From Code to Canvas: A CSE Grad’s Artistic Angle in the IIM Visakhapatnam Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (CSE)
- Experience: 18 months in IT sector (TCS)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 92%
- 12th Grade: 77.2%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 6.7
- CAT Percentile: 93.3
Interview Panel
- Date & Slot: April 12, Morning Slot
- Duration: 20–25 minutes
- Panelists: 2 Male Interviewers
- Tone: One panelist was exploratory and casual; the other took a deep dive into comparisons and expectations
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Self-Introduction & Background
🔵 P1: Tell me about yourself (TMAY).
📌 Tip: Set the stage by blending professional, creative, and academic experiences. For candidates with artistic hobbies, it helps to show personality depth.
🔵 P1: What kind of commissioned artworks do you create?
📌 Tip: Be specific—mention mediums, clientele, and how it complements your analytical side.
🔵 P1: Describe your job role at TCS. Why did you resign last year?
📌 Tip: Highlight project responsibilities, tech stack, and emphasize your decision to resign as part of pursuing structured business growth via MBA.
Technical & Domain Questions
🔵 P1: What is an Operating System (OS)? Give examples.
📌 Tip: Define it clearly as system software managing hardware-software interaction. Mention Windows, Linux, MacOS.
🔵 P1: Differences between Linux and Windows? Between C++ and Java?
📌 Tip: Go beyond surface-level—touch on system architecture, open-source vs proprietary, and memory management.
🔵 P2: Difference between class and superclass?
📌 Tip: Object-oriented programming fundamental—superclass is the base class from which subclasses inherit.
🔵 P2: What are the different data types used in Machine Learning?
📌 Tip: Talk about numerical, categorical, ordinal, and time-series data—add examples.
🔵 P2: Draw the graph of |x - 3|.
📌 Tip: Know how modulus shifts graphs horizontally—vertex of this one lies at (3,0).
General Awareness & Personality Questions
🔵 P1: Who is the current President of India and the previous one?
📌 Tip: Stay updated—mention Droupadi Murmu (current as of 2023) and Ram Nath Kovind (preceding).
🔵 P1: Tell us about your oratory awards from school.
📌 Tip: Share 1-2 highlights to show communication skills—link it subtly to your MBA aspirations.
🔵 P1: Can an introvert succeed in an MBA program?
📌 Tip: Absolutely. Emphasize adaptability, reflective decision-making, and how diverse personalities contribute to team success.
Preferences & Location Awareness
🔵 P2: What other calls do you have? Why IIM over IMT Ghaziabad?
📌 Tip: Address program quality, faculty, peer group, and long-term brand value—even if the location is farther.
🔵 P2: What states fall under NCR?
📌 Tip: Include Delhi, Haryana (e.g., Gurgaon), Uttar Pradesh (e.g., Noida, Ghaziabad), and parts of Rajasthan.
🔵 P2: What is the capital of Andhra Pradesh? Isn’t Vizag the new capital?
📌 Tip: Acknowledge Amaravati as legislative capital, and ongoing administrative shift toward Visakhapatnam.
🔵 P2: (Lectured on lack of research about Vizag)
📌 Tip: Always research the location and unique aspects of the IIM you're interviewing with—shows respect and genuine interest.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Integrate your hobbies and passions into your narrative for a richer personal profile
- ✅ Be clear on technical differences—OS, programming languages, and OOP concepts
- ✅ Know the latest on your target IIM’s city, state, and regional details
- ✅ Expect comparisons if you’ve already converted other B-schools
- ✅ Stay composed during subtle grilling—it tests both knowledge and attitude
📢 Disclaimer: Real Stories, Modified for Privacy
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, industry specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, industry specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
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