INTERVIEW
COMPENDIUM
2020
“ Be so good they can’t
ignore you
-Steve Martin
“
Department of Management Studies
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI
(Institute of Eminence, Govt. of India)
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Interview Insignia(Converted)
Location : Mumbai
CAT percentile : 99.56
Background : Electronics and communication engineer, NIT
Surat with 3 years of experience in ZS Associates (Consulting and
Analytics)
Interview
There were 3 panelists in the interview. The questions were only
based on the CV and no questions related to current affairs were
asked. The interview was of around 20/25 minutes.
P1. Tell us about yourself.
Ans. Gave a prepared answer which included my work ex, degree
and hobbies.
P1. Asked to explain differences between CDMA and GSM
(Communication background)
Ans. Gave 2 to 3 differences
P1. What is being currently used in the mobile phones and why?
Ans. Explained
P2. What are the different types of data?
Ans. Told with examples.
P2. What kind of data do you use in your company?
Ans. Explained
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P2. How do you analyze the qualitative data?
Ans. Explained
P3. How do you plan the incentives for the sales team? (Based
on work ex)
Ans. Explained
P3. What are the different types of performance measures do
you use and how?
Ans. Explained
P3. How do you measure the performance of the team if you
do not have any metric data?
Ans. Explained
P3. How do you decide and make sure that out of two product,
which product is to be prioritized and sales team also works in
sync with company's objectives?
Ans. Explained
Other calls : Did not convert - IIM L, K, SJMSOM. Converts -
DMS, New IIMs
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Location: Delhi
Background: B. Tech [ECE]; No Work Experience other than
internships
CAT percentile: 98.45
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Interview
There were 3 panelists, say P1, P2, P3. All of them were
belonging to 50+ age group. I entered the room.
P2: Hi, tell me about yourself.
Ans: Gave the answer that I had prepared, highlighting all the
facts I wanted to.
P3: So, you want to be an entrepreneur. Then why are you
planning to waste your time and energy doing an MBA, rather
than focusing on your idea.
Ans: Explained why I wanted to have a formal knowledge and
industry experience, to understand the businesses more
intimately.
P2: Which specialization are you interested in and how will it
help you in being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Marketing. Tried to explain my reasoning for Marketing
being the most important factor in any business.
P3: So, you don't think HR is required?
Ans: Told that it is equally important. Especially for a job-
provider who will be managing people under him.
P1: You are an electronics engineer right? Can you explain the
latest trends in the electronics industry? And how the new
technologies will impact the businesses of future?
Ans: My answer included technologies like AI, ML, IOT. Talked
about my final year project on antenna designing. Explained
how technology and business will go hand in hand.
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P3: What is the difference between AI and ML?
Ans: I was not sure about this.
P1: Can you explain briefly how basic silicon chips are
manufactured.
Ans: Talked about the theory that I had learned. Also shared the
experience of an industry trip to a chip manufacturing company.
P2: What other calls do you have?
Ans: Told
P1: Okay, Thank You. You can leave.
I thanked them, and then left the room.
Other calls : MDI, IISc Banglore, JBIMS, New IIMs, IMT
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Location : Delhi
CAT percentile : 98.55
Background : BE electronics and communication; CFA level 1
passed
Interview
The interview began with the panel asking for my introduction.
As soon as I mentioned that I quit my job within 6 months of
joining to pursue CFA level 1, they grilled me on the basics of
finance. Most of my interview was me justifying my interest and
questions in Finance:
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Questions included:
What do you mean by shares outstanding?
What is market Cap of a company?
What is EPS?
What do you mean by NPV?
I answered some questions confidently and some I had to pass.
After some grilling, they asked me what my favourite movie
was. I replied saying I am more interested in TV series. The
interview ended on a lighter note, with a discussion on FRIENDS.
