ISI MStat Interview

Some pointers about the nature of the interview, associated preparation, and, most importantly, the logistics -- the journey and the stay -- for the ISI MStat D-day.

The canteen and 'Old Hostel', ISI Delhi

The ISI MStat Interview is a matter of huge concern (not unnecessarily) for any MStat candidate. In this article, I give some pointers describing the nature of the interview, associated preparation, and, most importantly, the logistics -- the journey and the stay -- of the MStat interview.

1. Interview format

1. Timespan: 30-40 minutes
• Depends on how panelists like your answers, how much they want to probe your understanding of a topic, and your natural speed of figuring out hints and formulating solutions.
• Length of the interview does not at all convey success in the interview, so don't compare it with others.
2. Timing: 1 particular day (out of generally 3-4 days overall), and in any one of the 3 shifts -- morning (10 am), noon (12 pm) or afternoon (2 pm).
• In every shift, panelists try to accommodate 4-5 interviewees, so if you are the last candidate in a shift, it may drag on to the next.
• The last afternoon interview has, historically, continued as far as till 6:30 pm.
3. Location: ISI Delhi classrooms.
• You may be seated in the ISID auditorium and then called to arrive at the classroom at your turn.
4. Panels: 3-4, seated in different classrooms, waiting for the interviewees turn-by-turn.
• Which panel you receive is a matter of sheer chance.
• Each panel handles one interviewee at a time inside a classroom.
5. Panelists: 3-5 in each panel.
• Gathered from ISI Delhi, ISI Kolkata, ISI Bangalore, and perhaps more.
• These are tremendously well-experienced statisticians, probabilists, mathematicians, and other academicians.
6. Syllabus: MStat Entrance Exam syllabus.
7. Topic choice: You will be asked your favourite topics from within the syllabus.
• Questioning generally revolves around this topic, but depends on the intent of the panelists.
• Generally, 1 favourite topic in each of statistics and probability is asked to be questioned about.
8. Format: viva voce and live work-out on the class blackboard.
• Jotting important problem details quickly on the board makes the process convenient.
• Interviewers are keen on understanding your mental workings through your writings on the board.
9. Number of questions: 2-4 main questions overall. 1-2 in each topic. Of course, intermittent queries like the following may keep coming your way:
   
• Why did you apply this theorem? What does this theorem mean?
• Is your expression correct? Can it be simplified?
• How else can you optimize this expression?
10. Practices:
• Ask questions to clarify your understanding of the question.
• Jot important pointers about a perceived solution on the board.
• Incorporate interviewer-given hints in your workouts, but also prioritize your own instincts.
• If you have an urge to do something, announce it or write it down, but also mention why you may want to reconsider it.

