At this juncture, it doesn’t take a magician to see what kind of anxieties aspirants might be going through. A small fraction of you have got the calls you want and are excited and nervous about the impending interviews or the results of the same, others have GD-PI calls but are not sure whether the b-schools that have given them the calls are really worth it, and still others knowing that this year is done have hit snooze-mode till June.
This post will primarily deal with the dilemma of those in between — to re-take or not to re-take the CAT. It is not an easy call to take but your task will become easy if you ask yourself the right questions and give the most honest answers you can to them. Read More
As most of my students would know, I have been with IMS for close to two decades now.
But I started teaching for aptitude tests way back in the past, right after my graduation, while preparing for the CAT a second time around.
At the time, I felt that the teaching stint had a great role to play in my cracking the CAT: it made my thought process very clear when faced with a problem, since one has to have the utmost clarity of thought to explain a problem in such a way that many students understand the solution right away. Also, one is always looking to find better, cleaner or, to put it simply, more elegant solutions to problems.
Over the past year, I have interacted with a lot of students across the country who are readers of the blog, so I was wondering if any of you might be interested in working in the Learning Technology Department that works with me. Not only me, but you will also have access to all the other senior mentors (IMS students will be aware of the mentors I have mentioned from the webinars and Masterclasses we conducted over the year). The intern will be working directly with me.
Openings on offer
Role
Experience
# Positions
Compensation
Location
Software Development Engineer
0 – 2
4
₹4 – 8 LPA
Bengaluru
Sr. Software Development Engineer
2 – 4
2
₹6 – 10 LPA
Bengaluru
Cloud Ops Engineer
2+
1
₹7 – 10 LPA
Mumbai Bengaluru
Lead – Quality Assurance
5+
1
₹8 – 12 LPA
Bengaluru
Project Management – Intern
N/A
1
₹15,000 p.m
Bengaluru Mumbai Remote
Quality Assurance – Intern
N/A
1
₹15,000 p.m
Bengaluru Mumbai
Remote
ROLE: Software Development Engineer
Responsibilities
We are seeking a skilled and passionate Software Development Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will be involved in all stages of the development lifecycle, from designing and implementing user interfaces to developing and maintaining server-side logic and databases. You will be expected to write clean, efficient, and well-documented code, participate in code reviews, and troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Design and develop robust and scalable web applications using React, Node.js and/or Python, & TypeScript.
Develop and maintain efficient APIs and server-side logic using Node.js and Python frameworks.
Build user-friendly and responsive front-end interfaces using React and TypeScript.
Work with databases (both relational and NoSQL) and ensure data integrity and performance.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, software testers, product managers, and other engineers, to deliver high-quality software.
Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and application stability.
Participate in code reviews to maintain code quality and share knowledge.
Troubleshoot, debug and resolve technical issues across the full stack
Profile
Experienced Software Development Engineer with 0 – 2 years of hands-on experience in building and deploying web applications. Candidates should have a strong understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software.
Requirements:
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex technical challenges.
Have a solid understanding of front-end technologies, including React, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Have strong proficiency in back-end development using Node.js and/or Python, including relevant frameworks (e.g., Express, Flask, Django).
Demonstrate experience with database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
Have hands-on experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS (e.g., EC2, S3, Lambda, API Gateway).
Exhibit proficiency in version control systems, particularly Git.
Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with team members
Education:
B.E./B. Tech or any other Math/Science Degree
Salary: Rs. 4,00,000–8,00,000
Location: Bangalore
Role — Sr. Software Development Engineer
Responsibilities
We are seeking a skilled and passionate Software Development Engineer 2 to join our dynamic team. You will be involved in all stages of the development lifecycle, from designing and implementing user interfaces to developing and maintaining server-side logic and databases. You will be expected to write clean, efficient, and well-documented code, participate in code reviews, and troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
Design and develop robust and scalable web applications using React, Node.js and/or Python, & TypeScript.
Develop and maintain efficient APIs and server-side logic using Node.js and Python frameworks.
Build user-friendly and responsive front-end interfaces using React and TypeScript.
