CAT Topper 99.83%
“Recognizing the complexity of DILR Section, I made a conscious effort to enhance my skills”
Nishakar Kumar, CAT topper from Madhubani in Bihar scored 99.83 percentile in CAT 2023 and has joined PGP 2024-26 batch at IIM Ahmedabad. In a candid interview with MBAUniverse.com, CAT topper 2023 Madhubani shed light on his preparation plan, the pivotal role of mocks, importance of CAT Coaching, how he overcame his weak areas and his PI-WAT experience. The CAT topper Nishakar Kumar was a final-year Electrical Engineering undergraduate at IIT Kharagpur when he appeared in CAT. He was born in Madhubani, Bihar and was residing in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He completed class 10th and 12th from Mother's Public School in Bhubaneswar.
MBAUniverse.com presents edited excepts from the Interview with CAT 2023 Topper Nishakar Kumar of IIT Kharagpur.
Here are the Most Common Question answered by the topper itself:
Q: Congratulations for Cracking CAT and joining IIM Ahmedabad. How does it feel?
Thank you. I am happy with my performance. I hope to continue doing well.
Q: So, what was your overall preparation strategy for CAT?
Preparing for the CAT exam, I adjusted my study strategy by focusing on practicing more with mock tests in the final month. I dedicated each day to completing one mock test using online resources and reviewing past year papers. This approach significantly boosted my confidence as I consistently achieved satisfactory scores. A crucial aspect of my last-minute preparation involved pinpointing challenging questions, flagging them, and dedicating the days leading up to the exam to thoroughly working on them.
Q: How did you prepare for VARC?
My sectional preparation for CAT involved regular practice and review of learned concepts. For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), I focused on maintaining my proficiency by trying to improve my reading speed, as I believed that making significant improvements in this section within three months might be limited.
Q: You scored 99.91% in DILR section. How did you prepare for this section.
To excel in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), I invested considerable time in understanding the nuances of different question types and engaging in rigorous practice sessions. Recognizing the complexity of this section, I made a conscious effort to enhance my skills and build confidence in tackling DILR challenges.
Q: How did you prepare for QA, where you scored your highest - 99.94%...
Being strong in Quantitative Ability (QA), I aimed to maintain and further improve my proficiency in this section. Regular practice sessions and consistent review of QA concepts were key aspects of my preparation. Simultaneously, while focusing on strengthening my DILR skills, I ensured that I continued practicing QA to sustain my competence in this area and maximize my score.
Q: Did you take other MBA Entrance Exams?
I appeared only for the CAT exam and did not register for any other MBA entrance exams
Q: What role did Mocks play in your success? How many mocks did you attempt before the exam?
Mocks played a vital role in my preparation journey as they enabled me to identify my weaknesses early on. Recognizing and addressing these weaknesses early is crucial because it provides ample time to cover and improve those areas. I took around 40+ mocks. In the final month of my preparation, I attempted one mock every day, which significantly contributed to my readiness for the actual exam.
Q: Did you self-prepare for the Exam or did you attend a Coaching Centre and why?
I enrolled in online coaching with IMS and utilised the Career Launcher mock test series. The coaching proved highly beneficial, offering well-structured material that guided me through relevant topics and ensured comprehensive preparation.
Q: Did you self-prepare for the Exam or did you attend a Coaching Centre and why?
I enrolled in online coaching with IMS and utilised the Career Launcher mock test series. The coaching proved highly beneficial, offering well-structured material that guided me through relevant topics and ensured comprehensive preparation.
Q: Which books did you refer during your preparation and how effective were they?
I utilized study materials from IMS and Career Launcher, finding them highly effective in supporting and enhancing my preparation.
Q: Please share your strategy for the Exam Day. What was your last-minute preparation? How did you plan your test-taking?
Approaching the CAT exam, I prioritized daily mock tests using previous year papers, achieving satisfactory scores and boosting confidence. A crucial last-minute strategy involved identifying challenging questions during practice and fine-tuning my approach to them before the exam. In my exam-day strategy, I adopted a systematic time management strategy tailored to each section. For VARC, I initially focused on completing all four Reading Comprehensions before addressing Verbal Ability. However, this approach backfired, as the comprehensions proved challenging, leaving me with limited time for the relatively easier verbal ability questions.
Q: How are your preparing for GD/PI/WAT Rounds?
I focused on refining my knowledge in areas such as current affairs, hobbies, academics, and HR-related questions.
Q: Which top B-school you have joined? Which were your dream B-schools?
I have joined PGP 2024-26 batch at IIM Ahmedabad. For me the Dream B-schools were one of the top IIMs, preferably IIM A or IIM B or IIM C!
Q: Please share your WAT experience at IIM Ahmedabad?
My Ahmedabad WAT and PI was scheduled on March 9, 2024 at Kolkata. I energized myself with some upbeat music and caught up on the latest news on YouTube, eagerly anticipating the day's headlines in the newspaper. Reading the newspaper had previously helped me answer a question during my IIM Lucknow interview. I proceeded to the verification room with my documents. I discovered once again that I was the first in my panel. There were a total of six panels for the PGP program in my slot, each comprising six members. We were seated according to our serial numbers and then directed to our respective panels where the Analytical Writing Test (AWT) commenced.
My AWT (WAT) Topic at IIM Ahmedabad was: “Analyzing the arguments expressed about ChatGPT, job displacements, and future scope”
My WAT experience: The WAT time limit was 20 minutes and the word limit was 300 words. I meticulously analyzed each argument, dedicating separate paragraphs to explore them from varied perspectives. Given the resonance of the topic with my strengths in the field, I found myself in a state of flow, writing non-stop until I had filled five paragraphs. The relief that washed over me was palpable as I successfully navigated and aced the first hurdle of the interview process
Q: How was your IIM Ahmedabad PI Experience?
There were two panellists one male and one female in my PI Round. The questions asked included the meaning of my name, Tell us about yourself, Awards I had won, my achievements, Social networking elements, what are KPIs, what is Capilot and its negatives and positives, what is Instrumentation Engineering (My area of study), Some details about semiconductors, State Politics, Political parties in USA, IIM Ahmedabad Alumni, IIT Kharagpur Alumni, My YouTube Channel, MY hobbies and extracurricular activities.
Q: Finally, your message and tips for candidates preparing for CAT 2024
To future CAT takers, my advice is as follows: