CAT 2024 Topper Vitrag Kothari (99.35) says,"Setbacks are part of the journey; learn from them & move forward"

Meet Vitrag Yashvantkumar Kothari, a 22-year-old dynamic and passionate individual with a deep interest in finance and management. A graduate in Business Administration with a focus on corporate finance, Vitrag has always aimed to make a significant mark in the financial world. His exceptional performance in CAT 2024, where he scored a stellar 99.35 percentile, is a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and passion for excellence.

Beyond academics, Vitrag is a firm believer in the power of continuous learning and self-improvement, qualities that have fueled his journey to success. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his CAT preparation strategy, his motivations, and his aspirations for the future.

Careers360: Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2024 toppers! What was your reaction? Were you expecting this?

Vitrag: Thank you! When I saw my CAT 2024 results, I was overjoyed and slightly overwhelmed. Just after getting out of the exam centre on the day of the CAT exam, I had this feeling that I had cracked the exam and I'd have a great result, I was just a bit worried about the VARC section, but luckily I scored well in that too. It was a moment of immense pride and relief.

Careers360: Tell us something about your background.

Vitrag: I come from a small village named Sanjeli in Gujarat near Dahod. I completed my 10th board from Dahod and moved to Ahmedabad for higher studies. During my 12th standard, my father passed away so I had to manage both the family business and my studies simultaneously. After that, I came to Ahmedabad again to complete my education as my family always supported me. I completed my BBA with a specialization in Finance and Accounting, which sparked my interest in pursuing a career in finance. I used to participate in various competitions during my college years and managed to win some of them.

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

Vitrag: My exam day was a mix of excitement and nervousness. I appeared in the morning slot. Despite the initial anxiety, I managed to stay calm and focused throughout the exam. The experience was intense but rewarding.

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

Vitrag: In the last few days leading up to the exam, I focused on revising key concepts and solving CAT mock tests. This helped me identify areas that needed quick fixes and boosted my confidence. I also made sure to stay relaxed and avoid any new topics to prevent confusion.

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

Vitrag: For me, the toughest section was Quantitative Ability (QA) due to my relatively weaker background in Mathematics. The easiest section was Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI), as I found the puzzles engaging and straightforward with practice.

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

Vitrag: I allocated more time to my weak areas, especially Mathematics. I practised extensively and sought help whenever needed. For my strong areas, I maintained regular practice to keep my skills sharp. Balancing my preparation this way was crucial.

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

Vitrag: During preparation, I created a structured timetable, balancing studies with breaks. I used to do 3-4 sets of DILR every day and 3-4 RCs for VARC, apart from that I had to practice extra for QA as I was a bit weak in Maths. Also for VARC, 1000 CR helped me a lot in eliminating options. On exam day, I wanted to go aggressive, especially in VARC and then in DILR I wanted to ensure I didn't get stuck on difficult sets, so I just glanced through all 5 sets quickly and made up my mind about the questions that I am going to attempt and ones that I'll leave. For QA my strategy was simple, Just make sure to go through every question in the first 20 mins and manage to solve at least 4-5 questions along with it, and mark all the questions which I was confident about solving and come back to them in the second half.

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

Vitrag: Yes, I enrolled in IMS Ahmedabad, where I had great mentors and plenty of resources to study from, we even had our own exam attempting lab which simulated the actual CAT so it helped us prepare for the D-day. Success in CAT can definitely be achieved through dedicated self-study, as long as one has discipline and access to good study materials, and study materials I believe are available easily nowadays on various websites on the internet, you just have to look for it.

Careers360: What are the factors behind your success?

Vitrag: The key factors behind my success were consistent practice, a positive mindset, and the support of my mentors and family. Staying focused on my goals and believing in my abilities played a significant role. Being optimistic about the exam day is a must, I did not score in the last 4 mocks that I attempted before actual CAT but I constantly told myself that "this won't happen on D-day, it'll go great." So it is very important to constantly talk yourself out of tough situations and stay positive.

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

Vitrag: Yes, I have started preparing for the Group Discussions (GD), Personal Interviews (PI), and Written Ability Tests (WAT). I am focusing on current affairs, building my communication skills, and practising mock interviews.

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

Vitrag: In addition to CAT, I appeared for NMAT, and SNAP and will be appearing for the XAT as well. I believe these exams will provide more opportunities to secure admission into a top B-school.

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

Vitrag: My dream B-School is IIM Ahmedabad, which is known for its prestigious finance program, but to some extent, I am not very hopeful because of my bad academics. I am hopeful of receiving calls from other top institutions like FMS Delhi, IIFT Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, other IIMs and various IITs.

Careers360: What are your hobbies?

Vitrag: I enjoy reading books on finance and management, which keeps me updated with industry trends. In my leisure time, I love playing chess and going for a swim, which helps me stay focused and energetic. Apart from this, I am a big Formula 1 fan, I love watching F1 and watching movies and documentaries about it.

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

Vitrag: To relax and recharge, I practised mindfulness, meditation and swimming, which helped me calm down my anxiety, which helped me stay calm and focused. I also made sure to take regular breaks and indulge in my hobbies to maintain a balanced routine.

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

Vitrag: Believe in yourself and stay committed to your goals. Practice consistently, and don’t be afraid to seek help when needed. Remember, setbacks are part of the journey; learn from them and keep moving forward. Stay positive, and success will follow. No matter how tough the situation is, you have to always believe that you'll get through it and you can do wonders.