From the Interviewer’s Chair: Top 10 IIM Questions, Tips & Strategies to Ace It
It can be very daunting to face the IIM Interview panel. Most aspirants experience a mix of anticipation, anxiety and pressure before appearing for IIM interviews. The self-doubt and pressure to perform can take a toll on a candidate's mind and may hinder their confidence. Therefore, we walked that extra mile and reached out to top IIM professors and seasoned interviewers to get their insights on what really makes a candidate stand out. In the IIM interview room, where every word you say is measured, and every pause speaks volumes. This is not just a test of knowledge - it is a test of character, confidence and clarity.
In this article, we will get to know the Top 10 IIM interview questions, what interviewers are actually looking for and powerful tips and strategies to help aspirants face the IIM interview with confidence. What we uncovered goes far beyond standard preparation material. In this exclusive deep-dive, Shiksha brings you insider insights straight from the interviewer’s chair. Whether you are a first-time applicant or giving it another shot, this guide is your unfair advantage. Check out the top IIM interview questions with answers and expert tips in this space. So without any further delay, let’s begin.
- Top 10 IIM Interview Questions: Check Tips, Expert Insights and Winning Strategies
- Pro Tips: Types of Questions Asked During IIM Interviews
- Cracking the Code: Real Stories from IIM Interview Champions
Top 10 IIM Interview Questions: Check Tips, Expert Insights and Winning Strategies
Q1. Tell me about yourself, highlighting your academic background and how you stay informed about what’s happening in the world?
Q2. By 2030, one in every five persons in the world will be an Indian. What would be its implications?
To get admission in IIM Bangalore, studnets are required to fulfil the admission criteria of the desired programme. have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% or an equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PwD category). IIM Bangalore admission is completely entrance-based. Admission to the flagship course, i.e., the MBA of IIM Bangalore, is based on a valid score in the CAT exam, followed by a personal interview (PI) and written ability test (What) round. IIM Bangalore offers admission to Indian students via CAT and international students via GMAT/GRE. IIM Bangalore conducts the IIM-B tests for admission to Executive MBA (EPGP) and PhD courses.
CAT is a highly competitive exam which is a must-have for admission to IIMs and other top Management colleges. A well-planned strategy along with a correct approach is essential for admission to MBA courses in India, especially in the top MBA colleges in India. A prep strategy that will help you ace the CAT exam for admission to IIM Bangalore is as follows:
- Check the CAT syllabus and exam pattern
- Read books, editorials, newspapers, and journals to improve your vocabulary and reading skills. Check VARC questions with answers.
- Choose the right reference book
- Solve as many CAT Mock Tests as possible. Download for FREE!
- Solve previous year's CAT question papers for thorough revision to reduce the scope of mistakes
Read more about the CAT preparation strategy.
Q3. What does feminism mean to you, and do you think it is still relevant in today’s society?
Q4. Let's assume that you are the next Governor of RBI, if inflation is increasing/ decreasing, what measures can be taken?
Q5. Can you share a recent news event or global development and explain how it might impact the business world or Indian economy?
Q6. Tell us something interesting or unique about your hometown. How has growing up there shaped your perspective or personality?
Candidates seeking admission to the MBA course need to visit the official website of the Common Admission Test (CAT) to apply online. Before applying, the aspirants must check the course-specific eligibility criteria. Candidates are shortlisted based on their CAT score and several stages of selection. Further, the final selection is done on the basis of CAT score, WAT-PI, academic performance, work experience, and gender diversity. Find below the steps involved in the IIM Calcutta MBA admission process:
- CAT registration
- Shortlisting candidates based on CAT score and invitation emails
- Shortlisted candidates replying for admission
- Selection rounds - WAT + PI
- Final admission list
- Fee payment for admission confirmation
GMAT score is one of the many data points considered for providing admission to IIM Indore. Given the emphasis on diversity, nature of work experience, educational background, statement of purpose, sponsorship status (sabbatical/industry sponsored) all these play a critical role in the selection of candidates. The admissions committee decides the cutoff every year. Currently, the institute accepts overall GMAT cutoff for providing admission. Candidates shortlisted based on GMAT score are further called for a personal interview round.
Candidates must know their IIM Bangalore eligibility criteria and apply accordingly. Applicants seeking admission to the two-year PGP course at IIM Bangalore must meet the IIM Bangalore MBA eligibility and appear in the CAT (Common Admission Test). Those who are interested in seeking admission to the 2025-2027 batch were able to apply online and register themselves on the official website during the CAT registration process.
Q7. What was the economic logic behind Trump’s tariffs on countries like China, and how effective do you think these tariffs were in protecting American industries?
Q8. What is the Gig Economy, and how is it changing the nature of work in India?
Q9. The US has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods citing national interest. If you were the Prime Minister of Canada, how would you approach negotiating with the US to protect your country’s economic interests?
Q10. What are your views on the current startup ecosystem in India?
Also, read: 100 percentiler Akshay Mehndiratta breaks down IIM Ahmedabad AWT-PI for you
Pro Tips: Types of Questions Asked During IIM Interviews
IIM interview questions can range from personal interests, academics, current affairs to your overall personality. Based on exclusive insights shared by IIM professors and interview panelists, mentioned below are the topics around which they ask questions:
1. General Awareness
As per our conversation with top IIM professors, interviewers expect the students to have varied knowledge and awareness of how the world is evolving, specially in a business context. Some of the key areas around which the questions might be asked in IIM interviews are as follows:
- Recent happenings in the business world (e.g., mergers, layoffs, IPOs)
- Role of RBI in the Indian economy
- Farmers protest and its economic/ political implications
- Stock market trends and key indices or recent market movements
- Budget-related questions (specially around Feb, post-Union Budget)
2. Quantitative and Academic Questions
Academic background is crucial when it comes to appearing for an IIM interview. Questions related to candidate’s scores in Class 10, 12 and graduation might be asked in the interview, specifically if the aspirant is a fresher. Some of the common questions may be asked around the following:
- Probability, Permutations & Combinations
- Statistics and Hypothesis Testing
- Economics fundamentals
- Course-specific concepts (specially if you are from Commerce, Engineering or Economics backgrounds)
3. Resume and Work Experience Related Questions
Students must be ready to explain the following:
- Projects, internships, or jobs you have listed
- Career breaks (if any) and how you used that time productively
- Your role, impact, and learnings at work
4. Industry & Leadership Awareness
Aspirants must be well-equipped with the corporate and entrepreneurial world. IIM interview questions can also be around the following:
- Top 5 entrepreneurs or CEOs you admire
- Their business philosophy or contributions to their industry
- Insights into Indian startups or unicorns
5. Hobby & Interest-Based Questions
Aspirants usually do not lay emphasis on this part of their resumes. However, interviewers pay attention to the hobbies you have mentioned in your resume and gauge your personality beyond academics. IIM interview questions can also be around:
- Football or cricket news -top current tournaments, players, or controversies.
- Names of top cricketers or footballers and recent performances.
6. Bonus Tip: Questions Can Be Quirky Too!
Sometimes, a co-panelist with a background in Arts, Music, or Sports might throw in an unexpected question to see how you handle spontaneity. For example:
- “Recite a few lines of your favorite poem”
- “Sing something if you have mentioned music as a hobby”
Read: 13 Must Do Things to Crack GD-PI-WAT
Cracking the Code: Real Stories from IIM Interview Champions
Aspirants can check the top IIM students interview experience with tips and tricks and how they aced the interview below:
| Student Name |
IIM |
IIM Interview Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Akash Mohapatra |
IIM Ahmedabad |
|
| Shreshth Khare |
||
| Satya Gopal |
||
| Lakshay Kumar |
||
| Nishant Pandey |
Other Related Articles:
| GD topics for MBA admission | Dos and Don’ts of Group Discussion |
| How You Dress Might Affect Your GD/PI score |
The answer to this question of whether an average student can get into IIM can be both yes and no depending on the definition of an average student.
Based on the above factors, it can be considered that while getting into top Management institutes, such as IIM is extremely tough, the past performance, CAT performance, student category and a lot of factors can be the reasons for a student to receive that final call.