CAT Topper Tips: Himanshu Singla shares his CAT preparation strategy

Himanshu Singla

Himanshu appeared for CAT 2015 and scored 96.36%ile. Not satisfied with his performance, he once again appeared for CAT 2016, and this time with a sectional score of VA-96.42, DILR-95.69, QA-97.16, his overall percentile was 98.32. Shiksha spoke to him to know how he prepared his second attempt for the exam. This is what he told us: 

Q. Was this your first CAT attempt?

Answer: No, this was my second attempt. I had appeared for CAT 2015 and scored 96.36%. 

Q. How satisfied are you with your score?

Answer: As it’s an improvement over my last year’s score and I also scored 95+ in all three sections, I am satisfied with my result. 

Q. Tell us something about yourself.

Answer: I am a chemical engineer and did my B.E from Panjab University. Currently, working as a Process Engineer. I developed an interest in MBA after doing a winter internship at IIM A in my 3rd year of graduation. 

Q. What area of specialization you intend you choose?

Answer: I intend to choose operations management as my area of specialization. 

Q. Tell us about your preparation strategy.

Answer: I gave at least 2 hours daily to practice questions and on Sundays attempted mock tests. I tried to stick to the basics and avoided learning shortcuts. I took my mocks very seriously and used to do a thorough analysis of the mock results. This analysis helped me identify my weak areas, which in turn increased my accuracy and attempts. 

Q. What is the minimum time frame needed to prepare for CAT, and when did you start off with your preparations?

Answer: According to me 3 months is good enough time to prepare for CAT (2 months for completing the CAT syllabus and one month for mocks). I started my preparations in September. 

Q. What did you do to improve your weak areas?

Answer: I used to have a low accuracy (around 50%) in VA when I started with my prep. To improve this, I started analyzing the solutions of verbal section even for those questions which I got correct. This gradually altered my approach to attempt the questions and my accuracy increased. 

Q. Is it important to join a coaching institute?

Answer: No, it’s not important to join a coaching institute as CAT’s syllabus is relatively easier and also, a lot of free sites and material is available online. But I strongly suggest practising mock test series of a good coaching institute. 

Q. What’s your dream institute?

Answer: Like most of the CAT aspirants IIM A is my dream institute. 

Q. Tell us about your hobbies.

Answer: I read anything that I can get my hands on and also love playing football.

Q. Any tips for future CAT aspirants?

Answer: You have already appeared for tougher exams than this and have studied the syllabus in your school time. Stay calm and confident, don’t get demotivated by your mock scores, don’t let the change in CAT test pattern affect you as it has changed for everyone, be consistent and do a thorough analysis of your mocks.

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