How IMD MBA Interview Works
Applications that are complete in all aspects and qualify in terms of the minimum academic and other criteria specified above are evaluated for being progressed to the next stage in the admission process. Shortlisted candidates will be called for the IMD Interview process.
The IMD Interview panel will evaluate each candidate’s performance in terms of quality of work experience, diversity, leadership qualities, social sensitivity, and multifacetedness.
As a general approach to selecting a candidate for the program, a multi-factor model is used. These factors include academic track record, GMAT/GRE scores, quality of work experience, performance in the interview, and writing ability test. A composite total score will be calculated for each applicant using the multi-factor model. A merit list is prepared based on the composite total score. The offer of admission will be made to a certain percentage of applicants on the merit list. The number of offers made will depend on the availability of seats. The number of offers will be further subject to the candidate meeting a minimum cutoff in terms of the composite score and/or for any other factor score that the admissions committee may decide on
Who will interview you, and how long will the interview last?
Like most B-schools, the IMD interview is taken by a Panel. The Panel usually consists of 2-3 professors. The interview typically lasts for 25-30 minutes or may extend to 35-40 minutes in some instances.
Will the interviewer have read my application?
It is always safer to assume that the Panel members have access to your complete application. In most instances, they would have read it completely. Unless the school specifically says that it will be an blind interview. Mostly North American Business schools in US and Canada have an Blind interviews, European and SE Asian schools conduct interviews via Alums or panels which have full access to your entire application.
How can you prepare for your interview?
Like most MBA Interviews, your interview will mainly revolve around a pretty similar set of MBA interview questions. You can never predict what questions will be asked, but with enough research, you can predict what are the most commonly asked questions in these interviews. We have created a short FAQ list below to get you a jump start, and we also have a free guide linked below to help you prepare for these commonly asked interview questions.
IMD Interviews Frequently Asked Interview Questions
Professional experience-related questions
- Tell me something about yourself, or Walk me through your resume.
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- Why MBA? or Why now? or Why an MBA at this stage of your career?
- Why IMD?
- What is your Plan B? in case your primary goal does not happen?
Personal qualities-related questions
- What are your key strengths? Can you give some examples, please?
- What are your key weaknesses? Can you give some examples, please?
- How can you add value to the Class? or Why should we take you?
- Any reasons why we should not select you?
- Interests and Hobbies related questions – why do you do it, what have you achieved/learned?
Frequently Asked Situational & Behavioral Questions
- What is your leadership style? Can you give an example of a project you led?
- What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
- Give me an example of a time you failed.
- Give me an example of a time you faced a conflict. How did you handle that?
- Give me an example of a time when you did not meet a client’s expectations. What happened, and how did you attempt to rectify the situation?
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IMD MBA Interview Questions – 1
At the College Interviewed on: Feb 01 2023 The Ultimate Choice: Interviewed
“Below is a rundown of my experiences throughout the evaluation day:
The day began at 8:00 AM CET and lasted for approximately 5.5 hours total.
1. began with a brief introduction about the panel and the school (some fifteen to twenty minutes); They did not share the whole agenda prior to the event.
2. There were between nine and ten candidates of varying worldviews and countries in each group, along with between four and five members of the panel.
3. These activities are designed to gauge how well we are doing on an individual and group level.
3.1. During the group activities, you will be allotted one minute to talk on the topic (they will decide whether you speak for or against it), and you will be required to do so.
3.2. Following that, they presented a brief scenario (one that was extremely straightforward and didn’t include an excessive amount of data), split the class into two groups, and gave each group half an hour to devise a solution to the problem.
3.3. Interviews with Individuals
Questions of a general nature (Profile-based, Why an MBA? Why right now? why go with IMD? situational questions)
The interview was more of a conversational style”
IMD MBA Interview Questions – 2
On Campus Interview Date: March 6th, 2020 Decision Date: Admitted
“Since the women wanted to demonstrate their celebratory traditions to us, we held a separate evaluation day only for them.
The first portion of the morning consisted of a unique panel discussion with female graduates, and after that, we took part in the activities that were going on in the classroom.
