Last Updated on October 22, 2025
MBAUniverse.com News Desk
Preparing for CAT while working full-time is a tough test of one’s mental and emotional strength. Harshit Pansari, a graduate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi, and now an MBA student at SPJIMR Mumbai, proved that a strategic preparation plan, and by managing emotions one can overcome any constraint. With a balanced approach between work and study, Harshit scored an impressive 99.18 percentile in CAT 2024 with sectional scores of 93.24 (VARC), 98.04 (DILR), and 99.55 (QA).
Hailing from Sikar, a small town in Rajasthan, Harshit managed to excel despite his professional work commitments. He received calls from IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Shillong, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT Delhi, and others but chose SPJIMR. In this MBAUniverse.com CAT Toppers Interview series, Harshit shares how he built his strategy through mock tests, managed stress, and turned his weaknesses into strengths.
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Q. Congratulations for cracking CAT. What was your overall preparation strategy?
A: Thank you. I started my CAT preparation in June 2024, and relied on taking Mocks for CAT. I took around 50 mocks! My preparation strategy was to give at least 2 mocks a week and analyse them thoroughly.
I think it is very important to take a good test series with video solution, which has questions with varying level of difficulty and some shocks in every mock! For me VARC was my weak area, so I spent 75% of preparation time on it. I also took a recorded course for it.
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Q. How did you manage your CAT preparation along with your work commitments?
A: My working model was hybrid, so I would go back to my hometown Sikar after working 2 days. There I took care of only office work and CAT preparation. Work hours were often long, so on the week days I spent time mostly in reading. It was also because I was not good with VARC.
CAT preparation and problem solving is often highly taxing on brain, so to maintain a sane state of mind, and I would go on walk with friends.
Q. Please share your sectional preparation strategy. How did you prepare for VARC?
A: VARC was a section I struggled in, I collected a list of book that are dense and I started studying. I used to daily read JSTOR Daily, I believe that’s a better alternative to aeons where essays are often very lengthy. I took a recorded course – VARC 1000. I gave many tests on this course, and found it to be helpful for anyone struggling in VARC.
Q. How did you prepare for DILR?
A: I solved mocks and TIME sectionals questions for DILR. This was my only preparation for DILR. For topics like Cubes, I would sometimes watch YouTube Videos.
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Q. Ok. What about Quantitative Ability section - How did you prepare for it?
A: For QA, my key preparation was solving mock tests. I also watched Rodha’s freely available videos for some topics I had a doubt in. I also prepared a book of formulas wherein I would write important formula. However, I relied more on logic than formula.
Q. You said you found VACR challenging. So, how did you overcome it?
A: Yes, I found VARC to be challenging. I was able to score well in Mocks after reading daily, practicing tests via VARC 1000. However, until the strength becomes natural it does not work in the exam. I would recommend anyone struggling in any section to make it part of the core skillset. Simply scoring well in the mocks might not work.
Q. How many mocks did you attempt?
A: As I said, Mocks were my bread and butter for preparation. In total, I attempted 54 mock tests!
Q. So, you didn’t prepare join a regular CAT coaching institute?
A: No. I just took two Test series – TIME’s AIMCAT and CL’s CDC Pro. Only for VARC, I took VARC 1000 course. My decided this prep strategy after discussing with friends, and some YouTube video.
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Q. What was your approach and mindset on the CAT exam day?
A: Coaching institute TIME had a test taking strategy simulation as a part of strategizing before d-day. This helped me. I also had this in mind that I will do some job and eventually pursue my dreams without MBA if this does not work out. Also, rigorous preparation gave me confidence for the exam. I took mocks in my CAT slot only once it was out, I believe it helps in setting that mindset.
Q. Looking back, what are the key learnings from your CAT journey?
A: My first learning is that right strategy is often the key differentiator in success. Also, CAT exam tests Emotional Quotient, and not just IQ. To do well in CAT, you need to manage your emotions and ego well.
Q. How did you manage stress and stay motivated throughout the preparations?
A: I believe when I looked for external motivation, it was difficult to focus. For preparation discipline was more important, motivation was needed on the D-day.
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Q. If you could change one thing about your CAT preparation, what would it be and why?
A: My VARC was weak. So I spent too much time on it, but still I scored average marks. I scored well in the other 2 sections without focusing much. I believe if I had paid more attention to QA and DILR, I could have score far better.
Q. How did you prepare for the Personal Interview rounds?
A: I read a few key subjects from my college and class 12th. I learnt everything about my state, job, domain, relevant GK and the college.
Q. Is your work experience helpful during the MBA?
A: Yes, work experience helps not only in getting job but also compare your work scenarios. You understand what is right and what could have been done differently. So yes it is helpful.
Q. SPJIMR requires applicants to choose specialization when filling application form. Which specialization did you choose and why?
A: I chose Finance because of my interest, relevant work experience, degree and job aspiration in similar domain. I would like to advise aspirants to see the choice as culmination of what you have and what you want, only one might not work.
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Q. What motivated you to choose SPJIMR?
A: SPJIMR is a value based and it was very evident from the GI process, how each one of us felt really nice. Interacting with students it was clear that these are the people to whom life has happened. SPJIMR has top-notch career opportunities especially for finance. Mumbai is a dream location for any finance person.
Q. How has your experience at SPJIMR been so far? Please share some highlights.
A: SPJIMR does not just talk, but walks culture. During my first week here, I got sick. When I was returning to hostel, a professor asked me what happened, how I am taking care of it and I should prioritise health over classes. Then the guard continuously inquired if the health was good, pushed me to consult a doctor and said will enquire again if I have been. All of this felt really comforting. Also, different Cohorts, PG Lab, and activities across people from different sections, specialisation gave immense opportunities to network and learn.
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Q. Whom would you like to credit for your success? What role did your family and friends play?
A: My family and friends owe every piece of this success. I often felt down after low mock scores or hesitant if prioritising this over immediate career opportunities was a good thing. My family always stood with my decisions. And my friends, they were always there to console to pray for me. I would go to Delhi for interviews and never had to book a hotel single time, they would wake up early make me breakfast before I left for interview. I could not have done anything without my support system.
Q. To close, what were key challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A: One was maintaining optimism while scoring worst scores in mock, handling variability, managing time with work, stress and burnout. I left my job a month before CAT, so I was afraid how would I score one after it. I was able to, and I learnt a lot from the process.
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Q. In your view, how can B-schools make the MBA admission process more applicant-friendly?
A: Many B-Schools request detailed forms from Candidates even before they meet the basic criteria for selection. The stage at which scores are available should be the one where form filling starts, forms also waste a lot of time during the preparation. B-Schools could connect with one senior to every call getter so that students can better prepare for it, some have done this while for some there is no such support system in the process. Selection process should be more transparent especially among private B-schools.
Q. Finally, what message or tips would you like to share with CAT 2025 aspirants?
A: Consistency is the key, motivation would never beat discipline, focus on your weak areas but do not forget to build on strengths. Reach out for help if you need any to family members, friends, colleagues or even seniors via LinkedIn.
Also Read:
Read CAT 2025 Exam Overview and CAT Preparation; Take Free CAT Mock Tests 2025 on MBAUniverse.com.
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