Kshitiz Singhal, a final year Mechanical Engineering student of IIT Bombay has cracked CAT 2020 with 99.99 percentile. Read the full interview here on his preparation strategy and future plans.
Kshitiz Singhal
Overall CAT 2020 Percentile: 99.99
VARC Percentile: 99.58
DILR Percentile: 99.94
QA Percentile: 99.97
Kshitiz Singhal has maintained his track record of being a topper throughout his school and college life by cracking CAT 2020 with a whopping 99.99 percentile. A final year Mechanical Engineering student of IIT Bombay, Kshitiz has realised his leadership potential and wants to further hone it by pursuing management studies from IIM Ahmedabad. A stand-up comic by his hobby, he aims to explore a career in Consulting domain as he feels that it would complement his analytical and communication skills. In this interview with Shiksha, Khisitiz shares his CAT preparation strategy, aspirations and suggestions for MBA aspirants.
Q. Tell us something about yourself.
A: I am a final year Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Bombay. I hail from Ahmedabad. I have an academically oriented family and I have always had a leadership potential within me. I am currently the head of the Student Consulting group of my college.
Q. Tell us about your preparation strategy.
A: I started preparing in July. Being from an engineering background helped me in my preparation as I am good in Quants. I started my preparation by knowing about the CAT exam pattern and syllabus. Once I completed the syllabus, I started taking mock tests. Although I did not enrol into any coaching institute, I bought study materials and took a mock test series from noted institutes for practice purpose.
Q. What were your strong and weak areas and what did you do to improve the same?
A: Quant was my strong area and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) was my weak area. I think this scenario is common for all Engineers! To improve the VARC section, I took the help of my seniors who are currently pursuing MBA. They told me to work on fundamentals. I reworked on my approach to solving the question. I also analysed my mock tests in detail and identified the areas where I needed to improve. After following this method, my mock test scores started improving.
Q: What was your exam day strategy and test-taking experience?
A: Since my exam was scheduled in the third slot, I already came across the first slot analysis and reports and knew what to expect. There was much lesser time for each question as the overall duration was reduced to two hours instead of three hours. But the changed pattern did not bother me much since speed and accuracy were my strengths. Since CAT requires these factors, so I made the most of it to steer the exam in my favour.
As far as test-taking experience is concerned, it was indeed difficult to sit through the test wearing mask and gloves. Since I had anticipated that and practised taking the test with my mask and gloves on, I got a bit habituated. I made it a point to not let such issues hamper my concentration.
Q. How did you deal with the stress of CAT prep and exam?
A: The pandemic situation was really uncertain and scary which affected everyone. I made a time-table wherein along with the study schedule, I kept time for refreshments as well. I used to make targets, such as completing a topic within one or two hours, which used to follow with a 10-15 minutes break. Within this break, I used to listen to music or go for a stroll. This was a really calming exercise and helped break the monotony of continuous preparation.
Q. What are your hobbies? Did you follow these hobbies during the preparation phase as well?
A: My hobby is stand-up comedy and I have performed in college and being appreciated as well. Unfortunately, during the preparation phase, I could not practice much. Apart from CAT, I was also preparing for my end-semester exams and placements. Although I occasionally watched few videos on stand-up comedy but could not indulge much.
Q. What is your dream B-School and why?
A: My dream B-School is IIM Ahmedabad. I have always kept my targets high to be motivated enough to achieve it. Being a topper throughout I have always been in the best of the institutes. Since IIM Ahmedabad is the top B-School in India, it is my dream destination for MBA. Moreover, my family is based in Ahmedabad and that is another reason why I want to get into IIM A, as it would be closer home.
Q. What is your plan after completing MBA?
A: I plan to build my career in the Consulting domain as it aligns with my personality and strength. I think as a Consultant, I would be able to utilise my analytical mind and conversationalist nature.
Q. What are your suggestions for future CAT aspirants?
A: My suggestion for the aspirants is to work on your fundamentals, speed and accuracy. CAT is a fairly easy exam and if you devote enough time for preparation and study systematically, you will be able to crack it. It is possible to solve all the questions in Quant and DILR. It would be possible with constant practice. You need not study for 10 hours in a day but if you start early, say in January and February, and study for two to three hours in a day working on our fundamentals and solve a variety of questions, it would do the trick. Other aspects of CAT preparation is identifying your weak areas and working on them, and taking regular mock tests and analysing them thoroughly.
Read More:
CAT 2020 Toppers, Scores and their Percentiles
Sreetama has over a decade of editorial experience in the higher education beat. A wanderlust by passion, she is also an avid reader and a music lover. Among friends, she is popular for her sense of humour.
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Comments
At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto...At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto 20000 in CMAT or 230 and above score in NMAT then LPU NEST is exempted.
D
Which colleges can I get with 75 %ile in CAT?
At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto...At LPU the eligibility for MBA at LPU is Pass with 55% aggregate marks in Bachelors degree (any discipline) or equivalent, subject to qualifying LPU NEST or CAT or MAT or XAT or NMAT or CMAT^ and Interview. The student should have 80 Percentile or above in CAT or MAT or XAT or All India Rank upto 20000 in CMAT or 230 and above score in NMAT then LPU NEST is exempted.
