IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience
Date: 14/02/2020 Morning Slot | Venue: Radisson Blu, Dwarka, Delhi
WAT: If Britishers had not colonized India, India could have become a superpower (20 mins.)
PI (~15 mins.)
2 panelists, M1(Early 40s, Faculty), M2(Late 30s, Faculty)
M1: So, how's the feedback about us outside?
(M2 took my file and started going through the certificates and documents.)
Me: Good morning sir, most of them were saying that the panelists are cordial and chill.
M1: What is the meaning of your name?
Me: It means a person who has successfully completed his education. (M1 giving me a puzzled look after looking at my UG marks.)
M1: Why did u leave your job? Candidates leave their job before CAT, and you left after the result, why so?
Me: (Explained them the reason)
M1: What were your roles and responsibilities in your company?
Me: (Explained)
M2: What are the different types of building structures? (Passed me a notepad and asked me to explain using diagrams)
Me: Well, if we classify according to the transfer of load, there are 3. Framed structure, load-bearing structure and composite structure.
(I wasn’t sure about what should I draw. So, I just made the top and isometric view of framed and load-bearing structures.)
M2: What type is this building?
Me: Not sure but it might be a composite structure.
M2: What is an earthquake? (After looking at my UG mark sheets. I had a C+ in Earthquake Engineering)
Me: Earthquake is the vibration of earth produced by the release of energy.
M2: What causes an earthquake?
Me: They are produced by the instant release of energy from the rocks or the tectonic plates that are subjected to strong forces. When 2 rocks or plates are rubbing against each other, a lot of pressure is built up between them. When it reaches a certain point, the plates start moving and energy is released.
M2: What are earthquake zones?
Me: Different Geologies at different locations in the country implies that the likelihood of damages by the earthquake is also different. So, seismic zones are divided into different zones.
M2: How are the zones determined? How many zones are there?
Me: Earthquakes occurred in the past are considered. The tectonic setup, geology and seismology is studied. In India, there are 4 zones.
M2: In which zone does this place lie?
Me: Sir, I am not sure but it must be in zone 3 as the place from where I did my UG was in zone 2. (Total guess)
M1: How is an earthquake measured?
Me: Seismometer
M1: Explain working of a seismometer using a diagram.
Me: (Drew a diagram similar to this and explained how it works)
M1: Why is the weight suspended on the frame and not on the ceiling of the room where the device is kept?
Me: (I had no idea.) Maybe it is calibrated according to that. I have actually never seen a real one.
M1: Where are they located and what is the agency that monitors earthquakes?
Me: (Guessing the answer) I am not sure but it must be located in all the major cities. I don’t know about the agency.
M1: Meteorological Department?
Me: Yes sir, maybe Meteorological Department.
M2: How do you make a structure earthquake resistant?
Me: Well, there are different ways to do that. The reinforcement in a structure plays a vital role during an earthquake. It increases the flexibility of the building and the chance of sudden failure are less.
Another technique is base isolation. It is a design strategy in which the base of the building counteracts the horizontal movement of the structures.
In major structures like Burj Khalifa, dampeners are also used. They are installed in the top levels of the building, and dampens the movement of the structure.
M2: What are your future plans?
Me: (Told them briefly)
M1: How a degree in civil engineering can help you in the field of marketing?
Me: (Talked about skills that a Civil Engineer possess and how they can be useful.)
M2: What other calls do you have?
Me: IIM C, L(ABM), I, B(BA), New IIMs, FMS, NITIE Mumbai, IIFT Delhi, IIT B, IIT D, IIT KGP
M2: What will be your order of preference?
Me: IIM C>FMS>IIM K>IIM I>IIFT D>NITIE M>IIT B> IIT D
M2: OK Dikshant, we are done with the interview. Do you have any questions for us?
Me: No sir. (I wanted to ask but couldn’t recall anything at that moment.)
M1: You can leave now.
Me: (Slowly gathered my documents and forms, and was hoping that they will offer me a candy)
(No candies offered)
Verdict: Converted (First List)
Takeaways
IIM K does not stress you out a lot.
They are concerned about the academic understanding of the candidate and expect common
Sense and general awareness.
Their interview feels similar to that of IIM I.
Technical questions are expected to be explained with the help of diagrams.
Questions from academics are generally asked from the subjects in which you were weak in graduation.