PI Preparation: Format, Personal Interview Questions, Tips, Tricks, FAQs

Personal Interview (PI) 2021 ( PI )

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Abhishek Dhawan

Abhishek DhawanAssistant Manager – Editorial Content

Updated on Mar 18, 2024 11:40 IST

PI Preparation: Higher education institutes in India conduct Personal Interview (PI) rounds as a part of the counselling and selection process for major professional courses. Several degree courses, including MBA, have selection rounds that include Group Discussion, Personal Interview and WAT/situation test/ psychometric test. Qualifying Personal Interview (PI) round acts as a prerequisite to secure admission in reputed colleges offering professional courses under Management, Design, etc. The admission panel conducts a Personal Interview round after shortlisting candidates based on entrance exam scores and Group Discussion (GD) round. The interview panel comprises more than one member to evaluate candidate's communication skills, confidence, body language, critical thinking skills, and more.

Personal Interview counts as the foremost tool to evaluate more than just theoretical knowledge. It helps analyse the candidate's approach towards stressful situations via his/her verbal and non-verbal responses. Thus, preparing for a personal interview is equally important. Scroll down for tips on preparing for a Personal Interview, including the format of a PI, preparation tips, important PI questions, and more.

Also Read: MBA Preparation: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Q:   How to deal with the fear of facing a personal interview?

A:

Dealing with fear during a personal interview can be a psychological challenge for many candidates. However, it is important to remember that the interviewer is a human being who is simply trying to get to know the candidate better. Typically, interviews involve a conversation between the candidate and the interviewer, which can help ease the tension and make the process less intimidating.

It is also important for candidates to avoid fearing rejection, as this can prevent them from performing at their best during the interview. Even if a candidate is not successful in securing the admission or a job position, it is important to remember that there will be other opportunities in the future. By approaching the interview with a positive attitude and an open mind, candidates can increase their chances of success and demonstrate their potential to the interviewer.

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Q:   What should a person wear in a personal interview?

A:

When attending an interview, it is important to dress appropriately. A formal attire is usually the best option. You should wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable. Wearing formal clothes can also help enhance your body language, allowing you to appear more professional and confident during the interview. It is recommended that you choose dark-colored clothes without any pattern or prints for a more suitable and professional look. This will also help you make a good first impression and increase your chances of landing the job.

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Q:   Does the personal interview round for MBA and design courses differ across the pattern and type of questions?

A:

In any personal interview, the interviewer will ask some basic questions to initiate and build the conversation. These questions are designed to understand the candidate's personality, skills, experience, and suitability for the respective role or programme. Whether it is a job interview or an interview for college admission, the questions asked will be tailored to assess how the candidate can be the best fit for the position or programme.

Therefore, it is essential to research the programme or role you are applying for before attending the interview. This will help you answer the questions better and showcase your knowledge and interest in the field. It will also help you understand the requirements of the position or programme and align your responses accordingly. Overall, preparing beforehand can increase your chances of acing the interview and securing the position you want.

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Personal Interview Format

The interview process for Design admission or MBA admission is generally conducted by institutes ditching any centralised process. Some colleges also include PI and GD rounds as part of the counselling process. An institute conducting PI appoints three to four expert members to ask questions from the shortlisted candidates. Questions in a PI round are both generalised as well as personalised. The duration of the round can lie anywhere between 15 minutes to 40 minutes depending on the conversation.

Generally, PI is conducted physically at a predefined centre; however, PI has also been conducted virtually owing to the situations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also Read: Tips to Crack Virtual GD/PI

Top Personal Interview Questions

Here are few most common questions asked in a personal interview round:

  1. Tell me something about yourself?
  2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  3. Why ABC course? Also Check: How to Answer Why MBA Question in PI?
  4. Why and which specialisation would you prefer?
  5. Tell us about your interests and hobbies?
  6. Tell us your institute preference if you receive calls from other institutes?
  7. What is the most important decision you have made in life?
  8. Tell me about your home-state/hometown?
  9. What if you are not selected in the PI round?
  10. Where do you see yourself 5/10/15 years from now?

Also Read: Top 32 Questions to Prepare for Personal Interview

Besides the above-mentioned questions, a Personal Interview round shall also have personalised questions based on your studies at bachelor’s level, work experience, social-economic causes, etc.

Read More:

Q:   How to introduce myself in a personal interview?

A:

While introducing yourself in an interview, it is crucial to start with some basic details. These details include your name, occupation, and family background. It is also important to include your objective and how your education can help you achieve your goal in life. This helps the interviewer understand your career aspirations and how you can contribute to the organisation.

In addition, it is important to mention your strengths and qualities. This gives the interviewer an idea of your skills and what you can bring to the table. You can also mention your achievements that have helped you in your career or academics. This helps the employer understand your capabilities and what you can accomplish.

Overall, creating a well-rounded and informative introduction is crucial in catching the attention. By including all the necessary details and highlighting your strengths and achievements, you can increase the chances of landing your dream college or a dream job.

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Q:   How do I answer the Why MBA question in an MBA selection interview?

A:

Candidates must not focus on spreading their charm by playing across words. The answer required by the interview panellist is about what the candidate wishes to achieve from the MBA degree. Candidates must answer the question with honesty and authenticity by explaining how the programme aligns with their interests and goals. Additionally, candidates must answer why an MBA degree makes the most sense in achieving the goals.

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Q:   What weaknesses should I mention in case the panellists ask for the same?

