Tips from CAT Top Scorers

As you gear up for the challenge, insights from those who have aced the CAT exam and emerged as top scorers become invaluable. Here are exclusive last-minute tips directly from the CAT toppers of SDA Bocconi Asia Center, providing a glimpse into the strategies and approaches that led them to achieve the top percentiles. Whether you’re fine-tuning your preparation or seeking that final boost of motivation, the wisdom shared by these achievers promises to be a guide in your CAT preparation journey.  Khushi Thakkar | DI & LR: 99.24% | Former Analyst – Northern Trust Corporation

MBA is that extra feather in your journey of achievements which helps you understand the corporate world much better. I was always set in my mind that I wanted to pursue an MBA. I knew that this would exactly be the right opportunity for me to broaden my vision on how I approach things and also meet a lot of talented individuals. My strategy to try and ace the exam:

• I joined coaching for CAT/NMAT prep just 3 months before the exam date. I knew this was going to be a tough nut to crack, so I focused on the quality of the work rather than forcefully sitting for a pre-decided number of hours as I did not find it productive.
• I knew that Quants wasn’t my strong suit so I decided to pick up the easy topics and master them. Verbal was always a bit dicey, you can manage to crack some and some you can’t.
• About DI & LR, I was very sure that DI was not going to be easy for me since I was not good at numbers so I focused on the LR part and solved as many mocks as I could. Fortunately, I was able to crack 2 sets of LR and ended up scoring well.

What to do on the day of the CAT exam

My only strategy was to pick up the right questions, that’s the most important part. I didn’t want to waste my time on solving questions which were not going to be fruitful. My only tip for all the CAT aspirants is to not overdo or over-stress. Once you’re in the examination hall, it all depends on how calmly and smartly you handle the questions. Just pick and choose your questions and you’ll be good to go.

When I converted to SDA Bocconi Asia Center, it was a no-brainer for me. I did get into foreign universities before but I couldn’t attend. I wanted that global exposure which no other college could give me like SDA Bocconi would. Also, the fact that teachers fly down from Milan to teach us shows a lot about the commitment Bocconi has towards their students. The array of extra curricular activities hosted by Bocconi for the overall development of students was the icing on the cake.

Siddhant Mohite | CAT 2022: 96.76% | VA & RC: 98.43% | DI & LR: 97.51%

I chose to do an MBA to have a holistic knowledge of businesses which will help me develop a more in-depth and analytical way of thinking. Having spent 5 months here at SDA Bocconi Asia Center, I have realized the difference between a traditional MBA v/s the IMB program offered here. The kind of assignments and even the quality of them is top notch and challenging which drives you to put in more and more effort. Not just professors, but the student diversity in a B-school teaches you a lot of things from finance to marketing to business technology. Out of all the curriculums I saw that were offered by other B-schools that I got admitted to, SDA Bocconi Asia Center was offering one of the best forms of curriculum. Not just in terms of quality of education patterns like practical learning but also the varied list of elective subjects offered to choose from for your specializations during the second year of your course. I also aim to shift my career path into Consulting and Bocconi is strongly known for its progressive growth in having a strong alumni base of successful consultants. Looking back in time to my preparation stages:

• I made sure to do an additional revision of 2-3 hrs (1hr is enough if working) aside from classes every day. After classes ended, we reached the stage of self-preparation.
• I focused on two subjects every day: Quant & VARC then, VARC & LR, LR & Quant, and so on.
•  also focused on taking mocks. I recommend taking mocks as they are challenging and solve past papers for self-evaluation.

A few takeaways from my preparation journey would be:

• Concept clarity is most important as questions might change but the concepts wont.
• Don’t focus too much on your mock scores! Even though I had low scores in the beginning, my final scores didn’t disappoint me.
• Keep practicing regularly and keep concepts clear.

My go to tip for the exam day would be – light revision on topics you find tough, rest well and stay calm, don’t be too anxious, other than that you should be fully prepared from all the months of studying.

