Funny MBA PI experiences you must read about

About a year ago, we spoke to a CAT topper who had an extremely stressful interview at IIM Ahmedabad. The candidate was grilled about his entrepreneurial experience and on many other aspects. Later on, various other aspirants recalled their grilling Personal Interview experiences at IIM Bangalore, Calcutta and so on.

Intrigued by these experiences, we went looking out for the absolute opposite – something that’s funny and interesting.

And boy, we came across quite a few interesting and hilarious episodes.

Below, we present from fun and light-hearted PI experiences from top MBA colleges. Some of these are first-hand accounts while some were posted on Quora threads.

IIM Kozhikode interview

I like performing magic and had mentioned it on my profile. IIM Lucknow, Indore and Kozhikode asked me questions on this.

Here’s how IIM Kozhikode interview went:

Panellists: Here’s an interesting hobby mentioned on your profile. You like performing magic.

Candidate: Yes, sir.

Panellists: You are the only candidate who has mentioned this. It’s very interesting. Now if you show us a trick, you have a high chance of getting selected in the MBA programme.

Candidates: Of course. Can I get a coin?

I proceed to perform the Coin Vanish magic trick and successfully hide it.

Except, after two seconds, the coin drops on ground.

Panellists burst out laughing.

Verdict: Converted (but joined IIM Ahmedabad)

This interview is a first-hand account narrated to the Shiksha correspondent.

IIM Kozhikode interview

My interview was held at IIM Kozhikode campus in Kerela. The PI went well for 30 minutes. Towards, the end, this is what happened:

Panellists (towards the end of the interview): So, have you ever been to Calicut?

Me: No, I haven’t.

Panellists: Never?

Me: (Very confidently) Never.

Panellist: Do you know where it is located?

Me: I think it’s about 40 – 50 kilometres from Kozhikode.

Panellists: Are you sure?

Me: (Again, very confidently) Yes.

Much later, I figured out Calicut is another name for Kozhikode. Thankfully, it didn’t affect the final verdict.

Verdict: Converted (but joined IIM Bangalore)

This interview is a first-hand account narrated to the Shiksha correspondent.

IIFT PI Experience

Panellist: Which newspaper do you read?

Candidate: Ermm, sir, I don’t read newspaper. I read it online at news.google.com.

(Luckily, panellists seemed convinced with the answer).

This interview is a first-hand account narrated to the Shiksha correspondent.

IIM Lucknow PI experience

This was during my IIM Lucknow interview last year.

Panelist 1: Do you know who wrote the Indian National Anthem?

Me : Yes Sir, Rabindranath Tagore

Panelist 1: Ok, sing it now.

Me: [Stood up] Jana Gana Mana..........

Panelist 2 : Stop, otherwise we have to stand up too.

Source: Manoj Jaiswal, Quora

FPM Interview, IIM Ranchi

Panel for Finance

Panellist: Since you have applied in the field of Taxation, you must be knowing how much IT I should pay for this year.

Me: Definitely Sir, Can I know how much you are getting paid per year?

Panellist: Absolutely No. If I give answer to that question, even a dog can answer my question.

Source: Surya Narayana Manoj, Quora

IIM Kozhikode Experience

This isn't my personal experience. This came up during someone's IIMK interview.

Panelist: Do you like to read novels?

Candidate: No, sir.

Panelist: Tell me who wrote The Fountainhead.

Candidate: I don't know, sir.

Panelist: Make a guess.

Candidate: Maybe Jeffrey Archer.

Panelist: Name another novel by Jeffrey Archer.

Candidate: I think 'Not a penny more, Not a penny less' is one of his novels.

Panelist: Is it 'Not a penny more, Not a penny less' or 'Not a penny less, Not a penny more'?

Candidate: I think it might be ' Not a penny less, Not a penny more'.

Panelist: No, it's 'Not a penny more, Not a penny less'.

Source: Akshay Kumar Nikhil, Quora

IIM Bangalore Experience

A little background- When I had gone for my IIM-B interview, I was a naive 20 years old completing my final year in Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University.

Interview Begins: It's just two professors (let’s call them Professor 1 and Professor 2) and I. Interview begins with normal questions like tell me about yourself, academic questions, etc. It's going fairly well and I'm quite hopeful of a convert at this point

Gets interesting at the halfway point.

Prof 1 starts looking over my certificates and college marksheets.

Prof 1: So you won a gold medal. What language is this certificate in? (My certificate from Venkateswara college)

Me: I don't know. It's some language from South India.

Prof 2: Use your brain. What state is your college's foundation, Venkateswara Temple in?

Me: In Andhra Pradesh, near the border with Tamil Nadu.

Prof 2: Ok, so what language is spoken in Andhra Pradesh?

Me: (With full confidence) Tamil.

Prof 1: Oh really? Then what language is spoken in Tamil Nadu?

Me: (Again with full confidence) Telegu, sir.

Prof 2: Think about. What language is spoken in Tamil Nadu?

Me: I just told you- Telegu.

As this point, both professors erupt into thunderous laughter. They correct my mistake and lecture me on the four south Indian states- languages, capitals, dances, etc.

I sit there, totally red faced, waiting for the interview to get over, since I know there is no way in hell I'm making it to IIM-B.

Source: - Raghav Pandey, Quora