Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM-C, Graduation Specific Question

Following questions were asked at IIM-C prior to 2004 

Engineering 

BE Civil

Question on fundamentals of de-watering were asked. What is PERT and CPM? In depth questions on Michael Jordon. Name few novels by Lapierre and Larry Collins. If the table present in the interview room was made of RCC, where would be tension and compression? What is the ratio of cement to concrete in a column? Why did you joined the postal course of IMS? How did you perform in the GD? Your opinion on the walls of IIFT. Why didn't you join armed forces (father an army officer)?

BE Mech.

Briefly introduce yourself. Why do you want to do management? Your views on the current political situation. What are the pros and cons of engineers doing MBA? What are your expectations from IIMC? Will engineers join MBA if there is no salary rights? What are the qualities of a world class manufacturer? Do you think students in public schools of Delhi are snobs? Can they (students) make good managers?

Commerce 

BCom

Differentiate between accounts and finance. What is your favorite subject? (Management accounting). Mention three questions on economics on which we could grill you. What measures would you adopt to enhance profits of your company? What are the tools of cost cutting? Solve a problem in differentiation.

BCom

What are your career goals? A Discussion on dictatorship. Integration of |x| + C with limits -1 to 1. What is a skew symmetric matrix? What is the probability of getting a head in 3 tosses of a coin?

Science 

BSc Physics

What are your favorite subjects? State the laws of thermodynamics? What is the application of super conductivity in the field of IT? What do you know about Haryana-Punjab dispute? Give practical examples of fission and fusion. What are your views on Pokhran? Questions on prominent Indian physicists. Why do you want to do MBA? How did you prepare for CAT?

BSc Botany

How will your study of Botany help you to achieve your career objectives? What were the major upsets at Oscar awards this year? Can you name the north eastern states. What are the major problems they are facing? Comment on SGPC and problems in Punjab. Questions on coordinate geometry, compound interest.

Economics 

BA Hons., Econ.

Why do you want to do MBA? What is the correlation between GDP growth and development of communications network.? What is a GDP deflator? Give a model for correlation. What will be effect of lowering of interest rates on GDP? What other factors would increase GDP? What are your favorite subjects? What is inflexion point and when does it appear on a graph? How can you measure inflexion point or locate it? Which institute would you prefer?

BA Hons., Econ.

What questions should we ask you? Do you think interview should only focus on academics? Questions on theater and NSD. Comment on the present state of education system. What is the relevance of economics? Ask from yourself three questions that would reveal your capability? Between matrices and calculus which area will you choose to answer questions? Is x! continuous? If so then why? What is 1.5!?

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM- C

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-C in 2004 

Why is there a fluctuation in your marks? What is your work profile? You are a graduate in electronics, then why shifting to IT? What is the difference in Windows and Linux? In depth questions on networking from an engineering final year student were asked. How will you apply Keynesian theory in today's international scenario? What is marginal efficiency of capital? Why do you look different in your photograph? Why do you want to do MBA? Why not join MICA for advertising rather that IIMB? Who is your role model? Why should we select you? What does your name mean? The panel asked for recent books read and asked questions on the books which mentioned. Why MBA and how does it help you in your career? How will you define integration and differentiation? What is the application of integration in present working environment? Questions on the project in the final year of engineering. How much percentile did you have and what is the process of calculation of percentile? What would be your rank (with respect to you percentile) assuming that total number of participants is 1.5 lakhs? What is the concept of overdriving in automobile engineering? What is the principal of air conditioner? What are your hobbies? What type of books do you like to read? How many calls do you have? Why is the difference between CAT'98 and CAT'03? How much do you know about finance? How do you operate a bank account? Why MBA now after having 5 years of solid work experience? Why didn't you contribute enough in the GD? What is "Nagma", apart from the South Indian actress? Difference between a "Nagma" and a "Ghazal"? Which is largest training company of India? Which company has been acquired by NIIT recently? What is the present literacy rate of India?

