How Rushikesh Metangale Cracked CMAT, MAH MBA CET and CAT to Join JBIMS Mumbai – MBAUniverse.com Interview

Q: Congrats on joining the prestigious JBIMS MMS program. Please share your MAH MBA CET 2026 last-minute tips.
A: Sure. My last-minute tips for candidates taking MAH MBA CET 2026 are as follows:

• Focus on speed. The exam has 200 questions in 120 minutes, so keep moving and don’t get stuck on any one question... If you can't answer it by solving, mark any of the answer anyway, don't count on revisiting the question... You would not be able to.

• Attempt maximum questions. There is no negative marking, so try to attempt as many questions as possible. Even educated guesses can help increase your score.

• Solve easy questions first. Quickly pick questions that look familiar or straightforward and collect those marks early.

• Practice a few full-length mocks before the exam. This helps you get comfortable with the pace required to attempt a large number of questions.

• Stay calm and maintain momentum. CET is as much about stamina as it is about concepts, so keep a steady rhythm throughout the exam preparation and on exam day as well!

Q: Please share your MAH MBA CET exam performance?
A: I scored about 99% in my MAH MBA CET exam. Before CET, I had achieved All India Rank 7 in CMAT exam. I was confident that my CMAT performance was sufficient to get into JBIMS. So was relaxed about CET exam. Before CET and CMAT, I took CAT where I scored 98.14 %. My CAT preparation created a strong foundation for other management entrance exams. 

Q: What was your overall preparation strategy for MAH MBA CET?
A:  As I said, MAH MBA CET was not the primary focus of my preparation. By that time, I had already identified CMAT as my main pathway for admission to JBIMS.

Having said that, CET is a very speed-intensive exam with 200 questions to be solved in 120 minutes, and there is no negative marking. Given the limited preparation window I had, I relied mainly on the conceptual preparation I had already done for CAT and CMAT.

Q: Please share your overall preparation strategy for CAT exam?
A: Well, I began my CAT preparation towards the end of September after completing my UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Since the preparation window was relatively short, I adopted a focused strategy centred around mock tests. Mocks helped me clearly identify my strengths and weaknesses and refine my test-taking approach.

My strategy was to ensure that weaker areas did not significantly drag down my score while maximising performance in my stronger sections. I was relatively strong in VARC and Quantitative Aptitude, while DILR was comparatively challenging for me. 

I primarily relied on TIME study material along with self-study. My preparation for the Civil Services examination also helped in areas such as logical elimination, time management, and maintaining composure under exam pressure. During the preparation phase, I studied around 7–8 hours daily, focusing on practice, mock analysis, and concept revision.

Q: Please share your CAT section-wise preparation strategy.
A: My preparation for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section was based largely on developing strong reading habits and improving comprehension skills. I made it a point to read newspapers like The Hindu daily, which helped improve both reading speed and familiarity with diverse topics. In addition, I worked on expanding my vocabulary and developing an intuitive understanding of grammar and sentence structure. Instead of memorising rules mechanically, I tried to internalise language patterns so that I could quickly identify the most appropriate answer choices during the exam. This approach helped me reduce confusion between closely worded options and save time.

CAT DILR section was initially the most challenging section for me. To improve, I focused on solving as many practice sets and mock test questions as possible to develop familiarity with different types of problems. Over time, I realised that puzzle selection was an important aspect of performance in this section. Instead of trying to attempt every set, I prioritised those where I could quickly understand the structure and felt some familiarity with the pattern. I also focused on avoiding unnecessary risks and minimising wrong attempts. This strategic approach gradually improved my accuracy and confidence in the section.

Quantitative Aptitude has always been one of my stronger areas. In the initial phase of preparation for CAT Quantitative Aptitude section, I attempted several practice tests to identify topics where I had a clear advantage as well as areas that required improvement. I created separate formula sheets and revision notes for both strong and relatively weaker topics. Regular revision helped ensure that I remained confident across the entire syllabus. My focus was to reach a stage where there was no topic in Quantitative Aptitude where I felt underconfident during the exam.

