MBA Guide

MBA Interview Preparation

Ace your MBA interview with our comprehensive preparation guide, common questions, and proven strategies.

Types of MBA Interviews

Admissions Committee

Traditional interviews with admissions staff or faculty members.

  • • Usually 30-45 minutes
  • • More formal structure
  • • Standard questions
  • • On-campus or virtual

Alumni Interviews

Conversations with program alumni in your area or industry.

  • • More conversational
  • • Industry-specific questions
  • • Networking opportunity
  • • Often at coffee shops

Group Interviews

Interactive sessions with multiple candidates and evaluators.

  • • Case discussions
  • • Team exercises
  • • Leadership assessment
  • • Group dynamics

Common Interview Questions

Personal & Background

  • "Tell me about yourself."
    Focus on professional journey and key achievements.
  • "Why do you want an MBA?"
    Connect to specific career goals and timing.
  • "Why this school?"
    Show research and genuine interest in unique aspects.
  • "What are your career goals?"
    Be specific about short-term and long-term plans.

Leadership & Experience

  • "Describe a leadership challenge."
    Use STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  • "What's your greatest achievement?"
    Choose something recent and quantifiable.
  • "How do you handle failure?"
    Show resilience and learning from setbacks.
  • "What are your strengths/weaknesses?"
    Be honest and show self-awareness.

Interview Preparation Checklist

Before the Interview

  • • Research the school thoroughly
  • • Review your application materials
  • • Prepare your "elevator pitch"
  • • Practice common questions
  • • Prepare thoughtful questions to ask
  • • Plan your outfit and logistics
  • • Test technology (for virtual interviews)

During the Interview

  • • Arrive early and be professional
  • • Make eye contact and smile
  • • Listen carefully to questions
  • • Use specific examples
  • • Be concise but thorough
  • • Show enthusiasm and energy
  • • Ask thoughtful questions

Master the STAR Method

Use the STAR method to structure your answers to behavioral questions:

S

Situation

Describe the context and background

T

Task

Explain your responsibility or goal

A

Action

Detail what you did and how

R

Result

Share the outcome and impact

Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

About the Program

  • • "What makes this program unique?"
  • • "How do students typically spend their time outside of class?"
  • • "What recent changes have been made to the curriculum?"
  • • "How does the school support career development?"

About the Experience

  • • "What advice would you give to incoming students?"
  • • "What are the biggest challenges students face?"
  • • "How has the program evolved in recent years?"
  • • "What opportunities exist for international students?"

Ready to Ace Your Interview?

Get more interview tips and practice questions from our blog.

Read Interview Tips