After that, we got together for lunch with current MBA students.
And the evaluation took place after lunch:
a reading of the case
a discussion of the case in groups of two
a case presentation done in teams of two
– interview
– group task
In addition to that, we talked with the dean and representatives from the job center.
I would think that you don’t need to prepare very much for the exam because it is primarily based on your level of common sense and how well your group works together. However, you need to be prepared for the interview by knowing why you want to get an MBA and what you plan to do when you graduate.
The entire experience is incredibly motivating, and all of the individuals on campus were friendly; you quickly get a sense of being part of a close-knit community.
IMD MBA Interview Questions – 3
On Campus Interview Date: March 2, 2020 Decision Made: Admitted
“There were seven of us, and another three to four people were there to help us with admissions.
A tour of the campus, which began promptly at 8:00 AM and lasted approximately twenty minutes, got under way.
Then, each of us had a unique schedule for the morning, which included the following activities:
– Task given to each individual
– 1 on 1 interview
— Reading of each individual case
– Preparation for cases in groups
– Presentation of a Case by a Group
– Assigning people to groups
After that, we went to lunch and were each paired with a current MBA student for a question and answer session.
After that, we went to an Operations class that turned out to be really interesting. Every single one of them was put into a separate study group with the task of analysing the case and delivering their findings to the rest of the class. But while we were in the process of preparing the case, we were pulled away to have a meeting with representatives from the career center. And we wrapped up about the hour of four.
In contrast to what I had heard about past years’ practices, none of the morning’s assignments required any prior preparation because we had all we needed right there in front of us. And at no point throughout the morning did I feel like I was being held captive by an activity or something; they simply want to get to know you better, and it was abundantly evident that the participants’ perspective was not one of competitiveness. And there was not a single glitch in the organization.
So all in all, a fantastic experience that definitely gives off an air of superiority for IMD!
IMD MBA Interview Questions – 4
Off Campus, with Former Students Interview Date: June 26, 2018 Decision Date: Matriculating
“The evaluation day experience is extremely unique. Travelling to Lausanne and participating in a full day of interviews may seem like a burden at first, but doing so will provide you with valuable insight into what it is like to be a student at the IMD MBA programme. It was on this day that I realised how much I adored the school.
In most cases, the day will begin much before the actual day. The other attendees and I were communicating with one another through a WhatsApp group, and the day before the evaluation, we all agreed to meet up for supper. I was able to get to know a few of my prospective classmates who were from a variety of countries and cultures throughout the world. It was helpful to have some prior familiarity with the other people who were attending the assessment day.
On the day of my exam, I occupied the most of the day with the following activities:
The standard individual interview will consist of questions such as “why MBA, why IMD,” “what do you want to do in the future,” and so on. This is for the purpose of gaining an understanding of your level of expertise, personality, and goals. This is completed on an individual basis.
Case Study in the Group: Before the day of the assessment, we were each given a case study to complete as part of our preparation for the day of the exam. We had a professor from IMD who oversaw the discussion, and it was up to our group as a whole to come to a decision regarding the issue. The purpose of this is to gauge your level of expertise, as well as your ability to cooperate with others and maintain your composure under pressure.
During the role play interview, you will be seated with one other role play participant and an IMD admissions officer who will serve as the assessor. They will construct a situation that is quite similar to real life, and you will need to think quickly on your feet in order to solve a problem. They brief you on the situation, and you have a short window of opportunity to formulate a strategy on how to proceed. My role play was a high-performing employee who was adamantly opposed to mentoring less experienced workers. I had the assumption that I already understood the solution to the problem, but I soon realised that my presumption was incorrect. This is done so that I can get a feel for your level of skill, as well as your ability to keep control in dynamic settings, how you deal with mistakes that you make, and how quickly you can think on your feet.
In addition to the interviews, you will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop and eat lunch at the Institute for Management Development’s restaurant. They will typically link you up for lunch with a current IMD MBA student. Despite the difficulty, I came away from my trip having had a wonderful time. IMD’s campus is quite remarkable, and Lausanne itself is a stunning location.
