CAT 2023 Topper Interview: Know How Nishakar Kumar Scored 99.83 Percentile

Nishakar Kumar is one of the CAT 2023 toppers with an overall score of 99.83 percentile. In the article below, he has shared his CAT preparation journey and success mantra. Read below to know more.

CAT 2023 Topper Nishakar Kumar

CAT 2023 Topper Interview: IIM Lucknow released CAT result 2023 on December 21, 2023. Nishakar Kumar, a final year BTech student, scored 99.83 percentile and got his name included in the CAT 2023 toppers list. He is currently pursuing a degree in Instrumentation Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. His academic journey began at Mothers Public School, Bhubaneswar, where he completed his Class 10 and Class 12 with grades exceeding 90%.

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Nishakar, a CAT 2023 topper, expressed his interest in exploring new endeavors. In his free time, beyond activities like watching movies and playing games, he enjoys delving into fresh topics and engaging in project ideas. Recently, he also took the initiative to start his own YouTube channel. Let’s dive into Nishakar Kumar's CAT preparation strategy to get 99+ percentile. Read the article below to know more.

CAT 2023 Topper Interview: Highlights

Check out the table below to get an overview of the Nishakar's CAT percentile 2023:

CAT 2023 Topper Interview with Nishakar Kumar

Shiksha: Congratulations! Are you satisfied with your CAT result? How much score were you expecting?

Nishakar: I expected a percentile of 99.7 or higher based on my response sheet, the actual score of 99.83 %ile was a delightful surprise. I am genuinely content with my performance, particularly considering that I prepared for the exam within a three-month timeframe and at the same time managing my academics.

Shiksha: Was this your first attempt at the CAT exam?

Nishakar: Yes, this was my first attempt.

Shiksha: When did you start preparing for the CAT exam? What was your overall prep strategy?

Nishakar: I started preparing for the CAT exam after my summer internship. As the exam neared, I shifted my focus to prioritize practice over study. In November, I took one mock test daily. Utilizing the previous year's CAT question papers as mock exams, I attained satisfactory scores, significantly enhancing my confidence. A pivotal aspect of my last-minute strategy included identifying challenging questions during practice, bookmarking them, and dedicating the days before the exam to revisiting and refining my approach to these specific questions.

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Shiksha: What was your CAT section-wise preparation strategy?

Nishakar: Quant emerged as my strength, whereas DILR presented a challenge. To address my weakness in DILR, I invested considerable time in understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Simultaneously, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp. I considered myself decent in VARC and did not prioritize extensive practice, recognizing its language-centric nature and believing that significant improvement within a three-month timeframe might be limited.

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Shiksha: Which books did you refer to for CAT preparation?

Nishakar: I used the CAT study material provided by my coaching platforms.

Also Read: Best Books to Prepare for CAT

Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute? How does a coaching institute help in CAT preparation?

Nishakar: Yes, I joined two coaching institutes in online mode. The coaching proved exceptionally beneficial, and the provided material served as a guiding force throughout my CAT preparation, ensuring a focus on the most relevant topics.

Shiksha: How many mock tests did you attempt; highlight how crucial was mock test series during CAT preparation?

Nishakar: I attempted 40+ mock tests with a mock test daily in the final month of CAT preparation. The mock test series is invaluable in enabling students to pinpoint areas for improvement. I strongly recommend opting for CAT mock tests early in the preparation phase to identify strengths and weaknesses promptly. This approach provides ample time to address weaknesses and reinforce strengths.

Shiksha: What was your exam day strategy?

Nishakar:For the CAT exam day, I adopted a systematic time management strategy for each section.

In VARC, I prioritized completing all four Reading Comprehension passages before addressing Verbal Ability. However, this strategy proved counterproductive, as the comprehension passages were challenging, leaving me with limited time for the easier verbal ability questions.

For DILR, I aimed to solve two doable sets. Fortunately, I selected two doable sets and successfully solved them.

In Quant, my focus was on strategic question selection. Continuously navigating through the question panel, I solved the easier questions as they presented themselves, optimizing my time and maximizing efficiency.

Also Read: CAT Exam Day Tips

Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?

Nishakar: For those gearing up for next year's CAT, my advice is to identify and address weaknesses early in the preparation journey. Take mocks early to pinpoint areas for improvement. Consistency is the key, so practice regularly and diligently. Enhance reading speed by incorporating newspapers and books into your routine. Familiarize yourself with the computer-based testing environment through online mock tests.

Shiksha: Which IIMs /Institutes are you targeting?

Nishakar: I am targeting the top IIMs, with a preference for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta (IIM A/B/C).

Read More:

• IIM Admission Criteria
• CAT Exam Cutoff
• CAT result 
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