CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Vedant Chandewar Achieved 99.98 Percentile

CAT 2024 Topper, Vedant Chandewar scored an impressive 99.98 percentile in CAT exam. In his exclusive interview with Shiksha, Vedant shares his CAT preparation journey and strategy to take the exam. Read on to know Vedant's CAT sectional and overall score and strategy to appear for the exam.

CAT 2024 Topper Vedant Chandewar

Cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT) is no small feat, especially on the first attempt. Vedant Chandewar, an IIT Bombay student, secured an outstanding 99.98 percentile in CAT Exam. In this exclusive interview, CAT 2024 Topper, Vedant shares his journey, strategies, and insights that helped him excel in one of the toughest MBA entrance exams. Read Vedant Chandewar’s exclusive interview with Shiksha.com to know his preparation strategy and CAT score here.

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CAT Result

CAT Topper 2024 Interview with Vedant Chandewar

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

Vedant: Initially, I was a bit disappointed because, in previous years, a score of 132 often meant a 100 percentile, and I was aiming for a 99.99 percentile. However, I am happy with my result, especially since it was my first attempt.

CAT 2024 Score

• Overall Score: 99.98 percentile
• Sectional Scores:
  • DILR: 52.24 (99.94 percentile)
  • VARC: 32.92 (96.66 percentile)
  • QA: 53.15 (99.99 percentile)

Shiksha: Please tell us about yourself — your educational background, family, hobbies, and achievements.

Vedant: I am in my final year of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Bombay. My father is an engineer, and my mother is a homemaker. I’m from Nagpur and enjoy playing cricket and listening to music. Some of my academic achievements include being an NTSE scholar, qualifying for KVPY, and topping Maharashtra’s MHT CET 2021 with a 100 percentile. I was also selected for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO).

Shiksha: Was this your first CAT attempt?

Vedant: Yes, this was my first attempt.

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

Vedant: I began my CAT preparation in August 2024. Being good at mathematics, I found Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Logical Reasoning (DILR) relatively easy to prepare for. I joined a coaching institute that provided daily practice questions for these sections, which I diligently solved. My overall strategy was to focus on mock tests and consistent practice. I did not rely on classroom coaching or concept videos but focused entirely on self-study and mock tests.

Shiksha: Could you share your section-wise strategy?

Vedant:

• VARC: I improved my reading comprehension skills by regularly reading articles from reputed sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.
• DILR: I practiced solving puzzles and regularly played games like Sudoku to sharpen my analytical skills.
• QA: I focused on solving mock test questions and practice materials provided by my coaching institute.

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

Vedant: I did not use any books. My preparation was entirely based on solving mock tests, and I completed around 40 of them.

Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute? How did it help in your CAT preparation?

Vedant: I joined a coaching institute primarily for mock tests. Conceptually, I prepared on my own.

Shiksha: How many mock tests did you attempt, and how important are they in CAT preparation?

Vedant: I attempted around 40 CAT mock tests. Mock tests are crucial as they help you understand the CAT exam pattern, identify weak areas, and develop effective time management skills.

Shiksha: What was your exam-day strategy?

Vedant: I ensured I got a good night’s sleep before the exam and had a light breakfast. I reached the CAT exam centre on time and stayed calm throughout. Before the exam started, I meditated for five minutes to focus my mind. I prioritized attempting questions I was confident about and avoided the ones I was unsure of. Despite the last-minute changes in the exam pattern, like having 22 questions in the DILR section, I found the exam relatively manageable.

Shiksha: Who is your role model, and which IIMs or institutes are you targeting?

Vedant: My role model is MS Dhoni. I am targeting the top IIMs, particularly IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta.

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Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?

Vedant: Believe in yourself. Plenty of resources, including YouTube videos, help you prepare. Don’t get demotivated by low scores in CAT mock tests; they are just part of the learning process. Stay calm during the exam and focus on your strengths.

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