Work with databases (both relational and NoSQL) and ensure data integrity and performance.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, software testers, product managers, and other engineers, to deliver high-quality software.
Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and application stability.
Participate in code reviews to maintain code quality and share knowledge.
Troubleshoot, debug and resolve technical issues across the full stack
Profile
Experienced Software Development Engineer with 2 – 4 years of hands-on experience in building and deploying web applications. Candidates should have a strong understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software.
Requirements:
You will need to:
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex technical challenges.
Have a solid understanding of front-end technologies, including React, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Have strong proficiency in back-end development using Node.js and/or Python, including relevant frameworks (e.g., Express, Flask, Django).
Demonstrate experience with database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
Have hands-on experience with cloud platforms, preferably AWS (e.g., EC2, S3, Lambda, API Gateway).
Exhibit proficiency in version control systems, particularly Git.
Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with team members
Salary: Rs. 6,00,000–10,00,000
Location: Bangalore
Role — Cloud Ops Engineer
Responsibilities:
We are looking for a Cloud Ops Engineer to join our dynamic team. You will architect, deploy, and maintain our cloud infrastructure, ensuring the performance, reliability, and scalability of our digital ecosystem. You will work at the intersection of development and operations—driving cost efficiency, enforcing robust security measures, and supporting modern CI/CD pipelines to deliver high-availability applications that meet our organisation’s evolving needs.
Infrastructure Management: Architect, deploy, and maintain scalable cloud environments.
Performance & Availability: Monitor resources and implement processes to ensure 24/7 uptime.
Cost & Resource Optimisation: Manage service selection and usage to maximise ROI and efficiency.
Security & Compliance: Enforce IAM policies, encryption, and network security protocols.
CI/CD Support: Partner with developers to streamline automation and deployment pipelines.
Profile:
A proactive problem-solver with a deep understanding of modern cloud architecture and DevOps culture. A candidate should excel at bridging the gap between infrastructure stability and rapid software delivery, backed by excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Requirements:
You will need to:
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex infrastructure and performance challenges.
Have a solid understanding of cloud architecture and core services, with a focus on reliability and scalability.
Demonstrate 2+ years of proven experience in a Cloud Systems Engineer or similar DevOps-focused role.
Have hands-on experience with cloud platforms—AWS (preferred), Azure, or Google Cloud.
Exhibit proficiency in scripting languages for automation, including Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
Showcase a strong grasp of network security, encryption, and cloud security best practices.
Have practical knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and version control systems, particularly Git, to support development workflows.
Exhibit excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Salary: ₹7,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 per annum
Location: Bangalore / Mumbai
Education: Completed
B.E. / B.Tech, MCA, B.Sc (IT) / B.Sc (CS), or equivalent; professional certifications are a plus.
Role — Testing Lead, Quality Assurance
Responsibilities
We are looking for a Testing Lead to work on multiple software testing projects.
Develop test plans, define quality metrics, and establish effective testing strategies.
Oversee testing processes, ensure quality standards, and manage defect identification and resolution.
Providing feedback to improve team performance, planning projects, coordinating issue fixes with technical teams, and fostering a positive work environment.
Identify opportunities for test automation to enhance efficiency
Ensure timely project progress reporting to stakeholders.
Profile
Experienced professionals with at least 5 years in software testing (web and mobile applications) and at least 3 years of experience in automation testing (Selenium-Java) are preferred.
Requirements:
You will need to:
Possess strong leadership and team management skills.
Have excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and multitasking abilities.
Demonstrate a deep understanding of cross-platform and cross-browser responsive web architecture and mobile applications.
Have hands-on experience with automated testing tools and frameworks.
Exhibit exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
Education:
MCA, B.E./B. Tech., BSc (IT)/BSc (CS), or equivalent. Relevant testing certifications will be an added advantage.
Salary: Rs. 9,00,000–12,00,000
Location: Bangalore
Who Should Apply:
This job is ideal for:
Professionals passionate about leading testing teams and enhancing quality assurance processes.
Experienced software testers who wish to take on leadership roles in managing test strategies and automation initiatives.
Those eager to work on cutting-edge web and mobile applications with a focus on quality and efficiency.
