Live Chat Transcript Of ARKS Srinivas On Preparation For CAT 2016

It’s time to start looking ahead. A lot of you are preparing for CAT 2016 and it’s time to focus on your preparation. A lot of you must have not done to well at CAT and are confused whether to take the exam again. ARKSS Srinivas, CEO of Vistamind and IIM Calcutta alumnus helped students to solve this conundrum on a LIVE CHAT yesterday. Here is the transcript of the chat-  

Nikhita Basti
Hello sir, I have scored 96.5 overall percentile and sectional percentiles are VA:98.77 DI: 79.64 QA:94.33. Since I don't clear sectional cut-offs of most of top IIMs and non IIM b-schools because of my DILR scores, can you please guide me good colleges which only look for overall percentiles.

ARKS Srinivas
Hi Nikhita, You may check thishttp://cat.vistamind.com/cat-percentiles-b-schools-apply/. You have a good chance for quite a few colleges which take 75 percentile as sectional cutoffs. IMT, IMI, KJ Somaiya, IIT Madras, Kanpur, TAPMI, BIM Trichy could be some of them.

  Parigha Mandpe Hello Sir, I graduated in august 2015 and did no take up a job to prepare for CAT. But I interned in company for two months. Unfortunately, I did not fair well in CAT but I am expecting a good college through SNAP( mostly SIBM). should I wait for a call or take up a job. I am worried if I do not clear then I will be wasting more two months doing nothing. ARKS Srinivas Parigha, Wait for couple of days for the SIBM results to be announced. If you make it, then don't take up the job. The Interviews will be before Feb 15th. Post that you can consider taking up the Job!   Rahul Datta Hello sir, I have scored 80 percentile after 6 months of preparation with Verbal :88 ,Quant : 95 and DI/LR :34 . I am in a confused situation to give CAT next year because if i will join in 2017 my experience will be almost 4 years by then . Should I give CAT next year taking into account my experience ? Will I face any problems during interview time ? ARKS Srinivas You have scored 80 percentile and you already have 3 years of experience. Is this your First try? If not, do you think that you have put in your best? Despite all the efforts and work, if you got only 80, it may be a time to take a call and join any institute which is available at this percentile. Else, writing CAT16 would be useful and I don't foresee any issues for Interviews!  

Rahul Datta
Yes this is my first try sir, but I strongly feel I can do much better but just a little bit worried about the experience as I am from the petroleum engineering background. So a less relevant experience and that too of 4 years.

ARKS Srinivas
Rahul - Then I suggest that you continue your job and start preparing seriously. You may get Live Online Classes from our side (cat.vistamind.com). Will be happy to help!

 

Rahul Datta
Thanks a lot sir. One more question, I have scored 221 in NMAT so is it worth joining NMIMS Mumbai?

ARKS Srinivas
Rahul - Please make sure that you convert NMIMS. Once you do, give me a call and will help you with your choices then. If you need help on GDPI, we conduct this ONLINE Program - cat.vistamind.com, you may find that useful!

  Arun Kumar Hello Sir. As of now I have an experience of 18 months in IT sector. Im planning to enter into family business (Kitchenware and home appliances). Does Retail experience create positivity or a setback to my chance of getting into an IIM? ARKS Srinivas Arun, It will definitely help. You can be rest assured. You may, however, be asked about this business in detail.   Manasi Shah Is VISTAMIND there in MUMBAI

ARKS Srinivas
Hi Manasi - We haven't started in Mumbai yet. But plan to do that shortly!

  Nandini Busireddy Hello sir!I am in final year of B.Tech at VIT University.Without any preparation, I have given CAT 15 and my overall percentile is 84.7; Quant 94.5; va 69; di&lr 74.5; I also have placement offer from ABB for which I need to sign a bond for a year. If I start preparing can I get 98+%?; And should I join job or prepare for CAT completely? My 10th%-97.2,Inter 96.4;B.Tech 92%.

ARKS Srinivas
Nandini - I have had so many students from VIT in the past and you guys are really good (in general!). Hence, I advise you to take up ABB and write CAT in 2016. Don't worry too much about the bond. Infact, I know of two students who got calls this year who are from NITs and are working in ABB. It is hectic at ABB but you can do it once you are consistent!

  Tejus Kabadi Hello sir, my 12th and grad scores are 68% and 61%, my CAT 2015 score is 95.12%. What advice would you give for my Interview round when asked about my low scores in 12th and grad?

