IIMC GD/PI experience
Had my GD/PI for IIMC at Mumbai on 13th. Before that I had my ATM on 12th. An easy paper - 1 hr. 33 questions. Most of the questions were very much doable. Don't know exactly how I performed because question paper was also taken back.
Now about the GD/PI.
venue: Mumbai
Date: 13th March
Time: 9:30 AM
Panel: 3
GD:
11 people in the group, 3 ladies. Before starting the GD, one of the panelists, who seemed to be very very kindhearted, told all of us in a very polite manner that they were there to find out not what we don't know but what we know. And so we should try to have a good discussion and give everyone a chance to speak. We would have enough time for that. These words had a good impact on the group and so in spite of a group of 11, we had an extremely civilised GD.
We were told that we would be given 5 mintues to think, 15 minutes to discuss and thereafter everyone would be randomly given a minute to speak. The topic for us was "Ethics are not absolute". From the very beginning, each member of the group was very considerate, always giving others a chance to speak. Everone had ample opportunities to speak. Everyone spoke at least 4-5 times. People were readily withdrawing to let others speak. We had a proper discussion. The points were not very strong, though. But all in all, such a civilised discussion should add to everyone's score.
Once we were done with the discussion, they first decided to not to have that 1 minute round as they too felt that everyone had had enough chances to speak. But then there were some group members who wanted to add to the discussion and so they gave everyone 1 more minute (sequentially).
One thing, we were not give any papers. We were asked to take out a sheet of paper. So if you are in Mumbai, take a paper with you.
Interview:
I was the second person to be interviewed.
Panel of 4 people, 2 alumni, 2 profs.
A1 - alumni, HR head of HUTCH
A2 - alumni, from HDFC
P1 - prof, very very cordial
P2 - Prof
Me - yours truly
P1: Ok Vivek, tell us something about yourself.
I started with the prepared answer. He interrupted me.
P1: All this we have read in the form. Tell us something more, something different.
Me: Told about my reading, writing interests, editorship at college and ended with telling that I was an ambidextrous person.
P1: See, you have told us much more interesting things than what is there in the form.
Me: grin
P1: YOu have any of your writings show us?
Me: No.
P1: So, what do you read?
Me: Biographies particularly. But read many more thing. ANything except Sci-fi.
P1: Read Gandhi's?
Me: yes.
P1: Nehru's? What all do you know about Nehru?
Me: No. Do not know much except for the usual stuff.
P1: So what all biographies have you read?
Me: Told
P1: Can you read/write Gujarati?
Me: yes sir. I am a Gujju.
P1: That's OK. But even some gujjus cannot read/write gujju.
Me: I can.
P1: Have you read any biography in Gujju.
Me: (Luckily I had one) Yes sir, the gujarati version of "Autobiography of a Yogi".
P1: Whose autobiography is that?
Me: Don't remember sir. Mebbe Swami Sahajanand, but not sure. (Knew this is incorrect)
P1: ANy fiction if Gujarati?
Me: No sir.
A1 chips in.
A1: So what makes you read these biographies.
Me: blah blah. While answering, mentioned Iococca's book. Told about he facing very adverse circumstances at a very later stage of his career and how he made a comeback.
A1: let us take Iococca's book. What was the adversity that he faced?
Me: Told
A1: You have read Gandhi. What do you find in him unique as a person and his persona in relation to Gujarat (don't know the question. Couldn't get it properly)
Me: Told about Gandhi's willpower. Avoided the Gujarat part.
A1: Do you think the non-violence was the right strategy?
Me: yes. Something about it garnering international support for the country.
A1: Why did it work against British?
Me: something about they not being able to use force as we weren't using it. They feared internationa retaliation.
Here A2 comes in.
A2: But there was jalianwala Bagh, just to remind you.
Me: yes sir. But then there were Indian groups who were using violent means. Not that our struggle was purely non-violent.
A1 is back.
A1: So you think non-violence is still applicable in today's world.
Me: Yes sir. Violence in today's world would ultimately lead to a nuclear war.
On hearing nuclear P1 is back with his disarming smile.
P1: So you think India did the right thing by voting against Iran?
Me: Told about no one trusting Iran's intentions.
P1: Security is a greater concern for Iran than India. Why have double standards there?
Me: India has a good track record. Whereas Iran has been a part of clandestine nuclear trade. Also India has the policy of no firt use. Iran cannot be trusted to have one. Iran may pass it on to other rogue regimes.
P1: So should US be a moral police of the world. Is it ethical, as you discussed in the GD?
Me: No. US was not right in invading Iraq.These should be done by a world body such as UN.
There were many more counter questions in this part. But thankfully it all ended on a convincing note.
