CAT 2023 Topper Interview: "My journey embodies resilience and commitment to improvement," says Nishakar Kumar

Meet Nishakar Kumar, a shining example of dedication and success in the CAT 2023 exam. Scoring an impressive 99.83 percentile in his very first attempt. Nishakar stands aa a testament to the power of unwavering commitment and consistency in CAT exam preparation. Like every CAT aspirant, Niskahar also had an aim to mark his presence in the CAT 2023 toppers list and it is his hard work and determination that led him to achieve his ambition. Read the exclusive interview of Nishakar Kumar with Careers360 wherein he has shared some valuable CAT preparation tips and strategies for future aspirants

Careers360- Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2023 toppers! What was your reaction? Were you expecting this?

Nishakar- Thank you! I had expected a percentile of 99.7 or higher based on my calculations from the response sheet. The actual outcome of 99.83 was a delightful surprise, and I am truly content with my performance, especially considering I prepared for the examination in just three months while simultaneously managing my academic commitments.

Careers360- Tell us something about your background.

Nishakar- I am currently in my final year pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. I successfully completed my 10th and 12th grades at Mothers Public School, Bhubaneswar, achieving scores exceeding 90%.

Careers360- How was your exam day experience? Which slot did you appear in?

Nishakar- My exam day experience was a mix of nerves and determination, considering it was my first attempt. I appeared in slot 1, beginning with the CAT VARC section. Unfortunately, due to nervousness, I encountered challenges in this section, relying on intelligent guesses and calculated risks. Despite feeling demotivated after realising I hadn't performed as well as usual in VARC, I decided to focus on the remaining sections. Remarkably, I scored exceptionally well in the subsequent two sections, securing 99.9+ in each. This experience reinforced the importance of not letting one section's performance impact the entire paper.

Careers360- What was your last minute preparation strategy for CAT?

Nishakar- As the CAT 2023 approached, I transitioned my approach to prioritise practice over intensive study. In the month leading up to the exam, I dedicated myself to taking one mock test daily. Leveraging previous year papers as mock exams, I achieved satisfactory scores, substantially boosting my confidence. A crucial element of my last-minute strategy involved identifying challenging questions during practice, bookmarking them, and dedicating the days before the exam to revisiting and fine-tuning my approach to these specific questions.

Careers360- What according to you were the toughest and easiest sections?

Nishakar- In my assessment, the toughest section was Quant, while the easiest was DILR. Typically, I relied on Quant to contribute significantly to my overall score, often surpassing 100 marks in mocks. However, this time around, CAT Quant proved challenging, and although I didn't achieve the expected marks, I still secured a score of 92, scaled to 95.69. DILR presented its own difficulties, but I was fortunate to select the easier sets initially, making my attempt feel comparatively straightforward.

Careers360- How did you tackle your strong and weak areas?

Nishakar- Effectively addressing strong and weak areas involves constant practice and ongoing revision. Quant emerged as my strength, while DILR posed a challenge. To overcome my weakness in DILR, I invested significant time understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Concurrently, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp on my strengths. While I considered myself decent in VARC, I did not prioritise extensive practice in that section, recognizing its language-centric nature and believing that significant improvement within a three-month time frame might be limited.

Careers360- What was your time management strategy for preparation and exam day?

Nishakar- In my preparation, I adopted a systematic time management strategy tailored to each section.

For VARC, I initially focused on completing all four Reading Comprehensions before addressing Verbal Ability. However, this approach backfired, as the comprehensions proved challenging, leaving me with limited time for the relatively easier verbal ability questions.

During the exam, for CAT DILR, I strategically aimed to tackle two doable sets within 40 minutes. Fortunately, I selected two manageable sets and completed them successfully.

For Quant, the emphasis was on strategic question selection. Continuously navigating through the question panel, I solved the easier questions as they presented themselves, optimising my time and maximising my efficiency in the section.

Careers360- Did you take coaching? How helpful was your coaching institute for you? Is it possible to succeed through self-study?

Nishakar- Yes, I took online coaching from IMS and took the Career Launcher mock test series. The coaching was really helpful and the material it provided guided me through my preparation for preparing the most relevant topics. It is possible to succeed through self study but one must know what to study and this is where coachings help out.

Careers360- What are the factors behind your success?

Nishakar- Certainly, I enrolled in online coaching with IMS and utilised the Career Launcher mock test series. The coaching proved highly beneficial, offering well-structured material that guided me through relevant topics and ensured comprehensive preparation. While success through self-study is possible, the guidance provided by coaching institutes is invaluable in directing one's focus and ensuring a well-rounded preparation by highlighting key areas of study.

Careers360- Have you started preparing for GD/PI/WAT?

Nishakar- Yes, I have initiated my preparation for GD/PI/WAT. Currently, I am focusing on refining my knowledge in areas such as current affairs, hobbies, academics, and HR-related questions.

Careers360- Which other MBA entrance exam have you appeared/appearing for?

Nishakar- I exclusively appeared for the CAT exam and did not participate in any other MBA entrance exams. My focus has been on securing admission to IIM A/B/C.

Careers360- Which is your dream B-School? From which colleges are you expecting a call?

Nishakar- My dream B-School is IIM Calcutta, although I would be content with admission to any of the IIMs preferably A, B, or C. Currently, I am anticipating calls from every IIM.

Careers360- What are your hobbies?

Nishakar- During my leisure time, aside from activities like watching movies and playing games, I have a keen interest in exploring new endeavours. I enjoy delving into fresh topics, engaging in project ideas, and recently, I initiated my own YouTube channel. On this channel, I share insights with fellow developers, offering tutorials and insights on various aspects of software development.

Careers360- What were the relaxation and recreation methods you followed amidst CAT preparation?

Nishakar- To unwind and take a break from CAT preparation stress, I engaged in various relaxation and recreation methods. Watching movies, listening to music, talking to friends, and playing games were some of the activities I indulged in. However, I maintained a balance by limiting my time with these distractions. I constantly reminded myself that the challenges were temporary, and the ultimate reward would bring greater happiness than the fleeting moments of leisure.

Careers360- What is your message for next year's CAT takers?

Nishakar- For next year's CAT takers, my advice is to proactively identify and address your weaknesses early in the preparation process. Start taking CAT mock test early on as they can help pinpoint areas for improvement. Consistency is key, so practise regularly and diligently. Work on enhancing your reading speed by incorporating newspapers and books into your routine. Familiarise yourself with the computer-based testing environment by taking mocks online. Best of luck with your preparations!