SPJIMR – From WAT to GI: How This Fresher Navigated the SPJIMR Interview Gauntlet
Candidate Profile
- Background: Recent graduate in Economics with strong analytical interests
- Work Experience: Fresher (no full-time work experience)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 94%
- 12th Grade: 96%
- Graduation CGPA: 8.7
- CAT Percentile: 97
Written Ability Test (WAT)
- Topic: "Morality is often linked to how religious a person is. Give reasons on if you agree/disagree."
📌 Tip: For abstract topics like this, offer a balanced perspective. Draw from examples across societies, psychology, and current events. Structure your essay well—introduction, body, and conclusion.
Group Interview Round 1 (GI 1)
- Panel Composition: 2 Panelists (1 Male, 1 Female)
- Group Members: 5 candidates (3 with operations background, 1 marketing, and the fresher)
🔵 Panelist: What does a typical process look like in your work?
🔵 Panelist: Who are your company’s competitors and how do you manage competition?
🔵 Panelist: Can you explain the Prisoner's Dilemma?
📌 Tip: Be ready to explain basic game theory and strategic concepts clearly. Know how to extend theoretical knowledge to real-world or business scenarios.
🔵 Panelist: (Follow-up) Apply the Prisoner’s Dilemma to another candidate's business scenario.
📌 Tip: This tests quick thinking and your ability to cross-link ideas. Practice applying frameworks to practical situations even if the case isn't directly from your field.
Group Interview Round 2 (GI 2)
- Type: Scenario-Based and Opinion Questions
🔵 Panelist: Imagine your boss is very difficult and unreasonable. How would you deal with this situation?
📌 Tip: Showcase maturity. Avoid idealistic or overly confrontational responses. Highlight empathy, communication, and structured conflict resolution.
🔵 Panelist: What’s your take on the Poonam Pandey controversy and its impact?
📌 Tip: These questions test social awareness. Present a reasoned perspective while avoiding extreme views. Tie your argument to ethics, media responsibility, or public influence.
🔵 Panelist: If you could change specific aspects of the Indian education system, what would they be?
📌 Tip: Be specific. Discuss reforms around curriculum design, skill-based learning, mental health awareness, or assessment systems.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be prepared for cross-domain questions even if you're a fresher
- ✅ Stay informed about current events and controversial issues
- ✅ Practice explaining theoretical concepts with practical relevance
- ✅ Develop a calm, logical response style for situational questions
- ✅ Participation matters – observe and engage even when you're not directly addressed
📢 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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