CAT 2020 Topper Vishesh Garg says, “Do not have expectation, relax and do the best you can”
The second day of New Year 2021 brought a smile on the face of Vishesh Garg who is the CAT 2020 topper as he scored 99.99 percentile in the exam. CAT 2020 topper Vishesh Garg, a B.tech graduate aimed at making his way to one of the premier B-schools. It is with this determination that he started his CAT preparation and had emerged out in flying colours. Often, while preparing for such competitive exams, one tends to get a bit stressed. However, CAT 2020 topper Vishesh Garg, did not let stress take a toll on him and he used to relax and recreate himself by playing music and going for long walks. CAT 2020 was a bit different as compared to the past since the duration of the exam was reduced and candidates were not aware of the total number of questions that would be asked. Vishesh, did not let this deter him or lose his focus. Careers360 spoke to CAT 2020 topper Vishesh Garg who shares his preparation strategy and other valuable tips.
Latest update: CAT 2020 result declared on January 2, 2021. Also check CAT cutoff 2020.

Careers360 - Congratulations on your stupendous performance. What inspired you to appear in CAT 2020?
Vishesh Garg - I appeared CAT last year as well and also secured a pretty decent percentile which is 99.0 percentile. I always have a plan set for me to work in the industry post B.tech and after that consider going to management college. Last year seeing the fact that I scored very well without preparation, I thought of giving the entrance test this year too. But along the work, I know I need someone to guide me for preparation, so I joined T.I.M.E Bangalore. And I prepared really hard for CAT 2020.
Careers360 - Share your overall and sectional percentile and scaled scores?
Vishesh Garg - My overall percentile is 99.99 in which I secure 99.98 in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), 99.87 in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), 99.6 in Quantitative Ability (QA).
Careers360 - How was your exam day experience?
Vishesh Garg - My exam experience was rather very smooth like one thing was that there was a change in the exam pattern and got everybody surprised. But I was lucky that I didn't lose my nerve in the exam. The preparation definitely helped me and my mentor guided me not to worry and just give my best shot. And that's what I did. I never had a score in my mind or this many questions I have to attempt and all. I just went to appear for the CAT 2020 with one thought: that is to do the best what I can do. It was a pleasant experience, there were no troubles with the COVID situation, the organisers were quite nice and cooperative.
Careers360 - What are your exam strategies and mantras used to crack CAT 2020?
Vishesh Garg - One thing I experienced that last year I scored good without preparation was because I didn’t have the expectation of the result or whatsoever. So when we don’t have any expectations we don’t have any nervousness. We can use our brain in the best possible state without any pressure. So I tried to carry on this year as well leaving the expectation behind. For preparation, I focused on the areas which I know I was very weak. Like I was very good at Verbal so I revised it again and again and read novels and solved some sample papers. But DILR was a comparatively weaker section for me. So I used to practice a lot of questions, attend classes, and talk to my mentors at the coaching institution. I trained myself to answer properly which I knew I was weak.
Careers360 - What according to you is the toughest and easiest section?
Vishesh Garg - I was in Slot 1. I found the Quantitative Ability (QA) section to be a little harder than expected. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) was the easiest section according to me. Verbal I am not the right person to judge since I usually do well in Verbal.
Careers360 - Share us something about your background. What inspires you to appear in CAT 2020?
Vishesh Garg - I did my schooling in St Luke’s Sen, Solan Himachal Pradesh. In 10+2 I have medical with maths, so I was preparing for both actually, but maths seems to work out better for me. I did my B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from NIT Hamirpur. And right now I am working in Bangalore as a software engineer.
Careers360 - You were working in industry as well? How did you manage your time during the preparation for CAT 2020?
Vishesh Garg - Initially, managing the time was quite tricky for me. There were times when I worked 12 hours a day. My preparation time was mainly focused in the weekend. On weekends I used to spend time attending online lectures, attempting questions, and solving question papers.
Careers360 - How helpful was your coaching institute for you?
Vishesh Garg - Yes, it was very helpful. Study materials are available easily. But what coaching was helpful to me was the target approach. Teachers in coaching help me to realise what were the questions I should attempt and how many I should have attempted. Again whenever I have doubt I can simply contact them and clear my doubts. And it is always easier, the teacher explaining us over the topic rather than just look around the book. Because sometimes we don't get concepts in clarity.
Careers360 - How did you deal with your strong and weak points?
Vishesh Garg - Attempting the sample papers is how I realised there are topics which were weak and strong for me. For topics I am strong in, I did not hamper much because to attempt a question I need to free my brain as I have to answer logically. For my strong point, all I did was practice based on the knowledge I knew. And for my weaker section though I start with basics I used to attend online lectures and go through the coach material I have. For my strong section, what I made sure was not to leave out any question which I can score well that I have to attempt the best and for my weaker section I prepared enough to get the easiest and medium level questions done. I leave the hard question right away to save time.
Careers360 - What were your relaxation and recreation methods you followed during preparation for CAT?
Vishesh Garg - To be honest, I didn't study for so long. I used to sit and study for 2 hours followed by watching my favourite series or movies on Netflix, seating with parents at home, going out for a walk. I never went hard into the preparation, I used to give my brain time to rest, sleep 8 hours.
Careers360 - Did you appear for any other MBA entrance exam?
Vishesh Garg - No I didn’t appear for any other MBA entrance exam.
Careers360 - What is your dream B-School? What career do you want to pursue after completing your MBA degree?
