A look into the mirror
The answer to the re-take conundrum depends on three things
- your evaluation of your ability with respect to the CAT
- your evaluation of your mental state when contemplating another attempt
- your evaluation of your aspirations
Let us try to make this a bit objective by making it a Q & A situation
YOU versus CAT – ABILITY
The first question you need to ask — is this the best shot you could have given? Was this a full-fledged, completely-immersed-into-CAT attempt? Do you believe you have exhausted the limits of your aptitude as far as CAT goes? Answer of all these questions and then answer the question below.
Question #1
Do you believe that you have maxed out and can go no further in terms of percentile if you give another attempt — YES/NO?
YOU versus CAT – STAMINA
The next question is whether you have enough mental fuel left to go through another year. Do not count the attempts that you made just like that. Is this your first or second or third fully serious attempt?
Question #2
Have your attempts so far taken so much out of you that you dread the thought of another attempt despite knowing that you can get better — YES/NO?
YOU versus COLLEGE
What do you think of the options in front of you right now? How do you view yourself vis-a-vis the options you have?
Question #3
Do you believe that all you need is a decent degree and a decent break and will make the most of the opportunities you get irrespective of the brand or do you believe that your aptitude, your profile and your ambition deserve a better college than the options you have in front of you right now — YES/NO?
If your answer to all the above questions is YES, most importantly the third question, then you should NOT RE-TAKE and get into a college this year itself.
If your answer is NO to all three then you should definitely re-take the CAT but also evaluate the GMAT depending on your profile and aspirations, which as mentioned will be taken up in the next post.
These are not easy questions to answer and I am sure there will be other personal considerations and pressures from different quarters that you would need to factor in. But understand that this decision is purely about your career and hence the decision has to be taken keeping only that in mind.
Not everyone might be happy with your decision but satisfying all is satisfying none and as far as your career goes you are the only one who has to be satisfied.
So you really need to answer these questions for yourself and take a decision.
If you decide to re-take
The moment you decide to re-take, other questions start popping up
- should I quit my job to re-take for the CAT, something that I have discussed here
- how do I go about my prep, what should be my mindset, something I have discussed in this post
- do I need to take classroom coaching, what materials should I use, something I have discussed in this post
- how should I go about my prep section-wise, something I have discussed here
So take your time and go through these posts. Feel free to post any queries you have in the comments section.
The CAT Writer 
Hi sir, this CAT was my 2nd attempt. Got 97.77 .
Should I repeat or not? I was performing very well in mocks, but in cat I could not.
Plus I have converted nmims core.
Can you help me decide/ give some points regarding nmims vs new iims(udaipur/ranchi/trichy/raipur) vs bitsom.
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Hi Kshitij,
Honestly, there will be little to choose if you are likely to do well — get a good CGPA, build your resume through clubs and competitions — between all of the colleges that you have listed.
NMIMS Core will hold an advantage if it is core Finance jobs that you are looking at.
If you want to play it absolutely safe, then NMIMS Core should be the option.
If you want the IIM brand and are willing to put in the effort to standout among your cohorts at the new IIMs, then join them.
BITSOM is also a good school and if there are specific things that you want that only BITSOM guarantees or you want to find out about the programme then use the Connect with a BITSOMian option — https://www.bitsom.edu.in/admission
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi sir, I’m a GEM with 92/75/68 profile. I will have 2 years work exp by july this year, and having glim pgpm offer and scmhrd ba results awaited. i am interested in another attempt as i couldn’t study well for cat 2022, but my work exp will become 3 years by the time i join a college next year, is it still advisable to give another attempt at cat 2023? (as i heard it is not ideal to have more than 2 years work exp during placements)
your insight will be really helpful, thankyou
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p.s: i have one year exp in sales and 1+ year exp in IT (currently ongoing). and in mba interested in marketing/analytics specialization
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Hi Chaitanya,
Three years of work-ex is not a problem at all. No need to worry about being over the hill.
All that matters is your conviction that you can get an admit into a better college next year.
