IIM Admission 2023: Subhra, from Durgapur, Shares Her PI WAT Experience at IIM Calcutta
Subhra Mondal, a 97+ percentiler in CAT 2022, has made her way to IIM Calcutta PGP 2023-25. In an exclusive conversation with Shiksha, she shares her PI and WAT experience at IIM Calcutta. Read on.
Subhra Mondal Shares Her IIM Calcutta PI WAT Experience Here
IIM Calcutta Admission 2023: Subhra Mondal from Durgapur converted IIM Calcutta admission call for PGP admission. She secured a percentile score nearing 97 in CAT 2022 to get a call from the top MBA college. This was her second attempt to the MBA entrance exam. In the first attempt she secured 73 percentile.
Subhra completed her BTech (Chemical Engineering) degree from NIT Durgapur in 2021. Soon after the completion of the course, she started working as an Associate Consultant at Capgemini. In her conversation, she lays emphasis on the importance of MBA for an accelerated career growth. While sharing her experience, Subhra told Shiksha about how one must not fear taking tests. Scroll down to read about Subhra’s PI WAT experience at IIM Calcutta.
- IIM Calcutta PI-WAT Process
- IIM Calcutta WAT Experience
- IIM Calcutta Interview Experience
- Thoughts on IIM Calcutta Interview
- Read More MBA Interview Experiences
IIM Calcutta PI-WAT Process
The selection criteria for IIM Calcutta comprises shortlisted candidates to appear for PI and WAT rounds. The shortlisting happens based on the CAT scores. The final admission is done on the basis of collective performance in all selection rounds.
IIM Calcutta is one of the most reputed business schools in India. It was founded in 1961 and is the oldest of the Indian Institutes of Management. IIM Calcutta is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world. In 2023, it was ranked 23 in the world by the Financial Times. Here are some of the things that make IIM Calcutta special: Reputation: IIM Calcutta is one of the most reputed business schools in India. It has a long history of excellence and is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world. Curriculum: IIM Calcutta offers a rigorous MBA programme that covers a wide range of business topics. The programme is designed to prepare students for a successful career in business.
Faculty: IIM Calcutta has a world-class faculty of experienced and knowledgeable professors. The faculty is committed to providing students with the best possible education. Location: IIM Calcutta is located in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Kolkata is a major cultural and economic center in India. The city offers a vibrant and cosmopolitan lifestyle that is perfect for students. Alumni network: IIM Calcutta has a strong alumni network of over 50,000 alumni working in a variety of industries around the world. The alumni network is a valuable resource for students and helps them to connect with potential employers.
IIM Calcutta is one of the top Management institutes in the country. In the NIRF 2024 rankings, it is ranked #5 under the Management category. The placement rate recorded during 2024-25 placement was 100%. As per the latest report, the highest package offered in IIM Kolkata 2024 placements is recorded to be INR 1.2 crore per annum. The total number of companies that participated in the placement drive were 194. Moreover, the top recruiting sector was Consulting with 31.6% offers.
Considering the institute's ranking and placement data, it is easy to say that it is one of the top institute for MBA in India. The ROI for the course is also great.
- Written Ability Test: Candidates are given a topic to put their thoughts forward on the same. Candidates may get selected or rejected based on the clarity of their thoughts during the WAT round.
- Personal Interview (PI): Almost all MBA colleges across India have been conducting a PI round to select candidates for admission. A group of panellists will evaluate the overall readiness of the shortlisted candidate for admission.
Also Read: IIM Calcutta Admission Process
IIM Calcutta WAT Experience
All candidates who appeared for the IIM Calcutta WAT and PI rounds were grouped. Each group had a different panel of interviewers. We all were given a sheet with the WAT topic. We had to complete the WAT within a stipulated time frame.
IIM Calcutta WAT Topic: My WAT topic in IIM Calcutta was about the profession of content writers.
IIM Calcutta WAT Answer
I wrote down about the topic by laying the following points:
- Job of content writers
- Why companies require content writers
- What are the skills they need for this profession
- Whether they will be facing any trouble with he advancement of technology, including chatgpt.
IIM Calcutta Interview Experience
I was the second last in my panel to be interviewed. I was waiting at the doorstep of my panel room even before the person before me came out of the room. As soon as the candidate before me came out, one of the interviewer called out my name and asked me to come in.
Date and time: March 25, 2023, at 8 AM
Venue: IIM Calcutta
Number of panellists: 3 (all male)
IIM Calcutta PI Questions
P1: Give us a short introduction of yourself in two minutes.
Subhra: I answered this question as per the IIM PI preparation.
IIM Kolkata is one of the top five Management institutes in the country as per NIRF 2024 rankings. It has been placed at fourth spot. The institute provide placements support to Executive MBA course candidates. Many top recruiters from different sectors such as Information Technology, Manufacturing, Telecom, Banking, participate in its placement drive. As per past years’ records, some of the top recruiters that made offers during IIM Calcutta Executive MBA placements were EY GDS, Infosys, HSBC, Accenture, and BCG. Read more about the course here.
CAT results are accepted by the DSM for MBA admission. However, individuals with a valid MAT score may also apply for the DSM/ USME MBA programme. Candidates seeking admission to an MBA offered via DSM or USME are required to apply online on the official website of the Common Management Admission Committee (CMAC Delhi). Additionally, they must meet the following eligibility requirements for admission:
- Must have completed a UG degree with a minimum aggregate ranging between 50% and 60% (10% relaxation for SC/ ST/ PwD candidates)
- Final-year students with proof of eligibility can also apply.
