Preparing for your B-school interview? Here’s a genuine real interview transcript from a candidate who appeared for the IIM Kozhikode admission process.
This detailed transcript gives you a realistic view of what happens inside the panel room — from the actual questions asked to how the candidate responded, and what impressed the interviewers.
At PrepBee, we collect and verify real GDPI-WAT experiences from aspirants who have faced India’s top management institutes — including IIMs, XLRI, SPJIMR, FMS, MDI, TISS, and IIFT.
Each transcript is reviewed by our mentors to ensure it reflects current trends, relevant topics, and actionable learning for upcoming candidates. When it comes to B-school interview preparation — AYN is all you need.
Non Enginner | Work-Ex | Transcript 1
Candidate Profile
Name: Axxxxxxx Dxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: Not Specified
Academics (UG): B.Com Hons.
Education: Non-Engineer Male (NEM)
Work Experience: 1 year in Mortgage
Other: General Category Inferred; Hobbies include Cricket.
Program: Arjun Saraf’s background in finance requires sharp domain knowledge, but his enthusiasm for cricket also became a major focus. His ability to navigate both financial concepts and sports physics under pressure is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Note: The WAT topic was not provided in the transcript.Duration: Typically 20-30 minutes for IIM Kozhikode. The candidate would be expected to deliver a structured and coherent essay, demonstrating strong argumentative skills and clarity of thought on the assigned topic.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Finance, Cricket, and Stress Test, 20+ minutes
The panel M1-Finance/GK, M2-Sports/Physics conducted a highly stressful but friendly interview, relentlessly testing the candidate’s core domain knowledge and ability to maintain composure under constant sarcasm and challenging questions.
Q1. M1: “How are you doing? Tell me about your work experience.” The candidate established his role and provided an overview of his mortgage experience.
Q2. M1: “What is a mortgage? How is it different in the Indian market? Different types of loans in India.” The candidate defined the mortgage (loan against property) and detailed common loan structures in the Indian context.
Q3. M1: “What is a secondary market? What is primary market? Is FPO (Follow-on Public Offer) primary or secondary market? Issuing bonds for the first time, is that a primary market?” The candidate was grilled heavily on capital market fundamentals. He defined the markets, but struggled with the classification of FPO and first-time bond issuance, admitting his confusion.
Q4. M1: “Tell me your fav subjects? What are different elasticities in economics? Explain them. What is consumer surplus?” The candidate was tested on core microeconomics, explaining elasticities (demand, supply, income, cross-price) but admitted to insufficient knowledge of consumer surplus.
Q5. M1: “Telecommunications industry in India is what type of market? Who are the 4 main players? Why is there a BSNL-MTNL merger?” The candidate analyzed the market structure (oligopoly) and detailed the current major players.
Q6. M2: “So you like cricket, who is your fav player? Why not Virat or Rohit? Why do you like Shreyas Iyer?” The candidate stated his preference and had to defend his choice over more prominent players, requiring specific knowledge of Iyer’s game.
Q7. M2: “When did he debut? What are his batting averages in different formats? At what number does he bat? Why does he bat at different positions in different formats? Why not at No. 3 in tests?” The panel relentlessly drilled the candidate on factual stats and strategic team placement for his favorite player.
Q8. M2: “So you are a right arm fast bowler? How does a ball swing? What is the physics behind it?” The candidate admitted he did not know the fluid dynamics (Bernoulli’s principle/Air pressure difference) behind ball swing, acknowledging it was a lapse.
Q9. M2: “What is the pitch measurement? Convert these yards into meters?” The candidate made a basic assumption mistake in the conversion/guesstimate, resulting in loud laughter from the panel.
Q10. M2: “You have to bowl an inswinger. How will you bowl, tell me the exact point in meters? We are just playing with you.” The panel continued the sarcastic grilling on bowling technique and placement, confirming their intent was purely to test composure.
Q11. M2: “Which newspaper do you read? They again laughed very hard and said just because you are interviewing at Kozhikode you will mention The Hindu?” The candidate was challenged on the authenticity of his reading habit and had to defend his choice, stating he had read it since 2017.
Q12. M1: “Who is the editor of The Hindu? Who was the previous editor? What position does N Ram hold in The Hindu? Who is the founder of The Hindu?” The candidate missed the current and past editor/N Ram’s position but successfully answered the founder‘s name.
Q13. M1: “Which calls you have, why do you think you didn’t get a call from C?” The final question checked his self-assessment against the IIM-C cutoff criteria.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was a highly effective stress interview, mixing sharp domain checks (Mortgage, Capital Markets) with prolonged psychological pressure (sarcasm about bowling, loud laughter, challenging the newspaper choice). The candidate displayed strong emotional management by smiling and not taking the remarks personally, but showed academic gaps in Microeconomics (consumer surplus) and Sports Science (ball swing physics). His resilience and final successful answer regarding The Hindu’s founder were high points. This performance confirms the necessary mental toughness for the IIM environment, a trait often developed through rigorous stress-testing provided by PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Non Engineer | Fresher | Transcript 2
Candidate Profile
Name: Bxxxx Gxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: Not Specified
Academics (10th/12th/UG): 9 GPA / 8 GPA / 7 GPA (B.Sc. Biology)
Education: B.Sc. Biology, Fresher
Work Experience: None
Other: General Category Inferred; Interests include Esports and Genetics.
Program: Arjun Saraf’s background in core science requires a robust defense of his academic subject and a strong rationale for the shift to management. His ability to navigate hostile debate (Esports) and handle specialized science questions is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Note: The WAT topic was not provided in the transcript. Duration: Typically 20-30 minutes for IIM Kozhikode. The candidate would be expected to deliver a structured and coherent essay, demonstrating strong argumentative skills and clarity of thought on the assigned topic.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Academic Defense and Hostile Debate, 15+ minutes
The panel P1-Drilling/Science, P2-Friendly/Behavioral conducted an interview defined by a long, intense debate on the candidate’s hobby and a detailed examination of his core biology knowledge.
Q1. Panel: “Tell me something about you.” The candidate answered but was immediately cross-questioned on his introduction.
Q2. Panel: “Asked me to tell a topic to have a conversation. I chose Esports.” The panel immediately took an opposing stance, resulting in a 10-minute hostile conversation where the candidate had to logically defend the viability, revenue, and future of Esports as a legitimate industry.
