CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Mani Secured 100 Percentile with Self Study
Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )
Mani got his name included in the 14 candidates who secured 100 percentile in CAT 2024. In an exclusive chat with Shiksha, Mani shares how he got himself in the CAT toppers list using self study.
CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Mani Secured 100 Percentile with Self Study
CAT 2024 Topper Interview: IIM Calcutta announced the CAT 2024 results on December 19. Mani Praneeth Chilukuri, a BTech CSE graduate from IIT Bombay, scored a perfect 100 percentile, making it to the CAT toppers list. He aims for admission into the ABC IIMs or the Young Leaders Programme at ISB Hyderabad. In a CAT topper interview with shiksha.com, Mani shared his self-driven study plan that led to his success in the CAT exam. He also mentioned securing an AIR 47 in JEE Advanced back in 2020, which got him into IIT. From Andhra Pradesh, Mani enjoys sports, music, movies, and photography. Scroll down for more insights from this CAT topper on his CAT preparation strategy.
Also Check: Missed Cutoff Score in CAT Results 2024? Check MBA Routes via TANCET, TS ICET, and Other Exams
CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Highlights
| Name of CAT Topper |
Mani Praneeth Chilukuri |
|---|---|
| College |
IIT Bombay |
| Overall |
100 |
| VARC |
98.72 |
| DILR |
99.99 |
| QA |
99.98 |
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.CAT 2024 Topper Interview with 100 Percentiler
Shiksha: Congratulations! Are you satisfied with your CAT result? How much score were you expecting?
Mani: Yes, I’m extremely satisfied with my CAT result. Honestly, I didn’t approach the exam with specific score expectations. I treated it as an opportunity to test my abilities under pressure. My primary focus was on maintaining a calm and composed mindset in the exam hall, which I believe played a significant role in achieving this result. While I aimed to do my best, the perfect score was a pleasant surprise.
Q: How much percentile is a good score in CAT exam?
Q: Does ISB accept CAT score for MBA?
Yes, ISB Hyderabad accepts CAT score for admission to its PGP in Management for Young Leaders programme. There is no course at ISB Hyderabad named as MBA. The institute offers PGP course to the students, it is sometimes commonly referred to as MBA. To get admission to the MBA programme offered at ISB Hyderabad candidates must have completed graduation from a recognised university along with a valid GMAT/ GRE/ CAT score.
Q: What is sectional cutoff in CAT exam?
Sectional cut off in CAT exam refers to the section wise percentiles required by the candidate for making it to the Personal Interview round of the IIMs or other top MBA colleges. The sectional cut offs are lower than overall cut offs of any institute. To understand better, check the table below for sectional CAT cut offs for IIM Ahmedabad:
Category | VARC percentile | DILR percentile | QA percentile | Overall percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
NC-OBC-Transgender | 65 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
SC | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
ST | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
PwD (General, NC-OBC-cum-transgender, SC) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
PwD (ST) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
For sectional cut offs of all IIMs, check this article – IIM shortlist and selection criteria
Shiksha: Was this your first attempt at the CAT exam?
Mani: Yes, this was my first attempt at the CAT exam.
Shiksha: When did you start preparing for the CAT exam? What was your overall prep strategy?
Mani: My main focus for the CAT exam was not on an extensive preparation strategy but rather on leveraging my exam temperament. I’ve always believed that staying calm, composed, and focused during the exam is far more critical than the amount of preparation. This approach has consistently helped me perform well in competitive exams.
In terms of preparation, I started just a few weeks before the exam due to my job and other commitments. I prioritised understanding the exam format, syllabus, and structure through YouTube videos. I then solved a few previous years’ question papers to familiarize myself with the patterns.
Ultimately, I relied on my ability to handle pressure, maintain a clear mind, and approach the exam systematically. This mindset helped me maximize my performance, even with limited preparation time.
Also Read:
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
22 Jan '25
23 Jan '25
18 Dec '24 - 24 Jan '25
21 Jan '25 - 25 Jan '25
25 Jan '25
27 Jan '25 - 28 Jan '25
16 Dec '24 - 29 Jan '25
29 Jan '25
12 Dec '24 - 30 Jan '25
28 Jan '25
Shiksha: What was your CAT section-wise preparation strategy?
Mani: Here is how I prepared for all three sections of CAT exam:
VARC: Having taken exams like GRE and TOEFL earlier, I was already comfortable with reading and analyzing long passages. My strategy here was to stick to the basics:
- I focused on taking notes while reading passages, which helped me retain important points.
- I made sure to understand the paragraphs deeply and avoid making any assumptions. My focus was solely on interpreting what was presented in the text.
