30 IIM & ISB MBA Admission Interview Questions & Sample Answers for 2025

The MBA interview is the final and most crucial step in your MBA admissions journey. I would argue that it is the most nerve-wracking and difficult aspect of the entire MBA. You’re sitting before alumni on the admissions panel who will judge your accomplishments, goals and motivations in 30 minutes and decide the course of your future. Anticipating the questions from the interviewers and preparing for them saves you a tonne of stress and prevents slip-ups on interview day. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions, and sample answers for these questions, during the IIM and ISB interviews in 2025.

Tell Me About Yourself

This question challenges you to compress a huge amount of life and career information into a minute or two. The best answer to this question is a few short sentences about your education, background, career journey so far, and your motivation for doing the MBA. I always recommend that candidates use the “Am-Do-Want” framework to keep answers interesting and concise.

Sample Answer to “Tell Me About Yourself”

I’m Arjun, and I’ve lived in Chennai for two years.

For the past 3 years, I’ve worked for Ford Motor Company as an Associate Engineer in their manufacturing operations vertical.

I have a background in mechanical engineering, with a bachelor’s degree from VIT University. Working for Ford was a natural career, and I loved American cars.

Throughout my career, I’ve been interested in process mapping. I love charting how cars get made on the assembly line, digging out problem areas and developing feasible solutions with the plant personnel.

For example, in 2016, I was tasked with finding the source of defective paintwork on one of the lines. My investigation revealed that the paint shop was working flawlessly, but a welding robot in the body shop was throwing sparks onto freshly painted cars stored nearby. I implemented a simple fix that saved $3000 in monthly paint rework.

Moving forward, I want to use my technical background and analytical skills as a supply chain consultant for a top manufacturing consulting firm, like Roland Berger or the Big 3. I believe that the ISB MBA will help me achieve this goal by providing an opportunity to live and learn from individuals who have the same goal – to help companies efficiently use specialists to solve industry-wide problems.

Walk Me Through Your Resume

This question sounds very similar to “Tell Me About Yourself“. Don’t worry if you’ve only prepared for one or the other since both questions never get asked together in the same interview. But interviewers expect your answer to focus on your work, the skills you’ve deployed and the results you’ve achieved. Again, the “Am-Do-Want” framework makes your answer easy to follow for listeners.

Sample Answer to “Walk Me Through Your Resume”

I have a background in mechanical engineering. My father runs a chain of motorbike rentals in Chennai. From a young age, I was not only interested in the business of running a vehicle rental business, but also the internal workings of the bikes themselves. Dad constantly pushed me to get the technical education he never received. So I enrolled in the mechanical engineering bachelor’s program at VIT University where I graduated with honors in 2015.

I was the top pick for the Ford Motor Company’s Graduate Engineering Trainee program. I quickly took a shine to investigating delays, breakage, and underperformance of any kind on the vehicle assembly lines at the Maraimalainagar plant. During my first year there, I solved a paintwork defect that was causing $3000 in rework every month.

The head of the plant took me under his wing, exposing me to various shops and problem statements. By the end of 2018, this hands-on experience gave me a head start over my fellow trainees in understanding the bigger picture of plant operations.

By 2019, I had a solid grasp of industrial engineering and plant operations. I saw an opening for my current role as a technical project manager at Ford’s joint venture partner, Mahindra Motors. My boss and I had a frank discussion about my career progression at the plant, and he agreed that I should gain some experience in heading larger projects off the plant floor.

Transitioning into this role was a big step in broadening my expertise beyond day-to-day plant operations. At Mahindra Motors, I took on cross-functional projects that required coordination between design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams. Leading these initiatives not only strengthened my project management skills but also gave me firsthand experience in aligning technical execution with business objectives.

This shift laid the foundation for my ability to drive large-scale programs with measurable impact.

Moving forward, I want to take on leadership of larger project portfolios as a program manager. I would also like to transition out of the core manufacturing space to the fleet management space with Uber, Ola, or Grab where they’re considering in-house manufacturing and leasing to expand their operations. I can contribute my technical expertise and project management skills. And I can dabble in the complexities of fleet management technology in return.

An ISB MBA will equip me with the strategic, financial, and leadership skills needed to drive large-scale programs in fleet management. It will deepen my understanding of business operations, market dynamics, and data-driven decision-making—critical for managing in-house manufacturing and leasing models at companies like Uber, Ola, or Grab.

