I started my CAT preparation in late 2015 when I was in the 3rd year of my Graduation. I had enrolled myself in a coaching institute. I had merely attended the classes for some 4–5 months when I got campus placement. So when I appeared for CAT-2015, I was more concerned about what to put it in my luggage for the outstation job and least about CAT exam.
After my graduation, I joined the company I was selected for during my campus placement. However, during the whole two years, I was self introspecting myself, whether I wanted to do that job? during event management on my campus, I realized that I was definitively inclined towards management and not engineering. So I quit my job. During my job itself, I had got myself enrolled in a test series. I spent three months analyzing my test scores and developing a strategy for upcoming tests.
I had referred to study materials from multiple sources and personal guidance of my friends from various institutes. I had attended weekly tuition for Probability and equations. Since the tutor was my senior and friend, I was able to clarify my doubts in a more systematic manner, which is very important to avoid mistakes in the paper. Since the CAT follows a computer-based test, it was important to accustom me to reduce dependence on paper for rough work as it wastes a lot of time. I had ensured that I develop basic clarity about important topics, especially number system, percentage and ratio, probability, and equations.
Honestly, I didn't refer any of the previous year questions. But yes, I ensured that I make a note of all the mistakes that I did in my mock tests so that I can avoid committing the same in the next test. On average, my score in the test series was 97+ percentile but nowhere around 99.
I hardly worked on vocab or English part as I had an idea of how to deal with the English part due to my prior exp during my first attempt.
After my CAT Exam, I took a hiatus of a few days and continued my job. I secured 97 percentile. I got PGP calls from IIM-Raipur, Raipur, Rohtak, Kashipur, Gaya &Trichy. I got FPM Call from IIM- Ranchi, Trichy, Shillong & Raipur.
I converted PGP call from IIM-Raipur, Udaipur & Rohtak and finally landed at IIM Rohtak.
Now started the planning for post IIM journey.
As soon as you land at an IIM, the preparation for the placements start along with your academics. Deciding a company of your choice is imperative as it will be the first step outside the management institute and into the corporate world.
For me, this was a simple task as I have always looked towards joining the Aditya Birla Group.
For any management student, when the question of a dream company arises, the choices are clear. The most typical and ubiquitous choices are companies like Nestle, HUL for FMCG, MBB for consultancy, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan & Chase, Goldman Sacks for investment banking. This is because the impact of these companies is duly highlighted by advertisements and word of mouth publicity. However, many have overlooked a group of companies under the umbrella of the Aditya Birla Group. No reasoning can justify this foul-up.
I have been awed by the Aditya Birla Group ever since I first saw their advertisement a few years ago with the tagline- 'Taking India to the world'. Having its roots in India, it has indeed done a stupendous task of taking India world over. Not only just that, but it is also ubiquitous here too yet its identity is not obviously visible.
Aditya Birla Group was established in 1857 and in this sense, it can be truly regarded as the first Indian conglomerate which is still functional and that too in a very dynamic manner. The company that started in Pilani, Rajasthan has turned into a powerhouse with US$44.3 billion in revenues and currently has operations across 35 countries.
It is present across aluminum, cement manufacturing, viscose staple fiber, carbon black, chemicals, copper, financial services, telecom, branded apparels, fertilizers industry. In total it is active in 14 such sectors and has attained a peak position in many businesses.
One can only describe a fraction of the impact created by Aditya Birla Group in finite words. It touches individuals directly through brands such as Allen Solly, Freshwrap, Forever 21, Louis Philippe, Peter England, Pantaloons, Ultratech Cement, Van Heusen apart from various others. These are some of the first names that come to our minds whenever we think about the items. Such is the trust that Aditya Birla Group has built among billions of people of this country and abroad.
Companies like Idea Cellular, Grasim Industries, and Hindalco have contributed towards the nations' development. From insulators, mobile phones to Indian Railways, Aditya Birla Group has touched each aspect of our lives. The iconic Bandra-Worli sea link is a testament of its contribution.
It is also a big contributor to philanthropic causes. Through its CSR activities, the company has touched and improved the lives of millions. Skill training, polio vaccination, hospitals are a few avenues through which the company has carried out its vision of improving society.
It would be a dream start for me to begin my journey with Aditya Birla Group and enhance and contribute to the impact it has created.