I was lucky enough to have received final admission offers by all of them
Sayali Kale was shortlisted by all Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) schools, which are considered to be the best B Schools in India, for Group Discussion and Personal Interview. But that was not all, as she cracked all the GDPIs successfully and got admission offers from all the six institutes. Sayali Kale did B.Tech from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai.
Belonging to a family of doctors, Sayali brilliantly scored 171 leading to a percentile of 99.91.
MBAUniverse.com spoke to Sayali Kale about her CAT 2008 success mantras
Q: What was your percentile in CAT 2008?
A: My percentile was 99.91.
Q: Which are the institutes that shortlisted you for GD PI and offered you final admissions?
A: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore and Kozhikode (IIM A, B, C, L, I and K) shortlisted me for GD PI. I was lucky enough to have received final admission offers by all of them.
Q: Which is the institute that you have decided to take admission, and why?
A: I have decided to take admission at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A). I have chosen this institute because of the talent it attracts, its faculty and its case study method of teaching.
Q: Which test prep institute did you go to? How did you make the selection? How should CAT 2009 aspirants make this decision?
A: I joined IMS test series. Previously, I had attended IMS's complete CAT preparation module. I chose IMS on the recommendation of my seniors and batch mates. I think CAT aspirants should form a group and within that group join competing classes so that they can solve test papers from a variety of coaching institutes.
Q: With just over 6 months to go, what is your advice to CAT 2009 aspirants?
A: My advice to them would be to solve as many papers as they can. Solve different type of questions. And each time they get a question wrong, they should carefully note down the correct solution.
Q: How should they plan their study on the basis of different sections in the paper and time management?
A: My advice would be to time yourself with each question. I would always solve the section I found the hardest first and within that I used to solve the easier ones before attempting the tough ones. Have certain areas of strength like circles, AP/GP etc so that you know which questions to tackle first.
Q: As you are aware, CAT 2009 will be a computer-based test. In your view, how does this change the exam?
A: I think the disadvantages will be faced by all students equally. I think they should practice solving online as much as possible. Visit sites like testfunda.com as they have online tests.
Q: What is your take on this new format?
A: As a student I prefer the old format.
Q: Are you happy that you did not have to appear for this format or you feel that CBT form would have been better for you?
A: As I said, I am happy I did not have to face the new format. I found solving DI caselets online extremely annoying. You waste a lot of time copying data off the screen and onto your sheet.
Q: What should aspirants do to adjust to this new format?
A: Practice with online tests. Particularly solve DI caselets online as this is going to be the most inconvenient part of the exam where you can no longer write directly on the printed tables and graphs.
