What to do after CAT 2020 result is declared?

The much-dreaded Common Admission Test aka CAT 2020 is finally over. But after burning the midnight oil for months, it now is time for you to sit back and plan things ahead. Once the results are out, which most likely will be announced in the first week of January, you must have an action plan to look up to. And even though we know that you’ve worked really hard for this one entrance examination and it is your dream to get into one of those top IIMs, the harsh reality is that not everybody makes it there. So, if not the IIMs, what should you do? 

To answer your queries, put your inhibitions to rest and help you chalk out an action plan for the years ahead, we are here to help you out. Let us have a look at the many options you have after the CAT 2020 results are declared. 

Appear for other MBA entrance exams

Honestly, it is good to have a dream college but having a back up in hand harms no one. Even after having scored a good 99 percentile, you might not land in one of the top IIMs, because of the numerous factors on which your admission to a top IIM depends. So, the very first strategy that you must have in mind while preparing for CAT and after having given the exam is to appear for all other MBA entrance examinations that can land you in prestigious MBA colleges across the country. 

Apart from CAT, there are colleges like IIFT, XLRI, SIBM, etc. that conduct entrance examinations of their own. To appear for these, you need to fill in their registration forms beforehand. This is how you’ll open a lot many doors for yourself even if you are unable to ace CAT. A few entrance examinations that you must definitely check out are IIFT, XAT, SNAP, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAH-CET and TISSNET. 

Apply for B-School admissions

Another step that you must take is to fill in the application forms of other non-IIM B-Schools that accept CAT score for their admission process. Making it to an IIM is great but what if things go haywire and you do not land your dream college in the end? To ensure that you do not miss out on any opportunity to get admission at a prestigious B-School other than the IIMs, keep a tab on their application deadlines and fill their forms accordingly. You can also predict your percentile with the help of the many percentile predictors on the internet. This will help you fill forms of colleges in accordance with your predicted percentile. 

Pro tip: While looking for a suitable college and filling in application forms, keep in mind a few factors like return on investment, college ranking, placement record, college faculty and the alumni base. 

Prepare for WAT/ GD and PI 

There is one other possibility and this, in particular, will most definitely pique your interest. After the CAT 2020 result is declared, you will get to know your score and percentile. If your percentile lies well within the range of the cut-offs declared by the IIMs, you must start preparing yourself for the very next phase of the MBA admission process which is that of WAT/ GD and PI. This usually takes place between February and May and you will most likely have around 2 to 4 months to prepare for it. Many other premier institutes conduct this process too. So, once you are done with entrance examinations, you can kick-start your preparation for WAT/GD and PI. 

Think of Plan B

Very often, things choose to take a different course and that is when we realise that life is not really a bed of roses. You might land up in situations that you wouldn’t have previously thought of which is when you need to make tough decisions and stand up for yourself. While you can have a well-thought-out plan of cracking CAT and making it to your dream MBA college, you might encounter unforeseen circumstances due to which your dream might not come true. 

Therefore, it is essential to chalk out a plan B, that can help you stand up on your feet if all else goes downhill. You can choose to apply for jobs or start preparing for CAT all over again, it depends on you. But keep in mind the amount of effort, the return on investment and everything else that is or will be at stake with your decision. 

Clearing CAT 2020 and acing the examination is no child’s play. It requires consistent effort, perseverance and dedication. But there is one more thing that you need to make it to your dream MBA college and that is luck. Only when you have all the cards in place will you be able to make it to the B-School of your dreams. So, while you strategise and plan the next steps after the CAT 2020 result is declared, keep in mind the numerous factors that come into play when colleges shortlist candidates for admission. And if you play the right chords, you will have a great action plan in hand. All the best!