Can I Clear the CAT While Pursuing a Degree?
Yes, you can! Many individuals with a similar background have successfully cleared the CAT while studying for a degree. If there's a will, there's a way. Just stay disciplined and plan meticulously.
Disciplined Schedule and Meticulous Planning
What you need is a disciplined schedule and a well-structured plan. Create a weekly preparation plan and stick to it. Make sure to include ample revisions and mock tests in your overall preparation. Consistency and dedication are key to success.
Personal Experiences
Aryan: My belief is that you can definitely do it. I haven’t encountered anyone with the same background in B-school, but I’ve seen individuals from diverse backgrounds, like medicine, fashion, literature, and history. Engineers, on the other hand, have been quite numerous.
I recommend using the shortlist probability tool to learn the chances for top-ranked IIMs. Based on my profile header, you’ll do great! All the best!
I: Being from a similar background, I can answer your question. The CAT is one of the most prestigious exams in India, and it is quite easy in terms of preparation. As a student, you have a significant advantage, as you may still be shortlisted even with a low percentile.
I started preparing for my MBA in my third year of , which is a four-year course. I admit that I didn’t have much time for preparation, and situations were not in my favor. I began preparing two months before the exam day and didn’t solve enough mocks. My preparation was not complete, but I managed to secure a respectable percentile. I was shortlisted by some of the baby IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and my interviews went well.
Even though the preparation was incomplete, I had a good grasp of the concepts, and I was admitted to three baby IIMs. My interview experience was intense, with a mix of positive and negative moments. If you manage to reach a 95th percentile, it’s a great score and you may get calls from all the BLACKI (IIMs that are not traditionally seen as "Baby IIMs").
Note: I have been admitted to IIM BG, IIM Jammu, and IIM Amritsar, and I am looking forward to starting my MBA career with great expectations.