IIM Indore Interview: A Science Enthusiast’s Journey — From Periodic Tables to Global Politics (Without a Single MBA Question!)
Candidate Profile
- Background: B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry
- Category: General, Non-Engineer, Male (GNEM)
- Work Experience: Fresher
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 95%
- 12th Grade: 95%
- Graduation: 84%
- Post-Graduation: 85%
- CAT Percentile: 98.47
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Male Interviewers (mid-30s)
- Location: Welcome Hotel ITC, Delhi
- Slot: Afternoon, 23rd Feb 2023
- Interview Duration: 10–15 minutes
- Unique Point: Not a single MBA-related question asked!
Extempore Topic
Topic: Should plastic be banned?
- Format: 1 minute to think, 1 minute to speak
- Candidate Approach: Took a clear stand and justified it logically.
📌 Tip: In extempore rounds, always take a definitive stand when asked. Support your stance with environmental, economic, and social arguments. Avoid being overly diplomatic when decisiveness is expected.
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
1. Icebreaker & Academic Deep Dive
- P1: Introduce yourself
- • Follow-up: So, you're interested in chemistry...
- • Rapid-fire on core science topics:
- Types of forces
- Neutrons, mass, sub-atomic particles
- Gravitational force
- Periodic table structure
- Valency concepts
📌 Tip: For freshers, especially from core science backgrounds, expect in-depth academic grilling. Revise fundamentals thoroughly, even post-graduation topics.
2. Career Choices & Current Affairs
- P2: You scored well in JEE—why not engineering or IIT?
- 📌 Tip: Emphasize passion for your subject and vision. B-schools value clarity and confidence in life choices.
- P2: Lithium is in the news—explain lithium-ion batteries.
- 📌 Tip: Be ready to connect domain knowledge with real-world applications, especially in trending sectors like energy storage.
- P2: What’s your view on the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions? Why is Russia persisting?
- 📌 Tip: Reflect global awareness and analytical thinking. Discuss geopolitics, energy security, and national strategy.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Freshers should expect deep dives into their academic subjects
- ✅ Personal choices (like not opting for IIT) must be justified confidently
- ✅ Stay updated on how your domain connects to global trends (e.g., lithium in energy tech)
- ✅ Be decisive in extempore topics—clarity of thought is key
- ✅ MBA-related questions may not always come up—your overall awareness, reasoning, and subject mastery matter more
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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