Q: What role did mock tests play in your CAT preparation? How many mocks did you attempt?
A: Mock tests were the cornerstone of my preparation strategy. Since my preparation window was limited, CAT mock tests helped me quickly understand the exam pattern and identify areas that required improvement. After each mock test, I spent considerable time analysing my performance and understanding my mistakes. This helped refine my time management and attempt strategy. Overall, I attempted around 25 full-length mock tests along with several sectional tests, which helped me gain confidence and improve consistency.

Q: You achieved AIR 7 in CMAT exam. What was your preparation strategy? 
A: My preparation strategy for CMAT was quite different from CAT. By the time I started preparing for CMAT, I had evaluated various MBA colleges across India and realised that JBIMS Mumbai offered an excellent balance of opportunities and return on investment. Therefore, my goal was to secure admission to JBIMS through CMAT.

Since achieving this required a top national rank, my focus was on maximising accuracy across all sections. I strengthened my conceptual foundation, particularly in areas like Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation where I had previously faced difficulty.

Mock tests helped me repeatedly identify mistakes and refine my approach. I followed a continuous cycle of testing, analysing mistakes, revisiting concepts, and testing again. Since CMAT provides relatively more time compared to many other management entrance exams, I prioritised accuracy over speed, ensuring that I avoided unnecessary errors.

As a result, I secured All India Rank 7 in CMAT with an overall percentile above 99.99.

Q: Having taken CAT, what additional efforts did you make for CMAT exam? 
A: Having taken CAT earlier, I already had a strong conceptual base in areas such as Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability. However, CMAT requires a slightly different approach because it includes additional sections like General Knowledge and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. For CMAT, my focus was on improving accuracy across all sections and eliminating recurring mistakes. I also ensured balanced preparation across sections while leveraging my strengths in areas like Quantitative Aptitude and General Knowledge.

Q: Please share the JBIMS MMS admission process? Which exam scores are accepted? 
A: Admission to JBIMS MMS program is conducted through the CET Centralised Admission Process (CAP) of Maharashtra. Most seats are filled through MAH MBA CET scores, where the cutoff is typically among the highest in the state.

Additionally, JBIMS also has a small All India quota of around 18 seats, where candidates can gain admission based on scores from exams such as CAT and CMAT.

Q: Which exam score got you shortlisted for the JBIMS admission process? 

A: I secured admission to JBIMS through the All-India quota based on my CMAT score, where I had achieved All India Rank 7.

Q: What motivated you to choose JBIMS Mumbai? What were your top criteria?
A: The first factor was location. Being situated in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, JBIMS provides excellent exposure to industry and networking opportunities.

Second, return on investment was an important factor. JBIMS offers exceptional career opportunities while having relatively low fees compared to most top B-schools.

Third, the smaller batch size allows stronger interaction with faculty and alumni. Combined with the strong industry experience of many faculty members, this creates a highly enriching academic environment.

Q: How has your experience been at JBIMS Mumbai? Please share some highlights.
A: My experience at JBIMS has been extremely enriching. Over the past two years, I have developed skills in leadership, communication, and industry engagement.

One of the most memorable experiences was serving as the Chief Coordinator for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of JBIMS, which involved coordinating with alumni and industry leaders from diverse backgrounds. During the program, I also secured a summer internship with Larsen & Toubro, which provided valuable exposure to real-world business operations. The final placement process was equally exciting, and I was ultimately placed with Brand Merchant Bank as an Investment Banker.

Another highlight has been the peer group at JBIMS, which combines healthy competition with strong collaboration. Despite having a relatively small campus, the experiences, friendships, and professional networks built here will remain lifelong.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with MBA aspirants?
A: My advice to aspirants would be to have a clear goal and preparation strategy. Different exams require different approaches—for example, CAT focuses on relative performance, while exams like CMAT require extremely high accuracy if one aims for a top rank.

Mock tests and detailed analysis are essential. Aspirants should identify their strengths and weaknesses early and decide whether a section requires focusing on accuracy or increasing attempts.

Finally, maintaining a strong mindset and composure is very important. These exams can be intense, but they are not the final determinant of one’s future. Developing resilience and staying calm during preparation and the exam day can make a big difference. Personally, practices like meditation helped me remain focused and manage pressure effectively.

Also Read: MAH MBA CET 2026 Exam Preparation Guide, take free MAH MBA CET Mock Tests and download MAH MBA CET Previous Years Question Papers.