Business Analytics could be explained as the repetitive and methodological investigation of any form of data relevant to a business, using statistics. These are imperative in data-driven businesses, whose greatest assets are their ever-growing data stockpiles, which could be exploited by business analysts for profit. Business analytics is used by these firms to make decisions based on data. Thus, a degree of MS in Business Analytics is recommended.
A Master’s in Business Analytics is extremely beneficial for Undergraduate students who aim to work in data-driven giants such as Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn as well as experienced personnel who want to further their career prospects to stay competitive in the face of rapidly morphing business strategies. Before getting admitted to the Master’s program in Business Analytics, you might be asked to undergo an video Interview process, apart from meeting general requirements like the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores, and documents like LORs, your resume, and Statement of Purpose. Industries such as Finance, Technology, Marketing, and Retail have the highest scope for Business analysts.
Initially, interviews were a part of the admissions process for MBA programs, but are now extended to Master’s programs also. Interviews give you an opportunity to supplement your written applications by giving the admissions committee further information and reasons that demonstrate your suitability to the course by answering a series of questions asked by them. Interviews are your final opportunity to convince the admissions committee about ‘Why you’re the best suit for their Master’s program’ by giving them a glimpse into your experience, projects, previous courses completed, and future aspirations.
Different universities have different procedures but most of them conduct online video interviews. Let’s understand this through the interview procedure followed at the Imperial College of London.
Word of Advice – The Kira Talent Online Interview Platform is a third party service provider, and hence you can familiarize yourself with the platform before reaching the testing hall.
The Video Interview questions would be testing a candidate’s Technical knowledge, Skills, behavior, and instincts. Given below, are some of the actual questions asked during interviews of the MIT Sloan School of Business and the Imperial College of London;
1. Compute the natural log of 00.00
Answer – Natural log means a logarithm of a number with the base as e (2.718…). And the natural logarithm is defined only for positive non zero numbers and hence natural logarithm of 0 is not defined.
2. Where is Big Data used in a firm?
Answer – Firms like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Twitter has huge data pilestocks, which they have analyze time and then for a better customer experience. The treasure for these companies lies in the analysis of these data. They use Big Data and Business analytics to find different trends, requirements, and other opportunities for the company. The Business analysts use Big Data for storage and then use various analytics tools to get useful information from them.
3. Tell me an experience you had when you were the team member and nobody sided you for your decision.
Answer – In general any team or group, while structuring their plan or vision faces conflict among the team members. This kind of healthy conflicts, which are helpful for the company or team in the long run and this is how the inefficient solutions are rejected, creative ideas are formed. You can share any of your experience while your projects or Internships.
4. What you think will be the most challenging part of this master’s program?
Answer – If you are from a non computer Science background, then subjects based on R programming could be a bit difficult. Also, subjects based on Cloud platforms like the Amazon Web services could be difficult to understand.
5. If you are up for a salary hike or a promotion, explain to your senior authority as to why you think you are eligible for that.
Answer – To answer this question, you should be able to point out the highlights of your previous projects and what enhancements you’ve done and how it affected the company. You can also point out some problems, which weren’t previously solved and how you solved them with your leadership skills.
6. What is the shape of a logarithmic curve – concave or concave?
Answer – The shape of a Logarithmic function is convex, as the opening mouth of the function always face downwards. It is close to the negative ordinate and as you go forward in the positive x-axis, it moves away from the positive ordinate but facing downwards, and hence convex.
7. How is this MSc best suited to your dreams?
Answer – Business Analytics is like meshing your technical and management skills into one, which is further strengthened by developing leadership qualities. If you want to become an analyst in big data driven companies and reach higher leadership positions where your decisions could impact the society, then this might be the best course in achieving your dreams.
8. Tell me a situation where you’ve demonstrated your leadership skills.
Answer – Any leadership quality like, Decision making capabilities, Communication, creativity, or bringing a vision and passing it on to the lowest level of the firm effectively, which you’ve exhibited during your projects, internships, or at work would answer this question.
