Candidates believe panel preferences are arbitrary—”It’s just luck which panel you get.” But panels have consistent, predictable preferences: authenticity over polish, specificity over generality, self-awareness over perfection. These patterns are universal across B-schools. Learn to prepare for what ALL panels value.
Candidates assume profile-based questions follow predictable patterns—engineers get tech questions, CAs get accounting questions. But experienced panels deliberately ask unexpected angles: the engineer about team dynamics, the CA about industry disruption. Learn why “predictable” preparation leaves dangerous blind spots.
Aspirants believe IIM converts know some hidden technique or insider trick that explains their success. The truth? There’s no secret formula—just consistent execution of basics that most candidates know but fail to apply. Learn why the “secret” is simply doing the obvious things well.
Many believe that applying to B-schools a second time signals failure and creates bias against you. The reality? Panels often view re-applicants favorably—IF you demonstrate genuine growth. Learn how to frame your second attempt as an advantage, not a liability, and what panels actually look for in repeat candidates.
After a disastrous IIM-A interview, many candidates spiral into despair, convinced their entire admission season is over. But each B-school evaluates independently—your IIM-B panel has no idea what happened at IIM-A. Learn why one bad performance doesn’t determine your season and how to recover mentally between interviews.
Many candidates believe that if you haven’t prepared for months, starting a week before your interview is pointless. This defeatist myth causes people to give up before trying. Learn what CAN be accomplished in limited time, what can’t, and the strategic 7-day intensive that has helped hundreds of candidates convert despite late starts.
Many candidates try to anticipate and prepare answers for every possible interview question—creating massive question banks with scripted responses. This approach backfires spectacularly. Learn why preparing “how to think” beats preparing “what to say,” and how top candidates handle questions they’ve never seen before.
Many candidates believe that maximizing mock interview count guarantees success—if 10 mocks are good, 50 must be better. This leads to “mock interview addiction” where candidates do dozens of sessions without meaningful improvement. Learn why quality beats quantity, what “diminishing returns” looks like, and how to practice effectively.
Some candidates confuse authenticity with unfiltered honesty—believing that being “real” means sharing every opinion, doubt, or thought that crosses their mind. This misunderstanding destroys interviews. Learn the difference between genuine authenticity and professional judgment, and why strategic self-presentation isn’t the same as being fake.
Many candidates believe B-schools want a specific “type”—the polished extrovert, the confident leader, the articulate go-getter. So they perform what they think panels want to see. The truth: there’s no ideal type, and performing one destroys your authenticity. Learn why being yourself—strategically—is what actually converts.