Sharing an interview transcript from an IIM Kozhikode candidate (not mine) for reference.

It includes WAT topic, work-experience questions, academics (Maths/Stats/Eco), finance concepts, and SOP-based discussion.

IIM Kozhikode

Location – Hyderabad

Panel – 2

Panel – 2 Female Professors (F1 & F2)

Duration - 20 minutes

WAT

Topic – “Productivity is increasingly judged by outcomes rather than efforts.”

(Slightly unusual topic)

Personal Interview

I was the first candidate to be called in my panel.

As I entered, F1 politely asked me to check whether I was carrying a phone. I confirmed I

wasn’t. F2 was already seated inside.

F1 – Are you from Hyderabad?

I was born and brought up in Delhi, and I am currently in Hyderabad for work.

F1 – You did B.Com from Jesus & Mary College?

Yes ma’am.

She jokingly said, “Jesus bless you then.”

F1 – You passed out in 2023. What have you been doing for the last 2

years?

Told about working with 6 startups as an intern and volunteering with NGOs.

F1 – You’ve selected all 3 programs. Do you want to do all

simultaneously like your internships?

I replied humorously that while filling out the CAT form, I selected all available options. They

laughed.

F1 – Why IGNOU?

Told the reasoning.

F1 – What were you doing for income?

Told the work I was doing.

Discussion shifted to Zomato

F1 – Are these delivery companies doing anything illegal or unethical?

Answered that not exactly illegal, but they don’t present the complete picture. They advertise

earnings like ₹28,000 per month without clarifying the 12-hour workdays, fuel costs, and practical challenges. Shared personal experience.

F1 – If a rider wants to raise his voice formally, what should he do?

Mentioned government initiatives like the e-Shram portal and state-level committees supporting

gig workers.

They seemed satisfied.

F1 – Why are they called “partners” and not riders?

Answered that companies frame them as partners to give flexibility perception and ownership

feeling, as riders choose their slots.

(F2 was smiling throughout this discussion.)

Academics (Business Statistics & Mathematics)

F1 – Did you have Maths/Statistics?

Yes ma’am – Business Statistics and Mathematics.

F1 – What topics did you study?

Index numbers, Correlation, Regression, CPI/WPI (Inflation).

F1 – What is Regression?

Defined it as relationship between two variables showing dependency of one on another.

F1 – Give an example.

Gave an example (not very strong).

She asked whether it relates to probability. I clarified it’s different.

F1 – Gave a probability question

Attempted but couldn’t complete. She moved on.

Work Experience – F2

F2 – What do you do? What is your company about?

Told about my company and my role.

F2- Asked about my responsibilities and some follow questions regarding my job role

F2 – Do you invest?

Yes mam.

F2 – Where?

In Equity stocks.

F2 – Why Equity? Why not debt?

Told Equity gives more return while debt gives fixed returns.

F2 – At what cost?

Risk. Equity is equally risky.

F2 – Do you know about these mid cap small cap companies? How do they

differentiate?

Told about the market capitalisation. More than X crores of market capitalization companies are

Large Cap and so on.

F2 – So, which one will give more returns?

Large Cap companies are assumed to be the established and grown companies so it is

assumed that they will give small but consistent returns. However, small cap and mid cap

companies have huge scope of growth. That’s why they are expected to give more returns.

F2 – What do you look at a company before investing?

Told the balance sheet. Various ratios, promoters confidence in the company

F2 – Recently Google etc companies were doing a lot of buy back of their

shares? Why do you think they were doing so?

Told the benefits of buy backing - having more control, improving EPS, indicating good financial

health.

F2 – And?

Also to safeguard from hostile takeover.

SOP-Based Questions

F2 – You’ve worked with 6 startups, achieved targets, star intern etc. Why

keep switching? Why not convert to full-time?

Explained:

● Most internships were fixed-duration roles.

● One offered full-time but required relocation.

● I was preparing for CAT and was confident of joining a B-school/

● Would have required leaves in a few months anyway.

F2 – Were all internships fixed-period?

Yes. One startup shut its operations. Another was competition-based for one month.

She seemed satisfied.

Economics

F2 – Did you study Economics?

Yes.

F2 – What did you study?

Demand & Supply.

F2 – Anything unique?

Mentioned forms of markets, macroeconomics.

SOP & AI Question

F1 – Tell me honestly, how much of your SOP was written by AI?

Answered:

● I wrote 4-5 drafts myself.

● Used ChatGPT only for grammar corrections and phrasing improvements.

F1 – Are you sure?

Yes ma’am.

Closing

F1 said:

“Don’t discuss what was asked outside. Take your bag and leave directly.” (In a friendly tone.)