CMAT Topper Interview: CMAT and MAH MBA CET Preparation Journey and Life at SIMSREE

CMAT Topper Interview: CMAT and MAH MBA CET Preparation Journey and Life at SIMSREE

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 23, 2024 10:23 AM IST | #CMAT

CMAT Topper Interview: Rugved is currently pursuing the MMS program at Sydenham Institute of Management Studies securing 99.77%ile in MAH MBA CET and 97 %ile in CMAT. In an exclusive interview with Careers360, CMAT topper Rugved talks about his CMAT and MAH MBA CET preparation journey and life at SIMSREE. He shared insightful tips and tricks to crack these MBA entrance exams. This article offers excerpts from this CMAT topper interview. Watch the complete conversation by clicking the YouTube link given below.

CMAT Topper Interview: CMAT and MAH MBA CET Preparation Journey and Life at SIMSREE
CMAT Topper Interview: CMAT and MAH MBA CET Preparation Journey and Life at SIMSREE

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

Rugved - I was born and brought up in Pune. I've done my schooling from Pune itself, SSC board. I've done my bachelor's in economics, and went on to pursue masters in economics as well. I've had a couple of work experiences where I've worked with a think tank in Pune. And I've worked as a basketball coach independently.

Check out | CMAT College Predictor

Careers360 - Which MBA entrance exams did you give?

Rugved - I gave CMAT and MAH MBA CET. These are the only two exams that I appeared for.

Careers360 -What were your scores in these exams?

Rugved - In CMAT, I scored 97 percentile and in MAHCET, I scored 99.77 percentile.

Check out | CMAT score vs percentile

Also Read | CMAT eligibility criteria

Careers360 - What are some important topics for CMAT?

Rugved - In the VARC section, improving English proficiency takes time and consistent effort. Developing the habit of reading extensively and enhancing vocabulary are crucial. Additionally, finding logical connections within passages is important, as it aids in effectively tackling reading comprehension questions. Utilizing the elimination process can be helpful in solving RCs efficiently, but this requires the ability to read quickly and comprehend passages accurately. Practice is essential in mastering RCs due to the time constraints involved.

Careers360 - what are some best books for CMAT?

Rugved - CMAT has a vast syllabus but there is much less time pressure as it is for three hours.For quants, I primarily relied on the materials provided by the online coaching center I joined. They covered a comprehensive range of topics. For the VARC section, "Word Power Made Easy" proved beneficial in enhancing vocabulary and understanding word origins. The books provided by our institute sufficed for LR preparation. Additionally, practicing mock tests after covering all the topics was crucial.

Check out preparation resources for CMAT 2024

Careers360 -What advice would you give for preparing for MAH MBA CET?

Rugved - For MAH MBA CET, you have a lot of time as it's probably happening next March, 2025. Start preparing now. If you're working, you don't need to quit your job to focus on MAH MBA CET; it's not that difficult. However, you need a dedicated and disciplined approach to studying for CET.

Careers360 - Many students get demotivated while preparing for entrance exams. What advice would you give them to stay motivated and continue their preparation?

Rugved - You need to be brutally honest with yourself. I knew I was weak in maths and had to work hard to improve. In CET, you can't have any weak sections. Even after preparing, I had weak areas like geometry, where I just knew the basics. When I didn't score well in mocks, I felt demotivated, but I reminded myself that my foundation was solid. Even knowing 60-70% of the material can be enough to succeed. Stay focused on your goal and give your best, even when you feel like giving up.

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Careers360 - Considering the booming startup culture in India and the aversion towards traditional education, do you think an MBA is still relevant?

Rugved - I was just discussing this with my sister. If you know why you're doing something, the degree itself becomes less crucial. For example, if you have a family business or want to start your own, an MBA offers a solid platform to learn essential skills. While practical experience is valuable, an MBA can still be beneficial if you're ready to invest one or two years in it. It depends on your specific situation rather than making a generalized statement.

Careers360 - What are your future career plans? How do you see yourself in the next few years?

