From Psychology to Entrepreneurship: A Calm, Crisp IIM Ahmedabad Interview Experience
Candidate Profile
- Background: Bachelor’s in Psychology from a reputed university
- Work Experience: Fresher
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 90%
- 12th Grade (PCM): 95%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 8.2
- CAT Percentile: 99.72
- Category: General Female
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 3 Male Professors
- P1: Led initial and concluding parts
- P2: Dominated most of the discussion (especially academic)
- P3: Silent throughout
- Slot: Morning, 20 February
- Duration: ~20 minutes
- Format: In-person
- Tone: Conversational, not grilling
Analytical Writing Test (AWT)
- Duration: 20 minutes
📌 Note: No specific topic shared, but it likely followed IIM A’s typical reasoning format involving opinion-based prompts with evidence evaluation.
📌 Tip: Even with limited time, structure your essay well—state assumptions clearly, and develop both sides if asked.
Interview Questions & Candidate’s Approach
🧠 Introduction, Research & Career Goals
🔵 P1: Tell me about yourself.
📌 Tip: Begin with highlights. Even if interrupted, pivot confidently as this candidate did when asked about her research work.
🔵 P2: Let’s discuss your published paper—what was it about?
📌 Tip: If you've done research, be prepared to defend and elaborate. This can become the core of your interview.
🔵 P1: Why did you drop out of engineering?
📌 Tip: Handle transitions with honesty and clarity—focus on learning, alignment with interests, and personal growth.
🚀 Aspirations & Psychology Discussion
🔵 P2: What do you want to do after MBA? Will you start a business right away?
📌 Tip: Be ready with a short-term + long-term plan. If you mention entrepreneurship, outline your approach practically.
🔵 P2: What’s your favorite topic in psychology and why?
📌 Tip: This is your domain—speak with passion, and link it to real-world applications if possible.
➗ Quantitative Aptitude
🔵 P2: Let’s talk maths—define minima and maxima. Solve for f(x) = x⁴.
📌 Tip: Even as a non-engineer, basic calculus might pop up. Be ready to explain derivation and interpretation.
🎤 Exit & Vibe
🔵 P1: Okay, it was nice talking to you. You may leave.
📌 Tip: A short interview doesn’t mean a poor one—this panel seemed satisfied early.
Key Takeaways for Future Candidates
- ✅ Even non-engineering backgrounds are valued—just bring clarity and conviction.
- ✅ Academic research can become a focal point—be well-versed in methodology and relevance.
- ✅ Panel friendliness doesn’t mean laxity—treat each question with seriousness.
- ✅ A shorter interview might indicate clarity rather than disinterest—don’t read too much into duration.
- ✅ Own your transition stories—be it stream changes or career aspirations.
📢 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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