MDI GURGAON WAT-GD-PI EXPERIENCES [2018-20]

Right from the Horse’s Mouth!

A Corporate Communications Cell initiative

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1)
CAT OA Score 99.XX
VARC 90.xx
LRDI 99.xx
QA 99.xx
Profile B.Com (Hons.)
X 9.4/10
XII 95%
Graduation 70%
Work Experience (no. of months) 24
Work Experience Sector Retail
Venue of GDPI Kolkata

WAT: Bullet trains or better trains, what does India need? (Time - 15 minutes)
GD: on the same topic (15 minutes)
Interview:
Two panelists, one male (M) and one female (F)
I enter the room and greet both of them.
F: Tell me something about you.
Me: Introduced myself where I told about my college, work experience and my
hobbies.
M: You wrote a book. What is in it? (I had written a book on Sachin Tendulkar which
I told in my hobbies in my previous answer)
Me: It is on his cricketing career. It provides the gist of some important instances of
his cricketing career.
F: Tell me some qualities about Sachin which you learnt from his career.
Me: I admire his work ethics and humility. I will tell you an instance. When he was in
school, he used to practice in the morning, then play a match and then practice
again. He did this for 55 consecutive days. Even after he started playing for India,
when Shane Warne came to India, he prepared for him by making the Indian leg

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spinner bowl at him outside the leg stump. This shows that even after achieving so
much, he used to continue practicing to maintain that level.
M: What is the weight of the cricket ball?
Me: 150-160 grams.
M: Convert it into ounces.
Me: I am not aware of the conversion of grams to ounces, but in grams it is 150
grams.
M: Are you sure?
Me: Yes sir.
M: What is the difference between Kookaburra ball and SG balls?
Me: The Kookaburra ball is used on softer surfaces because the seam wears off
quickly on harder surfaces whereas the SG balls are used on harder surfaces. The
Kookaburra ball swings more compared to SG balls. The SG balls also swings but not
as much as the Kookaburra (he seemed satisfied).
M: What is reverse swing?
Me: Reverse swing is generally done with older balls. After the ball becomes old, one
side is shined and the balls moves in the direction of the shinier side.
M: Why?
Me: The shinier side is able to cut through air more easily.
F: Tell me something about crypto-currency.
Me: Crypto-currency is something like digital money. Like, Pantaloons issue reward
points which can be redeemed only at their store for some items. This is called
centralized crypto-currency. Another is the decentralized one which can be used
anywhere like Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s price recently went down from close to $20,000 to
$8,000. Bitcoin is generated by mining and there is a limit to the number of bitcoins
that can be mined. Mining involves complex mathematical problems to be solved to
generate bitcoin and it requires large amounts of power.
F: How is the price of Bitcoin determined?

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Me: It is somewhat affected by the demand and supply of the bitcoin. If there is
more demand for it, its price will increase.
F: So, if the supply stops, its demand will increase?
Me: There is a limit to the number of the bitcoins that can be generated and
ultimately it will reach a stagnation point. So people will be unwilling to invest in the
bitcoin and the bubble will burst.
(M was observing all this time)
F: How will supply affect the demand for sea side villas?
Me: I did not get you.
F: The villas near the sea shore, the sea facing rooms.
Me: The price for any sea facing room is higher. The supply of it can be increased by
developing the land near the sea shores. Much of the land near the sea shores are
not yet developed for setting up a resort or villa. They can be developed to increase
the supply of sea facing rooms.
F: But how can you increase the number of sea shores?
Me: I am saying the land which is already near the shore can be developed to take
care of it.
M: What is your favourite subject?
Me: I believe marketing to be my favourite subject since I have done my
specialization in it.
M: But marketing is not a subject. I go to buy a saree or suit that is marketing. Tell
me what is marketing?
Me: In simple terms, marketing involves the flow of goods from the producers to the
consumers.
M: So, the shopkeeper is selling the goods. Is it marketing?
Me: That would be selling. Marketing involves identifying the needs of the
consumers and developing products accordingly to satisfy such needs. Its main aim
is customer satisfaction.

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M: So, how is marketing different from selling?

