ISB PGPpro/PGPmax Interview Questions and Interview Experience

The executive MBA at ISB (PGPpro/PGPmax) is a highly selective business education program for professionals with 10+ years of work experience. With no GMAT/GRE test score requirement for the EMBA at ISB, the essays and interview process play a vital role in deciding whether you are a good fit for the program.

The PGPpro/PGPmax interview helps you to demonstrate your professional and personal life history. It is a chance for you to sit with admission officials face to face and explain to them your potential of adding value to the school.

Hence, you need to prepare early by doing more research on what is to be expected at the interview. Though you shouldn’t just practice and repeat the commonly asked questions, it is always better to take a few monk interviews ahead to build your confidence.

Let’s begin with the commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

Commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

Here is the list of commonly asked PGPpro/PGPmax interview questions

1. Tell us about yourself
2. Tell us your hobbies
3. Why do you want to pursue an MBA at this career stage?
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
5. What made you choose PGPpro/PGPmax?
6. Why ISB?
7. What makes you think you are a good fit for the program?
8. Tell us a situation that demonstrates your leadership skills
9. How will you manage your job and other activities after joining the course?
10. Do you have any specific questions for us?

Before understanding how you should prepare yourself for the responses, and what topics the interview panel tries to cover, let’s first understand the PGPpro/PGPmax interview structure.

PGPpro/PGPmax interview structure

The ISB interview panel usually consists of ISB PGPpro/PGPmax alumni. The interview lasts from 30 to 45 minutes in general with time left at the end to ask any questions to the panel members.

The purpose of the interview is to discuss whether the program can help you in your career goals and how you are going to add value to the school. They make sure there is a mutual fit from both sides.

Now, let’s discuss further what topics the interview panel tries to cover to understand your ability.

PGPpro/PGPmax interview topics

ISB tries to understand your abilities by covering the following topics in the interview

• Leadership potential and career progress
• Management and motivation
• Contribution to the peer group
• International Exposure
• Hobbies and current affairs
• Future goals
• Problem-solving skills

For more details, check this article – ISB Interview Preparation Tips. The former ISB admission officers have shared their input on how ISB tries to understand your abilities and preparation tips for you to ace the ISB interview.

Now that you have an idea of what you can expect in the interview, let’s discuss what you should ask the panel members. Remember, they see whether there is a mutual fit. So, you must have a few questions for them which demonstrate your interest and motivation for the program.

What to ask in the PGPpro/PGPmax interview?

All the interviews typically end with “Do you have any questions for us?”. At this point, the admissions committee wants to see that you are spirited and motivated to join the program.

While the first part of the interview, where most of the time you will be responding is important to ensure your capability, the second part is also equally important. Hence, make sure you ask them some valid questions and don’t do anything for namesake. 

Here are some questions you can ask the PGPpro/PGPmax interview panel, members

1. Ask about the significant benefits of joining the program at ISB. This ensures you are serious about joining the program.
2. Enquire about specific buildings, activities, and clubs. This shows you are picturing yourself as a student.
3. Ask about the faculties and specific initiatives in your field. This shows that you are excited about the educational opportunities and faculties.

If there is an alumnus in the interview panel, here are some questions you can ask them

1. How beneficial was the program for your career growth?
2. Which classes were the most helpful?
3. How did you balance your professional life and student life?
4. What are the challenges you faced while pursuing the program?

Here is an ISB PGPpro case study that will further help you boost your confidence before attending the interview.

Case Study: ISB PGPpro Review

Kavisha Dalgi who has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Mumbai University and 6 years of work experience at the Walt Disney Company shares her experience of applying to the PGPpro at ISB. She didn’t have prior managerial experience and was aspiring to get into a category management role, which is why she chose to apply to the executive MBA at ISB (PGPpro).

Watch this video, where Prashant Tibrewal, Founder and Chief mentor – ISBmantra discusses the following with Kavisha :

• Benefits of an Executive MBA
• Approach to Building the Application  
• ISB PGPpro Interview Experience
• Tips for future applicants

Here is the highlight of important information from the video.

Benefits of ISB PGPpro

Kavisha feels there will be a gradual improvement in your professional life when you pursue the PGPpro program. You will start applying whatever you learn to work which will have a great impact. This program empowered her through the right knowledge and techniques which gave her the confidence to contribute better in work which helped her in the transformation to a Brand Manager role at Nykaa.

The Peer group of ISB PGPpro

ISB is synonymous with diversity. She shares how diverse her PGPpro class was with a radio jockey, a doctor, an artist, a commander from the Indian Navy, etc. In her opinion, diversity brings a new perspective to the way you think. Every case study will have multiple approaches which you would have never thought about. Also, you gain lifelong friendships with people from different backgrounds which will help you to extend your network.

ISB PGPpro application approach

It took 3 months for Kavisha to build her ISB PGPpro application. She did a lot of pre-work to get in touch with the right people. She applied to PGPpro when it was new, her batch was the first batch from Mumbai. So, she got in touch with the ISB network and the right kind of admission consultancy who helped her in building the application.

In addition to working on essays, she also had to put a lot of effort into getting in touch with the right people from the organization for recommendations. She focused on career growth, and every point in her application concentrated on the need to pursue an MBA.

The responsibility and seriousness you take in building the application is important and this reflects the essays you write.

– Kavisha, ISB PGPpro alumnus

ISB PGPpro interview experience

Her ISB PGPpro Interview panel had PGPpro alums. She felt her interview was conversational and friendly. She emphasizes how important it is to prepare ahead for the interview as ISB rolls out interview invites just 2-4 days before the interview. She says they mainly check the problem-solving skills of the candidate. Her interview also focused on the need to do an MBA, and career goals after an MBA. 

Check this article – ISB interview experiences, we have shared 45+ real ISB interview experiences of candidates from different backgrounds and industries. This will give you a clear insight into the ISB interview.