Wrote about the repercussions of the games like Blue Whale Challenge and how it killed several children worldwide. I also mentioned the psychological impact of games like PubG, Clash of Clans, etc., on youth, citing research studies and comparing them with earlier generations' games.
I would reckon my WAT went well, but I could have summarised it better had there been extra time. My advice would be to write at least 8-10 mock essays before the actual day.
GD Topic: Is four days week work culture sustainable?
Each candidate was given 1 minute to speak, and after that, the floor was open for discussion. GD went smooth, and there was not much of a fish market as one would expect. The moderators were good.
Talking about my process, I chose to speak against the topic. I mentioned how Sanna Marin has brought about this system in Finland but gave my rationales considering how it would not work in India. I made two short entries, and later, I felt I could have made one more entry. So overall, it was just a par GD for me.
Interview Experience:
Before starting, I would give a little background about me. I have done BTech from IET Lucknow in 2019 and worked as an Assistant Project Engineer in Paper Manufacturing Industry. At the time of the interview, I had a work experience of about seven months.
No. of Panellists: 2 (will address them as P1 and P2)
We didn't have to wait much for the interview after the GD. I opened the door and entered the room.
P1: (Before even me taking the seat) So, Anshu, you are quite active on Facebook!
Me: (I had deactivated FB for quite a while) No sir, I don't even use Facebook. I have deactivated it for a long time.
P2: Or have you deactivated it before coming here?
Me: No, Sir, it's been a long time.
P1: So why have you done it? Do you think it was harming you?
Me: ( I talked about why I consider it not to be fruitful after my college life and why I instead used other social media apps like LinkedIn or Quora and how it was helpful for me as I was working in the Paper manufacturing industry)
P2: Okay, Anshu, leave it. Tell me do you read newspapers?
Me: Yes, Sir, I do.
P2: Which one?
Me: Sir, as my work requires heavy work hours, so I prefer to read it in my free time through mobile apps like The Hindu & Live Mint
P2: Who is the editor of The Hindu?
Me: (after thinking for a few seconds) Sir, it is Mr. Nambath. I can't recall his full name.
P2: Alright, no issue. Tell me the top 5 most read newspapers in India.
Me: Sir, I am not quite sure, but considering the massive population in Hindi Belt, I would say Dainik Jagran and Dainik Bhaskar would be the top 2 in terms of sheer numbers.
P2: Okay. And the rest 3?
Me: I think it would be Amar Ujala, then Hindustan, and maybe at 5th The Hindu, as I had read it has a massive readership in Tamil Nadu.
P2: I am not asking about Tamil Nadu; I am talking about the whole country.
Me: (After thinking for a while) Sir, I think it would be The Times of India.
P2: Okay, Can you tell which type of ink is used in newspapers?
Me: (I realized that they had mistaken the fact that I work in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing industry and not the newspaper industry) Sorry Sir, I don't know about it as I am not in the newspaper printing industry.
P1: Alright, but this is a pretty basic question. Leave it, tell me how is costing of advertising done in newspapers?
Me: Sorry Sir, I did not get the question.
P1: I mean to say, if a person comes to you and says I have to give an ad in a newspaper, what are the factors that will determine the cost of it?
Me: (I gave an elaborative answer saying it will depend on the space that the ad is occupying, and will also depend on what page it is published and whether it is coloured or Black and white)
P1: Are you missing anything?
Me: (after few seconds) Yes Sir, it will also depend on the newspaper's brand.
P1: Fair enough.
P2: What is the GDP of India?
Me: (Told)
P2: What percentage of growth India needs to register to achieve a 5 Trillion Dollar economy?
Me: (Told as I had read about it)
P2: Can you write the formula by which you have come to this number?
Me: (Wrote on the sheet provided)
P2: Do you think India can achieve it?
Me: Sir, it is tough to get there, but it is certainly not impossible. If specific measures are taken, and things fall in place, it can be possible.'
P2: If you were India's policymaker, what measures will you take then to make it possible?
Me: (Had prepared for this answer so gave 3-4 points including a reduction in corporate taxes etc. although they did not seem fully satisfied with it)
P1: Okay, Anshu, since you are now working, so tell me the concepts you have learned in your college and are applying there?
Me: (Told about some general technical concepts related to Fluid Mechanics and correlated it with my job description)
P1: And what are the soft skills that you learned and are useful in your current job?
Me: (Talked about leadership, communication skills, time management, Teamwork, etc.)
P1: So what are the qualities of a Leader?
Me: (Told some generic answer)
P2: What is the difference between a Leader and a Manager?
Me: (Gave 2-3 fundamental differences such as leaders are process-oriented and managers are result-oriented, leaders nurture another leader before vacating their place, etc.)
P1: Which is your favourite subject in Mechanical engineering?
Me: Sir, Theory of Machines
P1: And other than that?
Me: Thermodynamics
P2: State the third law of thermodynamics.
Me: (Told)
P1: Tell me the name of 2 automobile companies that have recently entered the Indian Market and performed well.
Me: (Talked about Kia Motors and MG Hector)
P1: Which is the top model of Kia Motors?
Me: Sorry, Sir, but I am not that much into it.
P2: Alright, what do you know about GST?
Me: (Told in 2-3 lines)
P2: Okay, last question, what is the GST on Restaurant food?
Me: Sir, I am not sure, but I think it is 5%.
P2: You should be sure eh when was the last time you paid a bill in Restaurant?
Me: (Played safe) Sir, it's been a year. I work in a tier-3 city, so there are not many restaurants there.
P2: (Nodding) Yeah, I can understand. All the best
Me: Thank you, Sir
Conclusion: My interview lasted for 15 minutes. After the interviews, I thought it didn't go well as the questions asked in the first half was unexpected. But I somehow maintained a smile on my face and didn't appear under pressure.
Result - Converted
I hope this interview experience of mine helps you in achieving your dream B-school.
Break a leg!
***
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Comments
Kartik Yadav
IIFT PIs are known to be stressful, but the way he handled that was really inspiring. Thanks to Team InsideIIM for sharing his experience with us.
8 Mar 2021, 01.31 PM
Praveen Sharma
Congratulations Anshu and I'm sure this will help iift aspirants to perform well in their respective processes.
8 Mar 2021, 01.56 PM
Shakshi singh
Really helpful...
8 Mar 2021, 03.18 PM
Nikhil sharma
Helpful!!! Love the way you tackle the situation...
8 Mar 2021, 07.44 PM