SNAP 2024 Topper Interview Aum Rabara; Insights on Scoring 99.9710 Percentile

SNAP 2024 Topper Interview - Meet Aum Rabara, a dynamic individual who blends creativity with analytical prowess to achieve excellence. Aum’s unwavering passion for problem-solving and exploration has led to outstanding accomplishments in competitive exams, including a remarkable 99.9710 percentile in SNAP 2024 with a score of 48, alongside stellar performances in CAT 2024 (93.99 percentile) and NMAT 2024 (256). Also Aum is expected to be more than 99 percentile in XAT 2025.

Latest: Direct link to download SNAP 2024 scorecard 

New: SNAP 2024 College Predictor

Also See: SNAP 2024 Question Paper with Solutions PDF

Beyond academics, Aum’s professional journey reflects versatility, having managed brands, executed marketing campaigns, built WordPress websites, and led creative projects in photography and design. These diverse experiences have not only honed Aum’s skills but also fostered an adaptive and innovative mindset.

Join us as Aum shares their inspiring journey, strategies, and insights in this exclusive interview with Careers360.

Careers360 - Congratulations on being one of the SNAP 2024 toppers! What was your reaction? Did you expect this result?

Aum - Thank you so much! While I had worked diligently and aimed for a strong performance, I didn’t expect to see such a high percentile. My initial goal was to score around 42-43 marks, which I calculated would translate to a 98 percentile. Achieving 48 marks and securing a 99.9710 percentile was an incredible surprise and a major breakthrough for me, especially after a challenging day during the CAT exam.

This result was a moment of immense happiness and validation, reaffirming that consistent effort and perseverance do pay off. It’s given me a renewed sense of confidence and motivation for the journey ahead.

Careers360 - Can you tell us a little about your background?

Aum - I’ve always had a strong academic foundation, consistently performing well throughout my educational journey. For my undergraduate degree, I chose B.Com, where I not only honed my academic knowledge but also dedicated time to developing both hard and soft skills.

During this time, I found myself drawn to social media, designing, and other creative avenues, which naturally led me to discover my strengths as a marketer and manager. This interest drove me to explore the field further, eventually landing a role as a Brand Manager. In this role, I had the opportunity to lead a cross-functional team of 8, managing diverse responsibilities and delivering impactful results.

It was this experience that sparked my interest in pursuing an MBA. While I had developed strong practical skills, I realised there were gaps in my knowledge that an MBA could help bridge.

Careers360 - How was your exam day experience?

Aum - During the first two SNAP exam, my preparation was still a work in progress. The experience was smooth, and I found SNAP to be a short and engaging exam. It’s actually quite fun to attempt. I approached both exams with confidence but knew that my performance in them wouldn’t be enough to reach my goals.

By the time the third attempt came around, I was determined to excel. While I faced some technical issues with the system during the exam, I focused on maintaining my composure and confidence throughout. That mindset really paid off, as I ended up scoring my highest marks in the third exam.

Careers360 - What was your last-minute preparation strategy for SNAP?

Aum - My last-minute preparation strategy for SNAP was all about smart work and staying calm. I made up my mind that I needed to maximise my attempts, even if it meant making a few calculated guesses where necessary. SNAP’s format rewards speed and smart decision-making, so I tailored my approach accordingly.

In the final days, I prioritised taking timed mock tests and analysing my performance thoroughly. This helped me identify the types of questions I could solve quickly and confidently, as well as areas where I needed to be cautious to avoid wasting time. I also revisited key concepts in Quants and Logical Reasoning to ensure I was clear on the basics and could tackle them under pressure.

On exam day, the confidence, combined with my strategy of maximising attempts and marking calculated guesses, paid off, helping me achieve my best score in my third attempt.

Careers360 - In your opinion, which sections were the toughest and the easiest?

Aum - In my opinion, Quants was the toughest section this year. It was quite lengthy and required a lot of time to solve. On the other hand, General English and Logical Reasoning were moderate to easy.

Interestingly, my usual experience is quite the opposite, I tend to be quicker in Quants and often struggle with managing time in LR. However, given the challenge this year, I had to adapt my strategy and focus on making the best out of each section.

Careers360 - How did you approach your strong and weak areas during preparation?

Aum - During my preparation, I took a strategic approach to both my strong and weak areas. For my strong sections, I focused on consistent practice to further refine my speed and accuracy. My goal was to minimise the time required to solve these questions while maintaining a very high level of accuracy. I also invested time in learning shortcuts and efficient solving techniques to maximise my advantage in these areas.