Moreover, here after asking me a counter question where, perhaps, he found me to be nervous, he decided to ease me a bit and so started talking to me about the GD.
P1: You had this good point. Why didn't you put it forth very strongly?
Me: Told about not being very good at expressing myself orally.
P1: How much would you rate yourself on a scale of 10.
Me: 6/10 as I had good points but wasn't very glib.
P1: Who according to you were the best performers?
Me: Told about a guy and a lady who were stood out during the discussion. They didn't agree on one of them.
P1: How was the ATM yesterday?
Me: Told.
P1: Ok now back to the question I asked you earlier. And I won't remind you of the question.
Luckily I remembered where I left and so we were back to the nuclear part for some more time.
It was P1 again with a different line of questioning.
P1:You read any financial daily or magazine?
Me: yes. ET. No magazine.
P1: You follow any particular company or sector? Can we ask you questions of economy?
Me: No particular sector/company. But ask me abt economy.
They left it at that and didn't ask me anything.
P1: One of the main reasons for people coming to IIMs is the palcements. Here, this guy is the HR head of Hutch (A1) and he is from HDFC (A2). If they offer you a high paying job right now, would you still want to come to an IIM and waste one seat?
Me: Yes sir. Told about the diversity, competition, god-like faculty.
Hands me over to P2.
P2: What is this National cyber olympiad? ( I had a certificate)
Me: Told
P2: What is the difference between extranet and intranet?
Me: Told
A1 is back.
A1: You said you maintain a blog. What was the last thing you wrote?
Me: Told
P2: Ok, Vivek. YOu may leave.
Me: Thank you.
As I was leaving, P2 asked me if my college was a private college and what all calls did I have.
That was it. 25 minutes. No Acads. No maths. After 10 mins interviews for K and L, such a comprehensive interview made me quite happy. Enjoyed it thoroughly. The panel was very cordial. No grilling. Wanted to make me as comfortable as possible. Nice expereince after the ego-bruising L interview.
Next is B on 22nd.
Cheers,
Vivek
Now about the GD/PI.
venue: Mumbai
Date: 13th March
Time: 9:30 AM
Panel: 3
GD:
11 people in the group, 3 ladies. Before starting the GD, one of the panelists, who seemed to be very very kindhearted, told all of us in a very polite manner that they were there to find out not what we don't know but what we know. And so we should try to have a good discussion and give everyone a chance to speak. We would have enough time for that. These words had a good impact on the group and so in spite of a group of 11, we had an extremely civilised GD.
We were told that we would be given 5 mintues to think, 15 minutes to discuss and thereafter everyone would be randomly given a minute to speak. The topic for us was "Ethics are not absolute". From the very beginning, each member of the group was very considerate, always giving others a chance to speak. Everone had ample opportunities to speak. Everyone spoke at least 4-5 times. People were readily withdrawing to let others speak. We had a proper discussion. The points were not very strong, though. But all in all, such a civilised discussion should add to everyone's score.
Once we were done with the discussion, they first decided to not to have that 1 minute round as they too felt that everyone had had enough chances to speak. But then there were some group members who wanted to add to the discussion and so they gave everyone 1 more minute (sequentially).
One thing, we were not give any papers. We were asked to take out a sheet of paper. So if you are in Mumbai, take a paper with you.
Interview:
I was the second person to be interviewed.
Panel of 4 people, 2 alumni, 2 profs.
A1 - alumni, HR head of HUTCH
A2 - alumni, from HDFC
P1 - prof, very very cordial
P2 - Prof
Me - yours truly
P1: Ok Vivek, tell us something about yourself.
I started with the prepared answer. He interrupted me.
P1: All this we have read in the form. Tell us something more, something different.
Me: Told about my reading, writing interests, editorship at college and ended with telling that I was an ambidextrous person.
P1: See, you have told us much more interesting things than what is there in the form.
Me: grin
P1: YOu have any of your writings show us?
Me: No.
P1: So, what do you read?
Me: Biographies particularly. But read many more thing. ANything except Sci-fi.
P1: Read Gandhi's?
Me: yes.
P1: Nehru's? What all do you know about Nehru?
Me: No. Do not know much except for the usual stuff.
P1: So what all biographies have you read?
Me: Told
P1: Can you read/write Gujarati?
Me: yes sir. I am a Gujju.
P1: That's OK. But even some gujjus cannot read/write gujju.
Me: I can.
P1: Have you read any biography in Gujju.
Me: (Luckily I had one) Yes sir, the gujarati version of "Autobiography of a Yogi".
P1: Whose autobiography is that?
