also from there ?
2 to 1 : I'm done
1 to 2 : Me too
1: Ok, Thank you, Harshad. All the best. And keep writing, we are impressed with your articles.

Interview experience of FutureMBA

My profile
X 82

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XII 82
Engg 70 :huh:
Wrk ex 20 months
CAT 99.75
LIK Calls

RP: U were dominant in GD. Wat do u think.

RP: I cant see any progress in GD
RP: No points on education and Awareness about diseases
RP: OK. Now tell me from where we attack u first acads, work profile, economics, general..we will ask u all so
tell me your first choice
RP: Ok what is Embedded Systems
RP: Not clear
RP: Is AC an embedded systems
RP: How??
RP: And my CAR is it an ex of embedded systems
RP: OK. U R in TCS. Your company kicked some employees. Why? And What is EVA ??
RP: But still u must know something about it
RP: Laughing, you dont even know how will you get promoted in your company.
RK: Ok why shall I select u ?
RK: what is a leader
RK: what is your opinion about leaders from India?
RK: Contemporary?
RK: Ok what is leadership?
RP: So you wont give any answer as May be , can be
RK: tell me something about your family?
RP: Ok so you are in CSR team as well. Expalin CSR to me?
RP: what is ISR ? and which is better?
RP: (In the end) Yaar ISR is better. And therefore companies are moving towards ISR.
RK: Ok tell me about recession. Is US going through a recession?
RK: So is it different in USA and other places?
RK: Ok what status is Indian economy? Growing? Can grow more? Hurdles? As a fin minister

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RK: Ok interview is over. Tell me how was your L? say you will get selected or not.
YES OR NO
RK: How was K? say you will get selected or not?
YES OR NO
RK: Laughing..Good luck for your YES:confused:
Me thank you. Can I hav my file back. shaked hands I dont know why
and came out.

Interview experience of akshaysathya

Education: X - 81.83 (SSC, AP)
XII 85.60 (State board , AP)
BE 73.58 (CSE, Vasavi College of Engineering, Hyd)
Work Exp: Cognizant Technology Solution (14 months) Hyd
GD:
Topic: A statement quoting a person saying that the Navaratnas should function as Private organizations.

P1: What is the meaning of your name (Akshay)

P1: He asks me the exact meaning of it
P1: It means Inexhaustible ..
P1: Tell me about your self
P2: So Akshay are you responsible
P2: He shows me that mistake and tells me that I should be careful as even though these are small things
they are important (Didnt seem to get too bothered by it though)
P2: What does Edelweiss do (My current company)
P2: Do you know what do they mean
Me; yes sir
P2: What is your opinion about the Indo- Us nuclear deal
P2: If its good then why are the people opposing it
P2: Wondering if such a thing was there . Though they didnt stress on it.. and moved on
P2: What do you know about the Ram Sethu issue
P2: What is my opinion about Raj Thakeray issue and how is it affecting economically
P2: If your were an advisor to the PM what would you suggest
P2: Was smiling and said that more such issues will happen as it is an easy way of getting responsibility
P2: What is your opinion about Telengana issue in AP (I am from AP)
P1: Is trekking your hobby
time constraints so cant call it a hobby but an interest.
P1: To kill a mocking bird is there a movie too? Who is the actor? Have you watched it?
P2: Did you have operations in your eng.
P2: What is your favourite subject?
P2: everybody before you said the same thing. Tell me something else
P2: What is java and oracle
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P1: Java has a logo of a cup with steam coming out why?
P2: Did you have and management subject in eng?
P1: Do you know a balance sheet
P1: What does it represent
P1: What is net worth of a company
P1: What is NAV?
P2: What is market capitalization
P1: There is tax exemption on investments made . How much tax exemption do you get?
P1: Any idea what is the listing price of Reliance IPO?
P1: What was the price band of Reliance IPO?
P2: How much is the education cess?
P2: Laughs and tells P1 that everybody is giving a different figure .
P2: What is the southernmost point in India?
P2: Which state is it in?
P2: Are you sure ?
P2: Chndigarh is the capital of ?
P2: What is the capital of Haryana?
P2: Hmmm! Capitals (and makes an entry in his paper)
P1: How many states are there in India?
P2: Do you know what you want to do after your MBA?
P2: Do you know what they mean?
P2: Thank You Akshay!
P1: What do you think about the interview?
P1: You have a very good and pleasant smile . Always maintain that!

Interview experience of ameya.maddy

The PI
I1: So (perusing through my PI form)tell us about your hobbies.
I2: (Interrupts, rises from his chair and looks at me with a penetrative, somewhat intimidating gaze, a la
interrogation style)Thats interesting.can you tell me about Vishakha?
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I2: (Nods)Oh ya..Kanishka.

.
I2: Recently there was some controversy over a conviction in this case. Can you tell me what it was? (In the
same interrogation style)
I2: (In a calm yet purposeful tone) You told us this is your hobby. We would not have asked this to someone
else.
I2: What are your other hobbies?
(I never gave a single word answer to this question and always took it as an opportunity to exhibit my
passion for singing. However my confidence had been slightly dented due to the visibly poor start and I
stopped right there, hoping he would ask me to sing, like I was at the IIML interview. Instead I was asked
something totally unexpected; this is where they would have had the chance to gauge my response in an
unfamiliar situation with a slightly dented confidence)
I2: Do you sing ghazals? Can you tell me what is their specialty?
I2: What do you mean by very little variations in pitch?
(I feel my far from convincing answer to my previous hobby probably led him to probe deeper into how much
I know about singing this is a conjecture Im making from looking at his demeanour)

I1: You work in a IT company. Whats the kind of work you do there?
I1: (Interrupts) All you IT people keep talking in terms of projects. Whats a project?
I1: So every project has a deadline and a cost associated with it?
I1: So whats the deadline for your project?
I1: But just now you agreed every project has a deadline and now you are saying yours is an ongoing project?
I1: (Pauses to peruse through my PI form) You have mentioned your strength as good teaching skills. Can
you give us a 1 minute presentation on any topic of your choice?
(I instinctively rose from my seat as if suggesting I was about to leave the room and started on PL/SQL
basics. I spoke about the shortcomings of SQL and how PL/SQL with its features overcomes it and how
control is passed back and forth between the SQL and PL/SQL engines during the execution of a PL/SQL
procedure or a function. What Ill remember most about this is the look of surprise and possibly amusement
on the interviewers faces when I rose from my seat to make the presentation something which they
probably did not expect I would do J)
I2: (After I returned to my seat) Recently there have been suggestions about making Narayana Murthy the
President. Do you agree with those views?
I1: You are a module lead. Now imagine you need one more person in your team and you have to choose
from one among two persons person A is 100% technically competent but has 0% managerial skills and
person B is 0% technically competent but has 100% managerial skills. Who would you pick?
I1: You can choose only one. Who will you choose?
I1: (Now forcing the issue) But as a manager you will be required to make decisions like these. Choose any 1
and justify.
I1: (Finally relents in a feeble but slightly deriding manner) Kya yaar.tumko ek choose karne bola woh bhi
nahi kar sakte!
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I2:(Jumps in)Do you follow the newspapers?

I2: Could you list 3 issues of socio-political national importance that have been making headlines recently?
(Its strange that outside of the interview, one is easily able to recall at least 5 issues without much effort. But
in an interview situation, one tends to become tongue tied and hard pressed for some recollections of the
same. At least thats what happened with me)

I2: Second?
I2: Third?
I1: Have you heard about the Sethusamudram project?
I1:Please hand over your file to me. (I handed him the file which I had kept in my lap until then)
I2:You could have kept the file on the table. Why did you not keep it here? (In a polite tone)
I2: You seemed very tense during the GD and very restless as well, as you seemed to be fidgeting with your
file. And you didnt speak much. Why?
I2: (Interrupts before I finish, while playfully stroking his long beard)Also, you speak a lot with your hands?
I2: What are your thoughts on privatization?
I2: But you see that there are certain sectors like defence that cannot be privatized. What do you do to
increase accountability there?
I2: Why do you think the Indian government relies on these network of agents?
I1: (Pointing to my 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th semester engineering mark sheets) Why are these of a different
colour?
I1: (Handing over the mark sheets to me) For your next interview, please arrange them properly.
(That was surprising. I had arranged them in chronological order and thought that was how they wanted
them. In hindsight, it struck me that I had handed them loose mark sheets from my file, which may have
ticked him off; so the first thing I did after this interview was to purchase a transparent folder for holding my
certificates)

I2: All the best for your future (Ummmdoes this mean a future devoid of an IIMK admit?)you may leave.
I thanked both interviewers and heaved a sigh of relief that it was over. I felt I did well in patches and felt I
could have handled certain questions differently, in a much better manner. In fact, over the next few days, I
must have gloated over this one the most, considering the next one at the Big One was just 5 days away. As I

exited the centre, I was glad not many people mobbed me about my experience, as I felt completely drained
and the only thing I was looking forward to doing was reaching home and catching some shuteye_

IIM Kozhikode - Year 2009

Interview experience of shanky2005

Profile :
X: 89% Gujarat Board
XII: 80% CBSE
Undergrad Major - Computer Eng.
GPA/%age: 81.90
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Work-Ex:
NIL

GD:
Topic: Long topic about an American doctor helping Haiti medical system by community based medical
service.
He believes that equality of medical service is a basic right.
But people want food along with drugs. And racism , sexism etc is prevalent in society.

PI:
Questions:
P2:How are you?
P1: Where have u come from?
P1: Ok tell us about your friend
P2: Why don't u join ****. dare to think beyond IIM.
P2: So you are not daring?
P2: So why have u given CPT?
P2: What all you studied in it.?.I told
P2: What is the consumer Surplus? draw
P2: What is depriciation in accounts? Why do companies want to increase it?
P2:laughing: but companies only want to increase it..Why?
P2: Where is loss shown on balance sheet?
P2: Laughed, discussed some more and said: So you still need to learn more accounts
P2: What about computer engg?(laughing)
P2: what all subjects in final sem?..told
P2: Final yr project? Told
P2: Discussion regarding project, I could not answer properly. Left it at what is digital signature?
P1: So you are from Gujarat? where are u basically from?
P1: What does your father do? describe family business, size and scope.
P1: Industries are closing in Surat. Why would u go there after MBA?
P1: Why not take a job? where are u placed? why did u take placement?
P1:Ok thank you.
Comments: interview was approx 20 minutes. I m grateful they did not go deep into acads.
P2 was laughing and jovial.
Pl was serious but had an understanding face. No stress at all..

Interview experience of ljv

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Profile :
X - 88.8 % (Maharashtra State Board)
XII - 87.17 % (Maharashtra State Board)
Undergrad Major - Civil Engineering, 70.9 % (Mumbai University)
Work - ex - 35 months, Larsen & Toubro ECC Division, Ports & Harbours Division.

GD Topic

"In the year 2006, TIME magazine voted "YOU" as the man of the year. Social technologies have given power
back to the people.
Examples of Wikipedia, YouTube and social networking sites. During the aftermath of terror attacks in
Mumbai, power of people was seen.
Government seems to losing power. You are the power now"
Had a very good GD. Absolutely no fish market. All the group members were like angels , no cross talks no
cutting etc.
I could come with about 4-5 points, which I could elaborate to my satisfaction.
We talked about that, previously information was not available freely.
Now with web based learning, people are better informed and can raise their voices and be heard.
Talked about things like RTI, blogging, social n/w, how President Obama used this media to reach out to
people.
P1: Tell me about yourself ?
P1: Selected as GET or MT ?
P1: Tell me about the job sites u worked at ?
P1: Your role and responsibilities ?
P1: What do u know about resource levelling ?
P1: Have you worked on MS - Project ?
P1: What are the different types of resource allocation ?
P1: Ok, work allocation and material allocation, what are the differences ?
P1: Have u done resource levelling yourself ?
P1: Is your role more oriented towards contractors or project scheduling ?
P1: Which do you do more ?
P1: Thought so, L&T na ... Anyways I wasnt expecting you to know about resource levelling.
P2: So when did you leave your job ?
Me: May
P2: After working at such a high post, why did u leave ?
P2: So what did u do for these 10 months ?
P2: What is this IPMA ?
P1: Come on now, for someone like you it will take hardly any time. What else did u do ?
P1: What are your career goals ?
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P1: OK, so what all did u study in Project Management ?