Q3. Panel: “He asked my favourite topic or subject. I answered Genetics.” The candidate successfully steered the conversation to his core academic interest.
Q4. Panel: “He asked me who won the latest Nobel Prize for Biology.” The candidate correctly navigated the trick question, noting that there is no Nobel Prize specifically for Biology.
Q5. Panel: “He asked me the number of chromosomes in humans?” The candidate correctly answered 46 (23 pairs).
Q6. Panel: “Where is centrosome?” The candidate showed the location with the help of a diagram.
Q7. Panel: “He asked he what’s the top part of chromosome called?” The candidate answered the p-arm or short arm.
Q8. Panel: “Then he asked if the shape of telomere changes or not. So I told him the whole Cell Division process.” The candidate correctly explained the function of the telomere the end cap and its shortening mechanism, using the cell division process for context.
Q9. Panel: “Then he asked that if we can calculate age from chromosome.” The candidate addressed the biological concept of telomere length as a marker of cellular age and replication history.
Q10. P2: “She asked me about my hobbies. Then she asked me about my UG college.” The panel pivoted to behavioral questions, confirming the details of his interests and educational institution.
Q11. P2: “You want to ask anything from us?” The candidate asked how to pronounce Kozhikode, admitting the drilling had been intense.
Q12. P2: “Then she asked me about my other calls.” The candidate informed the panel of his progress in the MBA admission cycle.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was a clear-cut stress test divided into two parts: a 10-minute hostile debate on a non-academic topic and a rigorous academic check on core science. The candidate demonstrated exceptional composure and strong subject matter expertise in Genetics, successfully navigating the technical questions and the Nobel Prize trick question. His ability to defend his passion against strong opposition proves the necessary conviction and verbal skills for management. This robust performance, combining debate skills with deep technical recall, reflects the strategic preparation gained through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 3
Candidate Profile
Name: Wxxxxx Kxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: 99.83
Academics (UG): Chemical Engineering (Stated to be low, inferred from discussion)
Education: General Engineer Male (GEM)
Work Experience: 18 months in IT (Data Engineer)
Other: High percentile; Hobbies include financial investing.
Program: Wxxxxx’s profile combines a high CAT score with a clear career pivot from Chemical Engineering to Data Engineering. His ability to justify this shift and articulate his financial interests is central to MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: In the 21st century, women are not just equal, but more superior to men.
Duration: 25 Minutes
The candidate needed to adopt a nuanced stance, avoiding outright agreement with “superiority” but arguing for gender parity and recognizing women’s excellence in areas like emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and resilience. The essay should use modern sociological and economic arguments to frame the concept of “more than equal.”
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Financial Focus and Career Justification, 10–12 minutes)
The panel (M1, F1) conducted a short, very light, and conversational interview, focusing on the candidate’s financial interests and motivations for moving away from his core engineering background.
Q1. F1: “So you’re a data engineer. Tell me what data you have collected about us so far.”
The candidate handled the icebreaker with a smile, stating he had only just arrived and hadn’t interacted with anyone, proving spontaneity and quick thinking.
Q2. M1: “Tell me about yourself. Where do you hang out with your friends? Tell me about your extra curriculars.”
The candidate provided his standard introduction and discussed his stress-relieving activities, confirming a well-rounded personality.
Q3. M1: “So where do you think I should invest right now? How much do you invest? What are derivatives?”
The panel launched directly into finance and investing, probing the candidate’s stated interests. The candidate provided investment suggestions, discussed his investment amount, and defined derivatives.
Q4. F1: “Did you lose any money till now?”
The candidate admitted to losing money and articulated the learnings derived from the experience, framing failure as a growth opportunity.
Q5. F1: “What do you do in your job? Which calls do you have? Why do you think you didn’t get A or B?”
The candidate explained his Data Engineering role and listed his calls (C, K, Raipur). He attributed the missing top calls (A, B) to his low UG score, which the panelists noted.
Q6. F1: “Tell me some companies which hire for chemical engineering. These are all big names… so why didn’t you go for them?”
The candidate named prominent chemical companies and successfully justified his decision to leave the core field, stating a lack of interest and clear intent to pursue management.
Q7. F1: “How sure are you of your MBA? How were your other interviews? Tell me a few questions which you weren’t able to answer in Raipur.”
The panel tested his commitment and confidence. The candidate gave his prepared Why MBA answer and, after a thought, confidently stated that he was able to answer everything in his previous interview, closing the conversation strongly.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was extremely pleasant, brief, and non-grilling, likely due to the late hour (last candidate). The panel effectively verified the candidate’s profile through direct, concise questioning, focusing on financial awareness (derivatives, investing) and the strategic rationale for his career pivot (Chemical Engg $\to$ Data Engg $\to$ MBA). The candidate demonstrated high confidence and quick thinking, especially in the opening icebreaker and the final check on his Raipur interview performance. His strong academic profile (99.83 CAT) combined with a clear future path confirms his suitability for the program. This self-assured performance reflects the effective strategic communication achieved through PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Non Engineer | Fresher | Transcript 4
Candidate Profile
Name: Wxxxxx Kxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: (Not Specified)
Academics (UG): B.Com, Fresher
Education: General Non-Engineering (GNEF)
Work Experience: None
Other: General Category (Inferred)
Program: Wxxxxx’s background as a B.Com fresher requires a sharp defense of economic concepts and current affairs knowledge for MBA admission. This readiness for structured discussion is often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Diversity leads to conflict Duration: 25 Minutes (No word limit) The candidate needed to write a nuanced essay. The structure should acknowledge the premise (Yes, diversity introduces conflicts due to varied perspectives and communication styles) but strongly pivot to argue that these conflicts, when managed properly, are essential for innovation and superior decision-making, ultimately leading to better organizational or societal outcomes.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Economics and Policy Focus, 10–15 minutes)
The panel (P1-Economics/Policy, P2-Alumna/Hobbies) conducted a short, focused interview, concentrating on the candidate’s economic awareness and ability to handle sensitive political discussions.
Q1. P1: “Started with introduction. What did you study in graduation?” The candidate provided a standard introduction and confirmed his B.Com academic stream.
Q2. P1: “Do you follow economic current affairs? Asked me to brief on the Budget.” The candidate confirmed his awareness and started briefing on the recent budget, specifically mentioning Capex allocation.