Explain the Gap in Your Resume

Ouchie! This one is always uncomfortable to answer, especially if your break is over three months. I recommend honesty so long as it doesn’t portray you as lazy, unmotivated or undirected. Derive lessons from every experience, even if it’s just couchsurfing while hunting for standup comedy gigs. If you had depression and had to take a mental health break, talk about the steps you took to heal yourself and the resilience you built. Don’t seek to evoke pity for your struggles through your choice of words or tone of voice. That will only cast doubt on your ability to handle the stresses of an MBA. If they ask you why you didn’t do X instead of Y, be prepared with solid reasoning as to why it might not have been feasible.

Read more tips on addressing resume gaps.

Sample Answer to “Walk Me Through Your Resume”

In August 2021, I had just wrapped up a customer experience improvement project at Amazon that I had spearheaded since the end of the pandemic. The stress of handholding a hundred vendors through pandemic-related changes to their business operations exacerbated stomach problems I did not know I had until being hospitalised for ulcerative colitis. I had a choice – either deal with the issue on an ongoing basis and risk worsening my health. Or take a career break and work towards getting a clean bill of health. I chose the latter since I had the ambition to enter an MBA and would need to deal with stress regularly. The smart choice was obvious.

Why Did You Change Domains/Companies/Roles?

People logically leave their current role to another department, domain, industry, profile or job title. The reasoning for such jumps follows one of three templates highlighted below:

• Same company, different department → “Transitioned to [new role] to cross-train in [new skill/domain], broadening expertise beyond my technical specialization.”
• Same department, different company → “Moved to [company] to tackle new problem statements in [field], applying my expertise in [skillset].”
• Different industry → “Made a strategic shift to [industry] to explore its emerging potential, leveraging my background in [previous expertise].”

Sample Answer to “Why did you leave Program Management for Marketing”?

I transitioned to marketing to gain a deeper, more hands-on understanding of customers and their behaviours, going beyond operational execution in e-commerce to a role that allowed for greater creativity, strategy, and impact.

Describe One Professional Problem You Faced and How You Dealt With It

A classic question where you must deploy the STAR (Situation – Task – Action – Result) format to structure your answer. Remember that numbers form the backbone of your answers. “I improved customer satisfaction by 10% after I changed the workflow submission” is more substantial than “A lot of customers loved the new submit button on the dashboard.”

Sample Answer to “Describe one professional problem you faced”

Situation:

One of our biggest clients, who had multiple accounts with us, was furious over a server glitch. Their promotional campaign was down, their revenue was taking a hit, and they were venting their frustration everywhere—on social media and with our support team. They were on the verge of leaving us, which would’ve been a huge revenue loss.

Task:

I stepped in to handle the situation. The goal was simple: fix the issue fast, keep the client happy, and ensure we didn’t lose them. But to do that, I had to bring together multiple teams—billing, support, sales, and development—to make it work.

Action:

I dug through the client’s emails and chat history to understand the problem. I realized their pain point was their promo landing page being down. So, I worked with our dev team to move it to a stable server. At the same time, I coordinated with billing, support, and sales to ensure a smooth transition. I kept the client updated throughout, ensuring they knew we were on top of it.

Result:

The fix worked. The client’s promo came back on the rails, they stayed with us, and they continued doing business with us.

The incident and my contribution to solving it played a key role in setting up our Professional Services team. I helped streamline web development, created structured processes, and made things more transparent for clients. I reduced escalations by 18%, improved customer satisfaction by 23%, and even brought in new business worth $3000. I was honoured with the Einstein award for delivering perfection for my work on this project.

What Are Your Strengths?

This question is a landmine for anyone who doesn’t back every word on their resume with data points and narratives. Expect your interviewers to ask you “why?” questions until they’re satisfied you’ve displayed the strength you mentioned in work challenges.

Here’s a framework I use to identify strengths for this answer:

• What did you do?: Built a website to simplify essay writing and interview prep for MBA aspirants.
• What did you achieve?: Twenty aspirants cracked multiple offers using my tips and services.
• What did it take?: I did 3 certification courses on email marketing & website development (proactive skill-building). I built a website exclusively using free tools (resourcefulness). I promoted myself aggressively on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook (personal brand-building). I enlisted the help of strangers on LinkedIn to make improvements to my SEO (strategic networking). I wrote 20 blogs in 20 days (unwavering dedication). I worked nights after work writing essays for clients (relentless work ethic).

Sample Answer to “What Are Your Strengths?”

