Ankur Parmar recalls his GDPI experience at IIMK

Ankur Parmar

Soon after CAT 2017 results were announced, MBA aspirants started preparing for Group Discussion/ Written Ability Test and Personal Interview. The selection process has already begun at a few top B-Schools, and selected candidates are appearing for the same. 

Shiksha got in touch with Ankur Parmar who received a call from Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. The WAT/PI was conducted in Chennai on February 27, 2018. He shared his Group Discussion/WAT and Personal Interview experience with us: 

WAT & GD topic: Artificial Intelligence would be a threat to create jobs.

Candidates were given 15 minutes to put down their thoughts on paper. The GD was on the same topic as WAT. There were 8 candidates, and GD went well. I started the discussion and it was well-concluded by one lady. 

Once the GD-WAT was over, next was the Personal Interview round. I was in panel number 4. As soon as I entered the room, I saw one young professor (P1) of around 35 years (he seemed calm to me), and other professor (P2) of around 45 years (this one seemed serious). The interview began and follow is a detailed account of the encounter: 

P2 called me inside & asked me to check if I was carrying my mobile phone. I checked and it was there. Kept it outside returned to the room. 

P2: So you forgot your phone inside your pocket?

Me: Sir, after the GD I spoke to my mom then forgot it to keep in the bag. 

P2: So your mom just keeps checking if everything is fine or not? (In a teasing way)

Me: Not every time Sir, but today is a big day for me. That’s why she called to check if everything is okay. 

P2: Okay! So you are a 7 pointer Mechanical Engineer. Tell us something about yourself.

Me: Started with a prepared answer, but within 5 sec was interrupted by P2. 

P2: We know all this. Tell us something apart from your prepared answer.

Me: Told about the extracurricular activities I had participated in college, and told about how I landed up in a job in R &D.

Was about to start with job & work experience…. 

P1 jumped in suddenly. (I think he wanted to stress me out.)

P1: Okay leave all this! Do you know how members of Rajya Sabha are elected? 

Me: I could not recollect. 

P1: How many members are there in both the houses?

Me: Told 

P1: Who is the deputy PM of India?

Me: I don’t know Sir. 

P1: Name three PMs belonging to other family?

Me: I started with Jawaharlal Nehru, but was interrupted 

P1: I asked other family?

Me: Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh, Gyani Zail Singh (I was confused with this one) 

P1: What?! Gyani was a PM?

Me: Sorry Sir! He was the President. Gave Atal Bihari Bajpai’s name in his place. 

P1: Manmohan Singh got elected from which house? And, is it necessary that the PM should be from the Lok Sabha?

Me: Don’t know Sir! 

The rapid fire continued: 

P1: Where is Kaziranga?

Me: Assam 

P1: Three major rivers in India?

Me: Ganga, Narmada, Brahmaputra  

P1: Which is the largest?

Me: Brahmaputra, but also has a part in China. 

P2: Tell something about Indore, your hometown?

Me: Told about smart city & its rank. Gave information about the city’s food famous. Told that it is the only city to have IIM and IIT. 

P1: How to calculate the population of UP? (He thought I am good in Geography GK)

Me: Told that it was the most populous state, so we would have to consider area also. 

P1: Take 120 crore as the total population. Now tell?

Me: Instantly started thinking about ratios. 

P2: What seemed serious was actually friendly! Given me a hint that the MPs in UP are total 80! 

Me: 540/80 1/7 ratio. Told approx. 25 crores in end. 

P1: RBI Governor?

Me: Urjit Patel 

P1: External Affairs Minister?

Me: Sushma Swaraj 

P1: Finance Minister

Me: Became silent! 

P2 again asked loudly.

Me: Arun Jaitley (All the GK got jumbled up in my mind!) 

P1: Niti Ayog old name?

Me: In pressure I forgot planning commission 

P2: Tell something about your hobbies?

Me:  Currently when ever get time I like travelling to peaceful places. 

P1: Which is the recent place you travelled to?

Me: Pondicherry (God knows why I said this! He was waiting for something like this!) 

P1: You find peace there? Both Laughed.

Me: (Me with smile) Yes sir, when I go to Auroville. 

P1: Oh Auroville! Tell something about its history?

Me: I instantly made up an answer stating some communities etc. 

P1: Do you know there is one very famous colony there?

Me: (Instantly) French colony! (Now I got where he was heading to.. ) 

P1: Can you name some other French colony in India? (Diverted me to Calicut)

Me:  Told in Malabar Coast region. Calicut area. 

P1: Do you know about Vasco da Gama?

Me:  Yes sir! 

P1: Okay! Tell me how he came to India when at that time there were no phones, no watches, consider there was no stars direction.

Me: I was blank. Kept thinking a lot about it, but had no idea! 

P1: Have you heard of Trade winds?

Me: Yes Sir! I had read about it in history, but could not recollect. 

P1: What is wind direction?

Me: Told about the wind that blows in monsoon from Arabian Sea South West. 

P1: And returning winds?

Me: North East. 

P1: I am done. Thank you! (Finally he was done with the rapid round!) 

P2: I am also done. Do you have any questions?

Me: Was initially quiet, but then asked, “Do you have any other unique things in Business Research field in IIM K apart from Indian Business Museum?” 

P1: Told and also gave me an idea about the committees, but at the same time emphasised that the focus should be on academics. “You will get placed, but the main part is academics!”

Me: Sure Sir! Will keep your advice in mind. 

P1: Good Luck

Me: Thank you Sirs! 

Verdict: Converted!

P1 and P2 were absolutely opposite to what I had perceived them to be! No questions were asked on work experience or academics. After my PI, I felt I should have prepared topics from UPSC syllabus too! 

P.S.: Later on I checked the website of IIM K, and got to know that P1 is an Economics Professor & P2 is a Finance & Accounting Professor at IIM K.

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