My Experience: JPA Scholarship Interview in Ipoh, Perak 2014

Days before Interview

                Several days before the interview (11/04/2014), I checked online about of the date of interview. The date of interviewing (16/04/2014) was so closed to the day I checked it!!! OMG!!! After that, I realized that there are many days for the interview. I, fortunately, had been called to attend the interview at 16/04/2014 (Wednesday). Whereas my friend who came from same school with me, had been called to attend at 14/04/2014 (Monday). So, she prepared to forgo her time to attend the interview due to the inconvenience of transportation.

                Those who are qualified should log in into the website given. Then, one should complete the psychometric test and print the slip to prove that you had finished the test. Besides, one ought to download the notice letter which provides the details about the interview and a form which must be filled in and certified to prove the monthly salary of family.

                 If you are the applicants for the years afterwards and want to prepare the documents and the photocopies as soon as possible, here is the guide for you to prepare all the compulsory things: (I copy the list directly without translate it~)

1. Documen-documen asal:

i)           MyKad / Kad Pengenalan Calon;

ii)         Slip Keputusan SPM Calon;

iii)        Sijil Kelahiran Calon dan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

iv)       Sijil-sijil Berhenti Sekolah;

v)         Sijil-sijil Kewarganegaraan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

vi)       Kad Pesara / Slip Gaji Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

vii)      Sijil-sijil Kegiatan Ko-Kurikulum Tingkatan 4 dan 5 sahaja;

viii)    Borang Pengesahan Pendapatan Bulanan Keluarga;

ix)       Slip Bahasa Asing (sekiranya ada); dan

x)         Slip Pengesahan menduduki ujian psikometrik (*ujian psikometrik melalui http://www.interactive.jpa.gov.my/ukbp).

2. Satu salinan dokumen-dokumen seperti berikut:

i)      MyKad / Kad Pengenalan Calon dan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

ii)    Sijil Kelahiran Calon dan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

iii)   Sijil-sijil Kewarganegaraan Calon dan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga;

iv)  Borang Pengesahan Pendapatan Bulanan Keluarga; dan

v)    Slip Pengesahan menduduki ujian psikometrik.

                Here are some of the frequently asked questions by the applicant.  Firstly, “Sijil-sijil Kewarganegaraan Calon dan Ibu/Bapa/Penjaga” which is stated in the notice letter is not required as applicants and their parents were born in Malaysia. The other real documents and the photocopies which are stated inside the letter are enough. Next, during the interview, the stationery which is required includes the pencil(s), pen(s) and an eraser only. Bottles of water and cell phones (even turned off) are prohibited to be brought into the rooms of interview.

On the day of interviewing

                When reaching the venue stated, the applicants were all gathered in the waiting room. Every applicant should be present there 30 minutes before the time which is stated in the notice letter for registration. On each day, the interview will be separated for 2 rounds, one for morning and one for afternoon. Each round has 3 groups of applicants (group=kelompok) and each group is divided into 3 teams (team=kumpulan). The range of the applicants for each team is 5 to 7. The candidates were enthusiastic as they greet each other very well.

                In my team, there were 5 boys (including me) and 2 girls. Most of them applied studying abroad to Germany or France whereas one Malay guy and I choose Korea. Nobody choose Japan. 5 of us (including me) wish to take the course of chemical engineering.

                There are 3 sections of interview:

1. A mind-challenging section (fully in BM)
2. A debate (fully in BM)
3. A forum (fully in English)

                Each section had 2 interviewers (a man and a woman) and members of each team were divided again into 2 small group. In my team, we were divided into 3 and 4 per small group respectively. All candidates are not allowed to take away any sheet of paper there in each section. So, I could only flash back and write what I could remember.

                This year was totally different from the past years because there was a mind-challenging section. In the mind-challenging section, the questions given were quite difficult for us. There was a limited time (around 5 min for each question) for us to copy and solve the questions. Here are the questions:

1. Use all number ‘1’ to ‘9’ to fill in each blank square and get the answer of 15 by adding all three numbers vertically, horizontally and obliquely.

The candidates should show the solution in front of the interviewer and explain how to obtain the answer.

                In my group, we explained our answer in this way: (I had many ideas but were not able to explain well on the spot.)

