Research-Backed5 Deep Dives2025 Updated

IIM Interview Psychology

The Science Behind What Works

Not generic tips. Deep insights from performance psychology, persuasion science, and cognitive research — applied specifically to IIM interviews.

Grounded in Research From

Daniel Kahneman

Nobel Laureate, Behavioral Economics

Robert Cialdini

Persuasion Science

Sian Beilock

Performance Psychology

Amy Cuddy

Social Psychology

Chris Voss

Negotiation & Tactical Empathy

Why This Is Different

Not Tips — Science

Every insight is backed by named researchers and specific studies. You'll understand WHY these techniques work, not just WHAT to do.

IIM-Specific Application

Generic interview advice doesn't account for IIM culture. Each topic includes school-specific variations for IIMA, IIMB, IIMC, XLRI, and SPJIMR.

Practical Exercises

Not just theory. Each topic includes drills and exercises you can practice before your interview. Transform knowledge into automatic behavior.

Deep Dives

Each topic is a comprehensive guide with research, examples, school variations, and practice exercises.

Coming Soon

Gap Year & Low Marks

How to explain without apologizing

Body Language Mistakes

What your body says when you're not speaking

Recovery Tactics

When things go wrong mid-interview

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I blank during IIM interviews even when I know the answer?

Under stress, your amygdala triggers a fight-or-flight response that diverts blood from your prefrontal cortex (thinking brain), shrinking working memory by up to 50%. This is normal physiology, not a sign of weakness. The solution is stress inoculation through practice and physiological techniques like the double-inhale exhale.

How important are the first 7 seconds of an IIM interview?

Research by Nalini Ambady shows that observers can accurately predict outcomes from just 2 seconds of silent video. First impressions create a "halo effect" and confirmation bias that colors the entire interview. Your walk, posture, and expression communicate more than your first words.

What do IIM panels really want to hear in "Why MBA"?

Most candidates answer "What will MBA give me?" but panels are asking "Why should we invest a seat in you?" The best answers use Cialdini's reciprocity principle — they focus on what you'll contribute to the classroom, not just what you'll consume.

How should I handle stress questions in IIM interviews?

Stress questions aren't meant to break you — they're meant to reveal how you handle pressure. Use tactical empathy (acknowledge the challenge before defending), pause before responding, and remember that panelists are testing your composure, not trying to destroy you.

See Psychology in Action

Knowledge Without Practice Is Just Theory

We trained Rehearsal AI on all of this psychology research. Now it trains you — with real-time feedback on your answers.

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