Consistency and Calm Under Pressure: How MDI Student Kunal Aggarwal Cracked CAT 2024 with 99.26 Percentile

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
A: I am an engineer from Ghaziabad and currently a student at MDI Gurgaon. Before joining MDI, I worked for 2.5 years in the corporate sector, where I developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills. My professional experience helped me build the discipline and focus needed for CAT preparation. Outside academics and work, I enjoy driving and exploring new places. For me life at MDI Gurgaon has been both challenging and immensely rewarding.

Q. How did you perform in CAT 2024? 
A: In CAT 2024, I secured an overall percentile of 99.26. My sectional percentiles were 86.81 in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), 98.79 in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and 99.80 in Quantitative Ability (QA). I also appeared for other exams and scored 99.67 percentile in XAT and 99.93 percentile in SNAP.

Q. What was your overall preparation strategy for cracking CAT exam?
A: The focus was on consistency, practicing questions from all sections daily to build habit and accuracy for D-day. No backlog was left from Elites Grid online classes, which included late-night weekday sessions and long Sunday classes. I stayed organized with weekly plans which helped me to maintain the rhythm. I started attempting mocks around August and attempted 15–20 mocks to build exam temperament and refine strategy.

Q. How did you manage your CAT preparation along with your work schedule?
A: Preparing alongside a full-time job required strict discipline and time management. Late-night classes from 10 PM helped me to maintain consistency. I squeezed homework and practice during free moments at work. I dedicated around three hours daily apart from classes. Balancing both meant sacrificing sleep and entertainment. I think that commitment was essential for success in cracking CAT exam.

Q. Let’s discuss your sectional preparation strategy. How did you prepare for VARC?
A: I followed Gejo Sir’s classes consistently as his teaching made concepts engaging and easy to grasp. I practiced at least three RCs daily, starting with simpler ones and gradually moving to CAT/XAT-level passages. I focused deeply on the art of elimination, ensuring clarity on why other options were wrong during analysis. For Verbal Ability, consistent and deliberate practice made the real difference.

Q. How did you prepare for DILR?
A: For DILR, I followed Elites Grid for DILR, where Gaurav Sir built concepts gradually from basic arrangements to advanced-level sets. Focus was on understanding the process and approach rather than just answers. I spent 1–2 hours on tough sets before checking solutions, even if it meant not cracking them initially. For me practicing at least three sets daily was non-negotiable. This ensured consistency, variety coverage, and a strong problem-solving approach.

Q. How did you prepare for QA?
A: Quant was a personal strength, and Hunny Sir’s classes made concepts even clearer. Since the syllabus is vast, covering every topic was essential. Easy questions often appear from less-covered areas. I maintained detailed notes of methods and formulas, especially for geometry. I practiced around ten questions daily to stay consistent and keep problem-solving sharp. All this help me to do well in this section. 

Q. Was there any section you found particularly challenging? How did you overcome it?
A: For me, VARC was the most challenging section, as RCs were often difficult to comprehend and the options felt equally correct. I gradually improved by first grasping the broader meaning of passages before diving into details. I analysed every RC deeply after practice. 

Q. What role did mock tests play in your preparation? How many mocks did you attempt?
A: Of course, mocks played a crucial role in building exam temperament and decision-making under pressure. They helped identify solvable sets in DILR and easy questions in QA. This skill can only be developed through practice. Each mock was followed by detailed analysis to track errors, time spent per question, and section-wise accuracy. 

I attempted around 15–20 mocks in total. 

Q. Which CAT coaching institute did you use? 
A: I joined Elites Grid on recommendations from seniors. The well-paced classes, detailed concept clarity, and mentorship from faculty helped me a to maintain consistency despite work commitments. 

Q. Which books or study materials did you refer to? 
A: I used Elites Grid material for DILR and Quant, and Gejo’s content for VARC. I supplemented preparation with IMS and Elites Grid mocks. These resources were highly effective.

Q. What was your approach and mindset on the CAT exam day? How did you plan your test-taking strategy?
A: Having faced severe anxiety during my JEE attempt, I knew staying calm was the single most important factor this time. The day before CAT, I deliberately conditioned my mind to believe that whatever happens tomorrow doesn’t define me. That mindset helped me enter the exam hall relaxed and focused.

For VARC, the plan was to begin with Reading Comprehensions, then move to Verbal Ability, and finally revisit any pending questions in the remaining time. In DILR, the focus was on identifying the solvable sets within the first 10 minutes and solving them efficiently before attempting the tougher ones. For Quant, I made sure to attempt all easy and direct questions first to build rhythm and confidence, before moving on to the trickier problems.

Overall, the key was maintaining composure, trusting my preparation, and not letting one tough question affect the rest of the paper.

Q. Looking back, what was the most important learning from your CAT preparation journey?
A: Consistency truly makes the difference. Regular practice, even on days when motivation was low, built the foundation for improvement. The journey also taught the importance of acknowledging weaknesses instead of avoiding them, while continuing to strengthen existing strengths. Persistence and discipline, more than intelligence, decide the final outcome.