Me: Selling is just a part of marketing which starts after the product has been
developed whereas marketing is the broader terms which includes identifying the
needs of the consumers, developing the products to satisfy such needs, taking
pricing and delivery decisions and selling.
M: What other calls do you have?
Me: Told
L: What is your percentile?
Me: Told
M, F: Ok, thank you.
Me: Thank you!

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2)
CAT OA Score 97.XX
VARC 86.xx
LRDI 98.xx
QA 98.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 90%
XII 88%
Graduation 75%
Work Experience (no. of months) 23
Work Experience Sector Mining
Venue of GDPI Kolkata

WAT: Should India maintain diplomatic relationships with Pakistan?

GD: On the same topic.

Interview:
2 Panelists (one Male and one female)
F: Tell me about yourself?
Me: Started from my school to college and ended in job. Highlighted my
achievements during college and job. She seemed fascinated that I was part of a
team that built an ATV.
F: Tell me about the team and specifically your role in that team.
Me: Started with the planning stage, how we managed the team, difficulties faced
by us, work distribution, funding and ended with our achievements.
M: So, you have worked for the mining industry, tell me about the work you do?
Me: Told about my day in field. How we tackle different problems each day,
managing the work force under me.
M: Tell me 3 things that you learned from your job.

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Me: Told him about how I learnt working in field and my key takeaways.
M: Tell us about a recent policy change in mining industry?
Me: Told him about the recent policy change where government allowed
commercial coal mining to private firms.
M: So, what will be the effect of this change on Coal India Ltd.?
Me: Told my opinion about how that company can take it in a positive way and
indulge in healthy competition with private companies.
For the next 5 minutes he grilled me on Coal India Ltd., its subsidiaries and the
changes that I would like to see in the company.
F: Suppose I went to USA for a holiday, and I brought a hair dryer there, but the dryer
is not working after I returned to India. Why?
Me: Gave her the reasoning, she tried to cross question. She was checking whether
I was confident with my answer.
M: Asked some questions about AC machines and transformers. How step-up and
step-down transformers work.
Me: Answered all.
F: Thank you!

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3)
CAT OA Score 98.xx
VARC 93.xx
LRDI 98.xx
QA 96.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 82%
XII 75%
Graduation 80%
Work Experience (no. of months) 0
Work Experience Sector -
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Privatization in healthcare

Interview:
(Panelists P1: Male Prof. (Age~50 years) and P2: Male Prof. (Age~45 years))

P1 called me inside for the interview and followed me to my seat.

P1: Rate yourself in the group discussion.
Me: It would be 6.5/10.
P1 (with a smirk): Now rate yourself in group behavior. (I made excessive entries in
GD)
Me: It would be 6.5/10 again sir.
P1: Why are you deducting those 3.5 marks?
Me: I was not good at listening sir.
P1 (laughing): You were bad at listening.
Me: Yes sir, I agree.
P1: But it’s good that you admitted it. Now tell me, what is the difference between
Cost, Value and Price?

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Me: Tried to answer it. He noticed a few flaws in my explanation and then corrected
me.
P1: How do you calculate the cost of a building?
Me: Answered.
P1: Does the value of the building appreciate or depreciate?
Me: It depreciates.
P1: What if I say you that this building generates a huge amount of revenue? Will its
value still depreciate?
Me: No Sir, it may appreciate if it is a cash generating spot. (Connected with a real-
life example.)
P2 (who was silent till now): What steps would you take to launch this water bottle
in a new market?
M: Explained nicely with the complete marketing process.
P2: What are the 2 things that you notice in an advertisement?
Me (took a while to answer): The top 2 things would be USP of the product and the
target customer. (Explained nicely with an example of Colgate's vs. Pepsodent's
advertisements)
P2: What other calls do you have?
Me: Told.
P2: Okay. We are done. Do you have something to ask?
Me: What are the parameters on which you evaluate a candidate in an interview?
P2: Explained. Your smile could be one (As I was smiling in the entire interview).
(Three of us laughed.)
P1: Your listening skills could be one.
(Again laughter)
The interview ended on a positive note.

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4)
CAT OA Score 98.xx
VARC 91.xx
LRDI 98.xx
QA 98.xx
Profile B.E. (Hons.)
X 90.2%
XII 87%
Graduation 75%
Work Experience (no. of months) 32
Work Experience Sector Manufacturing
Venue of GDPI Mumbai

WAT: Security cameras and privacy.

