It all began during the final year of my M.Com, full of hope and dreams of cracking the CAT exam. I gave it my best shot, but the results didn’t align with my expectations—I couldn’t make it to any B-school that year.
- The Hustle Year
The next year was different. I stepped into the corporate world, balancing a job and CAT prep. It was tough. My mock scores were dishearteningly low, and self-doubt would often creep in. But I never gave up. Whenever things got dark, I turned to these lines that always reignited the fire within:
मन करे सो प्राण दे, जो मन करे सो प्राण ले
वही तो एक सर्वशक्तिमान है,
विश्व की पुकार है ये भगवत का सार है की
युद्ध ही तो वीर का प्रमाण है!!!
कौरवों की भीड़ हो या पाण्डवों का नीर हो
जो लड़ सका है वही तो महान है !!
Note From Editor -> Free CAT Mocks 2025: Daily Sectionals!
- The Turning Point
Finally, the day arrived—CAT results. Everyone around believed I'd crack it this time because I had always been a consistent topper since class 11. But I didn't score well, and not enough for the IIMs. But I secured a decent in QA 97.92 percentile in the CAT. Instead of being disheartened, I switched gears. I began prepping for SNAP and NMAT, and this time the results exceeded even my expectations:
98.6544 percentile in SNAP 2024
229 in NMAT
- The GDPI Phase
This began the most nerve-racking part: GDPI (Group Discussion & Personal Interview). The competition was fierce, and the pressure was relentless. I took:
10-12 mock interviews (with proper feedback)
Daily current affairs via Study IQ YouTube
And with unwavering support from my parents and friends, I began receiving calls, and finally converted to the following B-schools:
✅ NMIMS Navi Mumbai
✅ SIIB Pune – MBA (IB)
✅ IMT Hyderabad & Nagpur
✅ GLIM Gurgaon
After a lot of thought, I chose SIIB Pune and this is where my next chapter begins!
- My Core Prep Resources:
➡RODHA Paid Course
➡Aptitude Jab (YouTube)
➡Aeons Articles (for VARC)
➡Gejo Sir & Shankar Sir (LRDI)
➡Mocks – Only CL + IMS
On tough days, I found strength in spiritual wisdom, especially from Premanand Ji Maharaj (Vrindavan). That gave me the calm I needed amidst the chaos.
- My MANTRA for CAT & MBA Aspirants:
1. Mock Tests > Everything
Mocks aren’t just practice—they’re your best teacher. Analyze like post-match reviews.
2. Weekly Personalized Timetable
Track your progress, not others. Your plan should fit you.
3. Sectional Tests = Game Changers
Hit your weak spots hard. 30–45 mins daily = big gains.
4. Revise QA Notes Daily
It’s about muscle memory, not just formulas.
5. Kill the Reels. Seriously.
15 seconds of scrolling can cost you a 2-year dream. ?
6. Read Daily (VARC boost!)
Novels, editorials, articles—VARC needs daily fuel.
7. Consistency is KEY
Even 1 focused hour a day beats 8 hours once a week.
- Final Thoughts
I didn’t do “different things”—I just stayed consistent. There were days I broke down, days I doubted myself, but never days I gave up.
To all aspirants sitting on the hot seat this year:
Your pace doesn’t matter. Your direction does.
Stay consistent. Stay focused. Victory belongs to the one who keeps showing up.
Always Remember these lines :
"राहें मुश्किल थीं पर हौसला भी कम ना था,
हर मोड़ पे गिरा, मगर रुका मैं तब ना था।"
Best wishes from:
Rishabh Agrawal
MBA(IB) -SIIB PUNE 2025-27
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/agrishabh63
