How it started
I completed my B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from NIT Raipur, stepping into the corporate world with a strong technical foundation and an eagerness to build something meaningful. After graduation, I joined Accenture and spent over 26 months working in the cybersecurity domain, a space that intrigued me initially but gradually left me feeling stagnant. Despite being in a technically sound job, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't my true calling. I wanted to upskill, explore new domains, and most importantly, challenge myself in ways that felt more aligned with my ambitions.
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That's when the thought of an MBA started to take root. Coming from an engineering background, CAT felt like the most natural path — a test that values problem-solving and aptitude over rote knowledge. And so, in May 2024, I took the plunge and began my preparation.
Like most aspirants, I started by researching the best coaching options. One evening, while scrolling through YouTube, I stumbled upon a video by Shweta Arora reviewing various CAT coaching platforms. That video proved to be a game-changer — it introduced me to ElitesGrid, a community-driven platform that immediately resonated with me. Their structured approach and transparent pedagogy convinced me that this was the right place to begin my journey.
The Hustle: Balancing Work and Preparation
What followed was months of intense hustle. I was working a demanding job with 10–12 hour workdays, yet I carved out a study schedule that worked around it. Mornings were dedicated to revisiting the previous day's classes and completing assignments. Evenings — no matter how tiring — were reserved for at least an hour of self-study.
What kept me going was consistency. Not a single day passed without studying. I made sure to touch all subjects daily, even if just for a brief period. Quants came naturally to me — perhaps thanks to my engineering background — but VARC and DILR needed more effort. I tackled them the only way I knew how: relentlessly practising RCs and solving diverse DILR sets until I started seeing improvement.
Mock Tests: The Real Battle Begins
By August, with the core syllabus nearly complete, I began taking mocks seriously. Over the next few months, I gave 25+ mocks from ElitesGrid and another 10+ from IMS. Each mock was not just a test but a learning session. I spent hours analysing mistakes, identifying patterns, and reworking strategies.
Despite the preparation, by September and October, my mock scores started plateauing — even dipping at times. It was demotivating, especially after quitting my job to give more time to CAT in this already volatile market. But I reminded myself why I started and kept showing up every day. That perseverance finally paid off.
D-Day: Turning the Odds in My Favor
The CAT exam day was filled with nervous energy. At my exam centre, there was a bit of mismanagement — announcements continued even after the test started, which was especially distracting during the VARC section. But I took a deep breath and reminded myself to stay focused. The result?
VARC – 95.45 percentile
DILR – 94.75 percentile
Quants – 99.21 percentile
Overall – 98.71 percentile
It was a moment of quiet victory. But as every CAT aspirant knows, this was just the first half of the battle. Now came the interviews.
Preparing for the Interviews
To gear up for the interviews, I joined 7 Lakes Consulting. Their approach was methodical, with mock interviews scheduled every second day in the beginning. These mocks, conducted by a variety of interviewers, simulated real scenarios and prepared me for the curveballs thrown by actual IIM panels.
Alongside mocks, I brushed up on current affairs, academic basics from electronics engineering, HR questions, and personal interests. The preparation helped me enter interviews not with fear, but with confidence.
The Interviews: Highs and Lows
My first interview was with IIM Calcutta, held at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi. Naturally, I was a bit nervous, but the camaraderie among other candidates created a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. After a long wait, I entered the room. The panellists were warm and welcoming. They questioned me on my work experience, academics, and hobbies. I fumbled a bit on the academic front but made up for it in other areas. I walked out feeling good — and soon enough, I had the IIM Calcutta convert in hand.
But not all stories are rosy.
IIM Bangalore was a different beast altogether. The panel was intense, the questions scenario-based and probing. I struggled to articulate my thoughts and walked out knowing the result wasn’t in my favour.
As for IIM Ahmedabad, the interview felt positive, but perhaps I didn't quite meet their expectations. Sometimes, even good performances aren't enough — and that's okay.
The Final Result: Victory in Persistence
Despite these setbacks, I went on to convert:
IIM Calcutta
FMS Delhi
IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore, IIM Shillong
All CAP IIMs
IIT Delhi & IIT Bombay
Looking back, this journey wasn’t just about cracking an exam — it was about learning to believe in myself, staying disciplined, and not giving up, even when things got tough.
Advice to Aspirants
To everyone aiming for CAT:
Don’t chase perfection. Chase consistency.
Practice daily. Analyse everything.
Stay humble, but be relentlessly confident in your ability to improve.
Failures will come, but your response to them will define your outcome.
If I can make it, so can you.
Connect with me - Siddharth Dewangan