(a)    The maximum number at the centre must be ‘5’ as the number over ‘5’ in the centre will cause the total number of over ‘15’ whenever adding vertically, horizontally or obliquely. For example, if ‘6’ at the centre, the largest number ‘9’ and even the smallest number ‘1’ at both sides oppositely will cause the total number of ‘16’, which is more than ‘15’. The most suitable number is 5 because when the number at the centre is less than 5, the total number whenever adding vertically, horizontally or obliquely will be less than ‘15’.

(b)   The numbers ‘7’, ’8’ and ’9’ cannot meet at one line. Otherwise, the total number whenever adding vertically, horizontally or obliquely will be more or less than ‘15’.

(c)    The number ‘6’ should meet ‘7’ and ‘8’ in line respectively but cannot meet ‘9’ to avoid the total number of over ‘15’.

(d)   The other numbers – ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ can be attempted to be placed at the blank square to get the correct answer. The sum of numbers at both sides oppositely must be ‘10’ as ‘5’ is at the centre.

2. Relate the number 544, 378 and 404 to get the answer of 570. (I forgot the number for the 5_4 and 3_8, so I use 544 and 378 here.)

                In my group, we solved the solution in these ways:

(a)    544-378+404=570

(b)   544+404-378=570

 We only found and used the method of addition and subtraction within limited time given. I wonder there still have other solutions for this question or not. ==’’

3. The question is very long. So I decided to use diagram to explain the question.

                A Lamborghini car moves with speed/velocity of 210 km/h and a Ferrari car moves oppositely with speed/velocity of 190 km/h. At initial, the distance between two cars is 400km. A fly moves with speed/velocity of 800 km/h from the side where Lamborghini car starts the journey to Ferrari car and turns back to Lamborghini car when reaching Ferrari car and repeat moving oppositely when reaching each of both cars. How long is the distance moved by the fly when both cars meet at one point? (I’m sorry if you don’t understand my translated version of the question.)

                In my group, I provided my solution at the last second because nobody could solve this problem within a very short time. My solution there is:

Assume that both cars and the fly move with constant speed/velocity. (I know it is impossible to happen but Physics accept it)

In 1 hour, Lamborghini car will move with distance of 210 km and Ferrari car will move with distance of 190 km oppositely. 2 cars will meet at one point in an hour. So, the fly will have moved with distance of 800 km at the moment both cars meet at one point, which the time taken is 1 hour.

                Actually, I noticed that the question is not logic at all when I read the question. Firstly, how can a fly moves with extreme speed (800km/h)? Secondly, when the fly wants to change its direction during its move, there is a turning point. At the turning point, its velocity will be zero (v=0, used in Form 5 Add Math). Thus, it is very difficult to get the answer within a limited time. At last, the interviewer told us that the suggested answer given is the fly is very tired to fly and so it stops flying. Ha! ==”

                The second section of the interview was a debate. We could only use BM to discuss and reveal our opinions. The topic is “Keruntuhan moral remaja banyak dipengaruhi oleh media masa.” Each of us is needed to give 2 main points and some facts as well as the latest issues are required to support our ideas. There was no winner in the debate. I knew that I ought to speak loudly and fluently but I didn’t! My brain had become ‘degenerated’ as I did not study for a long time after SPM exam. @@ So I was not capable of using the bombastic words but keep using the same words to reveal my ideas.

                For the third section, English language is the only language to be used. The theme for the forum is Climate Changes (with picture of occurrence of drought). Since I want to be a chemical and environmental engineer, I know the effort of saving the Mother Earth from being damaged by pollution to prevent climate change very well but on the spot I had no courage to chip in with my ideas. The topics we discussed are the causes, effects and ways to overcome and prevent it. We were suggested to integrate creativity into the performance of our ideas such as using tables or mind-mapping. I had written many ideas on the paper but I didn’t have chance to express it. For example, the formation of deserts region due to the depletion of ozone layer as well as the occurrence of ozone holes, a rise in sea levels due to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers and changes in wind direction and the distribution of rainfall due to global warming. During the presentation, the interviewers asked some mind-challenging questions to test the candidates. For instance, what do you think why water distribution is still carried on in Selangor although raining heavily for hours almost every day recently?

