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Please share your score and percentile with our readers.
Overall - 127.47 , 99.86%ile | VARC - 33.9, 95.86%ile | DILR - 37, 99.37%ile | QA - 56.57, 99.86%ile
How much did your score in your previous attempt(s)?
2019 - Overall - 99.23%ile | VARC - 98.69%ile | DILR - 86.22%ile | QA - 99.67%ile
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There are many aspirants who will attempt for the second (or even third or fourth) time. What'd be your advice to them?
Understand where you went wrong the first time - work to fill in those gaps, and strive to be an efficient solver, especially in logic in maths. No one cares how you solved the problem, what matters is did you solve it and how efficiently did you do the same. Know why you're doing this - to secure an admission to a top MBA institution and develop your understanding of business principles - keep this goal in mind while preparing, and you'll stay motivated enough to pursue the same.
Download: InsideIIM's Quantitative Aptitude Formula Book
How did you prepare - Self Study or Coaching? Which one do you think is better?
I prepared largely through self-study and a few discussion sessions with our test series centre which students clearing a particular cutoff in mocks were allowed to attend irrespective of being a classroom or test series student.
In my opinion, the answer is subjective. If you are already aware of the basics of each section and are self-motivated or have an energetic study group, you can do with self-study. Else, it is good to take coaching that will cover all your basics. However, even for the self-study people, it is advisable to have a mentor who is full-time into aptitude prep who you can contact regarding queries if any. They may also help you stay motivated from time to time.
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According to you, what is the most important aspect of preparation?
Building the stamina to be able to sit for 4 hours, and to not let performance in one section affect the performance in other sections.
Read: Why I Didn't Join IIM Ahmedabad In 2020 Despite Converting - Nikita Warkar
What was your approach while taking mocks? How do you think the mock tests help you in your preparation?
My approach was to take a mock like any other test - initially it was trying different combinations or order of attempts - but later it was to score the best I can once I had a rough strategy in place. I also endeavoured to solve questions efficiently - if possible, without using a pen. Post the mock, I worked on my weak areas and tried to discover better ways of answering questions.
Mock tests helped me benchmark my performance v/s peers who were doing well, and made me tell myself that there is enough scope for improvement because there are people scoring better than you are. Additionally, taking a lot of them built my endurance and confidence for the D-Day and also exposed me to a number of different styles of question framing and difficulty.
Read: From BCG To IIM Calcutta - A 99.48%iler's CAT Prep Strategy || Ft. Neha Sood
Which section were you strong in? Since you were strong in that section, how did you focus on the other sections?
I was strong in Quantitative Aptitude - I've enjoyed that kind of maths since long.
I focused on the other sections - VARC by reading a lot, taking mocks and watching video solutions - understanding how to read and the thought process that one should have while considering options - since it is not the questions that pose the issue as much as the wording of the options does. One of the ways to get through that is to read a lot because one then understands how paragraphs are written and how ideas are structured to give the entire manuscript a flow. This also helps in the verbal ability questions, namely parajumbles, paragraph summary and odd one out.
For DILR I practised a lot and practised a variety of sets to develop the thinking ability for the same and get a feel for the section - I also worked on my calculations and math concepts like averages and percentages since they can prove to be helpful in this section. Additionally, I got over my fear of making cases and getting bogged down by a set just because it has a lot of data - it can be the case that a set with scary-looking data can be a very simple set once you get over the data representation.
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Which section was your Achilles Heel? How did you overcome that?
Although I liked DILR more than the other two sections, it proved to be my Achilles Heel in my first attempt, where I scored 86.22%ile. As mentioned above, I practised a lot and practised variety to overcome it - this was mostly during May and June 2020 - where I spent weekends during lockdown to make myself better at solving and set selection both, and of course taking mocks regularly. Sections improve with volumes - as you practice more, certain things look familiar and you develop a knack for the section. In CAT 2020 I scored 99.37%ile in DILR.
How much time did you devote to preparation on a regular basis?
Around 2 hours a day during weekdays - mostly reading and solving DILR sets, and analysing gaps in mocks if any. My QA practice was largely questioned that other students used to send across - as my mindset was that if someone is asking me for a way out, my endeavour should be one that hopefully is more efficient than the conventional solution. Of course, this didn't happen always, but I tried to where I could.
During weekends, I used to take a mock for 3 hours and read and practice for 2h on Saturday and Sunday. Regularity and consistency are essential towards cracking this examination with a high percentile.
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What was the lowest point in your preparation journey and how did you overcome that?
I was extremely competitive when it came to mock tests, and often made the error of projecting it to how I'll perform on the actual day. There was a set of test takers whose scores I could not surpass at all and that used to give me nightmares and sleepless nights - making me think how I'll fare on the day - which I now realize was not needed. I overcame that with the help of my mentor who told me not to be over-competitive and relax so long as I'm doing well enough, if not absolutely well in the mock tests. I was able to develop that mindset for myself as the D-Day approached - this helped me more so in the interview process as well.
What resources would you suggest to future aspirants?
Past mock tests are a great resource. If you think you need a classroom program, join one. If you think you can do with self-study, put in your everything. But ensure you take exactly what you need and then put all your efforts. Even the current mock tests are a great resource for the reasons mentioned above (building endurance, question variety, etc.)
What according to you are the Do's and Don't's of preparation?
Do - Be regular and consistent. Strive to become an efficient solver. Read regularly and read from diverse sources and websites and get exposed to different opinions and learn to understand them rationally even if they are opposite to your own views. Have a mentor and a motivated study group.
Don't - Waste time on too many websites or too many groups. Have one study group. Don't purchase more resources than required - you won't finish all of it and therefore won't be able to obtain the value for money. Don't go around asking queries to too many people - you'll be stuck with too many opinions - focus on your prep. Do not ignore mock tests - take them regularly. Do not ever feel that I cannot make it to this college because of what I've done earlier - try doing your best in the CAT exam, and if you can secure a call (and convert) from the best possible college you could have got, you can pat yourself on your back.
Which mock series would you like to suggest to future aspirants?
Any 2 of the 3 major providers will do. There are also smaller providers who are emerging in the market and have pretty good quality mocks - including one Hyderabad based test prep company.
I would suggest aspirants to have at least 2 different mock series as that would give them exposure to a diverse set of questions and different styles of question setting.
What would be your final advice to aspirants?
Stay calm and focused. Know what you're getting into and with what objective in mind are you getting into it. Have that burning desire and you'll do well for yourself.
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