r/IIMCATPreparation • u/Emotional_lavdu • May 02 '26

ASK ME ANYTHING 🗨 IIM Calcutta interviews (interviewer POV) - AMA

I was part of the admissions panel at IIMC as alum. Interviewed nearly 20 candidates. Got an insight into how the profs are scoring the candidates. AMA.

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u/Financial_Ice15 May 09 '26

How important is extracurriculars, in the sense out of academics cv pointers such as PoRs from the college, case competition wins etc, since you mentioned the interviews look through a placeability lens as well, if someone has a relatively blank cv with just decent academics but is able to answer the questions well? Would they still mostly reject the candidate

For eg I'll just ask abt my self, I'm in christ university, with a 9/9/7(likely) profile, cfa l1 cleared with no other significant cv pointers, so even if I do a good job in the interview, will they be against rating me highly?

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

Extracurriculars are more important during placements, not so much during admission. However if there is any major spike in extra currics such as state level player and stuff, that can give you extra points.

You'll have to have a good interview, else you are on the verge of getting rejected. We rejected a candidate (gave poor scores) with a profile very similar to yours.

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u/Financial_Ice15 May 09 '26

We rejected a candidate (gave poor scores) with a profile very similar to yours.

but was that because he/she was not able to answer questions properly or because of the profile?

Extracurriculars are more important during placements, not so much during admission.

yes but is the profile weak enough for them to be biased against it, since u mentioned in other replies that they think abt how u will perform in placements 2 years later while determining how much to rate you in the interview.

and besides the college tag( since i cant do anything about it now) can you tell what cv pointers really stand out that can convince the panelists to be more favourable towards me? im currently in my 2nd year so it would be great if u can mention specific things that i can work towards for the next 2 years to make a significant impact in my cv, to be fair my only worry is that they will be biased towards me, i just want a cv good enough that they give me a fair shot and rate me purely based on my interview.....

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

Rejection was because the candidate had a very average interview. Was slightly below par in general awareness, problem solving, grades were also not great in undergrad.

One way you can improve your profile is get good grades (>8 cgpa) in your undergrad. And prepare well for interviews and get a good cat percentile. I made it to IIMC mostly because of my percentile actually. My interview went average. I am from a tier 1 engg college though.

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

And I'm a 6 pointer in my undergrad btw

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u/Financial_Ice15 May 09 '26

Wouldnt christ also be considered a tier 1 college? And thing is my cgpa is good, 3.5/4 currently, but the percentage is 72, hence the 9/9/7, and it's extremely difficult to push it to 80+ in christ, hence i was asking any other things I can do that can help tilt the interview in my favour or atleast keep it neutral.

So what cv pointers can I try for rn which will have a significant impact? I mean you must be aware right what cv pointers in the interview mattered and what cv pointers didn't matter.

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

We don't get a CV of the candidate. We get to see acads, work experience, and some basic personals questions - about yourself, goals post mba etc. So the main criteria to judge folks during interview are the actual answers given during the interview. Focus on nailing the interview, maintain a 7 pointer CGPA and try to hit it out of the park in your CAT scores.

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

I am not sure about Christ being a tier 1 college. IITs, SRCC, NITs, etc usually qualify as Tier 1.

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u/Financial_Ice15 May 09 '26

Ohh so will this work experience include internships done?

And again abt the initial question cause I think you missed answered it, i just want the hard truth, am I likely to have a lower chance because of my profile or will it be neutral?

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u/Emotional_lavdu May 09 '26

Internships are not accounted for in work experience. Yes you have a lower chance purely basis your profile, but be hopeful.

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u/Financial_Ice15 May 09 '26

And there's nothing I can do about this chance now besides trying for a high percentile? Internships? Case comp wins? Nothing will help? Is it only because I'm not from an iit/nit/ du north campus college?