Journey to IIM Bangalore: From Magic to Management

Journey to IIM Bangalore: Every once in a while, a story comes along that challenges conventional paths and redefines success on its own terms. Aakash Kumar’s journey from a quiet childhood in Motihari to securing a seat at IIM Bangalore, one of India’s most prestigious B-school, is one such story. Blending passion with perseverance and setbacks with self-reflection, his path was anything but typical.

Profile
10th- 89.3

12th(I.sc)-77.6

Grad(B.com from Mahatma Gandhi Central University)-74.2

Q: Where does your story begin? Tell us about your background and profile.

Aakash:
I was born in Delhi, but due to some difficult family circumstances, we had to shift back to Motihari, Bihar, when I was six. It was a tough transition—I didn’t have any friends, and I often felt isolated.

One day, I happened to watch a magic show featuring Dynamo on TV. I still remember the goosebumps I felt. That was the moment something inside me clicked—I wanted to become like him. I began decoding tricks, and when I cracked my first one, it felt electric. Soon, I was performing for my family and neighbors. That spark never faded; even after 15 years, I still feel the same thrill every time I perform.

As for my academics, I completed my schooling in Motihari—scored 89% in 10th and 77% in 12th. But then, I made an unconventional choice: I left formal studies to pursue magic full-time.

Free CAT Mocks 2025: Daily Sectionals!

Q: You took a two-year break after the 12th to follow your passion for magic. What was that like?

Aakash:
Becoming a magician had been my childhood dream. After finishing school and turning 18, I decided it was time to give it a real shot. I wasn’t scared of failing—I was more afraid of not trying and regretting it forever.

Author's Perspective:
In an age where most 18-year-olds are worried about college admissions, Aakash took a leap into the unknown. It was a rare display of conviction, choosing passion over predictability.

Q: What led you to step away from magic and return to academics?

Aakash:
I spent those two years performing at events, and even got to perform at the KOCA Carnival, one of the biggest student fests. I also made it to a reality show. But I was told I lacked an emotional story that the audience could connect with. It was heartbreaking.

Then COVID-19 hit. The lockdown gave me time to reflect. I realized I still loved performing, but making magic my sole career had become exhausting. That’s when I made another bold choice: I returned to academics and enrolled in an undergraduate program despite the two-year gap.

Author's Perspective:
The beauty of Aakash’s story lies in his adaptability. He didn’t let disappointment define him. Instead, he pivoted with purpose, something many struggle to do even with more resources and guidance.

Q: How did your CAT journey begin, and what was your approach to preparation?

Aakash:
In the final year of college, I decided to aim for an MBA. I started CAT prep in September—pretty late compared to others. I mostly studied through YouTube and barely completed 60–70% of the syllabus. I took around 20 mocks, often two a day, but lacked structure. I scored 93.76 percentile. Only IIM Bodhgaya offered admission.

I realized I could do much better with focused preparation. For my second attempt, I designed a routine. I followed Ravi Prakash Sir for QA and LRDI and Shabana Ma’am for VARC.

Early Prep Routine:

Cumulative revision
2 QA lectures + 40–50 questions
5 LRDI sets (2.5+ hours/day)
5000 words reading + 4–5 RCs

Later, I cut down on lectures and focused solely on practice—mock tests, sectionals, and targeted topic-wise tests.

Q: Could you elaborate on your strategy by section?

Aakash:

VARC: I aimed for 60–70% accuracy across all 24 questions. This gave me consistent scores between 30–45 marks.
LRDI: I invested 12–16 minutes on the first set to ensure I cracked it. Then, I attempted as many others as possible.
QA: My biggest improvement came from selecting questions based on difficulty rather than familiarity. This helped me maximize my score.

Q: How did you feel on the day of CAT, and how did the exam go?

Aakash:
I was calm and well-rested. Seeing nervous faces at the center oddly gave me confidence. VARC (my weak point) went well, which gave me momentum. LRDI was smooth. Unfortunately, I got a bit overconfident during QA—my strongest section—and underperformed. Still, I managed a solid overall score.

Q: How did you prepare for the GDPI rounds?

Aakash:
I kept it simple—just 4–5 mock interviews. My focus was on academic revision, current affairs, and staying authentic.

My tips:

Don’t bluff—pause, think, and then respond.
Stay honest and avoid pretending to know everything.
Be yourself, not a scripted version of what you think they want.

Q: Being from a non-traditional background, how did you handle the interviews?

Aakash:
Interestingly, many of my mock interviewers didn’t know what to ask me! That prepared me for anything. I was asked to perform magic tricks in about one-third of my interviews—including FMS.

But IIM Bangalore was different. They asked me to discuss various situations. At the end, they asked, “Which job role do you think suits you best?” I had no clue—so I admitted that honestly. One professor asked, “You won’t give up magic, right?” I said, “No, sir.”
I thought the interview went average—but I think my sincerity helped me convert.

Q: What was your reaction when you converted IIM Bangalore?

Aakash:
Two days before, I got the FMS result and was thrilled. I called my close friends who supported me the most during my preparation—Shekhar and Aman and of course my family. Then, the IIM Bangalore results came in. I had slept late and woke up to a message—“Congratulations Aakash.” I stared at the screen in disbelief.

But what made it priceless was seeing my parents proud. They had supported me through every high and low.

Q: What did you learn about yourself during this journey?

Aakash:
I wasn’t always disciplined. I wasted a few years. But now, I’m entering one of India’s top B-schools. What I’ve learned is that your past doesn’t define your future. With effort, direction, and a little luck, even your wildest dreams can come true.

Q: What’s your message to other non-traditional aspirants—those with gaps, no work ex, or failed attempts?

Aakash:
Don’t overthink your background. First, focus on cracking the exam. Gaps or lack of experience don’t matter if you ace CAT.

If your story is unconventional—own it. That’s your strength. IIMs interview hundreds of IITians—but they’ll remember a magician.

Also, stay close to people who support you but aren’t afraid to correct you. That balance is essential.

Author’s Closing Thought:
Aakash’s journey reminds us that success isn’t always linear. It’s about making bold choices, learning from every setback, and showing up again and again. Whether you’re a magician or a mathematician, there’s room for you at the top if you stay true to your path.

From Pursuing Passion in Magic to IIM Bangalore