GD: There were 10 people in my GD panel. It was one of those rare GD experiences
where everyone got the opportunity to express their opinion. Even though I made
only 3-4 entries, the points I put across were very relevant and helped structuring
the discussion. I was also able to relate the topic to a wider discussion on privacy in
India and the Supreme Court ruling on the topic which had come just a few days
before.

Interview:
My interview panel consisted of two professors.
I was asked why I wanted to do MBA considering my work experience was related
to manufacturing. They also wanted to know how my work experience would help
me in getting a better output from my MBA degree. There were also questions about
the management and planning skills that I put to use at my workplace. I had
mentioned history books as my interest and was asked my questions on it, like my
favorite historian, most recent history book I had read, what was my favorite history
book and why. There were no questions on current affairs and my undergraduate
degree. Overall the interview felt more like a conversation. They seemed genuinely
interested in things I had to say and built their questions on what I was
communicating.

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5)
CAT OA Score 98.xx
VARC 99.xx
LRDI 98.xx
QA 94.xx
Profile B.Com (Hons.)
X 85%
XII 90%
Graduation 6/10
Work Experience (no. of months) 23
Work Experience Sector Manufacturing
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Should a resource starved nation like India, be investing in space missions?

Interview:
(PI: Panel – 1, 2 professors, a lady and a gentleman)

Exchanged greetings, was asked to take the seat.

P: Tell us something about yourself, which is not there in this form.

Me: Generic answer.
P: Suppose you have been made the President of the Jute Welfare & Development
Board, what would you do in terms of the difficulties being faced right now?
Me: Told.
P: What are some other problems in your line of business?
Me: Told.
P: So you graduated in finance, tell us why banks take the book value and other
market players take the market value as price when calculating the P/E ratio?
Me: Told.
P: (Some other question related to debt, not familiar with the term so can’t
remember)
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Me: Said that I didn’t know the exact meaning but would like to take a guess.
P: You were almost there. Anyways why has your scored dipped in graduation?
Me: Told the rehearsed answer.
P: So, from your form it seems you have done a lot of debating. Tell me, are
arguments good? What is the difference between a debate and a discussion? What
makes a discussion successful? What makes a statement logically valid? Who is more
important in the process of communication, sender or receiver?
Me: Told.
P: Thank you that will be all.

Exchanged pleasantries and left the room.

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6)
CAT OA Score 98.xx
VARC 97.xx
LRDI 90.xx
QA 98.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 91%
XII 90%
Graduation 8/10
Work Experience (no. of months) 0
Work Experience Sector -
Venue of GDPI Kolkata

WAT: Does India need a bullet train?

GD: GD was pretty well organized. Entered 3-4 times with valid points.

Interview Experience:
Being a fresher, I was asked decent number of questions from engineering. They
asked questions from fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and laws of motion.
Questions from my hobbies, viz. following world politics. They grilled me on CPEC,
OBOR, Russia's role in US elections, India-China economy comparison, India-China
politics.

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7)
CAT OA Score 98.xx
VARC 100
LRDI 84.xx
QA 95.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 94.4%
XII 79.6%
Graduation 70%
Work Experience (no. of months) 31
Work Experience Sector IT
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Globalization vs Nationalism.

GD Experience: I started the GD and gave the structure. Favored globalization over
extreme nationalism. Linked all current affairs of that time with the positives of
globalization for e.g., Paris Climate Agreement better with globalization, some
mission of ISRO in collaboration with other nations etc. Spoke 10-11 times but also
moderated and gave those chance who couldn’t speak. I wasn’t aggressive at all
which is very important when you speak more. Maintained eye contact with other
candidates.

Interview:
Panel: One Sir and one Ma’am

Sir asked normal questions first:

Tell me about yourself?
Why MBA?
What would you do if you don’t get selected
I mentioned how I would appear for CAT again and teach VARC on Unacademy
simultaneously as I had 100 percentile in it.

