SDA Bocconi IMB Admissions 2026
Applications Deadline - 22nd January 2026 | Offers full-time PGP in International Master in business (IMB) Equivalent to MBA under following specializations Marketing, HR, Operations, and many more
Likitha Erathuvathikal is currently pursuing the International Master in Business program at SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Mumbai. She scored 97.36 percentile in CAT with exceptional performance in DILR (98.82) and strong scores across all sections.
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SDA Bocconi Asia Center’s 22-month program, with a 4-month semester in Milan, Italy, is designed for young professionals with up to 5 years of work experience. With scholarships and tuition waivers of up to 80%, this full-time program is highly ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek (#1 EU B-Schools 2025) and, Financial Times (#4 Worldwide Global MBA 2025).
Likitha is a B.Tech (Hons.) graduate in Computer Science Engineering with specialisation in Data Science. She has worked as a QA Engineer at Bottle Technologies and brings technical experience from internships at Frugal Testing and HighRadius.
In this article, she shares her advice for anyone preparing to give the CAT exam this year.
When I decided to write CAT, it was not a casual decision. It came from a phase where I wanted clarity, direction, and a future that gave me both purpose and financial strength. I wanted a chance to enter the best management institutes in the country, learn from brilliant minds, and build a career that would open doors for many years to come.
CAT became my way of challenging myself. It was a step toward building a strong foundation for my future, especially when I felt unsure about my next move. Preparing for it taught me consistency, patience, and the ability to stay calm even when things felt overwhelming. These lessons helped me far beyond academics.
As CAT 2025 approaches in just a few days, here is everything I sincerely want to share with anyone who is preparing right now. This is not generic advice. These are the things I learnt the hard way and the things I wish someone had told me.
Do not change your entire strategy now
With only a few days left, the worst thing you can do is rebuild your method from scratch. Trust the efforts you have already put in. Make small corrections, not complete overhauls.
Stay calm. The exam rewards clarity more than speed
Applications Deadline - 22nd January 2026 | Offers full-time PGP in International Master in business (IMB) Equivalent to MBA under following specializations Marketing, HR, Operations, and many more
UGC Approved Programs | Near 100% Placement Record | Up to 100% Scholarships | Highest CTC 21.32 LPA
Every year, the real challenge is staying composed. A calm mind gives better accuracy and better decision-making.
Choose your questions wisely
CAT is not a test of solving everything. It is a test of solving the right things. One skipped question can save ten minutes and prevent panic.
Do not push yourself too hard these last days
Study, but avoid burning out. A tired mind performs poorly even if it knows everything.
There are three sections in the CAT CBT (Computer-Based Test), which are VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) and QUANT (Quantitative Aptitude).
Most aspirants panic here, but this is the section where a calm mind helps the most.
Read two or three good articles every day to stay in rhythm
Focus on comprehension rather than speed
Do a few previous year RC passages just to remind yourself of patterns
Revise your approach for summaries and para jumbles instead of learning new methods
Do not rush the first passage. If the tone or topic feels heavy, skip and return later
Avoid overthinking answer choices. Go with the meaning of the passage, not assumptions
Maintain a steady pace instead of rushing early and then freezing later
This section decides percentiles for many students because it can either calm you or shake you.
Solve three or four sets every day, not twenty
Revise the types of sets you know you can confidently handle
Focus on the selection of sets rather than trying to master new ones
Spend the first two or three minutes scanning all sets
Pick the one that feels the cleanest and most structured
Do not waste more than seven or eight minutes on a set that is going nowhere
Your job is not to solve all sets. Your job is to secure marks
This section feels scary for many, but it is predictable and rewards clarity more than tricks.
Revise all basic formulas, but keep it light
Practice moderate-level questions that build confidence
Avoid very tough questions because they will only drain your energy
Begin with the topics you are strongest in
Skip questions that look heavy or time-consuming
Maintain accuracy
Do not get stuck on algebra traps. Move quickly and trust your judgement
You still have enough time to stay steady and organised. Focus on small, consistent revisions and keep your approach simple. Do not let the pressure of the last few days affect your confidence. Walk into the exam with a clear mind and a practical strategy. A calm, balanced attempt often leads to a better score than an overly aggressive one. You have prepared for this, so trust your process and give your best in the time you have.
SDA Bocconi Asia Center has operated in Mumbai since 2012, representing SDA Bocconi School of Management’s 50-year tradition in executive education. The institution holds triple accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA, and AACSB, and ranks among Europe’s leading business schools. SDA Bocconi Asia Center’s IMB offers exceptional value with access to world-class faculty and a network of over 140,000 Bocconi alumni worldwide.
Disclaimer: The article has been published as part of the marketing initiative between Careers360 and SDA Bocconi.
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