99.86 percentiler Gitanj Sheth took 75 mocks to crack CAT 2017

Gitanj Sheth

Overall Percentile: 99.86

Quantitative Ability percentile: 99.99

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning percentile: 98.41

Verbal Ability percentile: 95.13

Since Gitanj Sheth was dissatisfied with his CAT score in 2016, he decided to take the test again. This time he didn’t want to leave any stone unturned so gave CAT 2017 all of his time and dedication. This 22-year old, Mechanical Engineering graduate from Nirma University scored an impressive 99.86 percentile in his second attempt and is mighty elated with his scores.

While his younger brother Viraj Sheth too cracked CAT 2017 with 99.95 percentile, it is double celebration in Sheth household. Both Viraj and Gitanj have got interview call from IIM Calcutta, so it is quite likely that they both will be studying together in future.

In an interview with Shiksha, Gitanj shared his prep strategy and future plans.

About CAT score
I felt glad! It is quite enough for me to get what I aimed for. It is much of an improvement from my first attempt in 2016 with an overall percentile 98.74. I gave my best. What else could I wish for!

Next step: IIM
So far, I have received calls from IIM Calcutta and IIM Kozhikode. IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore are yet to declare their calls. IIM Ahmedabad and Bngalore didn’t give me a call, as I am a GEM aka General Engineer Male. As far as dream institute is concerned, I don’t put any particular institute in that category. BLACKI are dream institutes.

Since, I am a fresher and yet to experience the corporate world, I would make a decision about specialization only after the completion of my first year in MBA.

Preparation strategy
I did not take up a job, as when you want such a nice score, total commitment is a must. So, I had hours of preparation time. I took a lot of mocks. Precisely 75 mocks. CAT mock test attempts and their analysis was a crucial part of my preparation. Other than that, I took a lot of sectional tests, solved materials, helped my colleagues in solving their doubts, etc.

I think, helping others is one of the best ways to learn when their doubts are somewhat about your level. So, when you excel in some section, having a habit of helping others in that section will make you a master of that section. 99.99 percentile in QA section is what I have achieved.

Working upon weakness
Having studied in the vernacular medium for the first 12 years, the verbal section was a challenge for me. I had scored 89 in verbal section in my first attempt. There was a need for me to somehow push hard enough in this section and for that I got a lot of help from Gejo sir of Career Launcher. I learnt a lot from him about how to see the verbal section from a different perspective, smartly. Those techniques helped me a lot to sail through in this section. Other than that, several mocks and sectional tests helped me to improve my performance. In the rest two sections, I had to only polish my skills to the top-level.

Importance of coaching institute
Joining a coaching insitute is important for mulitple reasons. Especially when it is your second attempt. Your colleagues and faculties from coaching classes help you a lot to hold the momentum. Else, once you lose the momentum, instead of an improved score, you end up with worse performance. They also are the best source for getting your queries solved. Also, the competition among each other keeps you running and maintaining your pace. They also have smarter ways to do the same thing, which are generally difficult to find by yourself. In my path to success, two coaching classes have played major roles, which are Endeavor and Career Launcher. I will always be grateful to them.

Brothers Gitanj and Viraj Sheth

Future plans
To use my knowledge and skills of management in the opportunities that I see worth grabbing.

Hobbies
My hobbies include Hydroponics, which is a type of soil-less farming/gardening; to play keyboard, to solve Quant in smarter ways, to do Jugaad, physical & mental exercises, to solve real-life problems, archery, to read scientific magazines, casual cooking, to make new friends, and visit new places.

Tips for future CAT aspirants
Believe in yourself and in your efforts. Do not just stick to what others believe, use your own sense and carve your own way. Not everyone is comfortable with same preparations methods. Find your own and stick with them until the end. Think smarter. Find smarter approaches to the same questions, especially in Quant. This is not a one day/week/month game. This is a battle over months. Generate enough momentum to sail you through until the D-day.

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