Note From Editor -> Free CAT Mocks 2025: Daily Sectionals!
Q: You graduated from Graphic Era University, Dehradun, in 2023. When did IIMs come into the picture for you?
I actually came to know about IIMs only a couple of years ago. Before that, I wasn’t even aware of what an MBA could offer. Once I started reading up on it, I realised I wanted to get into management, to understand the bigger picture of business and not just do narrow, microscopic work. I was also attracted by the career growth and opportunities that I did not get after undergrad. That’s when I set my eyes on the IIMs, not just any, but the best. My goal was ABCL and FMS.
Q: You’ve taken CAT three times. What did each attempt teach you?
Each attempt taught me something different:
● 2022 (99.58%): My first attempt. I was exploring and didn’t have a lot of clarity, but I decided to give the examination anyway. A good percentile gave me confidence that if I tried, I could crack the examination. I also got the opportunity to interview with FMS and some IIMs. I converted IIM Udaipur that year, but I decided to try for more.
● 2023 (99.10%): I was working then, and job pressure affected my prep. My time and energy were split. The failure was bittersweet because I did not even convert the colleges I managed to convert the last time. But I am glad I did not, otherwise I would've joined.
● 2024 (99.99%): I took leave from work, joined a local coaching institute for structure, and gave a mock every single day. That discipline helped a lot.
Q: That’s a huge leap. What changed in 2024 that helped you break through?
One word: Clarity. This time I gave CAT the respect it deserves. I wasn’t trying to “hack” the exam. I focused on building fundamentals, completing the syllabus, and taking mocks seriously. I joined a local coaching centre, which gave me consistency and peer motivation. I treated every mock like the real thing. I reached out to teachers for mentorship. The goal was very clear and so was the path.
Q: VARC didn’t go well on exam day. Yet, it turned out fine. How did you manage that?
Yeah, I felt VARC was shaky during the paper. I left 5 questions. But I kept calm and focused on what I could control, the rest of the paper. That mindset, of staying composed, helped me extract the maximum in an otherwise tough paper. But as it turned out, I had done very well with the accuracy and the universe was on my team. I ended up with 99.69 in the VARC section.
I had practised reading daily, timed RCs regularly, and learned to leave questions when needed. That helped overall.
Q: You converted IIM Ahmedabad via the GMAT route. What led you to choose that path, and how was the overall experience?
The GMAT route was the only available option for me due to my nationality, so I decided to give it my best shot. I prepared diligently and secured a competitive score, but I didn’t take the CAT lightly either. I knew that IIM Ahmedabad maintains exceptionally high standards, and even for GMAT applicants, a strong CAT performance is looked upon favourably. In fact, my CAT score did come up during the interview.
The rest of the interview was mostly around my work experience and why I wanted to pursue an MBA. They were trying to assess whether I had thought deeply about this transition. I focused on how my job felt too narrow and that I wanted to contribute at a strategic level with broader responsibilities.
I approached the entire process with sincerity and authenticity, and I believe that honesty and self-awareness played a big role in my eventual conversion.
Q: You had an interesting interview experience in Bangalore. Can you tell us about it?
Yes, definitely. I remember being quite tired when I reached the interview venue and, without realising it, I sat in a very relaxed posture on the waiting room seat. Unfortunately, one of the professors from my interview panel noticed this. While the actual interview went fairly well, I didn’t end up converting that call. Of course, there could be multiple reasons, but I can’t help but think that my initial body language may have played a part.
What that experience taught me is that the interview begins long before you enter the panel room. The moment you step into the IIM interview venue, you’re being observed by the staff, by the panellists, and even by fellow candidates. Everything from your posture to your tone and behaviour is being noted. At some centres, professors even come out themselves to call you in. It’s crucial to stay composed, alert, and professional at all times. That incident really reinforced the importance of presence and awareness in high-stakes situations.
Q: Who helped you with GDPI prep, and how did you approach it?
I prepared under the guidance of Malay Sir, and his mentorship made a significant difference. One of the most important lessons I took away from his sessions was the value of self-awareness. He always emphasized, “Know yourself.” Be honest about your journey, accept what you don’t know, and be willing to learn. That mindset of humility and a genuine learning attitude completely changed the way I approached the interview process.
Apart from that, I made extensive use of free YouTube resources that helped me stay informed and build perspectives. Some of the channels I found extremely insightful include:
- https://www.youtube.com/@ShamSharmaShow
- https://www.youtube.com/@NitishRajput
- https://www.youtube.com/@marketsbyzerodha
- https://www.youtube.com/@twocentspbs
- https://www.youtube.com/@thinkschool
My advice to future aspirants is this: approach the GDPI process with an open mind.Cultivate the right kind of curiosity—not just to answer questions, but to show interviewers that you genuinely care about learning and improving. That authenticity and willingness to grow is something they actively look for during the PI.
Q: Preparation can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Did you have a support system during this journey?
A support system is absolutely crucial for any preparation, not just CAT. Since CAT is taken up at a time when every person's life is going through a lot of changes, it becomes as much of a mind game as it is a competitive exam. That is where my parents, fellow aspirants, friends and mentors came into play.
I would be plagued by so many thoughts of what would happen if I failed or did not get it even on my third attempt, but everyone around me assured me that I would get it while also lighting a fire behind me whenever I became complacent. They would remind me of my dream of ABCLFMS or nothing when I started looking at Plan B.
Also, it would sound cheesy, but room tours of hostels, campus videos and random chit chat on YouTube and Instagram really pushed me every time as I would imagine myself in those videos.
My parents, Shikha Aggarwal and Alok Prakash, my siblings Suhani and Akul, my mentors Devansh Sharma, Okesh Chhabra, Malay Ray and Purnisha Tomar, my friends and so many WhatsApp groups, all played an important role in their own right.
For anyone preparing for CAT, I would say to look at your family, friends and mentors and just imagine the happiness on their faces when you will crack it.
Q: You’ve shown a lot of resilience. What are your top 3 takeaways for CAT aspirants?
1. Give CAT the respect it deserves. Don’t try shortcuts before building a solid base.
2. Be consistent. A mock every day helped me simulate pressure and build accuracy.
3. Stay humble. Accept your weaknesses, and work on them from scratch
Q: Finally, what would you say to non-IIT, non-NIT students who dream of IIMA?
Don't let the college tag stop you. I’m from a tier-3 college. Your background matters less than your mindset. If you bring clarity, hard work, and honesty to your prep, anything is possible.
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