Personal Interview For MBA | How To Prepare For CAT Personal Interview

What is a Personal Interview?

Personal Interview is a one-on-one, in person meeting between an applicant and a group of interviewers. When it comes to admission for an MBA (Masters In Business Administration), it is considered as a crucial component in the selection process. 

Usually, the MBA personal interview aims to assess the candidate's suitability for the program beyond their academic qualifications. During the IIM Personal Interview, the admissions committee evaluates a candidate's communication and interpersonal skills, as well as their general fit for the MBA program. This gives the committee access to more information than what is contained in the written application, including the recommendation letters, essays, and CV.

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Format Of An IIM Personal Interview

An MBA aspirant who is appearing for the WAT-GD-PI rounds for any top B-school in India must keep in mind the following pointers about the MBA personal interview:

• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Weightage: 10-50% of the overall final selection process
• Stage: Final stage, along with Group Discussion (GD) or Written Ability Test (WAT/AWT)
• Panelists: 2-3 panel members
• Purpose: To assess your communication skills, clarity of thought, programme fit, and leadership potential

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Important Questions Asked During MBA Personal Interview

• Generic questions: Questions related to your background, motivation for MBA, career goals, strengths, and weaknesses
• Candidate-specific questions: Based on your resume, work experience, internships, and academic background
• Extempore: A 2-5 minute speech on a current or social topic (conducted by some B-schools)
• Written problem: A short analytical or problem-solving task (in some cases)
• Psychometric tests: Tests to assess personality traits, aptitude, and behavioural fit (in some institutes)

Additional Notes:

• Personal interviews can be conducted with GD or WAT/AWT rounds.
• The format and specific questions may vary depending on the B-school.

Common CAT Personal Interview (PI) Questions for MBA Admissions

Here are some of the commonly asked CAT Personal Interview (PI) questions, grouped by category to help you prepare effectively:

Personal & Background Questions

• Tell us about yourself.
• What key experiences have shaped who you are today?
• How has your background influenced your career choices?

Goals & Career Clarity

• What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
• How will an MBA help you achieve these goals?
• Why have you chosen your preferred specialisation?

Values & Personality

• What does success mean to you?
• Who inspires you and why?
• How would your peers describe you?

Strengths, Weaknesses & Problem-Solving

• What are your key strengths?
• What is a weakness you are actively working on?
• Share an instance where you solved a problem creatively.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• What does leadership mean to you?
• Describe a situation where you handled a conflict.
• How do you work in a team and manage differences?

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Purpose Of Conducting A Personal Interview By Top B-Schools

In addition to the written application, a personal interview is a comprehensive tool that helps the admissions committee at IIMs and other B-schools determine whether or not a candidate is qualified for the MBA program. It offers a more comprehensive understanding of each applicant than just their professional background and academic accomplishments.

• Starting the Conversation: To get the conversation going, start with a brief opening or a provocative query. When expressing your opinions, use statements like "In my opinion" or "I believe" with assurance.
• Evaluating Interpersonal Skills: The admissions committee assesses a candidate's communication skills, interpersonal abilities, confidence, and overall demeanour during the interaction.
• Getting Additional Information: Although a candidate's academic and professional background is briefly summarised in the written application, a more thorough examination is possible during the interview. The admissions committee can investigate particular experiences, get clarity on certain parts of the application, and develop a more thorough picture of the applicant.
• Evaluating Program Fit: A key purpose of the PI is to determine how well a candidate's career goals, values, and expectations align with the institute's vision and offerings.
• Testing Communication Skills: The interview helps evaluate a candidate's ability to think clearly, articulate responses effectively, and handle follow-up questions.
• Assessing Motivation and Passion: Another method of determining a candidate's drive to obtain an MBA and the rationale behind their career choice is through an interview.
• Verifying Authenticity: The PI also helps verify the accuracy and consistency of information provided in the application and resume.

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Weightage Given To Personal Interviews In The IIM Admission Process

After the CAT exam, each IIM follows its own admission and evaluation criteria. While older IIMs conduct independent selection processes, several new IIMs participate in the Common Admission Process (CAP).

The final merit list is prepared using a composite score, which includes CAT score, Personal Interview (PI), Written Ability Test (WAT/AWT), academic profile, and other parameters.

The indicative weightage given to the Personal Interview (PI) by various IIMs is provided below.

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CAT Personal Interview Preparation Strategy

It can be intimidating to prepare for a CAT interview, but don't worry! By using the appropriate strategy, you can increase your chances of success. You can increase your chances of doing well in your CAT 2024 interview and getting into the program of your choice by heeding these guidelines. The following tips will help you get ready:

• Be Thorough With Your Resume: Expect questions related to your resume, experiences, and achievements. Be prepared to discuss your academic and professional journey in detail. Emphasize how these experiences have contributed to your decision to pursue an MBA.
• Research About The Institution: Applicants should spend some time researching the prestigious institution they are aiming for as well as the particular MBA program. Interviewers frequently evaluate how well you fit with their beliefs and how genuinely interested you are. Knowing the program information demonstrates your excitement and dedication.
• Practice Interview Questions : Practicing questions like, "Tell me about yourself," "Why do you want to pursue an MBA?" and other common MBA Personal Interview questions like, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" can benefit candidates by increasing their confidence during the interviews.
• Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: During an interview, scenario-based questions may be used to gauge your problem-solving skills. Candidates should practice evaluating circumstances, coming up with solutions, and expressing their ideas clearly. 
• Be Ready for Behavioural Questions: Be prepared for questions concerning your actions in particular situations. Think back to times when you showed resilience, teamwork, or leadership. Write gripping tales that showcase your abilities and principles.
• Stay updated On Current Events: Current affairs are frequently discussed in GDs. Keep up with the most recent news, particularly in the fields of business and economics. This information presents you as an informed candidate and shows that you are aware of the situation.
• Practice Mock Interviews And GDs: Participate in practice sessions to be ready for GD-PI. This aids in stress management, communication skill improvement, and constructive criticism. To acquire a variety of viewpoints, practice with mentors or peers. 
• Brush Up on Basic Etiquette: Simple yet often overlooked, basic etiquette can make a significant difference. Maintain eye contact, listen actively, and be respectful towards others' opinions. These subtle gestures contribute to a positive overall impression.

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Types Of Candidates Attending IIM Personal Interviews

Candidates with and without job experience are the two main categories for which personal interviews are intended.

Candidates with Work Experience

The following are the most typical inquiries made to candidates who have previous work experience:

• Questions related to your job role, responsibilities, and key deliverables.
• The work environment and your interactions with supervisors and colleagues.
• Your professional achievements and the challenges you faced at work.
• Your short-term and long-term career goals.
• Examples of innovation and leadership can be shown through instances where you took the initiative and built relationships.
• Your understanding of your current industry, competitors, and preferred business domain.
• If you are currently employed, make sure you are well-versed with your organisation’s background, role, and performance.

Candidates with Little or No Work Experience (Freshers)

For those with limited or no work experience, there is a broader range of topics that could come up:

• Questions about your undergraduate studies: Be very familiar with the courses you took, as the interview panel may ask detailed questions about basic statistics, number theory, and geometry.
• The inevitable question: “Why MBA? Why not gain some work experience first?”
• Questions about current affairs and general awareness: Be ready to share your views and ideas for improvement.
• Questions about your hobbies or extracurricular activities: If you mentioned any, be prepared to discuss them. If you say you enjoy watching movies, be ready to talk about different genres, famous directors, and the impact of films on society.

Practice Mock Personal Interviews

We at Career Launcher not only support our students with CAT and other MBA entrance exam preparation, but we also help them build confidence through MBA GD-PI preparation conducted by marquee mentors and top B-school alumni as part of our  Personality Development Program (PDP).

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Handling Difficult Questions In A CAT Personal Interview

Handling criticism and personal inquiries during a CAT personal interview can be challenging, but there's no need to worry! Here are some great strategies on how to deal with difficult, personal, or unexpected questions during the interview. Following these tips will surely make you ready for even the toughest questions asked by an interviewer. It's also a good time to prove how well you can handle pressure, think clearly, and work collaboratively.

• Managing Open-Ended Questions: You should reflect and take a moment to answer a question of this sort. Using relevant examples to support your responses can help showcase your thought process, problem-solving ability, and real-life experiences.
• Addressing Strengths and Weaknesses: Use concrete examples to highlight your strengths and connect them to the requirements of an MBA programme. When discussing weaknesses, focus on areas of improvement and the steps you have taken to overcome them.
• Handling Difficult Questions: Remain calm when faced with challenging or unexpected questions. It is perfectly acceptable to pause briefly and organise your thoughts before responding, rather than giving a rushed answer.

By incorporating these strategies and practicing responses while preparing for PI, you'll enhance your performance in personal interviews, increasing your chances of making a lasting impression during the MBA admission process.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid During A CAT Personal Interview

It's important to avoid these frequent mistakes during your CAT personal interview to make a positive impression:

• Not Being Confident: To seem confident and engaged, sit up straight, make eye contact, and try not to fidget or cross your arms.
• Going in Unprepared: Failing to prepare can really hurt your performance. Take the time to research the institution, practice with mock interviews, and get ready for common questions.
• Lack of Clarity: Make sure your answers are clear and to the point. This shows you’ve prepared well and understand what’s being asked.
• Not Listening Well: Show respect by actively listening to the interviewer. Don’t interrupt them; let them finish speaking before you respond.
• Being Inauthentic: Be honest and genuine in your responses. Demonstrating authentic interest and motivation for an MBA helps build trust with the interview panel.