DILR: Coming from an engineering background, I found the logical and analytical aspects of this section relatively intuitive. My approach was to:
- Stay calm and composed to avoid overcomplicating the problems.
- Focus on identifying patterns quickly and ensuring that I approached each problem with clarity and no baggage from any previous sections or questions.
- Prioritize accuracy while maintaining speed, which can be achieved through practice.
QA: Again, as someone with a strong foundation in mathematics, I felt quite comfortable with the QA section. My strategy was:
- To stay composed and avoid silly mistakes, especially under time pressure.
- To solve questions systematically and accurately, leveraging my familiarity with concepts to ensure speed without compromising precision.
Also Read:
Q: What is the minimum percentile required for IIM Trichy?
IIM Trichy accepts minimum CAT percentile for shortlisting candidates for the Personal Interview round. For IIM Trichy MBA admission 2024, the estimated overall CAT cutoff for the General category students is 92 percentile. Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out the section-wise minimum CAT percentile required for various categories:
Category | PVRC | PDILR | PQA | Overall percentile rank (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 92 |
NC-OBC | 45 | 45 | 45 | 74 |
EWS | 40 | 40 | 40 | 70 |
SC | 35 | 35 | 35 | 54 |
ST | 25 | 25 | 32.5 | 40 |
DAP | 25 | 25 | 32.5 | 40 |
Q: Are CAT cut offs announced along with the CAT result?
Q: Can I join IIM without CAT?
No, one can't join IIM without CAT. Candidates seeking admission to the IIM Ahmedabad MBA course must appear for CAT and secure 90 percentile. The Institute considers Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds for final admission to IIM Ahmedabad along with CAT results. Students must meet both, the overall CAT cutoff percentile and the sectional cutoffs.The Institute does not release CAT cutoffs in the public domain and are exclusively accessible only via account login to candidates who have appeared for the exam.
Q: How many questions should I solve to score 99 percentile in CAT exam?
Q: Who are eligible for ISB?
Admission to the flagship Post Graduate Programme at the Indian School of Business can be secured via one of the following modes on the basis of the academic background and experience level of the students. The eligibility criteria for all the three modes is as follows:
- PGP: Bachelors or equivalent degree + a valid GMAT/ GRE/ CAT score + Min. 24 months of full-time work experience
- EEO (Early Entry Option) - PGP deferred: Bachelors or equivalent degree + a valid GMAT/ GRE score + less than 24 months of full-time work experience
- YLP (Young Leaders Programme) - PGP deferred: A current college student in the pre-final or final year + no full-time work experience
Shiksha: Any specific books that helped in your CAT preparation?
Mani: I didn’t refer to any specific books for CAT preparation. My approach was more practical and focused on understanding the exam format and practicing previous years’ question papers.
Also Read: Best Books to Prepare for CAT
Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute?
Mani: No, I did not join any coaching institute. My CAT exam prep was self-driven. However, I believe that coaching institutes can be quite helpful for candidates who need structured guidance, discipline, or a clear study plan. They provide curated study materials, CAT mock tests, and a competitive environment.
Shiksha: How many mock tests did you attempt and how important is a mock test series?
Mani: I didn’t follow a traditional mock test series, but I did attempt previous years’ CAT papers under timed conditions, treating them as full mock tests. This helped me familiarise with the exam’s time constraints and question patterns.
Mock tests are certainly valuable for many aspirants as they provide a real-time simulation of the exam experience.
Shiksha: What was your exam day strategy?
Mani: My exam day strategy was simple—to ensure I wasn’t hungry, because my mind doesn’t function well if I’m hungry. So, I had a balanced meal before the exam to keep my energy up.
Also Read: CAT Exam Day Tips
Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?
Mani: My top tip for future CAT aspirants is to focus on your exam temperament. Yes, I know I’ve been repeating this over and over, haha, but it’s that important! Stay calm, stay composed, and don’t let the pressure overwhelm you. Preparing thoroughly is important, but keeping a clear and focused mind during the exam can make all the difference.
Also, trust the process, and don’t overcomplicate things. Regular practice is key, but make sure you stay relaxed – after all, it’s just another exam. And, of course, make sure you’re not hungry during the test.
Shiksha: Which IIMs /Institutes are you targeting?
Mani: I am targeting the top IIMs, including
Besides IIM, I am also looking forward to YLP at ISB, Hyderabad.
