Anshul Garg

Anshul Garg (20) an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar student, Ravi Teja Palla, an Assistant Manager with Tata Motors and B Rajesh who runs a coaching centre in Chennai are some of this years Common Admission Test (CAT) 2012 toppers.

Speaking to PaGaLGuY.com exclusively from his campus, Anshul sounded visibly excited and quite speechless.

“Yes, my paper had gone well and I knew I would get good scores but never thought I would top. This feeling is incredible,” he said. Anshul owes his super performance to his study techniques. “If you want to do an MBA be serious about studies. Do not take CAT lightly and think things will fall in place automatically. You have to study hard.”

Anshul added that while he did not study for long hours, the time he sent in studies were very important and without any distraction. “I followed a method while studying and studied with a structure in mind. It was not just studying to get good scores.”

Coaching too helped, said Anshul who attended PT Educations branch in Ropar. “Definitely, the coaching class helps to further get you into the proper bent of mind and the tips etc but self-motivation is important to get your study intent right.”

Anshuls father is a businessman and his mother a home-maker. His elder brother is pursuing an MCA and the family is based in Haryana. Anshul is not sure what direction he will take post his MBA. “I want to do an MBA to obtain proper skills. I want to set up my own enterprise but all depends on how I am able to go about the MBA process. I might join my father in his business but with the right kind of grooming I will definitely want to start my own set-up.”

Anshul has decided to take a balance view of the days ahead. He says: “Just because you crack CAT does not mean that all the IIMs will want you. These days the IIMs have different strategies. My wish is ABC and if I get through, I will feel fulfilled.”

Ravi Teja Palla

Ravi Teja Palla works as an assistant manager with Tata Motors and is an IIT Madras graduate. Since Ravi was travelling he could speak only a few words with PaGaLGuY.com when this article went up for publishing. He has promised a full length interview later. Naturally, he is excited about being the topper as he was also Captain of PG Dream Team in 2011.

Interestingly, on the PG forum Ravi has written that “he wants to blow CAT away.” A feat achieved. Ravi also takes a keen interest in subjects such as History, Geography and Psychology.

B Rajesh

B Rajesh runs Naveenan2IIM in Chennai. Having top scored for the second consecutive year, Rajesh said he takes CAT because he loves the experience of taking the exam and also because he loves teaching CAT subjects. “Besides, IITJEE, CAT is the only other exam that has a reputation and is an experience to teach and learn,” he said.

Rajesh is an IIM Bangalore graduate and after passing out, he worked for a couple of years in different companies, he came to his first love which is teaching.

IIT Bombay toppers

Like every year, there are two toppers from IIT Bombay (passed out) this CAT season too. The duo however were not too keen to speak since they are both working and have not told their respective companies that they took the CAT exam this year. As we get more information on them, we will update this article.