Bharat Santani
Once the result of CAT is announced, few candidates experience the sweet taste of success while a few do not score as they had expected. Bharat Kumar Santani appeared for CAT 2016 and scored 96.12 percentile. Though his percentile was good, he could not clear the sectional cut-off of VARC, and his dream of getting into an IIM could not be fulfilled.
Not disheartened by his performance, and with the ambition of securing a seat in IIM Ahmedabad, he once again started his exam preparation. Hard work finally paid off, and Bharat cleared CAT 2017 with flying colors. This time his overall percentile was 99.67, and his sectional scores were VARC-95.93, DILR-99.41, and QA-99.31.
Bharat is an engineer and his hobbies include watching cricket and hacking. Shisha spoke to him, and he shared his preparation strategy with us. Read his exclusive interview here:
Q. How did you feel on seeing your result? Were you expecting this score?
I was excited as well as relieved after seeing my results. I was expecting around 99.5+, but I scored 99.67 percentile so I was happy that I scored somewhat close to my expectation.
Q. Was this your first CAT attempt?
No. This was my third attempt at the exam.
Q. What area of specialisation do you plan to opt for?
I have experience in IT industry of more than 3 years so I will be option for majorly Consulting or Operations.
Q. Tell us about your preparation strategy.
Mocks, Measure, Analyze and Repeat. This is what I did almost every week. Achilles heel was VARC section – this section costed me IIM calls and in turn, another year (I couldn’t clear sectional cut-off for VARC section in CAT 2016, though my overall percentile was good enough for at least new IIMs).
Q. What was your weak area (s) and what did you do to improve the same?
VARC was my week area. I devoted 50 % of time to this section preparation. I solved around 45-50 sectional tests and around 30 All India mocks.
Q. Is it important to join a coaching institute?
If your basics are strong then there is no need to join coaching. The best way is to gauge where you stand is by giving 2-3 all India mock and checking whether you can get around 90%ile or not. If you are scoring 90 percentile and above, then no need to join a coaching institute, and if not is would be good to go for coaching.
Q. What’s your dream institute?
My dream institute is IIM Ahmedabad, but due to average academics I may not be able to get that call. I believe that at the end, it’s not about the institute, but learning. Thus, I will try to convert whatever best I can.
Q. Any tips for future CAT aspirants?
Try to maintain consistency in preparation and give at least 2 mocks a week.
Also Read:
 CAT scores are used for admission to 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and various other top B-Schools. Are you eligible for the IIMs? To know more, click on the image beside. |
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“Got a question about top MBA exams? Ask students who have already made it to top B-Schools.” |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Candidates seeking admission at SOA University must have a valid CAT scores. The cutoff percentile required for MBA course should stand at 25 for the General AI category candidates, considering the SOA University cutoff 2023 for the last-round. Moreover, getting 40 percentiles in CAT exam is more th
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Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
Based on previous year cut-offs, your NMAT score of 82.95 percentile, along with your B.Sc in Agriculture and your 10th and 12th standard scores, makes you a competitive candidate for IRMA. Last year, the cutoff for the OBC (Non-Creamy) category was around 79 percentile for CAT scores. Given your st
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT is not required to get admission to Masters' Union. The college offers admission based on the last qualifying score to BBM/BMS. Further, for PGP TBM, college conduct MUBAAT entrance exam for admission. Applicants are required to apply to the official website of the college to fill out the
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Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
The leading entrance examinations for MBA programs comprise CAT and MAT, both of which are recognised by nearly all MBA colleges across India. While there are slight variations in the exam formats for CAT and MAT, it's important to note that only CAT scores are accepted by IIMs.
| Parameter | CAT | MAT |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Sections | Three | Five |
| Duration | 180 minutes | 150 minutes |
| No. of Questions | 100 | 200 (40 from each section) |
| No. Of Papers | 1 | 1 |
| Test Centre | Candidates can choose four cities as per the choices | Candidates can choose three cities |
| Level of Difficulty | High | Moderate |
| Marking Scheme | Correct Answer: +4 Incorrect Answer: -1 | Correct Answer: +1 Incorrect: -.25 |
| No. of Exams conducted yearly | Once a Year | Four times a year |
| Major Colleges | All IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, IMT | Christ College Institute of Management, IMS, BIMTECH (Noida) |
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Beginner-Level 4
Answered 3 days ago
No. The authorities will not accept soft copies of the CDAC C-CAT admit card at the exam centre. All candidates will have to download and print out the CDAC C-CAT hall ticket. The print out has to be presented at the examination centre along with a valid identity proof. If the documents are not pres
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
While reporting at the exam centre, the candidates will have to present their CDAC C-CAT admit card along with a valid identity proof. Any one of the following original identity proofs will be accepted at the centre along with the admit card - Aadhaar Card/Voter ID/PAN Card/Passport/School ID or any
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
No. The candidates will not be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card through email. To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website i.e., cdac.in and log in using their application form number and password. No other mode will be used to release the CD
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
To download the CDAC C-CAT admit card, the candidates will have to visit the official website at cdac.in. The login credentials required to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card are the candidate's application form number and password. During the registration process, the candidates should check their ap
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Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
Yes. CDAC C-CAT admit card is released online. The candidates will be able to access the CDAC C-CAT admit card download link online at cdac.in. No other mode will be used by the authorities to release the CDAC C-CAT admit card. To log in, the candidates will have to provide the required credentials.
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Beginner-Level 3
What CAT percentile is required for getting admission into the SOA University for an MBA? I have 40 Percentile in CAT.