MBBS Docrtor Abhshek Roy coverted IIM PI call of several IIMs and other prestigious B-Schools. He has decided to join IIM Lucknow and shares his PI-WAT journey wth Shiksha.
Abhishek Roy
Abhishek Roy
CAT 2024: 96.32 percentile
Converted IIM Lucknow PI Call
Abhishek Roy, an MBBS Doctor, with the aim to set up a healthcare venture, has decided to pursue MBA. He appeared for CAT 2024 exam and scored an impressive 96.32 percentile with only six months of preparation. With an excellent academic background helped him crack PI calls of prestigious B-schools including the IIMs.
Abhishek had secured 2nd rank in his state in CBSE Class 12th board exams in 2018. He was awarded Honours in the subject of ENT during 3rd Professional part 1 MBBS exam. He was also nominated for Dhirubhai Ambani merit scholarship.
Abhishek is not only a meritorious student but also a budding vocalist. In the field of Classical Music, he got 2nd position in Classical Voice of Tripura event organised by Tripura Sangit Parishad and 4th Position in Classical Voice of India event organised by Sangeet Milan.
Shiksha spoke to Abhishek about his WAT-PI experience at IIM Lucknow, the institution he will be joining this summer. The PI session can be daunting but Abhishek handled the interview panel with ease and confidence. Read below to know his IIM Lucknow WAT-PI experience.
Q 1: From which IIMs and non-IIMs did you get PI calls?
I got calls from all IIMs except IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta and IIM Shillong. Additionally, I got calls from IIT Madras and TISS Mumbai.
Q 2: Was IIM Lucknow your first choice? Why?
Yes, IIM Lucknow was my first preference. Being an MBBS, I had the only experience of people management and my natural inclination was towards healthcare consulting. In the recent times, IIM Lucknow has shown immense growth in strategy and consulting in placements as well as learning outcomes. Hence, IIM L was my best call and I am happy to convert this.
Q 3: Did you convert PI calls of other IIMs?
Yes, I converted IIM Raipur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Jammu and TISS Mumbai.
Q 4: What was your WAT topic? Please share your response in brief.
My WAT topic was PLI scheme: achievements and way forward. I wrote about the Central govt. funded initiatives in the sectors of manufacturing, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals and then highlighted the achievements coupled with certain challenges and a few pointers on strategic steps towards further expanding the scheme involving non-traditional sectors.
Q 5: How was your PI experience at IIM Lucknow? Tell us about your high points or low points during the interview.
It was a decent experience. I was able to justify my decision of pursuing MBA after MBBS. I was asked how as a manager I can measure efficiency of a hospital. I answered about various parameters like bed occupancy rate, mortality indicators etc. I was countered by panelists telling these are subjective. After a few seconds, I told about ratio of patients treated per healthcare professional which being an objective parameter really convinced them.
And at last I was asked to show proof of any theorem of Calculus, then exponential series, Taylor's theorem application of Binomial approximation to find cube root of 1.006.
I told them that I am comfortable with quant syllabus of CAT only and given my non engineering background it was beyond my capability at that moment. Still I tried to solve the questions.
Q 6: Was there a trick question in PI? How did you handle it?
I was asked to give my opinion whether Swami Vivekananda was a real monk or not as he ate meat, fish etc. I told that as per Ramakrishna Order there is no restrictions in food consumption. The main motto is attaining enlightenment through devotion.
Q 7: At what point of time during the interview, you think you made it?
Actually I was very happy when the panelists were convinced with my Why MBA answer. It was that moment which made me feel I stand a chance.
Q 8: How much credit will you give to your academics and professional experience for IIM Lucknow selection?
My academics played a huge role in selection both in the initial shortlisting phase and the final admit. Although I did not have a prior formal work experience but I had done one year of internship which helped me ace my interview.
Q 9: Any tips for future MBA aspirants?
Clear your basics first and start giving mocks as early as possible, focus on attaining a decent score in CAT exam and then prepare thoroughly for WAT-PI process as it is equally important for final converts. Apart from that, keep yourself updated with current affairs, geopolitical events and business news.
Q 10: What is your career goal post MBA?
I want to work in the healthcare strategy and consulting domain for a short period, post that I envision of having my own healthcare venture.Q 11: What was your CAT preparation strategy? How much time did you take to prepare for the entrance exam?
My focus was to make the basics strong first, then aggressively taking mocks, analysing them and practicing as much as I could. I took 6 months for preparation.
IIM Lucknow PI Experience
12/03/2025 AFTERNOON SLOT
Profile 10/97.2%/67%
MBBS
Two Professors M1(40) M2(60), Both Male.
M2: Introduce yourself briefly.
A: Did.
M1: We need more doctors than management consultants. What's the doctor patient ratio in India?
A: Told with facts and justification. In details told the events and timeline which shaped my MBA decision and mentioned about Dr Purav Gandhi as my role model who is an alumnus of IIM K and CEO of Healthark Insights.
M1: Okay! Understood…that was the trigger point.
Suppose I am suffering from Stomach ache and I don't have money to do blood tests. How will you investigate me?
A: Explained as per medical protocol.
M1: You must have followed some logic. After you pass out in next 2 years, suppose you work as a management consultant in a hospital. How will you assess efficiency?
A: Told about different parameters like health indicators but they told its subjective. Lastly, I mentioned ratio of number of patients treated to number of healthcare professionals. If this improves over a period of time, efficiency is increased.
M1: Looked Convinced.
Where from you did schooling?
A: Ramakrishna Mission
M1: Is it run by Belur Math?
A: Yes, sir.
M1: What do you know about Swami Vivekananda and his contribution?
A: Told
M1: What all values you learnt in Ramakrishna Mission School?
A: Told
M1: MBA is Maths heavy. How will you handle?
A: Told I had Maths till 12th.I will try to revise and get used to.
M1: Other Calls?
A: Told.
M2: Show me any theorem from mathematics but not Pythagoras!
A: I showed Basic Proportionality Theorem.
M2: I am fond of Calculus. Any theorem from Calculus. I will be happy.
A: Sir I lost touch 6 years back. I am just comfortable with syllabus of CAT.
M2: Tell me value of cube root of 1.006.
A: Told approx 1.
M2: Use Binomial theorem.
A: I couldn't recall the fraction formula.
M2: Do you know infinite series value of e to the power x.
A: Sir I forgot.
That's all.
Verdict: Converted!
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Here is the list of courses offered by every IIM.