Q3. P1: “How will this create employment opportunities? What is capital intensive? Use of machines for construction—how will this create employment opportunities?” The candidate successfully argued the economic rationale for capital expenditure: although capital intensive, it spurs demand in related industries (cement, steel, machinery) and creates skilled jobs for maintenance and supervision.
Q4. P1/P2: “Did you know about the farmers’ protest? Conversation developed to Minimum Support Price (MSP).” The conversation pivoted from the budget to the highly relevant policy issue of MSP and the associated protests.
Q5. Panel: “Conversation developed further to Tamil Nadu government participation (in protests), then TN vs. Centre imposing of Hindi, misunderstanding of state and center.” The discussion escalated into complex federal politics and cultural issues (Hindi imposition), testing the candidate’s neutrality and awareness of Centre-State relations.
Q6. P2: “What are your hobbies and questions related to that?” The panel provided a brief respite by focusing on the candidate’s interests, which went well.
Q7. P1: “Who do you think will win in Lok Sabha elections in your state?” The candidate stood neutral, refusing to predict or take a partisan political stance, which is generally a safe approach in such interviews.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was short, sharp, and policy-driven, successfully verifying the candidate’s understanding of core economic concepts (Capex, employment creation) and current affairs. The discussion on Centre-State relations (TN vs. Centre on Hindi, MSP) was rigorous, demanding the candidate maintain awareness without adopting a controversial stance. The candidate handled the economic defense and the political neutrality test well. This performance, marked by clarity on macro-policy and composure during political scrutiny, confirms the focused preparation gained through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 5
Candidate Profile
Name: Ixxxxx Qxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: (Not Specified)
Academics (UG): Engineering Background
Education: Engineer Female (EF)
Work Experience: 1.5 years at Alstom (Software Engineer)
Other: OBC Category; Competitive basketball player (played at state level twice).
Program: Wxxxxx’s technical role, coupled with significant achievements in sports, presents a strong profile. Her ability to defend technical work and justify her non-academic passion is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Note: The WAT topic was not provided in the transcript. Duration: Typically 20-30 minutes for IIM Kozhikode. The candidate would be expected to deliver a structured and coherent essay, demonstrating strong argumentative skills and clarity of thought on the assigned topic.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Sports, Leadership, and Technical Depth, ~20 minutes)
The panel (P1-Sports/Family, P2-Technical/Work) conducted a fast-paced, dual-track interview, thoroughly grilling the candidate on her passion for basketball and the specifics of her software engineering role at Alstom.
Q1. P1: “Tell us about yourself.” The candidate was immediately interrupted and cross-questioned on the statements she was making, requiring her to be spontaneous and articulate her points clearly.
Q2. P1: “So you played states twice for basketball, why don’t you pursue it as a career? What is the future of basketball in India? What is the ranking of the Indian team?” The candidate successfully defended her choice not to pursue a professional career and demonstrated detailed knowledge of the sport’s landscape in India.
Q3. P1: “Is there any league for basketball in India? Who is the title sponsor? Who won the last season?” The candidate was tested on current affairs within her hobby (BFI/INBL/NBA India), showing commitment beyond just playing the sport.
Q4. P1: “Do you follow international basketball? What’s up? How does NBA generate revenues?” The candidate provided recent updates on international basketball and detailed the multi-faceted revenue streams of the NBA (media rights, merchandising, ticketing, sponsorship).
Q5. P2: “What do you do at Alstom? What is the difference in two projects? How do you feel team management has evolved you?” The candidate transitioned to discussing her work, detailing her two projects (one where she served as a lead) and articulating how the experience developed her managerial skills.
Q6. P2: “What languages do you work on? Where did you learn those? Don’t think they’re part of the curriculum.” The panel tested the source of her programming skills, requiring her to explain whether the languages were self-learned or specialized training outside of her formal engineering syllabus.
Q7. P2: “How did you train your juniors? What is the revenue of your company? What is your role in the company, how does it affect cost cutting?” The candidate described her mentorship role. The panel then shifted to finance and strategy, requiring her to quantify Alstom’s revenue and explain her direct impact on efficiency and cost reduction.
Q8. P2: “Who is Alstom India head? Do you report to him? Is he German? Who is the CEO of Alstom?” The candidate was tested on corporate GK/hierarchy, which was challenging due to the multinational nature of Alstom (a French company).
Q9. P1: “What are the main competitors of Alstom?” The candidate named major global competitors in the transportation/rail industry (e.g., Siemens, Bombardier).
Q10. P1: “So you said you have been brought up in a family of 7, tell me about that!” The final questions centered on her family background, checking her behavioral stability and values derived from growing up in a large family.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was a clear demonstration of the candidate’s analytical and leadership capabilities. She successfully navigated a demanding technical grilling (languages, cost-cutting) and an equally intense passion probe (Basketball leagues, NBA revenues). The panel’s use of interruptions and rapid-fire questions tested her spontaneity and composure under pressure. Her ability to instantly pivot between the technical details of a software project and the business model of the NBA confirms the intellectual agility required for the program. This sharp, multi-faceted performance reflects the strategic preparation gained through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 6
Candidate Profile
Name: Exxxxxx Qxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: Not Specified
Academics (10th/12th/Grad): 9 GPA / 9 GPA / 7 GPA (B.Tech)
Education: Engineering Background
Work Experience: 1.5 years
Other: General Category Inferred
Program: Arjun Saraf’s profile, marked by high school scores but a lower B.Tech CGPA, requires a strong defense of academic commitment and core engineering concepts for MBA admission. This comprehensive readiness is often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Government should leave higher education to the private sector. Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate needed to argue the complex trade-offs. The essay should balance the Pros (efficiency, innovation, less bureaucracy, varied courses) against the Cons (equity, accessibility, high cost, profit motive over quality, lack of focus on basic research). The conclusion should argue for a balanced, regulated public-private partnership.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Academics, Economics, and Current Affairs, 20+ minutes
The panel (P1-Academics/Engineering, P2-Economics/Policy) conducted a chill interview, focusing on justifying the candidate’s academic scores, basic engineering thermodynamics, and macroeconomic policy.
