May 2024. The air was thick with excitement, internships, and the comfort of college life. Most of my peers at IIM Indore, where I was pursuing the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM), were immersed in their internships and case competitions. But for me, the month marked something more profound. I had decided to take a shot at the Common Admission Test (CAT). The goal wasn’t just a score; it was to push myself, to see how far I could go, and perhaps, to see if I could walk through the gates of one of India’s most prestigious institutions.
Instead of starting with coaching materials or strategy videos, I went for something bolder—I attempted CAT 2023 as a mock test on Day 1. No preparation. No expectations. Just me, the questions, and the clock. It was one of the most humbling experiences I’ve had. DILR came surprisingly easy; the logic flowed, and the puzzles clicked. Quantitative Aptitude (QA) was not disastrous but exposed gaps. VARC though, was my Achilles' heel. I struggled with tone detection, misjudged options, and felt lost in passages. But this trial-by-fire had given me clarity: I knew my starting point, my strengths, and my biggest challenge.
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From that moment, VARC became my primary focus. I started reading religiously—editorials from The Hindu, long-form articles from Aeon, and weekly columns from The Economist. But more than volume, I focused on depth. I learned to ask myself: what is the author trying to say? What is the tone? Why is this option better than the other? And while it started painfully slow, the progress was undeniable. My comprehension got sharper, my elimination strategy more logical, and I began scoring better in VARC sectionals.
Parallelly, I decided to simulate the pressure of the real CAT as often as possible. Over the next few months, I gave 60+ full-length mocks. Each mock felt like a mini CAT in itself. Some were disheartening—times when I bombed VARC again or failed to crack even a single DILR set. But they taught me more than any book could. I treated each mock like a research project: breaking down errors, re-solving the test untimed, and building notes on pattern recognition.
Gradually, a rhythm emerged. My DILR remained my stronghold. I practiced every puzzle type possible—games & tournaments, arrangements, matrix puzzles, and Venn diagrams. I discovered that I worked best under pressure when solving DILR. It became my confidence booster.
QA also improved with daily consistency. I revisited arithmetic basics, practiced number systems until it became intuitive, and ensured I didn’t leave any weak spots. I kept a QA formula diary, and before every mock, I revised key concepts.
The transformation in VARC, however, was the most rewarding. From not being able to decide between two close options, I reached a stage where I could pick the right one with rationale. I didn’t become a VARC prodigy overnight, but I became confident and consistent.
Then came CAT Day. November 24, 2024. I remember entering the center early, revising nothing—just calming my nerves. I knew the first section would be VARC, my old nemesis. The timer started, and the first passage felt abstract. I panicked for the first few minutes, struggled with the first RC, and started doubting my prep. But then, I remembered my mocks. I moved forward, picked up momentum, and completed the section. Not perfect, but not terrible either.
Next came DILR. I found a familiar set in games and tournaments and built confidence early. I ended up solving two full sets and attempting questions in a third. I walked into QA with renewed focus and rhythm. The questions felt doable, the arithmetic friendly, and I made sure to avoid silly mistakes.
When I walked out of the center, I wasn’t sure how well I did. But I felt calm. I had given it everything I had.
The result? 99.70 percentile.
When I saw the scorecard, I was speechless. Not because of the number, but because of the journey it symbolized. Every 6 AM reading drill, every mock I cried over, every low score I fought back from—it had all led here.
But the journey wasn’t over. The interview phase was next, and I knew I had to bring my A-game. I prepared rigorously: revising academics, brushing up on current affairs, practicing mock PIs with mentors, and reflecting on my motivations.
One question kept popping up: "Why MBA after IPM?" I answered it honestly. I spoke about my evolving interests, the desire to explore finance in-depth, and how IIM Calcutta’s ecosystem matched my aspirations. The panel wasn’t easy, but it was fair. I walked out hopeful.
And then came the admits. IIM Calcutta, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore. After consulting innumerable seniors, alums and professors, I finally decided to go ahead with the Joka campus based on my professional inclinations and profile suitability.
I don’t know if words can describe what that moment felt like. Relief, pride, disbelief, gratitude—all wrapped into one.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely.
Not just for the seat at IIM Calcutta, but for everything it taught me: resilience, consistency, patience, and the courage to face my weaknesses head-on. CAT wasn’t just an exam. It was a mirror. It showed me who I was, and who I could become.
If you’re reading this and are unsure about your own CAT journey, remember—you don’t need to have all the answers on Day 1. You just need to be willing to take that first step.
The rest will follow.
