GD/WAT/PI Experiences in 2017

Given below is a synopsis of the process followed by the IIMs last year:

IIM Ahmedabad
Process
AWT – Academic Writing Test was based on Case Study (30 minutes – 250-300 words approx)
followed by Personal Interview (20 - 25 minutes)

Case Study Topics

• A brief description of Big Data and how it helps to predict future patterns. Questions
regarding its efficacy and factors which could undermine it.
• Einstein’s brain has been analyzed and compared to 11 other people according to one of the
three published studies.
• There was presence of a higher ratio of glial cells to neurons. Which is an indication of higher
energy required for firing the neurons and then thus a genetic proof of genius? (Find the
weakness in the argument if any and then comment on the conclusion.
• Test on Definite Integral, Differentiation and Determinant.
• 24/7 – TV going on, if needed or not.
• Tea Plantation.
• The data collected from an employment exchange in an Indian city shows that 58% of those
enrolled with the exchange have passed class 10 but not 12, 27% have passed class 12 and
19% have cleared graduation. From this, we can conclude that education is bad for
employment.
Identify the line of reasoning, key assumptions and give your arguments to support or refute
the above argument.
• Burning 20% of the gas and oil reserves with companies will increase the temperature of
earth by 2oC, so 80% shouldn’t be burnt. State the assumptions and arguments that would
strengthen or weaken them. What could be the problems for policy implementation and
how it could affect the Make in India campaign?
• The online giants (Amazon, Flipkart, etc) replacing the high street shops. The shops should
improve in their business strategy to come back to business. State your views.
Personal Interview (2 panel members)

• Meaning of the student’s name.

• Campus Placements
• Final year project: Explain in detail.
• One particular college revolution- your views for or against.
• Questions on college of students (especially Jadavpur University)
• Questions on Budget and then about Brexit. Both were enquired about in extreme detail.
• Do you have any project? How are you doing the survey?
• What is your hobby?
• Bengal Politics
• Basic questions on Economy of India, GDP & GST.
• What will you learn from IIM-A?
• Questions based on case study.
 IIM Bangalore
Process
WAT (30 minutes) followed by Personal Interview (25-30 minutes)

WAT Topics
• In today’s age of e-commerce, online shopping, travel etc, social engineering is very
relevant. Our choices are guided by the options and offers we get online.
• Healthcare system in India
• Is being unethical the only way to successfully run a business in India?
• “Children should be sent to school and not financially exploited”, what steps should be
taken to abolish child labor?
• Opportunities multiply for those who avail it?
• Success achieved easily is the ultimate victory.
• It is easier to criticize than to be correct
• Self Governance is required in India. How about starting it at micro level? Illustrate.
• Internet addiction disorder (IAD), refers to excessive computer use which interferes with
daily life for playing games, social media, blogging etc. Discuss its implications in our daily
lives.
• Platform companies like Uber and Airbnb connect the consumers to the actual suppliers via
Smartphone apps. In case of faulty services, should these platform companies be held
responsible?
• Who would you vote for Indian on the Year on the basis of their leadership abilities and
contribution to society?
Personal Interview (3 panel members)
• Favorite subject.
• Introduce yourself.
• Questions on Academic Background
• Your technical acumen is quite good, why do you even want to do MBA? Why not M.Tech or
PHD?
• You are placed in PWC where you can learn while working. Why come to us?
• Why MBA? Why not complete CA? Why not a job?
• Personal questions - family?
• Politics – What’s the difference between Make in India and Made in India? What will you do
if you are made Chief Minister?
• GK - Discussion on state of manufacturing in India. Why India lost out to other countries?
• Hobby based questions
• Job related questions - Where are you placed? What’s your profile there? Difference
between manager and entrepreneur, Discussion on entrepreneurship. What are some traits
of a successful businessman? What service do you want to provide? How will MBA help?
• Politics – TMC & Mamta Banerjee & her governance, Modi defeat in Delhi elections, BJP’s
popularity in Bengal
• JU – logo, & “Hokkolorob’
• Women are rising up against sexual violence – what can be the possible reasons behind it?
• SOP based questions

IIM Calcutta
Process
WAT (20 minutes- 200 words) followed by Personal Interview (20 - 25 minutes)
WAT Topics

• Increased population, increased traffic problems – Road Rago.

