Top 7 tips to ace EMAT Interview

Shruti
Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
3 mins readUpdated on Apr 15, 2024 12:24 IST

Planning to take admission to the EPGP programme of IIM Kozhikode? Here are the top 7 tips to ace the personal interview. Check the list of important points that candidates must know before appearing for the interview.

EMAT 2022 Interview

EMAT 2025 Phase 1interview round will be conducted tentatively in second week of October 2024. Candidates who will fill in the EMAT application form for IIM Kozhikode’s Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP) must check the top 7 tips to ace the interview. Executive PGP programme is offered to working professionals/ managers who have extensive work experience. Candidates will be granted admission on the basis of their score in EMAT 2025 exam and performance in a personal interview. Each component of the EMAT admission process must be treated with the utmost importance. Read this complete article to know the important points for a personal interview.

Top 7 Tips to Ace EMAT 2025 Interview 

Have a good understanding of the programme 

Before appearing for the interview, it is always best to know about the programme by looking at the institute's prospectus/ official website to know about the curriculum and course objective. Gathering such information will help in showcasing the candidate’s interest in the programme. Knowing about the programme will also help in framing the motivation for enrolling in the chosen programme. Aspirants are also advised to read the latest news, development and research in the field. 

Q:   Who is eligible for PGP IIM Kozhikode?
A:

Yes, the aspirants of EPGP need to obtain a valid score in Executive Management Aptitude Test (EMAT) conducted by IIM Kozhikode in the online mode. This is a mandatory exam to qualify for EPGP in order to secure a seat at IIM Kozhikode. The EMAT is conducted to evaluate the basic logical, numerical, and verbal ability of applicants. In order to get shortlisted for the next selection rounds, candidates must get a minimum cut-off weightage as per the following table:

CategoryEMAT Cutoff (Weightage)
General 25% (10 out of Maximum 40 marks)
OBC (NC),
EWS, Women & SC
20% (8 out of Maximum 40 marks)
ST & PwD18% (7 out of Maximum 40 marks)

To know the detailed information around Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode course admissions for E-MBA/ EPGP course,  click here.

Q:   Which entrance exams are accepted for PhD admission at IIM Kozhikode?
A:

 IIM Kozhikode accepts the scores of entrance exams like CAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC NET, CSIR NET, and GATE for PhD admission. Apart from this, the institute conducts the IIMB Test for candidates who have not appeared for any of these tests. Candidates can apply for the following specialisations under PhD course at IIM Kozhikode:

  1. Economics

  2. Finance, Accounting & Control

  3. Humanities and Liberal Arts in Management

  4. Information Systems

  5. Marketing Management

  6. Organizational Behaviour & Human Resources

  7. Quantitative Methods & Operations Management

  8. Strategic Management

Q:   Who is eligible for IIMK PGP?
A:

Yes, the aspirants of EPGP need to obtain a valid score in Executive Management Aptitude Test (EMAT) conducted by IIM Kozhikode in the online mode. This is a mandatory exam to qualify for EPGP in order to secure a seat at IIM Kozhikode. The EMAT is conducted to evaluate the basic logical, numerical, and verbal ability of applicants. In order to get shortlisted for the next selection rounds, candidates must get a minimum cut-off weightage as per the following table:

CategoryEMAT Cutoff (Weightage)
General 25% (10 out of Maximum 40 marks)
OBC (NC),
EWS, Women & SC
20% (8 out of Maximum 40 marks)
ST & PwD18% (7 out of Maximum 40 marks)

To know the detailed information around Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode course admissions for E-MBA/ EPGP course, click here.

Articulate your career goals 

Aspirants must clearly and concisely be able to explain what they hope to achieve in their career with the help of the EPGP programme of IIM Kozhikode. Also, candidates must be able to explain the reason for their interest in this path and how they will be successful. While expressing career goals one must show excitement. Non-verbal cues play an important role in demonstrating one’s confidence and interest.  

Treat it like a job interview 

Treat this admission interview as similar to a job interview be it virtual or face to face. Candidates must wear professional attire and keep a copy of their resume ready in hand (in case of an offline interview) or on a desktop (in case of an online/virtual interview). The interview can be similar to that of a job interview in terms of questions asked such as - ‘Tell me about yourself” this is a great opportunity to display the experience and how is one a good fit for the B-School. These questions seem easy however, candidates must scale the important points and the interviewer must know. 

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Know your strengths and weaknesses 

Being a working professional, admission to the EPGP programme will demand to thrive in an academic environment. Candidates must ensure to be aware of their weaknesses and know how to overcome them. One must quote the strengths and weaknesses from their years of experience.  

Q:   What is the mode of EMAT exam?
A:

IIM Kozhikode conducts EMAT in offline mode. Candidates preparing for the EMAT exam must keep the certificates, application form and other documents ready to appear for the interview round. IIM Kozhikode will conduct EMAT and personal interview rounds on given date and time.

Prepare questions for the interviewers 

At the end of the interview, aspirants must ensure to put insightful questions to the interviewer. This kind of preparation will demonstrate one’s genuine interest in learning about the institute or programme. If candidates know the name of the interviewer ahead of time, do the research by searching for him/her on the LinkedIn profile and tailor the questions accordingly.

Stay Unique and grounded 

Approach the interview as a conversation. Demonstrate your strengths and what makes you unique among other interviewers. Share the story with great enthusiasm while keeping the general tone calm. Come out to be the grounded and thoughtful candidate instead of boasting about the things that never happened. Make the interviewer feel that the B-school is the first choice. Don’t tell the interviewer what you think they want to hear, instead show what you can bring to the B-school. Highlight the work experience that is not common such as knowing multiple languages and social work.  

Identify your key selling points and supporting stories 

Candidates must include the key selling points to offer to the interviewer. List the key selling points such as soft skills along with the set of examples to illustrate it clearly. Examples should relate to your strengths and how you can contribute to the B-school at the same time. Candidates must keep in mind the curriculum that includes behavioural examples. Don’t sound rehearsed and take control of the interview.  

Other Important Points for the D-Day 

  1. Arrive for the exam and interview one hour prior to the commencement 
  2. Do not try to trick the interviewer 
  3. Stay happy and positive and demonstrate a good personality 
  4. Avoid usage of jargon during the interview 
  5. Keep the copy of the resume ready 
  6. Treat other interviewees with respect 

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About the Author
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Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature with expertise in exam preparation, admissions, and higher education content. She creates reliable guides and resources to help students acheive their academic and ca Read Full Bio
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