Here are the colleges you can get with 75 percentile:Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal78+ PercentileIndian School of Mines, Dhanbad75 PercentileAmrita School of Business, Coimbatore75 PercentileJaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow & Jaipur75 PercentileBirla Institute of Techn...Here are the colleges you can get with 75 percentile:
Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal
78+ Percentile
Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
75 Percentile
Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore
75 Percentile
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow & Jaipur
75 Percentile
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
75 Percentile
Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies, Harihar & Pune
75 Percentile
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textile Management, Coimbatore
75 Percentile
Vel Tech Dr. RR & Dr. SR University, Chennai
75 Percentile
Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur
75 Percentile
Christ University, Bangalore
75 Percentile
FMS, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad
75 Percentile
IBS Business School, Hyderabad
75 Percentile
National Institute of Technology, Warangal
75 Percentile
BIMTECH, Greater Noida
75 Percentile
SOIL Gurgaon - SOIL Institute of Management
70 Percentile (Minimum)
h
While filling CAT 2022 form, I followed the best of 5 marking pattern for SSC which is not correct. Can I fill the form again?
We should avoid common mistakes while filling the CAT form are:1. Not having the required documents: when applying for CAT not having your documents ready can significantly increase of chances of error. 2. Entering personal details incorrectly: Another common mistake candidates usually make it wh...We should avoid common mistakes while filling the CAT form are:
1. Not having the required documents: when applying for CAT not having your documents ready can significantly increase of chances of error.
2. Entering personal details incorrectly: Another common mistake candidates usually make it while entering their personal details.
3. Uploading unclear photograph and signature: uploading your photograph is the last step of entering your personal details in the CAT application form.
No, you cannot fill the form again. You should always read the instructions carefully before filling any form.
S
I have heard that UGC has given regulations for CAT eligibility that the colleges can accept CAT eligibility for the past two years. Is it?
An entry to the MBA world requires the candidates to appear for entrance exams of which the most popular is the CAT or Common Admission Test. The CAT Score allows the candidate to be eligible for most of the best B-Schools in India including the IIMs which hold the CAT Exam. The CAT exam eligibil...An entry to the MBA world requires the candidates to appear for entrance exams of which the most popular is the CAT or Common Admission Test. The CAT Score allows the candidate to be eligible for most of the best B-Schools in India including the IIMs which hold the CAT Exam. The CAT exam eligibility has remained more or less the same in the past years. As per the CAT notification for CAT the same criteria will be followed without any changes. Aspirants should review the criteria, given below in detail, to check if they are eligible for the exam before they begin preparing. They should understand the factors and requirements to appear for CAT 2022 to avoid disqualification at any stage of the admission process. Moreover, candidates should also identify the eligibility criteria for the B-schools separately along with the difference in the eligibility requirements for CAT and the IIM.
The CAT score card is valid for a period of one year only. After which candidates will have to take the following years' CAT exam for admissions in respective institutes. Most of the Institutions/Universities in India accept the CAT score for admissions.
R
What percentile should I score in CAT exam to get MDI Gurgaon under defence quota?
Going by my own experience and of others who have a similar profile as yours, you can expect a call from MDI at about 96.5 -97 percentile. A few people from my batch had received calls at a lower percentile as well but that again varies from year to year. So all in all, 97 percentile would be a s...Going by my own experience and of others who have a similar profile as yours, you can expect a call from MDI at about 96.5 -97 percentile. A few people from my batch had received calls at a lower percentile as well but that again varies from year to year. So all in all, 97 percentile would be a safe bet.
The MDI Gurgaon is the best college which has defence quota. The percentile which is required by MDI Gurgaon under defence quota is expected as 94 percentile. It is also the best college for defence.
A
How to start preparing with CAT and IIFT?
To start first start with your basics remember these 4 to 5 points 1) read 1 hour every day
2. Do sudoku and basics of dilr
3. Do quant from ncert if your basics are weak if it is strong then do past year paper or previous year mock
5. Give ample amount of mock and sectional test thanks.
S
I am applying for CAT 2022 and also had applied for CAT last year. Do I need to re-register or should use last year's credentials?
Yes, you have to apply for the CAT form again from the beginning even if you have registered last year also. Since exam score is valid for only one year.
P
I have a gap year in my engineering. What should I fill in the duration of course in CAT form? Should I fill 4 or 5 years?
It will still be counted as 4 years.
S
I'm under waiting list at a rank of 64 CS and 14 (IT) in ETH category in CUSAT CAT 2022. Is there a chance to get admission with these?
Authorities have prepared the rank list of CUSAT CAT 2022 on the basis of the percentile index. Percentile index is calculated by using the given formula- [ (n+1-p)/n)]x S x 100Here, n denotes the number of candidates appearing for the exam in a particular subject, p denotes the position accordin...Authorities have prepared the rank list of CUSAT CAT 2022 on the basis of the percentile index. Percentile index is calculated by using the given formula- [ (n+1-p)/n)]x S x 100
Here, n denotes the number of candidates appearing for the exam in a particular subject, p denotes the position according to the CUSAT CAT score and S denotes the actual score of the candidate. Once the percentile index is calculated, the authorities will integrate the Percentile Indices to calculate the relative position of a candidate in the CUSAT CAT rank list 2022 for a particular engineering programme.
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I have scored 71% in 10th,64% in 12th and in UG, 70%. I belong to SC category. Can I get into FMS or not with 90 %ile in CAT?
1551 Institutes accepting CAT
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Which college can I get with 75 percent marks in CAT?
Reply to Devanshu Nath