Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024
Rishab Rahiman, an aspirant who secured admission to his dream B-School, IIM Bangalore, takes us through his journey and experience of being a CAT topper 2022 to acing MBA admission rounds. He got calls from renowned MBA colleges like SIBM Pune, SP Jain Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Lucknow but he chose IIM Bangalore.
Latest: CAT’24 preparation with experts from CL. Know more
Free Study Material: VARC | Chapter-wise Practice MCQs
Practice Questions: DILR | Quant | Most Scoring Concepts
Test: 20 Free Mock Test | 10 Year PYQs
In an exclusive interview with Careers360, Rishab provides insightful tips, preparation strategies, and encounters with esteemed interview panels, providing aspiring B-School candidates with invaluable insights and guidance. This interview illuminates the path for MBA aspirants, offering insights into selection metrics and unveiling the path to success.
Rishab: I feel ecstatic! It feels really rewarding after all the hard work and effort that I put in. IIM Bangalore was always my dream B School, and I feel quite lucky to have secured admission to it, on my very first attempt. It’s a new beginning, and I am eager to take on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Rishab: The process starts with giving the CAT exam. One needs to score a very high percentile (99+) to get a call from IIM B. This percentile will vary for OBC, SC/ST, and students from different educational backgrounds. Based on your CAT score, 10th and 12th score, work-ex, and gender diversity, you are shortlisted for the WAT (Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview) round. The weightage for each of the factors changes every year, so keep yourself updated about it from the IIM B website. After the WAT-PI round, a cumulative score is calculated based on which the final merit list is drafted.
Rishab: After giving CAT, I got a call for the WAT-PI round at IIM B in mid-January. I had to fill out a personal data form for it and received my WAT and interview slots. The Written Ability Test was conducted online a few days before the interview which was scheduled inside the IIM Bangalore campus itself. It was a good chance to explore the campus and talk to a lot of students who are currently studying there. Overall, the whole selection process at IIM Bangalore was very structured and smooth.
Rishab: I have converted calls from SIBM Pune, SP Jain Mumbai, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIM Calcutta and IIM Lucknow. Selection procedures for IIMs were mostly the same. SIBM had an additional group discussion round in its selection procedure which was very different from that of IIMs. And SP Jain has its iconic group interviews (both technical and HR rounds). XLRI's interview round was extremely short and fast (mine lasted for around 5 minutes), however, I had to wait almost 5 hours for it.
Rishab: IIM Bangalore's WAT process was held online, days before the PI was scheduled. My WAT topic was "The Global Tech Layoffs and its Effect on the Indian Economy". I structured the essay by first introducing the topic. Gave reasoning for why it is happening followed by its effects on the economy. I finished it by giving an example of a company that laid off its employees recently and tried to explain its effects on the Indian economy. Layoffs were a common topic that most aspirants were aware of, but the effect on the economy part caught me by surprise.
Rishab: I joined TIME Institute for the PI-WAT process. I got to give a few mock PIs before my actual interviews. I got really valuable feedback on how to structure my answers, how to introduce myself and how to come out of tough spots in an interview. I started my WAT/PI prep only after XAT, which was on 8th January. I started reading magazines and newspapers to keep myself updated on the latest happenings. The main chunk of preparation though was about the things that I had mentioned in my application forms and revising my academics.
Rishab: Different institutes follow their own style of conducting the PI. For example, you can almost always expect a maths question from IIM Calcutta's interview panel. Your technical knowledge and general awareness is key to cracking IIM Bangalore’s PI. So, candidates must research a bit about the college which they are going to attend the PI for, beforehand. Know about the companies that come for placement, famous alumni from the college, the latest news about the city in which the college is situated and the city in which you are attempting the PI etc.
Rishab: A few topics that I was asked to write were on,
Rishab: If you do not know an answer, the best way is to accept that you do not know. That way you avoid beating around the bush or saying something stupid and unrelated to it, which can backfire harshly on your result. Always keep a smiling face and tell politely that you are not aware of it, or you are not able to recollect it. The panelists are usually very friendly and will always try and help you to reach the answer and will drop a few hints also.
