IIM Admission 2023: Saara Mehta Shares Her IIM Ahmedabad PI Experience
Saara Mehta who bagged 99.95 percentile in CAT 2022 has made her way to IIM Ahmedabad PGP batch 2023-25. In her interview with Shiksha, she shares factors that led to success and important tips to crack the interview rounds of IIM Ahmedabad. Read this complete interview to know the questions asked in PI and AWT rounds.
Saara Mehta
Saara Mehta, a young and ambitious individual from Faridabad, Haryana, recently secured a staggering 99.95 percentile in the CAT 2022 and was shortlisted for the IIM Ahmedabad selection process. Saara's stellar academic record, coupled with her work experience, proved to be the key factor that led to her success in tackling the PI interview. In an exclusive interview with Shiksha, Saara sheds light on the interview questions she faced during the process and offers valuable tips for aspiring MBA candidates.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.Shiksha: Hi, please tell us about yourself.
Saara: I am Saara Mehta. I belong to Faridabad, Haryana. I did my bachelor in law from National Law Institute University, Bhopal in 2020, and have worked as an Associate at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Q: How difficult is it to get into IIMS for MBA?
Candidates with a great CAT score (95+ percentile) and excellent performance in the interview rounds can get admission in an institute like IIM Trichy. The level of difficulty entirely lies in the number of efforts taken to prepare for the exam and interviews. Interested candidates can apply by visting the offcial website. Also, candidates need to fulfil the eligibility criteria for IIM Trichy admissions.
Q: Is only CAT score a factor for admission in IIMs?
Q: Can I get direct admission at IIM Calcutta?
No, IIM Calcutta admission to most of the courses is entrance-based. The application process of IIM Calcutta for PG courses takes place via CAT. Therefore, candidates need to visit the official website of CAT to get admission. The institute will further shortlist the candidates based on the CAT score and send emails to shortlisted candidates. Moreover, for the Executive MBA course, GMAT score is accepted and for DPM, candidates without CAT score can apply with GMAT/GRE/GATE/UGC-JRF or another accepted exam score. Read more on IIM Kolkata amission.
Shiksha: Was IIM Ahmedabad your first choice? Why?
Saara: When it comes to doing an MBA in India, one will be hard-pressed to find aspirants whose first preference isn’t IIM A. The pedagogy, the brand value, the infrastructure, the diversity, and the opportunities at IIM Ahmedabad ensure that it is in a league of its own.
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Shiksha: What was your AWT topic and how did you present your argument?
Saara: IIM Ahmedabad conducts an Analytical Writing Test (AWT) wherein one has to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the given arguments. I was given a passage related to truth and lying, which I can’t recall all that well. But anyone with above-average reasoning skills can comfortably tackle the AWT.
Shiksha: How was your PI experience? Tell us about your high points or low points during the interview.
Saara: My PI experience was quite thrilling. I was asked questions spanning the fields of mathematics, politics, law, badminton, and even the significance of the famous IIM A toffee.
Q: Which courses are offered by IIMs through CAT?
CAT is the common entrance test for a range of post management courses offered by the Indian Institute of Management. The CAT score is accepted for admission to PGP, MBA, Executive MBA, Ph.D. and FPM courses.
Here is the list of courses offered by every IIM.
- IIM Ahmedabad: PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGD-ABA (post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics), PhD
- IIM Amritsar: MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA, PhD
- IIM Bangalore: PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PhD
- IIM Bodh Gaya: PGP, Ph.D. (FPM)
- IIM Calcutta: MBA, PhD
- IIM Indore: PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management), FPM
- IIM Jammu: MBA, MBA (Hospital Administration & Healthcare Management, Executive MBA (Blended Mode), Ph.D. (Full-Time Mode), Ph.D. (Part-Time Mode)
- IIM Kashipur: MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBAA (Executive Master of Business Administration Analytics), PhD
- IIM Kozhikode: PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-F, PGP-LSM, EPGP Kochi, PhD
- IIM Lucknow: PGP, PGP-ABM, PGP-some, PGPWE, PhD
- IIM Nagpur: MBA, MBA (Executive), Ph.D. (Executive)
- IIM Raipur: PGP, FPM/PhD, EFPM
- IIM Ranchi: PGP, PGP-HRM, PGP (Business Analytics), Ph.D. EPhD
- IIM Rohtak: PGP, EPGDSM, PhD
- IIM Sambalpur: MBA, Executive MBA, Ph.D. Executive PhD
- IIM Shillong: PGP, PGPEX, MBA (WE), Ph.D. PhDWP
- IIM Sirmaur: MBA, MBA (T&HM), ExMBA (Digital Transformation & Analytics), PhD
- IIM Tiruchirappalli: PGPM & PGPM-HR, DPM, E-DPM
- IIM Udaipur: MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, PGDBAWE, PhD
- IIM Visakhapatnam: PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM, Ph.D.