P1: Differentiate CPM / PERT ?
P1: How do you do PERT ?
P1: How do you get the formula for likely time estimate ?
P1: No, wrong
P1: So, what will be the significance of critical path ?
P1: For CPM right, not for PERT ... dont you think it will be mean time ?
P1: So you are saying that critical path will give 50% time duration ?
P1: You have low marks at grad. You flunked a subject also. You must be a poor student..
P2: So what did u do for these 10 months ?
P2: I think you left because you are not comfortable with site work ?
P1: (Pointing to a column) Is that a column ?
P1: How do you know ?
P1: (Pointing to a wall) Is that wall taking any load ?
P1: Then why is that wall there ?
P1: Why is a partition wall needed ?
P1: (Pointing to another wall with stone cladding) What is this wall made of ?
P1: How do you know, why cant it be made of that stone ?
P1: Who says so ... go to Cuddaph... you will get houses made of stone
P1: (Pointing to a potrait of Taj Mahal) Have you seen Taj ? Analyse the dome for me.
P2: So what did u do for these 10 months ?
P2: Read what ?
P1: Ohh so did he make the elephant dance ?
P2: Why should elephants dance ? Don't u think we should be afraid and scared when elephants start
dancing ?
P2: Name a few Indian elephants ?
P2: What is the size of L&T elephant ?
P2: What is ECC component ? % and gross ?
P2: Your figures are too low, you are wrong.
P1 & P2: You may leave.

Interview experience of akkyagrawal

PROFILE:
Acads:
X:
92.67 %
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XII:
83.83%
Undergrad :
Computer Science Engineering - 71.xx %
Work-Ex:
NIL/Sector - Number of Years: 7 months in s/w dept of a leading US bank

GD:
Topic: Janaki is working in some BPO or IT company. She is now called Jane. For her, 4th July is the Indian
Independence Day.
Works when people are sleeping. No social life, identity, etc. So this industry is killing the current generation
of India.
PI:

P2: So Aakash, what do you do??

P2: Which bank did you say??
P2: So, what exactly do you do as a software professional for Private Bank?
P2: So, what is your role??
P2: Hasn't recession affected the software department of your firm??
P2: How long have you been working??
P2: From where did you do your graduation? Whats your background btw?
P2: So, how did you get placed? Through campus or you switched??
P2: So, you are lucky!!
Me just smiled...
She looked at P1 at this point..He was going through my PI form now...
P1: So Aakash, you have been working for last 7 months??
P1: So, why you want to switch now??
P1 grilled me some more on this topic,that I should continue working for some more time and then think of
an MBA...
..answered them as best as I could...
After this, he again passed it over to P2.She again went back to my company...
P2: What should be the role of a responsible bank in this moment of crisis??
P2: Do you think India has been hit by recession as well??
P2: What can India, as a country learn from this whole recession episode? Considering that India is going
the US way with housing prices and all??
We had some discussion on that...
P1 again took over...
Asked me a couple of questions about my current job responsibilities...
And little bit of technical skills...Not in very detail...Asked me to explain classes in C++...
was asking questions in the middle of explanation to check the comprehension...
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P1: So, what are you hobbies??

P1: So you play cricket?
P1: What do you do??As in are you a bowler or batsman??
P1: What type of bowling do you do??Fast/Spin??
P1: Off/Leg...
P1: Ok..Tell me..What is the speed at which an off-spinner bowls??
P1: Give me a range...
P1 (cutting me off): kmph or mph??
P1: So, is this the speed at which the bowl leaves the bowler's hands??Or the speed at which it reaches the
batsman??
P1: Average speed??How do you calculate it??
P1: Lets say, the bowl leaves the bowler's hands at 100 kmph... At what speed will it reach the batsman??
P1: Such as??
P1: Lets say, its a full-toss...What else??
P1: Lets say, there is no wind...
P1: Are you sure??
P1: What about the air??
P1: I said there is no wind...Air is there..
P1: At what speed??
P1: Isn't there any fixed rate of decrease??
P1: It will be fixed??
P1: Lets say...I drop a ball from an airplane...What will happen in that case??
P1: And in the case of bowling??
P1: Ok.. In the case of a bowl dropping from the plane...What will happen to its speed??
P1: Will it go on increasing??
P1: Or would it become a constant after a certain time??
P1: Till it hits the ground??
P1: So, have you heard of liquid viscosity??
P1: So, tell me what is it??
Me tried to explain something in my own words... (When I later checked the definition, I found it wasn't too
bad...)
P1: So, if we decided to throw a lead ball in the ocean, what would happen to its speed?? Will it increase or
decrease indefinitely??
I decided to quit at this moment...
P1: Physics is not one of your favourite subjects it seems...
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P1: I think we are done... Aakash, do you have any questions for us???
P1: You seem relieved...
P1: Why??What happened??
P1: Ok...You can leave... All the best for your other interviews... Have a good day...

Interview experience of sbahadur86

Profile:
X 90.60 (merit certi. in science)
XII 93.00 (merit certi. in chemistry)
B.Tech NIT, Surat (CGPA 8.44)
Work-ex
9 months XYZ CAT coaching institute..as faculty
GD:
It was a short case about China Prices. As in, the prices in China are very very low.
The importers, factories, retailers, consumers as well as the government are benefited due to that.
But the working conditions are deplorable, with very low wages, hazardous in terms of accidents, and causes
pollution.
The passage said that when the workers will protest against this, the prices will go up
but the workers might not have a choice, as in a poor country.
They are better off doing a petty-paying job, than do something like begging, prostitution or something
unlawful
The last line was that the low costs have a moral costing to the retailers and consumers.
This is roughly the case given to us, put in my words.There was NO QUESTION after this, nothing specified
as to what should be discussed etc
I started the GD, pointing out what things can be discussed etc. Then couldnt enter a lot after thatnot too
good a GD.
PI :
Contrary to the other experiences here, my interview was more of the form of a stress interviewquite
grilling
I cant list out the exact Q & A process because it was quite muddled and the interviewers kept reverting back
to previous questions.
! He started with tell me about yourself, then switched to another question before I could start
speaking:tell me:
! He said you did not say a lot in the GD, inspite of starting wellwhy? .. I said about not able to enter
properly and all
! And he said, so we give u a chance to speak, add anything to the GD if you wantI did.Advise to
fellow puys analyze the GD once before the PI and think if u can add somethingyou dont want to
be given a chance like me and then have nothing to add
He
also asked what I was taught about GD in the coaching institute.
!
! What is RACUTEL (final year project) gave a good one-line answer
! What is nanotechnology? again gave a good one-line answer

Then he started off about lightning arrestors ,asked if steel is a conductor, which type of steel is a
conductor, what is the difference between steel and iron(got a bit confused here with the barrage of
questionsgave some messed up answersmissed opportunity)

What does earth do with all the charge it gets through the earth terminal in plugs and all.is there
something like global charging? (mumbled something about it being dissipated, but couldnt make it
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!
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!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
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!
!
!

clear enough after that.)

What is a semiconductor - told about conductivity between conductor and insulator
Is Cu a semiconductor? told no
Is conductivity the way to define semiconductors..? I said I can define it by conductivity, he said you, of
course, can do anything, but what is a proper definition
Asked about the semiconductor, how it works in a tetravalent elementstarted with C to explain
tetravalency, he jumped in, can C make semiconductorstold it cant, I am just using it as an
example, then switched to Si
Why cant Carbon make semiconductors? told about nucleus bonding, 2,4 structure and all
Any other parameter specific to semiconductor? told about modifiability of conductivity by careful
doping
So is water a conductor? said distilled water is not
If I add salt to it? told yes
So, since adding salt changes conductivity of water, so water shoud be a semiconductor? :crazy eye:
said it was actually NaCl causing conductivity and not water.
Why? told about NaCl disassociating into Na+ and Cl- .. they gave me such incredulous looks at
this.it actually disassociates??? Asked twice, I said yes it does:tell me:
Is NaCl solid a conductor said no
molten? said not sure.It is I guess
Some more discussion about semiconductors followed..
What is a resistor? told
So a semiconductor is a resistor.said no, it is a different way of classification
He insisted, said since semiconductor doesnt allow a lot of current to flow, it is a resistorI said, in
that case, even a conductor can be defined as a resistor with low resistance.though said this with a
smile
What is a Gateseeked some clarification as to what area is he talking aboutdigital gates, FET gates
etc
then explained the concept of BJT being used as a logic gate..
So what is a defination of Gate told that output should be based on input
A resistor will give me output voltage if I give it some input voltage.told that it should be about logic
low or high depending on input levels
Asked is it continuousmisinterpreted this as asking about delays..said there will be a switching
delay/then he clarified and I said that digital output will b obtained
Asked about digital and analog...differentiate - did so
So why is this called a gate?said something about processing input. (should have said about
filtering inputs..)

Thats it to the marathon post.

Interview experience of justfun

Profile:
10th CBSE 84%
12th CBSE 79%
B. Tech 8.73(10)
CAT 98.45%
Work Ex. :
GD:-Topic: -- Internet is killing creativity. People are just borrowing ideas from it. It has affected their language.
They are socializing less. God save this generation from Internet!
A good GD which did not turn out to be fish market. Every one got a chance to speak.
I could enter three-four times.
A guy said something like our language is changing to SMS language. I said that language is a dynamic thing.
If we read whatever Chaucer, father of English, wrote in 14th century, we will see how much we have
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deviated-in our current English usage from it and it can be no one's argument that this change is for worse.
Again, I entered at one point saying that sites like Rediff.com which provide a message board allowing users -to comment have incorporated a false sense of participation in political process.
People are turning into keyboard warriors thinking that they have fulfilled their responsibility as a citizen
just by voicing their opinion on internet.
Then the discussion veered towards borrowing of ideas and I said that plagiarism is an issue but it depends
on the ethics of the person.
Also, it actually helps when we want to undertake some new project;
we can look for other works done in that area and borrow ideas so that we don't keep reinventing the wheel.
PI :
P1: an old professor
P2: a lady professor
P1: You have written about leadership in your form. What is the difference between a leader and manager?
P1: Ok tell me one leader.
P1: No No business leader
P1: Indian?
Me: Dhirubhai Ambani
P1: what about Tata?
Me: Yes the fact that he could visualize a demand for 1 lakh car and deliver it despite rising costs of input
and problems in West Bengal puts him into the leader category.
P1: Compare Ambani and Tata on ethics and social responsibility.
P1: You have heard about what Nestle is doing in Moga district of Punjab.
P1:- What would you say about AMUL's social responsibility?
P1: you have heard about the business practice of India Coffee House?
P1:(very surprised) -- Your hobby is quizzing and you don't know about it.
P1: No, it is a hotel and they are everywhere even in Delhi.
P1: Ok tell me about your present job.
P2:Your alternative career option is teaching. When and what did you teach?
P2: You like Physics.
P1: Why did you want to become an IAS officer?
P1: You are earning Rs x per month. After two years, when you pass out and you can't get a job matching it,
will you regret it?
P1: why do you want do an MBA?
P1: See you passed out long back. Do you think you will be able to cope with academics once again?
P1: How will you find the inverse of the matrix?
P1: What is Cramer's rule?
P1: No ,that is wrong.
I think I could not explain him properly because I checked it and basically I knew about it but probably
couldn't structure my thought at that moment.
P1: What is a continuous function?
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P1: Any other way to check whether a function is continuous or not?

