Hi Swagat,
I don't say that work ex doesn't count.. Yes it counts, but once u get a work ex, it becomes ur need to crack CAT in a way that u get an A grade college, else u would land up nowhere.. Coz having a good salary, once u start earning, u would not luv to get into such college, from where, u would get a placement, in which an organization offers u either the same salary package or less.. And, in case, u manage to get a good college, and been offered a good package, then it's pretty good for ur growth.. It's not the case that freshers are not being entertained, instead they are.. My suggestion to you is that, if u get a good college this time, just don't wait for work ex, rather go for it, coz who knows, once u get into the job, u would get time for ur studies or not (the situation I am going thru, I have to take out time to study).. Cheers..