ARKS Srinivas
Tejus - Tell the truth. And say you have worked hard and have therefore scored 95 percentile in CAT!

  Tejus Kabadi Would you recommend the new IIM's that came up in 2010 and '11 over the colleges that are presently ranked a few spots over them? I am of the opinion that the New IIMs will eventually get better year by year, considering the fact that Shilliong and Indore were in the same shoes a few years back.

ARKS Srinivas
I completely agree with you Tejus. Infact there are very few people who understand the way you have. I am glad you will make the right choice!

 

Tejus Kabadi
Also, I want to do an MBA in finance. Which parameters should i consider more important - the companies that visit the campus for finance placements, average pay scale of finance, the international relations of the college?Considering that i want to study one semester/trimester abroad through the student exchange program the colleges offer.

ARKS Srinivas
Typically the companies that come to campus. More the merrier. You would then get a chance to get into one of them. Also, pay may not be important (At least I am strongly of that opinion) if a person is good enough to get the break and then work his/her way upwards!

  Vedant Khaderia CAT 15 - 96.36 (VRC/LRDI/QA - 72.34/97.15/98.53). I want to appear again and make it to L,I,K. When should I begin? How should I begin?

ARKS Srinivas
Vedant, I take it from you that you are not even trying other B-Schools? I would honestly suggest that you apply to a few of them - Say an IIT Madras/Kanpur, Kj Somaiya or IMI or a few others where you could be virtually certain of a call. This would give you some practice for the real Interviews this year. Start CAT prep from Feb. We would be glad to do LIVE Online training: cat.vistamind.com

  G Sravani Hi sir , I have scored 85% in Cat, 87% in snap and 209 in nmat. This is my first attempt and I have 2 years work ex. Is it better to join this year or should I give another try? What are the best colleges available for my scores? I belong to general category.

ARKS Srinivas
CAT:http://cat.vistamind.com/cat-percentiles-b-schools-apply/ SNAP : SIIB and SIBM Bangalore and NMAT - touch and go! Under NMAT, NMIMS- Bangalore is sure, Mumbai is touch and go.

  Aradhna Nigam Hello sir, I have scored 85.55 percentile in CAT with QA: 78.53, DI: 89.92, verbal: 80.68. Can I get call from any of the IIts if I apply. And I have 3 years of work exp currently, will it be useful with respect to my career & package if I give one more try for CAT ?

ARKS Srinivas
Aradhna - Very unlikely to get from the IITs. And I guess, if you have the patience and determination, you should write again. Else, take up the best available among the ones that are possible at your percentile.http://cat.vistamind.com/cat-percentiles-b-schools-apply/

  Vineesh Ramachandran Sir CAT '15 90.43% (VARC-87.33%,DILR-87.72%,QADI-87.56%).This is my first attempt. My acads are Xth-91%,XII-92% and B.E.94%,2 years experience, General category. My question is what colleges can i expect at this score. Is it better to opt those colleges at this score or should i take up cat 2016?

ARKS Srinivas
Hi Vineesh, You are a Jack of All Trades - Excellent breakup of percentiles. The plan to write CAT again depends on your preparation this year and your determination/confidence. Remember that you would require a lot of patience too!. With your percentages in Acads, I would normally advise you to take up CAT 2016.

  Vedant Khaderia have a call from IIM Shillong. Will be sitting for its interview. Can I expect SPJIMR and any other new IIM? My acads are ICSE 91.71 ISC 92.60 BCom Hons 69.07 (Xaviers under CU). I have also scored 237 in NMAT. But I want better institutes. Mainly an old IIM. Is giving another shot at CAT a good plan?

ARKS Srinivas
Yes Vedant. Very much possible.

 

Vedant Khaderia
So are my acads sufficient to fetch me old IIM calls with 98/99+?

ARKS Srinivas
YES VEDANT!

 

Abhishek Kaushik
IIFT percentile 98.46, cat 86.96 (pathetic). Want to convert IIFT for sure. Not much hopes with XAT. Any advice for conversion.?

ARKS Srinivas
Abhishek - I am taking a class tomorrow (ONLINE) for IIFT. Get in touch with my team on cat.vistamind.com

 

ARKS Srinivas
Dear Friends, If you have more questions, please mail me @arkss@vistamind.com. Would be happy to reply!