P1: Heights of 100 students is given Is it continuous or discrete function?
P1: Collection of all points between 2 and 3--Is it continuous or discrete?
P1: So which calls you have?
P1 Checks something in his data sheet and asks why?
P1: See our students generally are of the age group 23-25 years. Would you able to fit in?
P1: So what did you think about GD in the morning?
P1: Which one did you attend?
P1: So what did they tell about GD?
P2: Did that happen today?
P1: how much did Career Launcher charge?
P1: (surprised) that's cheap.
P2: You must have read economics for you IAS examination.

P2:- OK so your hobby is reading fiction novels. Which are your favorite authors?
P2: You have read Salman Rushdie
P2: What did you like about it?
P2: Which books of Ayan rand?
P2: So you like Howard Roark's character.
P2: But she talked about a laissez-faire capitalistic system. Do you think her view is discredited in the light of
recession?
P2: Dont you find Rand's philosophy self-centered?
P2: Yes I have read that book. Ok I am done
P1: Ok thanks, you may go

Interview experience of TheFallenAngel

Profile :
10th : 82.2
12th : 85.4
b.tech : 65.2 (B.Tech Eelctronics ,ISM Dhanbad)

Work Ex: 33 Months in Infosys working for a US Based Mortgage Lender

GD:
topic: People talk about entrepreneurship a lot and get into a B-School n finally end up being a Manager; so a
B-School can never make an MBA-Entrepreneur.

PI :
P1: Ramesh KK
P2: Joffi Thomas
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P2: Do u want to ask us any questions?

Me: No Sir, I have lot many friends in IIMK n my Mentor as well told me a lot about IIMK, I have no
questions.
15-20 sec silence again then, :snipersm:
P2: OK, Your name sounds a little weird, can u tell me something abt it in detail.
P2: So, what is your Hometown or native what ever you want to call it as?
P2: Tell me about Bihar, you studied for 5 years there.
Moi: Sir, Biharis are real good and it is not the way the media portrays them to be. Only a few power thirst
leaders play the caste trump and the whole state gets a bad name.
P2: So you say it is total caste-ism; how you are going to eradicate that?
P2: Will you do it, have to heard of a engineer being killed in Bihar in recent past?
P2: So, what if you are killed?
P2: You, an electronics engineer,
P2: So,what is a resistor?
P2: Can an AC signal be a Analog Signal?
P2: Tell me the difference between Resistor and Semiconductor?
P2: What is the use of regulated supply in Electronics & is transistor active or passive(buddu kahika
mein).
P2: OK, lets talk about ur work, what u do @ Infosys?
Moi: Sir, I work for a mortgage lender and I do the testing of the loans locked and other business logic and
rules.
P2: You work for a mortgage client. Is the client still there ?
P2: How big is he?
P2: It must have fallen a lot now?
P2: Is it still in profits or losses?
P2: What is EPS?
Now the silent P1 Jumps in.
P1: Why you have ear rings?
P1: Is it Diamonds you are wearing in your ears and also you are wearing a lot of rings?
P1: Do u practice astrology?
P1: So why is the culture of earrings prevalent in your customs any reasons?
P1: hints about health
P1: So you follow any rituals
P1: Once a day, you dont do it thrice?
P1: Tell me about stamps, how much is your stamp collection worth?
P2: How do you trade stamps?
P2: There is chance of cheating
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P1: Have u heard of a note of 50 rupees with no Indian flag on it. It came when HM Patel was the RBI
Governor.
P1: Asked a few questions about currencies collection.
P1: Which is the first stamp and what is the Black *****?
P1: Do you have them?
P1: Ohh.. you Listen to Music?
P1: so you play any instrument?
P1: Types of Veena
P1: have you heard of Rudraveena?
P2: You are still a technical guy more than a MBA?
P2: Your monthly renumeration is 3,76,000 ?
P2: So, u were filling it yesterday?
P2: Did u Read business news? Tell us one thing that happened Yesterday?
P2: That is US, tell about India?
P1: what is the revenue of Infy?
P1: Which is India's Biggest Co?
P1: Revenue RIL ka?
P1: Are you sure RIL is bigger. I feel a PSU is bigger than RIL?
P2: So, how many CAT's have you given?
P2: What happened in your Previous attempts?

P2: Tell me what is India's GDp & GDP rate? Verdict: Convert

IIM Kozhikode - Year 2010

Interview experience of CATch-22

Acads
10th-93%
12th-94.5%
grad-78%
work ex- 20 months(oil industry)

Essay topic : "An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind. Otherwise only I will be blind"
15 mins. and you have to complete it within the time frame, thats the whole game here.
GD topic : An article about leadership. How leaders were different in the past and present. How a leader like
Gandhi was, and how today's leaders seem to just quote our old leaders and give more importance to fame.
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PI

P1: IT/Systems guy

P2: Operations guy
As i entered the room, P2 left.
P1: Introduce yourself
P1: Asked about my short film, contradicted me, and in the end neither of us reached a conclusion.
P1: So do you watch foreign movies?
P1: Why?
P1: So you think fire should have been released in India in all theatres?
P1: So you want all the people to start believing in lesbianism?
P1: But i think the people of India will see lesbianism before they see any other element in the movie.
P2: Tell me about your work
P2: So you have implemented this business model?(it was mentioned in the data form)
P2: (contradicting me)- this model cannot work. it does not give any special improvement to sales
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of rajaramvarun

PROFILE:
Acads:
X 89.57% (Merit Ranker,Gujju Board)
XII 89.38%(Merit Ranker,Gujju Board)
Undergrad Major -6.96/10 (NIT,Warangal)
Work-Ex:
16 months(as on date)/FMCG,Exportimports
CAT %ile:
DI 96.xx %ile Quant
91.xx %ile Verbal
99.xx %ile Aggregate
99.62%ile

Essay: Genetically modified plants can improve food security for a country like India which has an ever
growing population.

GD:
Topic:A big paragraph was given.Well the gist of it was,is change required or not!
PI:

Questions:
F1 looks at my certificates.Doesnt show any interest.Meanwhile S1 and S2 keep staring at me.I offer S1 my
photography portfolio,he refuses.
F1: So,Mr.Rajaram your interested in photography huh?Tell me what all did u do?
Me (Now ur talking sir!): Published 2 portfolios.Conducted an exhibition.Thoda aur detail bataya.(F1 betrays
no emotion)
F1: So what kind of photography are u interested in?
S1: Ok tell me about your job responsibilities
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S1: You mentioned Sudhir Mohan Trehan(Crompton greaves MD) in your GD.Do you think his autocratic
style of running the company is warranted for?
S2 has meanwhile decided how he's gooing to have my head in the interview.Chalked out a complete
plan.Thankfully F1 was in the panel.Else I would have been dead.
S2: So Varun do you read?
I've heard this being a trick question.So i was careful.
S2: Do you know who is Dale Carnegie(where did that come from)
S2: Ok who is Andrew Carnegie
S2: What is CMU?
F1 meanwhile has finished seeing my certificates and has gone on to do a second round.
S2 to F1: Sir,what do you wanna ask him?How about Narendra Modi?
F1: Yes! Of course! Tell me about Modi and his recent case.
F1: So grad from NIT Warangal.Why Warangal?Why a naxal infested place?
F1: What's your take on the Telangana issue?
F1: Choose a side
F1: No but still choose one.
S2: OK you favourite subject in high school.
And that is where I faltered.
S2: Ok,what is Fermat's theorem?
S2: Is it proved?
F1: Ok 2 lakh people gave CAT.If I assume your percentile is 99, then how many people are above you and
how many are below you?
F1: So there are 2 Varun Rajarams who gave CAT!
F1: So you know for sure those 2k are above you.
S2: Ok here's a definite integral for you.
S1: Tell me about cross margins in your job?
S1: Profit margin decisions
Waiter: Sir, sandwich and coffeee
F1: Arrey,Varun,you'll have sandwiches?
F1: Accha coffee?
F1 to waiter: Arrey bacche ko coffee do!
F1 to me: Dekh jab tak tu coffee khatam nahee karega tab tak we keep grilling you.
F1: Anything you want to ask us
F1: IF you were the interviewer then what would you ask us
F1: ok you may go.

Interview experience of supersourya

Profile
Cat 2009: OA 99.00
VA 90.99
DI 97.96
Quant 98.5
Xth: 92.6(west Bengal board)
XII th: 90.9 (west bengal board)
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Genetically modified seeds should be introduced to address food security problems in a large country like
India

Interview :
P1: Introduce yourself
P1: but Its no longer a city of joy
because of traffic problems etc
A: and also there is no joy in KKR's form in IPL
We then had some general discussion about Kolkata city
A: tell me why is it called city of joy?
I knew the answer and was to about to tell..
P1: you do not know why but it is a city of joy
P1: Ok carry on with your intro.,
P1: I know there are lots of poor people around your college,why isnt your college doing anything to
alleviate poverty
P1: But then why is poverty still there?
then I told about some generic problems existing in India which causes poverty...I told about corruption
P1: Ok tell me if you were the prime minister what will you do to eradicate corruption??
I gave some general funda but P1 was not satisfied and concluded this is the problem in India we all know
what is the problem but dont know how to avert it.
A: Do you read newspaper regularly?
A: which one?
A: tell me a new term that you have found there
A: you are from Mining?
A: what is the difference between mineral and ore?
P2: (finally spoke out) What is your favorite subject?
A: Tell me something about David Headley
P1: Ok then do you have anything to ask?
P1: Yes it is there but your performance in OR suggests you will not be going for that program
A stepped in and told about the program in detail.

Interview experience of aniketcoep

My Profile:
Acads:
X 87.46%
XII 94.17%
Undergrad Major - 8.13/10 (Electronics and Telecommunication from College of Engineering,
Pune)
Work-Ex:
8 months - IT sector

Essay Topic: 'Man is a credulous animal, he needs something to believe in. If he doesn't find anything good to
believe in, he'll believe in something bad' (On those lines)
I couldn't write much, as I spent too much time thinking about the structure, flow etc. My advice : start
writing within the first 2 minutes!
After the essay, we broke up into 3 panels and shifted to our specific rooms for the GD.
GD topic: A short article of 5-6 lines about Urban Water Management.
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The topic was a bit strange I guess. I started off and made 4-5 entries. Not a fishmarket, overall a nice
discussion. Not much content though.
P3: Tell us something about yourself
P1: Why don't you take up Quizzing as a profession?
P1: What type of Quizzing do you like?
P1: Tell me who won India's first
Olympic individual medal.
P1: Second?
P1: Which were your favourite subjects in engineering?
P1: What is the difference between GSM and CDMA? (The most common question that anyone can think
of!)
P1: Tell us about the 3G spectrum and the problems they are facing.
P2: How do I communicate between 2 computers directly?
P2: Give details of how to do so using LAN.
P3: Which foot do right arm bowlers land on while bowling?
P3: Tell me a bowler who lands on the right foot.
P3: Thanks. You can leave now.

Indian Institute of Management,

Indore
IIM Indore - Year 2005

Interview experience of THUSSU

My background: MBBS, Percentile 99.27, Xth 91, XIIth 91, College: 64%
CASE:
Shubha joins a company after her PGP. She has to leave the comfort of her home and live alone in the city,
hoping to learn and become self-confident at the same time. The company has a democratic work culture.
When her immediate boss Ashok goes on leave, he allocates her a new supervisor called Suresh.
The latter does not give her much work but later complains to Ashok that she is incompetent.
Ashok notices that Suresh is using her to do her personal work and Shubha seems to be happy doing these
petty tasks. She evens refuses to do some work allocated to her by Ashok.
Ashok complains to the CEO. Shubha refuses to do the CEO's bidding as well as she thinks she must only
please her immediate supervisor. She is asked to resign, failing which she will be terminated. What should
Shubha do?
Was a peaceful GD with four people from my Time group, and one girl. (The pretty girl went to some other
group.
PI:
Sardarji (S), Middle guy (M), and Biggie (B)
S: Why do you want to do an MBA?
S: Why not health management or hospital management?
S: Gave up after 2-3 min with 'well the decision is yours'
[Thought I answered with confidence and conviction but dont know what to make of the last statement]
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S: Tell me about community medicine, public health, forensic medicine.

