CAT 2024 Topper Interview (99.99%iler): Here's How Aryan Ray Aced Quant With Perfect 100 Percentile

CAT 2024 Topper Aryan Ray Interview: In the fiercely competitive world of management entrance exams, Aryan Ray has emerged as a shining star. Securing an awe-inspiring 99.99 percentile in CAT 2024, Aryan has captured national attention, especially for his flawless performance in the Quantitative Aptitude section, where he achieved a perfect 100 percentile. A combination of relentless dedication, strategic preparation, and an innate knack for problem-solving has placed Aryan among the elite ranks of CAT toppers. In this exclusive interview, Aryan shares his journey, preparation strategies, and the mindset that led to his remarkable success.
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Careers360 - Congratulations on your 99.99 percentile and perfect 100 in Quant! How does it feel, and did you expect this result?

Aryan - Thank you so much! Honestly, it still feels surreal. I had expected to perform decently in Quant since it's always been my strong area, but a perfect 100 percentile and an overall 99.99 percentile were beyond what I had envisioned. The result feels like the cherry on top of what started as an uncertain journey.

Careers360 - Tell us a bit about your academic and professional background.

Aryan - I am currently in my final year of B.Tech at IIT Delhi. Alongside academics, I’ve been teaching mathematics to JEE and competitive exam aspirants for over three years, including offline and online roles. Teaching has not only been a passion but also a major professional commitment for me. I’ve also dabbled in projects involving global math olympiads and edtech startups, which have helped me build a strong foundation in problem-solving and analytical thinking.

Careers360 - How was your exam day experience, and which slot did you appear in?

Aryan - My exam day was calm, thanks to minimal expectations. I appeared in the second slot. I went in with the mindset of just doing my best and treating it like another mock test. This relaxed approach probably played a big role in managing my nerves and optimizing my performance.

Careers360 - What was your strategy to achieve a perfect 100 in Quant? Any specific techniques or resources?

Aryan - The key was consistency and efficiency. I focused on sectional mocks, previous years' questions (PYQs), and a lot of timed practice to optimize speed. Instead of chasing too many resources, I stuck to a few but made sure I mastered them. Concepts were always clear since I’ve been teaching math for years, so the focus was more on exam temperament and time management. In my first mock I scored 40+, although the accuracy was high but I couldn't attempt all and the target was always to achieve a perfect score, with time I got consistent and scored 60+ in most of my final mocks.

Careers360 - Which section did you find toughest, and which was easiest? How did you handle the pressure?

Aryan - VARC was the toughest for me because I struggled with accuracy in RCs. I tackled it by focusing on key passages and not overanalyzing. Quant was the easiest, thanks to my math background. During the exam, I stayed calm and focused on maximizing accuracy rather than attempting everything.

Careers360 - How did you work on your weak areas while maintaining strength in Quant?

Aryan - VARC and LRDI were my weaker sections, so I dedicated more time to them. For VARC, I practiced timed reading comprehension passages daily to improve focus and accuracy. I started reading newspapers and articles to increase my attention span. For LRDI, it was all about exploring varied sets to improve adaptability. I balanced this by revisiting Quant regularly to ensure I didn’t lose my edge.

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

Aryan - Preparation was about dividing time equally between weak and strong areas, with extra focus on mocks. On exam day, I prioritized easier questions first and left tricky ones for later, ensuring I didn’t lose time on anything uncertain.
Careers360 - Did you take coaching? How helpful was it? Can self-study work for CAT?

Aryan - No, I didn’t take formal coaching, but I sought guidance from peers and relied heavily on self-study and test series. Self-study can definitely work for CAT exam, provided you are disciplined and have the right resources. However, coaching can help with structure and guidance if you’re struggling to stay on track.

Careers360 - What key factors contributed to your success?

Aryan - Consistency, a strong Quant foundation, and exam temperament were the major factors. Beyond that, having supportive parents and mentors like Stuti Lohani who encouraged me when I doubted myself made all the difference.

Careers360 - Have you started GD/PI/WAT preparation? What’s your plan for these rounds?

Aryan - Yes, I’ve started with current affairs, introspecting on my journey, and going to start practicing mock interviews soon. My focus is on presenting a clear, authentic story while improving structure and confidence in responses.

Careers360 - Did you appear for other MBA entrance exams? How did you manage preparation?

Aryan - No, my entire focus was on CAT.

Careers360 - Which B-schools are you targeting, and where are you expecting calls from?

Aryan - I’m targeting the IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta. Based on my percentile, I’m hopeful of getting calls from these institutes.

Careers360 - What are your hobbies, and how did they help during preparation?

Aryan - I’m an active member of the IIT Delhi Music Club and love singing. Music has always been my stress-buster—it kept me relaxed during intense prep phases.

Careers360 - How did you relax and stay motivated during CAT prep?

Aryan - Music was my way of unwinding, but honestly, I didn’t have much time to relax or get demotivated. Teaching kept me busy and gave me a sense of purpose, which naturally kept me motivated throughout the journey.

Careers360 - What advice would you give to CAT 2025 aspirants, especially for excelling in Quant?

Aryan - Focus on building conceptual clarity and practicing timed questions. Stick to a few trusted resources and revise them thoroughly. More importantly, maintain consistency and believe in yourself. On exam day, treat the paper like another mock to keep nerves at bay.