2. Logistics

1. Location: 7, SJS Sansanwal Marg, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016.
• Colloquial location: Opposite Katwaria Sarai busstand. Remember this because nobody will know "ISI".
2. Reaching: Try reaching at least half an hour before your timeslot begins. Reach anytime on the previous day if you plan to take accommodation.
• Metro + Bus/Magic/Auto-rickshaw: from Hauz Khas Metro Station, because getting public-transport from here is easier. Then get down at/near Katwaria Sarai via any one of:
• Bus: 511A or 605 or 605B, Rs. 5-10.
• (Tata) Magic vans: Rs. 10. But they ply only from a certain Metro exit gate, so ask the attendants!
• Auto-rickshaw: private booking only, Rs. 50 standard fare. Haggle if driver is overcharging.
• Uber/Cab: literally drops you in front of ISI main-gate from any corner of the world.
• Walk: from RK Puram, actually the nearest Metro Station, 2.2 kms. If you have access to inside IIT Delhi, then even less from IIT Metro Station. Walking is a little unconventional mode of travel, but worth the adventure to relieve (or gain) some stress.
3. Entry gates: use the main-gate; that's where the registers are kept. Directly opposite to the Katwaria Sarai busstand. Bears a blue signboard that reads 'ISI'.
4. Accommodation: generally only to interviewees and not guardians, generally in Block-D (red-coloured) flats in the southwest corner of the campus.
• Generally cohabiting with previous or upcoming interviewees scheduled on the same or different days.
• Each flat will have its own washroom and shower, a kitchen sink, 1 or 2 bedrooms and a loft with perhaps a study desk and chair.
• Generally 3 people will be accommodated in each flat, each person receiving a bed and perhaps a temporary wardrobe without locks.
5. Fooding inside campus: ISI Delhi students' mess, located in the northeast corner of the campus and runs only during specified meal hours.
• Charges: Rs. 40-60 per meal.
• Caution: may be too spicy for an interview ahead.
• Contact: Current mess manager, information about whom will be intimated on mail.
6. Fooding outside campus: Lots of options in the Katwaria Sarai market (Poha, Biryani, Chhole Bhature, Rice thaalis, pastries, fruit juice, sweets, and so much more). Katwaria Sarai is an "urban village" self-sufficient in its services and frequented by students from adjacent institutes.
7. Groceries: Any stationery/clothes/toiletries/medicines/groceries will be available right inside or around the Katwaria Sarai market. No worries if you forgot anything, including photocopies.
8. Documents to carry: Will be specified in the interview-call email. But no worries if you forgot anything -- the immensely kind administration will manage a postponement on the submission date.
9. Hygiene and Cleanliness: Ensure room and washroom hygiene immediately upon entry and request a transfer of rooms if things are unsuitable.
• Carry your own bedsheet and toiletries and do not expect a pillow.
• Do not expect heavenly shiny rooms and wardrobes.
• Apply mosquito repellents and do not take this lightly.
10. Practices:
• Socialize with your roommates, surely, because you will find some of them continuing this journey with you.
• Maintain hygiene in your room for the next occupant.
• Try not waking too much the night before the interview.
• Politely ask and comply with requests to keep calmness.
• If you feel disturbed for some reason, take a walk around the gorgeous campus and focus on calming your mind. Don't take an aimless walk -- ISI Delhi's campus roads are very alluring! Keep them on hold until your admission!

3. Preparation tips

1. Have a clear idea of your mathematical strengths. This is very important for the topic selection, and in case questions are asked from domains of your strength.
2. Do not go by blank intuition; at least validate it symptomatically with some other instance where you found the same intuition.
3. The following domains are the most questioned domains:
1. Statistics:
• Likelihood expressions, MLE, Sufficient statistics
• Testing of Hypotheses
• Linear Regression
2. Mathematics:
• Combinatorics
• Linear Algebra
• Real Analysis
4. Brush up on your PSB questionnaire -- both the ones you did and didn't attend -- because questions may come from within the questionnaire.
• In certain instances, students are asked about their mistakes in certain solutions and asked to correct them live on board.
• Students are also asked about their perception of their own performance in the entrance test.
5. Be clear about what you know and what you don't.
• Always ask if in doubt, and do not go by assumption with regard to a term you've never encountered before.
• You may be thrown problems based on preliminary but yet-unknown concepts in order to assess your spontaneous mathematical comprehension skills.
6. Try to understand the questioner's intent in assessing you. Doing so moulds your answer to a more befitting version.

FAQs

• Will the interviewers be nice?

Yes, interviewers are very polite, understanding, and professional. They expect nervousness on your part and can perceive if you are knowledgeable about a topic but cannot vocalize an answer at the exact moment. They ask you to sit, think a while and maybe drink some water in order to get back in rhythm.

• Is the level of difficulty similar to the BStat interview?

In my understanding, the BStat interview is far harder and far more selective than the MStat interview. Once someone is acquainted with Statistics and has put in the effort to gain an intuitive understanding of Statistical concepts, the MStat interview questions only come off as natural and intelligent, as opposed to factual and esoteric.

• What to do after the interview?

You can pack up your bags and leave, until you are called back in again -- to stay for a year! It will be the (a) most memorable one year of your life. But for now you can take a look at Qutab Minar which is neaby, Jama Masjid which is surreal, Lotus Temple which is serene or even just roam around the campus! Oh, and if research scholars are playing football in the afternoon, surely join them.

That's all!

Let me know if you have any questions, down in the comments. Find some MStat interview questions on this website. Also check out these resources:

1. Analysis and Suggestions for MStat entrance Interview at Indian Statistical Institute | LinkedIn

All the best!