Hello All! I'll be available till 9 pm. In case you have anything to ask about the IIMA interview process, I'll be happy to answer.

02:32 PM

what will be the pro's and cons of a guy with 4 years of IT experience attending for an interview at IIM

02:33 PM

What percent you got in Cat ? And how was your academics then ?

02:34 PM

i am qualified ca,cma,cs...i got call from iima....what would be my answer ...for...WHY MBA?...by interviewer...

02:34 PM

Work experience always helps. Cons will be, you might have to justify the shift

02:34 PM

Manthan, 99.85 in CAT. 10/12/B.tech: 94.46/94.76/9.55 -

02:35 PM

Challa, Why MBA is always tricky.Not many interviewers ask it anyway now. You answer can be on the lines of interest in Finance and how MBA from IIMA can help you more holistic knowledge in Fin.

02:36 PM

Hi, I graduated in 2016 from chemical engineering, then joined analytics firm even after having good academics. Please suggest how to justify this change in career path?

02:38 PM

Anvesh, Pros would be - You will hardly be asked anything from your acads. Interview would revolve around your work ex. If you have done some great IT work, you can have a very smooth interview.

02:38 PM

Being from humanities background (history ) ; what are the things that I have to keep in mind. And what are some key aspects that shouldn't be missed and that should be absolutely kept in mind.

02:38 PM

roughly....for how much time does interview takes place for each candidate

02:38 PM

Hi Nishant, how has been your experience at IIMA? Is it worth to take this dive?

02:39 PM

And how to manage for WAT ? how can we have an idea about how much should someone write in WAT ? And what if someone is not aware of that topic ?

02:39 PM

thank you Nishanth

02:39 PM

Somya, You can say that the analytics was more aligned with your long-term goal of pursuing an MBA, which it actually is. Might add that you didn't feel like doing a core job in Chemical would help you in anyway

02:40 PM

Ekta, just know about some basic things from your field i.e, History. I am from an engineering background, so don't know much about the details. But KNOW Your CV thouroughly.

02:42 PM

Challa, Interview time can be anywhere around 15 to 40 min.

02:42 PM

Thank you.

02:43 PM

Manthan, IIMA has AWT which is slightly different from WAT. You need to analyze a small case study using some basic general knowledge. Write as long as you feel the write-up conveys your understanding completely. You will be given all the facts already. You can build your understanding from there.

02:45 PM

Mihir, absolutely worth it.

02:46 PM

Hi Nishant, Can you please tell what would be the biggest challenge for you at IIM A till now?

02:47 PM

And what they look in freshers ? I don't have any extra curricular. Just above average academics. What do I need to do to convert my calls ?

02:50 PM

It has been fun. You will realize all the challenges once you join in.

02:50 PM

Hi Nishant, I graduated in 2016 from chemical engineering, then joined analytics firm even after having good academics. Please suggest how to justify this change in career path?

02:51 PM

Manthan, if you have an interview call, nothing else matters now. Just focus on the interview. They would expect a fresher (Engineer) to know about his technical internships, final year project, some core subject knowledge, A bit of General knowledge. Might ask a few puzzles and things related to your hobbies. But being absolutely thorough with your undergrad subjects is must.

02:52 PM

What they generally ask in interview?

02:56 PM

Hi Nishant, I am a CA with one year of workex at a bank. What areas should I be thorough in? Also, what should my prep be aimed at? Like current affairs or core finance or banking etc

02:57 PM

I am a final year Civil Engineering Student. However, my profile resonates more with an IT engineer. I am thinking of pitching my interest in operations since I have had a few related courses that actually interested me (courses dealt with CPM, PERT and optimization techniques). I am worried that they might question me about the other certification programmes which deal with SCM (one is issued by IIM Calcutta and there must be many more programs like this). How should I tackle them?

02:57 PM

Thanks Nishant! Also, have heard a lot about the surprise quizzes of IIMA. Even to the extent that sometimes they are held late night. How do you tackle such instances?

02:57 PM

If you are fresher: 50% time on your undergrad, rest split between GK, Puzzles for Engineers, Hobbies/extra currics For work-ex: 40- 50% on work-ex. Rest remains the same

02:58 PM

Neelaya, be thorough with fin concepts from CA. Prepare things on your work-ex. These two are must. Being updated about current affairs always helps.

