Standard Chartered Analyst Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Be confident and tell what you know

Round: Test
Experience: 25 MCQ, 1 case study: difficult than other companies' aptitude tests.
Tips: Focus more on the precision than score.
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 25+1

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Open for Programme/Departments: M.Sc- MATH (5year and 2 year)
Number of Students selected: 1

General Tips: 1. Improve on Statistical courses
2. Prepare for CAT
3. Try best to get a company internship in pre-final year
College Name: IIT KANPUR

Round: HR Interview
Experience: The selection procedure for the candidates was based on their internship, academic projects and most importantly their CGPA.
The first round was roughly a 45 minute interview (at least for me, not sure about all others). They were really interested in knowing more my internship with the Standard Chartered bank. Apart from the situation based HR questions, they went after evaluating me based on qualitative case studies, one after the other. Fresh ideas for running and delineating any business was required from the word go. I was asked around 6 cases more or less focusing on improving business and adding new verticals. In one line – enthusiasm, passion, business insights and powerful/effective communication skills was what they were looking for.

The second round again lasted for 30 minutes. This time I was tested on a numerical case study. The panel of interviewers got changed this time around. Apart from this, stress based HR questions were asked for other half of the interview. Be confident and be yourself.

They finally selected 3 students.

College Name: IIT ROORKEE

Round: Test
Experience: About 600-700 people applied. 53 were shortlisted. Analytical skills. Reasoning. Basically solve different CAT mock test papers. Should be enough.
Tips: The questions are not very hard. Don't cheat. They were very strict regarding this. You don't want to be thrown out in the first phase itself.

Round: Group Activity
Experience: The 53 shortlisted students were called for a workshop in Kolkata the very next day. 5 Group Discussion topics were given and students were expected to prepare on these topics. It was basically a networking cum GD session.
Tips: Highly Evaluative. Go prepared. Go very prepared.Don't irritate them.
Look interested.
Ask questions. Relevant questions.

Round: Mentorship
Experience: Though it wasn't that long a process, I think it carried weight as well. A mentor was assigned to a group of 10-11 students. The mentor called once to know more about the candidate. More of an informal chat session.Telephonic conversation.
Tips: Learn it.Be polite.
Don't sound rushed.
If you're not in an *cough* appropriate place to attend the call, reschedule the call. But please be available at the scheduled time.
Ask questions.
Don't be too formal.
Follow up with a mail/ further questions etc.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: I had two rounds of interviews, with the first concentrating mainly on my technical (finance) skills, given my interest. The second round was a Director-level round which focussed much more on my interests and integration.
Tips: Just be very well prepared. Though DB doesn't take stress interviews but you can expect one if you are among the later ones.Don't give up. Ho jaayega.
Look fresh and interested.

General Tips: I was 7.13 and had the lowest CG in the select list. And there was no mention about academics at all in my interviews.
CFA/FRM/ even to some extent NCFMs will help, if you can back them up with a solid knowledge base and/or interest in the field, evident from some project work/publications etc.
Regarding Extra academic involvement, you need it but you have to know your stuff. If you're bragging about how good you're at martial arts, you should know who Chuck Norris is.
Jokes apart, a solid knowledge of the field in which you are interested apart from academics, gives an impression of genuine interest. So, be prepared and expect questions on all the points in your CV.
My second round interview was with one of the directors and they asked me to integrate some pretty complex functions.
Ideally, I should be knowing it, since I'm from Math background. SO expect questions on your major subject.
Apart from this, giving CAT (but not mentioning it in the interview) always helps with respect to quantitative abilities. Also solve as many puzzles as you can. Always helps.
College Name: IIT KHARAGPUR