A:

During personal interviews, it can be tempting to impress the panel by presenting your strengths as weaknesses. However, doing so may not work in your favor as interviewers are likely to have heard such responses numerous times before. Instead, it is advisable to be honest and answer the question truthfully. If you have a weakness, acknowledge it, but also explain how you are working to improve in that area. This shows that you are self-aware and willing to learn and grow, which are valuable qualities in any job candidate. By being truthful and showing a willingness to improve, you are more likely to make a positive impression on the interview panel.

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Q:   How do I explain the year gap for an interview?

A:

When appearing for a job interview, it is important for candidates to be truthful and avoid making up stories, especially when asked about a gap in their work history. It is always safer to be honest and upfront about the reasons for the gap. Interviewers are usually experienced professionals who can easily detect if someone is lying or trying to hide something. Instead of trying to cover up the gap, candidates should explain why they took the time off and how they utilized that time productively. This will not only show the interviewer that the candidate is honest but also demonstrate their ability to use their time effectively.

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Personal Interview Preparation Tips

Personal Interview is one of the most important components of the admission criteria at top institutes, including IIM, NIFT. Some IIMs including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Bangalore provide more weightage to a candidate's performance in a Personal Interview than the CAT exam. Admission based on NIFT Entrance ExamNID Entrance Exam and CEED also has PI round included in the selection process. Here are some simple yet effective tips to crack the Personal Interview round for college admissions.

Also Read: Personal Interview: 5 Situations That May Stump You

Do the Research

One must go through extensive research of the institute. The panel might ask questions on why the candidate is willing for admission to a particular institute. Check the rewards and recognition along with the collaborations with global institutes. In addition, check the average and highest placements offered to the students of the institute beforehand.

Be Clear with Objectives

One must be clear with the objectives to appear for the interview. With the “Why ABC course?” or “Why ABC institute?”, the interview panel analyses your future goals and objectives. Preparing these questions and analysing your end goal you could achieve with an MBA degree from ABC institute can help during the interview.

The interview panel evaluates your determination towards your goal. For instance, you tell the interview panel that you are pursuing an MBA program only for a PG degree and not to grow on professional and personal aspects, chances are the candidature would be rejected.

Worried about How to Prepare for GD/PI for admission to Higher Education courses? Check GDPI Preparation Guide

Inculcate Skills Focusing Your Goal

Attaining on-the-job skills that could help you become an efficient professional is one way to impress the interview panel. You should have several certifications that could enhance the soft skills along with the measurable abilities. Having multiple skills help provide you with context to talk more during the Personal Interview round.

Dress Professionally

Although, some institutes do not have a dress code for the Personal Interview round. However, candidates must always dress professionally during the personal interview. Dressing professionally will not only boost self-confidence but also have a strong impact on the interviewer.

Work on Self Confidence/ Non-Verbal Communication Skills

Listening to the questions carefully and answering the same confidently can make a big difference. You must have eye contact with the interviewer at all times. Shaking legs, playing with the pen are few signs of nervousness that must be avoided.

While communicating, the interview panel shall be evaluating both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Non-verbal communication can be evaluated using body language, and expressions.

Also Read: How Your Outfit Might Affect Your GD/PI Score

News & Updates

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Answered 3 days ago

Here are some tips that'll help you prepare better for the GD-PI round for MSc Geology admission:

  • Improve your communication skills.
  • Research and gather information about current affairs.
  • Mock GDs are also a great way to prepare for GD rounds.
  • Be thorough with your education, especially the stuff in you

...more

L

Lalit Rastogi

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, you don't have to prepare for any GD (Group Discussion) or PI (Personal Interview) round for BSc Computer Science admission. GD and PI rounds are generally included for master's or doctoral programs like MBA or PhD. Bachelor programme admissions are majorly based on merit, entrance, and counsell

...more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, there's no Group Discussion (GD) or Personal Interview (PI) rounds in the BSc admission process. BSc is an undergraduate-level programme whose admission process is based on the entrance test or merit.

A

Atul Arora

Beginner-Level 4

Answered a month ago

In MBA Finance Personal Interview you will be asked the following questions:

  1. Tell me about yourself
  2. Why did you choose finance as your specialisation in MBA?
  3. What do you know about our company and its financial operations?
  4. How do you stay updated with the latest financial trends and news?
  5. Can you explain

...more

P

Pallavi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Usha Martin University conducts a PI orund for selection of students to its MBA programme. All the registered candidates who meet the eligibility requirements and have a good academic background are invited for the PI round.  Listed below are some of the common questions asked during PIs:

  • Tell me abo

...more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

For the GATE papers with codes AE, AG, BM, BT, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, ES, IN, ME, MN, MT, PE, PI, TF, and XE, the GATE marking scheme is as follows -

  • 15% is reserved for the General Aptitude Questions
  • 13% marks is distributed to Engineering Mathematics
  • and remaining 72% to the subject paper. 

For more deta

...more

U

UPASANA PRADHAN

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No. There is no group discussion or PI round after qualifying the SRMJEEE exam. The admission of the candidates to BTech courses in all campuses of SRMIST is based on SRMJEEE ranks only.

M

Mamona Majumder

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yenepoya University conducts a PI round for all shortlisted candidates. This round is conducted to evaluate them based on various parameters such as general knowledge, business acumen, critical thinking, problem-solving, and more. To perform well, students can follow the below mentioned tips:

1. Focu

...more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10