9. Why should we offer you a place in our university?
Answer – The University you would be applying for should provide you the subjects and electives which inclines with your interests. Your profile matches the requirements of the universities and fee structure along the with the living expenses of the country is matching with your capabilities.
10. If you’re in a soccer team, what would your position be?
Answer – You could answer any position you want to be like defender, or the mid field player. But your answer should strengthen your abilities.
1. For technical video interview questions, you have to prepare your subjects over time. This is not something for which you could develop or prepare in a week or so. If you’re really good in your subjects, then this round would be a cakewalk for you. If you’re not able to answer the question, it is better to be honest about it and answer what you can think of.
2. For Video essays based on a candidate’s behavioral traits or goals, a goal statement could be the most beneficial tool. The goal statement should always guide the candidate’s action. Goal statements should be prepared in the ‘SMART’ manner, should be accurately defined, and attainable. A Good Goal statement has the following features;
3. The goal statement should be particular, specific and should convey what the student would like to achieve or attain, while also being quantifiable or measurable, like the number of months devoted to developing a particular skill, or to attain one’s target score for a particular exam. It should be acceptable and realistic.
4. Once the goal statement for future years or goals are set, answering these personal questions becomes easier.
5. An elevator pitch is a necessity! An elevator pitch should have the following stages;
Remember that universities are looking for confident, motivated and dynamic young individuals who can take on the rigors of an MS program in business analytics! With a compelling interview or video essay, coupled with a strong elevator pitch, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee and convince them that you’re just the kind of student they’ve been looking out for!
Let us list the top universities and Business school offering Master’s programs in Business Analytics.
Considering all the important factors such as the employability rate, alumni outcome, academic and research impact, and the number of professors who hold Ph.D. degrees, the Sloan School of Management stands at the top. The graduates are motivated to use data science as a tool to solve business challenges and problems and interpret and analyze the results and take data-driven decisions.
For further information regarding the Interviews at the MIT Sloan School of Management click here
*As a part of the curriculum, students has to complete a real-time Capstone Projects with leading industries to show their skills in analytics. This could be an opportunity to flaunt your ‘analyst skills’ before getting employed.
Imperial College Business School
Imperial College Business School – Application Details
For further information regarding the interviews at the Imperial College London, click here
*Around 95% of graduates get employed in three months after degree completion with an average salary of $60,000.
The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business
The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business – Application Details
For further information regarding the interviews at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, click here
ESSEC Business School and Centrale Superlec
Click here to download the brochure
ESADE Ramon Liull University
ESADE Ramon Liull University – Application DetailsFor further information regarding the interviews at the ESADE Ramon Liull University, click here
*Some of the World’s leading companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Santander Bank are the leading employers at this school where graduates are hired as Data Scientists.
USC Marshall School of Business
USC Marshall School of Business – Application Details
Click here for the details about the one-minute self-description video
Alliance Manchester Business School
Alliance Manchester Business School – Application Details: The Alliance Manchester Business School doesn’t have a video interview round, but you can download the brochure by clicking here
Warwick Business School – Application Details: Further details about the program click here
University of Edinburgh Business School
University of Edinburgh Business School – Application Details: For further details about the program click here
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management – Application Details: For Further details about the program click here
We hope you know a little more about the interview process now than you did 10 minutes ago! Have more doubts? Got a specific university in mind? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll try our best to help you out with what you’re looking for!
Best of Luck!
The Ultimate Masters Checklist Download the free eBook now! Over the last couple of decades, various countries have begun to… Read More
Ultimate Guide for GRE Preparation Download the eBook now! Hi, you are targeting the Fall intake, but are confused as… Read More
If you’re dreaming about graduate school in the USA, Canada, Australia, or almost any other country in the English-speaking world,… Read More
If I had prepared better for it, I’d have scored better.” – A cliched statement from most students after an… Read More
Are you a prospective TOEFL applicant? Do you want to know in-depth about the TOEFL exam? Are you aware of… Read More
160+ GRE Quant score is not unheard of. It is quite possible. Out there, there will be no dearth of… Read More