All the best!
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I am a GEM with 6 months of exp,
got 99.2 in cat but didn’t get any top 6 calls.
I got 98.8 in xat with 99.74 in VA but 57 in DM.
I did my prep for 3.5 months, should I reattempt?
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Hi Siddharth,
I do not know what admits you have this year against which you are weighing a reattempt.
If you do not have any admits take another shot and apply to a slightly expanded list of colleges: SPJIMR, MDI, NITIE etc. All of them offer a great start to build your career from.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi
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Hello
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I am Somrita Ghosh. I Graduated with B.Com Marketing Hons from Calcutta University in 2022. On March 2022 I started Cat Preparation. Everything is well. After taking commerce it’s my dream of getting an M.B.A. from the top 20 to 25 colleges. Our 6th Semester exam started in July and ended on the 4th of August. Due to my semester exams for one month, I was unable to concentrate on my cat preparation. So again when I started I was so scared that I had not completed my syllabus then I focus on completing the syllabus instead of Proper Revision not giving mocks properly, and full of negativity about what if I will not get into a good college & Everybody use told me that Cat is very difficult exam try something other But I always use to challenge myself that I am going to do it and I believe in myself that I can do it. But in the mid of Sept, I was so stressed and full of negativity, as a result, my body didn’t take it any more In October I realised that this year it was not going to happen then discuss with my parents that I want to repeat once more because this year I will not be able to get into a good college then they said ok do but along with that take admission for Distance M.Com. After Giving Cat 2022 I cried I realized that I have not given my best not maintaining a proper schedule or timetable most importantly I realized that my stress was reason of giving up in the end. On Jan 2023 I took admissions in ims online classes for cat again started for preparing for Cat. But now my parent is not happy with my decision because they think that I am wasting this year as well. All my friends are employed. My father told me that all ur friends r having their jobs. Sir this type of thinking stressed and Upset me .Besides, that Can’t live my whole life with Regret that If I had given cat once more then I can get into a good college. My inner voice always use to say that U Can do it give it another shot . U Can get a very good percentile in Cat. Even I believe that if give my best I can get a very good percentile in Cat .But this kind of thinking really upset me doubt me about myself. How to overcome this because the previous year because of this I had not given my best. This year I don’t want this to happen because I want to give my best in the cat preparation so that whatever the result is I should not regrets .
Thanks With Regards
Somrita
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Hi Somrita,
Very few people crack the CAT in their first attempt, a bulk of the candidates, do so in their second attempt, me included.
You need to figure out whether you need a full 8-9 months to prepare for the CAT or prepare for CAT taking up a part-time, WFH job on the side.
I think if you do the latter it will take the pressure off you and get you a bit of respite from your parents. Very few people get the right support from family and friends, the best most people get is no involvement but for a bulk of the people parental pressure is something that they have to deal with in all aspects of life. The earlier you learn that you cannot expect support and that you cannot let them sit in your head, the better.
Most importantly, you need to move beyond the motivational speak of you can do it and move towards actions in your everyday that will build your confidence: meditation to calm the mind, breathing exercises, yoga or physical exercise, some part-time work, and CAT Prep. This is something that will sustain you rather than spending a lot of emotional energy trying to buck yourself up constantly.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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This was my first attempt of CAT. I started coaching in july 2022, and scored 76.04. I want to re take CAT. But I am confused whether to take coaching again or i should prepare by myself.
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Hi Shaista,
It completely depends on your leaning needs.
If you were
1. regular to classes
2. know how to solve all the questions in the and
3. have no problems staying motivated until the exam
you can prep on your own.
Else, atleast take up an online program.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share with you that I didn’t perform well in my CAT mainly due to the stress, anxiety, and constant pressure from my parents. But since its about fresh starts now, I am determined to reappear for the exams and do better. The only problem is that I am not able to find a suitable job. I graduated in March,2022, contributed in the family alongside preparing for CAT 2022. But now, being graduate in finance, I feel like I should get some formal job experience which could be shown as a relevant experience when I re-attempt my entrances this year.
