Snapshots

Name: Jasdeep Singh Bhatia
Graduation College : Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan
Course: B.Tech
Graduation Aggregate: 8.7/10 (CGPA)
Pursuing/Pursued MBA from: Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
Corresponding entrance test & score :
Common Admission Test (CAT), 98.05 %ile

GD/PI calls from:

• Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
• Indian Institute of Management, Indore
• Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (IMT)

GD/PI calls converted:

• Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
• Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (IMT)

Entrance Exams appeared: CAT

Preparation:

I started preparing for CAT a year in advance. I took the preparation very seriously in the beginning but eventually due to academic pressure it started getting difficult for me to take out time for the same. I didn't want to compromise on either fronts; be it academics or preparation for CAT. So I geared myself up and devised a plan to handle both these things along with some time for extra-curricular activities and relaxation (which is very important to keep yourselves fresh and motivated).
I divided the time that I had between coming back from college having finished my classes for the day at 5pm and getting into bed (which was usually 4am or so) for all the stuff that I knew I had to do including studying for college and doing assignments (2-3 hrs), preparing for CAT (3-4 hrs), hanging out (1 hr) and pursuing my hobby of reading (1 hr), etc. Believe me it's all about how you manage time and that is exactly what you are also supposed to do while taking CAT..

Material:
1. Coaching primers and exercise books
2. Coaching test series program
3. Two additional test series programs
4. Previous-years papers
5. Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary (is a holy scripture in disguise)

My weakness was Quantitative Ability. Towards this aspect :
1. I practiced Math and Quantitative questions for 50% of my study-time
2. Attended remedial modules for Quantitative Ability after completion of the coaching classes

My strength was Verbal and Linguistic Ability. Towards this aspect :
1. I regularly read one English-daily, and editorial of one more English-daily
2. Frequently used and referred to the Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary

Advice to juniors:

The process of getting into a top B-School checks you not just for your 'aptitude' but also for your 'attitude' with later being the more important. Many of us do get pretty good scores in the written exam i.e. CAT (which checks your aptitude) but are unable to get through the interview process which by the way is very grueling and checks your attitude.
To develop this "right" attitude, try reading as much as you can. Read books/novels from good authors, autobiographies of people who have really achieved something and are highly respected in the society. Reading would also improve your vocabulary and prepare you for the most tricky part of CAT - English. (One of my suggestions for all the MBA aspirants is read "The Seven Habits of highly effective people" by Stephen R. Covey).
Also, the most important part of your preparation would be the mock tests. Don't just take these mock tests and be happy about scoring a 95-100 percentile and do not feel bad if you get a bad score either. After taking any mock test, you will most probably get a solution for the same. See what mistakes did you do and try to analyze your own performance. You must know where you went wrong & why and also what are the areas that you need to work upon? If you are not enrolled with a recognized test series and taking these tests at your own places, make sure you do the same in a time bound fashion. This will definitely make you mentally strong to take any kind of examination.
Besides this try to know who you are. This will really help you in your interviews. You must know what your strengths and weaknesses are and you should be able to justify the same with the help of instances from your life. One must be clear as far as your career objectives are concerned. So take some time out and THINK! Last but not the least, once you are done with your preparation, BE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE SAME.. You will definitely make it.