How IMT Ghaziabad Students Cracked CAT, XAT to Secure Place in Top Campus

MBAUniverse.com presents highlights from these exclusive interviews providing insights on exam preparation, GDPI prep strategies, and unwavering motivation. Learn from their success and secure your spot at prestigious B-schools like IMT Ghaziabad.

Anjali Priya – IMT Ghaziabad PGDM 2025-27 Batch 
Anjali Priya is a PGDM student at IMT Ghaziabad with a strong interdisciplinary academic foundation, including a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from Delhi University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune. She brings one year of professional experience with GoFirst Airlines. Anjali demonstrated competitive aptitude in national MBA entrance exams, scoring a notable 99.1 in XAT VALR section. A New Delhi native, she is a professionally trained pianist and an accomplished debater, with multiple Delhi State-level accolades. 

MBA Entrance Exam Coaching & Books 
I took online coaching from Career Launcher. I researched about good CAT coaching institutes online and also took advice from friends who had previously prepared for these exams. I wanted to take online coaching so that I could save the time and effort of physically going to classes. 

I also utilized Arun Sharma CAT books for all three sections. I believe firmly that they are the holy grail of CAT and XAT preparation! 

Overall, CAT Preparation Strategy
I prepared full time for CAT and XAT. I finished my post-graduation in May 2024 and gave 6 months completely to CAT and XAT prep. 6 months of dedicated prep felt more than sufficient. 

I started preparing by first taking a mock test to understand where I stand. I realized that VARC/VALR is my strong section. I understood that I will need to focus maximum effort on Quants, because I had a biology background and had studied maths only till class 10^th, which I passed in 2015, so I hadn’t studied maths for the last 10 years and had been totally out of touch. 

Based on this understanding, I made this plan, and stuck to it till the end:

• 50-60 questions of Quants from Arun Sharma book every day,
• 2 RC sets and 2 DILR sets everyday.
• One mock per week during August- September.
• 2 mocks per week thereafter. 

I used to analyse the mocks and then focused on maximizing my strengths, rather than trying to just fix my weaknesses. 

Sectional CAT Preparation Strategy
For CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) preparation, I solved 2 RC sets from Arun Sharma VARC book every day, and appeared for one sectional VARC mock every day. My strategy was to read every RC in 4-5 minutes and take less than one minute to answer each question. So, a total of approximately 8 minutes per RC, left me with close to 10 minutes for the VA section which was sufficient.

For CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) preparation, I solved 2-3 sets from Arun Sharma books every day and took at least one sectional per week. Analysed the sectional performance to try and understand how each type of set needs to be approached. 

Finally, for Quantitative Aptitude (QA) preparation, I religiously followed the teaching of my coaching institute and solved each and every question in the Arun Sharma quants book. QA was my weakest section so I knew I needed to maximize on my strengths instead of trying to understand every single topic. Through mocks I understood that I’m good at Arithmetic and DI so I strategized to make sure I attempt all questions of Arithmetic and DI in every mock and aim for close to 100 percent accuracy. I used to attempt only 8-10 questions of QA and chose only the ones I was completely sure of. In the actual XAT exam also, I attempted only 8 questions of QADM and they were all correct, fetching me a decent enough sectional percentile to qualify. 

In all, I took close to 30 mocks, and they were very important part of my CAT/XAT preparation. The most important learning during my preparation stage is that CAT preparation is more about preparing yourself for stress management and time management than just academic knowledge. 

CAT Test Taking Tips 
I devised my CAT test taking strategy after careful analysis of multiple mocks. My strategy was to attempt all questions in VARC with maximum accuracy as it was my strongest section, solve only one set in DILR that I was completely sure of, and attempt 8-10 questions of QA primarily from Arithmetic and DI targeting 100% accuracy. 

