PDP – Career Launcher’s CAT Blog

IIM-A PI experience-1

nitjin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:15:30 +0000

Here’s the PI experience of one of our Bangalore students:

(Prof Sanjay Sinha – P1)(P2-no idea about the name)
The guy before me had a long interview (close to 30 minutes). I was the second to go in for the PI. Both the professors were chilled out. Absolutely no stress.
P2 got my folder from me but did not open it.

P1 : So you work.
Me: Yes sir. I have working with ……..for 18 months as an Associate DBA and and my daily responsibilities include Space Monitoring, Object Creation, Object Migration, Schema refreshes and Troubleshooting Generic issues.
P1: Can you draw a chart of what you do at work
Me: I dint know what exactly he was looking for. So explained about my work.
P1: You work for an internal customer. Is it USA based ? What is the structure.
Me: I said Fidelity is split into 2 parts. FMR for North American Businesses and FIL for serving other parts of the world. As I was speaking P1 was drawing an organisational structure chart.

P2: Can you help P1 with the chart.
P1: Yes, tell me where you fit in the organization
Me: Drew the structure, explained where I come in and also talked a few lines about the general business.
( I was hoping he will ask about the various businesses. I used a lot of financial terms, I thought he will atleast ask me to explain them. I said in addition to the financial services biz, my company is into many other businesses as well. He dint ask me to elaborate on any of these.)

We had a discussion about the work. Interactions with customers. Went for 3-4 minutes. P1 was of the view that my work is pretty ordinary and I have no role , I said that when the databases are running fine, we have to monitor and run checks. But when there are production issues we play a critical role . Business continuity is important. If a production database is down, it will impact our customers and financial loss could be huge.

(Before this we had talked about what a production database is ?
What a development database is ?
How we make changes to the databases and such related stuff)

Then P2
P2: Explain more about your day to day activities
Me: Explained
P2: They are all already scheduled ?

Me: Yes. We have a lot of scheduled activity + there will be adhoc issues at times. Scheduled weekly activity will be on Fridays or weekends. We will prepare for that.

P2: You have done a course named “Resource management techniques” what is it?
Me: It is actually “Operations research”
P2: What did you study
Me: Simplex,Game Theory, PERT CPM…….
P2: What is the application of simplex
Me: No clue. Said so
P2: Game theory ?
Me: Said How behaviour can be analyzed and How based on the scenario we can think of a certain action to take.
P2: Give me one specific application. ( He pushed a sheet of paper across)
Me: I could think of nothing else but Prisoners Dilemma.
P2: Explain Prisoner’s Dilemma
Me: 2 prisoners A and B. Police has little or no evidence. So A and B are held in separate cells. A doesnt know what B is going to do. B doesnt know what A is going to do. In such a scenario A will assume the worst and think B will turn approver . So A will agree to give evidence against B. Similarly with B
P2: I dint get the whole thing. Can you repeat.

Me: I repeated the whole thing more clearly. Said A doesnt know what B is going to do. So he will think if B turns approver and He maintains silence, He will be punished and B will escape.On the other hand if B were to remain silent and A turns approver, A can escape. So in most cases thinking along similar lines both A and B will turn approver. But had both of them remained silent both of them can escape

Me: I said Prisoners Dilemma is a Game Theory problem.
P2: (Just laughed)
P2: UG acads are very bad. Till 12th scores are good.

P2: But you are just giving me a story, where does game theory come inMe: I was in the top 5 in tenth and 12th. I was in top 20 in UG. Did not worry about grades, was involved in a lot of extra curriculars.

P1: What exactly?
Me: I was a coordinator for placements and secretary for the cultural club. I have organized placement related training for my batchmates and juniors.
I have also gone to few companies to make placement related presentations.
P1: Good

P2: No A’s or S’ . Only B C D (S is grade for 90+. A is for 80+ ) .Its been 7 years since you were a good student.Will you be able to learn?

Me: Said in UG I dint realise the importance of marks. Now I know that it is very important. Also after coming to work learnt to prioritize and balance my interests.

(P2 and P1 looked at each other and said thats it. I was about to leave.)

P2: You are from Tamil Nadu right, let me ask you something. Whats your view on the LTTE issue?

Me: Said in India we equate the LTTE with the Tamils. LTTE is only a smaller aspect of the problem. Tamils have been oppressed for a long time. In opposing/fighting a militant outfit we should not forget the humanitarian issues involving a lot of civilians. In India, parties have taken a stance and are not prepared for a compromise. So India is not in a position to mediate. UN should intervene and call for a ceasefire.

P1: LTTE is still fighting. Don’t you think LTTE should be destroyed and then we can have all this?Me: Destroying will not be possible. Youngsters today are growing watching this. Tomorrow they will also take up arms. So thats not the right solution.Fight will not end will only change forms. International organizations should convince Sri Lanka to announce a ceasefire and ask SriLanka to invest in social infrastructure in the Tamil areas as a start.
P1: What should India do? Oppose LTTE ?

Me: Yes, but should support the Tamils

P1: That is fine.
(P2 decided to take a look at my folder. He just flipped through the folder for a few seconds. Smiled and asked me to take a toffee.)

IIM-K GD/PI experience-9

nitjin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:59:52 +0000

Date: 21^st February, 2009

GD/Case study details- It was a 50 word paragraph on whether a person has the right to end his life at the time when he reaches a stage when he is at a stage when he is crippled by chronic diseases and is unable to perform basic things like eating, walking, etc. At such a stage, what should be the role of his relatives, doctors & lawyers.

No. of students in Group- 11

Time duration- 13~14 mins

Interview Details

No of Panel Members- 2 (Let’s refer them P1 & P2)

There used to be a gap of 5~7 mins between the end of one interview and the start of the other in which the panelists went through the profile of the next candidate.

Over all observation- It was a 18~20 minute process in which I was questioned about my recent job profile, college subjects & basic Maths. One of the panelists was asking the questions and other was observing. Initially the questions were such that it lowered my confidence & morale after which they started asking basic conceptual questions regarding college subjects & basic maths.

Questions asked –

P1: So, you are currently working with Career Launcher?

Me: Yes Sir.

P1: But CL has it’s own B-school, then why don’t you join it?

Me: Yes Sir, but it is a new school and is just one year old. It is not in a stage where it can be compared to the IIM’s……..

P1: Ok, forget it ……….(I was about to give more reasons but was interrupted by him)

P1: So you are here to take the GDPI experience so that you go out and teach your students how to prepare for it? What is your plan?

Me: No Sir, getting into IIM’s is one of my dream and a career goal. I am here to clear the crucial stage of GDPI so that I can be a part of IIMK.

P1: (Still suspicious) May I see your mobile phone?

Me: (I was bit confused …does he want to see the model of my mobile phone? I do carry the very basic one available in the market) Sure Sir, I took it out of my pocket and presented it to him.

P1: So it switched off? (He was suspicious if there is a recording going on)

Me: Yes Sir. (Well it’s a code of conduct for an interview)

P2: Why have you moved down the ladder? You were getting higher remuneration, almost double in your previous organization, then why did you joined CL at a lower package? (In the mean time P1 started going through my certificates)

Me: Sir, in my previous organization, I was to be shifted to Shanghai for next 1.5 years under a project and this time I was resolute to clear CAT and get into the IIM so I thought to leave the organization as my objectives were not in line with the organization’s. I thought this move might create a catapult effect for me and till now the decision has paid well.

P1: Hey, where is your relieving letter when you moved from your first organization to second?

Me: Sir, I didn’t get the opportunity to collect it.

P1: It means that we can’t consider your first two years of experience.

Me: But Sir, I have the appointment letter of my first organization as well as the appointment of the second also.

P1: But it doesn’t reflect your continuity. Maybe you left the first after just two months. How do we know?

Me: Sir, I didn’t gave a thought to it but I assure you that I’ll produce it soon.

P1: (Now sternly) You need to send the letter within next 7 days to IIM K.

Me: Sir, I’ll make sure I send it within next 2 days.

P2: Were there any lay offs in your previous organization? (They were still suspicious of my strange career move)

Me: (In a flash) No Sir, in fact there are no such speculations even till date.

P1: Tell us your favorite subjects in college?

Me: Sir, Production Engineering.

P1: Any other

Me: Sir, Power plant engineering.

P1: Any other

Me: Sir, I.C Engines.

P1: Draw all the components of the I.C. Engines within next one minute.

Me: I started drawing but the moment I made the spark plug, I was asked…

P1: Do all I.C. Engines have spark plug.

Me: No Sir, I was detailing the most popular 4 stroke, S.I. Engine but the Combustion Ignition engine doesn’t have a spark plug rather has a fuel injector.

P1: Ok, continue

Me: I reached the crankshaft then was again interrupted

P1: What is a crankshaft?

Me: Sir, crankshaft is a terminal or a link which transfers the linear motion of the piston to the powertrain.

P1: What is a powertrain?

Me: Sir, powertrain consists of all the components which are used to convert the chemical energy of the fuel to rotational energy of the tires. Powertrain includes engine, transmission, differentials, drive shafts, roller bearings and tires.

P1: Are you in touch with Mathematics?

Me: Sir, I am preparing Maths content for Regional MBA courses so I am very much in touch with Maths.

P1: What are the topics which you cover?

Me: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Probability, etc.

P1: Ok, write the expansion of log.

Me: I expanded it.

P1: Write all the rules of log.

Me: I started but he immediately interrupted.

P1: Are these laws or rules?

Me: Sir, I am not sure.

P1: What is the difference between rules and laws?

Me: Sorry Sir, I am not aware of it.

P1: How will you prepare a good content when you don’t know the difference between rules and laws?

Me: Sir, I’ll make sure that I know such things.

P1: Ok continue.

Me: I wrote 3~4 more rules then he stopped me again.

P1: What is the rule for log (a +b)?

Me: Sir, as such there is no defined rule for log (a+b).

P1: Why?

Me: Sir, log is an operator used for multiplication and division of large and small numbers by converting these multiplication and division to addition and subtraction which is easier to do. But as such a rule for addition or subtraction wouldn’t serve any mathematical purpose.

P1: Tell me the first derivative of log(a+b).

Me: Sir, with respect to?

P1: With respect to x.

Me: Sir, since ‘a’ and ‘b’ are not the function of x, hence log(a+b) will be treated as constant, hence derivative of log(a+b) w.r.t x will be zero.

P1: (Sternly) Are you confident?

Me: I am very confident Sir?

P1: What if a+b =x?

Me: Then, we’ll get the derivative as 1/(a+b)

P1: Tell the the integral of log(a+b).

Me: Sir, with respect to?

P1: With respect to x.

Me: Sir, since ‘a’ and ‘b’ are not the function of x, hence log(a+b) will be treated as constant, hence integral of log(a+b) w.r.t x will be x * log (a+b) + constant c.

P1: Okay, do you want to ask anything from us?

Me: No Sir, I clarified most of my doubts from my mentor in IIM K.

Me: Sir, one thing. Can you please give me the address as to where do I need to send the relieving letter from my first organization?

P1: Well, you don’t need to send it.

Me: Ok Sir.

P1: Thank You

Me: Thank You.

IIM-K GD/PI experience 8

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:45:19 +0000

Heres the experience of Shiv@Dadar

IIM-K GD/PI experience-7

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:11:19 +0000

Heres the experience of Rahul@Dadar

SIBM GD/PI experience-1

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:04:29 +0000

Process Details-

1) Group Discussion (Case Study)

2) Group Task

3) Personal Interview

GD/Case study details

No of students in the Group- 11, 2 were absent.

Time duration– 10 min to study and 15 min to discuss.

Topic/Case-

Switchex is a switch gear company. The switch gear market in India has many players. Two big players have got 40% and 37% (approx data) of market capitalization. Switchex has 14% share. Rest 9% is contributed by many small players.

The company has a strong presence in northern India because of its emphasis on dominating north India region. Now Switchex want to increase its presence in western India region.

In Kohlapur region – (western India region) Kadam brothers are its dealer. They have performed very well for 2 years except for last 6 months. Mr. Patil, the manager, has also seen irregularities in payment received from Kadam brothers. Mr. Patil found out that dealer has some partnership issue and one of the partners has left Kadam brothers. Also, rest of the partners is looking into their own business which is impacting sales of Switchex.

Mr. Patil has been approached by another person who is interested to take up dealership for Kohlapur region. He has been a dealer for electric panel for XYZ Company in the same region. Mr. Patil knows that Kadam brothers have got good reputation and good contacts in the region.

The regional manager wants Mr.Patil to push the sales in short term. As the company focuses on growth, Mr.Patil had to push the sales figure and can’t wait any longer. What should Mr.Patil do?

Interview Details

No of Panel Members – 3 members panel, 2 Men and 1 lady. The lady was a faculty member and the two were from industry.

Over all observation-(comment in 2-3 sentences)

Interview was generic HR type. Typical interview duration was 5-10 minutes. Only 1 candidate was interviewed for 15-20 min as she was from literature background and may have offered something unique to the panel.

Questions asked-

Tell me about yourself?

Tell me about your family?

Do you regret leaving Infosys a starting your own firm?

What is your learning from your venture?

What are your Strengths and weaknesses

IIFT GD/PI experience-4

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:55:21 +0000

Process Details-

1)Essay Writing-20mins

2)GD

3)PI

GD/Case study details-

No of students in Group-12

Time duration-20min(2mins each person speaks first)

Topic/Case-

Is Industrial expansion in farmlands a suitable tact for sustainable development.

Interview Details

No of Panel Members-3

Over all observation-(comment in 2-3 sentences):

Relaxed Interview

The panel takes pain to make you feel at ease.

Questions asked (along with your responses if possible)-

1.Why MBA?

2.Hobbies?

3.Personal Background?

IIM-K GD/PI experience-6

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:31:40 +0000

Heres the experience of Naren@Dadar

IIM-K GD/PI experience-5

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:28:39 +0000

Heres the experience of Deep@Dadar

IIFT GD/PI experience-3

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:14:28 +0000

Name of the institute-IIFT

Process Details- (Describe the selection process)

1)Essay Writing(300 words,20mins)-Where does India stand on the global energy map.

2)GD(2min each for round-robin)15mins open discussion-Industrialisation in farmlands,is it the right road to sustained development

3)Interview-15mins

GD/Case study details-

No of students in Group-10

Time duration-30min total

Topic/Case- (attach if you have the Real Case)

Industrialisation in farmlands,is it the right road to sustained development

Interview Details

No of Panel Members-3

Over all observation-(comment in 2-3 sentences)

Very Casual,No technical questions on acads,all questions related to the cv.

Questions asked (along with your responses if possible)-

1.Introduce yourself

2.Tell us more about your family business

3.Why an MBA?

4.Explain in detail about an International news article.

IIFT GD/PI experience-2

nitjin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:13:28 +0000

Process Details-

1)Essay writing-“The digital divide in India:Reasons & Responses”

2)GD

3)PI

GD/Case study details–

No of students in Group-11

Time duration-50min

Topic/Case- Experience Vs Fame:”Do celebrities have to join politics” ;

1-2 mins each to speak and then open for discussion

Interview Details

No of Panel Members-4

Over all observation:

The interview lasted for 10mins max.I was the last to be interviewed.Overall it was ok,was cut short on most of my responses.Most questions were related to work,mostly tech question on JAVA.

Questions asked –

1.Why would I prefer JAVA over .net?

2.Can I use JAVA to design an aircraft control system?

ANS:Yes,Not just JAVA,also depends on DB & server to take load.

3.What is India’s foreign trade policy?

4.What is coimbatore famous for?(I did my Engg. In coimbatore)

ANS:textile & some manufacturing.

5.Why is Coimbatore famous for Textile?

ANS:Climate,raw material ..not sure of the exact reason.