                Every candidate was provided with an A4 paper in each section. We were given about several minutes to prepare (5 min for mind-challenging section) (10 min for BM debate) (30 min for English forum). But, we were the last team and so we were only given 10-15 min to prepare (in my opinion as I didn’t have a watch to check the time). For the mind-challenging section and English forum, we had to show our solution and ideas on the whiteboard and present them.

                We went back to the waiting room to take back our documents. We were allowed to go home after packing all the things we brought to there.

                This is my first time to interview and I got a lot of experience there. Before interviewing, I felt extremely anxious and nervous. Yet, I wasn’t in fear at all during interviewing. Nevertheless, I was still incapable of speaking fluently with good words and correct grammar. Hopefully, I can get JPA scholarship to study abroad to Korea to fulfil my ambition!

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                That’s all for the interview. Here, I wish to share why I wish to choose chemical engineering and study in Korea. (I had prepared some answers for these questions which may be asked by the interviewers like the past years. But, they didn’t ask it. Haiz.) I wish to take chemical engineering because I want to do my part to safeguard our Earth, leaving a clean Earth to the next generation. Therefore, I hope to invent many environmental-friendly products and machines that can help to reduce pollution. For example, a gadget that is capable of converting hazardous gases like sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen to harmless nitrogen gas and useful oxygen.

                Here are some reasons why I wish to choose studying overseas to Korea rather than to other countries (Japan, France and Germany). According to the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Rankings by Subject 2014, the universities in France and Germany are not listed for the top 25 in the world for chemical engineering. Whereas, there are 2 universities from Japan and Korea being ranked respectively. This shows that the quality of education and technology in Japan and Korea is quite better than in France and Germany (in my opinion). Besides, France and Germany are too far from our country compared to Japan and Korea. French and German are more difficult to learn too. Between Japan and Korea, I choose Korea because firstly the living expenses and tuition fees for studying in Korea is cheaper. Next, Japan is a high risk zone as disasters like tsunami and earthquake are more frequently happened there. Radiation leakage which may happen there too will cause mutation and threaten students’ lives. Furthermore, foods sold in Korea are cheaper and healthier. So, I choose Korea and wish to study in Seoul National University or KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology if I can.

                Here are some analyses for the questions asked by the interviewers.

2012 (Reference: http://veenlane.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-jpa-interview-experience-2012.html?m=1)

1. Self introduction – Answer the questions asked by the interviewers.
2. Question Part

(a)    Are you proud to be a Malaysian?

(b)   When you finish your studies, what would you like to develop in your country especially in your state?

(c)    On what assurance, would you be back to Malaysia after you graduated?

(d)   Bagaimanakah perkembangan dalam bidang aeroangkasa di negara kita dan bagaimanakah cara untuk kita memperkasakan bidang itu?

(e)   Which country do you apply and why do you want to go there? Tell the names of the university that you would like to enrol.

2013

A: (Reference: http://myobscurenook.blogspot.com/2013/05/melaka-for-jpa-scholarship-2013.html?m=1)

1. Self introduction – Answer the questions asked by the interviewers.
2. Theme of the issues discussed

(a)    1 Malaysia concept

(b)   Public transportation

(c)    Stress

(d)   Ways to catalyse national economic growth

(e)   Types of engineering you choose

(f)     Ways to prevent the haze phenomenon in Malaysia

(g)    Ways to enhance the sense of belonging among the young generations (A picture of the National Statue was given)

B: (Reference: according to my friend’s sister)

1. Why we have to support the products made in Malaysia?
2. Why you wish to take the course of engineering you want? 

2014 (Reference: My experience)

1. Mind-challenging question (Maths and Physics)
2. BM debate with topic of ‘Keruntuhan moral remaja banyak dipengaruhi oleh media masa.’
3. English forum with theme of ‘Climate Changes’

Conclusion: (forecast themes and question for the next year)

1. Maths and Physics questions (It is better to memorise the formulae used in SPM)
2. Themes about Malaysia (Causes, ways, effects) – unity of races, sports, tourism, Malaysia-made products, economics (deficit), transportation, quality of education, environment, etc.
3. Themes about Generation-Y (Causes, ways, effects)
4. Which engineering course do you want to take? Give your reason(s).
5. Which country (German, France, Japan, Korea) do you apply? Give your reason(s).