I am in a bit of a dilemma as I am torn between preparing for the exam, finding a suitable job or taking up a job that is not ideal for me..
I would greatly appreciate your advice on what my next steps should be. Should I prioritize finding a job or should I start preparing for the exam? Would it be better for me to work in an unsuitable job and prepare for the exam on the side?
Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and I hope to hear back from you soon.
Best regards,
Aayush
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Hi Aayush,
I think having a break for more than a year will be tough to justify in interviews.
I suggest the either of following courses of action:
1. Find a job relevant to Finance or your area of interest, even if it means a low paying job.
2. Instead of a job take up CFA L1 exam this year since it will be a really big plus on your resume and will get you great Finance shortlists during placements. CFA is expensive since each level will cost about USD900-1200 depending on when you register for the exam. You can take the exam in one of the two slots: June or December.
CAT Prep has to be in parallel since only prepping for CAT will just add to the overall pressure on you,
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hii Sir,I’m currently in my final year doing B.com my profile is 8/7/6,this was my first CAT attempt and got 95.93 (99.52/18.48/95.46),the only calls I got were IIM Rohtak and IIFT, I’m very scared of the DILR section now and don’t know if I can get better at it this year, I have been preparing for CAT since my 2nd year at college. Is it a wise decision to opt for Rohtak if I get it or should I give another attempt? There is a constant fear of not getting BLACKI calls next year and at the same time whether is it fine to settle with a new IIM because many people say IIM tag is what matters
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Hi Yash,
Even with a higher percentile, BLACKI calls will be tough ask, given your academic profile.
Since you are a fresher, an MBA from a new IIM or IIFT, will give you a great break.
I would say, keeping your fears of DI-LR in mind, that you should join a new IIM or IIFT.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Will someone be at a disadvantage in terms of pay disparity,promotions ,department,roles,etc if they do their MBA from a New IIM
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Hi Yash,
There might be a few niche firms that do not visit new IIMs for campus placements. Some super niche Fin firms might hire only from a few old IIMs. These will account for less than 5% of the roles available to IIM grads, so there should not be any problem.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hello sir, i am currently in my final year of Bcom. I have scored 98.15 in CAT and my profile is 84/89/77. My best calls are IIM shillong and MDI Gurgaon, along with all new and baby IIMs. I have also converted NMIMS Mumbai core.
When i think about taking a re-take and also doing a job after my grad, i am confident that my percentile will increase but i am not sure that will it be enough for ABC. Also even if score a 99.5 or above, i am not sure whether i’ll be getting BLACKI calls or converts because of my average profile.
Can you please advise me and tell me how should i decide whether to go for a retake or should i join an MBA program this year itself.
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Hi Bhavesh,
You are right that BLACKI in General category and that too with less than 2 years of work-ex had become an extremely narrow path to get into.
Given that you are a fresher and you have options from both MDI and NM (and the other IIMs) you have a shot at building a great career in Marketing, Finance, General Management and Consulting.
So, the incremental reward to risk ratio is not worth it in my opinion. Go for it right now and join is what I would say.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi sir,
I commented here previously. My 10th/12th/grad is 92/75/68 and I’m a GEM with 25 months work exp by july 31 2023 (cat application work exp date)
With this profile, is it impossible to get blacki calls even if i do really well in another attempt at cat or if its possible at what percentile is it possible?
I’m just trying to weigh my options this year against another attempt.
Thankyou
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Hi Chaitanya,
Given your XII and Grad marks it’s almost next to impossible to get BLACKI calls even at 99.75 (may be B because of work-ex).