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Then he gave me 3-4 situational and profile related questions. He was satisfied with
my answers.
Then it went over to Ma’am.
Ma’am: Your form’s printout is on a bigger sheet of paper. What is it called?
Me: Letter.
Ma’am: Why is letter called letter? Why is legal called legal? What is size of Legal?
How is this classification done? Arrange size in increasing order from A1 to largest.
Me: Back to back ‘I don’t know’s. Interview went on paper sizes for 5 minutes.
Ma’am: what all do you know about MDI?
Told a couple of things.
Ma’am: Why is SAREGAMAPA called SAREGAMAPA and not something else? Name
the seven chakras of the body and where they are located.
Me: Told all of the above.
Ma’am: Thank you!

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8)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 86.xx
LRDI 95.xx
QA 99.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 93%
XII 76%
Graduation 70%
Work Experience (no. of months) 29
Work Experience Sector Petrochemical
Venue of GDPI Mumbai

WAT: Positive attitude is more important than knowledge for the success of a
business.

GD Experience: Panel of 12. Initiated and concluded the GD. Made 2-3 entries in
between and also moderated the discussion.
Interview:
2 male panelists. Both in their 40's. I was the 12th and last person to be interviewed.

P1: What's the discussion outside?

Me: People are mostly discussing their interview experience. But I went outside in
between as it's too hot in waiting area.
P1: Yes it is actually too hot today. I see you have low score in 12th. Any reason for
that?
Me: Honestly, I cannot really justify it.
P1: That's right, you cannot. Tell us what you are interested in, academically or
otherwise. We'll ask you on that only (which they never did).
Me: Told them I'm interested in operations. Also I am a football fanatic and play
guitar.

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P1: Interrupted. Fanatic matlab tod phod karte ho Kya?

Me: No, Sir. I'm just very passionate about it and I follow my favorite team Liverpool
FC very religiously. (Then I continued to talk about my extra-curricular
achievements. Meanwhile P2 pointed something on my form to P1.)
P1: I see you have published a paper. Are you interested in research? Was it with a
faculty? What's his name?
Me: Told.
P1: You have also performed in Math Olympiad. Are you very good at Math?
Me: Yes sir, I like to think so.
P1: Gave me 2 puzzles.
Me: Couldn't solve them completely but gave the correct logic for both (after which
he completed the answer).
P2 (spoke for the 1st time): How would you rate your GD? (both laughing)
Me: I think I did well. I initiated and summarized the GD. Also, tried to bring in new
points.
P2: If given a chance what would you do differently in this interview?
Me: I think I did fairly ok but I would have liked to talk more about myself.
P1: Do you have any questions for us?
Me: Asked about the IM program.
It was the shortest interview of the lot. I tried to guide it, but they didn't ask about
anything in detail.

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9)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 87.xx
LRDI 96.xx
QA 98.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 93%
XII 94%
Graduation 83%
Work Experience (no. of months) 20
Work Experience Sector Automotive R&D
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Privatization leads to lesser corruption.

GD: The topic was not that difficult keeping in mind that the Nirav Modi scandal had
just been exposed. Pitched in 4–5 times (though wanted to but could not start the
GD) with relevant points concerning privatization in aviation, telecom and banking
sector and how private banks were having lesser corruption (the Chanda Kochhar
ICICI probe started later). At some places where I could not find relevant points, I
tried to moderate the GD by switching the sectors and finally bringing everyone to
conclusion since all candidates were in the favor of the motion.

Out of 11 candidates in my panel, I was the last one to be interviewed.

Interview:
The panel consisted of one male professor (let’s call him M) and one female professor
(let’s call her F). Both seemed quite experienced and senior in designation.

Me (after entering): Good morning Sir/Ma’am.

M: Good afternoon! (Poker Face since it was 12:40pm)

Me: Sorry Sir, good afternoon!

M: Oh! Actually you came early in the morning and had to wait quite a long time.
Don’t worry, tell us something about yourself.

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Me: Cliched answer.

M: So, you work in Mahindra R&D! That’s pretty good! So, you don’t love your job?

Me: I do, in fact, a lot, but would like to have a jump in my career (concluded with
some cliched statements)

M: So tell me something about your specific role in your organization and your
package.

Me: Explained.

M: So why leave a 7–8 lakhs package for MDI PGP? Are you so willing to do an MBA?