• Global warming and depletion of ozone layer is a big threat, should moving to another
planet mitigate it, or do you suggest some other measures.
• Parents always fulfill the needs of their child - responsibility or burden. Your views.
 • India has 96.2% student admission rate in education of higher secondary level, but
education quality is poor. Assess the reasons an provide remedies
• Factors reflecting human development are considered important enough while making
policies for the economic growth of the country
• MLA’s Criminal Record, what is the outcome & what actions should be taken against it.
• Anti Nationalism
• A country’s wealth shouldn’t just be measured based on tangible resources, intangible
resources should be considered as well to determine the value of a country.
• An IIM has started virtual classrooms with connection to institutions around the world. Is it
the only way to raise the quality of education in India?
• Commercialization of Sports and its impact on players and their performance.

Personal Interview (3 panel members)

• Questions related to academics

• Why MBA?
• What is Bandel church famous for?
• What is your favorite subject in graduation?
• Tell us something about yourself. Why do you want to be an entrepreneur?
• What will you do if you face someone very aggressive?
• Why photography?
• International Events
• National problems, how to overcome those?
• Named 2 – 3 cities and asked that where does it belong.
• If you get selected then apart from academics what else you can give to this institute?
• Why music?
• What kind of classical music u like?
• Favorite classical singer and song?
• What is the economic situation in India?
• Social Entrepreneurship? Where it came from? What inspired you?
• Questions on hobby
• Why do you think Donald Trump won? What do you know about the wall?
• What are the seven countries he banned?
• Why did BJP win?
• Questions on Brexit & Scottish referendum
• Why IIM C & questions on IIM C
• Questions on Politics – Mamta Banerjee
• Major stress on Economics – FPI, FDI, Demand Function, GST Bill

IIM Lucknow
Process
WAT followed by Personal Interview (15-20 minutes)
WAT Topics
• Economic growth is not a measure of National happiness.
• The best way to reduce prices of power & electricity is to privatize it.
• Higher education should be made free.
• Greed is essential for success in life.
• Everybody loves a good drought.
• Good Boss/ Bad Boss
• Could higher salary stop corruption?
• Family owned stores will continue to thrive in India.
• East is East, West is West – the twain shall never meet – really?
• Corruption and poverty goes hand in hand.
• Government has no business to run business.
• Government’s proposal of merging all oil PSUs will have disastrous consequences.
.
Personal Interview (2 panel members)
• Introduce yourself
• Questions from academics, work experience and major stress on hobbies, family related,
school & other IIM Calls
• Why MBA?
• Labour Union, how will you handle the situation if your employees go on a protest?
• What kind of job are you looking for after MBA?
• How is Amazon/Flipkart eating into the small business and what should small business do?
• Why won’t you join your current offer?
• First get some practical experience and then come for MBA. Comment.
• Name a few entrepreneurs who are MBA.
• About family background
• Basic questions about finance.
• Favourite subject.
• What is the meaning of you name?
• Digitization and how does it help in spreading education.
• Family business
• Why do you like to paint?
• Questions on Finance - Types of Banks.
• Over capitalization
• Under capitalization
• Type of Variances
• Various laws of Thermo Dynamics
• What is the percentage of electricity shortage in India?
• Present Governor of West Bengal.
• Where is his origin? What has he done till now other than being the governor?
• What is the IIM L motto?

