Aranca Research Investment Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: 70 people shortlisted probably by cv and pre-assessment test results.

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: 70 shortlisted candidates were divided into 10 groups of 10. GD started, we sat in a circle around a table. All of us were handed a booklet and rough sheets. The interviewers told us that the booklet had three sections. Each section contained some data about a company followed by a question. We, as a group had to answer the three questions within one hour. He, himself suggested that we take twenty minutes per section - 5 mins to go through the data, fifteen to discuss and come to a conclusion. The first section gave us an idea about the company and asked some general questions about decreasing costs. Generic case study stuff. The next two sections were quant heavy. Required us to do a lot of calculations albeit simple. We divided the task among the group members. Ran out of time before solving the third question. Interviewer stepped in and helped us reach a conclusion. We were asked to leave the rough sheet behind. One of the longest and most civil Gds that I have attended. A wonderful experience.
Tips: Try to help move the discussion forward. Draw out your calculations and tables in the rough sheet. Let others speak, one hour is enough time for everyone to shine :).

Round: Case Study Interview
Experience: One interviewer. Small talks about the GD. A moderately long case followed by two short cases. The cases involved some quants. Nothing fancy. I did not follow any framework but he did not seem to mind. He helped me out any place that i got stuck. Asked me about why Dunnhumby. Nailed this answer. Did not ask a lot a questions from my cv, just about an internship i had done at a startup. Asked me whether i was comfortable with coding, told him i had not coded since my first year at college. That was it. Shaked hands and asked me to wait outside. HR came and told me i got the job.
Tips: Think out loud. Whatever you are thinking when looking at the tables or numbers, just speak them out loud for the interviewer so that he knows your thought process. Learn about the company a little bit before showing up for the interview. I was asked only cases, I heard others were asked guesstimates as well.

General Tips: Case in Point is more than enough as far as preparation is concerned. A good CV and CGPA helps. Don't worry, I myself lacked both :P
Skills: Ability To Work In A Team, Case Solving Ability, Quant+Math
College Name: IIT Kharagpur
Motivation: Wanted a job as an analyst with a good work-life balance and a moderately good pay.

Round: Test
Experience: Pre-Assesment Test conducted in my college.
Consists of Quant, Verbal and logical reasoning.
Students who scored good in this test and had CG above 7 are shortlisted

Tips: Cat preparation would help
Practice aptitude for two months prior to placement season


Round: Group Discussion
Experience: A case was given and should be solved by the group of 8 people in an hour.
They will closely monitor the group and select the students who provide right insights, direct the group in right direction.
Tips: Avoid talking just for sake of talking.
Understand the case and then summarize what you understood.
Speak you idea and also discuss other ideas.
Make sure that the invigilator understands that you are good with cases.
Read Case in point or other case books to get in touch with different cases.
Duration: 60 minutes

Round: Case Study Interview
Experience: Asked few questions like Why Dunnhumy? Type of profiles you applied for? Tell me about your childhood? and few basic HR questions.
Asked a profitability case problem.Even though I did not solve the entire problem, my approach was right.
Gave some data and asked my inference.
Asked to calculate a problem without using pen and paper.
Tips: You need to be good with numbers.
You need to show them that you have the enthusiasm to learn things.



Skill Tips: Go through any good case book.
Show them you enjoy numbers.
Show them you like this work.
Skills: Case Solving Ability, Number Crunching, Ability To Make Quick Calculations
College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Be yourself cool common and collected. You'll crack it

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Prepare for aptitude but your selection would 100 percent be based on the guesstimate round and case study after then the HR round