We keep hearing a lot about IIM interviews – their difficulty and unpredictability. Here is a compilation of the funny or interesting ones I have come across:
I) Candidate – Leki Suam - IIM Kozhikode interview – Converted and a batchmate of mine currently
This candidate has to be the boldest ever.
Group discussion topic: Something on the lines of NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission – Has there been any change or improvement?
So the GD started and people were discussing it calmly in the beginning. I was not sure how to get in. I kept quiet for 5 minutes. Everyone was going against NITI Aayog; basically, it was becoming anti-Modi.
There were some sweets on the table just a hand’s distance from me. I picked 1 up and started unwrapping it noisily. Suddenly, everybody started looking at me. I then said “ If I eat this sweet, I will keep the wrapper in my pocket and find a dustbin later on. Do you know why? It is because of the Swachh Bharat Mission. I then gave a monologue of 2 minutes mentioning scheme after scheme of the Modi government. (Talk about drama). I personally felt, the selection happened there itself.
Once the monologue was over, I popped the chocolate in my mouth; only to realize 2 minutes later, what a bad decision it was. I had to speak again but I could not do it with a candy in my mouth. So I reached into my mouth, slyly removed the chocolate and put it in my pocket. Half-eaten wet chocolate, in my pocket - that's right.
Once the GD was over, we all got up to leave. I saw 2 faculties sitting there and asked them earnestly “Can I take 2 more sweets? I am really hungry”. Their reaction – poker face!
Personal Interview
Panellist - Are you nervous?
Leki - Slightly. But people are much more nervous than me. Some guy just left his documents and exited. I guess I willl take up the responsibility and contact him.
Panellist – So you are a Mechanical engineeer with electrical work-ex?
Leki - Yes.
Panellist – Good. I am Mechanical. She is Electrical. This will be fun.
For the next few minutes, only questions related to my field and workex were asked.
Last 3 questions -
Panellist - So when you hear about Kerala what comes to your mind?
(We were buying fruits a week before – in Bangalore. My friend remarked – buy these bananas. These are the best. They come from Kerala.)
Leki - As soon as I heard the question, that incident came to my mind, and I said - “Bananas and coconuts.”
Panellist - Anything apart from food?
Candidate - No mam I am really hungry. Only bananas and coconuts.
*All laughing*
Panellist - What makes up the economy of Kerala?
Leki - Bananas and coconuts.
They were like – WHATTTTTTTTT
Panellist – Ok, who is the Chief Minister of Kerala?
Leki – I am sorry mam, forgive me, but there is someone whose name rhymes with Biryani.
*All laughing for a minute*
Panellist - You can go now.
Leki - *Got up; shook their hands* I guess I will now have to go back and try to contact the guy who left behind his file.
Panellist – Oh yes, please do that.
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II) IIM Kozhikode interview - Brilliant answer by a CA –
Panellist - Do you know how to play Tic Tac Toe?
Candidate - Yes sir.
Panellist- What is the probability that I will win the match if we play?
Candidate - If you play against me, zero sir!
(Talk about confidence and owning the interview!)
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III) IIM Kozhikode interview, Bangalore - Akshay Sriram
Panellist: *looking at the 10th and 12th scorecard* Arre why does every single student from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra have 90+ in academics?
Candidate: (smiling) I guess these state boards are lenient sir.
Panellist: So should I enrol my children into schools from these states?
Candidate: (smiling) Yes, if they want to get into the IIMs!
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IV) IIM Lucknow interview
Panellist - What is the probability that this ceiling will fall on your head?
Candidate - *shocked* - There are many variables, like it depends on the material, etc.
Panellist – That’s fine, but give me an exact answer.
Candidate - I need to look at such events that have happened in the past few years and derive the probability from there.
Panellist – Did you not understand? I want an exact answer.
Candidate - *exasperated* - 1 in 10 million.
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V) Snippets from an IIM Calcutta interview of a DTU engineer
Panellist 1 - Give me your file. Glances through it for a minute and nonchalantly throws it on the table. The first statement he makes in the interview -
"Why are you even here? You have done nothing in your life."
Candidate - *Smilingly* These documents are not a reflection of who I am. (And a whole lot of GAS later on)
Panellist 1 – You have played so much cricket in your life. Let me ask you a cricket question. If there is a left arm around the wicket bowler, and the wind direction is from long on to first slip, how will you change your stance as a batsman?
Candidate - Gave the right answer.
Panellist 2 - *Asks a mechanical question*
Panellist 1 - Arey don't ask him about engineering.
Bhai sahib has only played cricket in his life.
Some moments later...
Panellist 2 – Ok, let me ask you an easy question, who is the father of Indira Gandhi?
Panellist 1 – Jante ho na Indira Gandhi kaun hai?
*All laughing*
(Could not convert Calcutta; is a current batchmate of mine at IIM Kozhikode)
Liked this post? You may also like our Re-enactment of Actual MBA Interviews, which includes interview experiences from IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, and other elite Indian B-schools!