Busting the myth that only engineers can score high in CAT, Nishant Gupta is an example among non engineers and an inspiration for CAT 2016 aspirants.
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 Nishant Gupta, a student of PGP 2016-18 at IIM Bangalore.
Nishant Gupta is a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts- Economics) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. He not only cracked CAT 2015 with 99.97 percentile but also converted the call to many top B-schools including IIMs and decided to join IIM Bangalore.
Post his graduation Nishant decided to have some work experience and before joining IIM Bangalore had to his credit a 24 Months work experience at EXL Services in Business and Financial Research. Nishant belongs to Delhi, has interest in politics, likes Debating and listening to music.
CAT 2016 may see more toppers like Nishant coming from non-engineering background. However these candidates can read carefully the preparation and CAT test taking strategy of Nishant to reap maximum benefit from his success mantra.
Determined to crack CAT with high percentile, Nishant appeared in CAT 2015, IIFT 2015 and XAT 2016. He scored 99.97 in CAT; 98.57 in XAT and 99.934 in XAT.
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com Nishant 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?
Nishant (CAT topper): This was my first attempt at CAT. I had always planned to work for 2 years before going for MBA. I started preparing for CAT in November 2014 through coaching. However, I seriously started studying for CAT from March 2015.
My preparation involved solving all the material given by TIME, solving some sectional tests towards the end, and giving lots of mock tests as I had also joined the test series. I wrote one mock test per week from May onwards. The biggest thing which helped me was constant practice.
As I was working, I had very little time to study on my own, so I used to utilize my time on the Metro every day to work. Irrespective of whether I got a seat or whether the metro was very crowded, I used to make it a point to study Quant or DILR or Verbal. This helped me complete my syllabus and also figure out shortcuts to solve questions as I used to solve the Quant questions on the margins of the book.
MBAUniverse.com: How did you prepare for each section QA, VARC & DILR? What study materials and books did you use?
Nishant (CAT topper):
QUANT: I solved all text book exercises, tried to do different sectional tests and extensively analysed mock tests. This was my weakest section so I devoted most of my prep time on studying QA. I also made notes of the concepts and the good questions I found so that I can revise them before the exam.
DILR: This was a very volatile section for me in mocks, so I practiced a lot to reduce the volatility. This was the differentiating section in CAT 2015, so it was important to give due importance to this section. TIME advanced questions had a good mix of different question types. In addition, I tried to solve almost all practice tests for DILR to increase speed, identify the sets which should be attempted first, and understand different ways to solve.
VERBAL: This was my strongest section from the starting, so I didn’t focus too much on VA. I solved a few RC and VA exercises, but not too many.
MBAUniverse.com: Was there any particular section that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?
Nishant (CAT topper): I was weak in Quant and I tried to maximise my QA practice to overcome this weakness which I did also. Key was to make this as strong as possible, while maximizing my score in other sections. In the final CAT, while I got 95.8 percentile in QA, I got 99.6 percentile in DILR and 99.7 percentile in VA, both of which were moderately strong for me.
MBAUniverse.com: How can candidates use Mock tests better? What is your advice?
Nishant (CAT topper): Mock tests were very important for me. One strategy I used was to give the tests on weekends, and then analyse them in the night after work when I could not do new things. This helped me utilize my evenings effectively and analyse the mocks.
MBAUniverse.com: Did you go to offline coaching centre? What role does a coaching centre play?
Nishant (CAT topper): I went to TIME CP centre. It was an important component in my prep.
MBAUniverse.com: Other than CAT, which exam did you appear?
Nishant (CAT topper): I appeared for XAT in which I got 99.934, and I appeared for IIFT in which I got 98.57 percentile
MBAUniverse.com: Which institutes did you apply for admission?
Nishant (CAT topper): I had applied to IIM A, B,C,L,K,I, FMS, XLRI BM, SP Jain, IIFT, MDI.I converted IIM B,C,L,K, XLRI BM, SP Jain and MDI. I didn’t appear in interview for IIM I and FMS.
MBAUniverse.com: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation? How did you plan your CAT test taking?
Nishant (CAT topper): On CAT day, my strategy was to ensure maximum attempts in VA, and aim for accuracy in DILR and VA. I did not do much last minute prep, just looked at previous year CAT papers and revised quant formulae. Formulae are also important as CAT 2015 had formula based questions as well.
MBAUniverse.com: Which B-school you decided upon and why?
Nishant (CAT topper): I finally decided on IIM Bangalore due to its focus on holistic development and renowned faculty. I was very confused between IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta for a long time, but in the end, assessing fit is important. I chose IIMB as I felt it was a better fit for my personality, and I am very happy with my decision.
MBAUniverse.com: Any message you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2016.
Nishant (CAT topper): Stay focused, stay calm, and keep on working hard even if you get low marks in some mock tests. The process is an important life lesson, even if you don’t get into a B school of your choice. So enjoy it. You would always remember the memories you make on this prep journey, and once you become successful the memories become all the more special. Finally, remember that not getting into an IIM is not the end of the world. Many successful people in this world are non-MBAs
Related Article
CAT 2016: How CAT 2015 exam experience will help to avoid mistakes; expert analysis
CAT 2016: Quant for CAT; Logic Vs Shortcuts - how to prepare, expert tips
CAT 2016: Less than Rs.100 needed to apply to an IIM; Process to close on September 22
CAT 2016: You score 99 but may not get call from IIMs; know why
CAT 2016: Exam pattern 2015 dominates; dig the past paper and prepare on same lines
CAT 2016: To join group of 90 plus percentile, only studies not enough; need to have few more things
CAT 2016 Registration: Why you dont need to rush but avoid last few days
CAT 2016: Dont skip any topic - may slide behind; devise plan to practice on each one
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more success mantra stories and CAT 2016 preparation tips from toppers