Me: Yes sir, I am not only leaving the 7–8 lakhs. In fact, on financial terms,
considering my two increments in the organization over the two years and adding
MBA fees with interest, it roughly sums up to 50–60 lakhs. So, it is not a fluke (of me
being here), I have given good thought to pursuing MBA.

Panel looked impressed on quantification of hurdles!

M: Since you are from Automotive industry, please tell me what is differential and
its function and what type of differential is used in Trains?

Me: Explained differential. Also, trains do not use differential, they turn with the
help of the conical frustum profile of their wheels.

M: How good are you in thermal engineering?

Me: I’m okay!

M: So tell me all the three laws of thermodynamics.

Me: Sir, actually there are four laws (nervous on being audacious enough to
challenge him, but also understanding that it was a trick question. The latter came
out to be true since he smiled after the correction) then explained the four laws and
also why the term “zeroth law” was coined.

M: Is the MD of Mahindra an MBA?

Me: No Sir, he is M.S. and PhD. from Cornell. (Knew what was about to come next)

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M: So why do you need MBA to attain a worthy role, you could go for M.S. since
your grades in academics are also good and you have good knowledge of your
stream too. (I didn’t have that good knowledge, in fact, the questions were quite
basic ones)

Me: Sir, I would better like to lead my organization from a business front rather than
on technical front. Also, I believe that with good technical knowledge equipped with
management skills and tools at my disposal, I can be a better leader and also my
interest lies in the same. (This question is always a Catch-22 situation).

M: What is Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing and what is the basic difference in PERT
and CPM methods of time study?

Me: Answered.

M: Why does a petrol engine need a spark plug while diesel engines don’t? And
which type of engine needs more maintenance and why?

Me: Answered

M: Do you think it is appropriate to run vehicles on electricity in a country where

most villages are not having power supply in houses?

Me: Explained my view point. Panel looked content with the answer.

M: What other calls do you have?

Me: IIM Indore and New IIMs. (Didn’t like to mention SPJIMR-Profile Based Call)

M: Why didn’t you apply for SPJIMR? You could convert it easily.

Me: Fumbled initially, then explained with some excuse.

M: Would you go for IIM Indore or MDI Gurgaon?

Me: Answered in a serious diplomatic manner so that it doesn’t seem too fake.

M: So your father is mechanical engineer! And you are following the same road?

Me: Explained how I grew up in an environment conducive to my decision to be a

mechanical engineer.

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M: Okay so very good! I am done. Ma’am, do you want to ask something (she hadn’t
uttered a word yet)

F: No, no! I am satisfied (this word seriously rang a bell of optimism in me)

M: Okay buddy. You may go. All the best!

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10)

CAT OA Score 99.xx

VARC 87.xx
LRDI 99.xx
QA 99.xx
Profile B.E
X 86%
XII 72%
Graduation 60%
Work Experience (no. of months) 36
Work Experience Sector IT
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Globalization vs. Nationalization

WAT Experience: Wrote about India and the liberalization efforts taken in 1991
under the FM Manmohan Singh and PM Narasimha Rao. Wrote about how
globalization leads to cultural exchanges and that of goods and services globally and
how Nationalization aims to do so within a country. More on China OBOR initiative
and how India declined to join due to conflict of interests and borders due to PoK
border dispute. So on and so forth. Included how Trump is now trying to protect the
interests of his countrymen, etc. Concluded by mentioning that there should be a
proper balance between the two.

GD Experience: In GD started the discussion by introducing Globalization and

Nationalization. Pitched in multiple times thereafter. Spoke about China-India
relation, OBOR related, US Trump issue, North Korea, how India is progressing – that
it is ranked at 100 in 2017, up by 30 points from 2016, in Ease of Doing Business
Index at 100. Spoke about Startup India initiative. Mentioned Make in India. How
the process to start a venture reduced from 100 days to 10 days. Concluded by
saying that both globalization and nationalization need to work hand-in-hand.
Overall GD went smoothly and everyone contributed effectively without it being a
fish market.

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Interview:

PI (2 Panelists)

P: Tell me about yourself

Me: Told and linked with how I am at this crucial juncture where I am keen to do an
MBA and grow my career and how I am keen to learn and gain knowledge and
exposure

P: So you from Army background. How has that been as a differentiator?

