CAT 2024 Topper Interview Sahil Gupta, 99.77 Percentiler: Tips, Strategy, and Preparation Journey

CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Cracking one of India’s toughest management entrance exams requires more than just hard work—it demands strategy, consistency, and resilience. For CAT 2024 topper - Sahil Gupta secured 99.77 CAT percentile, He quoted “My journey to CAT 2024 success has been a blend of consistent effort, strategic preparation, and maintaining a calm mindset under pressure”. Despite hurdles along the way, Sahil focused on turning challenges into opportunities. By leveraging their strengths, diligently improving on weaknesses, and maintaining a balanced approach, they emerged victorious in this highly competitive exam. Here’s an inspiring deep dive into their journey, preparation strategies, and lessons learned.

Careers360 - Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2024 toppers! What was your reaction? Did you expect this result?

Sahil - When I completed my CAT question paper, I felt quite satisfied with my performance in the CAT LRDI section. However, I was slightly disappointed with my performance in Quant and quite skeptical about CAT VARC. When I saw the response sheet, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my LRDI performance was even better than I expected, while Quant and VARC turned out to be more or less as I had anticipated. Overall, it was a mix of relief and excitement!

Careers360 - Can you tell us a little about your background?

Sahil - I completed my graduation from IIT Dhanbad, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. After that, I worked as a System Engineer, gaining valuable professional experience. Academically, I have consistently performed well, with strong scores in my 10th, 12th, and graduation. My family has also been a great source of inspiration—my sister is an IIM Lucknow graduate, and my brother serves as an SDO at UPPCL.

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

Sahil - On the day of the exam, I focused on staying calm and treating it like any other step in the process. While there was natural nervousness, I reminded myself to stay composed and not let it affect my performance. I appeared in Slot 3 and focused on maintaining a calm and composed approach throughout the exam.

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

Sahil - In the last few days leading up to the exam, I focused primarily on Quant, as I felt it was the one section where quick preparation could significantly boost my score. Additionally, I made it a point to read extensively to stay sharp and focused. I also aligned my mock test schedule with the actual exam timing to build a sense of familiarity and rhythm for the D-Day.

Careers360 - In your opinion, which sections were the toughest and the easiest?

Sahil - For me, Quant was a section where most of the questions were doable, but I felt I couldn’t perform to the best of my potential. On the other hand, LRDI, especially with its DI-heavy questions, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me. VARC, however, was the toughest section as many of the questions had similar and confusing options, making it challenging to pick the correct answer.

Careers360 - How did you approach your strong and weak areas during preparation?

Sahil - Being from an engineering background, Quant and LRDI came more naturally to me, though Quant required extensive practice, which I focused on. For VARC, throughout my mock journey, my performance was quite erratic. To improve, I made it a point to read more and more, hoping that exposure would help me tackle the section better.

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

Sahil - My preparation time was relatively short, so I focused on making the most of it. The first two months were dedicated to polishing all the key CAT Quant concepts. After that, I shifted my focus to taking as many mocks as possible, followed by in-depth analysis and upsolving to identify areas for improvement. This approach helped me manage my time effectively and improve my performance consistently.

Careers360 - Did you take coaching? How helpful was your coaching institute? Do you think it’s possible to succeed through self-study?

Sahil - Most of my preparation was through self-study, much like my approach during JEE preparation. The only external help I took was a test series from TIME, which I enrolled in about 3-4 months before the actual exam. I found the mocks helpful for getting a feel of the exam pattern and time management, but I believe self-study played a more significant role in my preparation.

Careers360 - What factors do you believe contributed to your success?

Sahil - I believe the key factors that contributed to my success were staying true to my preparation and to myself. I made sure to maintain a balanced approach, giving equal importance to mind refreshment and studying. Perseverance and consistency were also crucial—I stayed focused and committed throughout the journey.

Careers360 - Have you started preparing for GD/PI/WAT? If yes, what’s your strategy?

Sahil - I've just started preparing for GD/PI/WAT. My strategy involves making a list of all the probable questions and then categorizing them based on relevance. I’m practicing my responses repeatedly and also giving mock interviews to simulate the real experience and improve my performance.

Careers360 - Which other MBA entrance exams have you appeared for or are planning to appear for?

Sahil - Apart from CAT, I have appeared for the XAT as well. I decided to focus on these two exams to give myself the best chance, and I believe both offer great opportunities for admission to top B-schools.

Careers360 - Which is your dream B-school, and from which colleges are you expecting calls?

Sahil - As is the case with many CAT exam aspirants, IIM Ahmedabad is my dream B-school. With my academic background being decent enough, I’m optimistic and hopeful for a call from them. I’m eagerly awaiting the results and looking forward to the opportunities ahead.

Careers360 - What are your hobbies?

Sahil - My hobbies include singing, and I’ve even had the opportunity to perform at my organization. I also enjoy sports, particularly badminton, cricket, and swimming, which help me stay active and unwind.

Careers360 - What relaxation or recreation methods did you follow during CAT preparation?

Sahil - During my CAT preparation, I made sure to take regular breaks to stay refreshed. I found listening to music and going for walks to be great ways to relax. And whenever I felt burnt out, I would go out with friends to recharge and clear my mind.

Careers360 - What is your message for next year’s CAT aspirants?

Sahil - My message to next year’s CAT aspirants would be that exam strategy and time management are just as important as subject knowledge. Focus on taking as many mocks as possible to simulate the real exam experience. Analyzing your weaknesses and mistakes after each mock is crucial, and don’t forget to revisit and improve upon those areas consistently.