I still remember my first day as an Associate Functional Analyst at Shell in Bangalore—fresh out of university, with just six months of work experience under my belt, and eager to dive into SAP Plant Maintenance. The early months flew by as I collaborated with on‑site teams, translated business needs into technical solutions, and discovered the thrill of seeing my work drive real impact. Yet even as I thrived in that role—leading small cross‑functional workshops, troubleshooting critical breakdowns, and shadowing senior analysts—I sensed that true growth meant stepping outside my comfort zone.
My first foray into management‑entrance exams was CAT ’23. With only half a year of work experience and zero structured preparation, I managed an 80th percentile—but it was a stark reminder that ambition must be matched by consistent effort. That result fueled a fire in me: I spent weekends buried in quant shortcuts, late nights dissecting verbal passages, and early mornings tackling DILR puzzles. By CAT ’24, I had eighteen months of work experience, a well‑oiled study routine, and an arsenal of strategy notes—yet on exam day, nerves got the better of me. My two weakest areas—Quant and DILR—betrayed me, and I finished at a 94.95 percentile. It stung deeply, but I viewed it as a sharpening stone rather than a defeat.
The December window between CAT and XAT felt like serendipity. I traded frantic revision for mindful mastery: dissecting past‑year XAT papers to understand tricky question patterns, subscribing to InsideIIM strategy articles for fresh perspectives, and simulating full‑length mocks under strict timing to build exam temperament. I also incorporated stress‑busting routines—brief meditation sessions, morning jogs through Cubbon Park, and weekly debriefs with fellow aspirants—that transformed my panic into poise.
When the XAT ’25 results flashed 97.36 percentile, relief and excitement coursed through me. But the real challenge lay ahead: converting that score into an admit. Interview day in Bangalore tested every facet of my profile. Behavioral deep‑dives probed how I’d led a mini‑SAP rollout at a remote plant, while situational scenarios examined my crisis‑management skills when an unexpected module upgrade threatened downtime. They grilled me on ethical dilemmas I’d faced—should I flag a data inconsistency that risked delaying a critical report?—and pressured me to reflect on my leadership style. Drawing on anecdotes from my 22‑month Shell journey—mentoring a new joiner through a complex integration, driving a continuous‑improvement Kaizen event—I stayed grounded, authentic, and focused on the bigger picture.
When the final admit list was announced, I was elated: as a GEM‑category candidate, I had secured my seat at XLRI Jamshedpur with just a 97.36 percentile XAT score. The news felt surreal—proof that methodical preparation, a resilient mindset, and the courage to pivot can defy conventional cutoffs.
Today, as I pack my bags for Jamshedpur, I carry three key lessons with me:
Embrace the Pivot. Growth begins when you step beyond the familiar. Don’t fear change—leverage it.
Prepare with Purpose. Smart strategies matter, but so do consistent habits and stress‑management routines.
Own Your Story. In interviews, authenticity shines brighter than inflated achievements. Share your real wins, challenges, and reflections.
To every aspirant charting their own CAT/XAT journey: cultivate resilience, stay composed under pressure, and remember that even a “97‑something” percentile can become your golden ticket—if you pair it with relentless effort and unwavering calm.