Other calls : IMT, IMI Delhi, IIM CAP, MDI Gurgaon
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Location : Mumbai
CAT percentile : 99.57
Background : Civil Engineer, MNNIT Allahabad + 3.5 years of
work-ex in Reliance Industries
Interview
My interview panel had 3 members. 2 of them are faculty at
DMS IIT D and one of them was an alum. Questions basically
covered everything from why MBA, work ex background and to
my surprise academics as well (as I had healthy experience
already). Also to mention, I was asked some basic topics of my
interest (in operations) and major news related to Walmart's
strategy back then. Some generic questions including common
affairs and HR questions like characteristics of leader and
emphasis on the need of followers, what are the characteristics
needed to be a perfect mix of two.
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I was asked how I fit in the shoes of leader or follower? (if you
are asked these questions, illustrate with examples)
Other calls : IIM L,K,NITIE,MDI,SJMSOM
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Location : Mumbai
CAT percentile : 97.8
Background : B. E(CSE)-BIT Mesra, Exl Services in Analytics
domain.
Interview
There were 2 panels for the interview.
P1- Tell us about yourself?
Me- Explained him about my education, work experience and
hobbies.
P1- Explain in detail what did you do in work?
Me- Explained him my work experience in details along with my
achievements at work.
P2- So you are working in reputed firm and earning well, why do
you want to do MBA?
Me- Explained him about my long-term goals and skills which I
will learn here.
P1- Asked about the politics of my home state and why that
state is lagging behind?
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Me- Was not much sure about the political scenario but
explained him the problem my state is facing and what can be
done to improve it.
P1- Why IIT Delhi?
Me- We got brochures before our interview. I read that and told
unique points about IIT Delhi.
P2-Which specialization you want to take?
Me- Told operations and why it interests me and how DMS IIT
Delhi was famous for Operations.
P2- Can you name any operations faculty
Me- Was able to recall one as I went through the brochure.
They were surprised.
The process was very smooth and interview lasted for 20-25
minutes.
Other Calls : IIFT Delhi, SPJAIN, All news IIMs, IIT KGP, Madras.
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Location : Chennai
CAT percentile : 99.05
Background : BTech(CSE),Wipro,18 months exp as analyst
Interview
There were two panelists, to name P1 and P2.
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P1- Hi, Tell me about yourself ?
Me - Prepared answer
P1 - So you are a Computer Science Engineer?
Me - Yes
P1 - Can I ask questions on academics?
Me - Sure, but I can give more insights from my work
experience.
P1 - We will come to that later. So can you tell me about the
topics you read in soft computing?
Me - Told few of them (was cut with other question)
P2 - What is scheduling in OS, gave me a question on scheduling
with tasks and their processing time?
Me - Told what it means, was having a hard time (making gantt
chart and writing in hurry)
P1 - Ok, leave that can you write a query for this? (made tables
and asked to do it without joins, SQL was mentioned on CV)
Me - Did it in 5 seconds, was given few more queries (did that as
well)
P2 - Do you read news?
Me -Yes
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P2 - What is going on?
Me - Told national and international updates.
P2 - Tried to confuse me with fake news, are you aware of this?
Me - No, (he gave surprising expressions), I got to know from his
expression that this is trap, he was waiting for me to finally nod
that yeah I heard something of that sort.
P2 - Why MBA, what subject in B Tech made you inclined
towards MBA?
Me - None as such, but there was one subject which I liked. (Told
what I read in that)
P2 - Did you read anything else? Who was Hawthorne?
Me - Told about the experiments he conducted.
P2 - Do you know Carrot-stick theory?
Me - Haven't read it, but I can guess. I guessed it right using
cartoons.
P2 - This is serious, no cartoons please!
Me - Explained my thoughts and literal meaning (was right)
P1 - Do you have anything to ask?
Me - Asked about foreign exchange and Global Field Study.
Thanked them and left the room.