Role — Project Management Intern
Responsibilities:
We are looking for a Project Manager Intern to assist in evaluating project requirements, supporting development activities, and monitoring project progress. You will work closely with the technology team and vendors to ensure project timelines and quality. Your responsibilities will include:
Assisting in evaluating and documenting project requirements, scope, and objectives.
Supporting the planning and coordination of development activities with the IMS technology team.
Helping monitor development schedules and preparing reports to track project progress.
Identifying and escalating potential issues that could impact project timelines or quality.
Assisting in communicating project status and challenges to stakeholders.
Supporting in creating and maintaining business documentation for the project.
Profile:
This role is ideal for candidates passionate about project management and eager to develop hands-on experience in a dynamic environment.
Requirements:
You will need to:
Have a basic understanding of project management principles.
Possess strong organisational, planning, and communication skills.
Be proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Spreadsheet software.
Be able to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Be detail-oriented and able to multitask effectively.
Have taken one of the management entrance exams — CAT, XAT, SNAP, CET, IIFT and/or others — and secured the 95th percentile or above in one of the sections.
Education:
Pursuing or completed an MBA / MCA / B.E. / B.Tech or equivalent.
Stipend & Duration:
Stipend: ₹15,000
Internship Duration: 3 to 6 months
Location: Mumbai/Bangalore/Remote
Who Should Apply?
Candidates eager to start a career in Project Management.
Fresh graduates or final-year students looking for hands-on project management experience.
Those interested in learning project management in a real-world environment.
Role — Software QA Intern
Responsibilities:
We are looking for a Software QA Intern to assist in developing test plans, executing test cases, and identifying defects. You will work closely with the tech team to ensure software quality by conducting manual and automated testing for web and mobile applications. Your responsibilities will include:
Assisting in test case creation, execution, and documentation.
Identifying, reporting, and tracking defects to ensure timely resolution.
Supporting functional, regression, and usability testing efforts.
Collaborating with developers to understand features and potential issues.
Learning and applying automation testing techniques to improve efficiency.
Gaining hands-on experience with debugging tools and testing frameworks.
Participating in quality assurance reviews and team discussions.
Profile:
This role is ideal for candidates passionate about software testing and eager to develop hands-on experience in quality assurance.
Requirements:
You will need to:
Have a strong understanding of software development and testing concepts.
Be familiar with manual testing techniques and basic test automation (Selenium or similar tools is a plus).
Possess good analytical and problem-solving skills.
Be detail-oriented and capable of documenting test cases and defects effectively.
Have knowledge of web and mobile application frameworks.
Be eager to learn debugging tools like Chrome DevTools or Postman for API testing.
Exhibit good written and verbal communication skills.
Education:
Currently pursuing or recently completed B.E./B.Tech, BSc (CS/IT), MCA, or equivalent. ISTQB certification (if any) will be an added advantage.
Stipend & Duration:
Stipend: ₹15,000
Internship Duration: 3 to 6 months
Location: Mumbai/Bangalore/Remote
Who Should Apply?
Candidates eager to start a career in Software Testing and Quality Assurance.
Fresh graduates or final-year students looking for hands-on QA experience.
Those interested in learning manual and automation testing in a real-world environment.
How to apply
Those who wish to apply for any of the above roles may drop an email to tech-hiring@imsindia.com with the following details before 7 March.
A resume/CV and scorecards
A short answer to the following question: Why do you feel you have the skill sets to take up this role? Feel free to include anything that you feel will let us know why you feel you have the potential to take up the role — exam/test scores, professional expertise, fit with career plans, communication skills — anything that you feel captures your suitability.
It goes without saying that the biggest perks of this job will be that you have direct everyday access to the best mentors in case you are taking another shot at the CAT or other management entrance tests.
It goes without saying that the biggest perks of this job will be that you have direct, everyday access to the best mentors in case you are taking another shot at the CAT.
This is what a couple of our past recruits have to say about working with us.
RUTUJA PATIL
My introduction to CAT
After completing my engineering, I was working in manufacturing at an automobile MNC. I didn’t have any plans for an MBA at that point in time. However, I appeared for CAT, as I had filled out the form on the recommendation of a friend who was preparing for the same. But, unlike the experiences I have read, I didn’t score in the higher 90’s after going unprepared.
