My Profile: CAT 99.37%ile | 10 (CBSE) | 87% (HSC) | 9.29 (B.Tech)
Remember the story ‘WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?’
Well, until a few months ago I was one of those mice who were busy deciding “Who will tie the bell on the cat and how?” We discussed, debated and strategized. We all knew only 1% of us would reach that goal, but no one knew who would be a part of that 1% until January 2nd when we checked our results. And today I can brag just a little that I successfully belled the CAT.
Doesn’t this childhood story remind you of our golden times? That was exactly when I started loving mathematics and logical reasoning, and where the foundation of my CAT preparation was laid.
A long chain of life events since then had led me to the place I was in two years ago, going into the third year of computer engineering and pondering over my career goals. Everyone suggested I go for MS since I was good at academics and because it was the easiest route to take. But it just didn’t feel right to me. Was it something I really wanted to do? Eight months into contemplation and exploration I resolved that I wanted to do an MBA from a top B-School in India. Did I think I could make it? It was a risk and I did have my doubts, but how would I know if I didn’t give it a shot.
And so the journey began….
Getting acquainted to CAT
The decision was made and it was time for me to know everything about the CAT that I had to bell. Many questions ran through my mind. Where and how do I begin preparing? Should I join coaching? Is my profile good enough? What do the toppers do differently? Can I really be one of them? In the look out of the answers I spent an hour a day for three months, researching about the exam and understanding the different types of questions. I was sharpening my axe! Owing to my strong enough conceptual base, I decided to go ahead with self-study.
Building a Foundation
In the next four months I further strengthened my foundations and explored multiple ways of solving any problem, by dedicating four hours daily. Following the material from a fixed set of instructors helped avoid overload of solving methods. By the end of June I had attempted 4 mocks with scores ranging from 90 to 130. Did I lose hope? No, I learnt from my mistakes. I believed in myself and there was no looking back.
Going All In
I was more driven than ever to work towards achieving the set goal. My failure to get into a tier-1 engineering college by a low margin was a constant reminder for me to give my 100% this time without worrying about the results. Fully committed, I spent around six hours daily practicing questions from previous year mocks and attempted 2-3 mocks every week to understand my strengths and weaknesses (Too many mocks? It was tailored to my need of overcoming exam pressure). I experimented with loads of solving methods and exam strategies till I found the ones that worked the best for me and iteratively refined them. This period was also a test of my time management skills and self control. How wasn’t I drained out after all this? I was enjoying the journey so much that contrary to what you might think, I was actually more energized each day.
The D-day
Going into the exam hall with only 3 hours of sleep, I was just hoping I wouldn't mess it up. But even with all the uncertainty about the exam pattern, I kept my calm and did my best to stick to the planned strategy. Taking all those mocks did pay off. Some errors were inevitable and maybe I could’ve done a little better, but I was happy with the way things went that day.
A month later…
I was thrilled to see all the work pay off and excited to scale the next mountain; the interviews.
To what do I owe the result?
Consistency: Sticking to daily targets throughout the preparation, not missing out on a single day.
Positivity: Taking time out to meditate, work out, and for hobbies, to attract positive energy.
Focus: Using selective material and not getting carried away by the abundance of resources available.
Resilience: Believing in myself, not letting the highs and lows of mocks affect my confidence.
Contemplation: Figuring out my strengths and weaknesses, and using strategies that best suited me.
Patience: Taking it one day at a time, becoming slightly better each day.
My preparation strategies?
A combination of the many you’ll find online. It took me months of hit and trial, and analysis to arrive at these strategies. Is there a shortcut to that? I don’t think there is. No one can tell you exactly what you should do. The truth is that everybody has their own path, but with conviction and discipline you can make anything happen. So play to your strengths, work on your weaknesses, and create your own path.
Will you be the next to bell the CAT?
If you believe it, you will. Our thoughts become things and every positive thought takes you one step closer to your goal. Tie your thoughts with the right actions and no one can stop you from reaching your dreams.
Leaving you with a quote that has never failed to inspire me.
“Sure I am that day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond my endurance. As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us.”