I pride myself on my relentless work ethic and resourcefulness when I put my mind to achieving a goal. In 2021, I built a website to simplify essay writing and interview prep for MBA aspirants. Twenty aspirants cracked multiple offers using my tips and services. I did three certification courses on email marketing & website development. I built a website exclusively using free tools. I promoted myself aggressively on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. I enlisted the help of strangers on LinkedIn to improve my SEO. I wrote 20 blogs in 20 days. I worked nights after work writing essays for clients.

Why MBA?

MBA interview panelists expect candidates to articulate their post-MBA goals with clarity and confidence. They also look for a clear explanation of how the candidate plans to apply their MBA learning and experience to their career and future endeavours. The first step to answering this question is identifying a goal that makes sense to aspire to with your academic qualifications and professional experience. Then, you need to list down the skills and qualifications you need to reach that position, and identify the advantages and skills that only an MBA can provide.

Read how to answer “Why MBA?”

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?”

I want to use the ISB MBA to transition out of automobile R&D to B2C marketing. I’ve harboured this ambition for a year and a half. I’ve explored other avenues to make this transition, like changing departments in my company or doing marketing certifications. But nothing compares to the credibility and depth of an MBA degree. For a start, I’ll be able to dedicate a year to building my marketing knowledge without the pressures and distractions of full-time employment. Secondly, I’ll take up the ELP to gain exposure to real-life corporate problem statements. And lastly, I’ve identified five target companies for my first post-MBA role as a marketing manager. The marketing departments at these companies hire and develop management trainees exclusively from ISB and IIMB. 

Why MBA After Engineering?

An army of engineers pass out from Indian engineering colleges harbouring ambitions of hitting upper management before they’re 30 by doing an MBA. The only things standing in their way are commerce students. Commerce students seem to have a headstart on the money game. How can engineers, with their ultra-focused technical education, compete against people who talk money for a living?

But here’s the problem – commerce students have virtually zero advantage over engineers in an MBA program. Finance is a sliver of the MBA curriculum. Engineers outshine commerce students in supply chain management, operations planning and data analytics.

Highlighting the ambition to transition to leadership roles from technical roles and leaning heavily on the multi-disciplinary nature of operations, marketing, and product management are the keys to aligning engineering skills with post-MBA careers.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for Engineers

At Ford, I developed a strong foundation in engineering and problem-solving, working on complex automotive systems . However, I realized that understanding market dynamics, customer needs, and business strategy was important to drive innovation. I wanted to understand how larger strategic decisions—how products are positioned, how markets evolve, and how businesses grow. An MBA will equip me with the financial, strategic, and leadership skills necessary to transition from an engineering role into a business-focused position.

Why MBA After Commerce?

It’s tempting to answer that an MBA after commerce is a natural progression. But that answer is easy and unconvincing. Instead, talk about the specific gaps in knowledge that an MBA might bridge – supply chain management, organizational behaviour, entrepreneurship, and data analytics. Also, mention the functional understanding you can gain in your desired industry – marketing, project management, business development, venture capital, etc.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for Commerce Students

With my commerce background, I have a good understanding of financial concepts and business operations. However, I want to specialize in areas like finance, marketing, consulting, or entrepreneurship. An MBA will provide in-depth knowledge, industry exposure, and networking opportunities to help me excel in my chosen field.

Why MBA After Arts & Humanities?

Yes! Film producers and dancers become MBAs. Any field of study and practice requires critical thinking, time management, communication skills, resilience and academic acuity. As an MBA, you will analyze complex situations from diverse perspectives. Having a POV outside of academia, engineering, and commerce might be the ace up the sleeve for a consulting or product management company. Focus on these skills and examples in your goals essays.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for Lawyers

As a defence lawyer of 8 years, I’ve learned how to manage clients, comprehend their charges and interpret the nuances of the law in their favour. Arguing before the court, I have also developed solid communication skills that help me present my views concisely and thoughtfully before overworked Judges. I believe these skills give me a strong foundation in providing legal advisory for large companies. After the MBA, I will pursue a career at a boutique environmental law firm. The MBA would help me understand the economic and business implications of ESG compliance, environmental policy and governance, and regulatory compliance for corporations. At boutique firms, manpower is limited, and I might need to wear the hats of lawyer and analyst interchangeably. The case study methodology in subjects like Corporate Strategy would give me first-hand experience using analytics to drive business insights.

Why MBA After Medicine?

Doctors tend to operate in silos based on career stage and specialization. Some aspire to management positions like hospital administrator, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Affairs Director, Chief Scientific Officer, Healthcare Consultant and more. Like lawyers, they stand to gain a lot of practical business skills from pursuing an MBA in addition to their existing medical skillset,

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for Medical Professionals

The medical domain operates in a silo. You don’t even see doctors on LinkedIn unless, of course, they go for an MBA. So many intersections between healthcare and other fields are happening today such as healthtech and AI in healthcare. I want to be at the forefront of one of these intersections at a healthcare product or consulting company.