Q1. P1: “Tell me about yourself TMAY. Why is that AP and TS board students have high marks?” The candidate gave a standard introduction. The panel immediately questioned the candidate’s high school scores, probing the regional variance in academic grading standards.
Q2. P1: “Why Low CGPA in BTech? Will the same mistake repeat in MBA?” The candidate had to defend the dip in college grades and provide strong assurance that the commitment issues would not repeat in the rigorous MBA program.
Q3. P1: “What are your favorite subjects? What is the difference between Enthalpy and Heat?” The candidate was tested on foundational engineering thermodynamics, defining heat (energy transfer due to temperature difference) and enthalpy (total heat content, including internal energy and the energy required to create space for the fluid/system).
Q4. P1: “Tell me Hot working, Cold working, Annealing, and Quenching in layman language.” The candidate simplified these core materials science/metallurgy processes: Hot working (shaping metals above recrystallization temperature), Cold working (shaping below), Annealing (heating to reduce hardness/stress), and Quenching (rapid cooling to harden).
Q5. P2: “Tell us about your company, what it does. Is it an Indian company and where is its base location?” The panel switched to work-ex, testing the candidate’s basic organizational knowledge.
Q6. P2: “Let us talk about the Russia-Ukraine war/crisis, how is India affected by this.” The candidate discussed the impact on oil prices, defense imports, and fertilizer supply in India.
Q7. P2: “Tell me about the Union Budget. How does tax reduction help the economy?” The candidate provided key highlights of the budget and explained the economic theory behind tax reduction (increased disposable income, higher consumption, stimulating growth).
Q8. P2: “Should government reduce subsidies? Have you heard about the Rural employment scheme (MNREGA)?” The panel tested his opinion on fiscal policy. The candidate needed to argue the trade-offs of subsidies (fiscal deficit vs. welfare/equity) and demonstrate knowledge of MNREGA’s function.
Q9. P2: “How do you rate Telangana Government and why? Why are investments coming to Telangana?” The panel checked local political and economic awareness, requiring the candidate to justify his rating with examples of government policy and explain the drivers of investment (e.g., IT/Pharma clusters, stable policy).
Q10. P1: “What all calls you have? Which all interviews are completed?” The final questions checked the candidate’s progress in the MBA admission cycle.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was chill and highly focused on the defense of the academic profile and current affairs. The candidate was effectively tested on his quantitative accountability (CGPA dip) and core engineering fundamentals. Crucially, the candidate demonstrated strong awareness of macroeconomics and policy issues (Russia-Ukraine, Subsidies, Budget). The overall positive and encouraging tone suggests the panel was satisfied with the candidate’s justification and general preparedness for the IIM interview experience.
Non Engineer | Fresher | Transcript 7
Candidate Profile
Name: Oxxxxx Pxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: (Not Specified)
Academics (UG): Economics Background
Education: Non-Engineering Male (NEM)
Work Experience: None (Implied, due to full-time UPSC preparation)
Other: UPSC Aspirant (4 attempts, 3 Mains cleared); Optional Subject: Anthropology.
Program: Wxxxxx’s high-stakes career pivot from advanced UPSC preparation to management requires exceptional clarity on motivation and strong command over economics. This strategic defense is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Note: The WAT topic was not provided in the transcript. Duration: Typically 20-30 minutes for IIM Kozhikode. The candidate would be expected to deliver a structured and coherent essay, demonstrating strong argumentative skills and clarity of thought on the assigned topic.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (UPSC Pivot and Economics Deep Dive, ~20+ minutes)
The panel (M1-UPSC/Anthropology, F2-Economics/Finance) conducted a highly specialized interview, focusing entirely on the candidate’s career switch and his command over advanced Economics and financial concepts.
Q1. Professor 1 (M): “Why MBA after UPSC, at what levels you reached?” The candidate had to provide a strong justification for the career pivot, explaining the final decision to shift from civil services after clearing Mains multiple times, and linking that desire for macro-level impact to management.
Q2. M1: “Why not other exams like state services, banking exams?” The candidate needed to defend the choice of MBA over other competitive exams, arguing that the MBA path is better suited for his managerial and strategic career goals.
Q3. M1: “What was your optional?” The candidate stated Anthropology.
Q4. M1: “Tell me something very interesting about Anthropology.” The candidate spoke continuously for about five minutes on a niche topic within his Optional, demonstrating passion and deep subject knowledge.
Q5. Professor 2 (F): “Favorite subjects in economics.” The candidate listed his core interests, setting the stage for the technical questions.
Q6. F2: “Asked about Slutsky theorem.” The candidate defined the theorem, which relates to the substitution effect and income effect for price changes.
Q7. F2: “Game theory. Nobel in game theory.” The candidate defined the field of study and cited the most famous Nobel laureate in the field (likely John Nash or others).
Q8. F2: “Asked to solve a Game Theory problem.” A practical application question, requiring the candidate to solve a simple payoff matrix (e.g., finding the Nash Equilibrium or dominant strategy).
Q9. F2: “Current monetary policy regime and why RBI took that stance.” The candidate discussed the Inflation Targeting regime and explained the recent rationale behind the RBI’s policy decisions (e.g., managing inflation vs. supporting growth).
Q10. F2: “Basel Norms: where and who? Difference between Basel I, II, and III norms. Specifically difference between II and III.” A deep dive into banking regulation. The candidate explained the purpose and location of the Basel Committee and detailed the evolution of the norms, focusing on the changes from Basel II (risk-weighted assets, three pillars) to Basel III (liquidity, capital adequacy, leverage ratios).
Q11. F2: “SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) and CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) in detail.” The candidate defined both primary RBI tools, explaining their purpose, calculation, and impact on banking liquidity.
Panel’s Impression
This interview was an intellectual powerhouse, serving as a comprehensive check on the candidate’s academic depth and rationale for the career shift. The candidate successfully defended his passion for Anthropology and then demonstrated exceptional command over advanced Economics, Statistics (Game Theory, Slutsky), and Financial Regulation (Basel, CRR/SLR). His ability to seamlessly connect complex concepts across academic disciplines confirms his high intellectual caliber. This strong, academically rigorous performance, particularly the clarity on financial regulation, reflects the strategic depth achieved through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 8
Candidate Profile
Name: Rxxxxx Axxxx Kxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: 99.89
Academics (10th/12th/Grad): 10 GPA / 97.9% / 78.7%
Education: Mechanical Engineering, IIT Bombay
Work Experience: 7 months (followed by 3 years of UPSC preparation)
Other: General Engineer Male (GEM); UPSC Aspirant (cleared Prelims 3 times); Interest in Finance and Economics.
