CAT 2024 Topper Sanjiv Kumar: How IIT Madras graduate cracked CAT in 75 Days to achieve 99.99 Percentile! MBAUniverse.com Interview

Q: Congratulations Sanjiv! Can you share your CAT 2024 results and background? 
A: I am a fresher with a BTech and MTech from IIT Madras, and this was my first attempt at CAT. I do not have any work experience. I scored an overall 99.99 percentile in CAT 2024. My sectional percentiles were VARC: 99.94, LRDI: 99.91, and QA: 99.79. My background in engineering helped me with Quant, but I had to develop different strategies for the other sections.

Q: So, what inspired you to attempt the CAT? 
A: I have always aspired to be at the forefront of leadership and decision-making. As an engineering graduate, I realized that the skillset required for management complements technical knowledge. Pursuing an MBA at a top B-school aligns with my career goals. Of course, CAT exam was a gateway to realizing this dream, and I was determined to give it my best shot.

Q: How did you approach your CAT preparation? 
A: My CAT preparation was limited to about 75-day only. My approach was built on proper planning and efficient use of resources. 
I divided my preparation into four broad phases: establishing a baseline, optimizing weak areas, experimenting with strategies, and focusing on test day. 

Q: Did you do self-study or took coaching?  
A: Self-study was my primary mode of preparation. I relied heavily on mocks, sectionals, and study materials like Arun Sharma’s books. This helped me maximize my preparation in a limited timeframe.

Q: This is interesting…Can you elaborate on your phase-wise preparation strategy? 

A: Absolutely. Here are the details:
Phase 1: Setting the Baseline (Day 1–30): I started by identifying my strengths and weaknesses through initial mocks. Quant was my strong area, given my engineering background, but I struggled with LRDI and VARC. I spent 20-30 hours weekly during this phase, focusing on completing the Quant syllabus and gradually building my attention span for the other sections. The result was improved QA average to ~40 marks.
Phase 2: LRDI Optimization (Day 30–45) Once 80% of the Quant syllabus was covered, I shifted focus to LRDI. Logical reasoning was particularly challenging for me, so I dedicated a week to solving Arun Sharma’s LR book. I also attempted 30 sectionals to gain confidence. The result was increased LRDI average to ~25 marks.
Phase 3: VARC Strategy Formulation (Day 45–60) VARC was my weakest section initially. I don’t have a reading habit, so I focused on strategy rather than content. I tested various approaches to reading comprehension and ultimately adopted an “attend everything” strategy. This approach improved my accuracy and speed significantly. Result was increased VARC attempts to 23-24 per mock.
Phase 4: The final phase was Test Strategy and Final Prep (Day 60–75). In this phase, I focused on mocks and stress tests to simulate exam conditions. I avoided topics with low ROI, like geometry and P&C, and focused on consolidating my strengths. I also took a mock the day before CAT to maintain momentum.

Q: Mock tests seem to have played key role in your CAT preparation. How did you utilize them? 
A: Yes, CAT Mock Tests were the backbone of my preparation. I took around 50 mocks, starting with 2-3 per week and increasing the frequency as the exam approached. I didn’t analyze every mock in detail but noted recurring challenges and worked on those areas. Endurance tests, where I took multiple mocks in a day, helped build my stamina.

Q: What specific strategies did you use for each section? 

A: My sectional strategies were as follows:
VARC: I imposed a time limit of 7.5 minutes per RC, regardless of difficulty. For VA questions, I spent no more than 1.5 minutes and marked difficult ones for review. My focus was on attempting all questions, as it maximized my chances of scoring well.

• LRDI: I skipped sets that took more than 3 minutes to structure and prioritized sets with minimal data points. Complex sets, like those involving “Games and Tournaments,” were left for last.
• QA: I scanned all questions, solving easy ones during the first pass and marking medium-difficulty ones for review. Hard questions were skipped entirely to save time.

Q: What major challenges did you face during your preparation? 
A: Time management was a significant challenge, especially since I started my preparation late. Balancing mock tests, practice, and analysis was difficult. VARC was particularly frustrating initially, as I struggled to find a strategy that worked. However, persistence and experimentation eventually paid off.

Q: You mentioned avoiding certain topics. Can you explain why? 
A: I think some topics like geometry and P&C required a disproportionate amount of time for minimal gain. I reviewed their basic formulas but didn’t spend time solving them. Instead, I focused on high-yield topics where I could score more efficiently.

Q: So how did you maintain the motivation during this intense period? 
A: Indeed, staying motivated was crucial. I set short-term goals and celebrated small wins, like improving sectional scores or completing a set number of mocks. I also took breaks when needed and ensured I didn’t overextend myself. Having a clear vision of my dream B-school kept me focused.

Q: What advice would you give to future CAT aspirants? 
A: My key advice is to focus on strategy and resource management. Don’t get bogged down by the quantity of preparation or the quality of materials. Instead, use what you have effectively. Mock tests are invaluable; treat them as practice exams and learning opportunities. Lastly, find a strategy that works for you and stick to it. Everyone is unique and should build confidence and develop own approach. 

Q: Are there some myths about CAT preparation that you’d like to debunk! 
A: Yes, I think there are a few myths around CAT prep. First, the idea that you need years of preparation is a myth. Focused effort over a few months can be equally effective. Second, you don’t need to read extensively for VARC. Strategy and attention to detail matter more. Lastly, CAT isn’t just a test of aptitude; it’s a test of your ability to manage resources and adapt under pressure.

Q: What’s next for you! What is your Dream B-school?
A: My immediate goal is to secure admission to IIM Ahmedabad and learn as much as I can in the MBA program. Long-term, I aim to leverage my technical and managerial skills to make a significant impact in the technology and consulting sectors.

Q: What are your final words of encouragement for CAT aspirants? 
A: Believe in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges. CAT is as much about mental strength as it is about preparation. Stay disciplined, experiment with strategies, and keep refining your approach. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.

Sanjiv Kumar’s journey offers invaluable guidance for CAT aspirants aiming for top percentiles. As Sanjiv aptly puts it, “CAT is a test to identify the best managers. Manage your time, resources, and energy wisely, and success will follow.” 

Good luck to all future CAT takers! 

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