Rugved - I've only thought about the next five years. It depends on how I get placed in a company. I'm open and flexible to any finance profile but don't want to commit to certain roles right now, like an equity research analyst. I see myself in general management within a company, which isn't a core finance role but requires an understanding of finance. I'm very committed to that.

Check out | CMAT Preparation Tips

Full version of CMAT Topper’s Interview: Check out this video to watch the complete conversation:Rugved shares tips to crack #CMAT

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Questions related to CMAT

Have a question related to CMAT ?

Hello,

Yes, you can also join IIMs two years after graduation, depending upon the justification in interviews and your performance in entrance exams. If you are not sure about CAT, try those other management exams less hard:

Common Management Admission Test: Easier than CAT; 4-5 months of continuous preparation will suffice.

MAT : Much easier and takes place thrice a year.

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test): A bit easier than CAT, apt for Symbiosis Institutes.

Xavier Aptitude Test or XAT : Hence, easier than CAT but the unique decision-making section.

Use exams like CMAT and MAT as a challenge to be competitively prepared. This can be given about 4-5 months, along with a few rounds of mock tests and smart studying.

Hello there,

With a 71.5 percentile in CMAT and 77% in BBA, you do have a chance of getting into BK School of Business Management (Gandhinagar Institute of Technology) for MBA, especially if they have a lower cutoff in the 4th offline round. Admission can depend on factors like your performance in the entrance exam, overall profile, and availability of seats. It's also helpful to keep an eye on the specific requirements and trends from previous years to gauge your likelihood better. If possible, consider reaching out to the admissions office for more tailored guidance.

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 aspirant,

One of the most important things to do when beginning a strategy exam preparation is to grasp the CMAT syllabus 2025. Candidates can make an efficient study plan that helps them cover every topic in detail by consulting the CMAT exam syllabus.

To know the detailed syllabus you can visit our website by clicking on the link given below.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/cmat-syllabus

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

An 80 percentile CMAT score is a decent score, but whether you can secure admission to IMS depends on several factors:

  1. Specific IMS Campus: There are multiple IMS campuses with varying admission criteria and cut-offs.
  2. Program Offered: The program you're targeting (PGDM, MBA, etc.) will have different eligibility requirements.
  3. Category: Your category (General, OBC, SC, ST) will influence your chances.
  4. Competition: The overall competition for that particular year and program will determine the final cut-off.

While an 80 percentile score increases your chances, it's essential to check the specific cut-offs for your desired IMS campus and program. Additionally, consider other factors like work experience, academic background, and GD/PI performance, as they might play a role in the final selection.

To improve your chances, research different IMS campuses, understand their admission process, and prepare well for the subsequent selection rounds.

hope this helps you!!

Hello student,

With a CMAT score of 70 percentile in the EWS category and being a Madhya Pradesh (MP) domicile, you may have a chance of getting into some Institutes of Management Studies (IMS) in MP, though admission can be competitive. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Previous Year Cutoffs:

  • Generally, IMS have varying cutoffs based on the course and the number of applicants. Check the previous year's cutoffs for the specific IMS you're targeting, as this will give you a clearer picture of your chances.

    2. EWS Category:

  • Being in the EWS category may provide you with some advantage in terms of lower cutoff requirements in certain institutes, which could enhance your chances of admission.

    3. Counseling Process:

  • Keep an eye on the counseling process and any updates regarding seat allocations. Some IMS might have management quota seats that could also be an option.

    4. Other Admission Criteria:

  • Besides CMAT scores, some institutes may consider other factors like academic performance, work experience, and group discussions/interviews.

    Recommendations:

  • Apply to Multiple Colleges : Don’t limit yourself to just one or two IMS; consider applying to several to increase your chances.

  • Stay Updated : Regularly check the official websites of the IMS for any announcements regarding admissions and counseling schedules.

In summary, while admission with a 70 percentile CMAT score can be competitive, your chances can improve due to your EWS category and MP domicile status.

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.


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