IGIDR (Test and Interview)

By Sakshi Gupta

IGIDR entrance has two stages, a computer based entrance examination and then an interview for the shortlisted candidates. The level of the examination is in colloquial terms, “manageable”. There are four sections in the paper-

1.  Comprehension, Reasoning and Analytical ability

2. Basic Mathematics

3. Economics

OR

4. Advanced Mathematics

(To pass the exam one has to pass all individual sections.)

Section 1 includes reading comprehensions, vocabulary, rearranging jumbled words, analytical reasoning etc. preparation for which can be done from any book containing these sections that one can get their hands on.

Section 2 has the 10^th-12^th level mathematics’ questions. Revising these concepts is essential because the questions are facile but at the same time convoluted if one doesn’t recall the concepts (LCM/HCF, integration, limits, polynomials, relative speed etc.)

Section 3 is a better option for economics’ students as the questions can easily be done if one is comfortable with the undergrad syllabus. There is nothing really to worry about the economics section, it has (mostly) direct questions from the syllabus. Those preparing for other examinations DSE, ISI, JNU etc. shouldn’t essentially need separate preparation for the IGIDR economics section. The same practice material should suffice. The sample questions can be obtained from http://www.igidr.ac.in/newspdf/msc-infhandout.pdf

However, it should be made sure that one is comfortable with the online pattern of the exam for which the sample is available on www.igidr.ac.in . It is important to go through it once before the exam so that one can concentrate on solving the questions rather than struggling with the computer during the examination.

Note: The pattern of the paper given above is for 2013 and is liable to change, so be sure to check the website for the pattern of the examination.

The second stage is the interview. Here again what one needs to be sure of is her/his basics of economics. A typical interview would last for 15-20 minutes. The first question asked in the interview is generally ones favorite subject in economics, and that then becomes the basis of the interview (so be very sure of what you want to say). However it is not essential that they stick to your chosen subject throughout but most of their questions come from there.

Some of the questions that were asked in the IGIDR interview were:

What is consistency? What is heteroscedasticity, how do you detect (tests), its consequences and correction methods? (Econometrics)

Explain the income and substitution effects (through a diagram on the board) when the price of one good out of the two given goods increases. (Microeconomics)

What do you understand by PPP (purchasing power parity), UIP (uncovered interest parity) and CIP (covered interest parity)? (Macroeconomics/International Economics)

Draw the graph of xǀxǀ (Mathematics) etc.

The interview is not going to be very tough so be calm and confident, even if one doesn’t know the answer to a question don’t panic because there are more questions to come. While answering, try to be precise and clear e.g. the answer to what is heteroscadasticity could be the problem of unequal error variances i.e V(u) is not a constant. Similarly for consequences, mention lost efficiency first (unbiased, linear are common consequences for all and thus they wait to hear lost efficiency).

This is not at all the hard and fast rule, everybody has their own way of dealing with interviews and it is fine as long as you are confident about it. Just remember to brush up your basics before you go for the interview and rest should be fine! :)

(Sakshi Gupta scored 85.2% in B.A. Economics (H), Batch of 2013, from St. Stephen's College. She is currently at DSE. She cleared DSE, ISI, JNU and IGIDR entrances. Post your queries as comments below.)