[getintoiimb]

@anupam will return
Your success story was truly an inspiring post for a CAT aspirant like me !!
You rock!!Youve just opened my eyes for CAT 07 !!
ALL THE BEST wherever you are!!

[abhi_g1]

for the guys who have read it now i would like to add a new thing that his signature before was amazing lkike the present one

i will write it here in the same style

Realise the power of one,it works it really does.


my tributr to awr awesome story

your story have changed lifes of people

[Mahip]

CAT Such an important exam for all B school aspirants!
I was also one of the aspirants, once upon a time.... :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by Mahip in Mar 2003

Final Year engineering to start, joined a coaching class for CAT! CAT and MBA craze was on the rise that year and I remember nearly whole of my class was attempting CAT. Started preps and for the first time Sunday mornings were booked for Mock CATs

Originally Posted by Mahip in Oct/Nov 2003

Approaching 7th Sem exams and also CAT 2003 :nervous: Since I was already placed in a top software company... so had a full go at the exam and did pretty well in the paper; Came all happy from the exam centre and overheard some pl "Paper wud be
cancelled" And we all were like And as soon as we reached home, we saw the MOST HEART BREAKING NEWS ever -> the paper was leaked and all that happened in the morning was all null and void! So much of confusion and uncertainity Why did this happen to us!! People said, "Something better awaits you, hence such a thing happened" :huh:

Originally Posted by Mahip in Feb 2004

CAT was now the first as well as the last exam of the same season.. Got a New admit card But now final year project and all other things on full swing and more importantly the preps was rather slowed down.. :( So this CAT retest rather ended on a poor note and managed just about 90 pc .. Didnt apply to many colleges, so end of story!

Originally Posted by Mahip in July 2004

Change of things, entered the corporate world.. went to Trivandrum for training but enthu for CAT was still there. I remember I took some of the quant books there to study, though never bothered to open those books there Filled up CAT 2004 form and apllied to none of the colleges apart from IIM's..

Originally Posted by Mahip in September 2004

Joined Mumbai branch now and thought to study something for 2 months but here started the unlimited working hours in office & I was unable to find any time in a day to study QA & VA and practice DI. Decided not to apply to any Institute and just give CAT, that
too because I had filled the application form. This was strictly with ZERO prep

Originally Posted by Mahip in November 2004

Then came the exam... gave it in the most relaxed mood and ended up with around 94 percentile ... All the "ifs" n "buts" came to mind... "thoda aur pad liya hota toh.. " :rolleyes: Found out a new hope.. that yes, I can do it!

Originally Posted by Mahip in June/Sep 2005

Decided to put on full effort now and with decent work-ex as well Joined the mock test series, studied QA/VA in office/weekends, applied to all the top institutes... started very well in the mocks with 95-98 percentile range... good confidence level before
the exams! It was during this time when I joined PaGaLGuY.com

Originally Posted by Mahip in Nov 2005

A little bit Over confident and shocked with the change of paper pattern... Could not perform in those 2 hrs when it mattered the most and ended up with the worst ever percentile of all time. :( Still got a call from MICA that too from CAT 2004 percentile as they were considering last year's score as well.. Anyhow could not convert after a very good interview and MICAT Such depressing times... but I was never going to give it up. Family members also asked, "What now? Future Plans?" And my answer wud be, "Have to do MBA, I'll try one last time!!"

Originally Posted by Mahip in June 2006

I had gone thru so much of this CAT process, had seen so many success stories, failures and what not! I started all those mock CATs again... revising concepts at home/weekends. Seems like I spent majority of sundays in taking mock CATs in past three years Anyhow, since this was going to be my last attempt I applied to all nearly all colleges from 85-99.99 percentile range! Mock scores this time were not as good as 98/99 but were consistent around 95.

Originally Posted by Mahip in Nov 2006

One final CAT and I was busy arranging for PG.com banner outside my CAT centre with estranged_gnrs Quite relaxed this time before the exam, thought it was very crucial for me! As usual, CAT surprised with an easy paper and I thought I managed well... Finally results came and I ended up at 92.xx percentile. So IIMs and top colleges were already out of hand, but I hoped for some calls this time from 90 percentile range colleges! And I did get calls from NIRMA, KJSom, MICA and TAPMI...