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM's

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-B in 2004 

What is your career vision? What was your project in Final year? Why do you want to do MBA now? Why don't first work and then do MBA? What are your hobbies? What type of books do you like to read? This was followed by further questions on the books mentioned. Questions on job profile & work experience were asked. How does MBA from IIM- B going to help you to achieve your goals? Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line? How good you are in Maths? How HRD ministry decision regarding IIMs fee cut going to effect students? What is your career vision and how do you plan to achieve it? Why was there a gap of one year in your academics? What are your special achievements so far? What would you like to achieve? A number of questions on social service were asked. Questions on BPO & Anti outsourcing. Comment on the performance of Infosys. What you don't like in yourself? Why should we select you? What is your favorite subject? What is operating system? Mention few operating systems? What will you choose, a job offer of Rs 10 Lakhs p.a. or IIM- B selection? What alternative do you have if you are not selected? What is central limiting theorem? What is sampling method? How do you decide the size of the sample?

Following questions were asked at IIM-B prior to 2004 

Engineering 

BE Electronics and Communication

Introduce yourself. What is your response to the fact that students do not attend classes in DCE? Did you attend? What do you know about IIM-B classes? What did you learn at your coaching classes? Why do you want to do MBA? Why not work as an engineer? Who is an entrepreneur? What is IT enabled industry? Give some examples. Which events have you organized? At which position you play in basketball? What is Karl Malone known as? Which program do you watch on TV? Questions on favourite subject (digital electronics). Did anyone outside tell you that we do not know anything about it? How does a cell phone work? What are the major companies providing the service? How is that signals of various operators do not clash? How does digital TV work? Do you want to know anything else about IIM-B?

BE Computer Science 

You had good marks in XII, then why did you go to DIT? Why shift from software to MBA? Why do you want to do MBA? What are products? In which direction is Indian industry heading? Name some companies and products manufactured by them. Who is a venture capitalist? As a venture capitalist, what would look for in a software company?

Commerce 

BCom Hons.

Questions on background. Questions on accounting concepts. Compare Banking with MBA as a career? What are the various forms of dances? Which one do you know? What is the most recent book that you have read? What have you learnt from it?

BCom Hons.

Questions of principles of accounting. What does dy/dx mean? What is point of influx? What are the emerging issues in finance? What is capital account convertibility?

Science 

BSc Physics

Question on Idol (Peter Drucker). Which books of Peter Drucker have you read? How has it helped you to understand management? How did you contribute to your physics society? State Heisenberg uncertainty principle. A discussion on "A brief history of time" by Stephen Hawkings. Questions on quantum theory, gravity and elementary particles. What is standard deviation? What if it is 0? What is the weight of a squash racquet? Do you watch movies? Speak for 2 minutes on Akshay Kumar.

BSc Botany

Should the interview be general or specific? How do you relate Botany, law, Management and Computer? Name five botanists who contributed to the society. Questions on Rabri govt. and IPKF were asked. What is LAN, WAN? Questions on botany were asked.

Economics

BA Econ.

What is marginal cost? Is replacement cost a marginal cost? Which one is a marginal cost, regular labour or contractual labour? Is salary is a marginal cost? If workers increase, what would happen? What is the characteristics of cost function? What are the characteristics of step function? What is break-even point? Who were the last two governors of RBI? What do you hill resorts of Tamilnadu? Which rivers merge at Sunderbans river basin? What is economies of scale?.

BA Econ. - MIB, DSE

You are a MD of a company which is selling pencils for last 15 years. It wants to sell pens now. What would you do? Three equations were given viz: Cost + Profit = Price; Price - Cost = Profit; Price - Profit = Cost; used by three different businessmen respectively. Can you comment on their psyche? What is a PSU? You are an MD of a rural bank, how would you decrease costs? Compare pre-1991 BOP situation with current scenario.

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM's

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-A in 2004  and 2005

Bcom, 2 years work experience, 

Describe your self. Questions on social service, hobbies (cricket), commercialization of cricket were asked. The recent that you have read. (Biography of Indira Gandhi) Mention three bold decision taken by Indira Gandhi in her political career. Question on favourite subject accounts were asked . What is the difference between an economist's and a CA's interpretation of Fixed cost and Variable cost. What are quick assets and liabilities? Draw and explain break even point What is the positive impact of corruption and need for privatization Two most important things that will concern you if you were railway minister. If Indian railway was suffering from 10000 crore deficit and you had to increase the fare which fare will you increase freight or passenger? Who was the grandfather of Ashoka? Mention 5 use of eraser. Why did you leave your first job? Are you satisfied with your career? Do you want to ask anything from us?

