Feeling happy on being shortlisted by IIMs on the basis of CAT 2015 scores and other parameters is sure your right. But, converting the call to the preferred IIM is what you need now. Please remember from now onwards your CAT 2015 score would be a secondary phenomenon that may not help you much in the next phase of admission round the WAT & PI round to convert the call.
PI: More an elimination process
Shortlisting for the second stage of admission round is over in almost all the IIMs. However, your jubilation time has not begun yet and you have to ensure the right move in the most crucial personal Interview round which may aptly be referred to as elimination process instead of as selection round.
PI round is the final admission round in all the IIMs and other top rated B-schools. The weightage awarded to PI round by IIMs is even more than awarded to CAT 2015 scores while generating the final admission offer. There are many candidates who could not make it to dream IIM despite scoring a percentile as high as 99.9 in CAT as they could not clear the PI round and therefore could not convert the call. On the other hand, those who scored only 92 or 95 percentile but performed well in PI round, got their dream IIM A, B, C or L as they converted the call after PI round.
Still miles away from IIM
Whether you would be able to cross the PI hurdle solely depends upon you. Despite getting calls from many IIMs including top rated ones, you may not claim and predict which one you could get into or would be able to get into the one at all. So forget thinking about your preferred choice of IIMs. The only thing you can do is to prepare well in right direction, practice well and leave the rest in the hands of Almighty.
You can never predict, which topic would be given to you to test your written ability in a short time or what would be your topic for extempore speech. You also never know whether you will have a tough or mild interview panel waiting for you.
It is very much possible that the candidate who had just appeared before the interview panel has left the panelists in good mood or they are going to extract the toughest answers out of you. The only thing you can do is to prepare well and prepare versatile instead of focusing on single type of things.
Prepare well to boost confidence level
Please remember that it is your preparation leading to high confidence level that only can help you ace the WAT & PI round of IIMs. Before proceeding to face the PI panel, make sure to follow the guidelines shared by Prof S K Agarwal, expert and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation
Go for regular and plenty of good reading that includes Newspapers, its news and editorial articles, periodicals as well as reading online. Go for more than one news paper. If you are reading Times of India, read The Hindu, Economic Times, Financial Express or others. Different newspapers have different opinions and views. It will be better to broaden your vision as you will be able to write and reply better, if you know more.
-- If you are a fresher, study well on your subjects and favourite topics. More questions could be based on your specializations, internship, projects, extra-curricular activities.
-- If you have work experience, you should be able to answer questions based on your job profile, tricky situation at work place. The role you actually play and are supposed to play, your company profile should be very clear to you.
-- Know your surroundings, your family, your city, your state, why it is famous and what is special about your native place among others. Work well on your interests, hobbies and read all about them. It may not be suffice to say that you play lawn tennis. You should be aware all about the game, awards and winners of different tournaments.
Please remember nothing can be specified and anything could come up during the discussion in PI round. You will have to show your skill by driving the panel to your domain of knowledge.
The real test in PI round
Most of the IIMs and other top rated B schools have now started the 2nd stage of admission round. While the CAP 2016 round coordinated by IIM Kashipur for new IIMs has begun today on February 15, 2016, the old IIMs are almost halfway through the Personal Interview (PI) process. Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert and mentor on CAT preparation shares key tips to win the PI round and suggests that the MBA aspirants should be straight and to the point while answering the questions in PI round and should not deviate from the core part of the question asked by the panelist.
Make sure: No superfluous Answer
Sitting across the table before you, the person asking questions in PI round has sure studied more and possesses more knowledge on the topic on which he is asking the questions. There is no point in case you choose to bluff or try to mislead the interviewers by guessing the answers. Once you start telling stories you will be the victim of your superfluous answer. One lie will generate more and you will be caught in your own web. The panelist will draw quick conclusion and may further grill you on the topic about which you are ignorant. It is better to politely accept your ignorance.
Avoid stretching too long
Do not go on speaking simply because you find a long pause after you have finished answering a question. It might give an opportunity to the interviewers to grill you on something you have inadvertently spoken. Remember Brevity is the soul of wit. So be brief and to the point.
“Are you feeling nervous?”: Say yes if you are
If you are perspiring and nervousness is getting reflected on your face how can you deny? If you are facing the interview for the first time – you can reply-‘Yes sir, since it is the first time I was getting a little apprehensive. But entering the room I am feeling better and am al right now.’ If you feel the environment extra warm you can convey ‘I am sweating as it is rather warm over here.’
If you are confident enough,-still be submissive to the question and can say- No sir, I look forward to a good session of learning.
Be frank
If you decide your dresses on all the events and occasions, be straight and tell them. You may expect more questions on it –How and why. So be clear about it – You liked it on your own, your parents or friends suggested it. The dresses for interview are formal one and according to the season- you might be wearing a suit, shirt-pants with tie or so. All the details on colour choice and all should be clearly presented.
Please remember, if someone else decides your dresses and that day’s dress is also decided by that person- be clear with logic- why the particular dress was selected.
Expect more questions on your hobbies
The hobbies that you filled up in the form should be well known and practiced by you. If your hobby is music- you must know number of things about it – like events, instruments, personalities, and various other things. You could be asked about the great personalities in the area, Awards won, the instrument they play, their birth place, achievements, notable events and the like. You must also be aware about the instrument you play and the environmental details of the same.
If you are in the job-you may be asked the question –how do you get time to practice, what inspires you, how did you get to this hobby? You may present the things straight. If there is anything you don’t want to tell, you may hide it but don’t bluff to hide something.
Even if you have other hobbies and interests, apart from the particular one like – reading books, trekking, travelling, wild life photography, particular game, sports, you can share the same with your interviewers but the condition is that you have to keep yourself updated about them. Anything can be your hobby but you must know as many things as possible related to it.
Last but not the least
The most important tip to follow in PI round is to keep your ears and eyes open. You should not only be ready to face the volley of questions from panelists but should look like that you are very keen to answer them to your level best.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates & tips on IIM admission 2016
