Risk-Taking, Resilience, and Test-Taking Strategy: How SPJIMR Student Shrey Srivastava Cracked CAT 2024 with 99.24 Percentile

Q. Congrats for cracking CAT and SPJIMR admit. Tell us about yourself.
A: I am a Computer Science graduate from Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai. I worked for about a year in a technical role before deciding to prepare seriously for CAT. My father is a retired professional from Tech Mahindra, my mother is a homemaker, and my younger brother is a lawyer. I grew up in Pune, and outside academics, I’ve always been passionate about music, cricket, Formula 1, and chess.

Q. Let us about your CAT 2024 performance?
A: May target was to score 99.5 percentile. I scored overall 99.24. My sectionals percentiles were:  VARC -- 98.84, DILR -- 94.26 and QA -- 98.98.

Q. Please share your overall CAT preparation strategy? 
A. Being an engineer, I was comfortable with Quant, so I focused more on VARC and DILR. I joined the IMS Pune classroom program, which offered structured content, mocks, and mentorship. My prep split was about 40% VARC, 30% DILR, and 30% Quant. I relied on RC99 for reading practice, built DILR frameworks through consistent problem-solving, and took mocks regularly to stay sharp with timing and pressure. 

My overall CAT preparation strategy was to learn through practice and focus on weak areas rather than comfort zones.

Q. How did you manage your CAT preparation along with your college studies or work commitments?
A: I initially prepared for about two months while working full-time, but managing 12–13 work hours and 2.5 hours of daily travel made it difficult to stay consistent. I then negotiated a work-from-home arrangement to save time, but the workload and high-stakes project involvement still left little bandwidth for focused prep. 

Once I had built a solid base, I decided to take a calculated risk and leave my job to prepare full-time. I knew it was the only way to perform in CAT exam to my potential. Luckly it worked out! 

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Q. Congrats again! Please share your sectional preparation strategy starting with VARC?
A: For VARC, I primarily relied on IMS material, mocks, and RC99. I built a regular reading habit through sources like Business Standard and Aeon Essays, focusing on diverse topics such as biology, philosophy, and aesthetics to get comfortable with unfamiliar content. I practiced a large number of RCs and used an “option elimination” approach, which worked effectively for both RC and VA once I had enough practice. My strategy revolved around reading regularly, analysing mistakes, and refining accuracy through repetition.

Q. How did you prepare for DILR?
A: My DILR preparation was centred around developing frameworks and pattern recognition through consistent, diverse practice. I referred to multiple resources, with Maruti Sir’s DILR playlists on YouTube being particularly helpful in refining my approach. 

Over time, I realized that question selection is as critical as problem-solving itself. It’s a skill built through many iterations of right and wrong choices. By analysing my mock performances and identifying which sets were worth attempting, I gradually developed the judgment needed to maximize accuracy under time pressure.

Q. Finally, how did you prepare for Quant section, which was your strength?
A: Yes. Being an engineer, Quant came naturally to me. But I treated it as a section where precision and consistency mattered more than comfort. I practiced extensively across all difficulty levels, starting from basics and gradually moving to advanced problems. I focused extra on geometry since it had been a while since I studied it in depth. Rodha’s YouTube playlist for 99-percentile aspirants helped me refine conceptual clarity, while IMS live paper-solving sessions provided quick tips, shortcuts, and test-level application. 

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Q. Was there any section or area you initially found challenging? How did you overcome it?
A: Initially, I found Reading Comprehension quite challenging. My accuracy was inconsistent, especially with abstract or unfamiliar topics. To overcome this, I focused on reading first, solving later — building a strong reading habit before worrying about questions. I regularly read diverse and difficult content from sources like Business Standard and Aeon Essays, along with RC99 practice sets. Over time, this exposure helped me stay comfortable with any passage type, and applying option elimination frameworks further improved consistency and confidence in VARC.

Q. What role did mock tests play in your preparation? How many mocks did you attempt?
A: Mocks were central to my preparation. Not just for practice but for assessment, time management, and identifying weak areas. 

I attempted around 15 SIMCATs, 15 Cracku DashCATs, a few AIMCATs, CL mocks, and some previous years’ papers. I didn’t wait to complete the entire syllabus; I believe preparation is never truly “done,” so I solved mocks regularly.

My approach evolved over time: one mock per week from June to August, increasing to three per week from September to November. Towards the end, I focused mainly on timed sectional and topic-wise tests to reinforce concepts and practice under pressure. Subject-wise mocks were particularly useful when I had concept clarity but struggled to dedicate full two-hour slots.

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Q. Which CAT coaching institutes did you join?  
A: I joined IMS Pune primarily for its study material, SIMCATs, and faculty. IMS's study material is comprehensive, covering all sections of the CAT exam. IMS SIMCATs are known for their accuracy and alignment with actual CAT difficulty levels. I primarily relied on IMS study material, which was comprehensive. 

For Quant, Rodha’s resources were excellent in building intuition rather than rote formulas. I also practiced from online question banks like Cracku. For VARC, RC99 helped improve comprehension skills, and for DILR, Arun Sharma book was useful for understanding standard frameworks. 

Q. What was your approach and mindset on the CAT Exam Day? How did you plan your test-taking strategy?
A: I was naturally anxious, given the previous year’s difficult paper, but I had a clear target and strategy. CAT 2024 paper turned out to be much easier than expected. Easy CAT paper initially created a paradox for me. While easy questions boosted my confidence, this also led to decision paralysis in the first few minutes, especially in DILR. I spent extra time evaluating which sets to attempt to maximize accuracy, but overthinking cost me precious minutes and affected my overall score in that section.

