CAT 2015: 'Fixed set of methods for LR counterproductive' FMS Delhi student & CAT topper Tapayan Bhuinya

Columnist & Author, MBAUniverse.com

Updated on October 1, 2015

A role model on how to prepare for CAT 2015 Tapayan Bhuinya scored 99.97 percentile in his CAT exam

For LR, having a fixed set of methods to solve a problem can be counter productive Tapayan Bhuinya CAT topper & FMS student

A role model on how to prepare for CAT 2015 Tapayan Bhuinya scored 99.97 percentile in his CAT exam. Tapayan is a consistent academic performer and is pursuing MBA 2015-17 at Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) Delhi. His success mantra for CAT 2015 aspirants is to maintain composure and keep a cool head during the test and not to follow a fixed set of methods to solve questions on Logical Reasoning. Apart from CAT, Tapayan also appeared in XAT scoring 98.10 and in IIFT cracking it with a percentile of 99.57.

Tapayan Bhuinya is an Electrical Engineer and is a fresher who busted the myth that candidates with no work experience find it difficult to get admission at FMS Delhi. He kept his goal clear to pursue MBA after Engineering. Along with maintaining his academics, Tapayan was active in various other important activities also.

Sharing with MBAUniverse.com Tapayan narrates his CAT preparation journey and imparts success mantra to crack CAT 2015.

MBAUniverse.com: What was your preparation strategy? Please share some key do’s and don’ts

Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper):

Dos:

-- I followed study of each topic by a test on the same
-- I made it a point to cover atleast one topic from each section everyday
-- For VA and DI section reading the newspaper to practise speed reading
-- For improving my vocabulary, I used a pack of flash cards which had the meanings of word
-- Judging by my strengths in the sections, I fixed the amounts of time that I would dedicate to each
section

Don’ts:

-- For all sections except the VA section, revisiting theoretical concepts while solving
-- For LR, having a fixed set of methods to solve a problem can be counter productive
-- Getting stuck on a problem and refusal to let it go

MBAUniverse.com: What was your strategy in testing room to attempt the questions from different sections: Quantitative Ability & DI, Verbal Ability & LR?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): The first 10 minutes were spent on analysing the difficulty of questions section-wise in the entire paper. I used to start with QA DI section and dedicated approximately 1 hour to it. Similarly, I used to dedicate about 50 minutes for the VA DI section.

The remaining time was utilised to solve the remaining questions. I used to solve the paper in 3 steps using the mark for review options effectively. In the first step, I would opt for the easier and the least time consuming questions and mark the questions which were a bit difficult or about which I was unsure to go for later review.

MBAUniverse.com: Which all exams did you write? How did you prepare for them? What score did you get?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): I appeared for CAT, XAT and IIFT. I enrolled for a 2 year preparation course which mostly covered the topics for these tests. For the GK part, I used to glance through the news headlines on a regular basis. I scored 99.97 %ile in CAT, 99.57 %ile in IIFT and 98.10 %ile in XAT.

MBAUniverse.com: How many GDPI did you take part in? What were your GD/WAT topics?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): I had attended around 6 to 8 mock GD sessions. The topics varied from abstract topics like the Colour Red to current initiatives taken by the incumbent government.

MBAUniverse.com: Few questions that were asked to you during PI round?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): A few of the many questions asked during PI round are

How can you improve football as a game in India?
Tell us something that you would like to change about yourself?
Detail us about the shortcomings of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

MBAUniverse.com: The institutes that offered you admission?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): I was offered admission from XLRI Jamshedpur, IIFT Delhi, IIM Lucknow, FMS Delhi and the new IIMs.

MBAUniverse.com: Factors that made you decide in favour of FMS Delhi?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): I decided to pursue the admission offer from FMS Delhi owing to multiple reasons:

Firstly, it is known as the marketing campus of the country and my interest in that domain.

Secondly, it offers the best value for money MBA degree in the country

Thirdly, because of its reputation as one of the oldest management institutes of the country and the conducive environment, it provides both in terms of responsibilities and guidance.

MBAUniverse.com: What advice and tips you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2015?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): I think maintaining your composure and keeping a cool head during the test is very important. Have a good night's sleep before the test. One week before test, you should stop or limit your preparations for the exams.

Do things that you like and stop worrying about the exam. A refreshed mind on the day of the test will help you to be more concentrated and efficient.

MBAUniverse.com: Your message to future MBA aspirants.
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): An MBA degree is a must in today's scenario because of the value addition it provides to you. It provides an environment where you can push yourself to the limits and constantly improve yourself. It helps in grooming you for your future endeavours in the world of corporates.

MBAUniverse.com: Why did you want to pursue MBA?
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): Being an engineering graduate, I felt at times that I was not in charge of my own life and was lost in a crowd of people. I wanted something that would help me to distinguish myself from the rest and aid me to fulfil my aim of being a successful corporate professional one day. An MBA is a must in this regard that it helps you to learn the necessary skill sets and also enables you to gain detailed insights into the functioning of the corporate world.

MBAUniverse.com: Would you like to share any special story experienced by you in your journey from being a CAT aspirant to a successful topper (any special thing which motivated you)
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): My failure in my attempts to secure a seat in the top IITs of the country motivated me and I ensured that this does not repeat again in securing MBA seat at one of top B-schools.

In addition to providing me with an opportunity to study in a premier management school like FMS Delhi, CAT also helped to reassure myself that I still possessed the capabilities in me that I thought I had.

MBAUniverse.com: Thanks Tapayan for sharing such a valuable guidance for CAT 2015 aspirants
Tapayan Bhuinya (CAT topper): Thank you very much