CAT Preparation Mistake You Wish to Change?
If I could change one thing about my CAT preparation, I would take mocks with the mindset that it’s the actual CAT or XAT exam day. Also, instead of wasting the first couple months trying to be good at all the topics in Quants, I would pick my strengths right at the beginning and hone them throughout my prep. 

Staying Motivated, Stress Management 
A: I used to go to the gym every day to maintain a sense of consistency and normalcy and to help distract and reset myself to prevent burnout. I used to take a day off from studying every week wherein I just took one mock and did its analysis thoroughly. I took out time to watch my favourite TV shows whenever I felt too stressed and demotivated. I have some really good friends who study in Tier 1 B schools, they acted as emotional mentors throughout this journey. 

GD/PI/WAT Preparation
I watched YouTube videos of aspirants who had appeared for MBA interviews earlier and followed their advice. I read the newspaper everyday to keep myself up to date on the current affairs and read deeply about the pressing matters of the moment in International Politics. I prepared HR questions honestly and made a mental note of everything I would like to speak about myself if asked, why MBA, why did I choose my particular UG degree and job field etc.

Key challenges faced? How did you overcome?
Stress, overthinking and burnout. I used to get demotivated after bad mocks. I used to go the gym and talk to friends to get over it and reset myself. That’s why having a good emotional support system is crucial. 

Whom do you credit for your success?
My parents, close friends and my coaching institute. My family believed in me when sometimes even I couldn’t, and they made sure I don’t make this exam more important than my mental health at any point. Knowing that someone is rooting for you and someone has your back goes a long way in boosting your confidence and performance. 

Is Pre-MBA Work Experience Helpful? 
Yes, having work experience absolutely helps during MBA. I am able to relate my experiences better to the concepts taught in class and contribute meaningfully to class discussions. It also helps in certain aspects like professionalism, punctuality as we are used to a professional environment and are better able to dictate our own conduct. 

IMT Admission Process
IMT Ghaziabad prefers applicants to choose their specialization while filling the application form. I chose Marketing. I have always had an interest in the Marketing domain and hence it was a no brainer for me. For aspirants trying to decide their specialization, they should think about which domain they’ll be truly happy working in for the rest of their lives, and not just think from an ROI perspective.

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Why IMT Ghaziabad? Top Factors 
My top 3 factors for choosing IMT Ghaziabad were Placements, College Legacy, and Geographic Location. I converted all my calls and had to make the tough choice between XIMB Bhubaneshwar and IMT Ghaziabad. I chose IMT for its location advantage, strong alumni network, strong brand reputation, and proximity to my home. 

IMT Ghaziabad Experience 
My experience so far at IMT has been truly phenomenal. I have learned more in these 6 months than I could ever hope, and learning here hasn’t been limited to just classrooms. The campus life is absolutely amazing and there’s always something interesting going on to balance the stress of classes or exams. Friends here become family for life and through ups and downs, we all stay together. That’s where having a residential campus comes in beneficial as well.

Your Message to CAT/XAT Aspirants
Cracking CAT and XAT is easier than you think. Confidence and a positive attitude will take you to your dream college in no times. All the best! 

Mulukutla M. Kashyap – IMT Ghaziabad PGDM DCP 2025–27 Batch
Mulukutla Mukund Kashyap is a PGDM Dual Country Program (DCP) student at IMT Ghaziabad with a technical foundation in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MGIT, Hyderabad. He brings 13 months of professional experience from Cognizant Technology Solutions. Mukund secured an overall XAT 2025 percentile of 97.67, with a strong 98.6 in QADI, reflecting strong analytical strength. During his preparation, he used ChatGPT to generate higher-difficulty questions and alternative question models. He received interview calls from leading B-schools including IMI Delhi, TAPMI, GIM, and Great Lakes before joining IMT Ghaziabad. A Hyderabad native, he enjoys reading fiction, following global affairs, and playing badminton, chess, and football, along with an interest in Formula 1 and anime.

