How to Tackle Tough Interview Questions About My Academic Journey and Setbacks

Academic Performance Overview

10th - 89%
12th - 63%

Year gap of one year after 12th for engineering entrance exams preparation. Despite this, I secured admission to an average-rated college after achieving a state rank of 2000.

BTECH Performance

BTECH - 6.1/10 till the 5th semester. There is a reason for low marks in BTECH. I had an accident, broke a leg bone, and had to undergo four surgeries in two years.

Common Interview Questions

So how should I answer questions like:
1. Why the year gap?
2. Why fewer marks in 12th despite scoring well in 10th?
3. Why fewer marks in BTECH?
4. Why should we select you?

Further to what Simhan mentioned, I suggest that you also provide reasons for why you preferred to pursue a career in engineering. Though it's too early to come to any conclusion, prima facie, it seems that engineering could be a mismatch to your overall mental and academic attributes.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

Just be as honest and confident as possible, and not apologetic. It's the attitude that matters, not the gaps. Believe in yourself.

I didn't attend any interview recently, but I will have to after a week. Yes, I do have genuine reasons. I didn't study sincerely during my class 12th days. I took a year gap to prepare for entrance exams and got a better rank. My state rank was 2000, leaving behind 58,000 other students in my state. However, the rank wasn't very good.

I met with an accident while I was in the 3rd semester and broke two leg bones completely. It took almost 2 years and 4 surgeries to achieve 100 percent healing, facing many complications and disturbing times. Somehow, I managed to pass my subjects even though I had not attended most of the lectures.

I had actually lost interest in civil engineering due to my physical condition. Sometimes I used to feel frustrated seeing my friends enjoying while I had to use crutches to move.

Just 2 months ago, my doctor gave me the green signal to stand and walk like normal people. Infosys is coming to our college next week, and I am eligible to appear for the exam.

How to Justify Year Gap and Lower Marks

So, how should I justify my year gap and lower marks? What should I say? I have shown good performance in mock tests, scoring more than almost 90 percent of my classmates and expecting to clear the Infosys written exam.

Regards,
TS

I didn't attend any interview recently, but I will have to after a week. Yes, I do have genuine reasons. I didn't study sincerely during my 12th-grade days. I took a year gap to prepare for entrance exams and achieved a better rank. My state rank was 2000, leaving behind 58,000 other students from my state. However, the rank wasn't very good.

I met with an accident during my 3rd semester and broke two leg bones completely. It took almost two years and four surgeries to attain 100 percent healing due to facing many complications and disturbing times. Somehow, I managed to pass my subjects despite not attending most of the lectures.

I had actually lost interest in civil engineering due to my physical condition. Sometimes, I used to feel frustrated seeing my peers enjoying while I had to use crutches to move.

Just two months ago, my doctor gave me the green signal to stand and walk like normal people. Infosys is coming to our college next week, and I'm eligible to appear for the exam.

How to Justify Year Gap and Lower Marks

So, how should I justify my year gap and lower marks? What should I say? I have shown good performance in mock tests, scoring higher than almost 90 percent of my classmates and expecting to clear the Infosys written exam.

Like the saying goes: Truth can always stand alone - a lie always needs an accomplice. Just stick to the truth - even if you have to hear rejections from one or two companies, there will always be many others who value truth.

All the best.

Regards,
TS