IBM Placement Experience and Process for Freshers - 2016

International Business Machine Corporation (now referred to as IBM) is an American multi-national technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States with operations in over 170 countries.

IBM manufactures and markets computer hardware, middleware and software and offers hosting and consulting services in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nano-techonology.

IBM visited our college in Noida for the recruitment of Associate System Engineer. It was two days process.

250 students participated in the placement process

The selection process was carried out in three steps:

1. Online Test
2. Psychometric Test
3. Technical & HR Interview

Online test was conducted on first day while psychometric test and technical & HR interview, were both conducted on second day.

1. Online Test

The online test was just like aptitude test. It consisted of three subjects:

a. Series completion - There were 18 questions from series. Some sample questions are:

• 2, 7, -35, 7, 12, -60, 5, 10, ?
• 2, 3, 10, 15, 26, ?
• 0.03, 0.0018, 0.00108, 0.00648, ?
• -5, 1, -11, 23, 29, 17, -20, -14, ?
• 2. 1/3, 2/3, 6, 7, ½, 3, ½ 14, 20, 1/5, 4, ?
• 40, 39, 37, 33, 26, 15, ?

b. Quantitative aptitude - This also consisted of 18 questions. The questions were from topics, like percentage, profit loss, volume etc.

c. Business communication - It had total 22 questions which were divided into two parts – 21 objective type questions and 1 subjective question.

Samples of objective questions are:

• The handshake that conveys confidence is

– loose
– limp
– double
– firm

• Communication is the task of imparting

– information
– training
– message
– knowledge

• Which of the following is an example of understanding the rules and behaviors of email communication?

– Formality
– Content
– Writing skills
– Language

• The whole concept of achieving success begins with how you

– think
– work
– behave
– All of these

Subjective question asked us to write the format of a business letter.

The total time for each question was 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

105 students were shortlisted for the next round.

2. Psychometric Test

This round is also called WSI - Work Style Inventory. In this 100 questions were asked related to day-to-day life situations and how we tackle them. Those were simple but tricky.

There was no time limit provided for this.

This was also an elimination round. Around 75 students were selected for the interview process.

3. Technical & HR Interview

Both interviews were conducted at one time. But, before attempting interview, you have to take your biometric test and submit one government ID proof along with CV.

In interview, I was asked about introduction, hobbies, one situational question and rest were from technical sections.

As my resume had a mention of exams I had taken, he asked my score & rank.

Confirmation mail was received by us after 48 hours. 60 students made it to IBM.

Some important tips that will help you crack the test and interview:

• Prepare well for the series and quantitative aptitude as they were a bit difficult. You will be given time limit and no negative marking.
• There will be system in-built device so, no need to take your personal electronic devices, like scientific calculators or mobile phones during the test.
• For interview purpose, take your government ID proof and CV.
• Go through your CV. You can expect questions from it.