Me: Told about how I learnt to be disciplined. Learnt about the sense of camaraderie
and teamwork. Demonstrated examples in Sports and Music

P: Don't you think that Defense people are a bit attached to themselves, as they
prefer Defense Hospitals over Civil Hospitals for example?

Me: Told I don't think that way and told how I was brought up to not discriminate.
Also added in a humorous tone that probably my mother balanced that out pretty
well for us that we don't see any difference and treat everything at par and equally.

P: A question about drumming.

Me: Told how I was part of the school band and were trained by Army Regiment
Rajputana Rifles and how my interest further expanded and how I took it
professionally.

P: How would an MBA add value?

Me: Told - linked it with my long term and short-term goals. Also told how learning
from the top faculties and through case studies would enhance my learning curve
and how I wanted to learn more about other management concepts

P: Asked about the Vincenza award.

Me: Told it was a B-plan competition organized by MDI Gurgaon, where we pitched
our B-Plan and came in second.

P: Asked whether I tried for Defense.

Me: Told

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P: Asked about my percentile.

Me: Told

P: Why low acads?

Me: Told how opting for Chemical Engineering wasn't a conscious decision for me
and how I have grown ever since. Also backed my answer by mentioning that I was
involved in sports and music in college time and was also part of two bands. Linked
it with how doing an MBA is a conscious decision and that I will be putting in my
best.

P: What other calls do you have?

Me: Told

P: Asked about my work ex in the last company.

Me: I told how I partnered and diversified the service offerings and brought more
value to the company

P: Don’t you think that the multiple job switches would impact negatively in your
resume?

Me: Told that I agreed, however I have gained a lot in terms of experience and told
how I still share cordial and close relationships with my previous employers. Added
a bit more.

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11)

CAT OA Score 96.xx

VARC 87.xx
LRDI 97.xx
QA 95.xx
Profile B.A (Eco)
X 94%
XII 92%
Graduation 64%
Work Experience (no. of months) 0
Work Experience Sector -
Venue of GDPI Kolkata

WAT: For a resource starved nation like India, is spending on space missions
justified?

GD Experience: GD was good with everyone making decent entries. I brought some
new perspectives, and though I did not open the GD, I was able to make decent
entries. Overall decent.

Interview:
(I was third in the panel with P1- Woman in her late 30s and P2- Male in late 40s)

I enter the room, exchange pleasantries and P2 offers cookies.

Me: No Sir, thank you, I'm not really hungry.

P1: Tell me three adjectives you would use to describe yourself.

Me: Dynamic, resourceful, confident.

(P1 checks my interests where third interest was photography.)

P1: What camera do you use?

Me: Canon 60D

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P1: Tell me how would you capture a herd of sheep?

Me: Ma’am, it would depend on the frame of reference. For example, if I am on

some tall building then an aerial shot, otherwise if on the same level, I would use a
wide angle (said something on these lines).

P1: Have you heard of panorama?

Me: (smile) Yes, that would be better.

P1: So tell me something which always goes up and never falls?

Me: (Stumped by the question, I think for 10-15secs at least. P1 was just about to
move to a new question and enlightenment strikes!) Ma’am, Experience.

P1 and P2 look at each other in amazement and ask to explain.

Me: You learn both from good and bad experiences. So your learning from
experience will always go up and will never fall. (more smiles)

P1: But what happens when a person suffers from short term memory loss?

Me: (Realize it's a trivial question) Ma’am but that's a very abnormal situation then.
I was merely talking from a general perspective. (Both are pleased by the answer)

P2 enters now.

P2: So, what was your favourite subject from undergrad?

Me: Sir, I liked macroeconomics in general and monetary and fiscal policy in
particular.
P2: Okay, explain monetary and fiscal policy considering that I am a layman and I
have never studied economics.

Me: Start explaining and after around 80% is completed, P2 interrupts.

P2 then proceeds to ask three application based questions, one from monetary and
other two from fiscal. Could handle well.

P1 and P2: Okay we are done.

Overall very nice experience.

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12)

CAT OA Score 97.xx

VARC 98.xx
LRDI 92.xx
QA 92.xx
Profile B.A (English Hons.)
X 10/10
XII 90%
Graduation 60%
Work Experience (no. of months) 0
Work Experience Sector -
Venue of GDPI Bangalore

WAT - Influence of social media on youth.

