MBAUniverse.com is continuously publishing success stories of CAT Toppers to guide CAT 2014 aspirants in their preparation for CAT 2014 exam. In this sixth article of CAT Topper 2013 series we present the success story of Kuldeep Jha, an engineer and a working professional.
The story of Kuldeep is all the more motivating for MBA Aspirants and CAT 2014 aspirants. Kuldeep was a student of MBAUniverse.com CAT 2013 on-line preparation course. He knew very less about CAT and was in a stage of indecision whether to join online prep course and whether to go for CAT. It was only after having a telephonic discussion with the faculty at MBAUniverse.com, he got motivated and decided to appear for CAT 2013 and joined the on-line course to achieve his goal with full enthusiasm.
Pursuing MBA was more so a desire rather than a want for Kuldeep. He realized it a bit late but once he had this realization, he was very determined to get this done come what may.
The institutes that have offered him admission were IMT Ghaziabad and IIM Indore. Kuldeep finally took admission in IIM Indore.
This story is not only for 99+ seekers but those thousands of CAT aspirants who desire to be a part of Top 10 B-schools. Not all can achieve 99 percentile but what matters is how you achieve your dream.
MBAUniverse.com will introduce a CAT Topper 2013 every week on MBAUniverse.com Forum where CAT 2014 aspirants can directly ask questions with CAT Toppers 2013.
Q.1. What was your prep strategy?
Kuldeep:-To be very candid, to begin with I didn’t have any firm strategy and also I was not sure whether I would be able to take out time from my hectic Professional life. I started considering my options about CAT in the Month of July and by August I was kind of certain that I should give it a shot; this was when I enrolled for classes at MBAUniverse.
To begin with I could not attend most of the classes and was finding difficult to sneak time for studies. I was very low in confidence and was a bit apprehensive on whether I would be able to ace CAT this year or not, all sort of negative thoughts kept on creeping in my mind but I didn’t give up and slowly started studying the basic concepts late at nights (11pm to 3am). Within a month or so, I started getting the feel of preparation and also somewhat became regular in classes. Being an Engineer, I didn’t find quant that difficult hence most of my preparation time was spent on Verbal. I started reading online materials, watching class room videos, asking doubts, learning from various other sources and materials, giving free online Mocks. I somehow got the feel that I can crack the exam and just need to be more regular before the exams. I chose the second last day for the CAT exam, took 10 days leave from office and used to study16-17 hours daily to cover up as much as I could. Those 10 days really helped me develop confidence for the exam. I used to study for 8-9 hours and then rest 7-8 hours giving Mocks and analyzing it.
To sum up my Preparation, I can say it started in a random fashion but eventually when it mattered the most I really slogged a lot, burning mid night oils, doing whatever I can and finally gave a fair shot on the D-day.
I must thank Mr. S.K Agrawal Sir from MBAUniverse for his extended support, expert guidance, reposing his faith on my talent and boosting my confidence be it in CAT or the GD/PI.
Q.2. What was the strategy in testing room to attempt the question from different sections: Quantitative Ability & DI, Verbal Ability & LR?
Kuldeep:- Every individual is different and has different strategies for attempting the paper and I too had mine. I knew I had to get something above 90 to get into any B-School under a rank of top 15 as I had a good profile to back it up, hence, I was a bit systematic in the way I approached the paper and it was a pre decided strategy for me and luckily it sort of worked.
In quant, I took almost 20 mins to get away with 8-10 questions that looked less time consuming and marked questions which involved bit of calculations and then solved 3-4 questions more in another 20 mins and then last 30 mins I attempted the DI part. Similar fashion, I divided the VA/LR Part. Started with simple questions in first 20 mins (Almost 7-8), then did 8 LR Questions in next 30 mins and last 20 mins two RC’s.
Although, I could have attempted 4-5 more questions in both the sections which could have increased my percentile drastically but then I was not 100% sure for those questions, hence had to leave them to avoid spoiling my chances of getting a decent B-School. Read More..
