Some Resources to follow :
- Heard on the Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews: Timothy Falcon (A wonderful book that includes generic quant/logic questions as well as questions about Finance interviews. Referred by almost all MBA junta to prepare for their finance interviews
- Books by Shakuntala Devi, the world-renowned Math prodigy are also really good: Puzzles to Puzzle You: Devi Shakuntala, Mathability: Awaken the Math Genius in Your Child, Figuring the Joy of Numbers:
#2: Related to your undergrad stream/work ex
There will be a whole bunch of WAT-PI questions and answers about your core courses at undergrad (in case of freshers) and/or work-ex. Remember to be thorough with at least 2-3 subjects of your choice.
Some coaching classes have a "briefcase" of generic questions about the major disciplines like EEE, CompSci, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, etc.
#3: Questions based on your application
Every word written on your application should be familiar to you. I remember being asked about the books I have read, their plots, my view on the story, etc. If you have mentioned that you can solve a Rubik's cube in less than 2 minutes, expect them to ask you about your technique, the logic behind it, the different techniques other people use, and in extreme cases, to solve one at the moment.
#4: General Awareness/Current Affairs
Be thorough with the most important news of the year. Read through the last 2-3 months' newspapers and around 6 months' worth of magazines like TIME and Competition Success Review. Have an opinion and an analysis-ready.
For example, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is hotly debated right now. If the same is brought up during the interview, you would be expected to provide a stance on it (good or bad?) and also to provide your rationale and/or an honest, logical deconstruction of the same.
Some Resources To Follow :
- Offline magazines
- Daily newspapers
- Use Google Alerts to monitor various facets of news
- Use news aggregator sites like Mashable and InShorts
#5: Soft/HR questions
These are generally the most dreaded WAT-PI questions and answers as there is no right answer.
Questions like "Tell me something about yourself", "Why MBA?", "Why <insert specialization of your choice?" falls under this category.
They will generally be covered during your interview prep. Be honest. Completely honest. While that might not always work in your favor, it increases the chances of the interviewer seeing that you are making up things and for you to more confidently approach the question.
Mastering MBA Admissions: Check InsideIIM's CAT Composite Score & Interview Call Predictor Tool
A.1. Some ways to tackle the "Why MBA" question.
For:
- Better clarity of thought and understanding of business
- Getting the requisite exposure, networking, and knowledge of people, systems, and processes for starting up something of your own
Never for:
- Higher salary
- Old job sucks
- Old boss sucks
- Sense of adventure
- Out of boredom
- The final option in the decision by elimination
A.2. Tackling the "Tell me something about yourself" googly
Remember to keep it short, crisp, interesting, and chronological. Start with your background, your education, work experience, etc. Move on to softer aspects like hobbies and interests. Talk about the company you started, or the app you developed, or the NGO you run or volunteer at. Tell them about things that excite you. Touch lightly upon your aspirations.
Do not make it an elevator pitch. Do not be in a hurry to say everything. Make constant eye contact. See if they are interested. Smile. Do not bring in your political, religious, or philosophical affiliations. That is dangerous territory. Do not take it as an opportunity to "sell" yourself. Make it a conversation, an ice-breaker, and give them fodder to drive the interview.
Some Resources to Follow :
- Tackling Why MBA question in B-School interviews
- WHY MBA?? How to answer this common MBA essay question
A.3. Small talk
The interviewers sometimes use Small talk to judge your interpersonal skills or make you feel at ease.
Resources:
- Six Reasons Small Talk Is Very Important---And How To Get Better At It
- Heading Out on Your Own: Day 22 — How to Make Small Talk
- Mastering the Art of Small Talk
- How to Make Small Talk — Naturally
- GD Prep
A GD is similar to the WAT-PI questions and answers round as it requires a certain level of knowledge, preparation, and being updated on current affairs.
The strategy for GD is also similar with the following exceptions:
For a GD, ensure that you think about both sides of the debate because if you are late to the party and everyone has taken up one side of the argument, you will find that most of your points have been taken. Even if not, taking up an opposite stand will help you stand out a little from the crowd.
Some Pointers to Remember During a GD :
- Speak at least 3 times during the GD - to maintain visibility
- Each time, have something substantial to say
- Either try and start the discussion or try and wrap it up at the end.
- Do not hesitate to agree with the previous speaker. However, in doing so ensure that you add something to his/her argument.
- Do not be an asshole; even if everyone else is being one. Maintain your calm. Try and bring the situation under control.
- Never shout. Ever.
For comprehensive guidance, Check InsideIIMs WAT PI Edge Season 4 to prepare for the 2024 WAT-GDPI Season.
- WAT Prep
WAT is an important component that can make or break your chances of being selected.
The time limit for writing essays would vary from mere 10 mins to around 30 mins. The key is ensuring you complete your essay within the stipulated period. There would be no extra marks for handwriting (provided that it is legible). You need to have some concrete ideas, arguments, and opinions and need to augment them with facts. There needs to be at least some basic structure to the entire piece.
The topics are mostly current affairs or standard debates.
C.1. Strategy
If the topic needs you to take a stand, take one in the first 10 seconds. The topics are usually such that you can defend either side with ample amounts of data, facts, figures, and logical arguments. Remember that you are not there to prove the other point wrong, but to prove why yours could be right.
If for example, the topic is, "Should marijuana be legalized?", you can start by:
- Saying YES or NO. Let us assume you said YES.
- Why do you say so - free market and freedom of choice, marijuana is not the same as other drugs which are addictive or harmful, there no documented deaths due to marijuana overdose, use in medical procedures
- How higher taxes are more effective than bans - less Dead Weight Losses etc
- What would be the benefits of legalising - new revenue source for the government, curbs the prevalent black market for drugs, police resources dedicated to enforcing the ban can be mobilised elsewhere, etc.
Have a good closing argument or summary. Clearly state what your stand is.
Other resources: Check out InsideIIMs WAT PI Edge Season 4 to prepare for the 2024 WAT-GDPI Season.
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