GD Experience: Spoke 4–5 times, gave valid points everybody spoke, no fish market.

Interview:

Two panelists

P1: Started asking about phonetics.

Me: I don’t know.

P1: Asked a similar question.

Me: Wasn’t a part of my syllabus (English literature).

P2: Why MBA?

Me: Told them I want to open a media venture.

P2: Why not mass communication?

ME: Because it won’t teach me how to do business etc.

P2: If you go to a venture capitalist, how will you convince them about your business
plan?

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Me: Gave a vague answer (didn’t go for role play because they could have cross
questioned).

P2: You took a drop for CAT?

ME: Yes, Sir. My percentile was 81 last year and this year it is 97.xx – it has improved.

(Interrupted by P1)

P1- Were you confident about taking a drop?

Me - Yes, Sir.

P1: Who is the Home Minister?

Me: Did not remember the name. Tried to guess but no use.

P1: Defense Minister?

Me: Told.

P1: External Affairs Minister?

ME: Told.

P2: Any question?

Me: Asked about one of the marketing events.

END!

Tip: The key to crack any interview is 60% confidence and 40% knowledge & presence
of mind!

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13)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 96.xx
LRDI 88.xx
QA 98.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 91%
XII 87%
Graduation 73%
Work Experience (no. of months) 34
Work Experience Sector -
Venue of GDPI Bangalore

WAT: Is GST going to be a game changer for the Indian economy?

GD Experience: The GD duration was 20-25 mins. Quite chaotic in the beginning.
Everyone could more or less pitch in their points. Ensure to enter early in the GD
and make differentiating points to stand out. Few people went against the topic and
were grilled by the same panel when they went for the PI.
Interview:
How did you feel the GD went? What were your observations? Could it have been
better?
Tell us something about your work experience in the Analytics company and the
projects you have worked on.
Since you have pursued a certification in Finance, tell us about a few valuation ratios
and their brief use case.
Asked me about the courses I had studied as part of the Finance certification.
Asked about Statistics - Mean, median, mode, standard deviation, different
visualizations possible for various scenarios.
Do you feel you are at a disadvantage because you are the last person whom we are
interviewing today?

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14)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 93.xx
LRDI 97.xx
QA 97.xx
Profile B.Com (Hons.), CA, CS
X 90%
XII 94%
Graduation 6.3/10
Work Experience (no. of months) 28
Work Experience Sector CA firm
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Do we need more – managers or entrepreneurs?

GD Experience: The GD was preceded by a WAT where we had 15 minutes to write
our opinion on the same topic. Despite there being 8- 10 candidates in the group, it
did not become chaotic. Everyone had enough time to speak out their points. Rather
than giving generic answers, it was better to supplement your point with recent
examples and figures. Also, sometimes not going for the grey area but actually
sticking to your opinion, be it black or white, does give a better impression. Do not
repeat your points if you don't have anything to say.
Interview:
Since I belong to a commerce background, it was pretty safe to assume that I would
be asked about any recent happenings in the finance domain. I was asked questions
on Budget, PNB fiasco, Vijay Mallya's case etc. The interviewer was confused about
a taxation rule and was trying to grill me on that but I was steadfast on my point and
kept correcting him about the taxation law. In the end, I was able to convince him
because I knew the exact section number. Had I not remembered the exact section
number, it would have been better to accede to him.
Last but not the least, like every other interview, I was asked the perennial question,
"Why MBA?" In the questions that ensued, I also discussed my failures with them
and how I was eager to seek redemption with an MBA degree.

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15)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 87.xx
LRDI 99.xx
QA 97.xx
Profile B.Com (Hons.)
X 85%
XII 94%
Graduation 75%
Work Experience (no. of months) 32
Work Experience Sector Financial Services
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT: Are leaders born or made?

GD Experience: It was a 10 min discussion where everybody got a chance to speak,
no fish market. Entered 3-4 times in the GD.
Interview:
Started with usual questions like tell me something about yourself, why MBA etc.
They asked some current affairs related to elections that were being held in Haryana,
after which random questions were asked like – Why Haryana is famous?
Who made GT road? Who is Sher Shah Suri? Who made Red Fort, Qutub Minar?
About Slave Dynasty etc.
In the end a rapid fire was taken where almost all the ministers were asked like
Textile Minister, Health Minister etc.