MBA Entrance Exam Coaching & Books
I joined iQuanta based on my sister’s recommendation, which helped me build a structured preparation plan. Alongside coaching, I also relied heavily on YouTube channels, as suggested by my friends, to understand question patterns through multiple examples and perspectives.

I primarily used study material from my coaching institute, previous years’ question papers available online, and YouTube resources. These materials were effective in building conceptual clarity and provided ample practice opportunities, especially for understanding XAT-specific question patterns.

XAT Preparation Strategy
My overall preparation strategy for XAT was resource driven and practice oriented. I primarily relied on the crash course for structured guidance by coaching institute, supplemented it with YouTube lectures for conceptual clarity, and practiced extensively using Cracku question banks. Along with this, solving previous years’ question papers played a crucial role in understanding the exam pattern, difficulty level, and expectations of XAT. 

Balancing XAT Prep with Full Time Work 
While preparing for XAT, I was working full-time at Cognizant Technology Solutions. Managing preparation alongside work required disciplined time management. I utilized my time after office hours for focused study sessions, completed recorded classes that I had missed, and regularly practiced questions through online resources. Weekends were especially important for me, as I used them to complete syllabus coverage, revise concepts, and strengthen weaker areas.

Sectional CAT Preparation Strategy
For VARC, I started by thoroughly analyzing previous years’ questions to understand the standard and structure of the section. I attended classes to strengthen my fundamentals and then focused on solving as many practice questions as possible. Additionally, I used ChatGPT to generate higher-difficulty questions and alternative question models, which helped me prepare for worst-case scenarios and improved my confidence in handling challenging passages and questions.

Decision Making was a unique section, and my preparation mainly involved solving previous years’ question papers and watching conceptual explanation videos on YouTube. I also referred to freely available material from Cracku and iQuanta. This helped me understand the logic behind DM questions and develop a structured approach to solving them calmly during the exam.

For QA, my approach was simple consistent practice. I focused on covering the entire syllabus and strengthening my basics across topics. Given my work schedule, I consciously divided my daily study time to ensure balanced preparation across all three sections. Continuous practice helped me improve both speed and accuracy over time.

I initially found Quantitative Ability and Decision-Making challenging, with DM being particularly difficult. My natural inclination was to always choose ethical and unbiased answers, but XAT requires a more pragmatic and balanced approach. Understanding this shift in mindset took time, and solving multiple caselets helped me gradually align my thinking with the exam’s expectations.

Role of Mock Tests 
Mock tests played a crucial role in my preparation. Every mock introduced a new variety of questions, which was initially nerve-wracking. However, the increasing difficulty pushed me to work harder and improve my problem-solving skills. The fear of encountering unexpected question types motivated me to analyze my mistakes deeply and prepare more rigorously.

Exam Day Test Taking Tips 
On the exam day, my biggest concern was reaching the test center on time due to traffic! Once that was taken care of, I followed a simple mindset not to get nervous. I strongly believe that no single exam defines one’s life, and this belief helped me stay calm and focused throughout the test.

Biggest Challenge, Lesson, Preparation Mistake
The biggest challenges for me were time constraints and balancing full-time work with exam preparation. I overcame these challenges through disciplined scheduling, effective use of weekends, and maintaining consistency despite a busy routine.

The most important learning from my XAT journey was the value of discipline. Additionally, the constant motivation and encouragement from my parents played a significant role in helping me stay consistent and focused.

If I could change one thing about my XAT preparation, I would focus more on the Decision Making section from an earlier stage, as it requires a distinct mindset and consistent practice to master.

Staying Motivated, Stress Management
Being a working professional helped me manage stress better, as handling responsibilities at work taught me how to stay composed under pressure. Completing tasks efficiently at the workplace helped me maintain a structured routine and reduced unnecessary stress during preparation.

GD/PI/WAT Preparation 
I joined TIME coaching for GD, PI, and WAT preparation. Their structured training helped me improve my communication skills, current affairs awareness, and interview readiness across all stages of the selection process.