My way of thinking currently is shaped by my medical experience, which may not translate quickly to the business side. The MBA will help me build foundational business skills which bridge that gap. Case study competitions, group discussions and club activities will help me practise these skills.

Being a doctor, I only made localised decisions. Where to put a suture, what medication to prescribe, what investigation to recommend. During my stint as an intern at LNJP, I sometimes felt helpless and confused by the decisions of hospital authorities. I didn’t feel involved in the decision-making process for my patients at times (this could be the level of care that I wanted my patients to experience or the prioritisation of resources). I realised that I was too deeply involved in day-to-day operations to have a broader view of why healthcare management makes certain decisions. Now, I’d like to learn the economic and operational considerations that limit or expand the healthcare industry’s ability to provide equitable outcomes.

Why MBA After Civil Services/Armed Forces?

Civil servants and armed forces personnel can highlight their ground-level understanding of how the government works to crack consulting and MBA interviews. They can also talk about the vast network of colleagues, contractors and vendors they can use to transition into business roles after the MBA.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for a Navy Captain

After a decade in the Navy procurement department, I’ve made friends with dozens of vendors in the weapons manufacturing ecosystem. I want to transition to civilian life now that I have a kid so I can stay closer to home and spend more time with my family instead of being deployed overseas for months at a stretch. I also want to put my experience to use by setting up a weapon subcomponent manufacturing facility for the Navy. I have the experience and the credentials to attract investment for my project. What I do not have is the business knowledge to run this venture. Here is where I feel that the MBA would complement my leadership potential.

Why MBA After Failing UPSC?

If you’ve attempted and failed the UPSC exam, you have my sympathy and admiration. It is one of, if not the most, competitive examinations. But that sympathy might not be extended to you by the interview panel. So, do not use your resilience through multiple exam attempts as the sole qualification to get admitted to the MBA. Interviewers are tired of seeing it repeated every year. Instead, convince them that you hedged your bets for UPSC selection by having a plan B if you failed. Show them demonstrable business skills you’ve picked up, whether from designing websites or running tuitions for exam takers.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for ex-UPSC Aspirant

Doing an MBA right after three years of failed attempts at the UPSC exam might seem like a desperation tactic. But I would like to draw attention to what I’ve done aside from my studies during this journey. Out of the six hours a day left to me after gruelling study sessions, I spent almost 4 hours setting up online shopfronts and marketing for my mother’s homemade jewellery business. In three years, I have helped her turn her craft into a viable income for our family. I am a skilled user of the ONDC framework, Shopify, WordPress website development tools, Facebook for business and many other tools. I have witnessed the struggles of a sole proprietor in the Indian e-commerce ecosystem. This knowledge, combined with my broad and deep understanding of the Indian social, political and economic scenario makes me think that I could pursue a career in consulting for social impact. If I receive admission to ISB, I will defer my joining for 3 years to gain experience in this field. However, having the MBA admitted would give me a sense of purpose and security while I gear up for my post-UPSC life.

Why MBA If You’re Already an Entrepreneur?

Only 20% of startups survive their first year. And most don’t survive beyond five years. Entrepreneurship is a dangerous and difficult endeavour. And doing an MBA doesn’t hurt for an entrepreneur who recognises the importance of academic credentials in the job market.

I like entrepreneur candidates who own up to the fact that doing the MBA helps them tap into the alumna network and get the rubber stamp on an MBA on their profile in case they need favours from their batchmates in high positions or just as a backup plan in case their startup files and they need to take a job.

As long as they word it delicately.

Sample Answer to “Why MBA?” for Entrepreneurs

I started when I was 21 years old. And I sold it to just last year. If I had the skills and the network to scale operations, I would have chosen to keep the company or at least remain on the board post-acquisition. There’s no guarantee that I will be as successful at the next venture that I start. I need to skill up and create contingencies like someone who works at a 9-to-5. The MBA is the most reasonable course of action given my experience heading a profitable business. I could become the youngest C-suite executive in a fintech business if I combine my credentials with the same hard work I put into my startup.

Why This Business School?

Speak about anything other than the world-class curriculum, the case study framework, the visiting faculty from premier corporations, and the experiential learning opportunities. Work on answering this question at a personal level.

