Disclaimer: This is not a usual ‘How to get 99 percentile and tips to make it to IIM’ because with consistent and dedicated preparation you will surely make your way there.
2019
Though it started way back right after my 12th Board-what should I do, which course, college etc? Heard the news about IPM Indore and with zero preparation and overconfidence, I got the reality check that I should have taken Maths in High School. I took another road for DU-JAT, and again, I got a reality check that here I wasn’t even eligible and the journey to challenge this status quo began.
2020
The lockdown brought a silver lining and I started preparing for CAT from scratch- downloading thousands of PDFs of Previous Mocks, Books, Novels, and Previous Papers. I read stories of many non-engineers from tier 1-2 colleges about their hardships facing the Quants section, I used to introspect where I stood with a total non-math background.
Though hectic it was to prepare for Quants and LRDI, I enjoyed the journey because CAT also makes you prepare to be a manager/leader. You have to make your own strategy as soon as you start the exam, you have to understand the mistakes, you also have to analytically select the questions and at last, evaluate your mocks. Understanding the motivation and your goals was the key that I learned from my mentors.
On D-DAY, I was ready to face the exam but panic caught me in LRDI as 19 minutes were left and not even one cell was marked green. The click sounds from fellow mates made me throw away and I knew this year is done and dusted. I scored 96.75 in my CAT 21 and got calls from IIM K, I, S, and converted IIM I.
On June 1 I was anxious to join IIM I because I was not in a rat race to join IIM and really wanted to reach my potential, and in the middle of my thoughts, my mom called me telling me about my father's health condition. Though we almost lost him with 4 surgeries. I was in a complete mess to balance my personal and professional life. I had to work from 10 AM - 8 PM, and go to the hospital at 4 in the morning.
If I got time in meetings- I used to solve QA and LRDI questions and prepare for the VARC in the hospital and commute. Thanks to my family and friends who supported me in this journey and put faith in me. This could be another learning to communicate your thoughts to your close ones because CAT tests you psychologically also, if I have reading 2 articles for 3 months doesn’t mean that in the immediate mock you will see the difference, though subtly differences would come in the long run, you just have to be consistent and dedicated towards your preparation.
My father was in front of me and told me on 27 November 2022, when the stitches were done to write CAT 2022, with some preparation I gave the test and scored near to the previous one. But this time I was mentally prepared to ace the interview and with the help of InsideIIM prep I made it to IIM Kozhikode.
Though I am nervous to join it, I know I will survive because I will be going to GOD’S OWN KAMPUS.