Q: How to get into IIM Ahmedabad?
The application process of IIM Ahmedabad for PGP takes place via CAT. Therefore, candidates need to visit the official website of CAT to get admission to IIM Ahmedabad. The institute will further shortlist the candidates based on CAT score and send emails to shortlisted candidates. However, for executive courses, the application process can be done via the official website. Details are as follows:
- MBA-PGPX: Candidates can submit their application through an online portal.
- ePGD: Applicants can submit their applications online. Application to the ePGD-ABA programme is a two-step process - registration & application form submission.
Q: How can I get admission in IIM Bangalore?
To be selected in IIM Bangalore, candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% or an equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PwD category). IIM Bangalore admission 2024 is completely entrance-based. Admission to the flagship course, i.e., the MBA of IIM Bangalore, is based on a valid score in the CAT exam, followed by a personal interview (PI) and written ability test (What) round. IIM Bangalore offers admission to Indian students via CAT and international students via GMAT/GRE. IIM Bangalore conducts the IIM-B tests for admission to Executive MBA (EPGP) and PhD courses.
Q: How can I get admission to IIM Rohtak IPM (BBA+MBA) course?
For admission to this institute for IPM, a candidate must have scored at least 60% aggregate in Class 12 and Bachelor's degree. The duration of the programme is for five years. The selection process includes IPM Aptitude Test and an online personal interview. Moreover, the IIM Rohtak IPM fee is INR 36.03 Lacs (The total course fee is inclusive of refundable and other deposits). The application mode is online. So, candidates can visit the official website and apply for IIM Rohtak IPM admissions.
Q: How can I get seat in IIM Kozhikode?
As per the admission process for MBA at IIM Kozhikode, candidates are selected based on CAT scores. In order to apply for this course, candidate must pass graduation as per the basic educational qualification and qualify for CAT entrance exam. The IIM Kozhikode MBA admission process consists of the following steps:
- Registration: Aspirants have to register online on the official website of IIM Kozhikode with graduation score and CAT percentile last qualifying exam
Find below the minimum eligibility requirements as per various parameters:
| Category | CAT Percentile | Sectional Percentile | Class 10 & 12 Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 85 | 75 | 60 |
| OBC/ EWS | 75 | 65 | 60 |
| SC | 65 | 55 | 55 |
| ST/ PwD | 55 | 45 | 55 |
- Shortlisting of candidates through AIS: Candidates who successfully submit the registration form and fulfil the basic eligibility will be shortlisted for WAT & PI rounds. The list of shortlisted candidates in each category will
be prepared based on an Aggregate Index Score (AIS). It includes performance of candidates in CAT 2023, Class 10 & 12 Gender/ Academic diversity criterion, and work experience. The weightage of each component in the AIS is as follows:
| Component | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2022 Index Score | 45 |
| Class 10 & 12 | 40 |
| Gender/ Academic Diversity Score | 10 |
| Work Experience | 5 |
- Final shortlisting via WAT & PI: The shortlisted candidates will be called for a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The weightage of each component for all the selection round is as follows:
| Component | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2022 Index Score | 35 |
| PI | 35 |
| WAT | 20 |
| Resume Score | 10 |
Also Read:
- 14 Parameters on which you are judged in WAT-GD-PI
- IIM Shortlist 2023: Check institute-wise dates and process
- IIM selection and admission criteria 2023-25 for MBA/PGDM
- What is IIM CAP? Know selection criteria, cut offs, participating IIMs
Shiksha: Can You please Transcript your PI.
