I prefer the CAT old school, any day

MBAUniverse.com spoke to Alay on his success in CAT 2008
Q: What was your CAT 2008 percentile?
A: My percentile was 99.99

Q: Which are the institutes that shortlisted you for GD PI and offered you final admissions?
A: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kanpur and Shillong (IIM A, B, C, L, I, K, S) shortlisted me. I sat only for the interviews of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and Kozhikode. Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta gave me final offers in their first list itself. However, Kozhikode waitlisted me and only yesterday confirmed my admittance.

Q: Which is the institute that you have decided to take admission and why?
A: I chose Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A), for all the usual reasons.

Q: Which test prep institute did you go to? How did you make the selection?
A: IMS at Powai. A brilliant friend of mine was teaching there, so I joined up.

Q: How should CAT 2009 aspirants make this decision?
A: Theyre all more or less the same. Its the all-India mock tests that actually help.

Q: With just over 6 months to go, what is your advice to CAT 2009 aspirants?
A: Write the standardised mock tests. Skive off classes if you wish, but not the mocks.

Q: How should they plan their study on the basis of different sections in the paper and time management?
A: I studied math because that was my weaker section. Students should tackle what theyre poor in. Cramming wordlists get you nowhere.

Q: As you are aware, CAT 2009 will be a computer-based test. In your view, how does this change the exam?
A: The computer test will change things a lot. Were looking at a more GRE/GMAT type exam which is a pity. The old paper-based system allows one to skip questions and return to them later.

Q: Are you happy that you did not have to appear for this format or you feel that CBT form would have been better for you?
A: I prefer the CAT old school, any day.