S: (Pseudo medical Question) Thyroid hormones stem cell research, color blindness, carcinoma, edema etc.
M: Talks about photography, what camera I use, film and film speeds.

Asks me about the trajectory of a thrown ball but I cant give him the equation of a parabola
B: Health minister of India
M: Health minister of Karnataka
B: How many calls?
Told him
S: Are you from Bangalore?
S: That explains your name.
They indicate that the Interview is over so I thank them and leave

Interview experience of Eccentric

My background: IIT Kharagpur 2002 Mechanical.
Work experience: 2.5 yrs software
A: So Mr. Kumar how many types of Boiler are there?
A: Asks what a MPFI is ?

A: What is moment of inertia?

A: Asks about the axis them?
A: What is I*alpha?
A: You are an IITian do a dimensional analysis and tell me?
A: Which energy?
A: Ask about Laminar flow.
A: Ask a question about flow in a pipe and ask me define parameters. [I am still thinking whether I read
these words during my graduation.]
A: Tests my patience with 3-4 more question in fluid and thermo.
I keep on saying I don't know most of time.
At this point A closes the form I have given him. Now he plays on my strength.
A: Ok what are types of probability distribution?
Explains well.
B: Gives Me a sort of case of sampling study and asks me to define some parameters.
A: Some more cross question.
Handled well mostly
B: You want to cross a river ask Me for depth I'll tell you either mod, Median or Mean what do you want.
C: (He speaks) You play chess who is current champion ?
A: Ask me since when is Kasporov ruling ?

Interview experience of manu011

My background : Mechanical engineer from IIT Delhi, 2 years of work ex in software.

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A1: Yeah yeah. Come in. Please be seated.

A1: So Mr. Manu you have done your engineering from IIT Delhi
A1: And you come from Rajasthan?
A1: Who is the CM of UP?
A1: What are the problems that UP faces?
A1: So u had a 8 CGPA in IIT good very good (He misunderstood my last semester SPGA to be total CGPA ;
good for Me )
A1: Mr. Manu you are earning so well, then why do you want to do an MBA ?
A2: Give me your file / certificates.
A1: Yeah. Continue.
A1: What are your job responsibilities over here?
A2: So you have this course in IIT. Do u remember anything of your IIT studies?
A2: Which courses?
A2: Ok. So divide an automobile in different systems.
A2: We'll start with gear system. Tell us something about it.
A2: What is torque. explain to a layman.
A2: What about hydraulic power steering systems? How do they work and how are they linked to gear
systems. (some related questions also)
A2: Tell us something about MPFI systems.
A2: Which power plants have you visited ?
A2: Tell us about their working.
A2: How many types of turbines are there ?
A2: How many types of power plants are there?
A2: Name some thermal power plants ?
A2: Name some nuclear power plants ?
A2: You dont remember nuclear power
plants. They are so famous Tarapur etc.
A2: Where do we have wind power plants in India ?
A2: You can leave now have a biscuit.
A2: How many calls do u have ?
A2: Which one didn't sent u a call?
A2: Best of luck for all of them.

Interview experience of altruist

I am working in Bangalore. Have 20 months of work ex in IT.
I have done my electrical engineering from IIT Roorkee (CGPA 8.1)
10th -92% and 12th 84%
My IIM Indore interview on 20th Feb is as follows:
P2: You havent filled up the no of months of work ex in the form. (Puts the form in front of me).

P2: (Takes back the form and looks into it)

P1: Can u show Me your certificates?

P2: What is FDI?

P2: Why is currently important?

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P2: What is SEBI?

P2: (Immediately asks the next question) Can FDI be done an IT company?

P2: You work in a private company? (I say yes) How is a private company different from a public company?
P2: What is "limited" in Pvt Limited company.
P1: Your company is private limited. You should know this.

P2: What is an IPO?

P2: Any news on the IPO front?
P2: Any IPOs in future?

P1: You have got good grades in Economics and Management courses in college. Good

P1: Can u name any books you studied?

P1: Then IIT Roorkee is just like any other college.
get the entire details which might not be required.
P1: So do you think the education system is not good?
P2: Do u remember any other course books in other subjects? Like Digital Electronics (smiles and says that u
have got A in both the courses (management and economics in digital electronics it was much worse)

P2: Analog electronics?

P1: Ok name some publishing houses in India and abroad.

P3: You are an electrical engineer. Tell us the difference in Electrical engineering and Electronics?

P3: (Immediately next question) So is there is a fine demarcation between both , say some voltage level?

P3: What is an UPS. Is it electrical or Electronic?

It is a inverter as well as a voltage regulator.

P3: What is the unit of power?

P3: Any other?

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P3: Smiles (I also smile)

P3: Then what is Ampere?
P3: What is switchgear?
electrical systems. (blah blah....)
P3: What is electronic switchgear?
P3: What is electrolysis?

P3: Can sugar solution be used.

P3: Can u explain why?

P3: Can you give an example where electrolysis is used?

P3: Asked a couple more questions which were easy.

P1: Ok .Have u got any more calls ?

P1: Best of luck of them. (All smile)

Interview experience of fruskee

B-tech (Mech) + M-tech (product des)] from IIT M.
(Overall CGPA: 8.1)
2 yrs work experience in design. (Branch job)
99.95 overall percentile
Had my IIM I GD/PI yesterday at IIMB.
Case Study:
A Family consists of Ajay (father), XXX (mother), Vijay (Son), Anjana (Daughter)
Ajay, XXX and Vijay are highly educated and successful in their respective professions and each of them want
Anjana to pursue a different career.
Anjana, a topper all thro' her school, joins Medical school though she had been preparing for engineering
entrance exams.
But after a month or so, she comes back home with TC. Reasons for leaving: didn't like the practical sessions
of dissection in Medical school, new hostel environment, ragging, etc.
1S: What are your qualifications?
1S: So you are a Mechanical Engineer ?
1S: Explain the principle of working an Induction motor.
1S: What are the different types of lathe machines?
1S: That is a very general answer.
1S: Anyways who is Sunil Dutt?
1S: Samajwadi Party, right? (I didnt knew that he was the current sports minister)
1S: Who is Barkha Dutt?
1S: How are Sunil Dutt and Barkha Dutt related?
1S: His daughter or his sister's daughter???
1S: Not aware? OK. (Guess he was enjoying having fun with Me and was forcing Me to commit errors )
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1S: Who are the female CMs?

1S: That's all?
1S: Which state CM is Mayawati?
1S: UP or Uttaranchal
1S: OK
1S: Which state CM is Amika Soni ?
1S: (after some time) Jharkhand
2I: Do you read Newspapers, magazines, watch TV?
2I: Which are the SAARC Countries?
2I: What are their currencies?
2I: Which are the countries which were in news recently?
2I: Who is the King of Nepal?
2I: Who is the king of Bhutan?
2I: Who is the king of Japan?
3I: You have done some courses in management at college. You seem to be inclined towards management
from a long time.
3I: What are the principles of management (POM)?
3I: Are those POM?
3I: Have you heard of EOQ?
3I: What do u know about inventory management?
3I: What is the diff b/w JIT and EOQ ?
3I: What do you know about OR?
3I: Give an example problem of simplex Method application. Describe it on paper.
3I: What is the objective function? What are the constraints?
3I: What is Break Even point?
3I: Your interview is over. Please collect your certificates and Admit card.

IIM Indore - Year 2006

Interview experience of andthentherewas1more

My Profile:
10th: 80.4%
12th: 81.4%
B.tech (CSE): 67.92 (passed out in 2005)
Work-ex : 2 months in a S/W services company
GD:
Mr. Ronaldo is looking on the beach at Nariman point as if he is counting the waves but he actually has a
problem on hand.
Mr Ahuja is a young dynamic MBA from University of Delhi hired for International Sales. He is a good writer
and outgoing and very popular with colleagues. He had brought in two orders which gave huge profits to the
company.
Mr Singh was with the company for 20 years and was Best Employee 3 times, He is thoughtful, thinks of
things in the long term and has contributed to the profitability of the company. He was also responsible for
countries like Dubai, England in the past.He has said many times that Whatever I do should have long term
implications (or something like that)
Mr.Ahuja is friendly and helpful to subordinates but puts a lot of pressure when an order has to be delivered.
He is impatient and likes to get things done then and there.
Because of delivery date given for some order by Mr. Ahuja, the production comes under lot of pressure.And
in doing so the quality falls and the goods are returned by the customers.
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Mr.Ahuja says Getting order is my job and delivery is your job. When asked by Mr.Singh , Mr. Ahuja says
that he got the order on his own strength and..(don't remember the exact words but something on the lines of
I make the decision).So the issue goes higher up.
Mr. Singh asks Mr.Ronaldo to shift Mr.Ahuja. Mr.Ronaldo is perplexed because till now Mr.Ahuja has
delivered profits to the company and this is the first time a slip has occurred.
And Mr.Singh has been consistent and has the long-term in mind.
Mr.Singh knows Mr.Ahuja's father who is also a businessman. Mr.Singh's son and Mr.Ronaldo's daughter
are classmates. Mr Ronaldo knows both of them have their strengths and weaknesses.
What should Mr.Ronaldo do?
That was the case and I hope I have written all the details. We had 5 minutes for reading, 16 for discussion
and 5 for writing summary!

PI:

P2: Show your certificates. P1 takes them and starts going through theM.
P2: So you have got a job. Don't you want to continue working ?
(still no reply from my side and my face was like why are you asking me this)
P2: (in trailing voice) You are getting a good salary. So do you want to continue if you get a seat ?
P2: So what was your favourite subject in college?
P2: No! in all of engineering?
P2: Why is Artificial Intelligence called so?
P2: Why use computers? Can't others be used.
P2: What algorithm is used to retrieve data from memory?(where did that come from)
P2: Tell me any algorithm that you know
P2: What is complexity?
P2: explain using example
P1: So you stay in Tirumalgherry, tell us what is there in Tirumalgherry?
P2: What do they have?
P1: full form:
P2: Electronics?
P1: They have something there, what is it?
P1: A friend of yours has come to Hyd and wants to visit places. Which 5 places will you take him to?
P1: So why are Hyderabad and Secunderabad called twin cities?
P1: Who is the governor of AP?
P1: So where did you stay in England? and why did you go there?
P1: What are the similarities that you find between here and there?
P2: Name of your college
P2: when was it started?
P1: You are working in Karnataka , who is the Governor of Karnataka?
P2: You should know. (I think I smiled)
P2: What were you doing before you joined your company on October 22 ?
P2: How were you selected for training?
P2: How many wrote?
P2: What is it ? An online test?
P1: Recently a major religious incident took place in Karnataka. Do you know about it?
P1: It was covered extensively, it happens once in 12 years..
P2: What?
P2: Where in AP of late?
P1 to P2: Anything else ,no you can go

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Interview experience of anupthomas

GD:
The case study for GD was about a certain Satpal Singh who had a divorce from his wife, who belongs to a
very affluent family. He had three people reporting to him, all of whom joined around the time of his divorce
and all of them won some major deal or the other with a Singapore based company over a period of 2-3 years
and when a formal contract was to be signed with the head of the Singaporean firm, Satpal finds out that the
head is none but his erstwhile wife, Ms Sunanda. What should Mr Santa Singh..err..sorry...Satpal Singh do?

PI:
P1: Tell me something about the work that you are doing now.
P1: OhHave you ever learnt any related concepts in your mechanical engineering degree?
P1: Like?
P1: What is the expression for EOQ?
P2: At least, can you tell us the factors affecting EOQ?
P1: Ok. What are the other factors, which might affect it?
P1: Compare the EOQ of a manufacturing firm which produces components for automobiles and an FMCG
which sells soaps. What will be the difference in EOQs?
P1: OK so?
P1:Some more questions on this and went on to some mechanical engineering, had to draw a block diagram
of energy flowing from engine to the track and Thermodynamic Law involved. I said it is only the First Law of
Thermodynamics is involved. He asked me to define it, then define the internal energy, usual efficiency of
Internal combustion Engines, and he asked me how best to improve the efficiency (I suggested the use of fuel
cells and remove mechanical components as a way). Then he asked me to compare the efficiency of diesel
engine of a truck engine to that of a locomotive. I first mistook it for a comparison between a stationary
engine and a truck engine, but later P1 made the question clearer, and I said the locomotive engine will have
a lower efficiency because of the higher volume and higher pressure-volume work involved.
Then P2 started off:
P2: You have mentioned literature as a field of interest (I had specifically mentioned Malayalam literature
I planned to narrow-down the area of coverage, hehe) Who won the Nobel Prize for literature for this
year?
P2: Any Indian who won it?
P2: For which work?
P2: Which year?
P2: 1913What
are the literature
awards given in
India?
P2: What are your other interests?
P2: How many World Cup cricket tournaments have taken place so far?
P2: Eight?
P2: How many did India win?
P2: How many did England win?
P2: What is the highest score in one day cricket?
P2: What is the lowest score?
P2: Who bowled the first ever ball in a World Cup match?
P2: It was an Indian.
P1: You were not even born that time. It is OK.
P2: Do you know any Indian who batted for full sixty overs and still scored less than 40?
P2: He is very much a technically correct batsman. What do you think?
P2: Still he scored only less than forty, batting for 60 overs. What do you think was the problem?
P2: Did he bat for sixty overs?
P2: Which all are the countries which play one day cricket?
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P2: Which are playing now?

P2 (interrupts me): Tell me which all countries played in the last world cup.
P1: (had a satisfied look on his face) No, that is OK...leave it
P1: One more questionThere was a film by Ramu Kariat named Chemmeen. Whos work was that based
on?
P1: Did he win any awards?
P1: No, I am asking about the writer in general.
P1: OKthat is it. Thank you.
P1: You have mentioned your family income as xxx per year, but you yourself are earning yyy per month.
P1: OhI had actually planned to ask you this, but forgot. I am sorry. So this is just your family income? P1:
Please do so. It is supposed to be inclusive of everything.
P1: Thank you.

Interview experience of gitanshu

GD:
Case study on Chand magazine
PI:

SAS: Please come in

KLG: It must have been very frustrating to wait outside for so long
KLG: So your friends who had their interviews earlier must have told you what all are we asking ? SAS: Ok,
then I will not ask you Economics
KLG: So you are from Radhakrishnan school?
KLG: (totally uninterested> So tell us something about Dr. Radhakrishnan? Who was he?
KLG: (not willing to let me go) but when was he President of India?
KLG: (CHHODUNGA NAHI SARE DIN ME EK TO MURGA MILA HAI> OK Gitanshu, tell me which other
Presidents you know in chronological order?
KLG: Tell me the recent ones
SAS: Are you sure bout this? (with a lovely smile on his face>
KLG: So how many Presidents India has had till date ?
SAS: Are you sure? (again with a lovely smile. Sir get a trademark on your smile>
SAS: Gitanshu, only Dr. Rajendra Prasad has been elected twice in Indian history as President and Dr
Radhakrishnan was the Vice president for those two terms and then he was made the President. So he was
the second president on the third term (all this in a manner jaise koi nursery student ko padhata hai>
SAS: So Gitanshu, (he seemed to like my name.Called me by my name again n again> what do you know
about revenue recognition principles?
SAS: So Gitanshu, which system do you follow in your business ?
SAS: That is an extremely conservative approach
Me smiled
(SAS was in mood to teach.Probably had a craving to speak as the whole day he might have been listening to
the candidates quietly, while KLG WAS GETTING RESTLESS to leave)
SAS: So, how do you account for revenues, in case the project is not completed?
SAS: besides that ..................
SAS: How will you account for the revenues when the project is completed?
SAS: So how do you apportion the expenses?
SAS: No Gitanshu, tell me the basic principle by which this is done?
SAS: WHAT (he actually raised his voice> is the principle called?
SAS: Ok, What is the difference in hire purchase system?
SAS: exactly whereas in the instalment system, the property in the goods passes onto the buyer on the date
of the sale. So Gitanshu, how do you recognise the revenues in the instalment system?
and before I could muster the courage to answer, he got into the teaching mode
SAS: See 80000 cost sold for one lac 20 instalments on receipt of the first instalment 5000 revenues 4000
costs 1000 profits
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SAS: Exactly, that is what we do in India and that is why the accounts are not reliable. So what do you know
of the cost recovery method ?
SAS: (firse teaching mode in cost recovery method blah blah blah for 3-4 minutes)
SAS: A pretty standard answer.You must have been told by your friends that this was the question that was
asked (again that big smile>
SAS: So why was Yamuna in news in the recent times?
Me: Sir, because of the cleanliness drive and because of the lack of water to the sonia vihar water plant.
SAS (with that trademark smile):So GITANSHU, how familiar are you with current affairs. Do you keep
yourself updated ?
SAS: (the smile got wider) But current affairs do not happen occasionally. They happen daily
KLG:(bas bahut ho gaya. ye nalayak kuch bhi answer nahi kar raha and SAS usko chhod hi nahi raha hai>
So (the affectionate gitanshu wasnt there with KLG> do u know the things like Calculus, Permutations and
Combinations ?
KLG: Ok, thank you
SAS: GITANSHU which other calls do you have?

SAS:Please be prepared for the next interview

Interview experience of bkmiictian

Profile:
CAT %ile: 99.93(All sections above 96)
B Tech. Info n comm tech(ICT), DAIICT, Gandhinagar, 4th yr
Acads : CPI 2.73/4 converted to percentage: 74.6%
12th:83 CBSE
10th:88 Maharashtra
Work-ex : NIL
strong extra curriculars
GD:
. Case Study:
3 guys - Mr. Hirendra (GM Fin), Mr. Gopalan Nair (VP Fin), Mr. Mohan (Chief of operations) of TL Ltd, a
construction company. The company is building a plant for Bikes Ltd. If the plant is operational before the
31st March, then Bikes Ltd will get tax benefits. Mr. Gopalan is also the brother in law of the MD of Bikes
Ltd. Now the project is running successfully in Feb. Some load shedding was anticipated in march. Currently,
3 power generators were being used. Mohan estimated that if the power did fail, 10 more will be needed. So
Mr Hirendra suggested hiring these 10 generators. However since the project was executing well, the
company did not hire all the 10. Hirendra was out of station when suddenly there was power failure in
March. In the meantime, the corporate office had already shifted one of the generators to some other site as
all were not being utilised here. Gopalan tried to hire the required 10 generators but could get only 7 as there
was shortage of generators since this load shedding was anticipated. So he issued funds to purchase the
remaining 4 generators. The project was completed on time. In the board room meeting, Hirendra got angry
with Gopalan as to why did he spend extra on the project when he could have rented more generators or
shifted some from the Valsad plant in Gujarat. Hirendra is higher up in the hierarchy compared to Gopalan.
What are the issues and what should be done to resolve them?
PI:
Panel: 1 - mathematician and 2 - tech guy from Bihar.
1. What does your dad do?
1. So you are also a Mechanical engineer?
1. So a telecom engineer?
1. Ok, then tell me what is a sinusoidal?
1. What will be the function?
1. I mean, what will be the general form of a sinusoid when expressed a y = something?
1. Won't every sinusoid be a sine?
1. Do you know what a step function is?
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1. Can you tell me of instance where a sinusoid and a step function is used? Separately, not together.
1. You have done a course on digital circuits and processors? What did you learn in that course?
1. What was the textbook for the course?
1. Where will you use which one?
1. Explain to me what are random variables and also give me an instance of blah blah(dont know all that)
2. What do you know about satellites? What are the types? (Yeh bhi communication pe aa gaya )
2. I am looking for names.
2. Can you name any satellite launching sites in India?
2. Any other?
2. Rockets? Any facilities? Coastal areas?
1. Name the states on the western coast?
1. name the major ports on this coast?
2. Have you heard of Asian tigers?(Damn I knew this, but it didnt strike me then, read on for some fun)
2. Tigers or lions?
1. What is it?
2. Where are these two located?
2. You are from Gujarat. So do you know, what is the golden triangle?
2. Don't guess, do you know it?(he smiled)
2. What is Iridium?(Somewhere when talking about satellites, I had mentioned this word)
the plan was not practical and the projected costs were very high.//some more detail... it is actually a project
in US :(
2. Have you heard of the Ranvir sena? Where is it based?
2. Ok, have you heard of Laloo Prasad Yadav?
2. Which state is he the minister of?
2. Then who is the railway minister for Bihar?
2. Are you sure?
1. You had a course in 7th sem - Introduction to modern algebra. You also had a course named linear algebra
and matrices in 2nd seM. I do not know the difference.
1. Yes, but you studied it in 7th sem? So what did you do in that course?
1. Do u remember what a commutative ring?
1. Can integers form a ring?
1. Are integers a field?
1. What integers can form the ring?
1. What if there are less integers?

Interview experience of keviv

Profile:
Background: fresher, B.Tech ICT (DA-IICT, Gandhinagar)
CAT %ile: 99.97
Calls: BLACKI
GD:
The case was about a person who joined family business after studies and did pretty well there. Thereafter, he
entered into the education field which was quite close to his heart. He set up schools and colleges. Then he
plunged into politics, became an MLA and then an MP and was, in all probabilities, going to become a
minister soon. The management of the schools and colleges was looked after by his family members. But a
week before the celebration of the completion of a decade of his schools and colleges, one of the schools of his
is derecognized by CBSE and the colleges also face some case in the court. To add to his woes, the HRD
minister cancels his visit to his celebrations. So what should he do?
PI:
P1: Bored interviewer
P2: cordial interviewer

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P1: So Vivek, How are you?

P1: Long wait for you huh? Must be bored?
P2: So, you are very much interested in Sudokus?
P2: You have this course probability and statistics? Why this course in IT?
P2: Ok. What is Baye's theorem? (Hands me a sheet of paper)
P2: What would be P(B/A) if P(A/B) is given?
P2: Give an example of Baye's theorem.
P2: No. I don't want this bookish example.
Before I could think of another example, he asked the next question.
P2: Is Baye's theorem applicable to all kinds of events?
P2: No. what should be the relation between A and B?
P2: Have you heard about mutually exclusive and independent events.
P2: Given an example of independent events.
P2: What happens when A and B are mutually exclusive?
From this question, he led me show that the theorem cannot be applied when A and B are mutually exclusive.
I wasn't really convinced but let it pass by accepting whatever he said.
P2: Where can Bayes' theorem be applied in electronics?
P2: In communication?
P2: In what type of practical channels the prob. P(X1/X1) would be 1 and where would it be less than 1.
P2: So, in the decreasing order of probability, what would be the list of channels?
P2: Working principles of these channels.
P2: Why more noise in wireless. Tell
mathematically.
P2: How can the noise be compensated?
P2: Give a practical example.

P1: Which states are ruled by BJP?

P1: CMs of these states.
P1: Which states ruled by Congress?
P1: CM of karnataka.
P1: CM of Kerala?
P1: Who rules in J&K?
P1: NCP??
P1: In UP.
P1: Which of these governments is more development oriented?
P2: You have campus placement?
P2: It's a nice opportunity to get some good experience. Why not go for it?
P2: Thank you vivek. Take a biscuit.

IIM Indore - Year 2007

Interview experince of Rosagulla

My profile (for reference) CAT 06
OA - 99.13
QA - 96.96
DI - 93.93
VA - 98.98
Electrical engineer.
Work exp - 32 months in a well-known IT company.
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Decent academics and extracurricular.

Case Study - There is this guy Rishi who owns a Telecom company. He has taken a license, is in heavy debt
and the company profits start declining owing to competition and other players coming in. He had earlier
started a business in IT sector with his friend. Later the friend goes off for higher studies and he starts his
Telecom business.
The company financials are struggling. He has not disclosed this to his executives and is afraid that they
would leave if they come to know. He is sure he can pull the business back on track if his senior executives
co-operate. What does he do?
BP: A young Bengali professor.
SP: A professor who asked questions of social importance and general awareness.
JD - My Name
BP: Come in JD, take your seat.
SP: Give me your file
BP: So, JD you work for <xyz>.
BP: What are your job responsibilities ?
BP: You have done you Electrical engineering. What is a transformer ?
BP: What is shell type Xr ?
BP: Okay, what are the different types of losses?
BP: What is Ohm's law?
BP: What is resistivity?
BP: What is conductivity & conductance ?
BP: What was the major project that you worked on ?
BP: So what other methods to control speed ?
SP: U are a bengali right; when did you go to Bengal the last time ?
SP: Okay what is Uttar Pradesh's main contribution to GDP ?
SP: What are the major industrial areas in UP ??
SP: Any major private player in UP ?
SP: What about Sahara India ?
SP: Their business ?
SP: What is Uttar Pradesh's main problem as a state ??
SP: Do you know of Bimaru states?
SP: Have you heard of poverty line, how is it measured ??
SP: What percentage of India is below poverty line ?
SP: Nods.
SP: Ok JD.Thank you.
BP: [Smiles] Don't forget to take your CAT admit card.

Interview experience of Prerna Jain

My background
X-79.2%,
XII-92%.
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College - SRCC with aggregate of 72% in graduation

Done with grad in 2006 and currently working with a paper firm as accountant.

Q-1 Tell about yourself ?

Q-2 You know about Aishwarya rai and Sushmita Sen. These people are winning laurels in the field of
glamour, so how does it affect our country?
Q-3 But how does it affect the GDP of nation?
Q-4 But they pressed it again that it means so high revenues to change the GDP?
Q-5 Where are liabilities and assets in balance sheet?
Q-6 Why liabilities on liabilities side ; get me the logic ??
Q-7 In which field Amartya sen got the Nobel Prize ???
Q-8 What is his profession ?
Q-9 He said isnt he a journalist ?
Q-10 Asked my work-experience. I told that.
YOU CAN GO NOW.
Q-11 Can demand curve be positively sloping?? Draw it ?
Q-11 My friend got a swiss watch and as its price increases, its demand increases. Why?

Q-12 3-4 more questions on tax and economics.

Q-13 The health minister was in news recently in relation to movies why?? [He gave a hint that Shahrukh in
devdas]
Q-14 Who is health minister ?
Q-15 One last question on economics and I replied that.

Interview experience of Madguyfrankenstein

CAT : 98.79
Work Ex: 43 months
G.D : Khosla -> market survey-> transparency stuff.
P1: So u are working for?
P1: Tell me your job profile?
P1: So you an engineer?
P1: Electrical and Electronics?
P1: Tell me about 1G,2G,3G etc
P1: Diff between CDMA and GSM ?
P1: But you are an electronics engineer ?
P1: Oh Don't you have a mobile?
P1: What is GPRS and how does it work?
P1: Ok. What are the other subjects that you studied?

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P1: Ok , tell me about your work. How do you gather requirements for your product ?
P1: So, you don't know how it is done?
P1: So you actually write code in java?
P1: Can you tell me what is polymorphism?
P1: Can you explain with code?
P2: So you are basically from Hyderabad?
P2: Why was the city renamed to Chennai?
P2: When was the state of TN founded?
P2: Is there any connection between forming of AP, TN and Karnataka ?
P2: Mahabalipuram is near Chennai right?
P2: What is the temple that is there?
P2: What is the deity there?
P2: Ok Which king built the temple?
P2: At least which clan ?
P2: You know hindi?
P2: What is the script on which hindi is based ?
P2: Languages that are based on this script ?
P2: What about Gujarati ?
P2: Marathi ?
P2: Tamil ?
P2: Ok Thanks , you may leave.
P1: You have any questions for us?
P1: Thank You

Interview experience of Stormage

Profile:
X/XII - 88
Grad - B.tech IIT-B - 8.6/10
Work ex - 1.5 yes in L&T
Cat percentile 99.44

P1: So Abhinav, you are a civil engineer? Have you read fountainhead?
P1: Thats surprising there is a character of a civil engineer there you should read it.
P1: Any fiction?
P1: OK, what is the difference between BOT and BOOT projects ?
P1: (Continues to pester me on the same)
P1: So how is an EPC project different from BOT?
P1: So in this project you have gone through contract document?
P1:Asked whole lot of stuff from work experience - all commercial terms , bank guarantee, bid bond, force
majeure , act of god, indemnity, letter of credit, liquidated damages , why should bank pay on contractor
behalf ? (I am from contracts management these terms will seem a little vague)
P1: Who planned Chandigarh ??
P2: Which city resembles Delhi maximum level of architecture etc?
P2: Abhinav, have u heard of e-choupal from ITC ?
P2:(pestering on) What kind of goods are procured using e-choupal ?
P2: Tobacco is a cash crop?
P2:Anybody can grow tobacco?
P2: Ok what does ITC gain out
of this ?
P1: Then what does the "E" stand for
P2: But do u think villages have Internet , You are from Maharashtra.
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What percentage will have net access ?

P1: So who will set them up ?
P1: Then there are so few villages ; how should ITC go about it ?
P1: Says you are making one guess statement after another.
P2: So what is share of ITC breakup of revenues in business ?
P2: 80 %!!! Are you sure ? (i think this is wrong ; someone please confirm)
P2: Who are ITC competitors?
P2: Are you a smoker ?
P2: What are major brands of ITC ?
P1: You must have heard a lot about Compaq and HP , even though HP acquired Compaq why continue as
different brands ?
P1: Still pestering on.
P2: Ok thanks Abhinav

Interview experience of The Last danconia

GD : Case study on one Auto Manufacturing company called Vahan Motors which is launching a 10-tonne
truck into the market. After they finish all the tests etc they realize that people generally load the trucks with
18 tones. What should the VP Production do?

TF: You stay very nearby, so it is not unfair to have your interview in the end.
TF: What is the talk outside, about the interview ??
KM: So, you are working with XXXX ?
KM: What exactly do you do there?
KM: What is the difference between this and that?
TF: Your other career interest is to join politics?
TF: Why? (Surprised)
TF: Are there any politicians in your family?
TF: What do you want to achieve through politics?
TF: You mentioned something about Vedas and Upanishads?
TF: How many Vedas are there?
TF: What are Vedas?
TF: How many Upanishads are there?
TF: How many are canonical?
TF: Who made these divisions?
TF: Have you studied Taittiriya Upanishads ?
TF: what is the concept of God in Vedas?
TF: You are into carnatic music?
TF: How did you get interested in it?
TF: Do you have any family members , who are into it?
TF: Where does your father work?
TF: You studied in xxx place. Are your ancestors hailing from there?
TF: You have almost 6 yrs of work experience. Is it a conscious decision to write CAT?
TF: Dont you think there will be any issue in sitting in classroom with people who are 3-4 yrs younger to
you ?
Final result:
Converted.

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IIM Indore - Year 2008

Interview experience of abhithehobbit

Profile:
Name : RVRK Abhishek Sharma
Organization : HCL
Work Experience : 18 Months
Graduation : B.E. Electronic Instrumentation and Control, University of Rajasthan, year 2006 - 70.47%

the case study we had was a 'study' in complexity...something regarding a guy called Abhishek ,who's been
picked up for misappropriation by the CFO upon a complaint from Sandeep, who's friends with Yogi, who
own a software firm, whose help Abhishek needs for starting a new venture with Sunam motors....Very long,
and one felt very difficult to piece together. I made 3-4 good entries (it was tough, everyone was cacophonous
since no one had anything to say ) and raised some points regarding Abhishek looking at other options , how
he needs to convince Sandeep etc.Wrote a pretty good summary. I felt my contribution was significant, and I
was pretty happy with myself - although I should have been a little more assertive, and a little less jumpy.
P1: Old Professor (possibly Prof. Dipayan Datta Chaudhuri)
P2: Young Alumni/Prof (I assume it was Prof. Scalem)
P2: Hello Abhishek.

P2: thats alright. So, you're from Chennai eh?

P2: So you changed your hairstyle? (different in photo)

P2: And you don't seem like an introvert

P2: Oh. What does your father do?

P1: (Looking at form) you mean IDBI?

P1: Your mother is in IDBI, or IDBI Bank?

P1: Is she a CA?
P2: Well. So you've stayed in Jaipur for a long period eh?
P2: Hmm. Why is it called the Pink City?

P2: Think..some person visited the city, for which it was painted

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P2: Hmm. What is the education capital of Rajasthan?

P2: No, that is the training capital.

P2: No..the state board..

P2 (finally) hmm.What are the 3 regions of Andhra P

P2: Okay - so what do we ask about now then?

P2: Hmm. HCL then. What is the new innovative initiative taken up at HCL my management..not in
technology?

P2: (Satisfied) And what is the general operating strategy of HCL thats different from other players?
P1: (ab shuru hoti hai kabaddi...academics) How is your branch..Electronic Instrumentation and Control different from Electronics?

P1: (rather skeptical) really? what sort of courses?

P1: Hmm. If i wanted to design a temperature control system for a boiler plant - what would I use - tell me
what you would include in the block diagram)
P2: So, you have been to IIM Indore for IRIS eh? (Klueless 2 winner )

P2: You write about soccer being an interest. (why not the rest computer games, blogging,reading..he had to
pick soccer ) How is soccer different from football?

P2: Any differences in rules? player count,time?

P1: What are there starred subjects? (2 supplis in 1st yr )

P1: How would you rate your performance the second time?

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P1jP2:Hmm. Right then Abhishek, you may go.

Interview experience of anir-iim2005

Profile - B.Tech with 28 months of exp, CAT %ile and calls in my signature

Case Study was the Mustafa one. In addition to whatever Soumak has written, there was one sentence at the
end of the case, it went like -Mustafa had convincing answers to his wife and children's concerns, but was not
sure how to communicate it to them. What should Mustafa do? Now, I am not sure whether I was wrong or
everyone else were, but my understanding was that Mustafa had more or less convinced himself about
venturing into his own consultancy business, but was having trouble in making his family and friends
understand since he had mostly negative examples in front of him.

SM: Ok, so why didn't you come when I called the first time? Too busy with discussing questions?

SM: So, you have heard quite a few questions. What are you expecting?
SM: (Smiling) So u r cool..

SM: Saw the logo of CTS in mhy experience certificate and asked - Is there any particular significance of
these Blue, Green colors?

SM: Okay, you had any other interview before?

SM: MBA interviews.

SM: Where?
SM: Okay, so u had any particular favourite subjects, or no favourite subject at all? (Throughout the
interview, she continued to smile and gave some awkward expressions. Don't know if that is some kind of
stress, I didn't feel it even if it was stress )

SM: What is Business Intelligence?

SM: Ok, storing information abt people is ethical? Also, don't u think we give wrong answers most of the
time, so that info will be useless..

SM: Fine. What is difference between Data & Information?

SM: Do u think these BI systems will make the salesmen redundant?

RK: "Problem in memorizing concepts if I can't understand it properly" - How detrimental is it in mgmt
educations? (I had written that as weakness)

RK: So what is ur suggestion to boards and universities while creating a syllabus?

0

RK: What is B2C in E-Commerce?

RK: go on..

RK: What is Web?

RK: What does IBM do?

RK: It sold a part of business ometime back?

RK: Why?

RK: Then Why did Lenovo Buy it?

RK: Who are IBM's main competitors?

RK: So, u want to be an entreprenaur or want to join Job?

SM: Do u invest?
RK: Do you buy IBM stock?

RK: What abt ESOP?

SM: What are preferred shares?

SM: (With wide smile, don't know for what reason) Ok, Thank you. All The Best.

Interview experience of veritas

profile:
CAT : 99.04, QA 93.79, DI 97.41 and VA 97.97
M.Sc in Maths n computing.
17months in a software MNC .
Case: As described by avi_mba

ND: Give me your file

ND: Tell me sumthin bout urself
ND: Tell me bout ur work
1

ND: Ok What is testing

ND: So wat are CMMI Levels??
ND: Your comapny isnt graded?
ND: What is ISO ?

ND: Who gives this certification?

ND: What is ISI?

ND: (Laughs)Ne other ISI?

ND: So,U following US events?

ND: SO what is happeneing in US Elections?

ND: How do the select their candidates?

ND: What is a primary?

ND: What kinf of government is thr in US

ND: What is republic?

ND: What kind of governance is in India?

ND: Is India a republic?

ND: Wht bout china.

ND: So cant communist states be republics?
ND: So u r from Orissa?How many regions do u divide orissa into?
RK: So which region is most prosperous and why?

RK: Which caste dominates in eastern orissa?

RK: Which caste Naveen Pattanik belongs to?

RK: Differentiate between Biju and Naveen Pattanaik

RK: Wht % of ppl leave BPL in orissa?

RK: Compare Bihar n Orissa?

RK: How many places below orissa

RK: Guess bout the BPL % of bihar

ND: So you must have read bout probability distributions.Tell me how many types n wht r they?

ND: Give one example each

RK: When does a binomial become poisson?

ND: Ok draw normal distribution
ND: So wht do the points mean on the graph?

ND: No m asking bout the points on the graph

ND: Ok what is 6 sigma?

ND: Is it exactly 3?

Interview experience of macora

Profile :
X : 91
XII : 92
Grad : 88 M.Sc. Integrated C.S., CEG, Anna university
Work Ex : 20 months in Business analytics, Oracle.
GD : Evaluation of a business plan of a textile factory.

M1: Please take your seat.

M1: So what do you do at work?

M1: How do u design datawarehouse?

M1: So, what subjects you studied in college? (So Soon :O)

M1: Ok what is a database?

3

M1: What is DBMS?

M1: Draw a flow of DBMS

M1: What is the purpose of file and database manager?

M1: What is SQL?

M1: What is relational algebra?

M1: What is relational calculus?

M1: Some language based on tuple relational calculus?

M1: Some languages other than SQL

M1: What else you studied?

M1: Can I ask questions in statistics?

M1: What is statistics?

M1: What is distibution?
M1: What is sample and population?
M1: What are sampling techniques?
M1: What are random and non-random sampling techniques?

M1: Probably u didnt study them.. But then tell me what are different kind of means?
M1: No, no. I mean different kind of averages?
M2: I have just one question to ask. Which states you have been in India?

M2: What is the longest railway route in india?

M2: Its upto Jammu or kashmir?
M1: Thank you.

Interview experience of siddoba

Acad -> Comp. Sci -> AJAX , Remote desktop + Who created it , What is DBMS
Acad -> Principles of Managment -> Explain everything you can remember , Line and Staff
4

Acad -> TQM -> What is it , one person who is the father figure of TQM
Acad -> Eng. Economics -> Diff. between it and managerial economics,Demand Elasiticity
Acad -> Project -> Project basics and its usefulness

Topic : Amar (i think) shifted from a public sector steel company to a private sector eucalyptus plant. He had
better designation,pay and perks here. He really enjoyed the first few months of his new company. But a
problem arose soon. He was used to placing orders of 25 lakhs in his steel company before , but now after
becoming AGM here he found that he could not do the same even with the higher post without getting
approval from his GM. He felt like his wings were clipped and submitted his resignation.

G: So do you visit PagalGuy?

G: Did you visit today morning? Yesterday?
G: So why do you go there ? Is it useful?

L <smiling> : So you're trying to guess the possible questions?

<The interview was pretty feel good right here>
G: So you've done training in java. Can you tell me about ajax?
G: Could you make me understand ajax?
L: What is Database Management System?
L: So you've had a subject called Principles of Management?

L: I know you wont remember everything but try to tell us what and all you've learnt from it

G: Oh ho. Whats line and staff?

G: Is sales line or staff?

L: Hmm , you've also had TQM. What is TQM all about?

L: So what about processes?

L: Hmm . You've had a subject called EEFA - engineering economics and financial accounitng
What is engineering economics - how different is it from managerial economics?

L <nodding> : Ok , so what is elasticity of demand?

G: Hmm tell me about software you would use to connect from one system to work on another system
G: Ok who created it?

G: No no - you have to install it

5

G: Have you used it?

G: Ok - it is not built into the OS

L: Ok back to TQM. Who comes to your mind when we talk about quality?

L: Yes , the one guy who pioneered TQM

L <with negative nodding> : Are you sure?

L <semi sarcastic> : Is this the topic on which you did your project on? (I had mentioned my project in a big
way in the form)

L: Is collecting information ethical?

L: Like me giving my info to hotel

L: No no - i meant why do they need such info in the first place? is it ethical to collect info like that about me
and use it?

L: Ok - what if I lie?

L: Is it possible to collect info without me knowing? Like assume you are sitting in the hotel reception desk how can you collect my details without me knowing?

G: You seem to be technical out and out. There seems to be no managerial learning in your work experience.
Please explain this.

L: Thank you and all the best

G: Thank you
PaGaLGuYcom GO-PI Anthology: liM Indore- Year 2008

Verdict: Converted

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

IIM Indore - Year 2009

Interview experience of Anurag Joshi

Profile:
Acads:
X: 79.8% CBSE
XII: 78.6% CBSE
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age: B.E. Information Technology - 65.5%, University of Pune
Work-Ex: 41 months till 31 Jan 2009
Sector - IT/ITES
GD:
Topic: A case involving employees of TL Ltd. which is working on a project for WIL Ltd. WIL is getting its
Bike manufacturing plant set up. TL Ltd. Chief operations officer Pramod has raised concerns about the
availability of power for the project, which is already behind schedule, to Hirendra VP Finance. Hirendra told
him about the bad financial status of the company and has asked Pramod to get it done with 4 generators
instead of the 10 he had asked for. Pramod was also asked to rent the generators whenever he felt the need.
Consequently, Pramod rents 4 generators. It was later observed that the generators were not being used
completely so 2 of the rented generators were transferred despite Pramod's strong opposition. Unfortunately
there was soon a massive power disruption and a surge in demand for generators has raised the cost beyond
the budget allotted to Pramod.
Pramod approached Hirendra but he was on leave. So he approached Gopalan, GM Finance at TL Ltd.
Gopalan was also the brother in law of the MD at WIL Ltd. Gopalan approved Pramod's request for funds.
Consequently Pramod was able to get the work done on time and the project was a success.
Later MD TL Ltd. questioned Hirendra about the approved funds. As a result Hirendra started accusing
Gopalan of not considering the option of transferring generators from a nearby site before approving the
additional budget.
SV: S. Venkataramanaiah (Most probably it was him)
SV: But there are so many social networking sites. Don't you use them?
SV: What is a candidate's perception of stress? When do you guys say that I had a stress interview?
SV: Pick any 3 subjects from your engineering that you think you are still good at.
SV: OK, out of these pick one which you think is your strongest.
SV: What is the difference between a Database and a Relational Database? Firstly, is there any difference?
SV: You had one subject on Software Quality and Assurance in your last year. Remember?
SV: Differentiate Quality Control and Quality Assurance
SV: Have you heard about alpha testing and beta testing or alpha release and beta release of a product?.
SV: What is the difference in one line?
SV: One last question - How are passwords for a bank account generated?
SV: Still, make a guess or at least suggest an approach.
SV: But how will the system ensure that the passwords assigned to each person are unique?
SV: Is it? But if I want it to be what can be done?
SV: OK, your interview is over.
SV: So, what do you think about Indore interview?? Was it according to what you had expected?
SV: What do you think about this form? Do you think the questions we have asked are relevant? The
interview is already over so you can be candid.
SV: Any particular question you thought was difficult to answer?
SV: Good...
SV: Please take a toffee if you want.

Interview experience of kapur.arun

Profile:
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

Acads:
X : 90.4%
XII : 89.6%
Undergrad Major - DCE, E&C-74.4%
Work-Ex: Semiconductor- 31 months
GD:
Topic: As mentioned by one of my friends above, a company wants to introduce an effective appraisal
system; certain section of employees known for the laxity in their work against the proposal ; what should the
manager of those employees do?
PI:
Panel Members Intro:
P1: Prof. GR Chandrasekhar (Strategic Management)
P2: Prof Ashok Kumar (OB & HRM)
P1: Lets take a quick look at your file
P1: Introduce yourself?
P1: How do you think you performed in Grad?
P1: There seems to be a problem with engineering drawing in DCE? (looking at my mark-sheet and taking a
cue from my friend who had gone before me and had not been able to clear his ED paper for 4 years)
P2: Did you seek feedback from your prof. about this?
P2: Is it that you shun feedback?
P2: Was there any other avenue of feedback? Did you seek one?
P1: Circuits and systems also seems to be a problem area?(I had
a back in C&S)
P1: What about Microwave engineering? (another 40ish score)
P1: What is the difference between Microwave landing and Instrument Landing systems?
P1: What did you study in Consumer Electronics?
P1: How does a color TV work? What is Grassman's law? (He gave a hint about how colors are projected on
the screen)
P1: Thank you Arun, that would be all!!

Interview experience of Sughandha3

Profile:
Acads:
X : 82%
XII: 92%
Undergrad Major BA Economics 63% (DU)
Work-Ex: 19 months as on Dec 31, 2008
Sector Consulting/ Best Practices Research
GD:
Topic: Case study on a company that lost out on quality of its core product due to diversification into new
products and CSR & branding activities by its new CEO. What should he do?

P1: Hi Sugandha! Introduce yourself

P2: Asked about my school and family which I didnt mention in my intro.
P1: Tell us about the book
P2: So you are from SRCC how do you rate your performance in SRCC?
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

P2: So you like Macro & Micro tell us about PPF

P2: How does it help a firm?
P2: So what are multipliers what are their implications?
P2: The economist Dornbusch said sometime back that Watch out for Japanese consumption to Fed. What
did he mean?

