BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026
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CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Scoring a 99.26 percentile in CAT 2025 on his very first attempt, Kunal Bohra emerged as one of the top performers in one of India’s most competitive management entrance exams. A B.Com (Finance) graduate with an academic profile of 8/7/8, Kunal combined disciplined preparation, a calm exam-day mindset, and a strong command over Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) to achieve this milestone.
In this CAT 2025 topper interview, Kunal shares insights into his preparation strategy, mock-test approach, section-wise performance, and the role of mindset in handling a challenging paper, especially DILR. He also opens up about balancing preparation with work exposure, managing stress through cycling and reading, and his expectations from top B-schools like IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow. Aspirants preparing for CAT 2026 can draw valuable lessons from his structured yet balanced approach to cracking CAT.
Careers360: Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2025 toppers! What was your reaction? Were you expecting this?
Kunal: Thank you so much! Honestly, it felt surreal. Like most candidates, I walked out of the exam unsure — DILR was challenging and VARC felt unpredictable. Quant was relatively comfortable, but I didn’t expect an overall result at this level. Seeing the score was extremely gratifying and made all the effort feel worthwhile
Careers360: Tell us something about your background.
Kunal: I come from a commerce background and graduated with a B.Com specialising in finance. After graduation, I worked with Goldman Sachs in a compliance and risk-facing role, where I gained exposure to structured problem-solving, stakeholder coordination, and working in a high-pressure global environment.
Outside of academics and work, I have been actively involved in cycling-led social initiatives, most notably Relief Riders during the pandemic, which gave me early exposure to leadership, coordination, and community impact. Together, these experiences shaped my interest in problem-solving, discipline, and long-term growth, and motivated me to pursue competitive exams like CAT.
Careers360: How was your exam day experience? Which slot did you appear in?
Kunal: I appeared in Slot 1. In the days leading up to the exam, I followed a fixed routine—waking up early, going for a walk, and spending some quiet time reading—to stay calm and focused. I made sure to follow the same routine on the exam day as well.
It was a pleasant, cool morning, and I felt mentally rested by the time I reached the centre. On the way, we happened to pass by IIM Bangalore, and my mother and I exchanged a quiet smile. It was a small moment, but it gave me a lot of positivity and confidence going into the exam.
Careers360: What was your last-minute preparation strategy for CAT?
Kunal: My last-minute preparation focused more on mindset than volume. I avoided burnout by slowing down, taking walks, and not overthinking about the possible results. I stopped studying new concepts about three weeks before the exam and paused mocks four days prior, using the time mainly for light revision, especially of Quant formulas.
Careers360: What according to you were the toughest and easiest sections?
Kunal: VARC felt relatively comfortable for me. That said, the questions were fresh and required careful reading and application rather than speed.
DILR turned out to be the toughest section for me. While Quant is usually the section I am more cautious about, this time DILR was more demanding, and I was initially unsure about clearing the cutoff. Managing composure and selecting the right sets became crucial, and I consciously ensured that a challenging DILR section did not affect my approach in Quant.
Careers360: How did you tackle your strong and weak areas?
Kunal: I received a valuable piece of advice early in my preparation to focus on improving weak areas before reinforcing strengths. I followed this approach throughout my preparation.
In VARC, I realised that Verbal Ability needed a more structured approach. Once I addressed that, my mock scores began to stabilize, and most of my VARC practice thereafter came through regular mock tests and their analysis.
Quant was my relatively weaker area, so I dedicated more time to it. I practised a wide variety of questions across topics and maintained a dedicated notebook where I noted formulas, common question types, and topic-wise approaches. This helped me build both clarity and confidence over time.
Careers360: What was your time management strategy for preparation and exam day?
Kunal: During preparation, I focused on consistency rather than long study hours. I followed a flexible daily schedule that allowed me to balance learning new topics, revision, and mock analysis without burning out. A significant portion of my time went into analysing mock tests, identifying recurring mistakes, and prioritising areas that needed improvement.
For Quant, I consciously tried to visualise the solution approach before attempting a question. This helped me avoid spending time on questions without a clear path. In DILR, I mentally rated sets during practice to improve my set-selection skills. I also used mocks to experiment with different strategies and gradually refined the ones that worked best for me.
On exam day, my focus was on staying composed and sticking to a pre-decided section-wise plan. In VARC, my aim was to maximise attempts while maintaining accuracy. In DILR, I spent the first 5–8 minutes reading all the sets and selecting two that were clearly doable. In Quant, I began with Arithmetic, as it is my strongest area, and then moved to other topics. This approach helped me manage time effectively across sections and maintain accuracy
Careers360: Did you take coaching? How helpful was your coaching institute for you? Is it possible to succeed through self-study?
