Personal Interview: Key tips for MBA Admission 2015; Is pursuing MBA a right decision?

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
February 24, 2015
A few questions are also placed to know exactly whether your decision to pursue MBA is really logical and based on some ground or you happen to be there by chance
You can be categorical in stating that the decision to pursue MBA is taken after a careful thought

Personal Interview (PI) commands maximum weightage in the final admission round in any top rated B school to convert the call. The weightage to written test and other components in getting final admission offer is less than the PI, be it an IIM, XLRI, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI or any other B school. 

Personal Interview at an IIM or at any good B school is a very cordial, positive and encouraging learning session. While the MBA aspirant sure learns a lot in the session, the 2-3 panelists present to ask questions also happen to learn some new things from the candidates.

Apart from the questions related to your academic profile, knowledge domain, working area, a few questions are also placed to know exactly whether your decision to pursue MBA is really logical and based on some ground or you happen to be there by chance. You should be well aware about your decision to pursue the management course, that too from a particular institute in a particular preferred stream like marketing, finance, HR or any other you have decided.

Prof S K Agarwal, Expert and mentor on MBA exam shares how the aspirants going through the PI round should respond to such type of questions and could explore opportunity of getting final admission offer from the desired B school.  

Why do you want to pursue MBA after graduation in Engg/ Medical/paramedical/ arts & literature/ commerce

Your decision to join MBA has been taken after a lot of discussion and information shared among -you, your family and friends- you can be categorical in stating that the decision to pursue MBA is taken after a careful thought.  You would be able to do better in life with enhanced knowledge and skills.  Managerial role requires other skills apart from your technical knowledge so it will be the right decision.

It is important that your should avoid being a tall talk, asking for trouble, on the question.

What are the other examinations you have appeared in/ qualified?

If you appeared in other MBA entrance examinations,  tell the interviewers. If you have qualified anyone/more than one, there is no harm telling them. You should  however, be ready to face one or two more questions on it like – why did you appear in other examination, were you not confident enough to clear it.  Be straight and answer saying it is always good to have more choices, although you would prefer the particular Institute.

If you appeared this examination only – you may again expect more questions like-why didn’t you appear in more examinations. The question could be answered ‘As I was confident enough to qualify this examination, I didn’t appear in other one.’

How did you prepare for the examination? Was it a self preparation or you joined some Coaching Institute ? Which one and why? What would you recommend for future aspirants?

If you prepared on your own without the help and guidance of any mentor or any coaching –tell the board.

In case you prepared with the guidance of some reputed coaching Institute e.g. MBAUniverse.com, answer could be like – Sir, I made all out efforts to prepare on my own but since I am an Engineering graduate, Verbal Ability was my weak link and most of the fundamentals of quant. were difficult to remember, I found it appropriate and quite cost effective to go for comprehensive online classes offered by MBAUniverse.com along with other study material provided by them.  It has been quite helpful for me. 

You could also without hesitation recommend your preferred coaching institute – like – Sir, time is precious. Since understanding the concept and clues is difficult and more time consuming and spending lot of money is also an issue, I would recommend the flexible and all time available cost effective Online CAT/XAT coaching imparted by MBAUniverse.com. The aspirant has more time to solve the practice questions.

Which B-school do you want to join as you have received the call from other ones also?

Apart from this one you have received the call from other institutes also and you have filled this information in the form as well.  You can be straight on this point.  It is always good to have choice and may convey the best option where would you like to go, if offered the opportunity.

If you think that it will be difficult for you to enter the other Institute, tell the interviewers that you would prefer the present one.  However, have some positive points on the same else it will appear misleading.  Besides you can clarify that you would have joined the other institute but given the high percentile requirement or so, you would prefer joining the present one. Better to let the board know what you think.

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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates and tips on PI round 2015