CAT 2017: How Viraj Sheth scored 99.95 percentile despite being from a vernacular medium

Viraj Sheth

Overall percentile: 99.95

DILR percentile: 99.88

Verbal Ability percentile: 99.17

Quantitative Ability percentile: 99.54

Viraj Sheth, 20, is among the top scorers in CAT 2017 with an amazing overall percentile of 99.95. For this boy from Bhavnagar, CAT success is a result of hard work and self-confidence. It is only because of hard work and self-confidence that despite being from a vernacular medium of education, Viraj scored 99.17 percentile in Verbal Ability.

Talking to Shiksha, Viraj revealed his prep strategy and future plan.

About CAT score

CAT is an unpredictable test so you generally expect less. I was expecting 99.8 percentile, but there were a few questions that I got right, that’s why I got higher marks. This was my first attempt. I am a fresher studying B Tech (currently in fourth year) at DAIICT, Gandhinagar.

Next step: IIM

I have got interview call from IIM Calcutta and would like to study there because the atmosphere there is livelier as compared to IIM Ahmedabad or other IIMs.

Preparation strategy

I took coaching classes and did mock series. I started preparing in June 2016, but the last six months are most crucial. Earlier I used to study 1-2 hours a day, but in the last six months I studied for 7 hours on an average, every day. I took 42 mock tests.

Being an Engineering student, I am strong in DILR and Quant. Though DILR and Quant too require hard work and practice, but I’d say I was comfortable with those two subjects. But since I am from a vernacular medium of education, VA was a toughie. I had to work hard on that and I am happy that my hard work paid off and I scored 99.17.

Also, DILR and Quant are subjects in which you can judge your improvement as you move forward, but in VA it is not like that. You don’t really get to know how much you have improved until the final result, so for VA one has to keep practicing and have faith and confidence in self.

Support from family and friends

My brother was a great support and help during my preparation for CAT 2017, as he too appeared in the same exam. This was his second attempt and he scored 99.86. So peer learning was of great help to me. Also, my friends who were also preparing for CAT 2017 were of great support. Having a friends’ group is great as you get to learn from each other. And of course, my parents supported us throughout. I attribute my success to them. It wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Future plan

Climbing up the managerial ladder in corporate sector without an MBA degree takes 10-15 years, but if you have an MBA degree, you can climb the same ladder in 2 years. Thus, I want to pursue management from IIM Calcutta and then take up a good corporate job as a manager.

Hobbies

I like to play chess and teach Physics, Maths and Computer Science informally to primary level students.

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