Shiksha had an exclusive interview with Onkar Machindra Kawale, CMAT 2021 topper. Read the interview to know how he scored 99.68 percentile in CMAT.
Name - Onkar Machindra Kawale
CMAT 2021 Score - 99.68
Sectional Score -
- Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation - 95.47
- Logical Reasoning - 99.93
- Language Comprehension - 86.81
- General Awareness - 99.74
Onkar Machindra Kawale is based in Osmanabad, Maharashtra. He completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune. He was an IAS aspirant with MBA as a Plan-B. Onkar has a good base in General Knowledge. Shiksha.com spoke to Onkar, a CMAT 2021 topper with a 99.68 percentile. He shared his strengths and weaknesses along with the preparation tips and tricks for future CMAT aspirants.
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Read the complete interview to know how Onkar Machindra Kawale scored 99+ percentile in CMAT 2021 exam.
Also Read: CMAT toppers' list
Q: Was this your first attempt? Were you expecting to score so well?
A: Yes. This was my first attempt at CMAT 2021. Due to the pandemic, I had more time to prepare for CMAT 2021; therefore, I was expecting to score better.
Q: Tell us about your preparation strategy.
A: I had been preparing for other competitive exams including civil services and MAH CET. Therefore, I had a hold on the General Knowledge section. I primarily focused on my weak subjects including English and Quantitative Ability. The quantitative Ability section is the most time consuming among all the other sections while preparing. Thus, I started with Quant.
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Q: What was your exam day strategy?
A: I was calm on exam day and focused on taking adequate rest before the exam. I appeared in the second shift of the exam; I completed the revision one day before the exam. I left the exam day to relax to perform to the fullest.
Q: What was your weak area(s) and what did you do to improve the same?
A: Language Comprehension and Quantitative Ability were my weak areas. I started the CMAT preparation with both sections to get the maximum time for my weak areas. I practised previous years question papers to improve the Language Comprehension and focused on concepts rather than a formula-based approach for the Quantitative Ability section.
Q: Is it important to join a coaching institute for CMAT preparation?
A: No. There is no need for a coaching institute for CMAT preparation. One can watch YouTube videos for better preparation and getting familiar with the concepts.
Q: Which books did you study for CMAT preparation?
A: I had the primary focus on General Awareness. I studied yearly current affairs from Focus Magazine by Arihant. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by RS Agarwal was my pick. For other sections, I primarily relied on the CMAT question papers from previous years.
Q: The CMAT exam was delayed this year, so did that affect your preparation/performance?
A: I focused on Language and General Awareness sections during the extended period. Surely the extended period was helpful for the preparation, on the other hand, it also made me anxiously waiting for the exam.
Q: What is your plan after completing MBA?
A: I am planning to pursue MBA in Finance. I would consider a work experience after MBA. After my MBA I am planning to pursue higher education in the specified field.
Q: Any tips for future CMAT aspirants?
A: Unlike other management entrance exams, CMAT has more focus on General Awareness. All the other sections have a basic syllabus. You can prepare for all the sections using the previous year’s question papers and CMAT mock tests; however, General Awareness will be left behind. In my opinion, aspirants must start with the current affairs and static GK followed by clearing the concepts for Quantitative Ability. Further, other sections can be covered by practising previous year’s question papers.
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Beginner-Level 4
Answered 4 days ago
With 239 marks (96.63 percentile) in CMAT, plus excellent academics (91.52% in X, 93.33% in XII, 93.33% in UG) and 24 months of work experience, you are in a very strong position for calls from top CMAT-accepting institutes.
Institutes You Can Expect Calls From
- JBIMS (Jamnalal Bajaj, Mumbai) – Cuto
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
CMAT response sheet and provisional answer key are same. Since the answer key contains candidate's responses too, it is also called CMAT response sheet.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Candidates can use the CMAT answer key to calculate the score in the following manner:
· Check number of correct attempts
· Check number of incorrect attempts
· Add 4 marks for every correct attempt
· Subtract 1 mark for every incorrect attempt
· Sub total will be CMAT score
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Filing objection against the CMAT answer key is not mandatory for all candidates. Only those candidate who feel a question/s is incorrect and they have proof to support the claim, should raise objection.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
The CMAT answer key objection fee per question is INR 200. Candidates have to pay it at the time of filling the objection form.
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
CMAT answer key helps the candidate in checking their performance and it is also a window for NTA to communicate transparency in result preparation number.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Objection cannot be raised against the final answer key of CMAT, as it contains the answers evaluated again after objections by candidates.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
CMAT final answer key is released as a downloadable PDF. Candidates can download it by visiting the NTA-CMAT website and simply downloading the document.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
Provisional answer key of CMAT refers to the document released by the NTA indicating answers marked by candidate and correct options. This document tell candidates about how many of their attempts are right.
Contributor-Level 10
Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an
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