IIM Interview Questions: Navigating the Admission Process
In this blog post, we will delve into the interview processes of four prominent IIMs, providing valuable insights to help you navigate these crucial interviews successfully.
IIM Interview Schedules for One year MBA Programs:
IIMA PGPX Interviews Round 1 - 23 September 2023, Round 2 - Nov - Dec 2023
IIMB EPGP Interviews Round 1 - 26 August 2023, Round 2 - 4, 5 Nov 2023
IIMC MBAEX Interviews Round 1 - 2 September 2023, Round 2 - 4, 5 Nov 2023
XLRI GM Interviews Round 1 - Mid September 2023
SPJIMR Interviews Round 1 - Mid Aug - Sept End 2023
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IIM Ahmedabad - PGPX Program Interview Process:
The IIM Ahmedabad PGPX program, designed for experienced professionals, follows a unique interview process. It includes an extempore discussion, wherein candidates are given a topic on the spot followed by the personal interview by the faculty panel. Some common IIM Ahmedabad interview questions in the extempore discussion include topics related to current affairs, business trends, and ethical dilemmas. Following the extempore discussion, candidates proceed to a personal interview, where they can elaborate on their experiences, aspirations, and suitability for the program.
IIM Bangalore - EPGP Program Interview Process:
For candidates applying to the IIM Bangalore EPGP program, the interview process consists of two key components. The first part is the Written Ability Test (WAT), which is conducted online. The WAT evaluates candidates' written communication skills, analytical thinking, and their ability to articulate their thoughts within a given time frame. Common IIM Bangalore interview questions in the WAT can range from topics like business strategy, leadership, and societal issues. The second step is a personal interview, conducted by a panel of faculty members or a mix of faculty and alumni. Common IIM Bangalore interview questions in the personal interview may cover your professional journey, teamwork experiences, and future goals.
IIM Calcutta - MBAEX Program Interview Process:
The interview process for the IIM Calcutta MBAEX program focuses solely on the personal interview. Unlike some other IIMs, there is no Written Ability Test in written or spoken form. During the personal interview, candidates face a panel of faculty members and alumni who evaluate their overall suitability for the program. IIM Calcutta interview questions can cover a wide range of topics including your professional achievements, leadership experiences, industry knowledge, and the value you can bring to the program.
IIM Lucknow - IPMX Program Interview Process:
The interview process for the IIM Lucknow IPMX program consists of two stages. Firstly, candidates are required to appear for a Written Ability Test (WAT). Common IIM Lucknow interview questions in the WAT can revolve around business ethics, decision-making, and social issues. Subsequently, candidates proceed to the personal interview, conducted by esteemed faculty members. This IIM interview assesses candidates' potential, managerial abilities, and their fit for the program.
Aspiring candidates must familiarize themselves with the specific interview processes of the IIMs they are targeting. By delving into the interview processes at IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Lucknow, we hope to have provided valuable insights to help you navigate these interviews with confidence and poise. Remember to leverage your unique experiences, showcase your leadership potential, and articulate your goals effectively.
Preparing for an IIM interview requires comprehensive knowledge of the interview format and effective communication skills. Schedule a mock interview with the GOALisB IIM Interview Preparation Team, our experienced professionals specialize in IIM interview preparation and can provide valuable feedback, personalized guidance, and tailored strategies to help you excel in your interviews. Don't leave your interview success to chance. Whatsapp at +91 7719497187 for a quicker response.
In this blog we share also sample topics and practice topics to prepare for the WAT and MBA interviews 2024-2025:
WAT Topic Category: Startup Layoffs 2023
What is your view on how strategic decisions like mergers, acquisitions, and market shifts trigger layoffs in startups and IT firms, and how do these scenarios prompt organizational reconfiguration?
In your opinion, how do layoffs impact employee morale and well-being, and what measures can organizations implement to maintain a positive corporate culture during such challenging times?
From your perspective, how do startups balance the pursuit of innovation with the need for organizational stability, especially when considering the possibility of workforce reduction?
What is your take on the relationship between layoffs, investor confidence, and the overall reputation of startups and IT firms within the tech ecosystem?
From your perspective, how can a culture of lifelong learning and reskilling empower employees to navigate layoffs and stay relevant in the face of technological shifts?
What is your perspective on the link between funding rounds, investor pressures, and layoffs in startups, and how do these factors shape a startup's growth trajectory?
In your opinion, what ethical considerations should guide organizations when conducting layoffs, and how can they uphold their values while managing workforce reductions?
How do you perceive the influence of global economic factors, outsourcing practices, and remote work trends on patterns of layoffs and employment in the tech industry?
From your point of view, how can a company's approach to layoffs impact its brand reputation and standing within the tech ecosystem, and what strategies can mitigate negative perceptions?
In your opinion, how do automation, artificial intelligence, and evolving technologies shape the trajectory of layoffs and the future of work in the IT and startup sectors?
WAT Topics for Agritech Sector:
Analytical Writing/Discussion Topic: The Role of Agritech in Transforming India's Agriculture Sector
1. How has the agriculture sector in India demonstrated resilience and growth during the COVID-19 pandemic? Discuss the factors contributing to this resilience.
