Interviews are great for networking!!! Made so many new friends who have the same passion as me <3
Important: Always be 15-30 min early to cool down or avoid being late, bring everything stated in your selection email/SMS and prepare a question for the lecturers (not in the website) to show that you are interested!
Temasek Poly
For starters, this was my first interview so my state of mind was a WRECK. You never know what could happen in your first interview and it was terrifying. I was so nervous that I forgot to bring my calculator, pencil and NRIC for my interview and aptitude test. On the plus side I arrived an hour early due to miscalculation.
Aptitude test
Finding the EAE room was quite hard for me and I had to ask 2 people to help me :P For your aptitude test, you'll need a pencil (to shade the MCQ sheet) and a calculator (they test for basic math skills)
Tip: For your aptitude test, you either know it or you don't. You can't study for it.
The lecturers are quite nice and they would provide you with pencils and a spare registration sheet if you forget (however they don't have spare calculator!) Upon entering, you will be seated in normal student seats and have 30 min to cool down. My test states that it starts at 2.30 but actually it started at 3). The questions are all common sense but the time is only less than an hour so you really have to buckle up and finish the paper!
Example Questions I got for Business:
Q: Mark and Sally have a salary of $1000. Mark's salary increased by 1/4. Sally's salary increased by 20%.
1. Mark's salary is $1200
2. Sally's salary is $..(.I forgot)
3. Mark's salary is higher than Sally
4. Sally's salary is higher than Mark.
Q: You are an employer. You are going to give a bad review to your employee. Do you do it by...
1. Phone call
2. Email
3. Face to face in a public canteen
4. Face to face in a private room
That's pretty much it for the aptitude test! In my opinion everything was quite easy - I hope I pass with flying colours...
Interview
Before the aptitude test, you would have to fill in a registration form. On the registration form you will have to write on your achievements and experiences and personal information. Before the interview, the lecturers will check if ALL your info are correct so you can't lie! You'll have to bring your CCA record, report book and portfolio.
Our interview formation: 2 students to 2 lecturers
We had around 10 students in total so we went in groups of 2 students. I was lucky enough to be in the first group (whew) and our interview lasted around 45 minutes. (I feel sad for the other teams).
Atmosphere: Like a friendly chat
I know for a fact that interview questions changes every interview but here is our questions:
1. What is one value you feel that is important for business and why?
2. What is your strength?
3. What is one criticism you've gotten about your startup and what did you do to overcome it
4. About your experience
Final thoughts about TP: It looks like a few slabs of concrete compared to other schools.
Rewarding yourself after the interview: Shop at Tampines shopping centre!
Nanyang Poly
The tension is real. You don't have to bring anything and there are snacks and drinks provided (although no one took them) After reaching, you'll be greeted by an amazing fountain and an enormous aircon hall but finding the room will be hell. Always reach at least 15 min early.
Interview formation: 4 students to 2 lecturers
Atmosphere: Stress level 100%
You're directed to a HALL in which there are tiny booths for each course. I feel that it is the fact that you're in an open area with so many people that caused me to be stressed as hell. Heck I couldn't even speak properly with the lecturers.
The lecturers are actually quite cool but for business the students seem to be very competitive so good luck to those going Business Management for NYP.
My interview questions:
1. Any part time jobs/ experiences
2. Business news I've heard about lately
3. Role in your CCA and what did you do
4. What specialisation do you want to take part in and why? (This is why you should always know a bit about the course you're applying into)
Final thoughts about NP: It's so grand I would apply just for the facilities.
Treat yourself: Head over to AMK Hub to shop - the Mala in the foodcourt is famous and tastes amazing!
Ngee Ann
Did you know what freaked me out the most? Getting my NP selection SMS when I was in the waiting room of Nanyang poly!!! And also that I got selected into one of the hardest poly interviews ever. If you're early (you should be), you can just head up and wait in the aircon waiting room rather than downstairs.
Tip: You really have to take initiative. Don't let your points get stolen and show them your portfolio!!! (They will not ask for your portfolio and I'm the only one who showed)
Interview formation: 6 students to 2 lecturers
Atmosphere: They just want you outta there.
The batches of students comes 42 by 42 so its quite obvious that the lecturers just want to finish quicker so they can catch a break.
Firstly, at exactly your stated timing, you'll be brought to the next room to read a case study (a long text) for 15 minutes. I believe you should be thinking of examples, strategies, and reasons why people are against/for the topic.
Afterwards, you'll be brought to another waiting room (the staff conference room for Business courses) to wait until the previous batch of students finish their interviews. You'll be asked questions on your case study and personal questions.
Case Study Interview Questions: (There was supposed to be 3 questions but the interviewer decided that we're so detailed in the previous 2 questions that she skipped one)
1. What is some strategies students can do if they are bullied
2. What are some reasons why people bully?
Personal Interview Questions:
1. What is your passion and what have you done to improve it?
2. What is one value you have that is suitable for business and give an example
Have some fun: Roam around NP for the scenery and eat at their foodcourts because THE FOOD DAM GUD!
