I graduated from a reputed National Institute of Technology and joined a major automobile firm in 2010. I realised in few months that tech was not for me and decided to do an MBA . CAT 2011 was my first attempt. I prepared well but answered a few questions I unsure about. I wrote XAT without any preparation. Normalisation in the CAT ensured that I scored 94.2 percentile. I scored 96% in XAT with well-balanced sectionals. I had IIM K, XLRI (BM/HR) and SPJIMR interview calls, but I was complacent and didn’t work hard for the interviews. I was rejected in all four.

That was a pretty low period. But I relaxed, laid back a little and started preparing again for CAT/XAT with a vengeance after some time. Oct 30 2012: the CAT was tougher this time, but I stuck to the basics and solved all the easy questions, not taking any needless risks. Then I wrote IIFT, SNAP and XAT in that order.

The first result was IIFT, and I scored 49.2, and the cutoff was around 49.8. Then the CAT result was out: 97.7. Nothing great, but I managed calls from IIM B, I, S and the new ones because of balanced sectionals and good acads (94/89.2/89.2 in 10th, 12th, engineering.) I scored 99.6 percentile in SNAP with SIBM/SCMHRD calls and 98.26 in XAT with XLRI BM/HR calls.

I gave it all to convert the calls this time. The results started pouring in soon and I had straight rejects from SIBM/SCMHRD. Finally I was waitlisted at 21 in SPJIMR Operations, my first semi-success after six interview rejects. Finally the big day came and I had a straight XLRI BM convert (HR reject). I skipped IIM I, S and MDI interviews. Got a NITIE reject. And finally a waitlist 1 at IIM Bangalore. Converted both IIM-B and SPJIMR finally. Also had an IIM-U convert. Joined IIM-B.

Quick tips for CAT

1. On the D-day, although the stakes are high, but the more emotionally disconnected you are from the entire process, the better you will do.

2. Accuracy is the key in normalisation. 15 correct, 1 wrong will fetch you a better percentile than 20 correct, 3 wrong, although it appears that the raw score and hence percentile are higher in the latter case.

The CAT is just a 140-minutes exam which cannot judge your potential. Add normalisation across slots, and the process becomes random and pretty much luck based. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Focus on XAT and other exams as well.

I highly recommended joining a coaching institute for interview preparation to help refine your answers.

The preparation process can get very mentally taxing at times. The key to succeed will be Practice + Patience + Perseverance. It will not be easy, but it will be totally worth it. Have faith and may the force be with you all.