2. What are the key advantages of integrating Agritech in the agriculture sector? How can Agritech contribute to enhancing farming practices and increasing productivity?
3. How can sustainable agriculture practices and Agritech innovations promote holistic rural development, including rural employment and environmental conservation?
4. Discuss the potential investment prospects and market opportunities that arise from the adoption of Agritech in India's agriculture sector.
5. What are some of the specific challenges that Agritech can address in the Indian agriculture industry? Provide examples of Agritech solutions that can help overcome these challenges.
How is India Planning to end Child Marriage ? What should be done ?
To Know More about One year MBA program from IIMs
Should Cricketers be banned from endorsing products as it diverts their attention from the game also they are paid heavily by BCCI ?
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Real Topic from IIM 2023 Intake
Management Consultants with zero experience are paid heavily to consult with senior managers with a lot of experience, is this justified ?
WAT and Extempore topics for IIM one year MBA Interviews/IIM Interview Questions
Latest Additions:
India's G 20 Presidency and Food Security the way forward?
Is Buying cheap oil from Russia a moral thing to do ?
The Cold Peace between India and Pakistan Is there to stay ?
How can India end Child Marriage ?
Corporate Job cuts reasons and remedies
Government giving money to Bangalore flood victims, is it justified ?
Hindi should be made compulsory language of instruction in all IITs, IIMs, KVs and for conducting Govt Exams etc ?
Government should provide compensation to farmers for not burning stubbles ?
Does India Need a Population Policy ?
Global Hunger Index is Out, India is at No 107 (Serious). What should be done ?
Is Government justified in giving donations to Durga puja pandals ?
Social-IIM Interview Questions
One nation one ration card is the best way to go. Yes or no?
Is Social Media Asocializing us ?
IS CSR real or another way of advertisement ?
Is gender equality a distant dream ?
Are Joint families a thing of the past ?
Do problems related to cast, religion and gender still exist ?
Science and Technology-IIM Interview Questions
Data theft by Mobile apps
Will EVs really make a big difference w.r.t climate Change ?
Economy-IIM Interview Questions
Eventually everything will incur GST.
Will Bank consolidation improve productivity and reduce NPA ?
Will Bharat ever be Aatma-Nirbhar ?
Recession in the US and Australia will affect India ?
Ecology and Climate-IIM Interview Questions
Will India achieve 0 emission by 2070 ?
Or will India Increase its non fossil energy share to 50% by 2030 ?
Climate change strategy Implimentation - are we ready ?
Abstract-IIM Interview Questions
Work From Home - for or against?
Online Education Boon or Bane ?
Global-IIM Interview Questions
Is Russia Justified in attacking Ukrain ?
If China attacks Tiwan, Will US-UK Intervene ?
I2U2 Summit
Sports-IIM Interview Questions
Will Hockey come at par with cricket in the next 5 years ?
What do the Olympics and CWG medals tally tell us ?
Is Renumeration Parity between men and women necessary ?
1. Sample topic for WAT Preparation 2023 - 24
Do the recent heat waves globally signal that climate change is happening faster than expected?
As a general rule, the answer is not yes. Although climate models have improved greatly since the 1970s, the growth in greenhouse gas levels and average world temperatures has remained within the margin of error of predictions.
Many are perplexed by the lightning-fast transition from theoretical risk to an era of collapsing temperature records, megadroughts, and ubiquitous fires. Is the pace of climate change outpacing predictions.
No coal-power plant in India by 2050 is possible, only if it can put its renewables plan in place. Do you agree?
Electricity producers privately think the government should issue a guideline prohibiting the construction of new coal-based capacity, similar to the one issued for gas plants. Companies have told the government that they won't start developing new coal plants until thermal power plant capacity utilization reaches 70%.
Up until recently (within the last decade or so), a power and energy minister's performance was gauged by the amount of capacity created (mostly through the use of coal). India’s fixation with electricity-generation capacity was recognised as a big commercial opportunity for businesses who established beeline to construct up projects. As a result, the country presently has an oversupply in terms of electricity-generation installed capacity with projects either being underutilised or kept inactive.
Do we need more of breakthrough climate technologies in the next decade ?
Can we justify delay in coal plant closures in blow to climate action?
Indicative points that can be covered:
A move to delay coal plant closures would keep fossil fuel capacity higher for years but would potentially stall efforts to hit climate goals.
Plans were drawn up in 2020 that proposed shuttering about 25 gigawatts by the end of the decade.
India currently has about 204 gigawatts of coal power capacity and the plans under discussion would see that total expand to more than 250 gigawatts over the next decade.
Every investment in new coal infrastructure will load the power system with redundant capacities and hinder investments in clean power projects.
How could an ageing workforce become India Inc's failing prospects?
Indicative points that can be covered:
Youngsters are delaying joining the labour market because of inadequacy of available jobs and they prefer opting for higher studies.
This is also indicated in the estimated representation of India’s workforce, by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, tabled below.
