While much has been written about the CAT exam, how were the crucial Group Discussions and Personal Interviews (GD/PIs) structured: what were the topics thrown for discussions, what was the line of interview questioning that IIMs adopted and how was the process different from last year.
MBAUniverse.com got in touch with IMS Learning Resources, the leading MBA prep institute, for their take on the matter. In a Q&A, Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learnings, shares about their analysis of GD/PI rounds. Excerpts from the interview:
Q & A with Mr Gejo Srinivasan on Group Discussion and Interview trends:
Q: What was the experience of your students after GD/PI rounds at separate IIMs and other top institutes?
A: Most IMS Students are highly optimistic due to our intensive communication skills building sessions & the popular Achievers' Workshop. Though it is true that one can never really prepare for a GD or a PI, one can definitely have a plan. IMS Students focused on that plan and hence did well.
Most Students also found the old adage "it is attitude, not knowledge that is tested at the GD & PI Level" to be true – most were put in extraordinary circumstances and extreme pressure. The students have enjoyed this final stage of the selection procedure thoroughly and are not only convinced about the quality of intake but are also looking forward to joining these schools.
Q: Were there some changes in the personality assessment rounds this year?
A: We could clearly see that the IIMs want to move out of the usual "Tell me something about yourself" or "How has an Engineering Degree added value to you?" kind of questions. They were clearly allowing the aspirants to talk (earlier, if they thought the aspirant was doing well, they would cut in to destabilize him) and were looking for "freshness" in answers.
Some of the interview questions were like: "How would a friend describe you?", "What is the meaning of Tejasvina Vadhi Thamasthu in IIM B Logo?" at IIM B, "The importance of blogging" at IIM C & "Would you go to rural areas to work?" at IIM K.
Also, most GD topics were not only factual & current in time frame, but also had a high relevance to education, IIMs & India.
Q: According to you, on what basis are IIMs evaluating candidates in GD/PIs?
A: IIMs exhibited a strong preference to "real" students -- students who don't enact what they prepared, and evaluated the students on the basis of their opinions, assumptions and convictions on some of the major issues the world is facing at present.
Clearly, the case study method is most sought after than the usual controversial topics.
Q: What are some GD topics given to the students at different IIMs?
A: Some GD topics that IIMs tested the students on are:
|
GD Topics |
Institutes |
|
Importance of student & faculty exchange programs in the current education scenario and whether specialized programs are more important in the current global skilled workforce requirements |
IIM-K |
|
How poaching of rare species is leading to number of tigers coming down in Madhya Pradesh, and whether life of animals less valuable than humans |
IIM-K |
|
Should student politics be above academic activities? |
IIM-K |
|
effects of the union health ministry's ban on smoking on screen on film makers and cigarette manufacturers (includes all the three – health ministry, film industry & tobacco industry apart from general public). |
IIM-B |
|
Case study on a pharmaceutical company not publishing warning of diabetes on a medicine for schizophrenia |
IIM-B |
|
Case study an Auto parts manufacturing company having trouble in recruiting people from Engineering colleges as IT companies are taking the students away with much better packages. Increasing salary or perks not possible, but there are some happenings in national and international economy those could help the firm in recruiting |
IIM-C |
|
A company called documentation inc produces a low cost "no frills" photocopier which is very reliable, and has a large market share as well. Now a rival company named super-documentation inc has produced a new expensive photocopier costing twice the no frills photocopier. This has attracted high end users, and is starting to cut into the sales of the no frills product. Moreover it is receiving rave reviews in the media as well. The executives of documentation inc are a worried lot. Some of them think that the company should go for increased R&D so as to produce a new high end product of their own, while others prefer sticking to the old one. What should they do? |
IIM-C |
Q: What are some GD topics discussed at other premier B-schools?
A: GD topics that some other B-schools tested the students are:
|
GD Topics |
Institutes |
|
Does economic development mean social development? |
Bhartidashan Institute of Management, Trichy |
|
'Private institutions: Good or Bad' |
National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai |
|
Should the development of primitive tribes follow the urban development process? |
Indian Institute of Forest Management, (IIFM) |
|
Solar Energy, Oil Energy or Nuclear Energy: which one of them viable for world's future demand? |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai |
|
The only profit of business is to make business. |
Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University |
|
Is quality a myth in India? |
Management Development Institute, Gurgaon |