During the 2 years of work experience in operations, I was more inclined towards management and wanted to take up those kinds of roles instead of tech ones, in the future. I quit my job around September 2020 and started my “serious” CAT prep. I had joined IMS earlier and had completed the classroom sessions. In CAT 2020, I scored well above 90, but it was not enough for the best calls.
I decided to give CAT another chance.
CAT Prep
Before starting the prep again, I was looking to take up a job, preferably related to management. I found the role of Project Lead with IMS on Tony Sir’s blog. This was a fantastic opportunity; the role was in project management, I was to be mentored by Tony Sir, and the team was aware that I would be studying for CAT.
Enjoying the CAT prep and approaching it with a practical mind will save you from the pain of finding a daily dose of motivation. All of us have those best scores as well as the rock bottom ones. However, as percentiles depend on a lot of things, they are bound to vary. So, analysing the mocks closely, identifying and closing the gaps with each passing mock, are the wise things to do.
I used to note down my mistakes in mocks and stick them on the wall; most of them were behavioural changes. They acted as painful reminders of my silly mistakes. Tony Sir helped me a lot to remove the mental hurdles in solving Quant and approaching the overall exam. A mentor can see exactly what is missing.
We most often forget to focus on small things like solving problems on a similar notepad as the official CAT, giving mocks in the same time slot, and looking out for triggers while giving the test.
Also, know what you don’t know. Examples, PnC- If it goes one notch above the basic or is not from the templates I have seen, I will leave it. Locating and solving what you know in less than 2 minutes is the most important thing.
Experimenting and finding the best ‘set of strategies’ according to the situation and stabilising them with mocks will give a lot more confidence.
Keeping the focus in place
Go off the grid! I went, not because it became addictive and time-wasting, but mainly because the content unknowingly occupies headspace.
Along with having a schedule, the code that worked for me during the prep was
“TALK LESS throughout the day.”
“MEDITATE before studying.”
“Invest TIME JUDICIOUSLY”
“Take a DEEP BREATH”—this one was even on my lock screen!
A week before CAT, RELAX (period). I read a book, watched my favorite movies, and did meditation. At this time, I kept the practice light and went through some methods of solving DILR sets or quant questions that I liked or those that need revision.
No heavy lifting or adventures; keep the waters calm and take it slow.
Before the day of CAT, in my mind, I went through each and every detail of the activity I would be doing the next day. Imagined every possible scenario and the reaction to it. At the same time, was ready for surprises.
My CAT day experience was a lot better than what I had gone through in previous CAT attempts. However, I messed up things during Quant. I knew IIM ABC was not happening; I cried, took some time to recover, and quickly geared up for IIFT, which was 5 days away.
The GDPI phase
The interview season will be another roller coaster ride. During the prep phase, it is only you who will be forming opinions about yourself. But during this phase, the interviewers will also join the party!
I had calls from all IIM’s except ABC (as expected), XLRI, SPJIRM, IIFT, MDI, IIT’s and NITIE.
An introduction is the most important part of your interview. And that is why I remember spending nearly 2 weeks and 3-4 iterations with Tony sir, to finalise it. Keep the focus on the spotlight areas of your life so far. For me, it was my work experience. Compile experiences and explanations for YOUR past, present, and future. And don’t forget to keep a close eye on everything that is happening from your city to the centre of our galaxy!
For some reason (no one knows it yet!), even though you have a good 36 months of work experience and sometimes not in the domain of graduation, interviewers will grill you on grad subjects. So, prepare well for that.
Another thing which helps while attending an interview at a particular institute is going through the interview transcript. True, you will most likely receive a variety of questions, but knowing which direction to focus more on, on a broad level, is beneficial.
The rest, follow Tony Sir’s blog and all the sessions of IMS.
In some of the interviews, you will be proud of yourself; in some, there will be a constructive conversation between you and the panellist; and there will be those interviews which will make you question if you are really fit to do an MBA. Just remember to not let any of it get from your heart to your head. Take what you’ve learned and apply it to the next one. You just need that one good interview, and you are through.