Me: Don't remember sir. Mebbe Swami Sahajanand, but not sure. (Knew this is incorrect)
P1: ANy fiction if Gujarati?
Me: No sir.
A1 chips in.
A1: So what makes you read these biographies.
Me: blah blah. While answering, mentioned Iococca's book. Told about he facing very adverse circumstances at a very later stage of his career and how he made a comeback.
A1: let us take Iococca's book. What was the adversity that he faced?
Me: Told
A1: You have read Gandhi. What do you find in him unique as a person and his persona in relation to Gujarat (don't know the question. Couldn't get it properly)
Me: Told about Gandhi's willpower. Avoided the Gujarat part.
A1: Do you think the non-violence was the right strategy?
Me: yes. Something about it garnering international support for the country.
A1: Why did it work against British?
Me: something about they not being able to use force as we weren't using it. They feared internationa retaliation.
Here A2 comes in.
A2: But there was jalianwala Bagh, just to remind you.
Me: yes sir. But then there were Indian groups who were using violent means. Not that our struggle was purely non-violent.
A1 is back.
A1: So you think non-violence is still applicable in today's world.
Me: Yes sir. Violence in today's world would ultimately lead to a nuclear war.
On hearing nuclear P1 is back with his disarming smile.
P1: So you think India did the right thing by voting against Iran?
Me: Told about no one trusting Iran's intentions.
P1: Security is a greater concern for Iran than India. Why have double standards there?
Me: India has a good track record. Whereas Iran has been a part of clandestine nuclear trade. Also India has the policy of no firt use. Iran cannot be trusted to have one. Iran may pass it on to other rogue regimes.
P1: So should US be a moral police of the world. Is it ethical, as you discussed in the GD?
Me: No. US was not right in invading Iraq.These should be done by a world body such as UN.
There were many more counter questions in this part. But thankfully it all ended on a convincing note.
Moreover, here after asking me a counter question where, perhaps, he found me to be nervous, he decided to ease me a bit and so started talking to me about the GD.
P1: You had this good point. Why didn't you put it forth very strongly?
Me: Told about not being very good at expressing myself orally.
P1: How much would you rate yourself on a scale of 10.
Me: 6/10 as I had good points but wasn't very glib.
P1: Who according to you were the best performers?
Me: Told about a guy and a lady who were stood out during the discussion. They didn't agree on one of them.
P1: How was the ATM yesterday?
Me: Told.
P1: Ok now back to the question I asked you earlier. And I won't remind you of the question.
Luckily I remembered where I left and so we were back to the nuclear part for some more time.
It was P1 again with a different line of questioning.
P1:You read any financial daily or magazine?
Me: yes. ET. No magazine.
P1: You follow any particular company or sector? Can we ask you questions of economy?
Me: No particular sector/company. But ask me abt economy.
They left it at that and didn't ask me anything.
P1: One of the main reasons for people coming to IIMs is the palcements. Here, this guy is the HR head of Hutch (A1) and he is from HDFC (A2). If they offer you a high paying job right now, would you still want to come to an IIM and waste one seat?
Me: Yes sir. Told about the diversity, competition, god-like faculty.
Hands me over to P2.
P2: What is this National cyber olympiad? ( I had a certificate)
Me: Told
P2: What is the difference between extranet and intranet?
Me: Told
A1 is back.
A1: You said you maintain a blog. What was the last thing you wrote?
Me: Told
P2: Ok, Vivek. YOu may leave.
Me: Thank you.
As I was leaving, P2 asked me if my college was a private college and what all calls did I have.
That was it. 25 minutes. No Acads. No maths. After 10 mins interviews for K and L, such a comprehensive interview made me quite happy. Enjoyed it thoroughly. The panel was very cordial. No grilling. Wanted to make me as comfortable as possible. Nice expereince after the ego-bruising L interview.
Next is B on 22nd.
Cheers,
Vivek
posted by Vivek Pabari at 8:33 AM
5 Comments:
hey i think it was a FANTASTIC interview..i think both GD n PI were pretty cool....n u presented yourself well.....
best of luck bro!
nice interview..why is everyone after Gandhi these days??
Dude, I won't pass any judgement on yer Interview(s) but I must admit it sounded fun to me...
echo Amod: Leave M. Gandhi n D. Ambani in their silent graves..we had nuf of academic fossors..:)
n LOL..u parade Archer in place of Arthur...I almost ended up splitting my sides...[grin]
ATB.
Gujarat se only two names, Modi n Gandhi, these fellows get to mind!
Anyway, nice tht u enjoyed the interview!
Crack the rest too!
All The Best, pal!
Sexy re. wot else could one ask for. Civilized GD. Cordial Panel. And the answers were all right in sync. Good one :D
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