CAT 2025 Topper Interview: How Former Professional Cricketer Kushagra Barai Entered the CAT 99 Club

Quick Facts: CAT 2025 Topper – Kushagra Barai

• CAT Percentile: 99.33%ile

• Attempt: First

• Academic Background: B.Com, R.A. Podar College

• Profile: 9/9/7

• Background: Professional Cricketer (10 years)

• Strong Sections: Quant, LRDI

• Mocks Attempted: 40–50+ (if permitted)

• Dream B-School: FMS Delhi

• Other Exams: XAT 2026, MAH-MBA CET 2026

Early Reaction on CAT 2025 Result

Careers360: Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2025 toppers! What was your reaction? Were you expecting this?

Kushagra: Thank you so much! My reaction was a mix of excitement and reflection. I was genuinely happy with my percentile, but at the same time, I knew I could have pushed a little further. I was expecting an early 99th percentile, so while the result was very satisfying, it also gave me a sense of what more was possible.

Academic & Personal Background

Careers360: Can you tell us a little about your educational and personal background?

Kushagra: I am currently a final-year B.Com student at R.A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Matunga, Maharashtra. My profile stands at 9/9/7. Before starting my CAT preparation, I played professional cricket for almost a decade, which taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of consistent practice. Academically and professionally, I have always been deeply interested in finance and business strategy, with a particular focus on private equity and venture capital. These interests have shaped both my learning journey and my career aspirations in management Domain.

Why Management & CAT?

Careers360: What got you interested in the management domain and this examination?

Kushagra: For me, pursuing management feels like a natural career progression. The opportunities that top B-schools provide are unparalleled—you get the chance to contribute from the front lines and make the best use of your potential. I was drawn to this path because it combines my interest in business strategy and finance with the ability to solve real-world problems and create meaningful impact.

CAT 2025 Preparation Journey

Careers360: How long have you been preparing for the CAT 2025? Was it your first attempt?

Kushagra: CAT 2025 was my first attempt. I officially started my preparation in January 2025 when I enrolled with iQuanta, and I followed a structured plan to gradually build concepts, practice extensively, and track my progress through mocks and analysis.

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

Kushagra: Yes, I enrolled as a full-course student at iQuanta, and it turned out to be an excellent decision. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about the need for coaching, but the structured learning, expert faculty, and supportive community made a huge difference. The teaching methodology was highly effective, with fast doubt resolution, targeted guidance, and a clear learning path, which made the preparation process much smoother.

Exam Day Experience & Slot Strategy

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

Kushagra: My exam day experience was very smooth. I got a smaller centre, which meant fewer people and a calmer environment. I appeared in Slot 2, which was neither too early nor too late, so the timing worked well for me. Overall, it was a comfortable and focused experience, which helped me stay calm and perform my best.

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

Kushagra: For last-minute preparation, I focused on revising key Quant concepts to keep them fresh. On my way to the exam centre, I kept my mind sharp and relaxed by solving Sudoku puzzles. On the morning of the exam, I went for a short walk, which helped me stay calm and clear-headed before starting the test.

Section-wise Difficulty & Performance

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

Kushagra: Overall, I found the exam moderately difficult, with each section having a fair share of doable questions. It was more about selecting the right questions rather than attempting everything. Personally, I missed a few in Quant, and surprisingly, I struggled a bit in LRDI, which I had considered my strongest section. This taught me that even strong areas require careful attention on exam day.

Handling Strengths & Weaknesses

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

Kushagra: For my weaker areas, I realized I wasn’t comfortable with topics outside my interest, like history passages. To overcome this, I made it a point to read compulsorily every

day, gradually pushing myself until I reached a zone where I could handle even challenging material without feeling overwhelmed. For LRDI, consistent and extensive practice was key—I solved over 1000 sets, which helped build accuracy and speed. Quant was both a strength and a challenge. I was good at it in school, but as a non-engineer, I wasn’t in touch with many concepts. Once I systematically relinked the fundamentals, things improved significantly. The approach was a mix of revising basics, consistent practice, and incremental challenges to strengthen both strong and weak areas.

Time Management & Mock Strategy

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

Kushagra: For both preparation and exam day, time management was largely guided by practice. Attempting a large number of mocks helped me understand what strategies worked best for me, how to prioritise questions, and how to handle time effectively across sections. This consistent exposure made managing time during the actual exam feel natural and stress-free.

Key Factors Behind CAT 99+ Success

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

Kushagra: I believe my success was driven by regular practice and thorough analysis, especially through attempting a large number of mocks. Each mock helped me identify gaps,

refine my strategy, and improve time management. Additionally, the structured guidance from mentors played a crucial role in keeping my preparation focused and efficient.

Life Beyond CAT: Hobbies & Stress Management

Careers360: What are your hobbies? Did they play any part in your CAT preparations?

Kushagra: My primary hobbies include playing cricket and reading. Having played professional cricket for almost a decade, the sport has instilled discipline, mental toughness, and the ability to stay composed under pressure—qualities that directly helped me during CAT preparation and on exam day. Reading, especially material outside my comfort zone, played a crucial role in improving my VARC skills. Making reading a daily habit not only strengthened comprehension but also improved focus and endurance, which are essential for a long and demanding exam like CAT.

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

Kushagra: To relax during preparation, I relied a lot on reading, as I genuinely enjoyed the books I was reading. I also spent time learning new songs on the guitar, which helped me unwind and reset mentally. In addition, I regularly went to the gym and am also into running, both of which helped me stay physically active and mentally fresh throughout the preparation phase.

GD/PI/WAT & MBA Entrance Exams Ahead

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

Kushagra: I am currently looking into the GD/PI/WAT preparation and plan to start it as soon as possible. I want to approach this phase with the same structured and focused mindset that I followed during my CAT preparation.

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

Kushagra: Apart from CAT, I will be appearing for XAT and MAH-MBA CET.

Dream B-School & Expected Calls

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

Kushagra: My dream B-School is FMS Delhi. With my performance in CAT, I am hopeful of receiving calls from all the old IIMs as well as FMS Delhi. I am excited about the learning environment and opportunities these institutions offer.

Final Advice for CAT 2026 Aspirants

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

Kushagra: My message for next year’s CAT takers would be to focus on doing and executing, rather than just thinking. Put in the work even on days when you don’t feel like it, and make consistent analysis a part of your routine. Be prepared to make some sacrifices along the way—what you might be giving up now could be worth far more in the long run, even if you can’t see it yet. Discipline, persistence, and self-belief are what truly make the difference.