MBAUniverse.com is presenting a series of authoritative features and interviews on the upcoming GD PI round. We interviewed Dr JK Mitra, Dean of Faculty of Management Studies Delhi (FMS), seeking his advice to MBA aspirants on the What, Why and How of GP PI round.
Excerpts from this exhaustive must-read interview for MBA Aspirants:
Q: When and where are the GD PI rounds conducted for the FMS MBA programmes? How are the Calls issued and what are dates for this year's rounds?
A: FMS is one of the very few institutes where GD/PI round is held only at one place, that is FMS, North Campus, University of Delhi, Delhi. All candidates are required to come to Delhi to attend the interviews. Short-listed candidates come from all over India as FMS has no reservation for any seat for residents or students of Delhi or Delhi University.
The interview of full-time MBA programme and MBA (Management of Services) programme run parallel but separate at the same time and venue. As candidates might have applied and qualified for both the full-time programmes, scheduling of the interviews are done in such a manner that the out-station candidates do not have to come twice to the institute. For example, candidates who have calls from both the programmes may be interviewed for MBA in the Forenoon and MBA (MS) in the Afternoon or vice versa. It helps them save time and cost of overnight stay in Delhi.
The dates of this round of selection process are not yet frozen; usually these take place in the last fortnight of March and/or first fortnight of April. Remarkable thing is that the results are always declared on the last day of the interview itself, sometimes quite late in the night. FMS Interview Panels actually have no clue about the Test Scores of the candidates; the sealed CD containing the Test Scores of all short-listed candidates arrives from the "Secrecy" section of the University of Delhi only when all candidates' interviews are over. Then the Test Score data are merged with the GD + Extempore + Interview Scores data and a category-wise Merit List and Waiting Lists are prepared and are declared on the last date of the interview. The ranks of selected candidates were never revealed, as these were alphabetical lists created to avoid any 'preconceived notion' about the relative 'quality' of the candidates admitted in a session; however, waitlists obviously are ranked lists.
FMS does not issue call letters for GD/PI based on any 'profile' of the candidates. Any candidate, whose Test Score falls within a fixed number of candidates to be called in a given category, is issued a Call Letter. So, would-be graduates have equal chance of being called in the interview as other graduates with work experience. Similarly, educational background of the candidates play no role in the issue of Call Letters for the Second Round of selection process, candidates from very diverse background can make the grade.
In recent years, a ratio of 1:7 was being maintained for issuing Call Letters to the candidates for a fixed number of seats in each category. Now that the seats in each category have increased, the ratio may come down so that the GD/PI process may be completed within reasonable time. In other words, in terms of percentile, the cut-off might be tougher this year to receive a call letter. However, after receiving a Call, conversion might be a bit easier.
Q: What is the likely 'format' of the GD PI round at FMS Delhi? Is the GD at FMS an elimination round?
A: FMS Format is likely to remain the same as last years. It is a very friendly easy-going process. Usually a group of about 10-11 students are called in every batch, separated by a slot of 2 hours. They are called on the basis of Roll Numbers, which again is based on the Centre of their Entrance Test. Called candidates, from other cities, often find other candidates whom they might have met earlier! It gives them a sense of comfort in an alien environment. It usually takes first 30 minutes to get all degrees and transcripts scrutinized.
Then the batch moves for a very short GD, usually not exceeding more minutes than the number of candidates in a batch! The Topic is decided by a draw of lots and is usually a topic of social/economic importance. One minute thinking time is also given to the group to organize/jot down their thoughts silently. No structured discussion is allowed, it is emphasized that the discussion needs to be 'natural' but the behavior of group members needs to be 'matured'. A very experienced set of panelists, who had been assessing such GD for more than 20 years, independently judge each candidate whether they spoke or not. Candidates, who try to behave artificially, as per the coaching received from some sources, usually draw negative attention and fail to impress these assessors. The panel is essentially looking for 'quality of thought process' and 'natural leadership behavior'.
Q: What about the Personal Interview process? How is it structured?
A: The individual interview process starts with an "Extempore", literally on any topic under the sun. The Chair decides who among the panel will announce a topic on the spot. No thinking time is allowed, and the speech lasts only for a minute or two. If the candidate is not comfortable with the topic, an alternate topic might also be announced, without any penalty. The extempore is used as a very distinguishing feature of FMS selection process. Other than the fluency of articulation, choice of words, panelists look for evidence of a creative mind and capacity to think on one's feet. Candidates who did not get enough chance to contribute at the short-duration, high-traffic group process, can easily compensate in this individual process. In order to be sure about the 'quality' of the candidate, panel might even give a second extempore topic. Like GD, extempore topics are also not repeated and therefore, knowing extempore topics given to other candidates do not help much.
The Personal Interview process is usually a very relaxed, 'short and sweet' process at FMS. It might begin with the 'views' expressed during the 'extempore' or through a free-wheeling discussion around one's bio-data given in the application form. A few 'knowledge-dipstick' questions on one's basic academic background might also be fielded to assess the depth and accuracy of existing knowledge. A few basic General Knowledge questions may also be asked, but subsequent questions always follow from the previous responses of the candidate. The members in the interview panel mostly behave in a very informal manner; hardly ever they check any testimonials or documents. Sometimes they may appear to be rude or indifferent or disinterested. However, each candidate is actually carefully assessed by using years of experience in sitting through such interviews. FMS also give importance to consistent academic performance as it is indicative of academic discipline and ethos one is required to have to survive in the campus.
Q: What does the personal assessment round aims to test in MBA applicants?
A: FMS is always looking for 'fresh talent' who will burst into the national scene after two years. It is scouting for those potential that will make the institution proud. Energy, enthusiasm, entrepreneurial approach and ethical foundation of one's worldview are searched among the candidates who are all supposed to be 'bright' to make it at this stage of selection. All creative pursuits receive a lot of positive attention from the selectors. Finally, as all alumni of FMS are supposed to be moving to international assignments in a short while in their careers, the leadership qualities in a culturally diverse milieu are also highly desired.
Q: How should MBA aspirants 'prepare' for these rounds? What is your advice?
A: My advice is that please don't prepare for FMS interviews. Your best chance will be when you are at your natural self. If you believe in loads of good qualities in you, we shall discover you. Most of the 'coached' responses or behaviors actually put us off and jeopardize your chance to be at FMS. It is like 'acting'; it has to be so natural to you that you should not be viewed as 'acting'. All charms wear off when an amateur actor appears as a poor caricature of someone else. Therefore, just approach the GD/PI round as a round that you are going to enjoy to your heart's content.
I wish the best to the MBA aspirants and hope that Lady Luck smiles on them!
