Interview with CAT 2022 Topper from CSE

 

Hello EVERYONE, we are here again but this time with a written interview with Ms. Priyanshi Dalke ma'am. She is from Computer Science Engineering batch 2021 then she worked at TCS for 2 years and currently pursuing MBA from IIM Raipur. 

Interviewer:-"When should we start to prepare for CAT?"

She:- "Start to prepare for CAT atleast 6 months before the exam (which is generally in November). Many people need to give the exam atleast 2 times before they get it right. So start right away if you want to try for MBA. You might change your mind mid-way, but it is better to start now and change later."

Interviewer:- "From which topics or subject should we begin our preparation and why?"

She:- "Start with the basics of all topics - Quant, LRDI and VARC. VARC can generally be developed by maintaining a reading habit. But Quant and DILR require a lot of practice.

Interviewer:-"How could we manage our preparation with college things like attendance and assignment?"

She:-"I did my engineering from UEC, so I know there is not much thing as academic rigour there or in any engineering college per se. You can easily take a couple of hours out of your day to prepare for CAT. If attendance is an issue, you can opt for online coaching, but self-study for two hours a day is important."

P.S.: If you wish to pursue an MBA from an IIM, be prepared for a rigorous curriculum (and a sleep cycle of 4 hours a day)

Interviewer:- "Can you elaborate your preparation strategy for Verbal, Quant and LRDI? "

She:-"VARC was my strength, I had a bit of reading habit and a good vocabulary, so that did not require much preparation. But if English is something that you struggle with, start reading right away."

"Quant and LRDI gets better with practice. Practice from any book, material that coaching institutes provide, PYQs, etc."

Interviewer:-"Role of mock test and pyqs plays? How many mock tests and pyqs should we solve?"

She:-"Mock test and PYQs play a major role in CAT preparation. I would suggest atleast a month before exam start giving mock tests and solving PYQs regularly. And attempt as though you’re giving the real exam- with time and space constraints. Post attempting, analyse the results and work on your weaknesses."

Interviewer:- "What mistakes you made during preparation and you want that no one should make them?"

She:-"One mistake I made was taking the preparation lightly, thinking that the first time is just for practice, I’ll be cracking it next year only. I got the call for CAP colleges and some IITs, but not for BLACKI. So my suggestion is- Prepare to win!"

Interviewer:- "Did you joined coaching? Which is better Online vs Offline? Can suggest any offline coaching in Ujjain or Indore?"

She:-"I didn’t join any coaching, but I suggest everyone to join some institute as it provides direction and discipline. Offline is always better but if there are time constraints then online is also fine but be regular and disciplined. Coaching - TIME is good."

Interviewer:-" Is there any specific skill set and area in which we should work to give our preparation boost? "

She:- "Work on your reading. You need to be updated on the current affairs as well as improve your reading speed and interpretation. And start TODAY!"

Interviewer:-"What should be our target percentile in CAT to get into good IIM? "

She:-"Target percentile for a fresher should ideally be above 97, if your profile is good. Otherwise for top IIMs-99 above is required."

Interviewer:- "Ma'am, at the end our profile matters a lot to get into IIM, so how can we improve it? Is there any specific internship or certificate course you would like to suggest? "

She:-"Profile matters more after you enter IIM also. So make good projects, get certifications of up and coming technologies- Generative AI, trends like Digital Marketing etc."

"Participate in extra curricular activities."

Interviewer:- "Which exams should we target other than CAT so that we can pursue MBA from good college?"

She:-"XAT, NMAT, SNAP, IIFT, XLRI."

Interviewer :-"Questions from students":-

A. How much time should we give to our preparation to score 98%ile+?  :-Arpi

A. If you start atleast 6 months before November, then 2 hours a day self study should be enough. You’ll get to know more once you give some mock tests if you need to increase that time or not.

B. Should hindi medium students go for hindi medium or should go for English medium? :- Anushka

B. Go for English medium. Learn English. Read a lot, watch English movies and series (you can ping me for suggestions 🤭) . If not in CAT, you’ll need exceptional English in IIMs as well.

C. Best source for self study and can I score 95%ile+ in three months? :- Saurabh

C. Youtube and Arun Sharma.

D. I have average marks in 10th and 12th so what should be my approach?

D. Study hard for CAT. Harder than everyone else. Average marks is good enough, but since you’re a fresher you’ll need higher score in CAT anyway to compete with work ex people.

• Exams other than CAT 

E. I answered that above.

Interviewer:- "Advice for students going to appear in CAT 2023 and CAT 2024?"

She:- "Students going for CAT 2023- Just give it your everything. You just have about three months. Sleep less, study more. You can always sleep after CAT. Give as many mock tests as you can and evaluate yourself after every test." 

Strategise- "You can’t attempt all the questions anyway, so make sure you know your strengths and while reading the questions figure out whether you’re attempting it or not. Follow this approach in your mocks as well. Keep mocks timed."

"Students going for CAT 2024- You can start now so that by the actual time comes you’ll be very thorough with your strength and weakness and can crack it at one go. If you’re going to be working for another year at a job, it’s good you start now in college, because you get even less time in job."

"One approach you can take is start the coaching now and in the next year you can just focus on mock tests and self study, you’ll anyway have the material from the coaching."

"Remember: There is no substitute for self study."

Interviewer:- "We have heard lot about hectic schedule of IIMs. So, how does schedule and college life works in IIMs?"

She:-"Not to demotivate or scare you, but whatever you’ve heard is probably an understatement. The schedule of IIMs is as rigorous as it gets. For the first few months, at least until you get your SIPs, you barely get 4 hours of sleep a day. There are classes on weekend as well - not all weekend but most. And besides classes, we have assignments, quizzes and mid term and end term.(IIMs follow term system not semester system). Also you have to be very proactive and work with your clubs and committees while working for summer internship placements. "

"In IIMs, they not only teach you management subjects, but managing time, stress and life without sleep as well🤭"

"So, start getting prepared for that rigour from your CAT preparation itself."

Interviewer:- Thanks a lot ma'am for taking out time for us from your hectic schedule.