Hi, I’m Ashish Kumawat, a mechanical engineer from MNIT Jaipur and former Deputy Manager at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd., where I worked in critical plant utility operations with shift duties and led multiple efficiency improvement projects.
"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela
What does it take to go from failing a subject in Class 12 to converting a call from IIM Ahmedabad, India’s most coveted B-school? For Amogh Agarwal, the answer lay in relentless self-improvement and razor-sharp clarity. A graduate from Graphic Era University with no IIT/NIT tag, Amogh’s story is one of three CAT attempts, a GMAT detour, and an unshakeable belief in the dream of ABCL-FMS or nothing. In this candid conversation, he opens up about the lessons, the struggles, and the mindset that helped him go from self-doubt to a CAT 99.99 percentile and an IIM Ahmedabad convert.
Verbal Ability is often the elephant in the room.
My journey to XLRI wasn’t something I had mapped out from the beginning. It slowly unfolded over the years, shaped by decisions, setbacks, and moments of reflection.
"Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently." CAT is an exam of Strategy more than about real knowledge. You might know a lot, but it will be tough to crack if you don't have a plan to execute. With almost 5 months in hand, there is still a lot of time left to make an impact in your attempt. It is a test of your patience, consistency, and conceptual knowledge.
My Unplanned Journey to an MBA:
A “gap year” is often seen with scepticism by peers, recruiters, and even by ourselves. But in reality, a gap year, if managed with purpose and discipline, can be one of the most transformative phases of your life. I say this from personal experience. After graduating from IIT Delhi and working briefly as a consultant, I spent over three years preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination before pivoting towards management and securing admission to a top IIM.
Hi, I’m Ashish Kumawat, a mechanical engineer from MNIT Jaipur and former Deputy Manager at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd., where I worked in critical plant utility operations with shift duties and led multiple efficiency improvement projects.
"It always seems impossible until it's done." - Nelson Mandela
What does it take to go from failing a subject in Class 12 to converting a call from IIM Ahmedabad, India’s most coveted B-school? For Amogh Agarwal, the answer lay in relentless self-improvement and razor-sharp clarity. A graduate from Graphic Era University with no IIT/NIT tag, Amogh’s story is one of three CAT attempts, a GMAT detour, and an unshakeable belief in the dream of ABCL-FMS or nothing. In this candid conversation, he opens up about the lessons, the struggles, and the mindset that helped him go from self-doubt to a CAT 99.99 percentile and an IIM Ahmedabad convert.
Verbal Ability is often the elephant in the room.
My journey to XLRI wasn’t something I had mapped out from the beginning. It slowly unfolded over the years, shaped by decisions, setbacks, and moments of reflection.
"Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently." CAT is an exam of Strategy more than about real knowledge. You might know a lot, but it will be tough to crack if you don't have a plan to execute. With almost 5 months in hand, there is still a lot of time left to make an impact in your attempt. It is a test of your patience, consistency, and conceptual knowledge.
My Unplanned Journey to an MBA:
A “gap year” is often seen with scepticism by peers, recruiters, and even by ourselves. But in reality, a gap year, if managed with purpose and discipline, can be one of the most transformative phases of your life. I say this from personal experience. After graduating from IIT Delhi and working briefly as a consultant, I spent over three years preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination before pivoting towards management and securing admission to a top IIM.