Q.3. Which exams did you appear? How did you prepare for them? What score did you get?
Kuldeep:- I appeared for only for CAT. To assist me in my preparation, I took online classes at MBAUniverse.com, bought a few Arun Sharma Books, arranged Career Launcher study materials from my friends and joined a few preparation groups on FB (In fact normally I do not use FB much but this really helped me a lot).
My CAT Score was 90.98 percentile, not something to cheer you all up but enough to fetch me an Old IIM Call and eventually a convert.
Q.4. How many GDPI did you take part in? What were your GD topics?
Kuldeep: - I took part in two GDPI, one for IMT Ghaziabad and the other for IIM Indore (WAT/PI).
In IMT G, we had a case based GD topic that required some pondering on ethics, relationship, loyalty, pressure handling and also decision making.
In IIM Indore, we had a WAT (30 mins) followed by PI. In WAT, We were asked to express our views on a Government initiative to relocate local forest dwellers/habitants to avoid deforestation, protect wildlife and promote environmental awareness amongst common people.
As I had really prepared very sincerely and exhaustively for the GD-PI,
Both my GD/PI went off pretty well and I was sort of convinced that I should be through in both which eventually I did. Read More..
Q.5. The institutes that offered you admissions?
Kuldeep:- IMT G and IIM-Indore
Q.6. Few questions that were asked to your during PI round?
Kuldeep: -A brief of my IMT G Interview:-
Two Profs were there, the moment I entered
P1-- How are you Kuldeep
Kuldeep:-Good afternoon sir...I am fine.
P1:-You are from NIT...Where is Agartala situated?
Kuldeep:-Tripura Sir.
P1:-Tell me something related to your work and what you do in TATA Communications Limited.
Kuldeep:-I explained my work, how I support sales, Business teams, Product technically for customer meets. Designing solution, implementing it as per customer requirement. Assisting filed engineers.
P2: You play Cricket. Are you a Bowler, Batsmen or All-rounder?
Kuldeep:-I am an all-rounder Sir...
P2:-Still you must be specialized or like something in cricket?
Kuldeep: - Sir I am more a batsmen. In fact an Opening batsmen sir.
P2:-Any Problems in your current team?
Kuldeep:-Not really sir
P2:-Any managerial or issue that bothers you in current team or work?
Kuldeep: ---Not as such...but sometimes as I have 2-3 years of Exp only, My Boss refrains to involve in key decisions which other members of, my team attend who have 8-9 years of exp. But they guide me properly for the next steps, so this is not such issue.
Also, assisting the field guys at night sometimes become challenge as they are not that skilled technically, but it is not always the case and occasionally it takes longer time.
Then some work that I did in Reliance 4g...that’s it...
P2:-You didn't get calls from any IIM?
Kuldeep: - I only got call from IIM Indore sir. This was my first CAT attempt and I could manage to get only 1 call sir.
Then, they said thank you very much...
For IIM Indore, PI was quite a long one and it lasted for almost 45 mins. Three Profs were there and they asked questions ranging from History (my native place, work place, study etc.), Economics, Politics, GK/Current affairs, details of current work, specific questions pertaining to telecom, a few questions from Engineering subjects, hobbies etc. Read More..
Q.7. Which is the institute that you have decided to take admission and why?
Kuldeep: - IIM Indore. I had this dream of studying in the most coveted brand of the country and there was no second thought in my mind to Join IIM Indore.
Q.8. What advice and tips you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2014?
Kuldeep:- As far as advice and tips are concerned, I may not be ideal one to guide someone who looks for only 99+ but I can certainly share my genuine and practical experience of giving CAT and for that matter getting a dream Convert.
There are already many coaching institutes and pundits giving ‘gyans’ on preparation strategy, but as per me there is no such ideal approach for preparation. Every individual is different and has his/her own way of approaching the exam. I do not have years of experience of preparation but based on my extensive research on preparation strategy, I am certain on one thing, that every candidate should ask this very basic questions to himself/herself “What you desire for in life and how MBA can help to relish your desire”, ponder upon it for some time and try to get a sincere answer to this question. If then you do decide to opt for MBA, then do not look back give every bit of what you have in you to ace the CAT(After all the best brains of the country are trying as hard as you if not more).
