Great Lakes PGPM & PGDM 2025
ApplyAdmissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Extended Application Deadline: 10th Feb 2024
CAT 2022 topper Soumik Banerjee pointed out consistency and determination to be the keys to crack this MBA entrance exam. Soumik Banerjee has scored a magnificent 99.95 CAT percentile. Being a working professional, a proper schedule has also assisted this topper to face this challenge and stand among the top 100 toppers of CAT exam.
CAT 2022 topper, Soumik Banerjee has suggested CAT exam to be an aptitude test which is not about testing one’s knowledge, instead testing one's ability to thrive in situations. Read this CAT 2022 topper full interview to know about his CAT preparation strategy and ace the upcoming CAT exam.
Careers360- Congratulations on being one of the CAT 2022 toppers! What was your reaction? Were you expecting this?
Soumik- After the examination was over the response sheets were released within two weeks. So, I ventured to some of the websites which give predictions based on the response sheet. Mostly, I found score around 99.8. However, when the actual results came out, I was very delighted to get the score of 99.95 and to be one of the top 100 candidates in all over India.
Careers360- What are your overall and sectional percentile and scaled scores?
Soumik- My overall CAT scores is 99.95 percentile, VARC-98.54, DILR-99.55 and QA- 99.9. Overall scaled score – 116.22.
Careers360- Tell us something about your background.
Soumik- I was born and brought up in Kolkata. I graduated with a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from Jadavpur University. I have been working in BPCL since 2016. Currently, I am looking after engineering, maintenance and capex jobs as an Assistant Manager in an LPG bottling plant.
Careers360- How was your exam day experience?
Soumik- I was allotted slot 1, so I reached the venue around 6.30 am. My strategy was to be relaxed, never keen on taking last minute notes. I knew Verbal was my weak point, so I didn’t put a lot of effort in it, just went with the flow. I knew DILR was going to be tough this year as in the last two years, it was easier section. My strategy was to give time and solve 2 sets out of 4. After completing VARC and DILR, I was happy to implement my strategies. QA was easier for me, expectedly I had decent accuracy in this section. Overall, I was satisfied after the exam.
Careers360- What was your preparation strategy for CAT?
Soumik- I started early, from January 2022. Mostly I prepared myself, however as I am from engineering background, I identified weakness in VARC. So, I joined an online course in a coaching platform. I tried to effectively utilise my time and appeared in quite a few CAT mock test. I had prepared a schedule for myself, I think that was very much beneficial for me.
Careers360- What according to you were the toughest and easiest sections?
Soumik- As I think, in slot 1 DILR was toughest and QA was easiest for me.
Careers360- How did you tackle your strong and weak areas?
Soumik- My weak area was VARC. It was the first section. So, I was continuously reminding myself that the performance in this section should not affect me in the next two sections. My strategy was to get the Verbal done first and then go for at least two RCs with maximum accuracy and if time permits then go for the third one. I completed three RCs with two minutes in hand, so I rechecked my responses in the verbal section.
My relatively strong area was QA. I didn’t choose questions. Instead, I started from the beginning and I was solving one after another. In between, I have left one or two questions on probabilities as it was my strategy from the beginning to leave those and some other lengthy questions. I was not looking for solving all the questions, instead I was focussed on accuracy. Eventually I got to the last questions with bare minimum time remaining.
Careers360- What was your time management strategy for preparation and exam day?
Soumik- As I am a working professional, I knew I would not be able to give a lot of time, so I kick started early. I had prepared a schedule for myself, I think that was very much beneficial for me. I tried to dedicate 2 hours daily for my preparation, in later stages it was around 3 hours. In the last three months, I took mocks almost every week and at least 2 sectional tests in each section on a weekly basis.
Careers360- Did you take coaching? How helpful was your coaching institute for you? Is it possible to succeed through self-study?
Soumik- Yes, I took coaching. I took it online mostly because of the study material and mock test platform. It was very much helpful for me as I didn’t need to look for contents here and there.
I think it is only beneficial for you if you can contemplate your ideas properly. Coaching can give you an additional edge as some of things are given to you beforehand. However, I believe at the end of the day, it is the self-study that brings the success, no matter how many institutes one is associated with and how much study material one is having. If one is not dedicated and not willing to put efforts, then success will remain unattainable.
Careers360- What are the factors behind your success?
Soumik- I think the consistent efforts that I have put in has brought me success. I focused on improving myself on a regular basis with strategic uses of resources and time.
Careers360- Have you started preparing for GD/ PI/WAT?
Soumik- Yes.
Careers360- Which other MBA entrance exam have you appeared/appearing for?
Answer- No other
Careers360- Which is your dream B-School? From which ones are you expecting a call?
Soumik- My dream B-school is IIM Ahmedabad and I have got call from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow and MDI Gurgaon so far.
Careers360 - Where do you see yourself in another 5 years?
Soumik- Currently I am working in an LPG bottling plant, where my decisions are focussed on plant level. Post MBA I would like to lead teams by understanding the business dynamics, so that my decisions can impact a wider section of business.