Originally Posted by Mahip in April 2007

After a little prep, did manage to convert Nirma and now I'm all set to join this college and do my MBA from 2007-2009. Being the aspirant of 2004-2006 batch, it has been a long journey indeed!

Many people argue correctly that I am compromising over a college, and I deserve better or foreign MBA. But there are a lot of personal factors involved in taking a final decision in joining a college this year. As you can see my effort over past so many years, I can't let it go just like that. Nirma is infact a good choice and I can surely help myself and the college grow with a good placement from there. And money is not the only thing in life, I wud be happy and satisfied with whatever package I get. Five years down the line, the only thing which matters is your performance in the company!

If you greatly desire something, you must have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it. What you risk reveals what you value. There is no point getting disheartened over less percentile in just your first attempt or more. You all have a long way to go. The basis of optimism should not be the terror of these exams but the inspiration, which you need to find within yourself. And never continue doing a job which you don't enjoy. If you feel you don't like to prepare for MBA and do something else, choose another field... If you're happy in what you're doing, you'll like yourself... Best wishes to all the aspirants.

And remember it's just an exam, not a matter of life and death!

PS: Sorry for such a long post.. Shall write more abt various sections once the new season warms up!

PPS: Trivia on my CAT journey:
Started: During ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, SA ..
Ended: During ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, WI ..

[AMIT_007_001]

@ Mahip :

I know buddy ..How tough it is to keep working towards achieving a particular goal by working Hard for it for so many years ..

CAT is one such exam where it is not just abt Hard Work or Luck only but it also takes a lot of toll on ur complete way of life .... :(

But , i am sure that now all ur hard work has been rewarded by GOD & u will now really make it big this time arnd ....

Rock Nirma !!! My Best Wishes are always there with u !!!

All The Very Best !!!

[ninja_talli]

One more mammoth post from an UnderDog! Hope it makes sense!

July 2003
July 2003 bole toh fultoos bindaas life! Bole toh got a job on the third day of seventh semester, in the fourth company coming in the college(NIT Calicut)! No classes going on due to the placements, and no tension in life! Daily life used to be playing games(computer/outdoor), watching movies or more imp, helping batchmates in their interviews or going to their parties if they get thru!

For the first time I see people studing for cat! TIME had organised a special batch for my college, and some people had joined it. Unke saat humne bhi CAT ka form bhar diya! 1100 bucks ka sawal tha, bapu nae bola ja jele apni zindagi

Had never heard about any site called Pagalguy

November 2003
No tension! Junta from NIT Suratkal had landed up the previous night (center was Calicut), lots of boozing & stuff going on in the campus all night :satisfie: Early morning gave the paper, wapas hostel aye toh malum pada paper cancelled! A few of us were [what the f**k!!!], the majority (including me ) were [Ye ye Ye! 1100 mae do baar cat dene ka chance ]
Still hadn't heard about Pagalguy

February 2004
Again no tension! Got up early morning, gave the cat again. Never bothered to check the result till the score card came. Got around 88%! Had to give a party coz i was the top scorer in the floor
Still hadn't heard about Pagalguy

September 2004
Decided to give cat a rest for this year, busy in sw work & trekking!
Still hadn't heard about Pagalguy

May 2005
Got together with a bunch of guys in my project who were serious about cat and prep. Joined CL full classes, worked on it full steam! We were part of a group of work-ex ppl who had weekend classes, but we enrolled for late night weekday classes in addition to it! (thanks to two wonderful CL faculty: Chandra Sir & Ankur Sir :- they sat with us every night!) Apart from the weekend classes, every day evening, it used to go from 8 to 11+, from may end to october! Those were the good old days!
Finally got to know about Pagalguy and joined asap

November 2005
D-Day! Got completely un-nerved due to the new format of the CAT paper. Could manage a feeble 90%, and had applied to only the top 10-15 odd colleges, so no call. Also made the big mistake of ignoring other mba exams (SNAP/JMET/IIFT). Finally MBA 04 gave me a TISS & SPJain Dubai call, both which i couldn't convert
This was a hopless period for me, I had completely spoiled my work profile, as i had made it very clear that i was interested in mba. I had prepared like hell, the likes of which I could never replicate. Gave a few company interviews, but never felt the interest. MBA was in my blood. Decided to give it a shot again.

