IIM Admission 2020: Isha Nisar shares WAT-PI Experience at IIM A and IIM B

Isha Nisar, 99.37 percentile scorer in CAT 2019 pens down her IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore WAT-PI experience on Shiksha. Read on.

We have all heard that hard work and determination is key to success. Isha Nisar, from Mumbai used the same key to make it to IIM Ahmedabad. CAT 2019 was not her first attempt. It was her third attempt. This goes on to show, how determined Isha was to scale up her CAT score and seek admission to IIM Ahmedabad. Her CAT 2019 score was 99.37 percentile (VARC 96.03 percentile / DILR 99.26 percentile / QA 98.81percentile) which got her interview calls from all the top IIMs.

Isha, writes down her experience of WAT and PI round of IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore. Although, she could not convert IIM Bangalore call, yet she confidently shares with us, the experience is another lesson in this journey. Isha completed her Bachelor in Business Management Studies from N M College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai in 2018 and thereafter worked in the media industry until July 2019. She is not only passionate about business management but also has keen interest in dance and fine arts.

Read below, Isha’s experience of WAT-PI at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore

IIM Ahmedabad: WAT-PI Experience

Date & Time: February 21, 2020, 8:15 AM 

Place of Interview: The Orchid, Mumbai

WAT Topic: An argument on the ban of additional homework given to students from school to be done at home, as it is stressful, ineffective and of no benefit. It is mythical and most teachers and schools do not see when and how to give homework. 
Question: To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write down the stated and unstated assumptions. What will strengthen or weaken the argument? 

Summary of what I wrote: The structure of AWT is well defined, so I had mentioned about the stated and unstated assumptions from the argument given. In addition, I took a stance, which was in disagreement with the author's claims and provided my alternative solutions to the same. 

IIM Ahmedabad PI Experience

 They greeted me, and I welcomed them to Mumbai.

Q: Why have you come today in the morning?

A: For the IIM Ahmedabad interview and I am really looking forward to the same.

Q: Do you have 14 months of work experience? Are you still working? 

A: No. I left in July 2019 because of my family shifting and personal health issues. (No cross-questions further)

Q: Tell us something about your company? What did you do there?

A: I mentioned it was an outdoor media owner firm, and I was a part of the business development team. I mentioned in detail about my role and my specific day-to-day activities.

Q: You have such nice credentials, so why are you being paid lesser?

A: I mentioned that I had got placed for a financial role in an MNC through college, but since I was interested in marketing so I took up this job which enhanced my entire journey. Also, mentioned how the first boss plays a crucial role in one's career, so I am happy that I took this decision.

Q: How many employees are there in the company? What is the turnover? What is the structure of the company?

Answered. 

Q: How do you do the pricing of media properties? Give an example of where you applied this.

A: I mentioned about the various factors we take into account, and how the pricing differs as per seasons. I gave them an example of one of our clients and explained to them how the pricing is applied. (There were many cross-questions on the example to prove that the pricing that we applied was right) 

Q: Consider we are Mentos, now do a sales pitch.

A: I did my sales pitch. I also added a few more strategies that Mentos can use to make the most of the outdoor campaign. 

Q: You mentioned eyeballs as the metrics to calculate. Please explain. 

A: Explained them through guesstimates. 

Q: Which type of outdoor branding works the best?

A: I mentioned the various types along with examples. (The panelists asked me not to use jargons much, and explain to them, as not everyone understands the marketing jargons. I apologized and I explained everything in detail)

Q: Is a Company a contract? Why?
A: I first cited the various criteria required for a successful contract. Then said, yes, the company is a contract as it fulfils all the criteria. 

Q: Is the foundation of a company a contract? Why?

A: I initially said no, thinking it is Vision and Mission. The panelist asked a few questions and finally got from my mouth that he meant LOU and MOU. Then, I agreed and cited the reasons. 

Q: What are views on Sabrimala case? Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?

A: Yes, I agree with the Supreme Court's decision and I cited my reasons. 

Q: But what about the traditions and beliefs of the people? What about the Ayodhya Case? What are your views on that?

A: I mentioned that I disagreed with that verdict and provided an alternative solution as per my belief to them. There were many cross-questions on these questions, I answered them not how all traditions and beliefs are right. I also mentioned we should stand up against the wrong ones. Also, provided my example of how I am fighting through some of the wrong ones.

Q: Do you want to ask any questions?

A: I asked two questions. 

Q: Do you wish to show your folder?

A: I denied because I thought that since I don't have any State or National Level certificate, I should not show it to them. (biggest mistake during the interview)

Status of WAT-PI Round: Converted and Joining. 

IIM Bangalore: WAT-PI Experience

Date & Time: February 26, 2020, 2 PM

Place of Interview: Vivanta by Taj, Mumbai

WAT Topic: Supporters of animal rights believe that animals have inherent value - worth more than usefulness by a human. Do you believe that animals should have right? How would the rights be protected in a world dominated by humans?

IIM Bangalore PI Experience

Q: What is the difference between BBA and BMS? Why MBA if you have already studied the same subject in your graduation?

A: BBA is from Private University and BMS is from Government University. I explained to them how the practical exposure in an MBA would help me in my career ahead. 

Q: You mentioned about your internships. Tell us more about the same. 

A: I had done two internships in my under-graduation. One at McDonald's Corporation and one at EY India. I mentioned how both my internships were different and how it helped me. (They further cross-questioned on my EY internship)

Q: Your under-graduation specialization is in finance. Then why did you do a job in marketing?

A: I explained to them how over the years I got inclined towards marketing and rejected my finance job after the college placement.  

Q: Why did you leave your job? In addition, what did you do?

A: I explained to them how I focused on my health and CAT during this time. 

Q: You belong to a business family. Which all sectors you have your businesses in?

Answered. (No cross-questions)

Q: Do you remember finance? Suppose this hotel wants to expand their business and plan to add two more floors. How would you analyse it in financial terms? 

A: I started explaining about my assumptions and process I would take to come to my decision.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I mentioned about dance. 

Q: Which dance form you practice? Why not Indian dance forms? Any dance style wherein you had to go out of your comfort zone? Are you a trained dancer? Which dance classes you had joined? When was the last time you danced?

Answered. 

Q: Don't you read as a part of hobby?

A: Mentioned that I have recently started reading. Also, I mentioned that I was procrastinating about it since quite a while. 

Q: Any questions for us?

A: Asked one question. 

Status of WAT-PI Round:  Did not convert

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• Devesh Bansal Recalls WAT-PI Experience at IIM Kozhikode
• Nitish Nair Shares his WAT-PI Experience at IIM A,B and C