I really hope that this helps. I wish everyone who has been selected to participate in the evaluation day the best of luck.
IMD MBA Interview Questions – 5
Off Campus, Accompanied by an Active Student Interview Date: April 21st, 2018 Final Determination: Admitted
“R1 Offer received.
5-plus years of engineering experience in Manufacturing
GMAT: 650 Q49 V31 (Therefore, I am confident that IMD evaluated the entirety of my application and recognised my ability.)
Schedule
– Invitation obtained 20 days beyond the deadline for R1
— evaluation day around one month after the invitation.
a case will be sent three to four days before it is evaluated.
– the offer was accepted ten business days following evaluation day
You must make a decision and respond with acceptance within the next ten business days
Assessment day
– If you like, you can plan your personal interview for the morning of the assessment day or the day before. Questions of a more casual nature, such as “Tell Me About Yourself,” “What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment,” “Why Is That,” “What Is the Most Important Thing That Led to Your Success,” “How Would Your Friends, Colleagues, and Family Describe You in Terms of Your Qualities and Defects,” and “How Many Hours Do You Sleep Each Night
– preparation for an impromptu presentation: you will have thirty minutes to read a case, followed by four minutes to give a handwritten presentation; the handwritten presentations will be collected, however you are allowed to keep some draughts and read questions before beginning the case.
– Snack time
– group discussion (about two to three hours) for the case that was sent earlier: open discussion first aimed at each participant sharing their own vision, with the host posing various questions and challenges at various points throughout the conversation. **** don’t be upset or confrontational; just think of it as a study group in which you simply share your thoughts and challenge each other rather than attacking or winning over something. Keep in mind that you are a TEAM, and that you enjoy every member of it at this point.
– Impromptu presentation: ****4 MINUTES !!!!! BE RESPECTFUL. Some of them began with a timeline as an introduction to the topic in general before moving on to the analysis and the findings. Although there is no one right method to do it, it is essential to demonstrate your ability to think analytically and logically within the allotted amount of time while still addressing the key topics. Find your own personal style and the approach that works best for you. You shouldn’t let the presentations of others to influence your own. However, pay close attention to any points that might be of assistance to you. Following the completion of each player’s turn, the host would lead the group in a conversation during which he would ask some thought-provoking and difficult questions, drawing attention to the incomplete riddles or superficial understandings we had.
– mealtimes (both breakfast and dinner)
– Time for mixing and mingling before the master class
– The best of the best
– Time for mingling and for snacking
It was intended to be like this every single day while I was participating in the program; it was a lengthy, heavy, and rich day.
At the same event, you will learn who you are and how you fit into this program. You will also have the opportunity to meet future candidates and lecturers, in addition to experiencing the atmosphere that this program cultivates.
Without having gone through this experience, I would still have my reservations about both myself and the course I was taking.
There are some additional candidates who participated in an interview procedure that was different from the standard one (individual Skype interview with case, in-person individual interview only, no case).
You are welcome to send a private message to me if you require further confirmation, if you simply wish to meet me, or if you have any offers.
I hope that life treats you well:)”
IMD MBA Interview Questions – 6
My online Interview was conducted on: Oct 20, 22
The Ultimate Decision: Admitted
“I had a conversation with one of the General Managers of Admissions at IE University,” I said in my application. My experience with the interview was positive; rather than being a stressful test, it was more like a chat.
Some of the most important questions were:
1. Please tell me about your background.
2. Why IMD?
3. Would you be interested in joining any specific clubs?
Some specific questions:
1. In light of the fact that you have firsthand experience in the start-up world, how would you describe the current state of the industry?
2. In your opinion, which of AI’s many innovations do you consider to be the most significant?
3. In your opinion, do you believe that the longevity of businesses was much higher 50 years ago, or is it still the case today? Why?
4. In your opinion, what actions have successful companies like Amazon taken during the covid? Is
It is crucial that you link your previous experience and post-MBA ambitions to what the university will provide you in the way of their curriculum, faculty, projects, and clubs.
