CAT 2021 Topper Ritik Gupta scored 99.99%, with each section having a 99+ percentile. In his interview with us, he talks about solving various mock tests and sectional mock tests as part of his preparation strategy. Ritik repeatedly talks about analyzing mock tests and creating revision notes.

As part of his CAT Preparation strategy, Ritik practices each section carefully and revises all the important topics mentioned in the syllabus. Ritik analyzed his strengths and weaknesses and build on them using CAT Mock Tests. He used 60+ mock tests from various institutes like Cracku, IMS, and Times.

To know more about CAT Topper Ritik Gupta’s preparation strategy, read his interview with us to implement it for CAT 2022 Exam.

Ques: Do you have any work experience?

Ans: No

Ques: What were your overall and section-wise percentile scores in CAT exam?

Ans: My overall score on CAT Exam is 99.99 percent. I scored 99.82% for the VARC section, 99.92% for the DILR sections, and 99.86% for the QA section.

Ques: Why did you think of appearing for CAT Exam, and what are your future goals?

Ans: Since my BBA enrollment, I’ve wanted to pursue an MBA program and the CAT exam seemed like an obvious gateway. After graduating MBA from a premier B-school, I would like to start a venture of my own.

Ques: Did you join any CAT coaching institutes? If yes, which one? If not, why did you go for self-preparation?

Ans: I haven’t attended any coaching classes for CAT exam. As part of CAT prep, I attempted a lot of mock test series from Cracku, IMS, and Times. I knew my strengths and weaknesses, therefore I decided to go for self-study instead of a coaching

Ques: What was your preparation strategy for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections?

Ans: As per CAT VARC section preparation strategy, I was solely dependent on mock tests and sectional mock tests.

• When I begin, I was at an accuracy of 20-30%, however, gradually improved it to 70-80%.
• I didn’t particularly read any books or newspapers
• As part of my preparation strategy, I just tried to develop a habit of consciously focusing my mind on the given reading comprehension.

Ques: What was your preparation strategy for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning sections?

Ans: According to my experience, CAT DILR section comes from practice and no one can teach you DILR topics.

• So I tried to solve more and more sectionals as part of my preparation strategy.
• I tried to develop a hobby of solving sudoku. I didn’t feel like calculation speed is particularly important.
• I don't think that every candidate needs to master speed, having an average calculation speed of calculating is good enough.
• The on-screen calculator is useful in case of some questions but you shouldn’t rely on that.
• Selecting the right option after careful consideration and analysis are important.

Ques: What was your preparation strategy for the Quantitative Aptitude section?

Ans: I didn’t study mathematics in my 11th and 12th standard classes and neither did I study mathematics in college. Without that background, CAT Quantitative Aptitude section was the most difficult section for me.

• I tried to study the conceptual knowledge of the section as much as possible from YouTube.
• After completing 70 to 80% of the quantitative aptitude syllabus and revising it, I relied completely on the mock test.
• I completed the important topics of the section, however, there were many sections that I wasn’t completely comfortable with. However, I did try to include them in my revisions.

Ques: How was the last few days before CAT exam?

Ans: For the last four days before the exam, I did not attempt any more mock tests. I tried to revise for the exam using the personal notes I made during my preparations.

• I used to feel a lot of pressure to perform well and found meditation to be a good way to calm myself.
• Around 2 to 3 days before the exam, I only focused on how would I attempt the paper and created strategies to attempt the exam, based on my performance in mock tests.

Ques: Which mock tests helped you crack CAT 2021?

Ans: I feel like most institutes release mock tests of different patterns, so I didn’t take any chances and took CAT Mock Tests from Cracku, IMS, 2IIM, Times, and more. In total, I attempted close to 60-70 mock tests.

• When attempting CAT mock tests, I used to solve reading comprehension questions in VARC, QA, and DILR sections without time limits and analyze the questions asked.
• I also wrote down difficult questions which I found important in separate notebooks and revised using them.

Ques: One mistake which you think you should not have made (During CAT or preparations)

Ans: I would say that one should not judge themselves by what others say and instead keep believing in themselves.

Ques: How did you feel when you first saw your CAT result?

Ans: When CAT Answer Key was released, I was too anxious to calculate my results. After checking the key, I realized that I scored a total of 140. I would’ve been happy with 120, but those scores made me happy. When the official CAT Results were published I was expected to score a decent percentile. I didn’t expect it but I was lucky enough to score 99.99 percent.

Ques: Which colleges do you plan to apply for?

Ans: To pursue my dreams, I plan to apply for IIM ABCLKI, FMS, and SPJIMR. I am hoping that these colleges will qualify me for my plans.

Ques. Which other entrance exams have you attempted?

Ans: I’ve also attempted XAT, IIFT, SNAP, and NMAT entrance exams.

Ques: What should be an ideal 6-month preparation strategy to equip for CAT?

Ans: You should complete learning the conceptual knowledge and analyze CAT Exam Pattern. Around 1-2 months should be focused on learning the various subjects, which will consist of mathematics, language comprehension, and more. The next 4 months should be for attempting, solving, and analyzing various mock tests. You should also revise all that you have learned and keep notes of difficult topics.

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