CAT 2014 topper Uttam Kumar Reddy is a Man U supporter
Uttam Kumar Reddy Anumula, one of the 16 CAT 2014 toppers, has scored a perfect 100. An IIT Madras pass out, Uttam is currently working as a Market Analyst with Futures First Info. Services.
Attempting CAT for the fourth time, Uttam believes that there is no secret mantra or specific study plan to crack CAT. “However, I read The Hindu newspaper daily,” says Uttam.
He scored 132.51 in Section 1, with a percentile of 99.89, and 125.93 in Section 2, with a percentile of 99.98.
Here’s Uttam discussing his CAT preparation strategy with Shiksha.com.
Q: Please give a brief about your academic background.
Uttam: I completed my 10th and 12th in AP state board. I secured Rank 202 in IITJEE and went onto complete my graduation in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras in 2012.
Q: Is this your first attempt?
Uttam: No, this is my fourth attempt.
Q: Have you received any calls for admissions so far?
Uttam: Only IIM Ahmedabad and Calcutta have released their shortlist so far and I have been shortlisted by both of them
Q: Which institute are you aiming for?
Uttam: IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta are the institutes I am aiming at. I would decide the institute after clearing my interviews.
Q: Where are you working currently?
Uttam: I am working with Futures First Info. Services Pvt. Ltd as the market analyst.
Q: What is the minimum time-frame needed to prepare well for CAT? How long did you prepare for it?
Uttam: I don't think there is any such thing as minimum time needed as it can vary when you are attempting for the first time or you have already attempted it. If you are attempting for the first time I think preparation time of nine months would be good and four to five months preparation by writing mocks would be good enough if you are good at basics.
Q: Did you have a study plan during CAT preparation?
Uttam: I did not have any specific study plan. I read The Hindu newspaper daily. That is the only thing I did regularly. Other than that there was nothing fixed that I was doing.
Q: What did you do to improve your weak areas?
Uttam: I was weak in Verbal ability section. I had score 74 percentile in section 2 when I first attempted CAT. From then on I started reading The Hindu daily and I read the book "English grammar for dummies by Geraldine Woods" which helped in improving my grammar definitely.
Q: Did you join any coaching institute?
Uttam: I too classes from TIME when I first attempted CAT 11. But in the next attempts I just took mock tests.
Q: Is it necessary to join a coaching institute?
Uttam: It depends. If you are good at basics then i may not be necessary joining the coaching classes as you can prepare on your own by improving on the areas that you are lacking. If you need a brush up of basics then it may be a good idea to join the coaching classes.
Q: What were your sectional scores in CAT 2014?
Uttam: 132.51 with a percentile of 99.89 in section 1 and 125.93 with a percentile of 99.98 in section 2.
Q: Can you give us details about your previous CAT experiences?
Uttam: CAT 2011 - 98.43 (74.7 in Section 2 so no calls)
Q: Tell us about your family.
Uttam: My dad is a Chief Manager in State Bank of Hyderabad where as my mom is a homemaker. I also have a brother who is currently pursuing his engineering.
Q: Do you pursue any hobbies? Tell us about them.
I read fiction novels and I watch a lot of football. I support Manchester United and never miss their matches.
Q: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?
Uttam: The new format requires you to be both fast and accurate. Time management is an important part now. Work hard to improve in the areas where you are not good at and practice a lot. That is how you are going to improve yourself.
CAT 2014 topper profiles:
This is a collection of news and articles on various topics ranging from course selection to college selection tips, exam preparation strategy to course comparison and more. The topics are from various streams inclu... Read Full Bio