In 2024, after three rigorous years and over 240 mocks, I finally made it — I’m joining IIM Calcutta this year with a 99.81 percentile in CAT. This was my third attempt. The journey wasn’t linear, but every setback shaped the comeback.
My CAT scores over the years:
- 2022 (1st attempt): 98.06 percentile (VARC: 41.15, DILR: 16.05, QA: 17.19)
- 2023 (2nd attempt): 99.92 percentile (missed IIM A/B/K/L/I calls due to acads)
- 2024 (3rd attempt): 99.81 percentile (VARC: 44, DILR: 46, QA: 26)
My CAT journey started in 2022, during the final hectic months of my B.Tech at IIT Ropar. Balancing placement preparation, end-semester exams, and CAT prep was certainly not easy. I was part of a group of three friends, and we prepared together using TIME booklets and mocks from CL, IMS, and TIME. Over the months, I took about 76 mocks, scoring mostly between 80 and 95. The pressure was intense, especially with placements kicking off in November and my CAT exam coinciding with my Chinese end-semester exam the very next day. Thankfully, I secured a placement on Day 1, which boosted my confidence. But on CAT day, while VARC went smoothly, I got stuck on a tough DILR set that disrupted my flow, leading to a poor QA performance. I ended up with a 98.06 percentile. Despite the disappointment, I didn’t apply to any colleges that year, determined to aim higher.
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The second attempt in 2023 brought new challenges as I had started my full-time job at Sprinklr, where 10-hour workdays were the norm. Still, I restarted preparation in June with a focused strategy—maximizing mocks and deeply analyzing each one. I took 85 mocks from CL and TIME and worked hard on sectionals, especially to overcome fear and build confidence in DILR and improve speed and accuracy in QA. I tracked all my scores and mistakes in an Excel sheet, dedicating late nights (often from 10:30 PM to past midnight) to mock analysis after work. AEON essays helped me develop a genuine interest in reading, which improved my VARC. On exam day, however, technical difficulties struck when my screen froze just five minutes into VARC, and I was shifted to another computer. I lost some time and composure but managed to calm myself and finish strongly. I scored a 99.92 percentile, hopeful for calls from all IIMs. Unfortunately, due to my 10th and 12th-grade marks around 89%, I only received calls from IIM Calcutta and FMS. After putting my all into the interviews, I faced rejection from both, which was a tough blow. Yet, the encouragement of my friends and family fueled my determination to make one more attempt.
The third and final attempt in 2024 was the toughest balancing act yet—managing high-pressure projects at work alongside preparation. Still, I maintained my disciplined routine of early-morning mocks and late-night reviews, taking about 80 mocks in total. My goal was to break previous barriers and prove that my academic record would not hold me back. On exam day, I performed steadily across sections, scoring 44 in VARC, 46 in DILR, and 26 in QA, totaling 116.38 marks and a 99.81 percentile. Interview prep included mock sessions with THEOMI and TIME, plus honest practice with friends, which helped me tackle unexpected questions with calm and humility—such as a vague query about a 2017 research paper. I learned that confidence and composure often matter more than perfect knowledge. This time, I converted IIM Calcutta and ISB YL offers, marking a successful end to my journey. Throughout, I learned to avoid carrying baggage from one section to another, to not set fixed score expectations during the exam, and to analyze mocks deeply. My Excel tracker kept me grounded and motivated, reminding me of steady progress.
What Worked:
- Taking a large number of mocks (over 240 mocks across three years) and focusing on thorough mock analysis helped me identify weak areas and steadily improve.
- Maintaining an Excel tracker for mocks and sectional scores gave me clear visibility of my progress and helped build confidence.
- Solving sectionals regularly, especially for DILR and QA, helped overcome fear and improve speed and accuracy.
- Reading AEON essays helped in improving VARC by developing interest and patience with complex reading passages.
- Peer study groups and honest feedback from friends were more helpful than formal coaching.
- Mock interviews with THEOMI prepared me well for the interview season.
What Didn’t Work:
- Carrying emotional baggage from one section of the exam to another impacted performance, especially during my first attempt.
- Having predetermined target scores during the exam created pressure and distracted me.
- Relying solely on coaching or test series without self-analysis was less effective.
- Underestimating the importance of mental composure during unexpected challenges like technical issues.
Real Advice for Aspirants
- CAT is as much a mental game as it is about knowledge. Stay consistent and keep faith in your process.
- Focus on deep analysis of mocks rather than just increasing quantity.
- Don't let one bad section or mock weigh you down. Treat each attempt as a fresh start.
- Maintain a tracker or journal to visualize progress and stay motivated.
- Surround yourself with a supportive peer group that gives honest feedback.
- Prepare for the unexpected—technical glitches or tough questions—and keep calm under pressure.
My advice to aspirants is to embrace the journey fully, be consistent, and never let setbacks define your limits.
To wrap it all up, Kane Williamson’s words resonate deeply with me:
“Put your best foot forward and hope that if you play with that positive frame of mind, things will hopefully unfold in your way.”
Remember, your journey is unique; embrace the ups and downs and keep pushing forward.
