IIM Kozhikode interview experience
Date: 6th April, 2015. 8:30 am
Location: Mumbai
WAT/GD - "The best way to destroy your enemy is to make him/her your friend"
Wrote a decent WAT stating importance of enemy's knowledge. Explained it with the aspect of Corporate World and Countries.
GD was also on similar lines and I quoted a few examples - Iran US nuke deal, Cricket, collaborations in corporate world etc.
Preparation: 2.5/5 Performance: 3.5/5
Personal Interview
I was the 6th to be interviewed in my panel. There were two professors - mid forties (M1, M2)
M1: Introduce yourself
Me: Bla Bla. Ended with work-ex
M1: Tell me more about your work-ex
Me: Explained
M1: Asked about my unique surname
Me: Explained an ancient story behind the name.
[Both impressed. Silence for 15 secs]
M2: Does Gujarat share its border with Pakistan?
Me: yes sir.
M2: Do you know what is it called?
Me: No clue, sir.
M1: You are from Gujarat, right? Where? Where is that located?
Me: [smiling] Yes sir. Answered.
M2: You know Rann of Kutch? What is its significance?
Me: Yes sir. Couldn't answer the significance part well.
M2: Assume that there is a wailing person at the other side of the border (a Pakistani). There is no one else around. He needs immediate help and you have first-aid available. But to do that, you need to cross the border. Would you do that?
Me: Tried to ask a few questions just to buy time to think. Finally said that I would go and save the person on humanitarian grounds and would argue on the same basis if tried. Also, that person's testimony for me would be of sufficient help to set me free.
Both: Hmm. Good.
M2: Do you remember your subjects from Engineering?
Me: Not much sir, but I will try.
M2: What are shunt motors?
Me: BLANK!! K Don't recollect sir. [A simple first year concept]
M2: Ok [smiling]. Who are your competitors?
Me: Named 5-6 of them.
M2: Ok, so. Assume that you have offers from all these 5 companies at high package. And you have IIM Kozhikode offer. What would you choose?
Me: IIM K. Learning is the prime motto behind MBA. Will get better exposure. Bla bla
It lasted on this for some time. Explained the gaps in my learning. Were convinced at the end.
M1: Let me ask you a problem. Gave a series and asked about its convergence.
Tried to solve aloud, which made him understand my efforts. Couldn't solve though.
M1: [After relentless hints] Ok. Thank you for coming.
Me: Greeted and left.
Overall couldn't answer a couple of questions but kept smiling almost throughout.
Preparation: 3/5 Performance: 3/5
Hoping for the best!