Q. How did you manage stress and stay motivated?
A: Thankfully, stress wasn’t a major challenge during preparation. The aspiration to study at a top B-school kept the drive alive, but over time I realized that discipline mattered far more than motivation. You can’t rely on feeling inspired every day, but staying disciplined ensures steady progress even when enthusiasm dips. Consistency and routine became the real motivators.

Q. If you could change one thing about your CAT preparation, what would it be and why?
A: If there’s one thing I’d change, it would be the way I approached VARC. Despite consistent effort, my performance in the section didn’t match expectations. Looking back, I would dedicate far more time to reading diverse and complex articles, from editorials to philosophical and abstract pieces, to improve comprehension and adaptability. Deep analysis of RC patterns and stronger focus on eliminating similar options could have made a real difference.

Q. How did you prepare for the GD/PI/WAT rounds?
A: Joined BTRIBE’s GDPI course, which turned out to be a game-changer. The mentors, especially Admin 1 & 2, were incredibly supportive and provided structured guidance throughout the process. Beyond mock interviews and feedback, one of the most valuable learnings was how to use storytelling while answering, connecting personal experiences with questions to make responses authentic and impactful. This approach helped me stand out and express my journey with clarity and confidence.

Q. How does your work experience help you during the MBA at MDI?
A: Working as a Product has given me a practical foundation that an MBA will build on. I’ve led market analysis, competitor benchmarking, user research, and feature-prioritization for an LMS platform — these experiences reflect real business challenges, not just theory. This means I can engage in class discussions, live case studies and group projects with real-world context in mind (which is exactly what B-schools value). 

Moreover, because I’ve worked full-time, I’ve learned discipline, responsibility, working in teams, handling deadlines and ambiguity — all of which helped me prepare for rigorous MBA coursework. An MBA will let me layer on strategic thinking, leadership frameworks and business modelling on the experience I already have.

Finally, my goal is to leverage my product & UX background into a broader leadership role. The MBA will help me refine my vision, understand business operations, strategy, finance and marketing holistically. I bring my past experience into class, and walk out with a sharpened toolkit and network to scale businesses.

Q. What motivated you to choose MDI Gurgaon? What were your top three selection criteria?
A: My decision to choose MDI Gurgaon was based on three key criteria: legacy & alumni network, placements, and campus location & connectivity.

1. Legacy and Alumni: MDI Gurgaon’s strong legacy as one of India’s early premier management institutes and its alumni presence across top firms gave me confidence in the brand and network.
2. Placements: The placement track-record was an important factor — average CTC around ₹26 LPA and a healthy recruiter base reinforced its ROI for me. The SIPs for our batch attracted top firms for all domains.
3. Location: Being in Gurgaon offered proximity to industry, access to corporate hubs, and easier logistics — which mattered given my prior full-time work experience and my aim to engage with real business opportunities. 

Together these three helped me resolve the dilemma between MDI and other choices and select MDI.

Q. How has your experience at MDI Gurgaon been so far? Please share some highlights.
A: Life at MDI Gurgaon has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. The first term was extremely rigorous. Balancing academics, placements, and adapting to a completely new environment tested every bit of resilience and focus. Meeting peers from diverse backgrounds and places has been a highlight, offering constant learning beyond classrooms. The seniors have been incredibly supportive, and the faculty truly inspiring. With a beautiful campus and vibrant culture, MDI creates the perfect environment for growth. As they say here, if you survive the first term at a top B-school, you’re built solid for anything that comes next.

Q. Whom would you like to credit for your success? 
A: A large part of the credit goes to my parents for their constant support and for never putting any pressure during the preparation journey. The guidance of Hunny Sir and Gaurav Sir from Elites Grid, Gejo Sir from CL, and Admin 1 & 2 from BTRIBE was invaluable—their mentorship kept me consistent, motivated, and focused on the right approach.

Q. What were some key challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A: Balancing a full-time job with CAT preparation was the toughest part, managing energy after long work hours wasn’t easy. Late-night classes and a strict daily schedule helped maintain consistency. There were phases of burnout and self-doubt, but staying disciplined and focusing on small daily targets made the journey manageable and rewarding.

Q. In your view, how can B-schools make the MBA admission process more applicant-friendly?
A: Business schools can make the MBA admission process more applicant-friendly by being transparent about selection criteria, timelines and applicant status updates. They should provide clear benchmarks, regular communication and some feedback so applicants feel respected and informed. Reducing ambiguity and standardising the process helps improve trust and reduces stress for candidates. 

Q. Finally, what message or tips would you like to share with CAT 2025 aspirants?
A: Stay consistent and trust the process, there’s no substitute for regular practice. Even on tough days, solve a few questions to keep the momentum. Don’t wait to feel “fully prepared” before taking mocks; start early and learn through analysis. Most importantly, stay calm on D-day, CAT rewards composure as much as preparation.

Also Read:
Read CAT 2025 Exam Overview and CAT Preparation; Take Free CAT Mock Tests 2025 on MBAUniverse.com. 
SPJIMR Mumbai Overview, SPJIMR Admissions 2026, SPJIMR Placements 2025, SPJIMR Courses & Fees