Kunal: Yes, I attended IMS for my preparation. Their teaching methodology aligned well with my learning style, and the institute provided a structured framework, reliable study material, and consistent guidance throughout my preparation. This structure helped me stay disciplined and focused.
That said, I do believe it is possible to succeed through self-study as well. Ultimately, success depends on the individual’s learning style, discipline, and ability to analyse and correct mistakes. Coaching provides direction and structure, but self-study, when done systematically, can be equally effective
Careers360: What are the factors behind your success?
Kunal: CAT preparation can be a demanding and intense phase, and one of the biggest factors behind my success was the support system I had. I was fortunate to have a group of classmates with whom I studied regularly. We pushed each other to stay consistent while also keeping the process enjoyable, which helped with discipline and accountability.
Another crucial factor was mindset. Staying positive and believing that a strong score was achievable made a significant difference. Even when I felt unsure about certain sections, I remained open to the idea that consistent effort over time could lead to improvement.
Additionally, being honest with myself during mock analysis helped a lot. I neither let lower scores or unsolved questions discourage me, nor did strong performances make me complacent. Instead of chasing scores, I focused on understanding my mistakes and refining my strategy. Over time, this approach helped me build confidence and develop the right exam temperament.
Careers360: Which is your dream B-School? From which colleges are you expecting a call?
Kunal: IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow would be my dream B-schools. Apart from some of the older IIMs, I am also hopeful of receiving calls from institutes like SPJIMR and IIFT Delhi.
Careers360: Have you started preparing for GD/PI/WAT?
Kunal: Yes, I have started my preparation. I began by introspecting and gaining clarity about my academic journey, work experience, and motivations for pursuing an MBA. Alongside this, I am revisiting key academic concepts from my graduation and staying consistently updated with current affairs.
At this stage, my focus is on building clarity of thought and structured responses, which I believe are essential for performing well in GD, PI, and WAT.
Careers360: Which other MBA entrance exam have you appeared/appearing for?
Kunal: I have appeared for SNAP and will be appearing for XAT, as institutes like SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, and XLRI are among the top management schools in India.
Careers360: What are your hobbies?
Kunal: One of my primary hobbies is cycling, which I’ve pursued both as a fitness activity and as a way to engage with the community. I also enjoy reading non-fiction, particularly in areas like philosophy, economics, and current affairs, which helps me stay informed and develop a broader perspective.
Regular reading also played a role in strengthening my comfort with comprehension and critical thinking, which reflected positively in VARC. Together, these hobbies help me stay disciplined, balanced, and mentally refreshed
Careers360: What were the relaxation and recreation methods you followed amidst CAT preparation?
Kunal: During my preparation, I made a conscious effort to include activities that helped me unwind and stay mentally balanced. Walking and cycling were my primary ways of relaxing, as they helped clear my mind and manage stress.
I also continued my habit of reading, especially non-fiction, which helped me disconnect from preparation while still staying intellectually engaged. These activities ensured that I stayed refreshed, avoided burnout, and remained consistent throughout the preparation phase
Careers360: What is your message for next year's CAT takers?
Kunal: My biggest advice would be to focus on building a process rather than chasing outcomes. Have a clear strategy, but be flexible enough to adapt it based on mock performance. Mock tests are not just for practice—they are tools to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and exam temperament.
On exam day, decision-making and composure matter as much as aptitude. Learn to move on from difficult questions, trust your preparation, and avoid letting one section affect the next.
Most importantly, pay attention to mindset. There will be phases of self-doubt and fluctuating scores, but consistency and belief in gradual improvement make a huge difference. If I had to add one thing, it would be to take care of your mental well-being and avoid burnout—CAT is as much a test of resilience as it is of aptitude
On Question asked by student community
Hello there,
Yes, you should surely give a try. Your score and being Non-Engineer gives you an edge. The previous trends shows that cutoff typically hovers around 75-84 for EWS category. Therefore you must give a try.
NIBM gives proper weightage to academics as well, therefore your 8\8\8 would work
HELLO,
With an overall 98.54 percentile ( QA/DILR 97.55, VARC 94.89) and strong academics 9/9/0, you have a good profile. As a B.Tech candidate you can expect calls from :-
Hope this
Hello there,
The IIMs you should expect are listed below:
Your biotech background
Hello there,
With a 70 percentile it is not easy to make it in the IMT Hyderabad because the cutoff usually reaches 85-90+ for general category, even IMT Nagpur has low chances since the cutoff usually reaches 75-85. However, IMI Kolkata, is your safe option, since the cutoff is around
Hello aspirant,
Your kid has a good profile even in the general category with a BTech from IIT Delhi, three years of excellent job experience in a leading industry, and a 96 percentile in the CAT. He has a strong chance at reputable MBA schools like IIM Shillong, IIM Udaipur,
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