Careers360- What are your hobbies?
Soumik- To mention my participation in sports and hobbies, since childhood I was very enthusiastic about football. I used to play as a striker in my school football team and the departmental team in my college. Playing in a team taught me the importance of leadership, focusing on the bigger picture and teamwork. I follow the Liverpool football club and I am also a member of the club. The history of the club made me realise about the ups and down in career and life.
Another hobby is reading books, especially leadership books, autobiography and biographies of CEOs and Entrepreneurs are some of my favourite genres. I am deeply inspired by their visions, management skills, struggles, resilience and grits.
Careers360- What were the relaxation and recreation methods you followed amidst CAT preparation?
Soumik- I have been a full time working professional. The jobs sometimes demand me to be at site on even Sundays and holidays. At the same time, I had to prepare for the CAT. My hobbies are to follow world football and reading self development books. Apart from that whenever I find time I go for street photography, sometimes I watch movies and tv series to be relaxed.
Careers360- What is your message for next year's CAT takers?
Soumik- I believe preparation for CAT is a journey for self. So, I want future candidates to ask their inner selves that whether they are prepared for the journey or not. Most importantly whether they really want to get into a top B school or not. Once the person is determined half the battle is won. Then they need to be consistent in their preparation. As it is an aptitude test, it does not test one’s knowledge, instead tests one ability to thrive in situations. So be prepared for one or two elements of surprise on the exam day. Don’t procrastinate, be confident and deep down inside believe you can do it. All the very best.
The CDAC C-CAT exam dates for the August 2025 batch haven't been announced yet. However, I can provide you with some information on the exam schedule for the February 2025 batch, which might give us an idea of what to expect for the August batch.
The CDAC C-CAT exam for the February 2025 batch was held on January 11 and 12, 2025.The application form for the February batch was available from November 2024 to December 30, 2024.
Typically, the CDAC C-CAT exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, for admissions to the August and February batches, respectively. However, the exact dates for the August 2025 batch will be announced separately.
To stay updated on the CDAC C-CAT exam dates and other important events, I recommend checking the official CDAC website regularly.
BEST OF LUCK!!
Hello there,
A B.CAT (Bachelor of Creative Arts & Technology) in Film Editing is mainly focused on the media and entertainment industry. However, you can still apply for certain government jobs , such as:
For
core government film editing roles
, experience and certification from recognized institutes can improve your chances.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Yes, with a 99 percentile CAT score, you have a good chance of receiving a call from the top IIMs (including BLACKI - IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Indore) even with a relatively average academic profile like 8/7/8, despite lacking extracurricular activities; however, your chances will be significantly boosted by a strong performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds where you can showcase your strengths and potential beyond just academics.
Hello there,
Congratulations on securing a C-CAT Rank of 803 in Category II (A+B) ! With this rank, you have a good chance of securing admission to reputable institutes for the PG-DAC course .
Institute Options Based on Your Rank:
Based on previous cutoff trends, here are some institutes you might consider:
Sunbeam Pune
: Typically accepts ranks below 650. While your rank is slightly above this, it's still worth considering due to possible variations in cutoffs.
IACSD Akurdi Pune
: Generally accepts ranks below 1500, making it a viable option for you.
Sunbeam Karad
: Accepts ranks below 1100, which aligns well with your rank.
VITA Mumbai
: Typically accepts ranks below 1400, making it another suitable choice.
CDAC Kharghar Mumbai
: Accepts ranks below 2400, providing a comfortable margin for your rank.
CDAC Knowledge Park (Bangalore) : Generally accepts ranks below 1900, making it a feasible option.
Preference Filling Strategy:
When filling your institute preferences, consider the following approach:
Prioritize Institutes with Higher Cutoffs
: Start with institutes that have higher cutoff ranks than yours to maximize your chances.
Consider Location and Facilities
: Factor in the institute's location, infrastructure, faculty, and placement records.
Backup Options : Include a few institutes with cutoffs comfortably above your rank as backups.
Suggested Preference Order:
IACSD Akurdi Pune
Sunbeam Karad
VITA Mumbai
CDAC Kharghar Mumbai
CDAC Knowledge Park (Bangalore)
CDAC JUHU Mumbai
YCP Mumbai
MET Mumbai
CDAC Electronic City (Bangalore)
CDAC Hyderabad
Important Considerations:
Cutoff Variations
: Cutoffs can vary each year based on factors like the number of applicants and their performance.
Stay Updated
: Regularly check the official CDAC website and individual institute announcements for the most current information.
Consult Alumni : If possible, reach out to current students or alumni for insights into the institutes you're considering.
By carefully selecting your preferences and staying informed, you can enhance your chances of securing admission to a reputable institute for your PG-DAC course.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello,
Here are some good institutes where you can apply for the PG-DAC course based on your C-CAT rank of 803:
Preference Order for Filling Institutes:
Be sure to check the latest cutoff trends for a more accurate preference list.
You can also use the CAT college predictor tool to predict which college you can get based on your rank or score.
Hope it helps !
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Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Extended Application Deadline: 10th Feb 2024
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