Angshuman Kakoty

My exam prep strategy, experience & Advice:

For the benefit of MBA aspirants, MBAUniverse.com asked Angshuman about his preparation strategy and advice to do well in MBA entrance exams. Details follow:

MBAUniverse.com: What was your overall preparation strategy for CAT 2016?

Angshuman (CAT topper): I did not take any coaching for CAT. I solved sample papers from various websites including mbauniverse.com. This helped me to understand the types of questions that may come in the examination and I also found out the areas I needed to improve.

MBAUniverse.com: How did you prepare for IRMASAT? Please share your strategy? How much did you score in it?

Angshuman (CAT topper): I prepared from Pratiyogita Darpan and Manorama year book for IRMASAT. I scored 20

MBAUniverse.com: What would you suggest to IRMA aspirants to prepare for IRMASAT 2018?

Angshuman (CAT topper): I would suggest them to keep themselves updated with current affairs, especially government policies and schemes and also read supplementary books like Pratiyogita Darpan.

MBAUniverse.com: Please share your sectional preparation strategy for CAT2016? How did you prepare for each section VARC, DILR, Quant? What study materials and books did you use?

Angshuman (CAT topper): My strengths lied in VARC and DILR but I was weak in Quant. Hence I tried to focus on this section. I gave some mock tests available online. I used only the NCERT mathematics books for the preparation.

MBAUniverse.com: Was there any particular section that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?

Angshuman (CAT topper): I was weak in Quant. I realised through the mock tests that in this section accuracy is far more important than the quantity of questions attempted and hence I tried to answer only those questions I was absolutely sure about. There are plenty of videos available in youtube which too helped me a lot.

MBAUniverse.com: How can candidates use Mock tests better? What is your advice?

Angshuman (CAT topper):  From my own experience I can say that mock tests are immensely helpful. Not only they provide insight on the types of questions in the examination but also they give a platform to self-evaluate our preparation and areas of improvement. Also, scoring a decent percentile in the mocks give a lot of confidence for the real exam. I would suggest candidates to give as many mocks as possible as it will also help them in time management which I think is very important for this exam.

MBAUniverse.com: Did you go to offline coaching centre? What role does a coaching centre play?

Angshuman (CAT topper):  No I did not go to any offline coaching centre.

MBAUniverse.com:  Other than CAT/XAT, which exam did you appear?

Angshuman (CAT topper): Apart from CAT, I only appeared for MAT.

MBAUniverse.com: Which institutes did you apply for admission and which institutes offered you admission?

Angshuman (CAT topper): I applied for IRMA, GIM, BIM, IMT, IMI, LBSIM, FORE and IMBHU. Apart from IRMA, I was offered admission from every other college listed above.

MBAUniverse.com: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation? How did you plan your CAT test taking?

Angshuman (CAT topper): The best advice I can give is to get plenty of rest and don’t think about it too much. We have been giving exams our whole lives and this is just one of them hence take no pressure. During the exam I attempted only those questions which I was sure about and made sure I was not stuck with one question for too long. Give your best and rest will fall into place.