Is Pre-MBA Work Experience Helpful? 
Yes. My work experience has helped me develop teamwork skills, discipline, time management, and the ability to handle pressure. It has also made me comfortable working with timelines, taking initiative, and staying proactive in collaborative environments

IMT Admission Process 
I received offers for both PGDM Marketing and PGDM Dual Country Program (DCP) at IMT Ghaziabad. I chose DCP because of the international exposure it offers. My advice to aspirants would be to choose a specialization that aligns with their aspirations and interests, rather than being influenced by external opinions. The decision should always feel personal and self-driven.

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Why IMT Ghaziabad? Top Factors
IMT Ghaziabad’s strong brand reputation, well-designed curriculum, international and industry exposure, and a robust alumni network were my top reasons for choosing the institute.

IMT Ghaziabad Experience 
My experience at IMT Ghaziabad has been enriching. The academic rigor, supportive faculty, peer learning environment, and campus culture have been excellent. Networking with peers from different parts of India and across the globe has been one of the most rewarding aspects so far.

Whom do you credit for your success? 
I would like to credit my parents, who have worked extremely hard and made numerous sacrifices to ensure a bright future for me. I am also grateful to my friends for constantly guiding me and helping me stay focused on the goals I set for myself.

Your Message to CAT/XAT Aspirants 
Consistency and the right mindset are key to success. Make the best use of available resources, balance preparation with work or studies effectively, and most importantly, believe in yourself throughout the journey.

Rajni Soundararajan – IMT Ghaziabad PGDM (Marketing) 2025–27 Batch
Rajni Soundararajan is a PGDM student specialising in Marketing at IMT Ghaziabad, bringing 32 months of professional experience to her MBA journey. She secured an impressive XAT percentile of 97.90, with a standout 99.28 in QA & DI. Rajni received interview calls from several leading B-schools, including XIMB, SCMHRD, NMIMS, IMI, and MICA, before choosing IMT Ghaziabad. A Chennai native, she is a professionally trained Carnatic singer, a home baker, an acrylic and mixed-media artist, and an avid reader who also runs a YouTube channel.

MBA Entrance Exam Coaching & Books
I joined GradSquare. As someone with working experience, I knew I needed external push to help me be more focused on my preparation. Peer learning also helps me a lot, hence, I preferred in class learning and joined a coaching institute.

I used the materials provided by my coaching institute alone. We had physical books as well as online assignments, topic tests, sectional tests and mocks which helped me gain confidence and score better. They also had recorded class sessions which helped me go back and revise the topics where I had doubts. 

XAT Preparation Strategy
I focussed more on accuracy and solving questions in limited time. Overthinking will only get you confused with your answer. I prepared at night and focused a lot during the weekend. I had to reduce my social activities and going out to put more focus here. I kept my phone aside while preparation and it helped me focus better.

Sectional CAT Preparation Strategy
In verbal, I followed a simple strategy - read more! It was essential that one should be able to comprehend various topics, given that passages can be from geopolitics, economics, finance, sociology, philosophy etc. Reading news articles on the Guardian, Aeon Essays did help.

For data analysis and interpretation section, I practiced more sets and times myself. I didn’t spend more than 15 minutes in a set during mocks. If I spent more, I knew I was losing out on another question. I came back to the set post the mock (if it’s a mock) and solved it. I used AI to help solve some questions where I was stuck and didn’t know where I was going wrong, when I could not reach out to anyone. 

In the Quants section, I revised formulas and numbers everyday! I was scared of geometry and my accuracy was low there. So, in the last month, I skipped it fully and focused more on Arithmetic and Algebra along with other topics like probability and permutation-combination. Initially, Algebra was scary, but the more I practiced it, the better I got at it. 

Role of Mock Test 
Mocks are essential for knowing how your exam will go. From the environment, to the set-up, difficulty level of questions, timing, competitions. I started mocks around June and gave them until a week before the exam. I gave about 20+ mocks in total. 