Saara:
Q. You’re from Faridabad, it’s almost Delhi but not quite. How do you feel about that?
Q. What does Faridabad mean to you?
Q. You want to pursue Civil Services, tell me honestly if you’d prefer the services over this program.
Q. Do you know of the UPSC rank 1 some years ago who chose IFS as his first preference? (Since that’s also mine)
Q. Which IFS officers do you look up to? How will you handle quant?
Q. What are your preferred areas of quant? What is a GP?
Ans. I didn’t know the formula for the sum of the GP and they made me derive it there
Q. Who is your favorite IIM Ahmedabad alumnus?
Q. Who is the recently recommended World Bank head?
Q. What are some colonial-era laws that the govt doesn’t plan to change?
Q. What are laws that it does plan to change?
Q. What are your hobbies?
Q. Who is Syed Modi? (As I mentioned badminton) Who is he related to? (I had no clue)
Q. What is the full form of DMK? Which state is it in? Who heads it?
Q. Who is ruling Kerala right now?
Q. What is the UAPA? Name a few people charged under it.
Q. Under jurisprudence, is the death penalty justified based on circumstantial evidence?
Ans. I spoke of the rarest of the rare doctrine.
Q. Do you think there is someone who received an unjustified death penalty according to you?
Q. Is any IIM Ahmedabad alumnus charged with the death penalty?
Q. What did you do at your job in the law firm? (I have a tech law background)
Q. What is the latest PDP bill and how do you feel about it?
Q. Do you have any questions for us? (I said no) Really? Does a lawyer have no questions?
Ans. I said I’m trying to let go of the habit now that I want to become a manager, they laughed a fair bit- Take a toffee.
Q. Have you heard the theories surrounding this toffee bowl? What do you feel about them?
Ans. I said I don’t think about it at all, I will evaluate my chances based on my answers.
Shiksha: At what point of time during the interview you thought you made it?
Saara: Honestly, at no point in the interview did I expect to make it, as it was an intense experience wherein the panelists were asking me a lot of varied questions, some of which I could not accurately answer. Even on the results day, I was not certain of my selection, until I saw the email sent by the admissions office.
Shiksha: Was there a trick question in PI? How did you handle it?
Saara: I can’t think of any trick questions as such.
Shiksha: How much credit will you give to your academics and professional experience for IIM Ahmedabad selection?
Saara: I have a good academic record, with a 10 CGPA in the 10th standard, a 95% in the 12th standard, and am one of the top six rankers in my university. Since the academic record is a key criterion for MBA selection, I certainly benefited from my past efforts. Additionally, the law-related questions I was asked were handled well by me because of my academic record. As for work experience, I was able to answer a question related to the DPDP Bill 2022 because of having worked in tech law.
Shiksha: Any tips for future aspirants?
Saara: An important tip is to ace the CAT. You’ll have ample time to prep for the WAT-PI process of each college after the results. But getting a killer percentile in CAT will boost your confidence and get you those coveted shortlists. One step at a time, basically.
Shiksha: What is your future plan?
Saara: I am not sure of what the future holds. As of now, I’m grateful to be entering college life again at such a prestigious institute. I will figure out where my career heads from there once I have more information to make a decision.
Read More Interview Experiences
The table below mentions the links for more interview experiences for MBA Admissions 2023:
| Name of Candidate |
College Name |
Link for Interview Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Aditya Singh |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Bharat Karena |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Yash Kaviya |
XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Pratyush Adhikary |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Avi Shrivastava |
XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Sujit Kumar |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Siddharth Lilani |
XLRI jamshedpur |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Saurabh Wani |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Lavisha Taneja |
XLRI, Jamshedpur |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Kushagra Dash |
IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
| Eshwar Naik | IIM Ahmedabad |
Click here to read the full interview |
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- MBA Interview Preparation Guide 2023
- 5 MBA PI Situations that may Stump You
- IIM Admission & Selection Criteria
- How to prepare for GD-PI
Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature. She is a passionate writer. As her name suggests she is a good listener, a binge-watcher, and a great foodie. She loves playing badminton and doing meditation in her... Read Full Bio