March-April 2006
Decided to start prep early enough. Also had new roommies who were giving cat for the first time (Newbies ); introduced them to the world of PG! Joined the mock series of TIME; also formed the famous ninja_talli-pankay82-Roman2005-kapil_b cubicle in my office ( Being a bunch of core mba-givers in the same cubicle, we used to openly discuss zillion quant/di/english questions in between work; be it questions from QQAD/DQAD/QuantMarathon/DIMarathon/Geometry/Parajumbles/etc
threads, we dicussed/shouted/quarrelled/solved it among ourselves!)
It was a sight for sore eyes! If one of us was on leave, he used to continue from home thru sms-es & phone calls!

November 2006
D-Day! This time CAT was a breeze, thought I had done quite well; later on I found out that people had done even more better! :lookroun: Again managed an average 93%.Later on gave IIFT/SNAP/JMET/XLRI/FMS as they came by; scored a decent 530 rank in JMET, a pretty good 90 marks in SNAP, and an exhlirating 99.65% in XAT!

Gave the simbi (sibm/scmhrd) college interviews, and the Xlri interviews, finally waitlisted on both the xlri calls with a decent chance of converting one of them.
Edit : Converted both of them, went for the BM course.



I learnt quite a few lessons from the 2 odd years of MBA prep.

CAT is not about proving that you are the best.
CAT is about showing that you can give even the best person a good run for his money.

CAT is not about determing where do you exaclty stand among the thousands those try for the same few odd mmgnt seats.
CAT is about ignoring those thousands of ppl and instead fighting against yourself to improve yourself.

CAT is not about waiting for a chance to show your skills.
CAT is about grabbing the chance whenever you get it.


The best person is never gonna be decided through CAT; do not keep cat as your only option in life; there IS life beyond CAT.

CAT gives you an oppurtunity; one out of many to go a step further.
If you are not able to step up this time, look for alternatives. Never get disheartened. Keep options open.

Amen.

[prem_ravi]

A little briefing about what happened from early 90's. Way back in 1992, when I was in standard 9, there was an issue at my home. My mother was ill. Her illness continued till I was in my Engineering 3rd year i.e. 1999 (Now by God’s grace she is perfectly fine). Someone needs to be with her, throughout the day to take care of her.

My Xth standard board exam went for a toss(61%). My 12th standard board exam was OK OK, but still I remember those days when I went to the exam with tears in eyes as my mother was serious (I got 68%)..I couldn’t get admission into any of the professional courses. Infact I had a major problem with English as mine was a sub normal school. My dad wanted me to join BSc, Maths course (I got 200/200 in 12th). Looking at my mother’s condition, I wanted to become a doctor. I decided to appear for the higher secondary improvement exams (finally 89%).

1 year, I stayed away from every friend of mine, avoided speaking to any one as I felt people may divert me from reaching my goal. Results came & I lost my MBBS seat by just 3 marks. It was paining (still paining). Couldn’t decide what to do..Got an admit from a Govt engg college, 800 Km from my home. Didn’t want to join because of my mother’s health. Joined a college under DOTE II which is 120 km away from my place.

From the day 1, I started traveling to college by train..The schedule was to get up at 4 am, catch the train at 5am,reach college at 8am, catch the train again at 7 pm in the evening & reach home at 10 pm. I could see myself becoming physically & mentally tired. Still I had so much of responsibilities at home. I had to help my father in taking care of my mother & my younger sister.

First year I got 61%. I was happy with my marks as I could hardly study anything once I reach home.

Second & third year were horrible & I could go only on alternate days to the college (labs I almost had 0 attendance). I had 3 arrears with my total percentage dropping to 52.

My mother started recovering & my father now started worrying about my career. He wanted me to join the Hostel & I did.

Final year went terrific as I was elated by the fact that my mother became all right. I got a 74% in final year & cleared all the back logs with an overall percentage of 58.4%

January 2000:

Companies started visiting my college for campus placements. I could see every friend of mine getting a Job in some big company. I was not even eligible to sit for the campus recruitments. Though I knew getting a job is going to be very tough, still, I was happy that I have performed my duties as a Son & a brother.

