My interview experience at IIM Calcutta: Pratham Mani

Pratham Mani

Receiving a call from IIM Calcutta is the dream of many MBA aspirants. A few lucky ones who crack CAT with great scores get this opportunity. Pratham Mani, one of the CAT 2016 test-takers was fortunate enough to receive a call from the esteemed institute. With such a prospect in hand, Pratham knew that he had to put in all his efforts and make it to the B-School. 

The D-Day arrived on March 17, 2017, and Pratham’s WAT-GD-PI rounds were scheduled for the morning session. Here is a detail account of his WAT-GD-PI experience. 

WAT Topic                                                                                                            

Global warming and depletion of ozone layer is a big threat. Should moving to another planet mitigate it, or do you suggest some other measures. 

Me: I wrote how moving to another planet is not a possible solution at present, what are the various sources of such pollution, how we can reduce them, how new technologies will help, and how we as human have to change. I also wrote about the various climate summits, their goals, etc. to conclude, I also mentioned that Stephen Hawking has said that we have just 1000 years more to live sustainably on Earth, hence we should also make rapid advancements in space research and find out ways to move to other planets and live there, which could be a long-term solution. 

The next round was the Personal Interview round. The panelist consisted of 2 males, one in his 50s and one in his late 30s, and both seemed quite jolly. 

P1: Tell me about yourself briefly.

Me: Told very basic things about my family background, schooling, college, hobbies, etc. 

P1: So what's the condition now in JU, any movement going on?

Me: No Sir, it’s all fine now. 

P1: What had exactly happened a year before?

Me: Described in detail what had happened, and gave my opinion on the matter. 

P2: Ok, so you are studying Electrical Engineering, right? What’s your favourite subject?

Me: Power systems. High Voltage. 

P2: But I will ask from machines only. Ok tell me what is the most regularly used motor?

Me: Induction Motor.

P2: Why so? Why not others?

Me: Told about the advantages of Induction Motor over others. 

P2: Ok, tell us about some applications of the other motors you mentioned.

Me: Told some of them. When asked, elaborated a bit on VAR compensation by synchronous motors. 

P2: Ok, tell me what is that sound we often hear in high voltage lines?

Me: I told about Corona in detail. 

P2: So ground also has high field, why doesn't Corona happen here?

Me: Knew pretty well that the question was wrong, but I lacked the confidence to counter him, so gave a confused look. 

P20 :And you were telling you liked Power systems and High Voltage more. Both laughed.

P1: So you like cricket and football, which one do you prefer?

Me: Football 

P1: Why?

Me: Takes less time and is more engaging. 

P1: Which leagues do you follow?

Me: La Liga , EPL 

P2: Which teams do you support?

Me: Real Madrid, Manchester United 

P2: Do you know about a controversial sacking that happened this year?

Me: Yes Sir, Claudio Ranieri, the ex-manager of Leicester City. 

P1: Do u think it was right?

Me: No Sir, and then told why I felt so. I told about his role in Monaco’s rise, and how Leicester’s performance had changed under him, and how he isn’t the reason. Leicester were failing that year, and how his incredible feat the previous year led to his own downfall, because people were expecting too much. 

P2: What's the Ind - Aus score?

Me: Told. I had just seen it on Cricbuzz. 

P1: Your favourite cricketer?

Me: Virat Kohli 

P1: Why?

Me: Answered quite passionately what I liked about his game, and his attitude, and how I can connect with that. 

P1: Don't you think he is a bit too aggressive?

Me: Sir that had been lacking in our previous teams, as a Captain and a player, when youplay with such passion and play to win, aggression comes out naturally. Moreover, he hasn't let it affect his batting. That’s his style of playing, and if that helps him give his best and brings out the best of his team, then I am absolutely ok with his aggression. 

P1: Asked the same question on favourite footballer?

Me: Cristiano Ronaldo. 

P1: Let us not go into why; it never ends, (Laughs)

P1: Can you name the 4 people appointed as interim BCCI members?

Me: Could say about Vinod Rai, Ramachandra Guha, Vikram Limaye. Forgot about Diana Eduljee. 

P2: What were the recommendations of Lodha Committee?

Me: Told that they wanted BCCI to come under RTI, wanted legalization on betting, one state, one vote policy, their recommendations regarding terms of the office-bearers, and separate governing bodies for IPL and BCCI. I also told why BCCI was against it. 

P1: Why do u think Trump won? What do u know about the wall?

Me: Told about immigration ban, protectionist policies, and jobs for Americans, etc. But they wanted a bit of deep analysis. (Couldn’t impress on that part). 

P1: What are the countries he banned from travelling to US?

Me: Told all of them. 

P2: Ok, so why did BJP win in UP? Tell us concisely.

Me: I told about the nation-wide appeal of PM Modi, hence how naming no CM candidate helped, why people were against previous BSP and SP govt.s , the lawlessness and corruption that prevailed during their regime, how SP-Congress alliance helped  BJP actually. I also told about BJP’s election campaign, how they played the Hindutva card. I told about their proper choice of candidates based on the region, gave a few examples to prove it. I told the population break up of UP, and how the other parties focusing on minorities primarily made them fight against each other, and helped BJP win the complete trust of upper castes. I also told that lack of a proper leader of the PM’s stature in the ranks of other parties went against them as well. 

P2: I had said concisely.

P1: Ok, how are your grades at college?

Me: Sir, not very bad, but not very good either.

P1: And why is it so??

Me: Sir, in the first year, I was preparing for next year’s JEE – Advanced. I couldn’t keep a balance between semester studies and JEE preparation, and performed badly in both. That is when I learned the importance of prioritising, which I later applied during CAT preparation. In the 2^nd yr, I must admit I didn’t work hard enough. I had become a bit casual and I had somehow being affected by the events that were occurring in the campus. But, you can see I have improved considerably in my 3^rd year. They seemed to like my honest reply. 

P1: Do you know about a relation between e,i, π

Me: Yes Sir, e^iπ = -1 

P1: Which simpler formula does it come from, and who formulated it?

Me: Euler. It’s cos t + i sin t = e^it 

P1: Can you prove it?

Me: Yes Sir. Started to derive. Seeing the first 2 steps, they understood that I knew it and told me it’s ok, we understood. 

P2: What do you consider as your biggest achievement?

Me: Sir, I always liked Maths, and the Indian Statistical Institute used to be my dream place during my school days. But I never considered myself good enough for ISI. So , when I actually cleared the written test at ISI, which according to me was the toughest exam I have ever given. I was quite ecstatic, and till date, I consider it as my biggest achievement on a personal basis. 

P2: Why on a personal basis only??

Me: Because I couldn’t convert my interview call.

Both laughed aloud. 

P1: Anything you want to ask us?

Me: Sir, being a fresher just out from an engineering college, I don't have any knowledge on the various business domains, in case I make IIM C, how should I prepare initially to cover up my shortcomings. (Basically I wanted to show them how desperate I was to get in).

P1: Enjoy your last few days in college. Once you come here you will learn a lot. You don't have to worry before that.

Me: Thank you sir. 

P1: Take a candy please.

I took one and left. 

Verdict: Converted 

Joining IIM C in June

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