Your 99 or 100 percentile in CAT 2015 is not the only criterion to get into IIM A,B,C as other abilities also count is proved by Sirshendu Sengupta who with a score 97.82 in CAT converted the call to IIM Bangalore with his determination With a view to inspire and motivate CAT 2015 aspirants, the topper of CAT and student of PGP 2015-17 batch at IIM Bangalore Sirshendu Sengupta shares his CAT preparation journey and how he converted the final call to IIM Bangalore. After doing his graduation, Sirshendu has worked in one of the leading consulting firm and is Certified from IIMC.
MBAUniverse.com has brought a round of CAT 2014 toppers’ success mantra stories for the benefit of CAT 2015 aspirants. In the series we present the success story of a determined CAT aspirant Sirshendu Sengupta from Kolkata who scored 97.82 percentile in CAT and with his consistent efforts made up in PI round and finally converted admission call to IIM Bangalore.
MBAUniverse.com: What was your preparation strategy? Share some key do’s and don’ts
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Prep-Strategy: I was going through a program at IIMC when I started thinking about appearing for CAT in August last year. As the time was less than six month, I concentrated on self-study with loads of online materials along with online mock tests.
Do’s for CAT 2015 Aspirants
1. Study regularly, don’t give a long gap in between
2. Mock Tests are essential
3. Focus on your weak-point
4. Study from various sources. Don’t keep yourself confined to one source
5. Aim High
Don’ts for CAT 2015 Aspirants
1. Don’t Only stress on Favourite subject
2. Don’t get hooked by social media
3. Engineers – Don’t be over-complacent in Quant
4. Don’t Lose patience
MBAUniverse.com: What was your strategy in testing room to attempt the questions from different sections: Quantitative Ability & DI, Verbal Ability & LR?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Started with QA/DI – Maximise the number of attempts in 1st half of the exam. As soon as clock went past first 85 minutes, I went ahead with VA/LR. I could have got few more marks in QA/DI but that would definitely affect the VA/LR percentile. Sectional scores are important
MBAUniverse.com: Which all exams did you write? How did you prepare for them? What score did you get?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): I appeared in CAT and prepared through online test series and materials. I scored 97.82 percentile in CAT which although not great I made up in interviews.
MBAUniverse.com: How many GDPI did you take part in? What were your GD/WAT topics?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): At IIMB, my WAT topic was on the issue of child labour.
MBAUniverse.com: Few questions that were asked to you during PI round?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): My questionaries was especially on the technical topics (Corporate Finance), with focus on my work experience and IIMC certification. WAT, PI were the part where I specially excelled, as my CAT score was a bit on the lower side considering IIM Bangalore standard, I made use of this opportunity to crack it.
MBAUniverse.com: The institutes that offered you admission?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): I was offered and got admission to flagship PGP 2015-17 at IIM Bangalore
MBAUniverse.com: What advice and tips you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2015?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Plan and Work hard, keep in mind all the do’s and don’ts. For many of you CAT is the gateway to get an opportunity to fulfil your dream. But that is not the end of it. Percentiles are only good if you can ultimately convert your dream. So keep yourself updated on the current topics and be very much specific and confident about what and why you want to do an MBA, about your goal, your accomplishments. Because even if you get a single chance to crack your dream IIM, you will never want to miss it. I had only IIMB call out of the holy Trinity and I nailed it.
MBAUniverse.com: Your message to future MBA aspirants.
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Concentrate on building up your profile. Don’t think about only cracking CAT, rather do things which can win you brownie points in an IIM interview call or even after joining MBA. Things like an entrepreneurship experience or some knowledge/ certification on niche topics or anything else which can differentiate you from the rest, matter the most. So look into that. And the last thing, do not go for MBA just because of peer pressure, take decision only if you really want to do it. My Best Wishes to all of you!!
MBAUniverse.com: Why did you want to do MBA?
Sirshendu (CAT topper): My purpose of pursuing MBA is – Relating my work experience with structured learning and know ways to improve it, Networking with the best brains of country and ultimately getting fully prepared before attaining the higher level.
MBAUniverse.com: Any special story experienced by you in your journey from being a CAT "aspirant" to a "successful topper"
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Last year August 1st week, I didn’t even know I will sit for CAT. I was doing great at my workplace, but I took the decision after thinking a lot about what to do next in my career. After self-preparation of few months after office hours I managed only a moderate CAT score, but I got IIMB call based on my profile. I knew that was my only golden chance. I prepared hard to give my best in the interview. Then I felt the “aaha” moment after my IIMB interview finished with a “Nice Talking to You” comment from all panellists. And I converted it
MBAUniverse.com: Thanks Sirshendu for sharing such a valuable guidance for CAT 2015 aspirants
Sirshendu (CAT topper): Thank you very much
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