Exam Day Test Taking Tips 
I meditated and did box-breathing to ease my nerves before the exam began. I had confidence and just solved the questions without overthinking the outcome. 

Preparation Mistake You Wish to Change?
Overthinking! I tend to do this a lot and I over thought so much that I was giving up on my MBA dreams, especially after seeing my CAT scores, but I didn’t give into it and pushed to perform better in XAT.

GD/PI/WAT Preparation
Working on my hygiene questions gave me confidence. I read the newspaper every day and also prepared in depth about my work experience. My coaching institute helped me with multiple mocks and personalised it in a way which made me work on myself and improve with every mock I gave. 

Key challenges faced? How did you overcome?
Finding time to prepare while working full time was a struggle indeed. I had to set aside time for preparation and sometimes, I couldn’t give my best during the study hours I had set for myself. I sometimes kept thinking of work while studying and I couldn’t focus entirely on my preparation. I slowly started compartmentalising and that helped me set dedicated time for work and studying. I also started meditation to improve concentration.

Is Pre-MBA Work Experience Helpful? 
Yes, I am able to understand and assimilate concepts better. Practical understanding of the same, under business context is higher. I am faster and swifter with assignments involving presentations and Excel sheets.

IMT Admission Process 
I have work experience in marketing and hence chose marketing as my preferred specialisation while filling the form. 

Often, MBA aspirants are scared of faculties and staff who take the PIs. We often forget they too were once aspirants like us! Interactive sessions with faculties, understanding how students feel the B-school is like, vlogs about a day at the B-school on various social media platforms etc. can help to make the process more applicant-friendly.

IMT Ghaziabad Admissions 2026 - Closing Soon - Apply Now

Why IMT Ghaziabad? Top Factors
IMT Ghaziabad is a renowned institute for PGDM, known for it’s marketing course. IMT Ghaziabad has been standing tall for 40 years with an esteemed alumni network. IMT Ghaziabad also has good packages with both SIPs and Final Placements. 

IMT Ghaziabad Experience
My experience at IMT Ghaziabad has been enriching. With diversity available with students from different states, different backgrounds (Under Graduation), different levels of Work Experience and different industries, the peer learning curve is very high. Apart from this, the faculties are very helpful and nurture us to gain more knowledge both in and out of classrooms. Campus is always buzzing with activities and events which are exciting.

Whom do you credit for your success?
I would give most of the credit for my success to my mentors at GradSquare. The helped me at every stage and pushed me to reach my potential and goal. My family and friends were very supportive and guided me when I was at roadblocks.

Your Message to Aspirants.
Believing in yourself. There will be multiple time when you doubt yourself, your decisions, but standing by it no matter what comes and believing in yourself will get you through. Don’t give up on your dreams. Aim high and do all you can to achieve it. 
 

Shashwat Pawha – IMT Ghaziabad PGDM (Marketing) 2025–27 Batch
A Delhi native, Shashwat Pawha is a PGDM Marketing student at IMT Ghaziabad with early professional exposure from a four-month stint at Grey Matter, where he supported fundraising initiatives for UNICEF India. He demonstrated strong academic aptitude in CAT 2024, securing an overall percentile of 98.09 with a notable 99.32 in VARC. Shashwat received interview calls from several leading institutions, including CAP IIMs, IIM Raipur, IIFT Delhi, SIBM Pune, and IITs Kanpur and Roorkee, before choosing IMT Ghaziabad.

MBA Entrance Exam Coaching
I did most of the preparation myself and from YouTube, as this was my second attempt. This allowed me the flexibility to balance my family responsibilities while having structured material. 

CAT Preparation Strategy
I had a unique challenge as I had to manage my father’s offices full-time due to his knee surgery while preparing. I utilized quiet hours at the shop for reading and vocabulary, and focused on mocks and deep analysis late at night or early morning. It taught me ruthless time management!