02:59 PM

Thanks Nishant! Also, do they ask case studies in the interview?

03:01 PM

Anal, I don't think they would ask any such thing.However, make sure that you convey only upto the fact that you're interested in operations. It shouldn't come out as the only thing you want to study is operations. MBA has a variety of compulsory courses and you should come across as someone who wants to learn everything with an initial inclination toward operations.

03:02 PM

Hey Nishant! Hope this finds you well. Lemme ask you something that many would've asked, but a tad bit differently. Why should one seek doing an MBA? Or, what should instigate someone towards it, that only an MBA would be able to suffice.?! PS: Cheers to your achievement, mate! (Y)

03:03 PM

Neelaya, None at all. AWT is bit like a small case study though.

03:03 PM

Will it give an edge to someone over others if he/she has some certificates of courses of COURSERA ?

03:04 PM

Hi Nishant, first of all thank you so much for taking out time for us all from you busy, busy schedule! We appreciate it a lot. What would you say is a good way to handle questions about future goals considering I haven't figured out any and am coming to IIM A to explore my options?

03:04 PM

Pushpinder, Thanks! I can only speak for myself. I somehow felt that I wouldn't be able to do something innovative if I take up core engineering job. Didn't feel I would see any of the theories getting applied practically. At the same time, Finance always fascinated me. MBA is wonderful opportunity to build a strong network. No other course boast of such a wide and intellectual peer network. You rise faster in your organization. Earn handsomely. If you feel like these things interest you, go for it.

03:07 PM

Manthan, It will if you can justify what you learn from it in an interview room.

03:08 PM

If someone has got lower percentile in VA section among the all 3 sections. Will it effect in anyway ?

03:13 PM

Aditya, Most of the people here haven't figured their goals yet. IIMA is a place to explore. You will get ample time to experiment and decide on what you want to do. Interviewers know this too. Just stay honest with your answer. Don't try to conjure up a dream and then get stuck when it comes to answering questions on that.

03:14 PM

Manthan, as long as you have cleared sectional cut-offs, interviewers don't give a damn about your sectionals. In fact they don't even know it.

03:15 PM

Hi nishant as i am a fresher does the college name from where u graduated matter in interviews

03:18 PM

Hi Nishant, I've been working in a freight forwarding company. What sort of questions can I expect from this niche industry? Also, considering my work ex is in a not so fascinating service industry, can this work ex go against me? One more thing, I visited Dhaka for about 2 weeks, to understand their supply chain business. Should I mention this in the interview because they might get deep into what all I observed (which I don't remember partially since it's been so long I visited!) Freight forwarding comprises of taking the goods from exporter and loading them onto the ship.

03:19 PM

Robin, I don't think so.

03:19 PM

Also on what areas one should work on to please bench

03:20 PM

Well honestly i dont have to much too write in my profile so even after scoring good percentile will they call u

03:21 PM

Nishant can u answer plz for that enquiry

03:23 PM

Himani, As long as you can justify what all you did in your job, it is all good. Work ex doesn't need to be in a fascinating industry. For the niche questions, you have to google things. But just know enough that you can explain what you did in your job proudly to an interviewer. Regarding Dhaka thing, if you can prepare thoroughly only then take a risk of mentioning it.

03:23 PM

Does they give prefernce to person having work ex over fresher

03:24 PM

Robin, you need decent to good Acads and a very good CAT percentile to get a call. our overall profile (Extra-currics and all) doesn't matter at least for the call.

03:25 PM

Robin, again there is no distinction between a fresher and a work-ex guy here at IIMA in terms of getting an admission call. After that also, there is no hard constraint on the number of seat to be allotted to fresher/work-ex people. Just need to be smart enough to get through eventually.

03:27 PM

That's it then! I hope I could answer some of your queries. All the best for the interviews. Nail it!

03:29 PM

Thanks a lot nishant for giving ur precious time hope that i can make it in 1st attempt to iims

03:29 PM

What is my answer to the panelist if they ask to me " why MBA"

03:30 PM

Thanks for that info, Nishant. Appreciate it.

03:35 PM