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23 March, 2018

6 minutes Read

A Boy From A Small City, 3 CAT Attempts, A Drop Year, And His Journey To NITIE Mumbai

My sister was pursuing her MBA from a private b-school when I was in class IX. It was then that I was introduced to the world of Marketing, Finance, IIMs, CAT and all the other jargons which feature extensively on portals such as this. I made up my mind that irrespective of the kind and quality of my graduation, I would do an MBA come what may!

Class XI, XII & a Drop Year

I strongly feel that there should be one more year between class X and XI for the Science students. I was fairly good at Maths & Science till Class X but somehow, I failed to keep up with the sudden change in the gear of the two subjects in Class XI. My marks dropped and so did my interest.

Poor preparations reflected in the first attempt of the entrance tests and I chose to take a year drop. In the second attempt, the results weren’t as bad, but they weren’t notable either. Somehow, through CCB (AIEEE Counselling) I received an admission offer from a little-known central university of Chattisgarh.

Did I have a choice to prepare again? Yes. But did I want to? No. I had realized by then that in order to score well you need to enjoy a subject – and frankly, yours truly didn't!

I joined the college and thought of making the most of whatever I had. Also, the dream which I had seen back in class IX was still intact. I knew that I had to prepare for CAT, score good and get into a top Business school of the country. How else would a middle-class boy with all his values in place redeem himself!

CAT Preparation and CAT 2013

So I began my preparations for CAT while in the 3rd year of B.Tech. Most of my preparation revolved around mock tests, analysis and tutorial videos available online.

I took CAT 2013 and tried giving my best but wasn’t confident of crossing the 95th percentile. I scored 97.11. I was relieved that the score would fetch me some decent calls. Unfortunately, I was unaware (read, less bothered) of the weightage b-schools have for profiles, GDs and PIs. I missed my chance of converting any good call that I had.

Job and CAT 2015

I joined a major IT services company as do a lot of disillusioned fresh engineers of the country. I began fixing bugs, raising issues and maintaining softwares which bore little significance to my life or the people I interacted with every-day.

I knew that I was not doing justice to my potential and therefore, my anxiety began to grow.

For CAT 2015, I did not prepare much other than brushing up the old concepts through video lectures. I scored 90.93. With the score and better awareness, I was able to convert some decent calls but the aim to study in a top business school was still unfulfilled.

One afternoon, after all the results of the season were out, I was contemplating my options and future career path. While standing in the break-out area of my workplace and drinking another cup of diabetes-inducing coffee, I made up my mind – one final shot.

CAT 2016

This was going to be my third attempt and I had started over-hearing jokes and banters from my colleagues. But all this did not deter me as I knew that the task at hand was worth all the struggle, ignominy and minor upsets.

For CAT 2016, I joined weekend classes of a coaching. For a working professional, CAT preparation is an entirely different experience because you’ve to manage your time well, skip office parties on the weekends to attend workshops or seminars, rush back home after work to solve the pending worksheets and lie to your seniors about your growth plans with the company while booking slot for the next mock test.

The third attempt turned out to be more adventurous than I had anticipated (Check my Quora answer on this, here.) I scored 97.67. I was pleased with the score cause by this time I had developed enough confidence in myself to crack the best calls. For GD-PIs, I attended multiple mock PIs and GDs to hone my skills and build my knowledge.

After all the hard work, patience and determination, I started receiving final admits from all the b-schools which had either rejected or not shortlisted me in my first two attempts.

Why NITIE?

I managed to convert all the new IIMs and some other top management institutes. However, I chose NITIE over other colleges primarily because of my profile and aspirations. I am sure I would have done equally well with the other choices but this college was always among my most preferred due to strong placements, amazing ROI, diverse job profiles, and the city of Mumbai.

How do I feel now?

All the failures taught me a lot. Those failures have made or unmade me what I am today. Had there been no XI/XII debacle probably I would have lost the urge to prepare for CAT. Had I made it to a top b-school in the first attempt itself, I won’t have understood the importance of hustle and success which eventually follows.

Here at NITIE, when I hang out with some of the best brains of the country, I realise that I have taken a leap.

The now grown-up boy from the small city still has a long way to go from here. However, he feels he has taken one right step towards building his career and making his parents proud.

