The CAT takers of 2020 experienced many things differently due to the ongoing pandemic situation.Not only did the CAT format change but also,all the interviews were conducted online through Zoom calls and Google Meets.Still, the interview experience of SJMSOM stands out from the rest.They used a different platform GATHER which ensured interviews for everyone went by smoothly.
I had my interview in the morning slot whose timings were 8am-1pm.Everyone was sent a link for the GATHER platform well in advance .The GATHER is an interactive video calling system whose UI resembles a vintage video game and everyone who logs in has an avatar who can go to other people and talk.
When I logged in,(it was designed like an auditorium) and had to report to a POC.The interview had two parts -document verification and actual interview and both were supposed to be conducted simulltaneously.My table had sixteen candidates which was then divided into two groups .We were also shown an introductory on SJMSOM's history and were informed about various clubs and committees.
Since I was from an ECE background, I was clubbed with all the candidates from the same background and also our panel(two professors and one alumni) hailed for a similar background.I had my document verification process in first half which was done by another adcom member.At the table,as everyone was from ECE,we interacted with each other and those who had already gone through their interview shared their experience with others.
The actual interview conducted on a zoom link was more of a formal conversation than an actual grilling process that sometimes the candidates have to go through.I was asked questions from all areas spanning from ECE to general knowledge and also involving few questions from work experience .The panelists also asked me some basic questions from 12th standard Physics just to check clarity of concepts.From GK, I was asked both from static and current affairs.The interview lasted about twenty minutes.I reported back at the table and shared my experience with others and then logged off after both the processes were done.