Rishab: WAT is a very time-constrained task. Take a few minutes and jot down all the important points. Then start writing in a structured manner. Most colleges expect paragraph style. So avoid writing in pointers. Also, make sure you have ample time to finish the topic. An essay without an ending will not look nice.
Rishab: Time management is very important for WAT. Say the total time is 30 minutes to complete. To write 300 words, a person might need approximately 15 minutes. But here we have to do the thinking as well. So, it is recommended that you create a skeleton of your essay in the first 5 minutes and keep all the points handy in rough. Then just refer to that skeleton and complete the essay within the time limit. Every institute strictly follows WAT timings, so you will not get spare time.
Rishab: My very first interview was for IIM Lucknow. I was very stressed, and somehow the panelists were able to easily see through me. They made me feel comfortable and only then did they start the interview. Some panelists have their own way of breaking the ice by telling jokes or asking you to introduce yourself. After my first interview, I realized there was no need to panic. I am just going to talk about the things I prepared for, and if I don’t know any answer, it is OK to accept that I do not know. With that attitude, I was able to attempt my other interviews with more confidence.
The panel size was usually either two or three. Sometimes I felt that the panelists play the good cop and bad cop roles. It is important to focus on all the panelists, and not just the ones who is being friendly.
Rishab: My IIM Calcutta interview was the best one. I was the last candidate for my panel, and I could feel that both myself, and the panelists were a little tired. They started off by asking me to sing. I was caught by surprise. I was not prepared for this googly. I pulled myself together and managed to sing a verse from ‘Bole-re Papi Hara’, and the panel enjoyed it too. Suddenly there was a rush of energy all through me, and the interview went very smoothly from there on. As expected, they asked me a mathematics question, which I answered in a very detailed manner. They asked a few questions about my job, and a few current affairs questions that I had prepared, and voila! my interview was over. They said I sang well and asked me to take a toffee.
Rishab: GK was not one of my strong suits, and I couldn’t answer many questions from different PIs. I tried to answer as much as possible, and if I had no idea, I would just mention that I was not aware of it. Also, since I had quit my job right before CAT, I was questioned about that choice by almost every panel, and I honestly mentioned the reasons behind my choice.
Rishab: In my IIM Ahmedabad interview, the panelists shot down a plethora of GK questions ranging from the Olympics to Nobel laureates, to the history of the India-Nepal relationship. Since they were static GK that I did not know, all I could do was smile and say "I don’t know".
If there is no way around it, it is all right to say that you do not know the answer. It will not have a negative effect on your selection unless you say 'you don’t know' to too many questions.
Rishab:
Rishab: SP Jain conducted a group interview which was very interesting. One must be very attentive to what others say and at the same time, not get carried away or get affected by how bad or good your peer is performing. Similarly, SIBM conducted a group discussion. Mine quickly turned into a fish market. During such times, make sure you stand out by being organized. One must not panic when the other candidates are making a lot of points when you have barely spoken one. Many just end up repeating the same points already discussed, just for the sake of more speaking time.
Rishab: My preparation for an interview would always start by looking at the previous year's questions that were asked. Many sources like iQuanta, HitBullseye, and CatKing provide previous interview experiences on their websites for free. They were the main source of preparation. Then came the Mock PI which was taken care of by TIME Institute for me. They regularly provided mocks PI catered to the colleges that I had calls from.
Rishab: Basically if you have a call for an interview, the panel knows that you are intelligent, at least academically. They might just brush on a topic or two to check if you remember things that you have learnt. But more than that, what I felt is that they want to check whether you are able to manage the interview stress, whether you are able to communicate the things you know, and how confident you are at tackling problems. It is not a big problem if you do not know the answers to a few questions. So, believe in the preparation that you have put in and be confident while answering. The panel is highly skilled, and they will know if you are bluffing or are just trying to dodge a question. Answer to what is exactly asked, and you will probably have a good PI experience. All the best!
Balancing CAT preparation with college studies requires strategic planning and time management. Here’s a concise approach to help you prepare effectively:
1. **Create a Timetable**: Allocate dedicated time for CAT preparation daily, even if it’s just 2-3 hours. Focus on one CAT section (VARC, DILR, QA) each day to maintain balance. Weekends can be used for extensive practice and mock tests.