Other calls: NITIE, SJMSOM, JBIMS, NITIE, SJMSOM - waitlisted
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Location: Delhi
CAT percentile: 98.95
Background: Operations with 3 yrs work ex, GEM
Interview
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Questions related to work ex. (about achievements and
specific question on the project which I did there)
*Since I am from Operations background, questions asked
related to that like.
3. What is OC curve?
4. What is the difference between efficiency and
effectiveness?
5. What is difference between efficiency and Utilization?
6. What is Failure mode analysis? (Mechanical Engg.
background)
7. What is control charts in Quality control?
8. What is your strength and weakness?
9. Tell the experience about working in team?
And 1-2 follow up question regarding the same.
Background Two Interviewers were there. one - an Alum with
Operations background and second - DMS, HR faculty
Other calls: SPJAIN, XLRI, SJMSOM
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Location: Delhi
Background: B.Tech, Work-ex -- 21 months in Standard
Chartered Bank then joined Family Business for sometime
Interview
For me, it was more of a conversation than a interview. Below
are the few questions that they asked......
P1. Basic Introduction
Made a story about my life, tried to incorporate all the points
that i wanted to highlight.
P1. Why did you leave job?
Stated my reasons for the same.
P2. Why MBA?
Make and break question.
2-3 counter questions trying offset my point
P2. Any stream/field specific interest?
Kindly read the basics about all the fields. (I was asked basic
questions other than my field as well)
Other calls: NITIE, CAP, IMT G, IMI, ALL IITs except Mumbai,
DBE & DSE(DU). Except NITIE, Converted almost all others
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Location: Mumbai
CAT percentile: 98.51
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Background: Mechanical Engineer- Manipal Institute of
Technology, Work Experience at Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd
(Times Group)
Interview
The interview started off with basic details being asked about
my education and work experience. Since I come from a print
industry background, I was asked a few tricky questions related
to that field. Then, the interviewer placed a packaged mineral
water bottle in front of me and asked me what I notice about it. I
started pointing out all the different details that are mentioned
on that label on the bottle, for example the quality mark, the
ingredients and other tiny details on that bottle of water which
we generally don't see or ignore. I believe they were impressed
by my keen observation.
Other calls: SPJIMR, MDI, CAP, NMIMS, IMT
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Location: Kolkata
CAT percentile: 98.42
Background: B.E.(E.C.E.), NSIT 2 years of Work Experience in IPR
(Legal)
Interview
Interview taken by one of the best HR faculty at DMS IIT D.
Q1- Tell me about yourself
Ans - Started with my educational background, then explained
about my work experience by relating it to the things i'll learn in
MBA.
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Q2 - Follow up questions related to my work experience
Q3 - Two things that I came to know about IIT from PPT (given
by Adcom), and two things that I liked
Q4 - Follow up questions on why i liked the things answered in
Q3
Q5 - Scenario was given - I am a placecom member and a
company is going to visit the college. Will I tell my friends first
about it (so that they can prep in advance) or will I treat
everyone the same when I know that my friends are struggling
to find other shortlists.
Other calls: MDI, new IIMs, SJMSOM, IMT
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Location: Delhi
CAT percentile: 99.14
Background: 4 months internship as a derivatives market trader
Interview
I had 3 panelists during my interview
P1 asked me to sit and took my file and started going through it
while P2 asked me to tell about myself.
I was answering it and when the work ex part came they started
asking about my roles and responsibilities, the challenges that I
face during the day to day operations.
P3 is only observing me and not asking anything.
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P1- Why do you want to join DMS?
I answered it and in that I mentioned the things that I want to
accomplish during my MBA.
P1 - What course do you think that we offer here, that will help
you get these accomplishments?
I answered with the name of couple of courses offered in DMS,
P2 asked about my internship, specifically how do I make the
decisions in trading and what is my decision making technique
when most of the factors are uncertain.
I tried to answer it with the best of my capabilities and he
seemed convinced.
After that I was asked if I have any question for them and I used
this opportunity to ask one. Overall the interview was good and
was around 20-25 minutes.
