First of all, congratulations are in order on receiving a GD-PI call from IIFT - one of the top 10 b-schools of India and the Mecca of trade. However, your journey has just started and now you should prepare yourselves for the ultimate hurdle in getting into your dream b-school - WAT, GD & PI. This article, is a compilation of interview experiences of current 1st year students at IIFT Delhi with various profiles. Give it a read to understand what might be expected from you when you walk in for your GD-PI!
Background:
Electronics and Communication Engineer, National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur
Class 10th: 95%, Class 12th: 96.6%, Graduation: 8.3 CGPA (2018 graduate), IIFT Percentile: 94.532%
No work experience
My Interview venue was IIFT Kolkata. When I reached there, we were seated in a hall where we got a common WAT Topic, it was “Jobless growth in India and the Social Unrest”, we had around 12-15 minutes to write. By then, GD groups among all the students were already formed. My GD topic was an abstract topic, I don’t remember the exact topic but it was something related to contrast and comparison between music, wine, and sports. There were two moderators. Everyone got one minute to speak on the topic, after that the ground was open for discussion.
There were three panelists, one of them was also one of my GD moderators. Though I was prepared with my under-graduation subjects, they didn’t ask me any questions related to that. The interview goes as follows:
P: So, how many people are there outside? Do they look tired?
Me: (wasn't expecting such a question) There are 4-5 people outside, winding up things.
P: Are you tired?
Me: No, I'm pretty excited that after such a long wait it is my turn to be interviewed.
P: So by this time you must be knowing what type of questions we are asking everyone.
Me: No, I didn't ask anyone.
P: Sure? why?
Me: I wanted to have a completely unbiased experience.
P: Okay, good. So why international business.
Me: Answered.
P: So, you are sure about it?
Me: Yes
P: Do you know about the belt road initiative?
Me: yes. Told
P: Why India is against it?
Me: Answered
P: Any idea about what India is trying to do in South East Asia?
Me: Answered
P: What is the term for that?
Me: Answered
P: What are your hobbies?
Me: Answered
P: Do you think jogging outside is better than running in a gym?
Me: Yes, and explained
P: They told about bad air quality
Me: I told them about my hometown and the good air quality there.
P: Okay, it was nice talking to you.
***
Tips: Although, I was expecting academic questions, I was surprised to get more of a conversation about my hobbies and hometown. Though, one should be well prepared to answer about their interest in international business and the major international events.
Background
General, Male, Engineer. Work Experience: 15months at BYJU’s as a BDE
IIFT %ile: 98.85, Grad %: 67.72, 12th %: 85.2, 10th %: 89.2
WAT: what is future of electric vehicles in India?
GD: Should we continue to expand our cities or should we look for other alternative places to expand industries and corporates?
Q.1: Tell me something about yourself
Q.2: You have mentioned that you played cricket in school and college. Were you a batsman or a bowler?
Ans: A batsman
Q.3: Can you show us some shots here?
A: Sure, Sir. Luckily I was interrupted by other faculty and was asked another question.
Q.4: Work-ex related question
Q.5: We see that you have done drama previously. What is your take on Netflix and Hotstar (OTT players)?
Q.6: What is the diff in the business model of Alt Balaji and Netflix?
Questions were thrown one after the other from different panelists in an attempt to confuse me. Kind of stress interview.
***
Tips: Just focus on one question at a time and answer it truthfully. Go through newspapers specially OP-ED section and GDPI material available on multiple forums. Keep a calm head inside the interview room and you will sail through.
Background
IIFT-99.44 percentile, B.Com fresher- 81% (graduated in 2018), 12th: 94.6%, 10th: 95%
WAT topic- Jobless India is leading to societal problems
GD topic- Sports, music and wine-perception of peace
Interview experience (lasted for 5 minutes)
Two panelists: 1M 1 F
M panelist was asking questions while the female was observing (poker face)
M: Tell me something about yourself?
Me: Gave them a well-rehearsed answer
M: So, you must be following business news since you are from commerce background
Me: I mostly like reading editorials but do catch up on business news as well
M: tell me 2 business news of the week.
Me: started speaking about Rafale (mistake) and he interrupted saying that is political
Told him 2 business headlines (had read 2 in morning by chance)
F : you said SENSEX. What is SENSEX?
Me: Told
F: Who is the regulator of stock exchange?
Me: Told
M: What are the functions of SEBI?
Me: Told
F: What is insider trading?
Me: told
M cross-questioned a little on it and then he was satisfied.
F said Ok it was nice talking to you
Me: (literally) is that all?
M: Yes (started smiling)
***
Tips: One should know about the current issues, especially the ones with an international perspective. You can read about these on Knappily in detail. Be well prepared with “tell me something about yourself”. Your answer to this question will determine what all will you be asked in the whole interview.
It is quite evident then your IIFT percentile might make it a tad easy for you to convert your call but it is your WAT-GDPI which will determine whether you convert or not.
Prepare well and ace it!
All the best!