CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Pranshav Shah on Securing 99.80 Percentile in His First Attempt

CAT 2025 topper Pranshav Shah, a BTech Computer Engineering student from Pandit Deendayal Energy University, secured 99.80 percentile in his first CAT attempt. In this interview, Pranshav shares his CAT preparation journey, section-wise strategy for VARC, DILR and Quant, the role of mock tests, and how consistency helped him. Read his CAT prep journey below.

CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Pranshav Shah on Securing 99.80 Percentile in His First Attempt

CAT 2025 Topper Interview: IIM Kozhikode release CAT 2025 results. With high competition, Pranshav Shah from Ahmedabad got his name in the CAT toppers list. He secured an overall 99.80 percentile in CAT, 99.44 in VARC, 99.57 in DILR, and 98.11 in Quants.

Shiksha got in touch with Pranshav to know his experience while preparing for CAT exam. He started preparing for CAT 2025 in January 2025. During his entire preparation journey, From January 2025 to November 2025, Pranshav took around 60 mock tests. Read on to know what all helped Pranshav secure 99.80 percentile in CAT 2025.

Also Check: CAT 2025 Toppers List (OUT); Check State & Gender wise List of 100 & 99 Percentilers

CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Candidate Profile

The table below mentions CAT 2025 score highlights of Pranshav Shah, a topper from Ahmedabad.

CAT 2025 Topper Interview with Pranshav Shah

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

Pranshav: Yes, I am happy with my CAT result. I fumbled big time in quants. I could definitely have done better at it, but you always have to keep a margin of error on D-Day.

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

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

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

Pranshav: I started CAT preparation in January 2025. My daily CAT prep strategy included solving 4 RC’s, 4 DILR sets, and 30-40 Quant questions. I timed solving all the questions. My primary focus was on attempting as many mocks as possible and analysing them.

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

Pranshav: My section-wise preparation strategy for CAT was as follows:

VARC: I developed a reading habit to help with the section. I started by reading the newspaper. I knew I had to improve my reading speed as completing 4 RC’s in under 30 mins was difficult. While solving RC questions, my strategy was to eliminate three options and then mark the correct option. This helped improve accuracy and eventually decrease the scope of negative marking.

DILR: For this section, selecting the right sets on the exam day is the primary job. The first 4 to 5 minutes went into selecting the right sets. For me, the criteria for selecting the set was familiarity with the set (If I have done similar sets in the past). Also, I have always avoided conditional sets. Also, getting stuck on a set is very real, but my advice is, if you feel you can do that set, give yourself 2-3 minutes more, else move onto a different set.
QA: Key to success in the section is solving as much as possible. While preparing, I started by solving questions from a chapter once I had the conceptual clarity. I would test my knowledge using the practise papers and mocks.

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

Pranshav: I relied on CAT preparation using the books provided by my coaching institute. I did not refer any external material.

Also Read: Best Books to Prepare for CAT

Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute?

Pranshav: Yes, I joined IMS for CAT preparation. I believe coaching institutes are helpful for exams like CAT as they provide a tailored format for what to study, what materials to solve, when to give mocks, etc. Coaching institutes also help with the doubt solving sessions.

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

Pranshav: I took around 55-60 mock tests throughout the year, which also included past year papers (I solved all the past papers from 2017-2024). Besides these, I prepared using test series conducted by my coaching institute. CAT mock test series is very important during preparation as it provides a reality check on where you stand. You might not score well in all the mocks, but a bad score should not demotivate you from appearing for mock tests. A bad score or a good score is part of the journey. You must analyse all the mistakes thoroughly (I used to solve all the unattempted questions in Quants and DILR before viewing the answers).

Shiksha: What was your exam day strategy?

Pranshav: My exam day strategy was just to keep my composure throughout the exam and a strong belief in myself that I could ace this exam and I really considered the CAT as just another mock test which I had to give at the centre.

Also Read: CAT Exam Day Tips

Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?

Pranshav: I would advise all future aspirants that there is no substitute for hard work and consistency will take you far in life. Solving the daily targets, despite how you feel, is very important. Boredom will definitely follow, but understand that it is a part of the journey.

Shiksha: Which IIMs /Institutes are you targeting?

Pranshav: I am targeting calls from the following institutes:

• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore
• IIM Mumbai
• FMS Delhi
• XLRI Jamshedpur

CAT Topper Interviews 2025

The table below mentions the CAT 2025 topper interviews:

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