‘Focus on improving Accuracy in CAT 2017’ Success mantra from IIM Ahmedabad student Chanchal Gupta

CAT topper with 99.79 percentile and IIM Ahmedabad student of PGP 2017-19 batch, Chanchal Gupta is a fresher without work experience. She preferred self preparation instead of joining some coaching although she made it a point to join the CAT Mock test series offered by the coaching institute. Chanchal suggests to improve your accuracy level instead of trying to attempt more number of questions in CAT 2017 and ensure to analyse all the mock tests that you have taken.

Chanchal Gupta is from Indore and has done B.E. in Computer Engineering. Sharing her experience how she prepared for CAT exam, Chanchal advises the CAT 2017 aspirants to clarify all their doubts quickly. Apart from CAT exam, she did not appear in any other MBA entrance test.

MBAUniverse.com has brought a round of CAT toppers’ success stories for the benefit of CAT 2017 aspirants. In the series we present the success story of confident Chanchal Gupta who not only scored 99.79 percentile in CAT 2016 but also converted her admission call to IIM Ahmedabad.

Read more Toppers’ success Mantra:

• FMS Delhi student & CAT topper with 100 percentile Mukesh Goyal shares Success Mantra “Peer discussion helps a lot”
• CAT topper & IIM Indore student Priya Sahni shares Success Mantra “Enhance your analytical skills”
• CAT 2017 Success mantra from IIM Ahmedabad student Akhil “I preferred self preparation”

Determined to crack CAT with high percentile, Chanchal appeared only in CAT exam and did not apply to any other B-school apart from IIMs. With her right preparation strategy and well devised plan, she cracked the exam with a high percentile.

Sharing with MBAUniverse.com, Chanchal highlights her experience in preparation journey to CAT and modestly attempts to give the ‘success mantra’ to the CAT 2017 aspirants

MBAUniverse.com:What was your preparation strategy for CAT?
Chanchal (CAT topper): I appeared for multiple mock tests in the last 3 months leading up to CAT. Instead of trying to attempt all the questions, I focussed on improving my accuracy in the questions that I solve.

MBAUniverse.com: How did you prepare for each section QA, VARC & DILR? What study materials and books did you use?
Chanchal (CAT topper): I read newspapers for VARC. For DILR and Quant, I practiced from the books by Arihant, Pearson, TMH

MBAUniverse.com: Was there any particular section that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?
Chanchal (CAT topper): I was weak in DILR. Instead of solving all questions of a common data set, I solved only the ones which took less time.

MBAUniverse.com: How can candidates use Mock tests better? What is your advice?
Chanchal (CAT topper): The best way to use mock tests is to analyse them afterwards. The mistakes should be identified and worked upon.

MBAUniverse.com: Did you go to offline coaching centre? What role does a coaching centre play?
Chanchal (CAT topper): No. I joined only the test series. Coaching centre helps in maintaining regularity and provides a competitive environment. But it depends on the individual whether he/she requires it or not.

MBAUniverse.com: Other than CAT, which exam did you appear?
Chanchal (CAT topper):  I applied only for CAT and no other exam.

MBAUniverse.com:  Which institutes did you apply for admission?  
Chanchal (CAT topper):  I applied for admission to all 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?
Chanchal (CAT topper): I did not go for last-minute preparation. I went with a cool mind.

MBAUniverse.com: Please share your GD/WAT topics & PI questions at different institutes and the ones who offered you admission?
Chanchal (CAT topper): I was asked pretty much everything in the PIs. I was asked questions about current affairs, GK, from my undergraduate course, from what I had written in the WAT, hypothetical situations, why MBA, HR questions.

The WAT topics were varied.

IIMA- small workplace situation. Had to analyse it and answer questions.

IIMB- About de-globalization. Were asked to write our views.

IIMC- About women safety.

I was offered admission from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta.

MBAUniverse.com:  Which B-school you decided upon and why? 
Chanchal (CAT topper): IIM Ahmedabad, because I knew that case pedagogy is followed here.

MBAUniverse.com:  Any message you would like to share with the candidates preparing for CAT 2017.
Chanchal (CAT topper): If you face doubts, seek help promptly. Try to clear them as soon as possible. Be calm throughout the preparation and the day of the exam as well. Stress is of no help.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more success mantra stories and CAT 2017 preparation tips from toppers

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