2. **Leverage College Breaks**: Use gaps between classes, study breaks, or commute time to revise formulas, solve quick questions, or read newspapers to enhance your reading comprehension and vocabulary for VARC.
3. **Focus on Basics First**: Strengthen your fundamentals in Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation. Use your college academic breaks to dive deeper into complex topics.
4. **Mock Tests & Analysis**: Start taking mock tests early to build exam temperament. Analyze your mistakes thoroughly to improve your strategy and time management.
5. **Consistency over Intensity**: Study regularly, even for short periods. Consistency will help you cover more topics without overwhelming yourself.
6. **Balance Both Priorities**: Ensure your college assignments and studies are managed well to avoid last-minute stress. Prioritize subjects in both CAT and college where you need more attention.
By maintaining a disciplined schedule and staying focused, you can efficiently manage both CAT preparation and college studies.
hope this helps you!!
Hello Nikita,
To get into any of the top IIMs, such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, or Indore, a good percentile in CAT is required, although academics play a vital role too. Let's break it down below:
CAT Score: 98+ percentile is an excellent score and makes one competitive.
Academic Scores:
Your 10th score at 84% is quite good.
A 12th score of 65% is on the lower side, which might hamper your chances at some of the top IIMs since they give weightage to past academic performance.
IIM Selection Criteria:
Every IIM has its own weightage for the scores of academics, CAT percentile, work experience, if any, and diversity.
For example, IIM Ahmedabad requires consistent academic records, while IIM Bangalore puts the strongest focus on work experience and diversified profiles.
Graduation: You are currently pursuing graduation, and your performance during that will also be considered in the shortlisting process.
While your CAT score is going to be the major pointer, your academic record-doing in class 12-is going to affect your prospects a bit at IIMs that place significant emphasis on your past performance. Still, you will have a healthy shot, at least at institutes like Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore, where a good score in CAT may offset lower marks in academics.
If you have diverse profiled extracurricular activities, leadership roles etc, or work experience, then it can build up your application further.
Hello!
Prep for CAT 2024: Application Pattern
Syllabus: Focus on those areas that fall under the syllabus; for instance, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning.
Books: Stick to standard books from renowned authors, say, Arun Sharma for Quant, Norman Lewis in vocabulary, and some mock tests available from TIME, IMS, or Career Launcher.
Mock Tests: Take mocks and study the mistakes made.
Time management: F ocus on speed and accuracy.
If you need a more structured approach, consider a coaching institute.
Start early and become a regular.
Wishing you the best! thankyou!
Hello,
While starting your CAT preparation late can be challenging, it's still possible to achieve a good score with focused effort. Prioritize understanding the exam pattern, and focus on key areas like Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability.
Create a structured study plan, practice regularly with mock tests, and review your performance to identify weaknesses. Use quality study materials and consider joining a coaching class if time permits. Stay consistent and motivated, and remember that dedicated effort in the coming weeks can lead to positive results.
You can refer to the following article for help :
https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/last-minute-preparation-strategy-for-cat
Good luck!
I understand your situation, Aishwarya. Preparing for the CAT while balancing your final year of engineering can be challenging, especially without coaching. However, with dedication and the right approach, it's definitely possible to crack the exam.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses:
2. Build a Strong Foundation:
3. Effective VARC Preparation:
4. Online Resources:
5. Create a Study Plan:
6. Stay Motivated:
While coaching can be helpful, it's not essential. With dedication, perseverance, and effective study strategies, you can definitely crack the CAT and achieve your goal of getting into IIMB.
Remember, starting now is a great decision. The earlier you begin, the more time you'll have to improve your skills and build confidence. Good luck!
For more information about CAT exam you can go through the link attached below.
https://bschool.careers360.com/exams/cat
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024
Top Recruiters-Amazon, Microsoft, ITC, Marico, Mindtree & many more | Merit Scholarships available
Ranked No. 1 Business School in India and no.35 in world by Financial Times MiM 2024 Ranking | Highest CTC: INR 81 LPA
9 IBS Campuses | Scholarships Worth Rs 10 CR
1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.
100% Placements with 220+ Companies