CAT 2016: Make note of what you plan to study tomorrow- Prateek Bajpai CAT topper & IIMA student

An inspiration to CAT 2016 aspirants, Prateek Bajpai CAT topper with 100 percentile and presently student of PGP 2016-18 batch at IIM Ahmedabad was a working professional in Algeria before he appeared in CAT and scored a perfect 100 percentile.

Prateek not only cracked CAT in his first attempt but also scored the maximum percentile one can think of in CAT.

Despite being short of time and no availability of coaching in Algeria, Prateek prepared for CAT on his own and cracked it with the highest score that any CAT aspirant can dream of.

Prateek did very well in the CAT exam and was confident of 99.9% or so. But as no one can really predict that he/she will get a 100%, Prateek got pleasant surprise when he received his CAT 2015 score card. In his view CAT is very unpredictable test so one can never be sure.

Prateek comes from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He has done B.Tech in civil engineering. One of his weak sections was Verbal Ability but he improved in it tremendously and that too without joining any coaching.
IIM Ahmedabad has been the dream campus for Prateek but he was not averse to joining any of the other 3 top IIMs. He kept his option open to study at FMS Delhi also. When he got admission offer from IIM Ahmedabad, he readily accepted it, as it was his first preference.

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 Prateek Bajpai, a student of PGP 2016-18 at IIM Ahmedabad.
Sharing with MBAUniverse.com Prateek 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?
Prateek (CAT topper): Preparing for CAT was tough but I was determined. I started preparing for CAT in the month of May. More than 90 percent of my preparation was Online. Internet was very helpful. I took all the mocks online, and had some study material with me.

MBAUniverse.com: Being a working professional, how did you balance between your work and CAT preparation? Were you weak in any section?
Prateek (CAT topper): I was working 12 hours a day (7.30AM to 7.30PM). I used to study for 2-3 hrs a day, but I made sure that I did it very sincerely. One of the important things that helped my preparation was that I will always make a note of what I will study next day on my smart phone.

Being an Engineer, my Quant and DILR were OK, but I was concerned about my English, so I worked on it carefully.

MBAUniverse.com: When did you come back to India to take CAT 2015? Please also share about your academic background and worklife?
Prateek (CAT topper): I am a B Tech from NIT and was working for last 15-16 months at a leading Construction company Shapoorji Pallonji at their office in Algeria in Africa. I quit my job a few days prior to CAT 2015 to come to India to take CAT. I am from Indore.

MBAUniverse.com: How can candidates use Mock tests better? What is your advice?
Prateek (CAT topper): Taking mocks is very important. Besides, the most important is to analyse the mocks that you have taken. Keep track of questions topic wise. Later after taking and analyzing a few mocks you would be able to improve to a great extent.

MBAUniverse.com: How should CAT 2016 aspirants prepare for each section?
Prateek (CAT topper): In my view, it is very important to make it a habit and part of life to do mental calculations. It will not only help in Quant and DI but also throughout your life. Solve more RC passages on varying topics and fix a time limit to solve each of them.

MBAUniverse.com: Post CAT 2016, how should candidates prepare for personal assessment stages for IIMs? What is your advice?
Prateek (CAT topper): I think this last hurdle is all about knowing yourself very well. I focussed on introspecting myself. The preparation strategy could be different for different people but I suggest to dig deep into ones own self to prepare for facing IIM interview panel. I remained online all the time to prepare for current affairs etc.