Does the college offer on-campus accommodation that allows your family to be with you during your year off work? Is there a unique campus initiative that gathers interesting people? Does the location of the B-School offer advantages for networking with recruiters? Is there a unique course that you think no other college provides?

Making your answer authentic and well-researched is the key to an impression on the interviewers that you view the program as a tool rather than as an achievement by itself.

Sample Answer to “Why This Business School?”

I have an admit from Udaipur and shortlists from IIMK and XLRI. What sets ISB apart from these colleges is the level of independence ISB encourages in students. ISB’s student villages sound like an exciting place to spend a year with future investors, CEOs, Consultants and Product Managers. One rarely gets to spend 24×7 with 25 to 30-year-olds in a college environment, taking classes together, doing late-night case studies and partying till dawn. It’s a village culture where each batch can create and bond over unique traditions.

Moreover, the IIMs are more geared towards entry-level management roles, while ISB places mid and senior management graduates. This could be valuable when I move companies and work under people I know and understand tomorrow.

What Do You Bring to This School & Your Batchmates?

You bring a lot more than your professional skills and academic credentials to your batchmates. While answering this question, it helps to picture yourself living through a day, a week, a year on campus.

Are there festivals you can contribute to? Can you hold workshops on a skill you love and practice? Is there a case study competition where you can provide insider knowledge? Have you worked in a niche domain or problem statement that only a handful of people in the country know and understand?

Sample Answer to “What Do You Bring to This School?”

I bring a strong working knowledge of website setup and digital marketing optimization, making me a valuable resource for wireframing PM presentations and case competitions. Additionally, I can teach the fundamentals of UI/UX to peers who may have technical expertise but lack design and aesthetic awareness. Beyond academics, as a certified Garba dancer, I’d love to add some Gujarati flair to the cultural scene in Mohali or Hyderabad by conducting workshops, participating in events, and even running for campus life coordinator. My experience in social outreach and volunteering also positions me as a strong contributor to the Net Impact Club, where I can help design and execute impactful ground-level initiatives across campus.

Are You Considering Any Other Schools?

A lot of business schools don’t encourage interviewers to ask this question. That’s understandable because it’s not their business to know, and that knowledge won’t answer whether you’ll fit well in this school. You can be honest about your other admits. It doesn’t hurt your chances. Alums aren’t petty about my school vs. theirs. But have a solid reason why you haven’t chosen the other schools over this one.

Sample Answer to “Are You Considering Any Other Schools?”

 I have been waitlisted at IIMK and XLRI and have secured an admit from IIM Udaipur. I’m interviewing at ISB because it outranks these colleges as the top MBA program in the country.

What Do You Enjoy About Your Job?

Focus on the aspects of your job that align with your career goals and the impact you plan to have on society as a result of your work after the MBA. Speak about the impact you’ve had directly or indirectly on your customers, the flexibility and autonomy offered by leadership, the creativity and innovation encouraged at work or the skills you’ve learned and love to practice.

Sample Answer to “What Do You Enjoy About Your Job?”

I build websites for small businesses. I have learned a lot about the people powering the SMB sector in India. These are lawyers trying to set up their practice or teachers setting up a homeschooling website, which I never even knew was a thing in India. Big players are looking at USP, brand, etc. Small players like these look to get their stories heard through the website. There’s something special about building someone’s livelihood and passion online. That’s what I love.

What Are Your Goals?

You should have a long-term and short-term goal figured for your application essays. Take these answers and make them succinct and conversational. Keep your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound). Elaborate on your skills and background, their alignment with your post-MBA goals, and the gaps an MBA will bridge.

Sample Answer to “What Are Your Goals?”

I’ve worked with website development and customer success for 4 years. I am inclined to work as a product manager for a product-first company. Since I have experience with SMB customers, I aim to be placed in a B2B product company like Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure or Salesforce. To aid this goal, I’ve already joined a PM fellowship program where I can learn the fundamentals of the profession. It ends right before the start date for ISB and IIM Udaipur. So, I’ve timed it right.

If this plan doesn’t work, I want to try the path of tech consultant at the Big 4 (Deloitte, KPMG, EY, PwC) consulting companies. I’d love to crack the Big 3, and will work to maintain my grades to be eligible for the placement.

In the long term, I would like to be a senior PM or CPO (Chief Product Officer) role. I see a lot of young CPOs these days becoming serial entrepreneurs. And I’d like to see if that’s viable in the next ten years for me provided I gain enough knowledge and networks.

As a woman in tech, I’d also like to be on the board of a women’s empowerment NGO or start a social entrepreneurship venture.

