Q: What was your overall preparation strategy for CAT?
My overall strategy for the CAT exam was focused heavily on mock papers. I felt that I’d learn about my weaknesses most effectively by simulating the actual exam. So, once I had a decent grasp on the format of the exam and the type of questions asked along with basic concepts for each, I started giving mock exams. My goal was to come across as many different questions as I could, as I felt this would minimise the unpredictability factor of the exam.
Q: How did you prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section?
I’ve always been an avid reader and I enjoyed writing when I was younger. There was a natural comfort for me with the VARC section, so I focused on reading books and newspapers as a way to improve my attention span and reading comprehension.
Q: How did you prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)?
I enjoy playing games like Sudoku and Nonogram and this helped me develop a strong base for logical puzzles. To prepare specifically for DILR I used the books by Arun Sharma to understand the type of questions and then attempted multiple sectional mocks and full-length mocks to improve my speed and accuracy in these questions.
Q: How did you prepare for Quantitative Ability (QA)?
For QA I had to first revise all my concepts and formulae before I could focus on solving questions. I referred to multiple youtube channels and Quant books by Arun Sharma for refreshers on the concepts and basic questions for the same. Once I felt comfortable with the type of questions asked, I attempted multiple mocks to incrementally improve my performance. Furthermore, I also analysed each question from the mocks and solved them again afterwards to ensure that I understood where I went wrong.
Q: What role did Mocks play in your success? How many mocks did you attempt before the exam?
I attempted approximately 35-40 mocks including previous year papers. My mock attempts were crucial in my preparation as I spent a significant amount of time on analysing each question after the attempt. This gave me insight into the efficiency of the approach that I followed for each question as well as the possible gaps in my logic.
Q: Did you self-prepare for CAT Exam or did you attend a Coaching Centre?
I prepared for the exam on my own, using various free internet resources and books, as I felt that I had a good grasp on the basics of each section. I purchased a mock series from IMS and used that as a way to learn and improve.
Q: Which books did you refer during your preparation?
I’d primarily referred to the CAT Preparation books by Arun Sharma and second-hand GMAT preparation books to revise all the formulae and refamiliarize myself with the process of solving the questions.
Q: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation?
My goal was to be as relaxed as possible before the exam. I realised that I’ve done all the preparation that I could and any last-minute revision would just confuse me further. My CAT day strategy was to listen to music that lifted my spirits and made me feel energetic. For the actual test my plan was to attempt as many questions as I can for the VARC section as that was my strong suit. For DILR I focused on solving only 2 sets, and I selected them by first reading all the sets and spending 2-3 minutes on each of them to narrow down the ones with an easy approach. For Quant I attempted the questions from the concepts that I was confident on.
Q: How did you prepare for GD/PI/WAT Rounds?
I came across a free community of former MBA aspirants and students who were preparing current aspirants through various resources, guidance as well as mock interviews. The learnings I received through viewing the mock interviews and interacting with the mentors was truly helpful in shaping my preparation. Their feedback on my approach to the answers proved to be vital in my success. Additionally, I also joined the interview preparation course by IMS. They provided me with a plethora of resources in an organised manner. This combined with the offline group interviews that I gave at their centre was critical in boosting my confidence levels.
Q: Do you have work experience? Did it help in your MBA program?
I have 33 months of work experience as a software engineer. So far the experience has been tremendously helpful in coping with the pressure of the MBA life and learning how to manage my priorities. Additionally, it’s also helped in understanding the relevance of a lot of material taught in the class.
Q: What motivated you to join SPJIMR? What were your top three criteria?
The reputation that SPJIMR has in the industry of being an innovative business school with a strong focus on ethics was a crucial factor in attracting me to SPJIMR. Additionally, the recruitment methodology of admitting students with exceptional profiles in terms of both academics as well as extra-curricular achievements ensures that the peer group is excellent. Thirdly the international partnerships through GFT and international exchange provide a great exposure and learning experience.
Q: How has been your experience so far at SPJIMR?
The experience so far has been brilliant, interactions with both my peers and professors has been very informative. PG lab was a particularly great bonding experience with the entire batch. Additionally, the way we all support each other during times of stress, and teach each other concepts from our individual backgrounds has been very heartwarming.
Q: Whom you would like to give credit for your success?
The main credit goes to my friends and family who supported me throughout the process. The constant confidence they showed in me and the encouragement they provided allowed me to perform my best.
Q: What challenges you faced during your life, academics, preparation? How did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges came in the form of time management as I was preparing for the process along with my office workload. Balancing the quality of my work with the effort needed for CAT preparation and GDPI preparation was a challenge, but what helped me the most was maintaining consistent efforts in regular timeslots.
Q: According to you, how can B-schools make their MBA admission process less cumbersome for MBA applicants.
The entire process can be made less cumbersome by focusing more on the candidate and their experiences and values, instead of focusing on topics like current affairs or static GK. While these areas hold importance for a future manager, the initial selection of a b-school student should be done based on their potential which can only be judged by understanding their thought process, instead of their rote learning abilities.
Q: Finally, your message and tips for candidates preparing for CAT 2024
The most important advice for all candidates is to remain calm and stress-free before the exam. In the end, it’s just a test and it doesn’t define the rest of your career. As long as you maintain a clear head during the exam and trust your preparation you’ll do well.
