CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Mani Secured 100 Percentile with Self Study

Mani got his name included in the 14 candidates who secured 100 percentile in CAT 2024. In an exclusive chat with Shiksha, Mani shares how he got himself in the CAT toppers list using self study.

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Mani Secured 100 Percentile with Self Study

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: IIM Calcutta declared CAT 2024 results online on its official website. Mani Praneeth Chilukuri is a BTech CSE graduate from IIT Bombay. He secred 100 percentile and got his name included in the CAT 2024 toppers list. He aims for admission into the ABC IIMs or the Young Leaders Programme at ISB Hyderabad. In a CAT topper interview with shiksha.com, Mani shared his self-driven study plan that led to his success in the CAT exam. This article provides details on what Manu Praneeth, CAT 2024 topper, has to share about his CAT preparation journey.

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Highlights

CAT 2024 Topper Interview with 100 Percentiler

Shiksha: Congratulations on 100 percentile in CAT! Are you satisfied with your score? What were your expectations?

Mani: Yes, I’m extremely satisfied with my CAT result. Honestly, I didn’t approach the exam with specific score expectations. I treated it as an opportunity to test my abilities under pressure. My primary focus was on maintaining a calm and composed mindset in the exam hall, which I believe played a significant role in achieving this result. While I aimed to do my best, the perfect score was a pleasant surprise.

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

Mani: Yes, this was my first attempt at the CAT exam.

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

Mani: My main focus for the CAT exam was not on an extensive preparation strategy but rather on leveraging my exam temperament. I’ve always believed that staying calm, composed, and focused during the exam is far more critical than the amount of preparation. This approach has consistently helped me perform well in competitive exams.

In terms of preparation, I started just a few weeks before the exam due to my job and other commitments. I prioritised understanding the exam format, syllabus, and structure through YouTube videos. I then solved a few previous years’ question papers to familiarize myself with the patterns.

Ultimately, I relied on my ability to handle pressure, maintain a clear mind, and approach the exam systematically. This mindset helped me maximize my performance, even with limited preparation time.

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

Mani: Here is how I prepared for all three sections of CAT exam:

VARC: Having taken exams like GRE and TOEFL earlier, I was already comfortable with reading and analyzing long passages. My strategy here was to stick to the basics:

• I focused on taking notes while reading passages, which helped me retain important points.
• I made sure to understand the paragraphs deeply and avoid making any assumptions. My focus was solely on interpreting what was presented in the text.

DILR: Coming from an engineering background, I found the logical and analytical aspects of this section relatively intuitive. My approach was to:

• Stay calm and composed to avoid overcomplicating the problems.
• Focus on identifying patterns quickly and ensuring that I approached each problem with clarity and no baggage from any previous sections or questions.
• Prioritize accuracy while maintaining speed, which can be achieved through practice.

QA: Again, as someone with a strong foundation in mathematics, I felt quite comfortable with the QA section. My strategy was:

• To stay composed and avoid silly mistakes, especially under time pressure.
• To solve questions systematically and accurately, leveraging my familiarity with concepts to ensure speed without compromising precision.

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Shiksha: Any specific books that helped in your CAT preparation?

Mani: I didn’t refer to any specific books for CAT preparation. My approach was more practical and focused on understanding the exam format and practicing previous years’ question papers.

Also Read: Best Books to Prepare for CAT

Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute?

Mani: No, I did not join any coaching institute. My CAT exam prep was self-driven. However, I believe that coaching institutes can be quite helpful for candidates who need structured guidance, discipline, or a clear study plan. They provide curated study materials, CAT mock tests, and a competitive environment. 

Shiksha: How many mock tests did you attempt and how important is a mock test series?

Mani: I didn’t follow a traditional mock test series, but I did attempt previous years’ CAT papers under timed conditions, treating them as full mock tests. This helped me familiarise with the exam’s time constraints and question patterns. 

Mock tests are certainly valuable for many aspirants as they provide a real-time simulation of the exam experience. 

Shiksha: What was your exam day strategy?

Mani: My exam day strategy was simple—to ensure I wasn’t hungry, because my mind doesn’t function well if I’m hungry. So, I had a balanced meal before the exam to keep my energy up. 

Also Read: CAT Exam Day Tips

Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?

Mani: My top tip for future CAT aspirants is to focus on your exam temperament. Yes, I know I’ve been repeating this over and over, haha, but it’s that important! Stay calm, stay composed, and don’t let the pressure overwhelm you. Preparing thoroughly is important, but keeping a clear and focused mind during the exam can make all the difference.

Also, trust the process, and don’t overcomplicate things. Regular practice is key, but make sure you stay relaxed – after all, it’s just another exam. And, of course, make sure you’re not hungry during the test.

Shiksha: Which IIMs /Institutes are you targeting?

Mani: I am targeting the top IIMs, including

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta

Besides IIM, I am also looking forward to YLP at ISB, Hyderabad.

CAT Topper Interviews 2024

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