Sectional CAT Preparation Strategy 
I am an avid reader of non-fiction (books like The Psychology of Money, 48 Laws of Power), which naturally helped with reading speed. For CAT specifically, I focused on diverse reading sources to handle abstract topics and practiced eliminating options logically rather than relying on “gut feeling.”

DILR was about quality over quantity. I solved 4 sets daily, focusing on selecting the right set to solve. I practiced staying calm under time pressure, as panic is the biggest enemy in this section.

I found QA section challenging. I overcame it by breaking down the syllabus into smaller chunks and not moving forward until I achieved high accuracy in that specific topic. Systematic repetition helped remove the fear.

Mocks were non-negotiable. I attempted around 35 mocks. The real value wasn’t the score, but the analysis. I spent more time analysing the mock than taking it to understand my error patterns.

CAT Exam Day Test Taking Tips
My mindset was to be “bulletproof.” I told myself to focus only on the question in front of me. I tend to over-analyse situations, so on exam day, I consciously shut down the “what-if” thoughts and operated purely on execution.

Key Learning and CAT Preparation Mistake You Wish to Change? 
Resilience is the key learning from my CAT preparation journey. There were days when mock scores tanked, or work pressure at the shop was high. Staying on the path despite setbacks was my biggest takeaway.

If I had to correct one mistake during the CAT prep journey, I would stop over-analysing low mock scores. I wasted time worrying about “what if I fail” instead of just fixing the error. 

Staying Motivated 
I spent quality time with my two huskies, Sufi and Sky - they are great stress busters. Additionally, reading books like The Magic of Thinking Big helped keep my morale high and perspective clear.

GD/PI/WAT Preparation
I focused on articulating my unique journey. I used my fundraising experience at Grey Matter to demonstrate strong communication skills and confidence. For the PI, I prepared to discuss how managing my family’s business separately taught me ownership, ensuring I could justify my timeline and skills with authentic examples.

Is Pre-MBA Work Experience Helpful? 
My experience offers a dual perspective. At Grey Matter, I mastered the “psychology of selling” and resilience. In contrast, managing the family business gave me a practical lesson in operations and crisis management. This blend of corporate sales and entrepreneurial execution will allow me to contribute grounded, real-world insights to case discussions.

IMT Admission Process 
I chose Marketing because my goal is a senior leadership role where I can drive company-wide impact. Given my interest in psychology (like Psychology of Selling by Brian Tracy), this field aligns with my natural strengths. Furthermore, I chose to do marketing way before when I chose marketing specialization during my UG. My only advice would be to choose what they like and not under anyone’s pressure.

IMT Ghaziabad Admissions 2026 - Closing Soon - Apply Now

Why IMT Ghaziabad? Top Factors 
I decided to take final admission into IMT Ghaziabad based on three criteria: The strong legacy and alumni network, the location advantage (proximity to Delhi-NCR corporate hubs), and its undisputed reputation. IMT Ghaziabad is known as a premier B-school for Marketing Management.

IMT Ghaziabad Experience
It has been intense and transformative. The peer learning is exceptional, and the rigorous schedule is preparing me for the corporate world.

Whom do you credit for your success? 
I will like to credit my mother, for her tireless work ethic, my sister, for her guidance, and my father, for his unconditional support. They supported me and kept me focused on the bigger picture.

Your Message to CAT Aspirants 
My message is - don’t just work hard, work strategically. Analyse your weaknesses ruthlessly. If you have a gap or a setback, own it and use it to build your character. Aim for the top, and don’t settle for average efforts!

Soham Kothawala – IMT Ghaziabad PGDM (Marketing) 2025–27 Batch
Soham Kothawala is a first-year PGDM Marketing student at IMT Ghaziabad. He demonstrated strong aptitude in national MBA entrance exams, securing impressive scores in XAT 2025 (97.03 percentile), and also did well in CAT exam. Soham received interview calls from IMT Ghaziabad, NMIMS Mumbai, new IIMs before choosing IMT Ghaziabad. A Mumbai native, he comes from a professionally accomplished family. His mother is a Doctor, father works in the Corporate sector, and sister is pursuing CA. In his leisure time, he enjoys watching movies, listening to music, and going on nature walks.

