Bank Negara Kijang Scholarship Interview Experience

Hello!

It has been such a very long time since my previous post. Idk, I think I spent much of my time watching dramas LOL >.< This time guys, I would like to share my experience attending the Kijang Academy 2016 Programme, for the selection of Bank Negara Kijang Scholarship. Obviously this will help those who will be going for Kijang Academy in the next years.

For sure, it gonna be in long words, huh! Nvm. I'll try to make this one short and simple.

The email from BNM

The packed schedule of the Academy, haha.

And I'm not that ready to be assessed yet.

I apllied for Economics in UK. I didn't get straight A+ so I applied for Kijang, instead of Kijang Emas wkwk :3

Day 1

We checked in at Lanai Kijang and have our dinner there.

The room. Look nice huh >.<

Around 8.30 pm, we were briefed by Kak Aireen and the other members of the scholarship section.

Everyone pretend to focus :p

We were so immersed with gratitude when they told us that there were 120++ of us who were shortlisted among 150k applicants. Unfortunately, we will be halved in the next evening and only about 60 people will go to the Final Stage of Assessment, which is the individual assessment.

Day 2 (Group Assessment)

We were divided into 13++ groups of 7-8 people.(x ingat brp group haha) All of the activities were conducted at Sasana Kijang, another magnificient building owned by BNM.

Sasana Kijang

The first Group Activity was a business game. We were asked to discuss among our team members on how to manage 4 book shops with given budgets. Outline of presentation was provided. Each team members have their own post like Marketing Director, Accountant and so own (sorry I don't really remember but I hope it can give u a picture)

You know what, the wall is designed so that we can write on it!

The next activity was a tougher business game. This one is more mind-boggling and requires everyone to really have a great collaboration in such a limited time. We were asked to organise a carnival during the graduation day, and there were just lots of things that we needed to consider. This task is the toughest man! I hope I can elaborate more but the Academy was like 3-4 months ago so I can't really remember the details hahaha

before the 2nd task

The third activity was a discussion about your career. We were regrouped based on our courses and present on that particular course.

During the final group activity, we returned to the initial group and were required to create a space elevator using cards. One has to be 30 cm tall and another one should reach 50 cm. It has to be really stable since another group will shake the table to test its strength and stability.

Tbh, my performance was not good. So, I was not expecting to be one of the finalists at all.

Around 8.30 pm, we were gathered in the hall for the announcement of successful candidates who managed to go to the Final Stage. Alhamdulillah! I nailed it and my roommates did it too! I don't think I deserved it but the assessor knew what they did. Knowing that news, I have to sacrifice the whole night to look for informations. Poor me haha. The other unsuccessful candidates may stay at the hotel till next day and enjoy the luxury there.

Day 3

I was much more confident for Individual Assessment since I am suck at being in team but pretty good being individually (only if I have the mood and spirit -_-). We had to choose one out of 3 issues to present and they will ask us questions. The issues were:-

- Choosing career without passion due to job prospect. Is it good?
- Attitude vs aptitude. Which one is necessary for university student?
- Suggest an alternative method that BNM can do to promote the culture of saving money instead of MyTabung.

We were given 30 minutes to prepare. I chose the second topic. We were then splitted into 13 groups of 5 and will be called individually into the assessment room.

I was the third person to be called in my group. After presenting and being provoked, they begin with individual interview. The questions that they asked me were:-

- why choose Economics?
- why choose Bank Negara?
- explain a situation that you find it is difficult to deal
- tell one latest economic issue

It seemed like they asked less questions rite? But actually they argued a lot, which consumed a lot of time. I think I did well since I took lessons from the previous Khazanah interview.

Alhamdulillah, the interview was successful. I received the offer about a month later via e-mail.

Few tips from me ;)
- For group assessment, they just wanna see how can you cooperate and communicate with your team members. Don't dominate others. Plan your decision as a team and make sure everyone speaks!
- For individual assessment, make sure you do some reading about BNM and your courses. Be confident in presenting and make sure you are able to answer their provocation. You may take few seconds to think.

After all, good luck and nail it!