Other calls: SJMSOM, IIM K, MDI, SP, new IIMs
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Location: Kolkata
CAT percentile: 98.23
Background: B. Tech TCS 13 months
Interview
It was a very good experience. My interview location was in
Kolkata and the interview took place in ISM building New Town,
a place that is pretty convenient. The entire process lasted for
about 2 hour including wat and pi. Everything was punctual
(unlike many other reputed colleges).
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The questions asked in interview were related to my
profession, my future interests, expectation from the course
and what made me take up the decision to do MBA. Adding on
to it there were few other questions about my interests (non
mba), and extra curriculars. More or less the interview
experience was smooth and all they wanted was to check my
attitude and understand whether I am a perfect fit for the
institution or not (asking me why MBA from DMS IIT Delhi).
Other calls : Converts- MDI Gurgaon- HR,IIM Ranchi, IIM
Udaipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur, and other Baby IIMs
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Location: Kolkata
CAT percentile: 99.33
Background: BBA in Construction Management. 23 Months of
Work Experience (including Family Business)
Interview
The interview was mainly conversational. The panel included
faculty from both IIT Delhi and IIT Madras. They asked about
the meaning of my name, questions from my work experience
as I have worked in an Overseas education consulting which is
something unique. I told about the business, my role and my
learning that I got being in that industry. I have also worked as
an Assistant manager in my family business of Construction
Marble, so they were quite curious about my understanding of
the business in an MSME setup. Some of the questions
involved the current affairs and General Knowledge ( i.e. Brexit,
Kedarnath Floods, Generals of Armed Forces etc). I also told
about my interest for a business in Education Sector so many
questions also revolved around it.
Other calls : MDI, SJMSOM, new IIMs
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Location: Delhi
CAT percentile: 99.00 percentile
Background: B. Tech (ECE),14 months experience in Ed-Tech
startup.
Interview
There were 3 panelists say P1, P2 and P3.
P1 - Tell me something about yourself.
Me -Narrated.
P2 - Why MBA after UPSC prep?
Me - Compared UPSC with MBA, both give leadership position
as both work for upliftment of society. (economically and
strategically)
P1 - Are leaders born or made?
Me - Most of the leaders are born but they are polished with
experience. Talked about qualities of team leader like
gathering opinion of others, setting expectations, equality,
setting example, etc.
P2 - What books do you read?
Me - History based, non-fiction (picked from introduction)
P2 - In particular?
Me -Choices by Shivshankar Menon(some follow up questions)
P3 - What is in news?
Me - Talked about Pulwama attack and India revoking MFN
from Pakistan
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P3 - Will it affect trade between India and Pakistan?
Me - The amount of trade is already very less, so won't be
affected much.
P3 - How much is it exactly if you remember?
Me - Told it roughly.
Some more questions like do you expect surgical strike, your
opinion, etc
P2 - Do you have anything to ask?
Me - Why do DMS follows semester wise curriculum and does
it affect rigor for which they gave a satisfactory answer that
clarified my confusion.
Other calls: SJMSOM, MDI, NITIE, New IIMs
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Location: Delhi
CAT percentile: 99.16
Background: BTech (IT),Accenture,23 months exp as analyst
Interview
There were three panelists, P1, P2 and P3.
P1- Hi, Tell me about yourself?
Me - Prepared answer
P1 - So you are an Engineer?
Me - Yes, but a Finthusiast as well.
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P1 - We will come to that later. So tell me what did you read in
Neural networks?
Me - Answered
P2 - What is CPU Scheduling?
Me - Told what it means, a little uncomfortable
P1 - Can you name the authors of your main book on Operating
system?
Me - Told one, could not recall others (probably haven't read
from them)
P2 - Do you read news?
