Amity University Noida MBA Admissions 2025
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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.
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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.
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query:-
Determination of the best time to start the journey of CAT examination is based on individual factors like your current skill level, knowledge ,potential, learning pace and availability. To give yourself the best chance of success on the CAT exam, which usually takes place in November, it's advisable to begin studying between January and March of that same year. This 8 to 12-month preparation window is widely recommended by experts. But if you're managing your college along with the CAT preparations make sure you start from 2nd year onwards. It will hep you manage stress and you'll have ample amount of time to get along with the syllabus , pattern and various practice and mocks .
You'll be able to build a strong foundation in each sections and be able to know your strengths and weaknesses in different topics. The CAT syllabus is extensive, and early preparation allows for thorough coverage. Assess your learning speed and adjust your preparation timeline accordingly.
Essentially, while the ideal start time is subjective, beginning your CAT preparation well in advance is generally considered the most effective strategy for achieving optimal results.
The CUSAT CAT previous year question papers are available on the Careers360 website. You can find question papers from 2012 to 2023, which can be downloaded in PDF format HERE
Additionally, the official website of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) also provides previous year question papers. To access them, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the CUSAT official website - admissions.cusat.ac.in.
- Click on the resources tab from the homepage.
- Select the previous year's question papers from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Common Admission Test (CAT) question papers link.
- Now click on the B.Tech course.
By practicing with these previous year question papers, you can get familiar with the exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve your time management skills.
Hey Shathvika,
Let's dive deep into MBA Entrance Exams (Other than CAT)
1. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: XLRI, Jamshedpur
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Marks: No negative marking for General Knowledge.
Key Highlights:
- The Decision-Making section tests analytical and situational judgment skills.
- General Knowledge is evaluated during interviews, not for percentile calculation.
Official Website: https://xatonline.in
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2. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: Symbiosis International (Deemed) University
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: General English, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning.
- Duration: 1 hour.
- Marks: Total 60 marks (MCQs).
Key Highlights:
- Specifically for admission to Symbiosis institutes like SIBM Pune and SCMHRD.
- Easy-to-moderate difficulty level.
Official Website: https://snaptest.org
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3. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Marks: 400 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Accepted by over 1,000 AICTE-approved institutes.
- Includes an optional Innovation & Entrepreneurship section.
Official Website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in
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4. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: All India Management Association (AIMA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Marks: 200 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Held multiple times a year in PBT, CBT, and IBT modes.
- Accepted by more than 600 MBA colleges in India.
Official Website: https://mat.aima.in
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5. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Marks: 360 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Allows three attempts, with the best score considered.
- Accepted by NMIMS and partner universities worldwide.
Official Website: https://www.mba.com/exams/nmat
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6. IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade)
Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (final-year students can also apply).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Quantitative Analysis, Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Marks: 300 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Specifically for IIFT’s flagship MBA in International Business.
- General Knowledge plays a significant role in shortlisting.
Official Website: https://iift.nta.nic.in
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7. TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test)
Conducted by: Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: English Proficiency, Mathematics & Logical Reasoning, and General Awareness.
- Duration: 100 minutes.
- Marks: 100 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Focused on social sciences, HRM, and public policy programs.
- General Awareness is crucial (with emphasis on current affairs).
Official Website: https://admissions.tiss.edu
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8. MICAT (MICA Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: MICA, Ahmedabad
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree and a valid CAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Psychometric Test, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, General Awareness, Divergent-Convergent Thinking, and Descriptive Test.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
Key Highlights:
- Psychometric Test is a qualifying section.
- Specifically for MICA’s flagship PGDM-C program in Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Official Website: https://www.mica.ac.in
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9. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Eligibility: No specific eligibility; bachelor’s degree recommended.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
- Duration: 3 hours 7 minutes.
- Marks: 800 (scaled score).
Key Highlights:
- Globally recognized for MBA programs.
- Popular for Indian B-schools like ISB, SPJIMR, and Great Lakes.
Official Website: https://www.mba.com
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10. MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
Conducted by: Maharashtra State CET Cell
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Logical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Marks: 200 marks (MCQs).
Key Highlights:
- Accepted by top Maharashtra B-schools like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA.
- Known for its speed-intensive nature with 200 questions in 150 minutes.
Official Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org
Let me know if you have any doubts regarding a specific exam or any other query.
Have a nice day !!
Hello Ayush,
K.R. Mangalam University utilizes a blend of MCQs, descriptive formats, and practical assessments to evaluate student performance. The continuous evaluation system ensures that students are assessed regularly throughout the semester, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their academic progress.
Hello,
Here are some simple tips to prepare for the CUSAT CAT exam:
1. Focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM).
2. Give equal time to all subjects.
3. Use NCERT Books as they are best for basics.
You can refer to following study materials for better practice :-
Hope it helps !
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