Vishesh Garg - My dream B-School is actually a tie which are IIM Bangalore and Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University. I haven’t analysed yet very deeply. But I have plans to get my specialisation in finance and get work in technology. Since I am a person with a technology background, I hope an MBA with B.Tech would fit me to work in a good technology company.
Careers360 - What are your hobbies?
Vishesh Garg - Apart from watching series I love to play music. Whenever I get time I try to play music. I love reading novels.
Careers360 - Who is your Idol?
Vishesh Garg - I have always been inspired by Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. I had the chance to meet him once and conservation with him really changed my life. Apart from A.P.J Abdul Kalam, my father is my inspiration.
Careers360 - Any message you would like to give to the next CAT aspirants?
Vishesh Garg - Go to the exam hall without any nervousness leaving behind the expectation. Treat CAT as an exam not the end of your life. A relaxed mind can help to tackle the exam easily.
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Questions related to CAT
CAT score : 95.34 Acads: 10th : 85.5 12th: 88.2 B tech: 84 and 2.5 years of experience. please suggest the best colleges I can get to pursue MBA
Hi
Getting a call from a B- School depends upon a number of factors like your percentile score in CAT and academic profile i. e.percentage of marks obtained by you in class 10th, 12th and graduation, work experience. Your academic profile is good and work experience is also decent.
With your overall 95.34 percentile in CAT you have chances in following B schools which are listed below :-
*IIM Shillong
*IIM Kozhikode
*IIM Rohtak
*IIM Ranchi
*IIM Trichy
*IIM Raipur
*VGSoM, IIT Kharagpur
*IIM Bodh Gaya
*IIM Udaipur
*DoMS, IIT Madras
*IIM Kashipur
And more
For details you can checkout our page, the link for the same is provided below.
After getting a call , one has to go through WAT/GD/PI , and then he/she is finally selected for admission on the basis of performance in these rounds , percentile score in CAT, academic profile and work experience.
To get the list of colleges that you can get call from for your MBA, you can use CAT call predictor, the link for the same is provided below
https://bschool.careers360.com/pathfinder/cat
It will let you know the colleges from which you have chance to get a call for PGDM or MBA based on your category, your percentile score in CAT examination and your academic profile .
If you have any other doubt then feel free to ask them :) we are always here to help you out and guide you
Thank you
Can an indian black cat commando quit his job at age 30??
I hope my answer helps. All the very best for your future endeavors!
Will Delhi University be taking admission via merit this year along with the common aptitude test?
Hello,
Delhi University Admission 2021 will start in the month of March 2021. An entrance exam known as DUET is organised by NTA (National Testing Agency) to offer admission in various UG and PG programmes in the University.
Application form will be available from first week of March 2021 for UG courses (entrance based) and from third week of May 2021 for UG courses (merit based).
Delhi University Syllabus will be released by the authorities through online mode on the website. Syllabus will be different as per the courses.
Merit based admission fees is
- For general/ OBC category candidatesRs. 250
- For SC/ ST/ PWD candidatesRs. 100
Entrance based admission fees is
- For general/ OBC category candidatesRs. 750
- For SC/ST/ PWD candidatesRs. 300
https://www.careers360.com/university/university-of-delhi-delhi
You can refer to this link for more information.
Hope this helps!!!
I got 83.56 in cat 2020 (di 86 Qa 84 Va 64.25) and NC OBC and acads 10th 95 12th 75.2 grad 71. Got a letter from iim ranchi about Mba HR programmme. 2000 fees Is it worth filling the form???
Hello aspirant!
IIM Ranchi HR program is one of the best in the country and you should not miss the chance if you have got the opportunity. The placement report of the college is stellar (see link below)
https://iimranchi.ac.in/uploads/fp18-20.pdf
You have decent academics and should not face any issue in getting shortlisted for companies. Do not make the decision solely based on the fees or the ROI ratio. The main purpose of doing an MBA from a reputed college is to get a headstart in your career and start your career in management from a top tier company. It will be your launchpad into the corporate world and then you are free to explore on your own.
The post pandemic scenario should not haunt us for too long and the industry will be on its feet in no time. I would urge you to consider this as a good opportunity and consider admission this year only.
All the best!
i got 89.78 overall percentile in cat 10-82% 12-82% grad-70% gem is there ang chance of getting call?
Hi
Getting a call from a B- School depends upon a number of factors like your percentile score in CAT and academic profile i. e.percentage of marks obtained by you in class 10th, 12th and graduation, work experience. Your academic profile is average
With your overall 89.78 percentile in CAT you have chances in following B schools which are listed below :-
*TAPMI, Manipal
*Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
* Indian Institute of Financial Management and Research, Changambakkam
*SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai
*Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, Bangalore
*Prin. L N Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai
*Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education, Mumbai
*Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Trichy
*FORE School of Management, New Delhi
*University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh
For details you can checkout our page, the link for the same is provided below.
After getting a call , one has to go through WAT/GD/PI , and then he/she is finally selected for admission on the basis of performance in these rounds , percentile score in CAT, academic profile and work experience.
To get the list of colleges that you can get call from for your MBA, you can use CAT call predictor, the link for the same is provided below
https://bschool.careers360.com/pathfinder/cat
It will let you know the colleges from which you have chance to get a call for PGDM or MBA based on your category, your percentile score in CAT examination and your academic profile .
If you have any other doubt then feel free to ask them :) we are always here to help you out and guide you
Thank you