Want To Know How To Score 99+ Percentile In CAT? Here's CAT Preparation Strategy By Aishwarya Nair, 99.82 percentile, IIM Bangalore

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Scoring 99+ percentile in CAT is not an impossible task, but it takes a certain amount of effort and the right CAT preparation strategy to make it happen. In the article ahead, Aishwarya shares her CAT preparation journey and explains how to score 99 percentile in CAT.

CAT 2019 was my second time attempting the CAT exam. In my first attempt, that is CAT 2018. I secured a 95.46 percentile. But for CAT 2019, I scored a 99.82 percentile and converted many B-Schools. Here I will try to explicate how to get 99 percentile in CAT, and lay out my strategy for CAT exam preparation. 

So, my journey of CAT preparation started when I was in my second year of college. However, my preparation hit multiple roadblocks since I got busy with studies and placements in college, and was unable to achieve the score I wished to in my first CAT attempt. Come next year, I started my preparation for CAT 19 after I joined my first job in July 2019. At the time, I managed to dedicate 2-3 hours on weekdays for CAT preparation and then took mock tests on the weekends.

How to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT Without Coaching

I did not take CAT coaching, but I did subscribe to TIME's AIMCAT series which gave me the experience of attempting full-length tests. And this is where I realized one major mistake I made in my CAT preparation during the first attempt. And that was because I did not do enough practice writing three-hour tests and lost stamina midway through the actual CAT exam. For CAT 2019 preparation, I made sure to practice at least 2 full-length mock tests every week for four months, which helped me immensely on the final exam day. So my first advice to all aspirants would be to subscribe to mocks, even if you do not want to take CAT coaching. 

Also read: How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2022? CAT Preparation Timetable, Guidance, Tips, And More!

Begin by Laying a Solid Foundation

When I started preparation, I was still disheartened by the failure of the previous attempt. I was also starting my first job after graduating and it took me time to adjust to all the changes. What stumped me the most was the difficulty in drawing up a schedule for CAT exam preparation and sticking to it. In the beginning, I could barely manage to dedicate an hour every day for the preps. I also did not know how to model my preparation strategy, what my strengths and weaknesses were, and how I could make the most of the limited time I had.

So, if you want to score 99+ percentile in CAT, the first step towards it would be to identify your strengths and weaknesses and then take it from there. I achieved this by attempting multiple mock tests and analyzing my performance. I also analyzed my performance in CAT 2018 and tried to identify the mistakes I made and attempted to correct them. This is how I realized that Verbal was a strength for me, as I was able to consistently score high in that section. I also had a higher level of concentration for Verbal since it was the first section of the exam. 

Data Interpretation proved to be a weakness as I was not proficient with fast calculations. I was also not able to attempt the whole section in the one hour allotted for it. I realized, however, that I could attempt Logical Reasoning questions faster and with greater accuracy. So my main focus in the DILR section was to identify Logical Reasoning questions and Data Interpretation questions with lesser calculations and attempt them first. I followed this method in the Quant section as well, by attempting easier questions in the first pass of the question paper and attempting medium and hard questions in the subsequent passes. 

Also read: Everything You Need To Know About DILR - By IIT Alumnus Avik Pramanick (98.52 percentile in DILR, CAT 2017)

Devise a Full-proof Strategy

I believe that the most crucial step for scoring 99+ percentile in CAT is determining a strategy that works for you. This step alone took me two months, as I attempted numerous mock tests and solved questions from multiple topics to figure out what my strengths and weaknesses were. Once I figured it out, I simply allocated the time to brush up on my weaker topics. I made sure to keep some time after work every day to focus on CAT preparation. I also ensured that I remained motivated throughout this phase and did not abandon my preparation midway or get disheartened, as had happened in my previous attempt.

Look Out for These Resources for CAT Preparation

The AIMCAT series by TIME helped me practice an ample number of mock tests. This not only gave me practice but also increased my mental stamina as I was able to fully concentrate for three hours during the final day. It also gave me an idea of where I stood in terms of preparation and helped me better plan my strategy. I also used Career Launcher's topic-wise solved paper books for CAT to a multitude of problems on all topics.

I was constantly in touch with people who had either attempted CAT successfully in the past or were preparing for it along with me. This helped me stay focused on my preparation and ultimately score 99+ percentile in CAT.

Also read: Details About CAT Syllabus 2022 & CAT Exam Pattern- Everything You Need To Know!

The Two Pillars of Success in the CAT Exam

Among the numerous people who start preparing for CAT each year, only a very small percentage manage to give their best on the final day. For most people, preparation gets derailed due to studies, work, or other commitments. Without hours of practice with mock tests, attempting CAT on the final day is an uphill task. Often people get demotivated or lose stamina in the process. Every person who successfully cracked CAT will agree that there are only two things that push an average attempt to a great one - lots of practice, and the motivation to keep striving till the last second.

Verdict: I applied to IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Kozhikode, Lucknow, and Indore, and received calls from all of them. I converted all of them except Ahmedabad. Finally, I am going to join IIM Bangalore's PGP program.

Here are a few other inspiring CAT preparation journey articles that will help your perfect your CAT strategy:

1. How To Prepare For MBA Entrance Exam- Preparation Tips From 99 Percentiler Minkesh Devani (SNAP 2020), IIM Shillong
2. Best Way To Prepare For CAT While Juggling Placements And College Exams- By Roshan Kumar, 99.8 percentile CAT 2019
3. How To Prepare For CAT Exam? Devise The Best CAT Preparation Strategy -By Nitish P Nair, 99.67 percentile, IIM Bangalore
4. Definitive Reading List For CAT Preparation