IIM Indore
Process
WAT (30 minutes) followed by Personal Interview (20 minutes)
WAT Topics
• How can media influence the society?
• How women are depicted in Indian Movies & TV serials? Compare it with real life.
• Employers these days are looking for people with a broad base education.
• Suggest how universities should update their courses to make students employable.
• Rise of terrorism is a serious concern for today’s world. What are the root causes and
suggest remedies.
• Pollution is causing health and environmental issues, suggest measures that government and
the ordinary citizen must take to curb the menace.
• As state government does not provide proper support to sports person in India, could
corporate sector help improving the condition?
• Can small companies survive the competition to face large companies? What are the
factors responsible for their growth according in your opinion? State some examples.

Personal Interview (3 Panel member)

• Introduce yourself
• A little about your hometown
• Basic questions from maths
• Job related questions
• Core questions on academic background
• What is the moment of inertia
• Draw curves
• Questions on current affairs (Syria) what is the reason of War. Who was the autocrat?
• Conflict between Russia and Ukraine
 • Will “Trump” wall stop Mexicans?
• Was asked to show some of the paintings done by the student
• What is cylindrical lens?
• Tell us briefly about yourself
• Description of your internship in details
• Academic related questions
• General awareness questions like Secretary of USA
• Name 5 ports in the eastern coast of India
• What is plan B if not selected
• You are the last candidate to be interview so how does it feel like?
• What were the other students discussing about them outside?
• CGPA was low so asked why it went low after JEE rank was good. What happened?
• Questions on general awareness
• Indian State Capitals? Who are the Chief Ministers?
• Capital of Australia and Canada?
• And questions related to Tamil Nadu?
• Why MBA?
• Questions on Economics?

IIM Kozhikode
Process
WAT followed by a GD on the same topic (15+15 minutes respectively); 6-9 people in a group
Personal Interview (15-20 minutes)

GD/ WAT Topics

• Corruption is not only about money.
• It is not the environment which is at risk, it is the human being which are at risk?
• Corruption is a state of mind.
• Major threat not economic but catastrophic environmental destruction.
• Does marketing for social cause give brands a human face.
• Companies use social cause as marketing techniques.
• Ancient war strategies in ancient epics are relevant even today in modern business.
• Is peace with Pakistan is a distant dream or it can be achieved.
• Execution is more important than strategy.
Personal Interview
• Discussion on my Name
• Introduction
• Work Experience related questions
• Current Affairs
• Tell us about your Hobbies
• CEO of some power companies
• Main role of a Manager
• What is government doing about Power Sector?
• Budget- how much money was allocated in Power Sector?
• About surname and family roots
• What is special about Bandel? Questions on Christianity?
• Name five Epics.
• Role model in electrical.
• Five un-conventional professions – specially predominated by women.
• Why MBA? Future plans. Calls from other IIMs.
• Double entry book keeping. Any recent changes in corporate governance norm.
• Why MBA as a fresher?
• Which part of this industry excites you and why? Who is your industry inspiration?
• Why IIM K, over L or C? What calls do you have?
• Why should we take you?
• Draw a cartoon.
 • Where is Kozhikode? History and Languages?
• Questions on Geometry, Maths, Algebra & Statistics
• Questions on Finance – Balance Sheet, Repo Rate, Micro Finance
• What was the latest article you have read?
• Why MBA? And why not M.Pharm or PHD?
• Which is your favourite football team?
• Why Marketing and why not Finance?
• Who won the Oscar this year for best film?
• Great alumni from your school.
• Who is Koel Mallick? What happened to her recently?
• How does your school (South Point High School) create so many successful people?
• Famous people from your school?
• You are creatively oriented, why go for management career?