Comments

pratyush raitan

Congratulations bro, can you please tell your academic scores 10th , 12th and grad ?

23 Mar 2018, 12.26 PM

+Read Replies (4)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thanks Pratyush. X: 91.80, XII: 86.50, Grad: 76.40

23 Mar 2018, 02.50 PM |

Abhay Singh

I am Abhay Kumar Singh.I completed my BTech with low grades in 2015.I am looking for MBA in a premier college.I think inside IIM is very useful. I am good in robotics and won few awards in it .I have won a lot of extracurricular certificates.

I have a poor profile .X & XII above 86 aggregate.B.tech just 5.8 cgpa or 58%.2 months work experience.4 academic gaps.Thinking for MBA now.Exhausted all bank attempts and rejected in 100 MNCs mostly in final rounds .Help me please.I am under depression.

23 Mar 2018, 09.49 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

I am afraid, I won't be the right person to lead you out of depression.

23 Mar 2018, 11.51 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

As far as CAT is concerned, I would suggest you to get out of your low phase first. Health precedes Career, any day

23 Mar 2018, 11.56 PM |

Srinjoy Sen

Excellent story! :)

23 Mar 2018, 12.32 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thank you, Srinjoy :)

23 Mar 2018, 02.50 PM |

faraz hussain

about myself i am indefatigable,scrupulous,confidentand i am a ivestment banking aspirant.mile walker.searching about finance and listening to music are my hobbies.

Well done. Nice vocabulary

23 Mar 2018, 12.35 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thank you, Frz.

23 Mar 2018, 02.53 PM |

KRISHNA KUMAR

I am b-tech fourth year student of HALDIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.I am here InsideIIM to get some idea to make my preparation good in a smartly way.

can you please tell your academic scores 10th , 12th and graduation marks??

23 Mar 2018, 01.55 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

X: 91.80, XII: 86.50, Grad: 76.40

23 Mar 2018, 02.52 PM |

Alexander Supertrump

Congrats bro! It inspires us!

23 Mar 2018, 02.50 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thanks bro. One of the biggest perks of joining NITIE has been meeting people of your class.

23 Mar 2018, 02.52 PM |

Santanu Nandi

I have completed graduation this year in civil engineering. Now I am working in a design company. Currently I am preparing for MBA exams.

Did u skip CAT 2014?

23 Mar 2018, 04.19 PM

+Read Replies (2)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Yes

23 Mar 2018, 06.31 PM |

Abhay Singh

23 Mar 2018, 09.49 PM |

Rajdeep Singh

Inspirational friend...!!

23 Mar 2018, 04.22 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thanks brother!

23 Mar 2018, 06.30 PM |

iim a

sir which calls you got in 2013 please share..and can you tell your sectional percentile and the number of question attempted in cat 2016 and also the other calls

23 Mar 2018, 04.41 PM

+Read Replies (6)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

2013 - New IIMs, IIM Indore Mumbai campus, IMT G, DoMS - IIT Madras, IIT Roorkee Had not applied to MDI, NITIE

23 Mar 2018, 06.32 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

CAT 2016: Section - Attempts - Percentile VA - 34 - 98.33 QA - 18 - 93.55 LR - 10 - 92.83

23 Mar 2018, 06.34 PM |

iim a

Sir, please share all other calls in cat 17 as well..?

25 Mar 2018, 07.25 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

MDI, IIM Shillong, IIFT, New IIMs, XIMB, SCMHRD, VGSoM

26 Mar 2018, 01.27 AM |

iim a

sir just last one...ARE YOU A GEM?

28 Mar 2018, 08.29 PM |

Pankaj Mundhra

Sir,i am pretty sure you are not GEM

6 Mar 2019, 12.38 PM |

Nikhil Bansal

Nicely put. Your pen must be a magic wand Lalam :)

24 Mar 2018, 05.48 AM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Humbled, Nikhil. :)

24 Mar 2018, 09.26 AM |

Ankit Soni

Hi my name is Ankit Soni. I am a graduated mechanical engineer and keen to explore options through MBA. I am working as a Junior Research Analyst in a APIMA consulting firm which is in Vadodara. Besides it, i like to participate in various outdoor events.