I think that my background in tech, my problem-solving skills, stakeholder management and volunteer work put me on the path to achieving these things with the addition of a good business education.

Why Do You Want to Get Into Consulting?

When a candidate says they want to become a consultant because it exposes them to multiple problem statements and companies within a year or two, I understand the logic. But I also sigh inwardly because I interpret that answer as, “I don’t know what I want to do, so I’ll try consulting for a while until another opportunity emerges.” Consulting is the default option for a LOT of MBA aspirants. It’s popular, it’s where upwards of a quarter of the batch gets placed, and it doesn’t require domain-specific skills.

The ugly truth about consulting in India is that the Big 4 consultants are audit firms first and foremost. “Consulting” work there revolves around glorified deck-making and spreadsheet management for the onsite teams in Europe, the Americas and APAC. Getting into the MBBs is a Sisyphean ordeal of maintaining your grades and gruelling case prep for most MBA students.

I like candidates who do their research about the career trajectory of consultants. If they’ve taken time to speak to consultants, that’s even better. Mention your research to the interview panellists and get their buy-in for your decision to take up consulting.

Sample Answer to “Why Do You Want to Get Into Consulting?”

I’ve realized that driving large-scale impact requires strategic problem-solving at the intersection of business, technology, and social change. At Quantiphi, I worked on leveraging technology and data solutions to help private companies enhance customer experiences. At Dalberg, I’ve been on the other side—advising organizations on strategy and measuring the effectiveness of their social impact initiatives.

I want to formalise my general advisory skills by expanding the scope of my work to industries beyond the development sector. I’ve spoken to Dalberg alums who have moved to senior leadership positions in consulting firms and sought their mentorship. With my network and MBA credentials, I can achieve the consulting lifestyle – work hard, play hard – that I crave.

Do You Have Experience Handling a Team?

If you’ve never handled a team, talk about cross-functional teams you’ve been a part of. Or speak about the stakeholders you’ve coordinated and collaborated with. If you have nothing to discuss in your work experience that shows you as a team player, talk about any volunteer experience, volunteering or sports where you’ve been part of a team.

Sample Answer to “Do You Have Experience Handling a Team?”

I’ve primarily been an individual contributor at Amazon. I have experience leading a cross-functional initiative focused on defect reduction for our retail website. I work closely with two data analysts, defining key metrics, reviewing reports, and ensuring timely insights to drive improvements.

How Did You Handle Conflict in Your Team?

Nobody’s expecting you to write about hand-to-hand combat. Take a disagreement or exchange of views you might have experienced at work. Explain what caused it, how you approached it, why you approached it that way, what the resolution was, and whether you would approach it differently if you could do it again.

Sample Answer to “How Did You Handle Conflict in Your Team?”

Oh, I had a pretty interesting disagreement at Perfios while working on marketing materials for one of our fraud prevention solutions. The sales team and the product team (which I was part of) had very different takes on how we should pitch it to a big insurance client.

The sales team was all about speed—”Let’s sell it as the fastest fraud detection tool out there!”—because that’s what they thought would close the deal. But from the product side, we knew that speed wasn’t the whole story. Accuracy mattered just as much, if not more, because if insurers got too many false positives, they’d just get frustrated and ignore the alerts.

So, instead of just arguing back, I decided to dig into the data. I asked the sales team why they were so focused on speed, checked with the product and engineering teams to see what we could realistically promise, and even looked at how our competitors were positioning similar solutions.

Then, I brought everyone together and suggested a middle ground:

– We lead with speed (since it gets attention) but immediately tie it to accuracy (“Fast, but precise—catches fraud early while minimizing false positives”).

– We also backed it up with a case study showing how one insurer saw both speed and accuracy benefits.

That worked. Sales got a strong pitch, product was happy that we weren’t overselling, and the client got a realistic expectation. If I had to do it again, I’d loop both teams in earlier instead of waiting for the tension to build. Also, bringing in customer feedback sooner would have made things even smoother.

Describe a Setback and What You Learned From It

Use the STAR + L (Situation – Task – Action – Result) + Learning format to answer this question.

Sample Answer to “Describe a Setback and What You Learned From It.”

Situation:

I had a pretty frustrating setback at Perfios that actually taught me a lot. We launched this big marketing campaign for one of our fraud detection products—tons of effort went into the messaging, creatives, and ad targeting. We were all pretty confident it would take off.

And then… nothing. Low engagement, barely any demo requests. It was like shouting into the void.