Dhrumil Senghani | CAT 2022: 97.22% | DI & LR: 99.52% | Quant: 96.77%

I am Dhrumil Senghani. My interest in business and finance led me to pursue a Bachelor of Management Studies degree.. During my second year, I interned at a private CA firm, gaining hands-on experience in accounting and taxation, further solidifying my interest in this field. Pursuing higher education in business seemed the logical next step in my career trajectory.

Here’s how I prepared myself for the entrance exams:

I attempted CAT, NMAT, and SNAP and for the same I joined a leading Institute for coaching. Commencing my preparation six months before the CAT exam. The AIM-CATS were particularly helpful in enhancing my mock scores. Additionally, for strategies and motivation, I frequently referred to YouTube videos. Tackle Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

• The unpredictability of the CAT exam demands sharp analytical skills. You have to be prepared for anything new or random that you might have never solved in your mocks or practice questions.
• After numerous mock tests, I learned to identify solvable and manageable sets within five minutes.
• I would suggest attempting 2 sets so that you can get around 7-8 questions right.
• Always save the last 2 minutes for other sets and try to carefully guess the answers of TITA questions of other sets in the same section.

Quant

• YouTube was a valuable resource for discovering time-saving shortcuts for problem-solving.
• I focused on identifying and solving easier, feasible questions first.
• If I was uncertain about an answer and unable to reconcile it with options, I moved on swiftly to the next question to avoid dwelling excessively on one problem.

I also attempted NMAT which requires high speed in calculation and logical thinking. For preparation, I would suggest buying an NMAT guide which will cover all the required topics. 

Life at SDA Bocconi Asia Center is a bustling yet close-knit experience. A typical day as a Bocconi student is filled with insightful lectures, engaging discussions, and collaborative projects. You can experience refreshing moments at campus by playing table tennis or enjoying diverse cuisines in the lunch area. The academic clubs host enriching sessions, adding depth to our learning. 

However, your first aim and step should be to ace these entrance examinations. Make sure to stay calm and give your best shot, All the best to all the aspirants out there!

Anjalee Mairh | CAT 2022: 95.72% | VA & RC: 99.34% 

I am Anjalee Mairh. I come from a small city in Gujarat and completed my BBA from the Institute of Management, Nirma University.
I prepared for the CAT exam systematically, focusing on each section separately. Starting with the basics of DILR, I gradually moved on to Quantitative and dedicated time to build a strong foundation. For Verbal, other than mock tests and reading materials online, I relied on newspapers to enhance vocabulary and reading speed, ensuring familiarity with phrases commonly used. Specific strategies for excelling in VA & RC

• Firstly, it’s crucial to read the questions carefully without rushing into answers. I found the process of elimination incredibly useful for tricky questions.
• Also, scanning through the questions before diving into the paragraph helps in targeted problem-solving.
• After solving fill-in-the-blanks, I’d speak out sentences to ensure correctness. When encountering unfamiliar words, context became my guide to deduce their meanings.

Regular mock tests simulated the exam environment and helped fine-tune my approach.

Strategies for the Exam day:

• Firstly, have clarity about your career path.
• Secondly, try to avoid over-fixating on specific sections, as having equal attention to all three sections is vital.
• Lastly, approach the exam with a calm and composed mindset—”trust your hard work to yield results.

The admission process at Bocconi involved a comprehensive form submission, allowing for deep introspection. My diverse extracurricular background received significant weightage. Upon selection for the interview round, questions spanned current affairs, subject knowledge, and personal experiences. The interviewer’s supportive and encouraging demeanor made the process enriching. SDA Bocconi Asia Center’s appeal lies in its global presence, student-centric ethos, and diverse curriculum. The institution’s international presence ensures a global outlook, while its focus on individual students gives a personalized learning environment. This holistic approach to education perfectly resonated with my long-term aspirations.