A week back, I received an email from IIM Lucknow that I have converted the flagship PGP as well as PGP-ABM program. I will be joining the IIM L PGP 2022-24 program, amongst other calls that I converted.
All the very best!!!
ROHIT SINGH
Background before joining IMS
I had worked for a year and a half in a leading IT company when I got the opportunity to join IMS. I had taken the CAT twice before (with decent scores) but realised that I needed to work harder if I wanted to create a genuine chance for me to join one of the old IIMs.
Experience working with IMS
1) I had mentors all around. I could go to anyone and ask for guidance, and all of them were among the best in the business. (when we used to go to the office in the pre-COVID era). Most of them have experience of 15+ years in the field and are alumni of old IIMs.
2) I got to interact with some of the smartest people I had ever seen in my life. We had a lot of people from the top colleges in the office, and personally, for me, it was a huge confidence booster.
Interacting with them on a daily basis helped me a lot in transforming myself.
So, I became a better person and cracked the CAT as well. In CAT 2020, I got 99.37 and 99.58 in VARC and QA, respectively.
What’s up with me these days
I am expecting interview calls from XLRI, FMS and some of the old IIMs.
Again, the presence of mentors all around is helping me get that required confidence before the final stage. I am getting the right guidance, and all this is helping me to prepare for GDPI more effectively.
Since most people here are alumni of top business schools, every now and then, I get to know a clearer picture of the college life. This helps me know what to expect from an MBA and to prepare myself in advance for campus life. I believe this will help me make the most of my 2 years in Mthe BA.
Now that we are done with the Achievers Workshops, there is more breathing space to do some writing that captures the essence of the sessions at the NAW.
The IIM interview season has already started, and aspirants will be trying to get as many insights as they can right from how to dress for the interview to how to reduce India’s fiscal deficit without affecting our growth!
Amidst all of this clutter, how does one go in with the right perspective? What is the state of mind with which one should approach an interview? How you approach an interview will make all the difference. Read More
One of the things about preparing for a b-school personal interview, especially that of an old IIM, is that one struggles to find a structure to prepare for what can potentially be the most random 20 minutes of one’s life. I am sure my previous post, despite my intentions, would have scared readers rather than reassured them. So, let us see how you can bring some structure into your PI Prep. Read More
Now that the XAT is over, the time to dive fully into WAT-GD-PI prep has come. But how does one go about it? It all seems like a vast sea with no beginning and no end. A single post covering all three — WAT, GD & PI — will be unwieldy, to say the least, so I will do a series of posts that will help you kick-start your prep for the second stage.
I have always preferred a test without sectional time limits since it tests a crucial quality required for management — optimizing resources to achieve maximum return on investment. In this case, the resources are your own skills, and the investment is your time.
So, how does one go about using the 170 minutes on the XAT?
This piece on Decision Making has really expanded and I hope as I begin to write this post that this will be the closing piece that concludes this and this.Read More
In the previous post,we discussed how Decision Making can be the undoing of XAT aspirants and tried to understand the nature of questions that come up on the section.
We took up two sets from the Decision Making section of a past XAT and discussed a structure to answer DM questions. In this post, we shall look at the remaining questions from that paper.
One of the most tedious and inscrutable sections that you will find across all management entrance tests, Decision Making has been the nemesis of many a XAT aspirant. A lot of factors contribute towards DM possibly being the biggest stumbling block on the XAT. But none is bigger than the fact the amount of time any test-taker would have spent preparing for DM when compared to any other section is minuscule. This coupled with the dislike and unease most aspirants have towards reading, and the extremely subjective nature of questions ensures that DM ends up becoming the deal-breaker as far as the XAT is concerned. Read More
A curious phenomenon repeats itself year after year when the results of the CAT and the XAT come out – there is little overlap between the students who crack CAT and those who crack XAT. In other words, a largely different set of test-takers ends up cracking each test.
Why is this so? It is almost like one of the GMAT CR question types – which of the following provides the best explanation for the phenomenon described above?
The answer(s) to this question will also hold the key to know how to prepare to ace the XAT!Read More
The CAT Writer 