Task:

Since I was leading the campaign, I had to figure out what went wrong. Instead of just tweaking things randomly, I took a step back and dug into the data—checked audience behavior, spoke to the sales team, and even looked at how competitors were positioning similar products. That’s when I realized our messaging was way too feature-heavy. We were talking about the tech specs, but customers cared about business outcomes—reducing fraud losses, improving claim approvals, that kind of thing.

Action:

So we pivoted fast:

• Changed the messaging to focus on real-world impact instead of just AI jargon.
• Created case studies so insurers could see actual results.
• Got the sales team involved earlier so the campaign aligned with what customers actually cared about.

Result:

The difference? Huge. Click-through rates shot up, demo requests doubled, and sales finally felt like they had marketing materials they could actually use.

Learning:

The biggest lesson? Never assume you know what customers want. Validate early, test messaging, and always tie it back to real business problems. Now, anytime I work on a campaign, I make sure to stress-test the positioning before we go live.

Have You Spoken to an Alum From ISB/IIM Before or During Your Application?

Interviewers might ask you this question to test how well you’ve researched the college. It doesn’t hurt to reach out to alumni a few days before the interview and ask about their experience at ISB. They’re happy to reminisce about their year on campus and give you pointers on what to do and avoid for a better return on your MBA.

Sample Answer to “Have You Spoken to an Alum?”

I definitely made it a point to speak to a few ISB/IIM alums before applying. I figured, who better to give me the real picture than people who’ve actually been through it?

I reached out to a couple of them through LinkedIn and some mutual connections, and those conversations were super helpful. One ISB alum told me straight up that the curriculum is intense, but if you go in with clear goals, it’s an amazing experience. That helped me refine my essays. Another IIM alum mentioned that networking is just as important as academics, which made me think about how I could add value to the community beyond just coursework.

What Do You Do in Your Job Day-to-Day?

Research a few keywords related to your position and job description. Then build a results-based narrative around your day-to-day schedule. You need to tell them how you work towards your annual goals on a day-to-day basis.

Sample Answer to “What Do You Do in Your Job Day-to-Day?”

I start my day at 9:30 AM by checking emails and reviewing the team’s tracker to get a clear picture of pending tasks and priorities. This helps me prepare for our 11:00 AM daily stand-up, where we discuss website progress, address any roadblocks, and align on tasks for the day.

From 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, I focus on client interactions—meeting with clients to gather requirements, provide updates on website progress, and manage website handovers. I also take calls with prospective clients to answer their questions and help them understand our process.

After a lunch break, I dive into hands-on work. This includes collaborating with the team on website development, conducting final checks, optimizing performance, deploying sites, and documenting key details. Around 5:00 PM, I check in with other teams to ensure everything is on track and that there are no pending client approvals.

Toward the end of the day, I update trackers, create my to-do list for the next day, and wrap up.

What Kind of Impact Is AI Having on Your Field?

You can add personal and domain-level insights into AI’s impact on your work. Doing a bit of internet research will give you some niche use cases to talk about.

Sample Answer to “What Kind of Impact Is AI Having on Your Field?”

In marketing and product management, AI’s making everything faster, smarter, and way more personalized.

Take customer insights, for example—before, we’d rely on historical data and intuition, but now AI can predict behavior, suggest the next best action, and even tweak campaigns in real time. It’s like having an extra brain working in the background, spotting patterns we’d probably miss.

In fintech, where I’ve spent a lot of time, AI is huge for fraud detection. Instead of waiting for fraud to happen and reacting, AI helps catch unusual activity as it’s happening. That’s been a game-changer because fraudsters are getting smarter, and AI helps us stay ahead.

That said, AI isn’t some magic fix. It still needs good data and human oversight, but it’s definitely helping us work smarter, not just harder. The key is knowing where to use AI for efficiency and where human decision-making is still crucial.

What Is Your Plan if You Don’t Get Selected Today?

Get feedback on why you didn’t get selected. Get more job experience. Try out international MBA programs. Quit and start up a company. You have options.Back your option up with solid reasoning.

Sample Answer to “What Is Your Plan?”

If I don’t get selected today, my first step would be to reflect on the feedback (if available) and identify areas for improvement. I’d take the time to strengthen my profile, whether that means gaining more leadership experience, refining my skills, or enhancing my application story.

That being said, I believe in continuous learning, so I’d also look for other ways to gain the experiences I need—whether through my current job, side projects, or additional coursework. And when I reapply, I’ll be coming back with an even stronger case.

What Is Your Leadership Style?

