“My 3 years journey of 3 attempts, and from getting 0 IIM Calls to converting 10 colleges” - Ashwini Rahangdale from IIM Calcutta

You take the next step, then the next and then the next one, check listing the list of life, and pedaling the daily hamster wheel. But you can't take productive leaps until you collapse. Because there is something breathtakingly beautiful in backtracking moments, and that is magic. I've been uncomfortable, anxious and scared, but I have survived.

The preparation takes it all!

I started my CAT preparation during my UG like everyone else. But still, it was an unpreparedly prepared attempt; and being an engineer, quant was the only section that I could ace. But then, my work experience helped me to figure out what I really wanted. So I prepared for CAT along with my Job 8-6 (with working Saturdays), and from my experience I can tell you that only three things matter the most in preparation: 

1. Self-Analysis and Being True to yourself
2. Consistent Preparation
3. Staying Motivated till the end

The most important part was staying in touch with the people who motivate me - my friends, my family, and most importantly my sister (my cheerleader). I know after working 6 days a week, going out, watching movies and chilling on the weekends seems easy. But knowing that I have friends who will spend their weekends with me, motivated me to study.

Post-CAT Journey

The best part comes post CAT, which is the B-school selection process consisting of interviews. I gave 10 interviews in all (IIM-C, IIM-L, IIM-B PGPBA, IIM-K, IIM-I, IIM-S, CAP, FMS, NITIE, IIT-B), converted 8 of them in the first list itself and was waitlisted for (IIM-I and IIT-B) and eventually converted them as well. From being asked about the Contractual Labour Laws to being asked just one question of “Why do you want to do MBA?” I believe that the interviews and their results can not be predicted and the only thing we can do is ‘prepare for them’. Finally comes the part full of anxiety - Waiting for the Results. There is no way one can surely tell if their interview went well and if you will convert the call or not; and then the self critics made it kind of worse for me.

Reaching IIM Calcutta

9 questions on Mathematics from Integration, Differentiation, Graphs, Limits, Probability, and Few Theorems were asked in the interview. I was also asked about Jharkhand (My Job Location), Contractual Labour Laws, and a few questions on the Automobile industry.

I had enrolled myself for Vaccination on the day when IIM Calcutta Results were out. As soon as I logged in, I couldn’t believe that I had been selected. I literally refreshed the screen, and then finally called my family. I wanted to scream, cry and laugh, all at the same moment but since I was sitting with 1000 odd people, that wasn’t an option. I called my friends and whispered the news to them. I was so excited that I ended up telling this even to the nurse who vaccinated me. She was like “Ohh I don't know what it is but Congratulations ”. So, it was a wild journey from being selected to being totally judged by a stranger.

The Difference

My CAT journey was indeed a very long one. Yes, it was a 3 years journey of 3 attempts, and from getting 0 IIM Calls to converting IIM Calcutta, I may tell you that it is hard work, practice, and perseverance. But deep down I think it was my grandparents’ blessings. Because this was the only thing that I did differently the 3rd time from the previous two attempts. I met them right before writing CAT 2020. I still remember the spark in my grandmother’s eyes when she said “My Granddaughter will get what she desires” and here I am today sharing my successful CAT 2020 Journey.

This is all about my CAT Journey, and I just want to say that if I can do it, anybody can.

For more similar stories, read:

1. Did not make it to IIMs? Don’t worry, it is not the end!
2. 12 management exams, a gap year, and KJ Somaiya - MBA journey of Yuvraj Joshi
3. From acing CAT with 99.48 percentile to securing admission into 6 renowned MBA colleges
4. From being clueless about MBA to getting 99% in CAT, XAT and IIFT- By Shivansh Mishra From XLRI, Jamshedpur
5. “I didn’t let COVID restrict me from acing CAT”- Suvojit Roy from IRMA