May 2000:

The last company for that year’s campus recruitment came & the minimum requirement was 55%. I prepared my 1st CV in life with the help of a friend.

After the interview & before the results (20 days), I started attending all walk in Interviews (as I needed a job to support my dad who was struggling due the expenses incurred for treating my mother)..The results came & I was happy to know that I was the only guy to be selected out of the 150 applicants. Meanwhile I had 7 other offers too in hand. 6 were technical (Software development) jobs & 2 were Sales Jobs. I decided to take the sales career as I had almost 0 knowledge in Technical.

My first Job:

I believed in one thing right from my day one at my Job. “Seiyum Thozilae Deivam” meaning “work is Divine”. Started loving my Job, as it was something I decided to take.
First 2 years as a trainee, I was made to handle the petrochemical Industries at a place, 30 Km away from Chennai. I had a hero puch those days. I had to go there daily & meet the customers. Every day I used to carry the lunch prepared by my mom. We all know how it looks around a refinery. I used to have my lunch sitting on those drainage pipe lines under the hot Sun. Most of the days, I had cried as the stinking smell & the scorching heat had never allowed me to eat(Had situations would had been better, I would have become a doctor-this feel was dominating my mind, but then consoled myself saying that this what GOD has given & there are so many even without this job), still I used to eat because of the fact that my mom wakes up at 4 am to prepare this lunch…

2002:

These 2 years of hard work had gained me some name in my company. Still there was no change in the territory & all my seniors started telling me that u have chosen a career, which will give u the same role wherever you go. I was frustrated, I didn’t know what to do? That is when I came to know about CAT as one of my colleagues had just then resigned his Job for taking up CAT. I just started garnering information about CAT as some one told me that Post MBA, the role in job & the luxury in life will change


To be continued.............

[prem_ravi]

I was so innocent as I had just stepped into a city life from a rural life. I started thinking about CAT as an alternative to my temporary agony.

Joined CL, prepared till September..that’s when the next shock of my life came. My sister’s marriage got fixed & my father wanted me to continue with my job, as he needed financial help. So couldn’t appear for CAT 2002.

2003:

By this time around, the frustration had disappeared as I got a promotion in my job & a large + a beautiful territory to work (Pondicherry, Karaikal& mahe)..But some how I was not happy. When the CAT advertisement got released in June.,I started feeling that in this one year, CAT had become something more than an alternative to my frustration.Infact, CAT had become an unachievable dream. I decided to take CAT now……

Again it was a repetition of my earlier year..But this time my parents decided to get me married. I was quashed. I really really cried looking at my fate. I wanted to become a doctor; my fate made me an engineer. I wanted to become an MBA; still fate didn’t even allow me to take the exam.

2004:

I joined a new company with a bigger role (Sales Incharge of Kerala, Karnataka & Goa)…So, I was extremely happy with my job. But that IIM dream was disturbing me, every time I go to IIMB for my Sales calls, I felt like I’m missing something in my life. One day when I was in IIMB, I just had a thought, “I wanted to come here as a student & not as a Sales guy”, but then I was scared to discuss with my Wife about my MBA dreams as she will not allow me to leave her & go to studies (She loves me so much.). I decided to stop going to IIMB

2005:

though I stopped going to IIMB, my dreams started dominating me & finally once again I decided to take up CAT whatsoever this year…Took the guts to discuss on the same with my family & finally after a lot of convincing, I got the approval..J…..

August 2005:

Joined TIME full time course

The first 2-3 weeks, I really struggled to include studies in my day-to-day life. It was 3 years, since I had touched any of the academic books & now I’m a relaxed family man too. But then, I started speaking to myself, reiterating the importance of determination to achieve my dreams. I know spending time on studies is going to be the crucial factor.…

I started breathing CAT, eating CAT…Every day I used to take book after my daughter & wife went to bed..Finally started feeling happy that I am doing some justice & I was on track like other aspirants……

I started speaking to people who had already taken..I started knowing what they actually did. Every time when I called up someone (Though I know I have disturbed so many with all silly doubts), I ensured I learnt something new even if it is a small thing. I understood mere preparation & hard work is not going to help me. It’s the small details, which are going to of major importance….

