IIMs are innovating their Interview format: IMS Learning

While much has been written about the CAT exam, how were the crucial Group Discussions and Personal Interviews (GD/PIs) structured: what were the topics thrown for discussions, what was the line of interview questioning that IIMs adopted and how was the process different from last year.
MBAUniverse.com got in touch with IMS Learning Resources, the leading MBA prep institute, for their take on the matter. In a Q&A, Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learnings, shares about their analysis of GD/PI rounds. Excerpts from the interview:

Q & A with Mr Gejo Srinivasan on Group Discussion and Interview trends:

Q: What was the experience of your students after GD/PI rounds at separate IIMs and other top institutes?
A: Most IMS Students are highly optimistic due to our intensive communication skills building sessions & the popular Achievers Workshop. Though it is true that one can never really prepare for a GD or a PI, one can definitely have a plan. IMS Students focused on that plan and hence did well.
Most Students also found the old adage it is attitude, not knowledge that is tested at the GD & PI Level to be true most were put in extraordinary circumstances and extreme pressure. The students have enjoyed this final stage of the selection procedure thoroughly and are not only convinced about the quality of intake but are also looking forward to joining these schools.

Q: Were there some changes in the personality assessment rounds this year?
A: We could clearly see that the IIMs want to move out of the usual Tell me something about yourself or How has an Engineering Degree added value to you? kind of questions. They were clearly allowing the aspirants to talk (earlier, if they thought the aspirant was doing well, they would cut in to destabilize him) and were looking for freshness in answers.
Some of the interview questions were like: How would a friend describe you?, What is the meaning of Tejasvina Vadhi Thamasthu in IIM B Logo? at IIM B, The importance of blogging at IIM C & Would you go to rural areas to work? at IIM K.
Also, most GD topics were not only factual & current in time frame, but also had a high relevance to education, IIMs & India.

Q: According to you, on what basis are IIMs evaluating candidates in GD/PIs?
A: IIMs exhibited a strong preference to real students -- students who dont enact what they prepared, and evaluated the students on the basis of their opinions, assumptions and convictions on some of the major issues the world is facing at present.

Clearly, the case study method is most sought after than the usual controversial topics.