Putting a positive note to inspire CAT 2016 aspirants in their preparation journey, CAT topper and IIM Bangalore student Ananth is of the view that Time and accuracy are 2 most important factors to crack the exam.
CAT 2016 may see more toppers coming from BITS Pilani as happened in 2015. After the 100 percentiler Pranjal, this institute can boast of mentoring another CAT topper Ananth Radhakrishnan who is pursuing PGP 2016-18 from IIM Bangalore.
Ananth Radhakrishnan is a B.E (Hons) in Computer Science from BITS Pilani. He belongs to Kozhikode and his interests include debating, singing and reading. Steve Jobs is Ananth’s source of inspiration. Ananth scored 99.85 in CAT 2015 and finds the exam not very difficult but it needs better time management and accuracy.
MBAUniverse.com has brought a round of CAT toppers’ success stories for the benefit of CAT 2016 aspirants. In the series we present the success story of confident Ananth Radhkrishnan who not only scored 99.85 percentile in CAT but also converted his admission call to one of top 3 IIMs namely IIM Bangalore.
Determined to crack CAT with high percentile, Ananth appeared only in CAT exam and did not apply to any other B-school apart from IIMs. With his right preparation strategy and well devised plan, he scored 99.85 percentile.
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com Ananth highlights his experience in preparation journey to CAT and modestly attempts to give the ‘success mantra’ to the CAT 2016 aspirants
MBAUniverse.com:What was your preparation strategy for CAT?
Ananth (CAT topper): My primary strategy when it came to CAT was to prepare myself in terms of getting timing and accuracy right. What I always felt was that CAT is not a difficult paper inherently in terms of the topics covered, rather because of the time limit in which you have to complete it coupled with the dire need of accuracy while doing so. To this end, I used to regularly do mock tests (one every 3-4 days), analyse what would go wrong and try my best to mend those mistakes before the next test.
MBAUniverse.com: How did you prepare for each section QA, VARC & DILR? What study materials and books did you use?
Ananth (CAT topper): In terms of sectional coverage, what I mostly focussed on was getting my quant basics right. I always found it hard to complete the questions within the time limit, and would often have poor relative accuracy as well. Post the mock tests I would complete, I would analyse the topics I was weak in and work on those.
When it came to LR/DI what I realised was that it was just a matter of getting into the groove of things with practice over time so that was my main strategy for it.
VA being a relatively more random topic in the sense that it really was hard to prepare for in a quantifiable and tangible manner, so again, learning from the mistakes in the mocks was my primary preparation. I used solely material from TIME to complement my preparation.
MBAUniverse.com: Was there any particular section that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?
Ananth (CAT topper): Quant was definitely my Achilles’ heel, as it was both the case that I found it hard to complete the section in the given time, as well as the fact that my accuracy was absolutely atrocious as well.
But like all things, the only way forward is to really put in some good old hard work. Analysing mock results to understand the topics I’m finding hard to manage, and when that step was climbed, finding the topics that were causing me to take too much time really helped. Another important thing is to make sure to not spend too much time on any one question, and to develop your own personal heuristic to judge that while attempting a question
MBAUniverse.com: How can candidates use Mock tests better? What is your advice?
Ananth (CAT topper): Mock Tests are literally the biggest help you can get in your preparation. Considering your performance in CAT is relative, at the end of the day that can only be simulated through mocks. So I’d advise you to take Mocks seriously, and attempt them as you would in your final exam. Also important is to analyse your results post the exam, and then keep improving continuously.
MBAUniverse.com: Did you go to offline coaching centre? What role does a coaching centre play?
Ananth (CAT topper): Yes, I went to TIME coaching at Pilani. Coaching centres allow you to get a rough base in every topic before finally starting your self-study, but I’d advise you to not rely solely on it alone for your preparation.
MBAUniverse.com: Other than CAT, which exam did you appear?
Ananth (CAT topper): Nothing other than CAT.
MBAUniverse.com: Which institutes did you apply for admission?
Ananth (CAT topper): Only the IIMs.
MBAUniverse.com: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation? How did you plan your CAT test taking?
Ananth (CAT topper): The most important thing is to remain calm, and just attempt it like any other exam. One good thing about doing so many mocks was that by the time I took CAT, it literally felt like another mock test! Make sure to arrive early to the venue, and get enough sleep and rest the night before. And I really can’t emphasise it enough, there is no need to panic.
In terms of how to actually approach the exam, the kind of strategy you use would solely depend on what you are comfortable with. Also, last-minute preparation would be only mocks over the last 2-3 weeks. Do not bother yourself too much with anything on the last night.
MBAUniverse.com: Please share your GD/WAT topics & PI questions at different institutes and the ones who offered you admission?
Ananth (CAT topper): IIM Ahmedabad – Everything under the sun, from my internship, to Data Mining, to the states passed on the way from Kozhikode to Pilani!
IIM Bangalore – About my placement offer and why MBA, along with a discussion about my internship.
IIM Calcutta – A discussion on Indian mythology and its significance, and an estimation of the Dosa demand in Bangalore!
I received an offer from Bangalore.
MBAUniverse.com: Which B-school you decided upon and why?
Ananth (CAT topper): IIM Bangalore, because of the wide diversity in terms of your peer group (which was definitely true by the way!).
MBAUniverse.com: Any message you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2016.
Ananth (CAT topper): Do not worry about CAT. People have made it out to be a bigger beast than it really is. The topics themselves won’t be too hard, so don’t fret over that. Constantly work to improve yourself while preparing, and don’t allow a good mock score to let you rest on your laurels. Don’t study hard, study smart! All the best!
Related Article
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