CAT Topper Interviews 2024
The table below mentions CAT 2024 topper interviews:
| Name |
CAT Percentile Score |
Read Interview |
|---|---|---|
| Vagish Nangia |
100 |
|
| Vedant Chandewar |
99.98 |
|
| Swaraj Pal Kesari |
99.95 |
|
| Aniruddh K Singh |
99.89 |
|
| Shaivi Goyal |
99.54 |
|
| Shouvik Chatterjee |
99.43 |
Read More:
With a creative soul, Abhishek is inclined towards anything in the creative space be it drawing, painting, craft, or writing. He has been working in the ed-tech industry since he started his career. Besides creative... Read Full Bio
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 Cut Offs Release |
17 Jan '25 | XAT 2025 result |
8 Jan '25 | SNAP 2024 result announcement |
21 Dec '24 | SNAP 2024 session 3 |
13 Jan '25 - 17 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Exam Window (second ... |
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Scheduling Window (s... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
24 Dec '24 - 2 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
24 Dec '24 - 9 Mar '25 | MAT 2024 Registration Process ... |
Feb '25 | IBSAT 2024 Selection Process (... |
28 Dec '24 - 29 Dec '24 | IBSAT 2024 Exam |
25 Jan '25 | CMAT 2025 exam date |
20 Jan '25 | CMAT 2025 admit card download |
25 Dec '24 - 25 Jan '25 | MAH CET 20245 registration pro... |
Mar '25 | MAH MBA CET 2025 |
24 Jan '25 - 21 Feb '25 | TANCET 2025 Registration |
Feb '25 | TANCET Admit Card Download |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 23 hours ago
The table below shows the top ranked MBA colleges accepting CAT score in Delhi along with their total tuition fees:
| College Names | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| DMS IIT Delhi | INR 11 lakh |
| IIFT Delhi | INR 22 lakh |
| IMI New Delhi | INR 21 lakh |
| FORE School of Management | INR 18 lakh |
| IP University | INR 2 lakh |
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 23 hours ago
Amrita School of Business Amaravati offers scholarships to students with a CAT score. The waiver is offered to students based on their CAT score and performance in the interview round. Below is the detailed criteria:
| Slab | Criteria | Tuition Fee Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Slab 1 | Above 85 percentile in CAT | 70% |
| Slab 2 | Above 75 to 85 percentile in CAT | 50% |
| Slab 3 | 70 to 75 percentile in CAT | 25% |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, candidates can get into BIBS Kolkata MBA with a 60%ile in CAT. BIBS Kolkata admission takes place through the merit secured in the CAT exam, and the cutoff in 2023 in the MBA programme was 60%ile in the overall cattegory. The cutoff for other categories was 40%ile. Therefore, if candidates are
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT is not compulsory to get into PGDM course of ISMS Pune. The institute accept other national-level exam scores for selection as well. Aspirants with a valid score of CMAT/MAH CET can also apply for admission. The institute may accept scores of other entrance exams as well. Apart from this, it
H
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
It's great that you're exploring opportunities with your CAT score! With a 50 percentile in CAT, there are several MBA colleges in India that you can target. These colleges often consider other aspects of your profile such as academic background, work experience, and performance in the group discuss
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
It depends on your goals and the requirements of PSIT (Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology) for their MBA program. Here are some factors to consider:
1. Admission Criteria:
- PSIT may accept CAT (Common Admission Test) scores, along with other exams like MAT, XAT, or UPSEE for MBA admissions.
- If you w
G
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Bhavan's Royal Institute of Management provides admission based on merit and entrance. However, candidates are required to qualify graduation and secure a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Apart from this, candidates must secure valid scores in entrance exams such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT etc. If the
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 5 days ago
The admission to the PGP course offered by MET Institute of Software Development and Research does not need candidates to crack the CAT exam, rather there is a separate test called MET Online Test. MET Institute of Software Development and Research admission is entrance-based for courses offered at
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 5 days ago
GNIOT CAT cutoff 2024 is yet to be released. However, in 2023, MBA cutoff for the unreserved category stood at 25. Over the period of three years, the CAT cutoff remained constant. Candidates can refer to the table given below to check out CAT percentile till 2023:
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Every year, over 2 Lacs candidates appear for the CAT exam and about 10-14 test takers score 100 percentile. In CAT 2024, the number of 100 percentiler was 11, and in CAT 2023 the number of 100 percentilers was 14. In CAT 2022, the number of 100 percentilers was 11. In CAT 2021, only 9 candidates sc
Contributor-Level 10
The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission to various management programs offered by top business schools in India. The percentile score in CAT exam is based on the relative performance of the test taker compared to all the other test takers.
The cutoff percentile for admission to top business schools varies from year to year and also depends on factors such as the number of candidates, difficulty level of the exam, and the number of available seats. In general, a percentile score of 90 or above is considered a good score and can help you secure admission to some of the top business schools in India. However, to increase your chances of admission to the top-tier business schools, a percentile score of 95 or above is preferred.