Program: Arjun Saraf’s profile, defined by a major career shift from UPSC to Finance, requires exceptional conviction and analytical depth. His strategic defense of this transition is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Note: The WAT topic was not provided in the transcript.
Duration: Typically 20-30 minutes for IIM Kozhikode.
The candidate would be expected to deliver a structured and coherent essay, demonstrating strong argumentative skills and clarity of thought on the assigned topic.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Career Pivot, Finance, and Math, 25+ minutes
The panel (two males) conducted a comprehensive interview, heavily challenging the candidate’s career switch rationale before testing his quantitative aptitude and newly acquired financial knowledge.
Q1. P1: “Tell me about yourself. So, you’ve been sitting quiet for 3 years? Why do you want to pursue a career in Finance if you have interest in UPSC?”
The candidate explained his UPSC preparation, confirming repeated Prelims success but failure in Mains. P1 aggressively grilled the candidate, suggesting he was only applying for an MBA because he failed to achieve his primary goal (IFS).
Q2. P1: “So you came here because you couldn’t get IFS? How would you explain to campus recruiters about this shift?”
The candidate countered by explaining that his interest lay in the analytical approach common to both Finance and IFS, rather than the fields themselves, which satisfied the panel.
Q3. P1: “Did you do something to demonstrate your interest in Finance?”
The candidate cited concrete actions: completing the NISM-Research Analyst certification and preparing for the CFA L1 exam.
Q4. P1: “Who is our current VP? What was he doing before? Who is our President? What was she doing before?”
The candidate answered the factual questions on the current incumbents of the Vice President and President offices and their previous roles, showing strong awareness of political figures.
Q5. P2: “You are more inclined toward Public service, but because you are trying to move into private service, have you reached out to related profiles such as Public policy?”
The candidate explained his specific interest in regulation and economics, citing his application to the RBI as evidence of his desire to contribute to public finance policy.
Q6. P2: “Explain one complicated topic from Prof. Aswath Damodaran’s Valuation course and show it in the real world.”
The candidate explained the principle of capitalizing R&D rather than treating it as OpEx (Operating Expense). He linked this directly to his previous company’s R&D department being underfunded due to reduced profitability.
Q7. P2: “Explain why R&D was treated as OpEx in the first place. What about employee salaries in the R&D department? Should we always capitalise these?”
The panel probed the accounting nuances, requiring the candidate to explain the conservative nature of OpEx and the specific conditions under which R&D costs can or cannot be capitalized.
Q8. P2: “You have learned some Math? Draw a figure of log $x$ (base 10). What are the areas where slopes are positive, negative, and zero? Is this convex or concave?”
The candidate drew the logarithmic graph, correctly identified that the slope is always positive, and stated that the function is concave (rate of change decreases).
Q9. P2: “What is the derivative of $\log_{10} x$? Why $\frac{1}{\ln 10}$?”
The candidate correctly stated the derivative ($\frac{1}{x} \frac{1}{\ln 10}$) and explained the change of base rule for logarithms ($\log_{b} x = \frac{\ln x}{\ln b}$).
Q10. P2: “How is an MLC (Member of Legislative Council) elected? Are all MLCs elected?”
The candidate provided a partial answer but correctly noted that some MLCs are nominated (by the Governor) while others are elected by various constituencies.
Q11. P1: “What other calls do you have? How was your L interview? How do you think you did here?”
The candidate listed his remaining calls and, when asked for self-assessment, admitted he could have communicated better about his career choice, showing critical self-awareness.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was academically thorough and aggressively challenging on the core subject of the career pivot. P1’s initial questioning was designed to test the candidate’s conviction and resolve after the UPSC attempts. The candidate, however, excelled in the second half, demonstrating a deep, analytical understanding of finance (R&D capitalization, Damodaran valuation) and flawless quantitative knowledge (log derivative, concavity). His ability to articulate complex financial concepts using real-world scenarios and pass the rigorous math check confirms his intellectual fit for the program. This performance, marked by analytical depth and resilience, reflects the strategic preparation gained through PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance
Engineer | Fresher | Transcript 9
Candidate Profile
Name: Axxxxx Sxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: Not Specified
Academics UG: BTech Electrical Engineering
Education: Engineer Fresher
Work Experience: None
Other: General Category Inferred
Program: Arjun Saraf’s technical background requires a solid defense of core engineering concepts and the ability to articulate views on sensitive socio-political issues. This dual readiness is often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test WAT Analysis
Topic: Offensive strategies are better than defensive strategies Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate needed to write a persuasive essay analyzing the context-dependency of strategic approaches. The answer should argue that while offensive strategies innovation, market disruption drive growth, defensive strategies risk management, strong governance, cash reserves are crucial for long-term survival and stability. The conclusion should state that the best strategy is a balanced blend, shifting based on external threats.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Technical Fundamentals and Social Policy, 15 minutes
The panel P1 and P2, both males conducted a balanced interview, starting with a technical check on the candidate’s engineering fundamentals before pivoting into a thematic discussion centered on Women’s Day.
Q1. Panel: “Started with TMAY Tell me about yourself, few questions on extracurriculars.” The candidate gave a standard introduction and discussed her hobbies.
Q2. P1: “Moved on to Acads. Favorite subject. Working of the transformer, the principle behind it. Asked if I could draw the circuit and explain.” The panel conducted a technical drill on a core Electrical Engineering concept. The candidate needed to explain Faraday’s Law of Induction and draw the basic two-winding transformer circuit.
Q3. Panel: “As it was Women’s Day, the interview further went around the position of women in society, how to improve, and what are measures taken by the government.” The candidate transitioned to the socio-political theme, discussing government schemes and broad societal challenges facing women.
Q4. Panel: “The ongoing debate on women’s reservation in education and politics and why it is necessary.” The panel asked a high-stakes policy question. The candidate needed to argue for the necessity of reservation to ensure political representation and correct historical under-representation.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was short but effective in covering both technical and socio-political domains. The candidate demonstrated competence in her core engineering subject despite attempts by the panel to drill further. The main substance of the interview was the healthy discussion around women’s rights and government policy, confirming the candidate’s awareness and ability to articulate nuanced opinions on current social debates. This well-rounded performance, balancing technical clarity with policy advocacy, reflects the strategic preparation gained through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 10
Candidate Profile
Name: Bxxxxxx Txxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: Not Specified
Academics (UG): Mechanical Engineering
Education: Engineer
Work Experience: 8 months in IT (Wipro)
Other: General Category Inferred
Program: Arjun Saraf’s profile, combining technical skills with early IT work experience, requires clear articulation of manufacturing principles and local GK for MBA admission. This comprehensive readiness is often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Reasoning should replace rote learning in all examinations.Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate needed to argue strongly in favor of reasoning/analytical skills over simple memorization. The essay should discuss how reasoning fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability, which are essential for the modern workforce, while rote learning only tests short-term memory.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience Operations, Political GK, and Statistics, 20+ minutes
The panel M-Politics/Policy, F-Operations/Quant conducted a wide-ranging interview, testing the candidate’s core engineering concepts, local cultural awareness, and political judgment.
Q1. F: “What should we call you? Where are you from? Explain about Srikurmam.” The candidate was asked about a specific cultural/historical site in their hometown.
Q2. F: “Any annual festivals celebrated there? What’s the difference between Konark and Arasavalli?” The candidate was tested on local cultural GK and the differences between two prominent temples.
Q3. F: “What do you do at Wipro? What is lean manufacturing? What is pull system? Doesn’t it incur loss? Give an example for pull system implementation.” The panel pivoted to core manufacturing/operations concepts, asking the candidate to define lean principles and the JIT Just-in-Time pull system. The candidate needed to defend the system’s efficiency against potential losses.
Q4. F: “Any business news you heard recently?” The candidate mentioned a current business event or deal, setting the stage for the next set of questions.
Q5. M: “Why is it so important? Why do you think the PMs of those nations should talk about the deal? What’s the effect of this deal on India?” The panel drilled down into the strategic and geopolitical importance of the mentioned business deal, requiring the candidate to analyze its national implications.
Q6. M: “Do you know about the BBC issue? What happened? Why do you think the west is silent about this issue on India?” The candidate had to recall the facts of the controversy and analyze the geopolitical dynamics, suggesting reasons why foreign governments might prioritize investment and strategic ties over vocal criticism of freedom of speech.
Q7. M: “Is investment important than freedom of speech?” This was a direct, high-stakes ethical/policy debate, forcing the candidate to prioritize national values versus economic necessities.
Q8. M: “What’s happening in Andhra Pradesh? How would you rate your CM? Then why did people vote for him?” The panel tested local state politics, forcing the candidate to give a personal rating of the CM Chief Minister and then justify the democratic mandate despite the rating.
Q9. M: “Who’s better, Chandrababu or Jagan? Who’s responsible for bifurcation?” The candidate had to compare two opposing political figures and explain the historical and political responsibility for the formation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.
Q10. M: “What is NITI AYOG? Who’s the head of it?” The candidate defined the policy think tank and correctly named the head the Prime Minister.
Q11. F: “How good are you at Math? What happened to calculus in the first semester? What are measures of dispersion? What are measures of central tendency?” The panel checked quantitative fundamentals. The candidate had to defend his low score in first-semester calculus and then define core statistics concepts like Mean/Median/Mode and Variance/Standard Deviation.
Q12. F: “As you got good grade in Business Mathematics, what did you learn in it?” The candidate was asked to articulate the practical content of a specific commerce-related math course.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was exceptionally broad and challenging, requiring the candidate to pivot rapidly between operations strategy, local temple architecture, high-stakes national politics, and quantitative definitions. The candidate’s ability to handle the deep political analysis and defend his quantitative scores while demonstrating cross-domain awareness is crucial for the IIM interview experience. His preparation to handle local GK and strategic policy debates reflects the comprehensive approach gained through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 11
Candidate Profile
Name: Ixxxx Kxxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: 99.12%ile
Academics (10th/12th/UG): 95% / 95% / 88.6%
Education: BTech in Electrical Engineering
Work Experience: 3+ years in Coal India Limited (Operations)
Other: General Engineer Male GEM
Program: Arjun Saraf’s profile combines a strong academic base with significant experience in a core sector. His ability to link technical knowledge with career progression is crucial for MBA admission, a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program check out the program details here. For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Future of work: good or bad in corporate India.
Duration: 25 mins, 300 words.
The candidate needed to provide a balanced argument, discussing the Pros (flexibility, remote work, focus on productivity, digital skilling) and Cons (blurred work-life balance, lack of social cohesion, automation risk). The conclusion should argue that the future is largely good but requires conscious management by organizations and individuals.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Technical, Policy, and Career Focus, ~15 minutes)
The panel (F1 and F2) conducted a concise interview, focusing on the candidate’s organizational knowledge, Electrical Engineering fundamentals, and stance on major social policy debates.
Q1. F1: “Tell me something about what you haven’t mentioned in your application.”
The candidate provided unique, additional information about his skills or experiences.
Q2. F1: “In how many states does Coal India operate? Name the states.”
The candidate demonstrated organizational knowledge, confirming the geographical spread of his company’s operations.
Q3. F1: “Explain Ohm’s law?”
The candidate stated the law relating voltage, current, and resistance ($V=IR$), showing foundational clarity in Electrical Engineering.
Q4. F1: “Difference between Electronic and Electrical Engineering?”
The candidate distinguished the two fields (Electrical: power generation/heavy current; Electronic: low current/signal processing/devices).
Q5. F1: “Who is the deputy prime minister of India? Who is the vice president of India?”
The candidate could not name the deputy prime minister, but correctly named the vice president.
Q6. F1: “Further asked about previous vice presidents of India.”
The candidate admitted he was unable to answer the question on the history of the position.
Q7. F1: “Why MBA? What are the other calls do you have? What is your preference?”
The candidate articulated his motivation for pursuing management and clearly stated his preference among the IIMs.
Q8. F2: “How does an induction motor work? How does a single phase induction motor work?”
The panel conducted a core technical drill on electric motors, requiring the candidate to explain the principles of electromagnetic induction, rotating magnetic fields, and the need for an auxiliary winding in single-phase motors.
Q9. F2: “What are your views on giving reservation to women in the legislative assembly?”