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16)

CAT OA Score 99.xx

VARC 86.xx
LRDI 99.xx
QA 99.xx
Profile B.Tech
X 84%
XII 90%
Graduation 70%
Work Experience (no. of months) 25
Work Experience Sector Energy
Venue of GDPI Gurgaon

WAT/GD: Do we really need a business strategy when the world is changing from
month to month?
Interview:
2 panelists (M1, F1)
F1 called me in smiling asking about how to pronounce my name – she did 2 versions
and asked which one is correct.
M1: So, tell us something about yourself.
Me: Prepared for this so told the same.
M1: Why do you want to go for MBA?
Me: Gave the answer, relating it to my work-ex and event organization and such
positions at college.
M1: So, you have some inherent qualities, how do you think MBA is going to help
you develop those?
Me: Told.
M1: What's your CAT percentile? What other calls you have?

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Me: Answered both.

M1: Do you think there's anything wrong with our education system? Is there a need
to pay more attention towards it?
Me: Answered relating it to the need to focus more on primary education. Freedom
to choose career paths, and follow interests etc.
M1: Do you think there is lack of entry-level jobs for engineering graduates in their
respective fields?
Me : Answered.
Finally F1 starts!
F1: So, you worked in the energy sector – tell us about your work.
Me: Answered.
F1: What are your views on the Indian energy sector?
Me: Prepared just a night before so answered using statistics.
F1: Do you think the target of 40% non-fossil fuel based energy is achievable?
Me: Answered – gave examples of the largest solar park, and 10% rooftop solar
installation compulsory for smart cities project. (she knew about it so nodded)
F1: What are your views about GST as a whole?
Me: Answered.
F1: What about GST in power sector?
Me: Don't actually know, Ma'am. Haven't heard about it.
F1: You think it's not implemented in power sector?
Me: No Ma'am, I don't think so.
F1: (smiling) That's exactly I wanted to know. Yes it's not implemented in the power
sector
Couple more questions about my engineering college, academics, placements.
END!

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17)

CAT OA Score 98.xx

VARC 95.xx
LRDI 98.xx
QA 97.xx
Profile B.E
X 95%
XII 95%
Graduation 80%
Work Experience (no. of months) 23
Work Experience Sector Telecom
Venue of GDPI Hyderabad

WAT: Developing countries should focus more on foreign aid than on trade.
GD Experience: GD process was fairly smooth and well managed. We were 8 people
in one panel and everyone got ample amount of time to speak. No interjections or
chaos. The discussion started off by how humanity has evolved from the barter
system to the now specialized forms of trade in commodities and goods/services
between nations. We were even able to conclude that foreign aid is only required in
cases of emergencies for certain ravaged countries (like Syria) but trade is a real
enabler for countries like India which are in the development phase.
Interview:
I was 5th one to be interviewed. The panel consisted of two panelists - one female
and one male professor.
P: Tell me something about your background?
Me: Told about how various experiences shaped me up and then about education
and family.
P: Who is your role model from your family?
Me: Told.
P: Explain your work responsibilities.

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Me: Told.
P: What is Sea-we-me?
Me: Sir I'm not aware of any such acronym!
P: But it is used in your organisation! Haven't you ever heard of it being used there?
Me: Sir, honestly I have never heard of it. When I get back I will definitely make sure
I ask.
P: Okay, tell me three main learnings from your work?
Me: First – ethics. Second – Agility. Third – Collaboration.
P: Okay tell me one example of something which is unethical but legal, and one
which is illegal but ethical?
Me: Ma'am I think Euthanasia is ethical but illegal and cigarette selling and smoking
is unethical but legal.
P: Okay, good. Can you tell me what your stance in GD was?
Me: Told.
P: What really is Globalization?
Me: Told an answer and explained it, but the professors had a straight face.
P: Don't you think sometimes we think we know some things, but we might not know
it fully?

Me: Yes Ma'am, life is a process of learning. It never ends.

P: Okay. Do you have any questions for us?
Me: No Sir and Ma’am.
Okay then, you may leave.

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