4 CAT Attempts And 3 Heartbreaks To IIM Calcutta Ft. Meet Gandhi
This wasn’t a one-and-done story. It took me four attempts to finally receive the “Congratulations” email I had been chasing for years.
This wasn’t a one-and-done story. It took me four attempts to finally receive the “Congratulations” email I had been chasing for years.
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for." – John A. Shedd
Just a year ago, I had barely heard of CAT, let alone understood what it took to crack it and get into the top B-schools of the country. As a final-year student pursuing a 5-year BA-LLB from NUJS, Kolkata, my career path seemed predictable: joining a corporate law firm or starting practice as an advocate in litigation.
The Beginning: Beyond a Degree, I Wanted Direction
"थक कर न बैठ, ऐ मंज़िल के मुसाफ़िर, मंज़िल भी मिलेगी और मिलने का मज़ा भी आएगा।" I was walking into the CAT '24 exam center after 2 failed attempts, knowing that I would have 4 years of work experience by the time colleges start their session in 2025. This had to be my final attempt, and I had to make it count.
What makes someone choose ‘Dettol’ over another hand sanitizer? Or ‘Finish’ with a regular dishwashing liquid? For Sakshi Agarwal, these weren't just casual thoughts; they were the questions that shaped her entire career path.
It was August 2024 when I finally made up my mind to commit seriously to CAT preparation. During my undergrad at IIT Bhubaneswar, I had always been passionate about innovation, as evidenced by my publications in reputed international journals and high-end conferences. A PhD had always been my most sought-after option. However, I soon realized that I wanted to drive larger changes, work closely with people, network, and scale up something of my own. That’s when I understood that gaining a techno-commercial acumen was what I truly sought. From that point, there was no turning back.
I won’t go too far back. My story begins when I completed my graduation in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most people in UP, I also started preparing for government exams. But honestly, I never felt truly motivated or passionate about it.