IIM Shillong
Process
Case Study (3 mins to read & 10 mins to discuss) followed by Personal Interview (20-25 minutes)
Case Study Topics (Case study would be of 15-20 lines followed by a question)
• Company facing some trouble with computerization. How would the company overcome the
trouble?
• You are the COO of an Electricity distribution company which has encountered some failures
recently due to power grid failures. The Company was about to go for IPO but was unable to
generate enough electricity to convince the investor. So, one of the Chief Engineers
suggested we could over draw electricity. As a COO, would you take this decision or over-
rule him?
• A software company having issues with deadlines and resources. What immediate steps the
company should take?
• You are the marketing manager of a chocolate producing company. Price of raw material has
gone down. Rival companies have not reduced prices. What should your company do?
• Silk handloom manufacturers in Assam having problems with middlemen. You had to find
ways to keep both the weavers and traders happy.
Personal Interview (3-4 panel members)
• Tell us something about yourself - not including things that you have mentioned in the form
• No special focus; questions from academics, general awareness, geography, sports and
hobbies, extracurricular, favourite subject
• Lot of stress on GK - Satyam Scam, Coalgate Scam, POSCO, Head Quarters of UNESCO,
difference between World Cup & IPL, Fundamental rights & Directive Principles? And what’s
the most recent addition to the Fundamental Rights, Nobel Prize, Kolkata & West Bengal,
SAARC Nations, States of NE, States of South, Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Dev, Aadhar
Card & why is it called unique card, the green in national flag, founder of Jadavpur
University
• Question from economics – Macro & Micro, Welfare economics, Development Eco &
Behavioral Eco, GDP & GNP, Question from Statistics - Bayes Theorem
• Questions on Marketing - the 7ps of marketing, difference between selling & marketing.
• What is STP? What’s brand positioning?
• Questions on Politics – political problem on in North Bengal, How does Modi plan to clean
up the Ganga, why did Modi lose in the Delhi elections? What’s the political situation in
Bengal? The relation b/w US & North Korea, the current ISI agent for who there is a hunt
on? Ukrain crisis, publisher of ‘Desh’Magazine?
• For MBA we have IIMs, for IAF what are the institutions?
• Questions related to job/placement
• Technical questions from metallurgy, a lot from foundry and some related questions.
• Questions on computers – database, data cube, database models
• Questions on Politics – View and the Prime Ministerial candidates, Rahul vs Modi, elections
in India
 • Principles of Marketing & its usage, advertising, difference between publicity & PR
• Questions related to job
• Discussion on Demonetization
• So you are from IIT Roorkee, do you know when was it established? And when it became IIT?
• Questions on Probability
• When you have so good credentials, even in your undergrad, you have got good grades
continuously; you are so much more intelligent than me, aren’t you?
• When you have so great grades why don’t you go for M.Tech or PHD?
• You have so good grades, @ IIT Roorkee which has the best civil engineering, don’t you think
you will waste tax payers money by going for MBA?
• Go out get some work experience and you can shift your career to management whenever
you want.
• Have you got a job from your campus now?
• Real work experience will teach you everything, we will only teach you theory and then after
that you will be on your own
• Why IIM S?

New IIMs
Process
WAT (200 words. 20-25 minutes to write) followed by Personal Interview (20 -25 minutes)

WAT Topics
• Globalization has caused families to grow apart. What are the positive aspects?
• Effects of the junk food ads on online gaming portal on the youth.
• India’s population is growing: by 2020 it will be 20% of the whole world, how is it going to
impact India.
• Cashless Economy.
• Air pollution.
• Which is more important – health care or the health care education?
• Is the Government doing enough for environment protection? Your views
• Globalization has led to a reduction in cultural differences. Especially in countries like India,
do you think it has or will have positive effects? What are your views?
• What’s the problem illiterate people face? And what can be done to overcome them?

Personal Interview (3 panel members)

• Introduce yourself.
• Questions related to family, family business/turnover/growth rate, Kolkata
• Why MBA?
• Questions on GK/current affairs, academics
• Why do you want to shift from engineering to management?
• Circuit diagram, how does it work?
• Electrical and electronics engineering what is the difference?
• Questions based on hobbies
• Be prepared for general awareness questions especially from your region/state
• Discussion about how a person from North adapts to the environment in South.
• My learning’s from Work Experience apart from the regular job. Greatest achievement
during that period. Any bad experience
• Would you like to join the same company after MBA?
• About my strengths and where I applied them in details.
• Why Flipkart facing losses? What should be their business strategy?
• Questions relating to Coding.