Q: What was your overall preparation strategy for CAT?
My overall preparation strategy was to focus on mock and its thorough analysis instead of completion of study material
Q: Let’s start with the basics…How did you perform in CAT 2022?
I scored 99.1 overall percentile in CAT 2022. I scored 84.98 % in VARC, 99.91 % in DILR and 97.12 % in QA.
Q: Please share your VARC Section preparation strategy for CAT?
My Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Sectional strategy was mainly focused on reading from diverse sources on a variety of subjects, apart from that I also focused giving sectionals and mocks every day during the last 4 months of my preparation.
Q: How did you prepare for DILR Section in CAT?
For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning preparation, I had primarily focused on solving sets with timers, consistently working on my weaker topics, giving mocks after carefully analysing the sets
Q: How did you prepare for QA Section?
For Quantitative Ability preparation, I worked on knowing my basic concepts and working on solving the questions that I already know would be solved quickly especially on the questions and concepts which became familiar to me. This built up my skills and strengths, improved speed and accuracy.
Q: Was there any particular section that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?
I was particularly weak at DILR which I overcame by giving regular mocks and reading all the sets for first 7 minutes and subsequently doing sets as per my comfort and preparation.
Q: What role did Mocks play in your success? How many mocks did you attempt before the exam?
Mocks played a huge role in my success. Throughout my prep, I gave approximately 25 mocks and also attempted all the past CAT papers from 2017 onwards. Analysing the mocks regularly and being consistent with it plays a huge role in CAT.
Q: Did you self-prepare for CAT Exam or did you attend a Coaching Centre and why?
I self-prepared for CAT exam and took CAT Mock series from one of the coaching centres. The reason for self-prep was majorly because I had already attended a coaching centre class while preparing for CAT in 2021
Q: Which books did you refer during your preparation and how effective were they?
I didn’t really refer to any books. I took help of YouTube and videos from coaching centre for my preparation and they were quite effective in my preparation.
Q: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation? How did you plan your CAT test taking?
I attempted my last mock 5 days prior to the CAT Day. My last-minute preparation was just going through the important quant formulas. My plan for CAT test taking was to really stick to the time that I had set for myself and not to waste my time on any particular question. Another thing I kept in my mind while giving the paper was first having a look on the overall section and attempting the easier questions first
Q: How did you prepare for GD/PI/WAT Rounds?
For GD/PI/WAT rounds, I decided to go for proper coaching. Going through all the business news of past 1 year, knowing basic concepts and a bit of static general knowledge is imperative
Q: Which all top IIMs and other top B-schools shortlisted you for PI round?
I was shortlisted for PI round by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, SJMSoM IIT Bombay, DMS-IIT Delhi
Q: Which top B-Schools you converted and which one you finally took admission in?
I converted IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, SPJIMR Mumbai. I selected IIM Kozhikode for final admission
Q: As a creative Textile & Rug Designer you have earned about 2 years of Work Experience. Please share some details of your work experience
Yes, before joining IIM Kozhikode I have earned 23 months of work experience in the area of my graduation. I worked as Freelance Textile Designer at Art De Rug, Mumbai for 9 months from November 2022; worked as full time Rug Designer at Rug Artisan, United Kingdom from Sept 2020 to July 2022. I did my internship, Research & Development projects at Jaipur Rugs, Jaipur where I developed 2 collections on Hand-Knotted and Hand-Tufted Rugs and a collection of Kids Rugs
Q: What are your top three criteria for deciding which B-school to apply or take final admission?
According to me, the top three criteria for deciding which B-school to apply or take final admission are the curriculum, placement report and the ranking of the institute
Q: Finally, your message and tips for candidates preparing for CAT 2023
My message and tips for candidates preparing for CAT 2023 are: • Start with mocks from day 1 to assess your preparation and being consistent with it • Giving mocks as well as analysing it simultaneously to know your strengths and weaknesses is very important • Keep reading newspapers regularly from the day you decide to write the exam • Also, for GD/PI, do not wait for the results and start preparing as soon as you are done with CAT • Time management and keeping you calm on the D-day is the most essential part that one should keep in mind