P2: (not convinced with my previous reply) Ok tell us about your work at CEB?
P1: Youve written about a project on supplier performance management (SPM). How is SPM measured? Tell
us about SPM best practices.
P2: Tell us about companies with innovative SPM practices
P1: Ok, Sugandha you may leave

Interview experience of Karanmaroo

Profile:
Acads:
X (CBSE) - 91.6%
XII (CBSE) - 91.2%
Undergrad- B.Tech CSE (IIIT Hyd)
GPA - 8.43

GD:
Case study: Ramcharan was looking into the problems that he was facing. He was reading the resignation
letter of Sarah. She was the fourth experienced worker who was leaving the job.
His father and his uncle Radheshyam were the Karta of the joint family. Ramcharan, Ramdev (not too sure
about this name), Leeladhar were siblings and Radheshyam had just one daughter Radha. They had a big
ancestral home and 20 acres of cultivable land on the banks of a small river. Radheshyam was a teacher and
traded in agro based products like wheat.
Ramcharan was a fresh graduate from college when Radheshyam had suggested him to go for a career in IT
but Ramcharan wanted to start his own cashew processing unit. So without any prior experience in the
corporate world he started his own business. He required experienced people and so he hired them at high
pay and also arranged for their families to be moved. He started with two varieties of cashew (medium and
high end). For the first two years he was able to make good profit and so he was able to procure bank loans to
buy new machines. He was thinking of expanding the unit to a cold storage and mango-jelly processing unit.
Recently, due to high produce of cashew, all types of processed cashews value reduced by 20%. The price fell
to a level where he was having difficulty in meeting his expenses as well. So he had to cut down on the
routine maintenance of the machines. Moreover, not-so-reliable supply of electricity from the electricity
board was also resulting in loss of productivity. For this, the consultants advised to use generators for
electricity. There were some high-end technicians in the company and they were also asking for a raise in
pay.
His brother Ramdev had completed his MCA and was getting an admission in one of the top 20 Universities
in US. He expected the joint family to take care of his educational expenses. Radheshyam was thinking of
marrying Radha to an IT consultant who belonged to the same place and was doing well. Also from last two
years Radheshyam was not making any profits in his business. At this time he thought that the prices of
wheat have reached an all time low and it is the time to invest in wheat and store stocks of wheat.
In her exit interview, Sarah told Ramcharan that her son was doing well as an IT engineer and he did not
want Sarah to work here anymore. This echoed the same thing even other workers who left the job had said.
What should Ramcharan do?
The GD was a fish market for the first 10 mins and quite peaceful after that. I think I did quite well. I started
9

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

the GD and gave it a direction, pitched in a lot of times and gave quite a few original points. I was satisfied
with my performance.
P1: So Karan, How are you doing?
P1: So you are doing your B.Tech?
P1: You want to shift to management?
P1: Why?
P1: What are the qualities which make a good leader? Why do you call yourself a good leader?
P1: What is network security?
P1: How do you make sure that a network is secure?
P1: But are they effective? Whatever is available in the market today?
P1: Then what is a virus?
P1: Can you name a famous virus?
P1: (Cuts me) No no..
P1: Ok. Now tell me something about database management systems.
P1: What is a relational database?
P1: Ok.
P2: What is globalization?
P2: What are the types of economic globalization?
.
P2: How many people in India are below the poverty line?
P2: What is the FDI cap in telecom in India?
P2: Banking?
P2: Insurance?
P2: Asked about some economic term.
Back to P1
P1: Karan, what do you know about IIM Indore?
P1: (smiling) So youve gone through the site?
P1: What did you find special about IIM Indore?
P1: Do you know someone in IIM Indore?
P1: Why have you been moving from one state to another?
P1: Asked about something like <Garibu or kitanu states>
P1: Ok. What does your dad do?
P1: What business?
Verdict: Converted.

Interview experience of Pink_flo_yd

Profile:
Name : Sushovan Rudra
Category: General
Acads:
4th year Electrical Engg. Jadavpur University
X: 85.75
XII: 87.5
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age : 7.41
Work-Ex:NIL

GD:
A case study, one page long, about a guy who's a programming wizard but at the same time not a team-man
and frequently scuffles with co-workers. One day he goes overboard, fights with a colleague and bunks an
important client meeting. The manager is a seedha-sadha guy, doesn't like to get into a fight, finds this guy a
pain in the neck. What should the manager do ?

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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

P1: So Sushovan, you are an electrical engineer right ?

P1: When will your final semesters be held ?
P1: Dates ?
P1: What is your favourite subject ?
P1: Ok, do these two subjects meet anywhere ?
P1: What happens in an aeroplane ? Does the pilot operate conveyor belts and pulleys ?
P1: Sushovan, tell me the difference between motor and transformer
P1: Ok, but tell me from the point of view of energy...
P1: What is there inside a transformer ?
P1: Why iron core ?
P1: How does a transformer work ?
P1: Is there anything inside the transformer shell other than the things you mentioned ?
P1: Why is it used ?
P1: What is the usual efficiency of a transformer ? Why is it not 100% ?
P1: Tell me something about the various types of losses
P1: Please elaborate on the iron loss u spoke about P1:
Can u draw the hysteresis curve ?
P1: What is Eddy current loss ?
P1: Ok, Why do we need to separately address these two types of losses ?
P1: Asks some questions about Indian standards, International standards
P1: What are the diff types of power stations ?
P1: Any other ?
P1: What are the problems in distribution ?
P1: trying hard to suppress a laughter, smiles at the end (dont know why )
P1: Where are transformers used generally ?
P1: Why high voltage ?
Some more cross questioning follows. Answer them, p1 seems satisfied. Turns to p2 ....Do u have any
questions for him ?
P2: What does LTTE stand for ?
P2: (frowns) Ok, tell me something about the group.
P2: But what do they want ? (the LTTE)
P2: So why are there protests in Tamil Nadu regarding this ?
P2: What are the major political parties in Tamil Nadu ?
P2: what does DMK stand for ?
smiles all round
P2: leaders ?
P2: Are the TN parties for or against LTTE P2: Which ruling coalition is in power in Andhra ?
P2: CM ?
P2: Principal opposition party ?
P2: leader ?
P2: Ok, Sushovan. Take your certificates. Nice meeting you, take your certificates.

IIM Indore - Year 2010

Interview experience of Vaibhav Verdhan

Verbal 93.02; QA 94.94 ; DI 99.79 ; OA 99.28
X 78% ; XII 71%
B.Tech 70.5% ; Work Experience 3.5yrs(IT)
Center : Noida
Essay : Democracy comes in the way of India's economic growth as compared to China
P1 and P2: Both in late 30s or early 40s.
P1: You have written a point about RTI .Relate it to economic growth.
P2(who was looking into the form)Academics are low.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

P2: Do you think you will show this grade sheet to somebody.
P2: I am asking not should I am asking will you ?
P2: So after B.Tech what you did , tell us your profile.Discussion on that . Why you changed job etc ?
P1:Why you think you are lazy ?
P1: Explain the thoughts you have written in form.
P2: Where do u see yourself in 5 years ?
P2: Means having a office on 3rd floor in 6 storey building.
P1: You are a avid reader Dostoyevsky, Premchand, sarat chandra, dont you think films can reach more
people?
P1: Can they be made into films ?

Interview experience of alka.jha

Verbal 99.80 ; QA 91.88 ; DI 82.49 ; OA 98.14
X - 80.6% XII 87.4% B.Tech 78.33%
Work Ex - 44 months (IT)
Center Bangalore-IISC. 9:00AM
Essay : Democracy comes in the way of India's economic growth as compared to China

P1: Why do you think we should take you ?

You have very low percentile in CAT and your DI, Quants score are very low.
P1: What extra curriculum activities , do you have in school and college ?
P1: Where did u do your schooling?
P1: Why not in Malkapuram ?
P1: Why did you leave KV after 10, was it for the coaching they provide in intermediate? ratta maar ke engg
karne ke liye [Cram up and complete the engineering]
P1: Why didnt you do you engineering from a government college?
P1: How long have u been staying in Bangalore?
P1: Do you go to Vizag even now?
It was more of these kind of question. They had either made up their mind on not taking me or they were
really chilled out professor.
P2: Which was your favorite subject in college.
P2: You did your B.Tech in Mechanical?
P2: Why IT? Didnt u get mechanical or electrical? or was it that your parents wanted u to take IT?
P2: So what will you do after MBA? Will you go back to work in IT ?
P2: Tell me about a product development.
P2: Which company do u work in?
P2: What is your role in Infosys?
P1: What other calls do you have?
P1: So how was ur SP Jains interview?
P1: Tumhe bulayenge woh? [Will they call you ?]
P1: Toh kahan jaogi tum? [Where will you go ?]

Interview experience of monk4lif

Essay topic: Is foreign university bill going to be a boon for Indian education system take a stand & write in
200 words.
U: UK Bhattacharya
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

G: Your this, you have done this (start reading my profile sheet)
G: Tell me what you do at you company?
G: What is an electrical engineer ?
G: Your essay is really good but you didn't write about how deprived section of society would be given
participation in this.
G: So whats the solution?
scholarships & along with it these can ask to be part of this initiative through PPP model.
G: But its more like reservation. These are foreign institution they are here for business & reservation is not
to acceptable in these universities.
step they have reserved seats for Asians & African countries students. So just scenario is different but
business model is almost same.
G: (To you)Ok , I am done do u want to ask something.
U: Ok, you are in power distribution company. Tell me how you people do business?
& Distribution Company.
U: So where do you bid for power units?
U: Ok, how inductor work?
U: Can you represent inductor mathematically.
U: What are the other calls you have?
U: What'll be preference of joining?
U: Ok, we are done , you may leave.
Verdict: Converted

Interview experience of vikaskum

PROFILE:
Academics
X: 87.6 % (CBSE)
XII: 91.8 % (CBSE)
Undergrad Major - GPA/%age : ECE, 8.95
Work-Ex: 43 months, IT Major
NIL/Sector - Number of Years
Case Study/Essay: Government cannot nullify the income imbalances by concentrating only on IT/ ITES
sector.
PI:
A: Why have you come here? You have already qualified for Bangalore?
A: You are very active at Pagal Guy?
A: I read your IIMB experience at PG. You are so sure. You are asking everybody to relax. Over confident?
A: So how much in CAT?
A: matlab Next yr 99.99
B: Matlab [That means] You are a dumb?
B: You are a big fraud. I have never heard about your college. How much donation did you pay?
A: So you must have bugged your teachers to give you marks?
A: How much fees in your college?
A: See they have made you a fool. You dont know anything for that 2 lac .
B: You are a big fraud, lying only to get a seat.
A: You are desperate rent you?
B: Why MBA? Is it for money? (/he started going through my personal form now) and what is this fraud
about getting into government sector. I know you will be the first one to sit in the Investment banks that
come in campus.
A: Aur kahan kahan apply kia hai?
A: Matlab moochhein ho to natthulal jaisi warna na ho?
B: So tell me about Bihar after Lalu? (I am from Bihar)
B: But why Lalu could not do in Bihar, what he did in railways?
B: Ok we are done.
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PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

B: Go ahead.
B: Why? Girlfriend ne kaha sikhne ko?
B: You are such a simpleton yaar.
Chal next person kya naam hai uska haan xyz ko bhej and yes be careful with the door.
Verdict: Converted
However I am joining IIMB.

Interview experience of indianaks

Academics:
X - 88.xx%
XII - 76.xx%
Undergrad Major - ECE - 74.xx%
Work-Ex: 40 months Telecom software
CAT Score: OA - 98.5%ile
QA - 90.xx%ile
DI - 98.xx%ile
VA - 96.xx%ile
Case Study/Essay:
Topic: Vigilance by citizens can help curb terrorism.
Number of People present : Approximate 24 people were there for the 2Pm slot.
Everyone was made to sit in one common room and write the essay.
For the interview, there were two panels comprising of two profs each.
Time: 20 minutes.
Brief Snapshot of Discussion: Tried my best to write something meaningful. but ran out of time and was
not able to conclude.
It was followed by a 5 min psychometric test.
After the test, people were called in randomly for the interview. I was called in very late. The interview for
everyone else was lasting 15 minutes on an average and 10 min to 25 minutes in specific cases.
(My personal opinion completely ->) I think the order in which people were called in for the interview was
based on the psychometric tests answers which we filled.
PI:
Panel Members Intro: Two middle aged professors.
Questions:
As I entered, they started bombarding them with Electronics question.
Q: What is a diode?
Q: What is a triode?
Q: Given a diode and a triode can u make a transistor?
Q: What are semiconductors?
Q: What is doping?
Q: What are junctions?
Q: What are minority carriers?
Q: What is VLSI?
Q: What is VVLSI?
Q: What is flux? Tell the equation?
14

PaGaLGuY.com GD-PI Anthology: IIM Indore - Year 2010

Q: How is semiconductors used in railways?

Q: How are they used in Japanese railways?
Q: What is Kochi famous for?
Q: Tell me more about your college?
Q: What are your hobbies?
Q: Do you have an achievement in your hobbies?
Q: What does your company do?
Q: How much is the market share of ne of your company's product?
Q: Which is the latest product released by google?
Verdict: Converted

15