P2: As you stated that you liked Mathematics at your school, so let us give you a question on probability.
Subhra: Yes Sir, I liked maths during my school time a lot. However, there are chances I may have forgotten a few concepts and might not be able to give you the correct answer but I will definitely try.
Then P2 gave me 1 probability question.
Gave them a wrong answer because of some mistakes but the interviewer taught me the correct way of solving the question.
P1: Tell me the full form of ADDA (This was a question on a development authority in Durgapur).
Subhra: I gave the answer to this ‘Asansol Durgapur Development Authority’
P1: Which is the most populated city in West Bengal after Kolkata and the third most populated city?
Subhra: I gave the answer to this question correctly.
P1: Which person’s birth anniversary comes on 1st of July?
Subhra: I told Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, he is the 1st CM of West Bengal and also has many several contributions towards the development of WB and his death anniversary also comes in 1st of July.
P3: Ok Subhra, why is Foxcon there in the news lately?
Subhra: I answered this question correctly. (one follow-up question came on the same topic)
P3: What is your views on the women's reservation made recently?
Subhra: Sir can you be more specific about it so that I can mention my views?
P3: (Elaborated about the same) It’s okay if you don’t know about it you don’t have to tell about it.
Me: OK sir, I’ll surely look into it later on.
P3: Ok, so tell me the difference between emotional intelligence and IQ.
Subhra: Gave generic thoughts about the same. (a follow-up question was asked on this, which was also answered)
P1: What is your job profile and what are the tasks you are supposed to do?
Subhra: (Answered this question by explaining the job profile, with roles and responsibilities)
P2: What is the difference between Chemistry and Chemical Engineering?
Subhra: (answered the question correctly)
P3: Suppose you get an admission offer from two colleges X and Y, so what are the factors you’ll be deciding while choosing a college among them. (answered this question, no follow-up questions came)
P2: Okay Subhra, take a toffee and you can leave now.
I stood up to leave and P1 interrupted “Wait you didn’t tell us about your hobbies”. I sat down again and told them.
P1: Don’t you like reading novels?
Subhra: Yes I do but I have read only a few so far so didn’t mention it.
Asked me about some Bengali novels and continued the discussion on that for some five more minutes and left after greeting them.
Verdict: Converted
Thoughts on IIM Calcutta Interview
The panellists were very calm and helpful as well. It is completely fine if one doesn’t know the answers of some questions asked during a interview. However, it should not reflect through the body language that the candidate is not eager to learn about the same.
Read More MBA Interview Experiences
The table below mentions some other MBA interview experiences at top colleges:
| Name of Candidate |
College Name |
Link for Interview Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Avi Shrivastava |
XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Click here to read full interview |
| Sujit Kumar |
Click here to read full interview |
|
| Pratyush Adhikary |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Yash Kaviya |
XLRI Jamshedpur |
Click here to read full interview |
| Lavisha Taneja |
XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Click here to read full interview |
| Kushagra Dash |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Siddharth Lilani |
Click here to read full interview |
|
| Saara Mehta |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Eshwar Naik |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Ankan Biswas |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Aditya Singh |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Saurabh Wani |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Umang Agarwal |
Click here to read full interview |
|
| Kislaya |
IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore |
Click here to read full interview |
| Bharat Karena |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Yash Singhania |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read full interview |
| Alok Singh |
Click here to read full interview |
|
| Mohul Kishore |
Click here to read full interview |
Read More:
- IIM Shortlist 2023 - 2025 OUT: Check PI Status, Final Result, Wait List, CAP, Cut Off, WAT-PI Dates
- Top 32 Questions to Prepare for Personal Interview (PI)
- 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA
- Understand GD-PIWAT Process for MBA Admission
- MBA Interview Preparation Guide 2023
- 5 MBA PI Situations that may Stump You
- IIM Admission & Selection Criteria
- How to prepare for GD-PI
- 13 must-do things to crack GD-PI-WAT
- How to crack GD-PI-WAT rounds of Top B-Schools
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IIMC Delhi accept applications in online and offline mode. Students should applying for more than one course are not required to fill the form again. For the CUET PG exam, students should apply through NTA CUET website. Students who meet the cutoff marks can apply at IIMC. The process to be followed
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Consulting sector also emerged as the top recruiting that made 37.2% of the total offers during IIM Calcutta placements 2025. The sector-wise offers distribution during IIM Calcutta MBA placements 2025 is presented below:
Sector | Offers Percentage (2025) |
|---|---|
Consulting | 37.2% |
Finance | 21.2% |
General Management | 20.1% |
IT & Product Management | 14.5% |
Sales & Marketing | 6.9% |
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For getting admission to the MBA/PGDM course at IIM Calcutta, you need to appear for the CAT exam and secure a high percentile—typically above 98 for general category. Shortlisting is based on CAT score, academics, and work experience. Selected candidates go through a Personal Interview and Written
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CAT is the common entrance test for a range of post management courses offered by the Indian Institute of Management. The CAT score is accepted for admission to PGP, MBA, Executive MBA, Ph.D. and FPM courses.
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