Congrats! You have successfully completed stage one, i,e. TISSNET and MAT. Now comes the PIT and PI round. If you want to grab a seat in the prestigious HRM & LR course and become a full-time TISSian for the next two years, then you will have to score exceptionally well in the next two rounds. The only way to do that is non-stop prep. Even though PIT/PI are programme specific and might have variations across different programmes, HRM generally follows Group Discussions (GD) and Writing Test (Short Essay) as a part of their PIT round. Hence, you need to have a separate prep plan for each round. Seems like a lot of work, right? Don’t worry! To make your preparation and life a little easier, we have come up with predicted topics, tips and tricks on how to answer them, reading materials and more. Read to know more.
Group Discussion
A group discussion is basically a communicative setting that allows participants to share their views, ideas and opinions with other participants. GD (group discussion) is one of the most popular ways based on which a candidate is evaluated for getting admission in b-schools or selection for placement interviews.
What’s Different in TISS?
- Language medium: English
- Time allotted - 20 minutes.
- 8-12 candidates at one GD session.
You will be Judged On
- Knowledge
- Confidence
- Communication
- Problem-solving/ critical thinking skills
- Unbiasedness
- Your behaviour
- Body language
- Your interaction with other members
Topics For GD
- CSR – A myth?
- CAA
- Article 370
- Influence of Media.
- Tackling Extremism in India
- Privatization of Higher Education
- T-20 vs traditional forms of cricket
- Is HR a cost centre or profit centre in India?
- Overcrowding and other problems in Public Hospitals
- Is Parental Control reducing the usage of abusive language in children
Tips On How To Answer Them
- Understand the topic of discussion, before contributing.
- Be an attentive listener.
- Initiating the discussion is a good practice as you will be able to grab the evaluator’s attention immediately. But, do it only if you know the topic well. If not, then wait for others, get a feel for the topic and then enter the discussion.
- Structure your arguments in a logical way, and give examples that justify your stand.
- Be clear in your speech.
- In GDs, ‘what’ you say will always have more weightage over 'how much' you say.
Resource List
- GD Monday - 'Life Is A Chair'
- 5 Ways To Ace Your GD/PI Preparations
- Same-Sex Marriages Should Be Legalised In India - GD Monday
- MBA GD-PI Preparation Series | Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - All You Need To Know
- How To Crack Group Discussion | Do's And Don'ts
Writing Ability Test
Written Ability Test or WAT is a test that tries to evaluate the candidate’s ability to think critically and effectively communicate his/her ideas by formulating an appropriate response in a limited period of time. And as the name suggests, it is done in a written format, eg - essay.
What’s Different in TISS?
The TISS WAT is of total 50-mark, divided between - essay writing (30 marks) and short case-let (20 marks). But thankfully, this year, there will be only essay writing for HRM & LR. Topics in WAT are generally chosen from current political, economic and business affairs.
You will be judged on:
- Communication Skills - Writing
- Critical thinking
- Social awareness and sensitivity
- Knowledge
- Thought articulation
Topics For WAT
- What role does ethics play in Human Resources Management
- Change Management in the Organization’s Growth
- Importance of Change Management in Human Resource Management
- Why gender diversity is important in the workforce?
- How to reduce workplace harassment?
- How Indian workforces can leverage globalization without brain-drain?
- How to handle unconscious bias in the workplace?
- How eyewash is Corporate Social Responsibility?
- Food is more important than Ethics
- What matters more – Outlook or Talent?
Tips On How To Score Well In WAT
Writing related tips -
- Make a tree: Identify the main topic (root) of the essay and create branches of sub-topics. Spending 3-4 minutes in preparing a tree on the answer sheet provided. This will also let even a hasty evaluator take notice.
- PEST Analysis: Political, Economic, Social and Technological (PEST) Analysis can help candidate cover all the possible areas of a topic in less time. This method will lead to lesser possibility of digression and help in the categorization of ideas under the correct sub-headings.
- Use of Bullet Points: In an intense WAT tests like of TISS, writing long stories will not help. You need to convey your points across in a stipulated time and words. Use of bullet points to list a sub-points under a category. This will help you control the word count, as ideas will get conveyed without using full sentences. But, don’t overdo it. The evaluator might pass it off as your inability to write prose.
- You can also divide your writeup into three paragraphs. First paragraph is for introduction, the second being body and end with a conclusion. This is the most common form of writing used WAT.
General Tips -
- Take a neutral side and put forward a clear line of thought in a structured manner.
- Avoid jargons and focus more on your grammar.
- Concentrate on the content of the topic.
Resource List
- One Step Closer: Cracking The HRM & LR GD-PI, TISS Mumbai
- How To Nail The WAT (Writing Ability Test) – Helpful Pointers For Before And During WAT
- How To Pit Yourself Against TISS PIT - The Pre-Interview Test
- Master Of Hospital Administration At TISS - PIT And PI Preparation
- How To Crack The GD-PI-WAT Rounds In MBA Interviews
- Sailing Through The PIT/PI Process At TISS Mumbai
Personal Interview
The personal interview (PI) is an important part of the admissions process into any educational institution, especially for Master Courses. Through the personal interview, the selection board aims to assess the clarity of the with the business school.
What’s Different in TISS?
Based on courses offered at TISS, questions on the candidate’s interest of specialization are commonly asked.
You will be judged on:
- Interpersonal skills
- Thinking process
- Future goals
- Communication skills
- Attitude
Interview Question (Common)
Questions that will be asked you in TISS PI round would be mostly profiled specific, however, there will be few common questions that are common to all. They are as follows -
- Tell me about yourself… (Prepare an elevator pitch for this)
- Describe yourself in three words
- What are your long-term goals?
- Tell me 3 qualities that an HR must possess.
- Why HR?
- Have you gone through our syllabus? What course you would like to specialise in?
- What work do you do? (If you are working professional)
- How does your work impact the project? (for working professionals)
- Where are you doing your undergrads? How do you think it will help you in your masters?
- What does HR do in an organisation?
How Do You Answer them
Resource List
- Common MBA Interview Questions And How To Approach It
- The Ultimate Guide To Interview Preparation
- Interview Mistakes To Avoid And Questions That You Can Expect
- Riddhi Kalra's Interview Experience
- The Best MBA Interview Experience Ever
