It was August 2024 when I finally made up my mind to commit seriously to CAT preparation. During my undergrad at IIT Bhubaneswar, I had always been passionate about innovation, as evidenced by my publications in reputed international journals and high-end conferences. A PhD had always been my most sought-after option. However, I soon realized that I wanted to drive larger changes, work closely with people, network, and scale up something of my own. That’s when I understood that gaining a techno-commercial acumen was what I truly sought. From that point, there was no turning back.
With a full-time job consuming about 40% of my time during weekdays, I knew I had to plan my time meticulously to make the most of it. In the back of my mind, I was determined to clear the CAT in my first attempt. For about 3.5 months leading up to D-day, November 24, 2024, I followed a gruelling routine of early mornings and late nights.
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I began my preparation by solving the PYQs to get an initial assessment of my abilities. My first scores in VARC were disheartening, and the unpredictability of DILR added to my doubts. Quant was my strong point, thanks to my JEE background. I consistently scored above the 99th percentile in Quant, which gave me clarity to focus on the remaining sections—DILR and my nemesis, VARC.
I decided against taking coaching and instead focused on identifying my weak areas and learning on my own. This approach had worked for me during IIT, so I trusted my instincts. I got hold of the Bible for CAT—Arun Sharma’s books on DILR and VARC—and solved them religiously to build a strong foundation. With every set and each comprehension, my confidence grew. At the same time, I enrolled in a mock test series from IMS. For me, It wasn't the number of mocks that mattered, but the self-assessment afterward. I remember spending an hour after each sectional test and 2-3 hours after every full mock analysing my answers. I believe this post-test reflection played a critical role in my success.
In the initial tests, I struggled and often couldn’t solve more than two RCs or two DILR sets. Then, I found Rodha’s free video series on YouTube, which helped me develop the right mindset for CAT's DILR section. I began performing better in my mocks, consistently scoring in the 98-99 percentile range. For VARC, I made a habit of reading Aeon essays and focused on retaining what I read. I realised that VARC required a clear headspace to be aced. My scores gradually improved from single digits to the 30s by October, though with higher variability. Full-length tests in October kept my confidence intact.
On D-day, I scored around the 99th percentile, acing QA (99.7 percentile) and DILR (98 percentile), while clearing VARC decently with an 87 percentile. With only ABCLKIM filled in my CAT form, I soon realised that a 99%ile score might not be enough as a GEM, especially since I hadn't received any calls from ABCLI. I was preparing to reappear for CAT 2025 when, unexpectedly, I received calls from IIM Mumbai (Core MBA) and IIM K (MBA Finance). This was probably owing to my strong performance in Quant and DILR, coupled with my solid 9/9/9 profile, undergrad background, and work experience.
I began my PI prep by focusing on current affairs from Mint, ToI, and Indian Express. I also revisited my engineering basics, mathematics, and fundamentals of finance/economics from my undergrad. My only regular PGP call was from IIM Mumbai, and the interview went exceedingly well. The questions covered my work, engineering background, probability, and I managed to answer them all confidently. Thankfully, I wasn’t put under stress or asked random curveballs.
On 8th May, coinciding with my parents' anniversary, I received an email that began, “Dear KARTIK TEWARI, CONGRATULATIONS! We are happy to inform...” It was a moment of pure joy—there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate the day. I was on cloud nine. As a GEM, where it’s often said that nothing short of a 99.5 percentile gets you into an old IIM, this felt nothing short of a miracle. With deep gratitude for the rigor and effort it takes to convert a top B-school as a GEM, I paused to reflect on my journey, sought my parents’ blessings, and wholeheartedly accepted the offer.What lies ahead may be uncertain, but the CAT journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.
Best wishes to all the CAT 2025 aspirants. Trust yourselves. Believe in the process. You’re only one call away... You don’t need tons of calls—one good call is all you need!