The candidate provided his opinion on the Women’s Reservation Bill, discussing its necessity for ensuring political representation and empowerment.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was short, direct, and multi-faceted, successfully verifying the candidate’s core technical competence (Ohm’s Law, Induction Motors) and organizational domain knowledge (Coal India operations). The candidate managed the academic portion well but showed predictable lapses in detailed political GK (past VPs, Deputy PM). His ability to seamlessly pivot between engineering principles and socio-political policy (Women’s Reservation) confirms his broad awareness. This concise, focused performance, balancing technical fundamentals with policy views, reflects the strategic preparation gained through guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Non Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 12
Candidate Profile
Name: Wxxxxx Kxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: (Not Specified)
Academics (UG): Non-Engineer
Education: Non-Engineering Background
Work Experience: 2.5 years at Asian Paints Ltd.
Other: General Category
Program: Wxxxxx’s significant work experience in a market-leading company like Asian Paints provides a strong foundation for MBA admission. The ability to articulate complex professional roles and business dynamics is a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Should a regulatory body be formed to oversee AI regulation? Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate was required to present a structured essay arguing for or against the formation of an AI regulatory body. The answer should cover the necessity of regulation (to mitigate risks like bias, security threats, and monopolistic power) versus the challenge of stifling innovation and creating bureaucratic delays.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Work Experience Deep Dive, ~15-20 minutes)
The panel (M1 and M2, both senior) conducted a highly focused interview, concentrating almost exclusively on the candidate’s professional role, organizational structure, and knowledge of the coatings and consumer goods industry.
Q1. M1: “How did you join Asian Paints? What is your role at Asian Paints, and what does your profile entail?” The candidate explained the joining process and elaborated on specific responsibilities and the job profile.
Q2. M1: “What software tools do you use at your company? Could you tell me more about CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software?” The candidate listed the tools and provided details on the functional use of CRM and ERP systems in the role.
Q3. M1: “How many people report to you? Please draw your organizational structure and explain how the hierarchy functions.” The candidate shared the number of team members, sketched the reporting lines, and clarified the hierarchical structure of the department.
Q4. M1: “If you continue in your current role, how will your promotion trajectory look?” The candidate outlined the potential career progression and growth path available within the current job function.
Q5. M2: “What products does Asian Paints sell? What are industrial coatings, and how do they differ from regular coatings?” The candidate described the company’s premium products and explained the concept of industrial coatings, highlighting their differences (e.g., specific chemical resistance, durability).
Q6. M2: “Have you heard of graphite? What is its composition?” The candidate drew on prior knowledge to explain what graphite is and detailed its composition as an allotrope of carbon.
Q7. M2: “What is the turnover of Asian Paints? What is the overseas revenue from foreign markets, and in which countries do they have a presence?” The candidate provided the turnover figure and shared details about the countries where Asian Paints operates but admitted being unaware of the exact overseas revenue figures.
Q8. M2: “How many offices does your organization have in India?” The candidate responded with the number of offices as per his understanding.
Q9. M2: “Which is the largest consumer goods company (FMCG), and what is its revenue?” The candidate suggested Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and provided an estimated figure for its revenue, citing lack of precise knowledge.
Panel’s Impression
This interview was an extremely focused stress test of professional knowledge and domain expertise. The panel deliberately concentrated on establishing the depth of the candidate’s 2.5 years at Asian Paints, moving from specific software tools (CRM/ERP) to sketching organizational charts and providing quantified business metrics (turnover, promotion trajectory). The candidate handled the deep work-ex questions well but showed minor gaps in corporate finance (overseas revenue) and general knowledge (HUL exact figures). This concentrated scrutiny confirms the panel’s interest in converting candidates who can articulate the business impact of their role. The candidate’s ability to logically structure complex professional details under pressure reflects the systematic training received, a hallmark of PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Non Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 13
Candidate Profile
Name: Uxxxxx Wxxxxxxx
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: (Not Specified)
Academics (UG): Fashion Design Background
Education: Non-Engineering Female (NEF)
Work Experience: 7 Months
Other: Highly creative profile (Creative Resume); Aware of personal weaknesses (names/GK).
Program: Wxxxxx’s background in Fashion Design and subsequent career pivot requires a compelling narrative for MBA admission. Her ability to defend her creative choices, handle general knowledge challenges, and demonstrate quantitative literacy is a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: $300 B Climate Finance Commitment at Baku – A way forward or too little too late Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate needed to analyze the efficacy and scale of the proposed climate finance commitment. The essay should balance the positive sign of global commitment (a way forward) against the massive scale of actual need (too little too late) required to meet global climate goals.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Creative Defense and Stress Test, 13–15 minutes)
The panel (two senior males) conducted a focused stress interview, challenging the candidate on her creative academic background, lack of political knowledge, and quantitative fundamentals, while maintaining a conversational flow.
Q1. M1: “Tell me about yourself (TMAY).” The candidate’s introduction was cut off, a common technique to control the narrative.
Q2. M1: “You must be expecting design questions? What is seam allowance?” The candidate managed the expectation question well and then drew on paper to explain the technical term (the area between the fabric edge and the stitching line).
Q3. M1: “What is the process of garment construction? What is the difference between Fashion Design and Merchandising? What is flat pattern making?” The candidate had to verbally explain the complex sequential construction process and clearly distinguish between the creative ideation (Design) and the business/supply chain management (Merchandising).
Q4. M1: “Pointed to my creative resume and said tell me the design element in this.” The candidate articulated the resume’s role as a conceptual introduction, effectively linking the physical object to her ‘world’ or personal brand.
Q5. M1: “Vice president of India. Any one deputy prime minister of India. Governor of RBI.” The panel directly attacked her General Knowledge. The candidate’s honesty about being bad with names was met with a challenge regarding management skills, which she countered by promising to improve through practice. She correctly named the RBI Governor, showing confidence.
Q6. M1: “Why MBA?” The candidate had to articulate the necessity of management education to bridge the gap between creative skills and business strategy/scale.
Q7. M2: “Tell us about your job. Is it related to your degree? So did you abandon your studies?” The candidate explained her current, non-design role and provided a prepared justification for the career shift, which was accepted without further cross-questioning.