For my weak areas, I took a more tactical approach. I practiced methods like option elimination and calculated guessing to improve my chances of arriving at the correct answer without spending excessive time. I knew I couldn’t afford to dwell too long on my weaker sections, so I worked on achieving decent accuracy with minimal time investment.

By balancing these two approaches, I was able to build a strategy that played to my strengths while mitigating the impact of my weaknesses, which proved crucial during the actual exam.

Careers360 - What was your time management strategy during preparation and on exam day?

Aum - During my preparation, I focused on managing time efficiently. I aimed to complete General English in 7-8 minutes, Quants in 20 minutes, and dedicated 30-32 minutes to the 25 LR questions, which I found more challenging.

On exam day, Quants took more time than expected, about 5-10 extra minutes. This meant I had to adjust my approach for the LR section. Despite the time crunch, I was able to manage LR efficiently and finished the 25 LR questions in under 20 minutes, which was a pleasant surprise.

This experience taught me the importance of being flexible and adapting my strategy when needed.

Careers360 - Did you take coaching? How helpful was your coaching institute? Do you think it’s possible to succeed through self-study?

Aum - I took coaching from IMS, and it was really helpful. The structured approach and guidance from my mentors kept me motivated, especially on days when I felt lazy or lacked focus. They were instrumental in reinforcing my dedication and ensuring I stayed on track.

While coaching can be helpful, I believe it’s possible to succeed through self-study as long as you have a good mentor. A mentor who provides personalised, one-on-one guidance can help you stay focused, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and ensure you're on the right track.

Careers360 - What factors do you believe contributed to your success?

Aum - I believe my success was primarily due to my confidence, my diverse experiences, and strong decision-making skills. I’ve always been persistent in pursuing my goals, no matter the challenges.

I am truly grateful to my elder sister and my parents for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. I also want to extend a special thanks to my friends, who have always had my back.

Finally, I sincerely thank my mentors for their invaluable guidance.

Careers360 - Have you started preparing for MBA selection process? If yes, what’s your strategy?

Aum - Yes, I have started preparing for the GEPI/GDPI process. IMS is helping me with the preparation, providing valuable insights and guidance. My strategy is to carry as much knowledge, confidence, and composure into the interviews as possible. I am focusing on staying well-informed about current affairs, as well as learning more about the colleges, their courses, and unique offerings to tailor my responses and show my genuine interest.

Careers360 - Which other MBA entrance exams have you appeared for or are planning to appear for?

Aum - I appeared for CAT, which didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but I was able to excel in NMAT and XAT. These exams allowed me to showcase my strengths, and I’m pleased with my performance in them.

I am also planning to appear for MICAT-II because MICA’s focus on communication, branding, and creative strategy aligns perfectly with my experience in the branding and marketing field. I believe it would be an excellent fit for my skills and aspirations.

Careers360 - Which is your dream B-school, and from which colleges are you expecting calls?

Aum - My dream B-school is ISB Hyderabad, and I’m particularly aiming for the YLP program. I’m really focused on converting that call, as I believe it aligns perfectly with my goals. I’m also expecting calls from MDI Gurgaon, BITSOM, TISS, NMIMS Mumbai, XLRI, SIBM, and SCMHRD. These schools offer excellent opportunities that match my aspirations and career goals.

Careers360 - What are your hobbies?

Aum - My hobbies include designing, photography, and traveling. I’m a curious soul, always eager to learn and explore new things. Whether it’s experimenting with creative designs, capturing moments through photography, or discovering new places and cultures, I love immersing myself in experiences that broaden my perspective. I tend to geek out on pretty much everything that piques my interest, from tech innovations to artistic endeavors.

Careers360 - What relaxation or recreation methods did you follow during SNAP preparation?

Aum - I didn’t prepare much in terms of time, but I made sure that the study sessions I did have were of high quality. I gave my time to activities that helped me relax and recharge. I hung out with my friends and listened to a lot of music. These activities helped me unwind and stay motivated throughout the preparation period.

Careers360 - What is your message for next year’s SNAP aspirants?

Aum - Be confident and believe in yourself. It really does wonders, trust me. If you had asked 17-year-old me about achieving all these milestones, he would have called it a distant dream. But as I grew older, I learned to trust in my abilities and believe in myself, no matter what. Remember, nothing is impossible if you stay committed and believe in your potential. Keep pushing forward, and success will follow.