I would suggest not limiting your options to BLACKI or nothing and joining any top 30 schools if you have an admit.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hello sir, this was my first serious attempt at cat but I couldn’t deliver to the best of my capabilities and ended up scoring less than I used to get in mocks. My profile is 87/78/74(non engg) and I was able to receive calls from Kozhikode and Shillong only from the top IIM’s and I am interested to join any of them. Apart from cat, I have an interview call from IIFT as well but I am interested only in the Delhi campus. This was my gap year along with playing professional football so should I gave another attempt at MBA exams if I don’t make it to the above mentioned 3 colleges and pick up some job or should I consider joining the new/baby IIM’s or other campuses of IIFT. Also sir I am interested in getting into consulting domain, so given my profile would it be possible to get into one even if I make into one of the top 10 colleges next year?
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hello sir , this was my 2nd serious attempt , but still could not get a decent percentile in cat , with academics of 78/70/85(non-egg) with add on to this there is a gap year . I have some calls from Tier 3 colleges but in a dilemma should I take it or another attempt along with job or do CFA+another attempt with no job . kindly provide insights on my situation …
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Hi Ankit,
Tier-III might be pretty big compromise. I would suggest getting a job and taking another shot at a good set of Tier-II colleges.
Another gap year, even if it’s with CFA is not advisable.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi Sir, I graduated in jun 2022 in BscHons(Ag) with no workex i gave cat 2022 but couldn’t do well due to exam stress nd few other preparation mistakes. My mind and heart says that give another attempt but i am getting confused will 2 year gap gonna affect further and what if i get stressed next year too.I am also a student of IMS.Sir please guide me what should i do will 2 year gap gonna affect and how to deal with negativity confusing me from taking this call.It would be very kind of you sir.
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Hi Sankalp,
A two-year will definitely be a detriment to your profile in terms of interviews. Also, it will add huge stress in the run-up to the test.
I would definitely suggest taking up a job and prepping for the exam.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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I posted the same query on 19 march but you missed it. Please go through it once sir.
Hello sir, this was my first serious attempt at cat but I couldn’t deliver to the best of my capabilities and ended up scoring less than I used to get in mocks. My profile is 87/78/74(non engg) and I was able to receive calls from Kozhikode and Shillong only from the top IIM’s and I am interested to join any of them. Apart from cat, I have an interview call from IIFT as well but I am interested only in the Delhi campus. This was my gap year along with playing professional football so should I gave another attempt at MBA exams if I don’t make it to the above mentioned 3 colleges and pick up some job or should I consider joining the new/baby IIM’s or other campuses of IIFT. Also sir I am interested in getting into consulting domain, so given my profile would it be possible to get into one even if I make into one of the top 10 colleges next year?
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Hi Harsh,
I did miss your comment, apologies for that!
It is a bit of a tricky situation. Your acads are not competive for Consulting but the fact that you are a professional footballer might be a mitigating factor since there will be very few candidates with that on their resume.
So, given this, I would say that taking up a job and giving it another shot would not be a bad idea.
Having said that I have seen that those who manage to do well, finish in the top 50, of the new IIMs do get really good roles.
This is what makes it tricky. If you feel that you will constantly have a regret of not getting into schools you like then take another shot.
If you feel you are someone who always moves on and makes the most of where you are and what you have then join a new or baby IIM or IIFT Kolkata. As I said I have students who have done really well for themselves even from these colleges since they have a great attitude towards life. To use a current football example, Kvaratkshelia at Napoli!
You would understand by now that these are not choices that I can make for you since it depends a lot on your knowledge of yourself.
Hope this helps.
All the best!
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Okay Sir will give it a thorough thought before taking any decision keeping in my mind all your inputs. Thank you very much!
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Hi Tony sir, My name is Krupa Oza, I am a CA. I left my job to study CAT but in the middle of preparation my rhythm broke and if i would have not let it break maybe i would have scored a little better. I have scored 85 percentile in CAT 2022 despite that i could hardly attempt anything in DILR and Quant. I had appeared for CAT 2021 without preparation/serious attempt and scored 63 percentile so i thought if i leave job and concentrate i will be able to do it. Now i am currently 25 complete and searching for a job.
I really wanted to do MBA but since IIMs are over competitive and all they help is a very good package to start with i am in dilemma if i should reappear for it since the whole process of IIMs selection is taxing with no surety. i have been part of discussion groups where interviews were discussed.
So i still want to do MBA but the point is if CAT or through GMAT? I gave CAT coz i dont have a concrete mindset to do GMAT but now that i saw that CAT is overly competitive and then process selection is quite conventional and unchanging with new world i dont seem it fair to wait for one complete year and anticipate the diverse selection criteria of IIMs. My reason to do MBA is that i get a breakthrough in IB roles/VC PE firms where just CA finds it difficult to crack and obviously a good package with strong network. I had Masters Union interview but currently waitlisted there till April. BITSoM is quite slow and not reverted back post application on 29 Jan. So can you please help me decide if yes or no MBA and if yes should i try GMAT as my interest in CAT has relatively reduced.
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Also, I really want to get into diverse niche profiles of management consulting/IB roles but market works on brands and tags. I have seen that I have equivalent knowledge but still coz i am just a CA and not MBA from IIMs/ others similar they dont even consider you for an interview. My sole reason to do MBA was to get a edge and double degree combination of CA plus MBA which has a good place in market. So i am really stuck if now MBA is worth it or not for me since at age of 25 if i give CAT it will be another year and then 2 years of schooling and i will have to take a loan. so at age of 28ish i will have a loan as well to finish. So i want to do but not sure if CAT is worth it for me ?
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Hi Krupa,
It seems a bit strange that despite answering your own question, you go ahead and undermine it. You have clearly identified that with a CA degree you will not get quality roles in IB. Once you add an MBA to your CA degree it opens up lots of opportunities since a CA-MBA is one of the most sought after profiles in a b-school and you do know that IB is the most lucrative career path post-MBA, which happens to be your area of interest.
Whether you get into a good school through GMAT (SPJIMR,. ISB etc.) or through the CAT, what is important that is that you do it from a decent school, it does not have to be the old IIMs, the CA degree will make up for it, if not on campus, then definitely off-campus.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi Sir,
CAT 2022 was my 1st serious attempt and I got a horrible percentile. I’ll be completing 3 years of workex in August 2023. My academic profile is 91/73/72, which I believe makes it impossible for me to get into BLACKI. At this point I’m really confused whether I should re-attempt CAT or just give up my plans of MBA. Would be helpful if you could let me know if re-attempting CAT would be a good idea, given that I’ll have close to 4 years of workex by the time I join a college next year.
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Hi Eshwar,
There is no reason to give up on an MBA! There is more to the world than BLACKI. If it there were not then anyone who has graduated from a non-BLACKI college must not have a life!
Take another shot at an MBA. You can look at both GMAT and CAT, with the former for 1-year programs such as ISB and the CAT as a backup.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hello sir,
I am a general non-engineering male candidate who has average acads 83.6/75.6/68 and no work ex. CAT 2022 was my 2nd attempt in which I scored 85.66 percentile. Although I am motivated and I think that I can do better this year. My profile makes me doubt it whether I can get into one of the top B-schools even if I get a good score.
Is there still a chance for me?
Should I retake CAT once more?
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Hi Aditya,
Given your academic profile, the old IIMs will be a tough ask.
But if you cross the 90th percentile, you will definitely have much better options, given that you have educational diversity on your side. Also, I would advise taking not just the CAT but other exams as well.
Eventually, for long-term career growth, you would need a post-grad. Either an MBA or if you want to get into Finance then a CFA. So, I don’t think not doing a PG is an option.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Greetings Tony Sir! This’ll be a slightly long-ish read where I am going to pour my heart out of the journey I have had over the past 3.5 years, so please buckle up!
CAT 22′ was my second serious attempt at CAT. I scored a 98.80%ile in my first attempt & 99.05%ile on my second one. However, I failed to convert (let alone get an interview shortlist) any Bschools in my target (IIM C, IIML,IIMS MDI, SPJIMR, XLRI, FMS). Given my profile, I realise that I only have a realistic chance if I achieve a score north of 99.8%ile, just to get a shortlist
A brief profile overview:
GEM (Electronics Engg)
Work Exp: 12 Months as of July ’23 , in advertising (Brand Planner- Creative Strategy Department, Mumbai Office)
10th: 77%
12th: 68.15%
Grad: 8.50/10 (Finished 8th out of a batch of 77 students)
ECAs:
2x National Level Cyclist
5x State Cycling Podium Finisher
7x District Cycling Podium Finisher
Taekwondo Black Belt
Triathlete
So, I see there are very apparent spikes in my profile, ECAs & diversity of job being the highlights, but the tangible ones, mainly my 10th & 12th scores being a problem.
I have personally tried to rectify as much as I could of my poor 10th & 12th scores as soon as I got into college. I also followed it up by aligning my career in the direction of the specialisation I want to do in my MBA: Marketing. I also slogged to get close to a super high percentile.
I had started preparing with ims way back in 2019 & have been diligently preparing for CAT ever since. Sadly, this year, I also failed to get admitted into any of my target colleges.
This is where my problem comes in sir…
I feel burnt out. I do not feel motivated to do CAT once again. I believe I have given it my all. I somewhere also feel betrayed by our education system. There is also a part of me who believes that I have aced CAT and will soar through this time even with a half-baked effort, making me lazy & complacent to actually pick my books up again. The 99%ile is somewhere making me feel satisfied. I feel I have already one somewhere & do not need a Bschool
That is when reality kicks in. I NEED to give CAT again as I do not have the patience to wait for 3 years, give GMAT and do an MBA abroad. I need to get into a Bschool in the next batch, and for that I will require a very high percentile, which will only come if I operate out of discipline & adherence to my CAT prep. I have a strong sense of the impact a great Bschool can have on my career. But the intensity of these emotions have gone down given my 3 years of prep & lots of disappointment.
I need your help sir, in how to get my head straight. I know I will not be able to crack CAT with this attitude. I also know that getting my MBA from a top Bschool is my dream, & my firm calling. I feel lost as to how I get my mindset, believe in myself, and strike the balance of juggling between my work & prep. I need direction, words of motivation that somewhere my dreams are possible…
Thank you Tony Sir, I have been following with you & also have been engaging with you on this blog since 2020.
A detailed reply would really help sir!
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Hi Shaunak,
Good job on the percentile jump and on the perseverance you have shown so far!
From your profile it is clear that you will look to specialise in marketing and hopefully build some big brands in the future (big aspiration but then what else should one aim for!)
You should now convert this dream into colleges that can help you achieve it
As far as Marketing goes, a much larger pool of colleges and brands (new and baby IIMs, NM, SIBM) will help you achieve your dream.
The college is the means, the career is the end.
I would say regroup and take another shot knowing that you have a large canvas to play with. Back your skills to take you farther with an MBA-brand that might not be your first choice.
India is a work in progress, will be for a while. We in the meanwhile have to progress.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hi sir
I am Biochem engg, graduated in 2021 from IIT Delhi. I appeared for CAT 2021 didn’t perform well(60%tile)due to personal issues. I appeared again 2022 got 85%tile, I have 90%and 95% in VARC and DILR resp. I didn’t clear sectional cutoff for QUANT. I got into LBSIM (pgdm financial). I don’t have any experience after graduation. So I am confused should I retake the CAT score higher and get into better college. or go with the current course so that I don’t have gap year in my resume/profile.?
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Hi Anjali,
Another gap year would not be advisable.
If you are going to take up a job and feel that you can clear the QA cut-off, which you should be able to, then take another shot for sure.
Hope this helps,
All the best!
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Hello sir,
I got chance to apply for MDI in spot round. I have two confusion regarding it.
1. I can try for an executive MBA for next 1-2 year if they are better option for me. I have 5 years of work experience. I have also done BE+ME total 6 years of collage.
2. I might want to switch my field from civil engineering /construction sector towards IT or banking sector. Are people able to switch their field if they don’t get desire job in an executive MBA?
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