IIM CALCUTA GD/PI EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

PERSONAL DETAILS:
Name: PREM OSCAR JAY, S.
Education: M.Sc (Hons) Chemistry & B.E. (Hons) Computer Science [DUAL DEGREE SCHEME],
BITS, PILANI.
Year of passing out: 2000.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Duration of Total work experience: 53 MONTHS
Company last worked for: IMS LEARNING RESOURCES PRIVATE LIMITED
Position: CENTRE MANAGER
CAT PERCENTILES:
Overall: 99.71
Verbal: 99.25
Quantitative: 98.66
DI/Reasoning: 96.42
IIM C calls: PGDM
Final calls: C, L, I, K
GD/PI venue: IFMR, CHENNAI
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Topic of the GD: TO GET THE DESIRED FRUITS, WATER THE ROOTS.
No. of participants in the GD: 8
Time Limit and any other instructions: 10 minutes.
Whether asked to summarize the GD: DONT RECALL
Whether a written summary of the GD was asked: NO
THE GD EXPERIENCE: (please provide at least 5 lines of description)
Since the topic was abstract, the scope for making blunders was limited. This motivated everyone to
participate. Most of them spoke more than once, each time bringing a new perspective. Someone talked
about the child being the father of man; with respect to the nation, the roots were employment and
education while the fruits were growth and development. As can be expected, somebody touched upon the
need to strengthen the fundamentals of an organization so that it can attain sustained growth. Yet another
talked about pesticides and herbicides and his own take on what constitutes water!

How would you rate the Chaos level in the GD (on a scale of 1-10, 1 being most peaceful 10 being most
chaotic): 2
Any observations on mistakes you committed in the GD: I was the one who talked about the pesticides
and herbicides.
Any observations of what you could have done better in the GD: Any tips for GD preparation: Almost all the GD topics of that day were abstract.
PERSONAL INTERVIEW:
No of interviewers in the Panel: 3
List of the questions asked and your responses:
There was no Tell me about yourself question and no academic based question. The first question was on
Corporate Social Responsibility something I had mentioned in my form about long-term career
objectives. (The core question was, Do you think that it can be implemented in India?). Most of the
time, the focus was on my previous career choice Civil Services. I was expecting this and had prepared
for this with the help of a set of expected questions however, I was not prepared for the depth of the
questions. One question that was put across was why MBA (now that the civil services option is no more
available)? and why not Social Service and/or Politics? I gave the stock reply that an MBA will only
enlarge my career options and can help me be a better Social Activist or Politician (in case I choose to
become one). I gave the example of IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran. No work related questions. There was
no deliberate attempt to stress me out although I did feel a bit stressed.
Any observations on mistakes you committed in the PI: Neglected the third person in the panel who did
not put across a single question. I feel that I should have at least made eye contact with him from time to
time.
Any observations of what you could have done better in the PI: None
Any tips for Personal Interview preparation: Take a photocopy of the form that you have to send. Be
clear about what you write in that. The panelists do read it. You should be able to defend every point that is
written.