Be regular, do not expect miracles in a day or two rather take smaller steps, attempt MOCKS (spent decent time in analyzing them), do not panic just few days before the exam, be cool and above all be happy, enjoy your preparation and you will certainly crack it.
Life is way beyond CAT, so try to give your best and hope for the best.
I know people who have scored 99+ and got more than 8 IIM Calls but could convert none, so it’s not only about acing CAT with good scores. The real game starts after CAT results are out and when you meet people who are as competent as you, some with the most desired academics of the world, and suddenly you will find yourself lagging behind just being on the verge of getting your dream. Thus GD/PI becomes a very important part of the preparation which mostly people ignore and keep for the last, so I would suggest every serious aspirant to be in touch with latest political, social, economic happenings around India and the world. Read More..
Q.9. Your message to future MBA aspirants.
Kuldeep: - I was someone who had no clue of CAT till July 2013, had a very hectic professional life and things looked very gloomy for me when I decided to appear for CAT. When I started preparing, I could have never imagined myself getting into the IIM’s but I had this belief in me that I can do it and kept pushing my limits day by day and finally I got the reward for my hard work.
So, my simple and sincere message to all MBA aspirants will be do not give up, be sincere and regular with your preparation, have faith in your talent, do not take CAT as something above your life. A certain amount of marks or solving a few MCQ questions cannot give a stamp of you being the best manager or a great leader, or a flamboyant business personality. These are the skills which one develops and nourishes over the period of time.
Hence, take CAT as just another exam, enjoy your preparation and above all be happy always.
On a lighter note, whenever you are on doubt, just think if someone like me can do it then You can certainly do it….-J Read More..
Q.10. Why did you wanted to do MBA?
Kuldeep: - It was more so a desire rather than a want for me. I know I realized it a bit late but once I had this realization, I was very determined to get this done come what may.
I had already had fair bit of technical expertise in telecom domain and I was doing very well being in the technical arena but somewhere I was being devoid of the bigger picture and the holistic view of the business being running. I had the urge of being with the eminent leaders, the stalwart of big businesses, learn the nuances of business and management, understand the essence of business sustenance, inculcate innovative and feasible business ideas, develop out of the box thinking to enhance organizational profitability, get connected with a network of people with similar thought process and nourish my managerial and leadership skills.
Hence, I felt the need for higher studies to move up the ladder. I know there is certainly no shortcut to success and at the end of the day attitude is what matters the most to be a star in long run but then a MBA degree from the best B-School’s backed up with the learning will surely aid in accelerating my career.
That’s it from me…..-J Read More..
If you want to talk directly to CAT 2013 Toppers to get right advice and suggestions for CAT 2014 preparation, Click Here:
http://www.mbauniverse.com/forums/forum/meet-the-past-cat-toppers-know-how-to-score-99-percentile
CAT Topper 2013 Sneha Mittal shares her success story to Crack CAT 2014 exam
CAT Topper 2013: How Anubhav achieved 99.73 Percentile in CAT exam?
CAT Topper 2013: How Ishika from Kolkata made it to the top B-school with her CAT score
CAT Topper: How an Undergraduate scored 99 percentile in CAT exam, you can do it too
CAT Topper 2013: How CA Aayush converted calls from IIFT, IIM S, SPJIMR, MDI and XIMB
MBAUniverse.com offers a comprehensive preparation package coupled with over 200 online interactive classes with Top CAT experts including from IIMs for CAT 2014 preparation. Visit the link below for more information and new batch schedules: http://www.mbauniverse.com/cat_preparation_online.html
If you have any complains about B- schools, write here: Register your Complain about B-schools
Are you the interested? Click below to know more:
Apply to MBA Colleges with your CAT/XAT/CMAT/MAT Scores for Admission 2014, Click below:
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more news and updates on CAT Topper 2013
