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.

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How are these interviews conducted?

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.

• First of all, the Imperial College London invites candidates for Interviews only after shortlisting, which means, if someone is invited for the Interview then their application has reached the final stage of the selection procedure.
• For courses like an MSc in Business Analytics (Online, Part-time as well as Full-time), Management, Finance, and Financial technology, qualifying Interviews are certain for admission at most institutes.
• According to the admissions committee, the Interviews lasts for about 20 minutes, in which the candidate might be required to deliver an elevator pitch for the questions asked.
• The platform used by the Imperial College, London is called the ‘Kira Talent Online Interview Platform’. Do make sure that any email from Kira Talent doesn’t reach your Spam folder.
• On the Online platform, there are a series of questions, which you need to answer as well as record a short video, both of which, you will have to submit them to the portal.

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 will basically be regarding:

1. The candidate’s goal statement (where an effective elevator pitch is recommended)
2. How the coursework would help the candidate in achieving the goals he/she has.
3. Why that particular business school is best suited for the candidate.

• Some students get to give their Interviews using Skype as the video interview platform. In such cases, the candidate will be contacted by the admissions committee for giving them their Skype ID and to agree on a suitable time, and date for the video interview questions.
• It is witnessed that students who gave Interviews for an MS in Business Analytics were asked personal questions similar to ones asked in MBA admissions. Questions such as ‘Past failures and Personal experience in analytics’ are often featured on the list.

Video Interview Questions

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.

How to prepare for Video Interview Questions

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;

• S – Specific
• M – Measurable
• A – Acceptable
• R – Realistic
• T – Time-bound

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;

• The first part of the elevator pitch is ‘Who are you?’
• The second part of the elevator pitch is ‘What do you do?’
• The third part of the elevator pitch is ‘What makes you unique?’
• The fourth and final part of the elevator pitch is ‘How do you do it?’

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.

Top Business Schools for an MS in BUSINESS ANALYTICS

1. The MIT Sloan School of Management

For the Class of 2019:

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.

2. Imperial College Business School

Imperial College Business School

Imperial College Business School – Application Details

1. Knowledge requirement includes knowledge of Advanced Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra etc.
2. GMAT is not required as such, but a score of >650 will add heft to one’s profile
3. Experience in programming languages such as Python, SQL, R will be an added advantage.
4. Experience i`n advanced quantitative courses.

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.

3. The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business

The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business

The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business – Application Details

The Class of 2017 has the following average scores:

For further information regarding the interviews at the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, click here

4. ESSEC Business School and Centrale Superlec:

ESSEC Business School and Centrale Superlec

Application Deadlines:–

Click here to download the brochure 

5. ESADE Ramon Liull University

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.

6. USC Marshall School of Business

USC Marshall School of Business

USC Marshall School of Business – Application Details

Application deadlines –

Click here for the details about the one-minute self-description video 

7. Alliance Manchester Business School

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

8. Warwick Business School

Warwick Business School – Application Details: Further details about the program click here

9. University of Edinburgh Business School

University of Edinburgh Business School

University of Edinburgh Business School – Application Details: For further details about the program click here

10. University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management

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!