64 To 84 To 98.5 Percentile I 3 Attempts To Bell The CAT, Ft. Dipshika Damani

Even though I failed to fulfil my ultimate goal, I was glad that if I was able to score 84%. I told to myself, “I will definitely get better the next time.” My parents told me that probably I was pressurising myself more than required. I was even told by some people, “This is not your cup of tea Dipshika”.

Even after a two-time failure and my unwillingness to continue with the IT job, I didn’t stop believing in myself. I knew that the third time would either mean everything or nothing. I started my preparations with full force from April and adhered to my timeline as much as possible. My daily routine was waking up at 7, leaving at 8:45 and studying on the way to office. I would read newspaper articles in office and would use my lunchtime to study in the library. While my friends would use the one hour break to chill and actually take a break, I didn’t show my face and headed straight to the library. Sometimes, when my manager wasn’t there, I would use that time to solve questions. I must say, my teammates were really supportive. Having a mentor in your life is so important. I was blessed to have friends and mentors who helped me during tough times and believed in me even if I doubted myself. I used to leave office by 8 pm and reach home at 9:15 pm. After returning home, I would study till 1 or 2. This was my routine for the entire seven months.

On weekends, I dedicated my time to mocks which I started from June. Initially, my mock scores were very low. I would make a graph of all the mock scores - sectionals and total. I also kept noting my strong and weak areas in every mock and applied a different strategy every time till I found the one in which I was the most comfortable in. I followed books for Quants and relied on mock questions for LRDI and VA-RC practice.

Sometimes, I would ask myself, “What if I unable to do it this time?” Even though I was never able to score more than 85 percentile in my mocks, I never gave up. I guess my job was the propeller behind my hard work. But as luck would have it, I fainted just a week before the exam and got 3 stitches on my knee. All I wished was to be able to sit in the chair and perform well. The D-Day went well.

The day before the results, I resigned because I was afraid that if my results were not up to the mark, I would never be able to resign.  I had no back-up plans. The results day arrived and I scored 98.49%ile. I could not stop crying. My happiness knew no bounds. I had always dreamt of this day.  Even if I achieve a lot of things in future, that day will always remind me of what my potential is, that dreams do come true if you throw yourself all into it. I had calls from all almost top B-Schools. This will be the biggest achievement in my entire life because this is what restored my self-confidence.

As I completed my first year in MDI, I went to the ground and looked up to the sky cherishing each and every moment that made me stronger. I couldn’t have asked for more. During this roller-coaster ride of success and failures, I would think that maybe one day when I achieve my goal, my failures would help as learning for people. I hope my story inspires people to not give up on anything just yet.  May the space between where you are and where you want to be, inspire you, always!

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If you liked this story, you may also be interested in the following:

• My Journey To XLRI Jamshedpur Ft. Shashwat Dharmadhikari | Against All Odds
• From 19 Percentile In VA-RC To 95 Percentile - Against All Odds
• 10 Inspirational Stories To Motivate You | Ft. IIM A, IIM K, XLRI Jamshedpur
• Inspirational Stories Of Aspirants Who Belled CAT In Their 2nd, 3rd and 4th Attempt

Write-up Credits: Dipshika Damani, PGPM (2019-21), MDI Gurgaon

About the Author

Dipshika Damani is a second-year PGPM student at MDI Gurgaon. With a dash of flexibility and a bout of unwavering morale, Dipshika is also described as super fun-loving by her friends. An avid reader and traveller by heart, her dream is to try every adventurous sport possible.