Great Inspiring Story. Please can you let me know if i had any chance X-84.8% XII-59.6% Btect-60.3% in NITIE? Working as Junior Research Analyst since past 7 months and 2017 graduate.

24 Mar 2018, 10.01 AM

+Read Replies (5)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

https://www.nitie.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=777&Itemid=396 If you fulfill all the criteria mentioned here, you stand a good chance with a CAT score of 97.5+, sectionals 92+

24 Mar 2018, 11.38 AM |

Ankit Soni

So, i don't have a chance.. Well thanks for feedback. And again great story. Can you please let me know if there are any other colleges which i can target?

26 Mar 2018, 09.35 AM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

The new IIMs, I guess. All the best.

26 Mar 2018, 03.54 PM |

Ankit Soni

Thanks

27 Mar 2018, 06.47 AM |

Ankit Soni

Can i Target xlri?

27 Mar 2018, 12.53 PM |

Ankur Bhargava

Public speaker, corporate trainer and anchor.

Wow. Inspirational journey indeed. I would be giving my first attempt this year with an experience of 2 years. However my acads are not good enough. X 87.6, XII 77.8 and BTech 85. Any suggestions for me on which college can I expect a PI call if I get over 95 or 97.

24 Mar 2018, 06.27 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Hi Ankur, with your profile, you can expect calls from NITIE, IIFT (through IIFT test), MDI, new IIMs, IIM S with a score of above 97.

25 Mar 2018, 10.12 AM |

Souvik Purkayastha

An MBA Aspirant and a constant learner

Hi Sir, my Xth- 89.3, XIIth- 89.2, Graduation- 91.60, At what CAT percentile can I expect a call from NITIE? Work Experience of 12 months.

25 Mar 2018, 04.38 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

97.5+ with 92+ sectionals

26 Mar 2018, 01.28 AM |

Ashirwad Tomar

creativity and innovation is my only persuit

a good read indeed

26 Mar 2018, 10.21 AM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Thanks brother. :)

26 Mar 2018, 03.54 PM |

Robin Saharan

Engineer by choice, won't regret it. Cricket fan pursuing MBA from IMI Delhi. Exploring opportunities, learning new domains

Your story really motivated me to give one more shot to cat

28 Mar 2018, 07.28 PM

+Read Replies (1)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

That's nice to know. I hope you make it to your dream college. All the best!

28 Mar 2018, 07.37 PM |

iim a

Sir..are you a GEM (no offense just to get a idea)

29 Mar 2018, 12.37 PM

+Read Replies (3)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Yes. A proud GEM. So no offence taken. :)

30 Mar 2018, 07.50 AM |

iim a

Now I feel very directed. thank you very much sir

30 Mar 2018, 03.26 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

All the best.

30 Mar 2018, 04.40 PM |

solanki chandni

Mba aspirant

I have 78% in 10th 85% in 12th appearing in graduation in BBA till now 64%. Gave CAT 2017 scored 76%tile I have no work experience. Not at all good profile should i take a drop and prepare for CAT 2018

30 Mar 2018, 10.54 AM

+Read Replies (2)

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

It is always recommended that you take up a job and prepare simultaneously. A drop should be taken only if you are confident enough of scoring 98+ else it might backfire. Do you research & decide.

30 Mar 2018, 04.39 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

*your

30 Mar 2018, 04.39 PM |

sumit Nibhwani

Hi I am a cat 2018 aspirant, I tried this year also but was not able to get a gud percentile I am a instrumentation engineer currently have exp. Of 33 months from Siemens in cabinet designing for power plants I wanted to go operations , I m right now having 33 months exp. Will it be hurdle for me Are ample no. Of placements options available for me in the final placements or I shud go for GMAT as next yr at the time of joining clg I will be having 45 months exp

2 Apr 2018, 08.00 PM

+Read Replies (2)

sumit Nibhwani

My 10 12 and grad. Is 84.4/83.4/7.7cgpa or 72.86 percent

2 Apr 2018, 08.01 PM |

Lalam Ravi

Student, PGDIM Class of 2019, NITIE Mumbai

Your acads are decent. And for Operations you don't need to look beyond NITIE. With its ROI and opportunities, it is exceptional for anyone looking to learn Operations Management.

6 Apr 2018, 04.44 PM |