Candidate's background B. Tech - Electrical

What is distribution system? What is the principle behind an Induction motor? How will you differentiate between an AC and DC motor? What is power factor? What is the concept of Transformer? Final year of project and many cross questions related to it, where asked. How many functions have you organized during your engineering? How will you organize Hasya Kavi Sammelan? Differentiate between the style of Surendra Kumar and Shail Chaturvedi.

Candidate background B. Tech - Civil

Questions on structure design. How is the load in a cantilever distributed? How will design of a beam? How is stress distributed in a structure? Why do you want to do MBA? Questions on work experience.

Candidate background BBS 

What is sampling principle? How will you draw a distribution curve? Questions on standard deviation. How will you explain variance? Do you really need to go for MBA as you have already graduated in Business? Questions on work experience.

Candidate background B. Tech - Chemical

Which chemical is used in perfumes? Which chemical is used in shampoo products? Mention few applications of methane? Why do want to do MBA and in which stream? Which company do you wish to join after MBA? Questions on hobbies and extra curricular activities. How many calls do you have?

Candidate background BA - Economics

What does success means to you? How will you define failure? What were you asked at your interview at other IIM's? Questions were asked on the basis of forms.

Basics of Tackling Personal Interview

Tackling Personal Interview

In this article we focus on the 'in-room process' and understand the secret of walking out as a winner.

Pleasant Disposition
There is no better way of beginning the interview process than with a warm greeting to the panelists. A cheery greeting coupled with a sunny disposition is a very effective ice-breaker.

Leading the Interview
Typically, any interview starts with an open-ended question about you such as, "Tell me/us about yourself." The interviewer is keen to know a little about you. Also, this is the time he is going to pick up basic data about you and give a direction to the process. This is a golden opportunity that has to be grabbed by you. You need to identify which areas would you want to be questioned on and need to include these areas in your introduction. To do that, you must be clear about your strengths, weaknesses, career goals, the reasons for your interest in the organization or career and how you can make a difference.

Communication Skills
Most 'remarkably good' interviewees have always been keen listeners. A keen listener has a still mind with no 'turbulence' and is not unduly concerned about his/her performance. As a result of being an 'exceptional' listener, one is able to not just respond appropriately to the interviewer but also to pick up subtle signals that the panel sends through its own body language.

Articulation Skills
As a young manager you must appreciate the difference between what may be termed as 'up market and jargon-ful English' and sound articulation skills. Do not be unduly worried about not having a fancy vocabulary. You must be able to articulate the most complex concepts in the most lucid fashion.

Body Language
If there is dissonance between what you say and what your body says, a seasoned interviewer will be able to make you out. You will be thought of as a person that lacks conviction and confidence. One need not be concerned about one's body language as long as one is honest in whatever he says.

Eye Contact
Another important sub-component of the body language is the eye contact between two individuals. Do you look straight into the eyes of the interviewers? Or do you give furtive looks? What is your response if a panel member acts 'unfriendly'? Do you escape eye contact with him or confront him and convey confidence? As you know, a candidate who constantly avoids eye contact with the panel does so either he is being dishonest or lacks confidence.

Honesty, At Any Cost
One basic and unquestionable fallout of understanding the body language is the issue of honesty. You cannot orchestrate you body language as per what you are saying. But you can make a strong body language impact by being honest.

Reasoning Skills
Reasoning skills are always seen as very critical to the success of managerial jobs. And as a potential manager, your ability to make decisions based on strong reasoning skills are seen through a microscope in the interview. These could be tested through a variety of questions based on the data provided by you or your bio-data. Any stance taken on an issue without sound reasoning would make you appear opinionated or as one who does not think deep about issues.

Confidence Personified
An interviewer is perpetually looking for a silently confident person who has no airs about him. Assertiveness combined with politeness makes you a sure winner. But this is easier said than done. There aren't many challenges in our professional lives for which the above saying is not true.
All the best.