Year Age group 40-50yrs Age group 15-20yrs Share of Graduates/Post Graduates
2016-17 42% 17% 12.9%
2021-22 57% 13% 12.2%
3. More than half of the workforce comprises of middle-aged group during the stalemated period of the Pandemic.
4. India needs to leap forward to the growth rates, which it aspires. But an ageing working population cannot, perhaps, reap the demographic dividends it was supposed to deliver.
5. Chances of reaping a demographic dividend further fades away, as the composition of the labour force and of the employed population is getting increasingly older and less educated.
More Practice WAT Topics 2022:
PM Modi announced that India had been successful in blending 10% sugarcane extracted ethanol in petrol. What does this mean for the mission of India to be Atmanirbhar in the Energy sector?
Is GDP a poor indicator of human well being?
Establishing ecological sustainability while securing livelihood for a billion people. How realisable is this target for India?
Climate is a reality now. What are some considerations that India needs to factor in to address it for future development?
Investing in "Research" in industry, science & technology, academia and human resource is imperative for India to become self reliant. Comment.
Steps you would recommend for India to reverse the economic slowdown.
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Practice Topic for WAT Executive MBA from IIM interview:
How can the Target Olympic Podium Scheme be implemented efficiently in India?
Launched in September 2014, TOPS is an initiative by the Government of India to boost the focus towards winning medals in the Olympics by Indian players.
Under the TOPS top sportspersons are identified by a TOPS Elite Athletes’ Identification Committee and a Mission Olympic Cell. They are provided access to training by world- class coaches and facilities, equipment, sports psychologists, mental trainers and physiotherapists.
A monthly incentive of ₹50,000 is provided to sportspersons under the categories like table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, hockey, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting and para-sports.
Indian sports suffered from many problems like all sports except cricket, have been neglected and lack proper training facilities for the players. To top it sportspersons lacked facilities for sponsorship.
However, there are still some problems - some players like Ms. Aditi Ashoka realised that she qualified for the Olympic Games only 60 days before the scheduled date and could never avail the benefits of the scheme.
Apart from more autonomy to the decision makers at TOPS, it has been suggest that there could be newer games and disciplines which could be added to the list from a medal winning perspective. India spends 0.01 % of its GDP on sports. Can it be increased? TOPS is doing good work, but can it be extended to identifying sports talent in the nascent stage.
Use of coal and biomass must be stopped to control air pollution. Agree or disagree?
Highest air pollution in India happens because of burning of coal and lignite (1045 million tonnes yer year - 2019-20) followed by biomass like LPG, wood for cooking (500 million tonnes yer year 2019-20). These by far have the highest polluting potential.
Next, petroleum product contributed 240 million tonnes per year in 2019-20 followed by agricultural residues amounting to 100 million tonnes per year (2019-20).
The air quality of different cities is deteriorating with every passing day. PM 2.5 levels (particulate matter) has increased three fold over the last decade especially in cities like Delhi.
Therefore, to reduce air pollution the use of coal, biomass, landfills has to be reduced not only petroleum products.
Power production should be shifted to renewable resources. Stopping the use of coal and biomass is not easy. Millions of households have to eliminate use of biomass as cooking fuel.
Energy and land management practices and policies should be changed. Industries should be urged to shift from the use of coal. Farmers in India must stop burning of stubble to clear land. Most of the action plans address only 15% of the problem and they do not address 85% of the problem which is caused by coal, biomass and landfills. This can be achieved in only in phases in a graded manner.
Can India become self reliant in the defence manufacturing space?
Munition India Limited
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited
Advanced Weapons and Equipments India Limited
Troop Comforts Limited
Yantra India Limited
India Optel Limited
Gliders India Limited, will function from 1st October 2021.
The Government of India has decided to convert the Ordnance Factory Board into the above mentioned seven new identities, each responsible for a special faction of the defence manufacturing space.
These will tackle the problems in India like overpriced purchase ( Ashoka Leyland trucks being purchased from Jabalpur Vehicle factory at a substantially higher price with no substantial additions), under quality purchase, long waiting periods for delivery, outdated technology.
Leadership of these companies is the key to success to optimally utilise the available resources at hand and find locally available solutions.
In addition to the Ordnance factory has its own set of problems - inefficient supply chains, lack of motivation to compete, lack of specialisation and too many products under a single wing.
In the US the defence manufacturing has grown by consolidation, similarly India would have to create a demand forecast to analyse the products and the requirements and get International partners on board. Given these are put in place substantial improvements can happen in this sector in India too.
Some more questions for WAT for Executive MBA from IIM 2021-22 interviews
There would be many challenges if COVID persists. Should digital learning and e-learning continue going forward? What would be the challenges faced if it continues.
Vaccination generally takes 10+ years to be developed. How was it developed in hardly six months during COVID?
Should college rankings be stopped? Do you agree or disagree?
When startups go for seed funding they lose a lot of control. Should they instead opt for bootstrapping?
Does India need bullet trains?
How can India utilise the current shift in the global supply chain to attract global investors?
How to do nothing?
The best tool for a good conversation is silence. Do you agree?
Is the Electric vehicle transition sustainable for India economically and environmentally?
So close, yet so far - Chandrayaan 2 has failed in it's objective but not as a mission. Comment?
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