May-June:

Mock CATS started. First 5 exams my percentile was 99+ & then started the downfall
6th exam 39%ile, 7th exam 67%ile & it never crossed 90 from then. The reason was, one of my colleague (a staunch employee) went ahead & complained to my VP & HR Manager about my CAT preps. They started suspecting my commitment towards work. Now I had the additional pressure to perform in office too..So everyday I was in office till 9 pm..

Every time I was dejected, I stepped into IIMB (my dream school).Some how I got recharged when I went there, ready to fight for the battle with a replenished mind.

This is the time when I came to know about PAGALGUY.COM….

Initial 2-3 months, I was almost passive. All I wanted from PG that time was to know how people (presently & in earlier years) of my profile (i.e. Bad at acids, poor performance in Mocks, married & loads of responsibilities went ahead to crack CAT)..But to my surprise, I couldn’t find one..Then I decided, why not I start participating actively so that people in future atleast may have some one for reference.

One week before the CAT my daughter was admitted in Hospital due to food poisioning..The negative feel of myself not going to appear for CAT 06 started eating me (CAT 02 &03 experiences)..But my passion gave me confidence & my daughter was all right…

D-DAY

Aah, first time Iam appearing for CAT..The ambivalent feeling of my passion & poor performance in mock cats was haunting me..

When I saw the CAT Paper (75 qtns & 5 options), I was almost taken back because AIMCAT 702 (my last mock cat) was of a similar format & I had got an absolute 0 & 12%ile…..

I started with Verbal & could mark only 4 answers in 30 minutes…I started sweating. I could see my dreams laughing at me .I decided to do quant & DI & get back to verbal. I started doing the same. Final 45 minutes , I again did something in Verbal & came out with a dejected feel..Next one month I was battling with my hopes & dreams & on jan 3, I was astounded to see a call from IIMA….

In the whole process, I became close to some of the puys, who helped me in my GD/PI process

One week before GD/PI


Now this time, I was down with viral fever, but ensured I prepare properly & 8th March again some miracle happened & I was all right…

Now it’s just a week for the results to be declared…I don’t know what it’s going to be. But for future aspirants this note may serve some purpose. This post may help people at the age of 30+ to think about pursuing their dreams(this is the main reason Iam active in PG)…

ALL I WANTED TO SAY ABOUT CAT is poor performance in mock CAT doesn’t matter, poor academics don’t matter, and your ambience doesn’t matter. All it matters is ur hardwork..Ur determination. the fire in ur belly..Ur commitment to make ur dreams come true..

I don’t know whether Iam going to achieve my dreams or not (due to extraneous factors & this is my last CAT), but this is the path I had followed. In a way, I had done justice to my dreams by reaching upto the Interview stage, done justice to my job & my employer by winning the best performer award second time in a row, but don’t know whether would be doing justice to the sacrifice & support of my family. Hope this helps some one, some where & at some time..

Edited on 16.05.07:-I couldnt convert as expected..Have decided to give CAT 2007 as I couldn't run away from my dreams..

Learnings of CAT 06- will not apply under OBC quota :-)..Will give CAT & if I deserve a seat under General then there is some meaning for this fight :-)

[abhi_g1]

prem bhai

u get thru or not but u r story has changed lives of many including mine

such an inspirational one,it is rught up there in th likes of chandoo,vinz,awr


bro we all pray that u get wat u deserve

may god bless you

prem bhai u rock again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


:grab:

[getintoiimb]

Originally Posted by prem_ravi

I was so innocent as I had just stepped into a city life from a rural life. I started thinking about CAT as an alternative to my temporary agony.

...............

I don’t know whether Iam going to achieve my dreams or not (this is my last CAT), but this the path I had followed…& hope this helps some on, some where & at some time..

Prem bhai that was a great motivator..
im dam sure ul convert ur lone IIM-A call !
ur hardwork wudnt go waste..
ALL THE BEST !!!

[murugank]

Dear prem,

you have become source of inspiration.

your patience, hard work will surely pay you dear friend.

my sincere thanks to you for your inspirational post.

may all your dreams come true.