Regarding my CAT test taking strategy, I followed a sectional sequence: RCs & VA questions, followed by DILR sets, and then I attempted as many Quant questions as possible since it was the easiest section for me. 

The key takeaway was that expectations and mindset play as big a role as preparation. Managing nerves and trusting my strategies could have allowed me to capitalize better on an easier-than-usual paper.

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Q. Looking back, what was the most important learning from your CAT preparation journey?
A: The biggest learning for me was resilience. Staying consistent and focused during tough times was key. During my CAT exam preparation journey, I also developed the ability to self-assess honestly without bias, evaluating mocks and practice critically. I realized that no two days are the same, so it’s important to approach each day with a fresh perspective and bounce back quicker from setbacks as preparation progresses. When in a difficult state, talking to someone like a mentor, friend, or family member always helps. Low scores can affect mental health, but if you prepare sincerely and learn from mistakes, results follow.

Q. How did you manage stress and stay motivated?
A: My motivation came from a mix of intrinsic drive and the added responsibility of having resigned from my job to focus entirely on CAT preparation. I knew I had to give my best! I kept myself inspired by watching college updates, imagining the life and opportunities at top-tier institutes, and visualizing myself as a alum. This made the effort feel tangible and rewarding.

To manage stress, I maintained a support system. My parents, friends, and mentors provided perspective, encouragement, and practical advice whenever I felt overwhelmed. I also reminded myself to take one day at a time, focusing on steady progress rather than obsessing over the final outcome. These practices helped me stay consistent, positive, and resilient throughout the preparation journey.

Q. If you could change one thing about your CAT preparation, what would it be and why?
A: I would dedicate more time to DILR caselet selection, as it is the true differentiator in the exam. This section can make or break your score. One wrong caselet can cost 12–15 valuable minutes. Choosing even one caselet correctly could have pushed my percentile to around 99.7. Improving the ability to quickly evaluate which sets to attempt and which to skip is crucial for maximizing accuracy and time efficiency. Focusing more on this skill would have allowed me to approach the section with greater confidence, reduce decision paralysis, and get the highest possible score from DILR.

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Q. Moving on, how did you prepare for the Personal Interview rounds?
A: For GD/PI/WAT preparation, I focused on current affairs and domain expertise. I regularly read Business Standard, The Mint, and WSJ to stay updated on business, economics, and public policy. Since my specialization is in AI/ML, I studied technical concepts, use cases, market impact, and regulation, including topics like the DeepSeek model versus ChatGPT. For economics and public policy topics, I followed content from the Bond Economist on YouTube. Additionally, IMS provided targeted preparation through mocks for specific calls and generic CV reviews.

Q. Is prior work experience helping you during your MBA?
A: Work experience brings a sense of professional maturity, and structured thinking. It demonstrates employability and the ability to deliver results in real-world conditions. So yes, having worked in a fast-paced environment helps me understand deadlines, teamwork, and leadership dynamics better.

There’s also been a noticeable shift in the B-school’s admission process. Top institutes increasingly value candidates with work experience. At SPJIMR, only around 15% of the batch comprises of freshers. 

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Q. SPJIMR requires applicants to choose specialization while filling the application form. Which specialization did you choose and why? 
A: I chose Information Management as my top preference. Having worked as a Product professional at ICICI Lombard, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of technology and finance. SPJIMR’s IM specialization offers the ideal platform to build on that interest, with strong placements in product management, analytics, and digital transformation roles.

For aspirants, my advice would be to choose a specialization that’s a blend of personal interest and future value. Understand where your natural strengths lie but also consider emerging industry trends. 

Q. What motivated you to choose SPJIMR from all the options you had? How is the SPJIMR experience… 
A: My motivation to choose SPJIMR stemmed from its rising brand recognition, industry-aligned curriculum, and strong value-driven culture. The institute’s placement performance and corporate partnerships reflect the growing trust it commands. Today, it stands firmly among the top 7 B-schools in the country, and given its current trajectory, I genuinely see SPJIMR breaking into the top 3-5 within this decade.

My experience at SPJIMR has been enriching. I’ll never forget my first day on campus. It was raining heavily, and I saw staff and volunteers rushing to help families and parents to the shade. One of the most memorable moments was my first home visit for Abhyudaya, where I met my Sitara, an underprivileged child we mentor through their schooling and personal development. Visiting her home was humbling. Another highlight was witnessing the 100% placements milestone, achieved in record time. 

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Q. How can B-schools make the MBA admission process more applicant-friendly?
A: I believe SPJIMR has one of the most applicant-friendly processes among top B-schools. I share a room with my batchmate who scored around 91 percentile in CAT, but has an amazing profile and is thriving here! This is a proof that percentiles don’t define your potential.

At SPJIMR, the first admission interview evaluates your knowledge, understanding of your work, academics, and the business world, while the second interview focuses on culture fit, attitude, and character. This holistic approach ensures they select students who can truly contribute and thrive.

I feel other B-schools could adopt a similar approach. They should look beyond scores and numbers to assess a candidate’s mindset, drive, and values. 

Q. Finally, what message to candidates who will be taking CAT 2025 soon?
A: My message is very simple. Focus on the present. Every exam or a test is a different story. Don't let past papers or a bad section bias your current attempt. Be objective in your assessment of the paper. Your goal is to solve the correct questions, not all of them, so choose wisely. All the best! Do well and I will see some of you here at SPJIMR Mumbai!

Also Read:
Read CAT 2025 Exam Overview and CAT Preparation; Take Free CAT Mock Tests 2025 on MBAUniverse.com. 
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