This question requires you to introspect and identify strategies and tactics you’ve used to help underperforming or uncooperative teammates, partners and stakeholders. Look at Harvard Business Review’s 6 Common Leadership Styles. You’ll find that your leadership is a combination of two or more.

Sample Answer to “What is Your Leadership Style”?

I’d say my leadership style is a mix of servant leadership, situational leadership, and transformational leadership—I focus on people, adaptability, and long-term impact.

For me, leadership starts with taking ownership and making sure the people I work with—whether it’s clients, stakeholders, or my team—feel supported. For example, in a web development project, a key stakeholder was frustrated with delays because of multiple design changes. Instead of just managing the timeline, I had a direct conversation with them, understood their concerns, and restructured our workflow to make the process smoother. That helped rebuild trust and kept the project on track.

At the same time, I adapt based on the situation. When I was handling sponsorships for a big intercollege sports event, one of our sponsors wasn’t happy with their brand visibility and was about to pull out. Even though their placement wasn’t something I controlled, I took the initiative to move their banners, personally promote their brand during event breaks, and drive more engagement to their stall. It wasn’t part of the original plan, but it made a difference and kept them happy.

The other big thing for me is learning from every challenge and making sure we don’t run into the same problem twice. After the web project, I introduced FAQs and a better sales process to avoid misalignment with clients. After the sponsorship issue, I made sure we had better contingency planning in future events.

So, in short—I lead by listening, adapting, and making sure every challenge turns into a lesson that improves the way we work.

What Is a Piece of Feedback Your Boss Gave You & How Did You Deal With It?

Think back to when you slipped up and got put on blast by your boss. Describe how your boss communicated the issue and how you took responsibility for the mistake and corrected it.

Sample Answer to “What Is a Piece of Feedback Your Boss Gave You & How Did You Deal With It?”

This piece of feedback that I received is tied into my success story with an irate client. Initially, I panicked because I had committed certain timelines and now I found myself in a position where I had made a mistake in estimation. Initially, my impulse was to try and solve everything on my own because it would inconvenience or annoy my teammates, bring my skills into doubt. But when I realized that the client might pull their account, I quickly escalated the issue to my manager. He probed me regarding the delay, and told me that the escalation matrix at work exists for a reason. And that reason is that delivery is the responsibility of a team rather than one single person, and I should always communicate progress and delays openly so that help can arrive in time.

My tendency even now is to bravely carry the world on my shoulders but that feedback and my subsequent experience has taught me never to attempt something so foolish. I always own up to my mistakes and seek help when delivery is at stake.

What Improvements Have You Made to Your Application? (For Re-Applicants)

Acknowledge the previous outcome. How did you collect feedback from the college? How did you plan improvements you would make before reapplying? What activities did you do? What succeeded and what failed? What did you learn from this that you can apply to your MBA application?

Sample Answer to “What Improvements Have You Made to Your Application?”

It has been a little over six months since I became a Senior Consultant (SC) at Dalberg. This promotion came a month before my ISB rejection, leaving me with bittersweet emotions.

Since joining Dalberg to work on and contribute to solving development challenges, the Senior Consultant journey has truly been a step up. It has pushed me to improve my ability to apply the 80-20 rule and sharpen my focus on the “so what” of my work. My advisor and mentor at Dalberg told me that the SC journey would be the most intellectually stimulating phase of my career—and he couldn’t have been more right.

My role has evolved significantly, allowing me greater autonomy in shaping project outcomes and driving client relationships. I am now tasked with managing more complex project modules, with reduced direct oversight from my project manager. I also find myself the primary point of contact for client communication, especially for the modules I lead.

Additionally, this role gives me the responsibility of directly managing a junior Associate Consultant who supports me in my project modules. This means I am now accountable not just for the quality of my work but also for shaping the project experience and professional development of my juniors.

My performance, clarity of thought, and mentorship directly impact their growth and experience on the project. This aspect of my role has pushed me to be more intentional in how I communicate, delegate, and provide feedback.

One key project I worked on was with a Dutch Bank. The bank matches patient capital with long-term technical support to help early-stage companies reach sufficient operational maturity, enabling them to secure financing from mainstream funders. They sought our help in aggregating evidence on whether, and how quickly, their portfolio companies were progressing through the funds to commercial mobilization, as well as extracting insights into why some companies progressed while others stagnated.

This engagement took me on a solo work trip to The Hague, Netherlands, where the bank’s headquarters are located. The project had a strong quantitative component, and given my background in data analytics, I became the lead analyst responsible for:

• Stitching together an underlying database from their varied data sources
• Conducting exploratory data analysis and correlation analysis to identify trends and key contributing factors