IIM Shillong Interview Experience: From Commerce Classroom to B-School Aspirant with a 98.4%ile
Candidate Profile
- Background: Bachelor of Commerce (Fresher)
- Work Experience: None (Fresher)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 92.7%
- 12th Grade: 94.8%
- Undergraduate Score: 89%
- CAT Percentile: 98.42
- Panel Composition: 2 Interviewers (1 Male, 1 Female)
- Interview Duration: ~12–15 minutes
Group Discussion (GD) Experience
Topic: Not specified
The GD had 12 participants and lasted 10 minutes. It was intense and slightly chaotic, limiting fair participation.
📌 Tip: In crowded GDs, aim for 2–3 well-structured, relevant entries. Avoid adding to the noise—clarity and composure are noticed.
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Icebreaker & General Awareness (By Female Panelist - F)
- 🟢 F: Tell me about yourself.
- 🟢 F: What is the local language of Maharashtra?
- 🟢 F: Tell me about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- 🟢 F: Which qualities of Shivaji Maharaj can be applied in business?
- 🟢 F: What books do you read? (Candidate mentioned Agatha Christie)
- 🟢 F: Have you traveled outside Maharashtra?
📌 Tip: Highlight leadership and strategic traits of historical figures when prompted. Relate hobbies to personality traits—curiosity, detail orientation, etc.
Technical & Economic Awareness (By Male Panelist - M)
- 🟢 M: Name 4–5 subjects you like.
- 🟢 M: Explain Price Elasticity of Demand and its role in the Tobacco industry.
- 🟢 M: How can the government increase exports?
- 🟢 M: Policies to boost production?
- 🟢 M: Impact of increasing tax-free income threshold to ₹7 lakhs?
- 🟢 M: What is Goodwill? How is it measured?
- 🟢 M: Can you identify sectors of two large companies by just their balance sheets?
📌 Tip: Stay sharp on economics and accounting basics. When unsure, rely on structured reasoning and examples from recent policies or case studies.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Stay calm even if the interview drifts into areas you're less comfortable with.
- ✅ For freshers, strong academic and general awareness preparation is crucial.
- ✅ Be prepared to defend every subject you mention as your "favorite."
- ✅ Always link historical or literary references to business contexts when asked.
- ✅ Brush up on basic economics, accounting terms, and current financial policies.
Disclaimer
🔍 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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