I started my CAT preparation initially during my second year (2020) of undergrad but stopped after a couple of months due to wanting to gain industry experience before pursuing an MBA. I then resumed my preparation in September 2022 targeting CAT 2022, this gave me only 2.5 months to prepare. So, I decided to focus on my strengths (Quants and DILR) and aimed for high percentiles in those sections while targeting a 90+ percentile in VARC. I created a rigorous weekly schedule, covering 4-5 topics each week. I did not opt for any paid courses as I wanted to be flexible with my preparation since I was also working full time, I referred to several free resources for learning new topics and practiced as many types of questions as possible.
According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
According to me, the most important aspect of preparation is understanding your strengths and weaknesses, knowing the time and resources you have at hand, planning your study schedule accordingly, and practicing a diverse range of questions. This approach helps with improvisation when faced with unfamiliar problems.
Which mock series did you enroll for?
I did not enroll in any of the test series, I did attempt free mocks available on Unacademy, Hitbullseye etc.
How many mock tests did you take, and how did they help you prepare for the actual test?
I took 8-10 mock tests in the last two weeks of preparation. The mock tests helped me analyze and identify areas that needed improvement and also build confidence for the actual test.
Remember folks, analyzing your mocks is more important than attempting them.
Which section was your Achilles heel? How did you overcome that?
My Achilles heel was obviously the VARC section. I focused on reading articles and comprehension passages to improve my skills in this area, but I would admit that I maybe could have devoted more time to it.
What according to you are the DO's and DON'Ts of preparation?
DOs: Understand your strengths and weaknesses, create a well-structured study plan, and stick to it, discipline is the key, and practice a diversity of questions.
DON'Ts: Don't procrastinate, and avoid focusing solely on high-scoring sections while neglecting weaker areas (A man can give advice from his mistakes)
How did you prepare for the interviews?
To prepare for interviews, I studied business current affairs, created a list of hot topics, and studied them thoroughly. I also focused on HR questions primarily and prepared answers to any questions that may arise related to my resume and profile.
Which B-School interview calls did you have? How many of them did you convert?
I received interview calls from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode, and FMS. Appeared for interviews of IIMA and IIMK (A dropped results before FMS' interviews). As of now, only IIM Ahmedabad has announced the results which I have converted.
Which institute are you joining?
IIM Ahmedabad
Can you describe your institute interview experience?
During my IIM Ahmedabad interview, I answered questions about my academic background, work experience, and career aspirations. The interviewers also tested their knowledge of various academic topics and engaged in a discussion about recent business events. They also presented a case-based problem and asked how I would approach the solution for it. How I impacted the business I work with, how did my strategies helped, etc.
Overall, I found the interview to be quite chill. I also got to roam around the campus for the rest of my evening.
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