Q8. M2: “Did you study math in your UG? Are you comfortable with stats and probability? What is a bell curve? How is it represented mathematically?” The candidate correctly stated her limited math exposure (only 11th/12th), defined the bell curve, and explained that it represents normal distribution, but admitted she did not know the exact mathematical formula.
Q9. M2: “What is Mean and Standard Deviation? Standard Deviation formula?” The candidate successfully explained the concepts of central tendency and dispersion, but again admitted she did not know the exact formula for standard deviation.
Q10. M2: “Konkan states.” The candidate named the coastal states, but expressed uncertainty about Karnataka’s inclusion.
Q11. M2: “Which state was Jharkhand part of?” The candidate correctly answered the preceding state (Bihar).
Q12. M2: “Can’t AI overtake content writers? Bias in AI, how does it happen?” The candidate defended human writers by citing accuracy, tone, and emotion, arguing that writers will become editors. She explained AI bias through the training data (DeepSeek example), noting that real-world biases (e.g., business people often being male in online images) are simply mirrored by the AI.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was a clear attempt to stress the candidate by finding pressure points (GK misses, challenging the creative resume, questioning the math base). The candidate, however, displayed high composure and honesty, managing to successfully defend her creative choices and articulate the non-technical concepts clearly. While she missed the formulas for normal distribution and standard deviation, she excelled in providing the conceptual context. This resilience and ability to translate complex ideas reflect strong preparation, demonstrating the kind of strategic confidence emphasized in the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
Non Engineer | Work-Ex | Transcript 14
Candidate Profile
Name: Wxxxxx Kxxxxxxx (Referred to as Sanghai in the transcript)
Interview: IIM Kozhikode
CAT Percentile: 99.37%ile
Academics (UG): (Details not specified, but has a statistical/quantitative background)
Work Experience: (Recently resigned, inferred to be in analytics/finance)
Other: Reclaimed ancestral surname (Sanghai); Strong quantitative skills.
Program: Wxxxxx’s high percentile and quantitative focus make him a strong candidate for MBA admission. His ability to defend his choices and handle intense logical/statistical scrutiny is a skill often honed through strategic guidance like the PrepBee AYN GDPI Program (check out the program details here). For more resources on the IIM interview experience, visit the PrepBee website here.
Written Ability Test (WAT) Analysis
Topic: Quality of thought determines quality of life Duration: 25 Minutes The candidate needed to write a philosophical yet structured essay. The argument should center on Mindset and Cognitive Bias (how positive/negative thought patterns shape decisions and reality) rather than external circumstances. The answer should argue that clarity and depth of thought lead to better choices and psychological well-being.
IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience (Quantitative, GK, and Stress Test, ~20+ minutes)
The panel (P1-HR/GK, P2-Quant/Stats) conducted a highly unusual interview, mixing personal/historical reclamation debates with deep quantitative analysis of the CAT exam itself.
Q1. P1: “Has your name always been Sanghai? Seems like you have recently resigned? Which calls do you have?” The discussion began by questioning the candidate’s surname change (Agarwal to Sanghai), which the candidate described as reclaiming his ancestral surname. The candidate confirmed his recent resignation and listed his calls.
Q2. P1: “Give me a situation at work where you took a decision which led to embarrassment? Okay, give me a situation where there was a conflict and how did you resolve it?” The candidate successfully avoided the embarrassment trick question. For the conflict question, he described a disagreement with his manager over a statistical tool’s methodology, attributing the issue to a communication gap that was resolved via discussion.
Q3. P1: “Tell me all you know about Gyanvapi Mosque? Who built it, and when was it built?” The candidate provided a detailed account of the controversy and correctly named the builder but did not recall the exact construction date.
Q4. P1: “Okay, name all mountain ranges in India? Which is the highest peak in India? And second highest?” The panel launched into an unexpected Geography/Trekking Quiz. The candidate correctly named the highest (K2) but confused the second highest (incorrectly naming Nanga Parbat/Nanda Parbat instead of Kanchenjunga).
Q5. P1: “Name the top 7 peaks in the world in descending order? Name a few trekkers from India?” The candidate managed to name only the top three peaks and admitted a lack of knowledge regarding Indian trekkers.
Q6. P1: “Governor of RBI.” The candidate correctly named the RBI Governor, showing confidence despite the prior GK struggles.
Q7. P2: “You just violated your NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), you must have one right?” P2 initiated a stress test by misinterpreting the acronym ‘APR’ (Annual Percentage Rate) as a client name. The candidate quickly and calmly clarified the technical term, successfully defending against the charge of NDA violation.
Q8. P2: “You have 99.37%ile and your scaled score is 81.62. How exactly is that possible? How does scaling work? What is 81.62 as a percentage of total marks?” The panel conducted a deep analytical dive into the CAT exam’s statistics. The candidate explained the definition of percentile, the function of scaling, and calculated the score as a percentage of total marks.
Q9. P2: “So you’re saying that the majority of people scored below 40% on the exam. What does that tell you about the state of India?” The candidate pivoted the conversation from national failure to exam difficulty, comparing it to past CAT years to justify the low average score.
Q10. P2: “How would the distribution look like on a graph? How would it be skewed? Which side?” The candidate drew the Positively Skewed graph and explained that the majority of scores clustered toward the low end, confirming expertise in descriptive statistics.
Q11. P2: “Do you think we can conclude nobody can score 100% on this exam? How do you know that the highest score was 166?” The candidate demonstrated both theoretical understanding (can’t rule out 100% score based on rank alone) and practical awareness (citing the maximum score of 166 by back-calculating from his own scaled score).
Q12. P2: “You have worked on Excel. Here’s a table. Write down formulas to analyze different things.” The candidate was asked to write down formulas (including the RANK function) for data analysis, confirming proficiency in practical quantitative tools.
Panel’s Impression
The interview was highly unorthodox but ultimately successful in confirming the candidate’s quantitative and analytical sharpness. While the candidate had significant lapses in random GK (mountains, trekkers), he handled the sustained quantitative cross-examination (CAT scaling, statistical distribution, Excel functions) with exceptional composure and accuracy, particularly the quick defense of his NDA. His ability to explain complex statistical concepts and defend his score mathematically reflects a disciplined and focused approach. This sharp performance, blending strong technical skills with resilience, is a characteristic outcome of strategic preparation, such as the PrepBee AYN GDPI guidance.
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