N+A Analyst Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Finally I entered the room smiling weakly but the smiles on the faces of the panel emboldened me. As soon as they checked my university they told me that they had met my batch-mate before. They asked me "Do you know what we asked him?" I remembered one question based on Henderson and Hasselbalch equation. To my surprise and confusion they said –"We appreciate your honesty". Then they asked me whether my batch-mate had answered correctly and I vehemently said yes. They asked me to write the equation on the board. Then they asked me "What is the pH of 10 to the power -8 Molar HCL?" I replied "Sir, I really don't like chemistry." The professors had a hearty laugh and said to still give it a try. I looked back at the equation and I was confused as to how to do the same. I told them "I know it's not 8." The interviewer laughed and said "Well I'm glad you got that right, so why isn't it 8?" I said "Cause the total amount of H+ ions will include ions from HCL as well as water." So then he explained to me how I can write that in the equation and finally I was able to arrive at the answer. I was asked to sit back down. Then they asked me another question – "Is glycolysis an oxidative process?" I knew this was a very basic question but I wasn't sure of the answer and said "I don't know." So they asked me with "Which molecule does glycolysis start with?" "Glucose" "and where does it finally end?" "Pyruvate" "even further than that" "Carbon dioxide". They smiled and said "So glucose or CO2, which is more oxidized?" "CO2, so it's an oxidative process." Similarly most of the other questions asked to me were also from biochemistry, and I didn't know most of the answers but the professors guided me towards them. Throughout the interview everyone was smiling (including me) and even laughing at times. 

The same evening the results were displayed and to my surprise I was selected, so was my other batch-mate from my panel. My other batch-mate who had answered everything correctly was still not selected to my utter shock. 

In the second round the entire faculty was present (some 12 people). I was asked some questions based on bacterial growth curve and asked to solve equations based on it. This time I blatantly lied that I'm not good at maths but again I was able to arrive at the answer with their guidance. They asked me about my dissertation, and I only told them about those parts (plant tissue culture) which I knew nobody there was an expert on. The interview ended on an OK note and I just left feeling glad that I was done with my first interview. 

JNCASRThis was the place I was most keen on. Again it had 2 rounds and both were on the same day. There were 3 panels here as well each consisting of 3-4 PIs.

In my first interview I was asked questions related to molecular biology (my strong subject). The questions were based on basics such as – "Three most important reasons why DNA is the genetic material?" "You have two very large DNA samples, one linear and one circular, how will you differentiate without wasting the sample much?" "How can you detect proteins bound to DNA?" etc. It went well and I was feeling confidant. When the list came out I found out that I was selected. We were then asked to meet with all the faculties individually, visit the labs and then give our preferences.

The only preparation I did for the second round was to stop talking to everyone and play a game on my phone – I just wanted to make my mind blank before I went in so that it's fresh when I enter the interview room. Again all the faculty were assembled. I was asked my favorite subject but I answered "Sir go ahead and ask me questions, if I am not familiar with the subject I shall say so." The faculty and I myself were a little shocked by my response. To be honest I knew that if I mentioned any particular subject as my favorite and then was unable to answer a question from it, it would have a more negative impact. I was asked " What is RFP?" " Different techniques to study protein-protein interaction?" "Why is GFP is used so widely?" Then they asked me a question I got stuck at since it required conversion of Dalton to Grams. Again with A LOT of help I managed to reach the answer but one of the professor did mention that I will get only half the points for that answer. In the end I was also asked despite having a very good rank in GATE, why do I have only LS and not JRF and whether I will be giving net again. 

I left the place feeling slightly dejected because of the last few questions.
Tips: What I learnt from all of them was that interviewers don't want somebody who is very knowledgeable but rather a student who is able and willing to learn, has a positive outlook, problem solving capabilities and can fit into the institute.

College Name: Vjti