“CAT is worth it even if it takes multiple attempts to crack” - Ananda, IIT Bombay

“CAT is worth it even if it takes multiple attempts to crack” - Ananda, IIT Bombay

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 20 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 05 Apr 2024, 02:41 PM IST

CAT Topper Interview: Many students choose to pursue an MBA from IITs as they offer great ROI due to their moderate fees and high placements. Pursuing an MBA from IITs not only adds the prestigious IIT tag to your CV but also offers a great campus life and networking opportunity. Here is another exclusive interview with a CAT topper who did his MBA from SJMSOM IIT Bombay. Ananda Roy scored 98.53 percentile in CAT 2020. In this interview, he talks about how the admission process at IIT Bombay is different than other colleges, his CAT preparation journey, mock strategy, and profile building. This article offers excerpts from the interview. Watch the complete conversation by clicking the YouTube link given below.

LiveCAT 2025 Registration LIVE: IIM Kozhikode extends registration till September 20; MBA admission criteriaSep 13, 2025 | 9:43 PM IST

Candidates applying for CAT 2025 should keep their documents, including Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, a valid photo ID, graduation certificate, work experience proof (if applicable), and any other relevant papers, ready as these will be required during the registration process.

Read More
“CAT is worth it even if it takes multiple attempts to crack” - Ananda, IIT Bombay
“CAT is worth it even if it takes multiple attempts to crack” - Ananda, IIT Bombay

Careers360 - Tell us a little bit about yourself and your profile.

Ananda - I was born and brought up in Kolkata. After that, I did my B-Tech in Mechanical Engineering from SRM University, Chennai. During my undergraduate days, a lecturer came from Mahindra who was an R&D engineer. He gave us a lecture on how an engine is developed, and how platforms of vehicles are developed. I understood that as an engineer, I can only make the vehicle efficient or I can reduce cost. Ultimately, the decisions of when to launch the vehicle, at what price the vehicle will be launched, and other important decisions are taken by managers and executives. And that is what really drew me to pursue an MBA.

Check out | When and how to start CAT exam preparation?

Careers360 - Which MBA entrance exams did you get?

Ananda - Initially I started preparing for the GRE and one of my friends who was preparing for the CAT Exam suggested me to give CAT as well. So I gave CAT and GRE.

Careers360 - How much time did you devote to CAT preparation daily?

Ananda - I devoted almost six to eight hours per day. I did not have a formal job when I was preparing for CAT.So, for CV building I volunteered at an NGO, I did courses on machine learning, economics, and accounting. CV building is very important because you will be asked in interviews about what you did during this time.

Check out | Crack CAT in 6 months

Also, Read | Important Topic for CAT

Careers360 - Would you recommend any books for CAT Preparation?

Ananda - I bought a book called Sarvesh K. Verma and I finished that book three times for Quant and For LRDI, I started with solving the previous year's question papers and also I took an LRDI booster course from a coaching institution which really helped. As far as VARC is concerned you

can read essays from Aeon, Medium, Ken, The Economist, The New Yorker magazine, editorials, and some book reviews.

Check out preparation resources for CAT 2024

Best books for CAT preparation

Free VARC Study material

Free CAT mock tests

for CAT 24

Latest CAT exam study material

Most scoring topics for CAT 100 CAT Quant Facts

Careers360 - What other interview calls did you get apart from SJMSOM IIT Bombay?

Ananda - I had calls from MDI Gurgaon and SPJMR. Apart from these, I had IIM CAP calls from all the new IIMs and baby IIMs.I converted MDI Gurgaon and IIT Bombay.

Careers360 - Why did you choose IIT Bombay over other B-Schools?

Ananda - Number one would be the batch strength. In IIT Bombay, the batch strength usually hovers around 120 odd people. So during placements, the competing pool of people is really small. The companies offer great roles and salaries. IIT Bombay happens to be one of those B schools that has the philosophy of a tech school offering an MBA. The campus life is very vibrant. There would be some music competitions, some theatres, some art exhibitions, and some workshops happening all the time.

Check out | Top MBA Colleges in India

Careers360 - So tell us about the admission process at IIT Bombay. What was the procedure like?

Ananda - The admission process is really simple. You apply for admission based on your CAT scores and then you get called for a personal interview, which is taken by a panel. So here is the difference between our college and other colleges. The panel is composed of three people. One

would be an MBA professor, One would be a B.Tech or an M.Tech professor from IIT And the third panelist would be an alum from SJMSOM who has a background similar to the student.

Careers360 - How is the Academic curriculum at IIT Bombay?

Ananda - We have case study-based pedagogy. It's no different from any other B school. The academic focus is more on the quantitative analysis of different subjects. So even if it's marketing and it would be more around the analytical aspects of marketing.

Careers360 - What advice would you give to students who would be giving CAT24?

Ananda - I will say it's never too late.CAT is very much a crackable exam. I have known people who have leaped by bounds and scored stellar percentiles. Even if multiple attempts are needed, it would still be worth it. I know CAT is becoming harder year by year which is why cracking it is possible only through sheer discipline.


Also Read | MBA after B.tech

Also, Check out -

Must Watch for CAT24

How to convert IIM Calcutta

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA Business Analytics
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
The Science and Business of Biotechnology
Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Online MBA
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects