CAT exam is a tough nut to crack, and it takes a well-organised strategy and a bucket load of determination to crack the exam. So what kind of strategy would a CAT topper recommend, especially when he has cracked the CAT only in his 3rd attempt? In this video, we speak with someone who scored a very high percentile in CAT 2018 and got into one of
India's elite business schools. If you're looking for
tips on how to crack the CAT and the mental attitude that goes with it, this is a must-watch for you.
Summary of the video:
Raunaq Singh studied B.A. in Economics because he wanted to do an MBA in the future. His logic? If he studied a core business subject, his path to MBA would be clear. In his very first attempt at CAT during his final year at the University of Delhi, he scored only 85%ile. But he didn’t settle for a Tier 2 b-school. Instead, he decided to challenge himself and give the CAT post gaining some work experience.
In this video, he talks about persevering and doggedly working on improving one’s own skills so that one can crack the CAT and get into an elite b-school. Raunaq attempted CAT 2017 next and showed a relative improvement, scoring 93%ile. This time, he got calls from NMIMS and IIFT. Hoping to get into IIFT after being waitlisted, Rounaq thought his CAT struggle was over. But unfortunately, the waitlist admits ceased at 50 and he couldn’t get in. Heartbroken, he remembers how he struggled to stay focused and prepare to give the CAT a 3rd time.
He talks about working for his family business, and facing the same old struggle where many asked him why he wished to study further when everything was set. He shares how he personally wished to get better and grow as an individual, and how he felt the need to get out of his comfort zone to achieve this.
His final attempt at CAT in 2018 turned out to be the best. He shares how he decided to attempt the CAT with no expectations. He talks about preparing himself to work hard and giving lots of mocks. He shares how CAT strategy is all about giving mocks and adapting according to one’s strengths and weaknesses.
Finally, he talks about scoring really well, especially in verbal (his strong area), and get various interview calls. He shares his interview experience from IIM Kozhikode and talks about answering a political question during interviews. If you wish to know what it takes to persevere and work hard in order to achieve one’s dreams, this is a must watch for you.
Key Takeaways:
1. Before starting your CAT preparation, take many mock tests. CAT exam strategy can then be made depending on the analysis of your mock test results.
2. Your CAT results are directly proportional to the amount of mock test practice you put in.
3. Stay focused on your goal, but also enjoy the process.
4. You can lead your interviews by dropping hints or breadcrumbs during the conversation.
5. When in a stressful situation, try detaching yourself mentally. It can help you perform well.
Rounaq is currently pursuing his dream of studying an MBA and is a student at IIM Kozhikode - one of India's top management institutes.