London Business School MBA Interview Questions: What To Expect And How To Prepare

The word ‘interview’ can often stir panic in even the most self-assured of candidates. Throw in the fact that the interview in question is for your dream business school, and the all-too-familiar feeling of butterflies in your stomach are likely to multiply. 

While there’s no silver bullet to acing the MBA interview process, preparation and hard work can go a long way. As the old saying goes: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Yet you’d be forgiven for questioning: But how do I prepare? Where do I start with my preparation?

To help answer these questions, BusinessBecause spoke to David Simpson (pictured below), MBA recruitment and admissions director at London Business School, to find out more.

Guide to LBS MBA interview questions

What is the MBA interview format?
Interviews can be in-person or online, depending on what the candidate and their alumni interviewer decide. We believe it’s best to do it face-to-face if possible. We usually find someone in a candidate’s country or even city to pair you with, so for most people it is possible.

As well as the interview, all candidates reaching that stage must submit an admissions video. We use the Kira Talent platform.

What is the weight of the interview in the overall admissions process?
The interview is incredibly important. Application forms and essays are vital, but only ever build up to the key part of the admissions process, the interview. It’s where we get to know the real person beyond the CV.

What questions should candidates expect in their LBS MBA admission interview? 
We generally focus on past experience, future goals and how London Business School might help candidates to achieve them. 

The interviewer will have read their entire application carefully and could ask questions about any of it. If candidates say they want to work in a particular industry, we expect them to know something about it. There will be a lot more questions related to personal fit too.

What are three interview tips you would give an applicant?
Re-read your application carefully.

Speak to students, alumni, or admissions staff.

Be authentic, be calm and remember, this is about ‘fit’ as much as anything else.

What are the best ways to prepare for an LBS MBA admission interview?
 Read your application thoroughly, be self-aware, remember that the interviewer wants you to do well. Ensure you research your interviewer via LinkedIn.

What should you not do in an LBS MBA interview?

Don’t give generic answers that you could have given to any business school.

Listen to the questions carefully and answer them - don’t try to force in potentially unrelated areas from your preparation.

Don’t over-prepare, be natural, try and show the interviewer the real you.