Me -Yes
Then P2 asked me about the recent news and grilled me on
economics as I was a finthusiast but I managed it better than
expected (was asked about capital markets and Bulls and Bears
with current examples of firms falling in them)
Other calls: NITIE, SJMSOM, MDI, SPJAIN, IIM K
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Location: Mumbai
CAT percentile: 98.5
Background: Education - B.Tech. in Computer Science and
Engineering from VIT, Vellore Work Exp. - None
Interview
P1: You have a very technical background, why do you want to
pursue MBA?
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I told them that first, I built my technical knowledge but it was
always my plan to pursue management as I had interest in that
field. I built my technical knowledge first because companies
are having to change their strategies constantly due to the
high rate at which technology is developing. After getting a
technical background, I feel that I am now ready to learn
management concepts and then combine my technical and
management knowledge to help companies plan for the
future effectively.
P2: Where are you from and what does your parents do?
Straightforward question, told them everything.
P1: You have mentioned in your application that you have
studied abroad, what all languages are you fluent in?
Told them that I am fluent in French, so they asked me a
couple of basic French questions like what is my name and
how are you in French and I replied in French.
P2: What all calls do you have and what is your priority?
I told them my calls and answered honestly about my priority
ranking but I suggest you put DMS, IIT Delhi not too low in the
priority ranking, preferably near the top of the ranking and be
prepared to give reasons about why you want to join DMS
(World class faculty - name one or two after going through the
DMS website, alumni, opportunities etc.)
Other calls: SP Jain, MDI, IIT Bombay (SJMSOM),NMIMS, SP
straight reject, MDI and SJMSOM waitlisted and rejected.
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Location:- DMS, IIT Delhi, 23/02/2019
CAT 18 :- 99.48 %le
Background: Fresher
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Interview
4 Panelists.
P:- Tell me something about yourself
Me:- Told
P:- Define leader
Me:- Told
P:- As per your definition, Osama Bin Laden is also a great
leader. Do you agree?
Me:- Answered.
P (mockingly):- Where does he live?
Me:- Told
P:- In which year he died?
Me:- Told
P:- You told you are interested in politics and Cricket. If Modi is
giving speech and Kohli is batting, what would you prefer and
why?
Me:- Told
Grilled me a bit.
P:- What are the similarities and differences?
Me:- Told
P:- What do you do? Bowling or batting?
Me:- Told
P:- Difference between off spin and inswing?
Me:- Told
P:- Type of balls?
Me:- Told ( knuckle ball, back of the hand, etc )
P:- How does ball swing?
Me:- Told ( not 100% accurate )
P:- How does planes fly?
Me:- Told ( not that great )
P:- Tonns of refrigeration?
Me:- Told
Few More grilling technical questions which I answered with a
horrible accuracy of 50-60%
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P:- Who do you think will win elections?
Me:- Told
P:- Why do you think BJP will win? What are the total expected
seats that they'll win.
Me:- Answered ( did state LS seats analysis)
Sum came out to be around 280 for BJP.
Was mocked and grilled for that xD
P:- What all do you read?
Me:- Sir, I'm not that much into reading novels, but I do read
newspapers to keep myself updated and I read quora to gain
more insights.
P:- Who's your favorite author on quora?
Me:- Told
Another P ( trying to grill me ) :- Quora is not a literature. You
may leave now
Me:- Thanks
As soon as I started leaving,
P:- Wait! Tell me the second law of thermodynamics.
( As they realized, I'm not that great with technical questions )
Me:- Told
P:- When I was a kid, entropy was infinity. I'm 60, entropy is
infinite, after you get 60, entropy will be infinite. What made
you say that entropy will always increase? As infinity+ infinity=
Infinity
Me:- Tried explaining
Was grilled more
P:- Write the date when entropy will be zero.
I knew, now they were just testing my patience
Me:- 22/07/2019
After seeing my answer, all 5 of us shared a laugh and I was
asked to leave.
Sadly without any toffee.
Other calls:- IIM Indore, MDI G, NMIMS M, SJMSOM, Symbi, etc.
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