MBA Entrance Exam Coaching & Books 
My preparation strategy was a mixture of both – self preparation and formal coaching. Individual preparation helped me focus more and coaching helped me know competition and learn from other extremely smart people. I mainly used Arun Sharma books for Quantitative Section, and that was extremely beneficial as it had a multitude of good questions.

Overall, CAT Preparation Strategy
My overall strategy was to maximise marks in sections I was the strongest at. I had analyzed more than 50 mocks and was very well aware of the paper pattern. Pattern recognition and finding and attempting the easy questions helped me the most. I was interning during the initial preparation and then left it to focus fulltime on preparation, around 4 months before CAT.

Sectional CAT Preparation Strategy 
VARC was my strong suit. I initially prepared through reading Aeon Essays and Smithsonian Articles. After a few months, I simply prepared by giving more mocks and sectionals to focus on the different types of RCs. I also made a set strategy on the number of questions to be attempted and the flow of the paper. This really helped me.

In DILR, I simply practiced extensive past year papers and sets to get a grasp on commonly recurring topics. This made the paper very familiar.

For Quants, I practised subsection wise like Arithmetic, Algebra, etc. I chose my strongest topics and hunted for them in the first round of question attempts. I did this for all other questions by consciously segregating questions on levels of difficulty.

I found quants very challenging. To overcome it I stopped solving just difficult questions and matched the difficulties of the past papers. This helped me gain clarity and more confidence.

Mock Tests were extremely crucial in my preparation journey. Rightfully analysing and solving more mocks helps gain a reality check of the exam scenario and how to attempt the paper. It also helps identify new and easier questions during mock analysis. A lot can be improved by simply giving and analyzing mocks.

CAT Exam Day and Test Taking Tips 
 I had practised my strategy based on multiple mocks and hence I was very calm on the exam day. The day was a bit stressful but holding onto my strategy helped me smoothly navigate through the paper.

CAT Preparation Lessons, Key Challenges, Mistake to Avoid 
The most important lesson for me was to give and analyze mocks. This was the best as mere question solving is not the only way to learn. Giving mocks creates an exam day simulation and that is necessary to know what to do and not to do. Analyzing mocks also helps you learn faster than any other thing.

Key challenges include struggling through bad scores, waiting for results and final selection process. The main situation is that all the processes are very random as understood by all and hence I kept sure of my capabilities and put in my best efforts. 

I wouldn’t change anything as I had very strategically prepared by analysis and trial and testing. My strategy was successful and I had no reason to change it. I just wished I could’ve given more mocks than I did.

Staying Motivated 
It was difficult but I had to remind myself about the end goal and the purpose of giving CAT and XAT. I used to take ample breaks and study at stipulated times. A constant breather was always required and it helped me stay on track. 

GD/PI/WAT Preparation
I brushed up on past academics and also extensively covered up on news and current events. I prepared all the hygiene questions and also created a “life story” in flow which I could use to answer most of the questions. I also gave multiple mock interviews to industry professionals to cross verify my answers and gain advice.

IMT Admission Process 
My specialization is Marketing. I chose it as I was always interested in it and did my graduation in it as well. The path was always clear for me and I was always sure of it. For candidates unsure of their specializations, I would prefer choosing the Core Programme at IMT Ghaziabad. This gives you ample time after coming into MBA to figure your preferences. This is because IMT Ghaziabad offers a plethora of multidiscipline courses in the first 2 trimesters and gives a fair idea to those who are unsure, to choose what they prefer. 

IMT Ghaziabad Admissions 2026 - Closing Soon - Apply Now

Why IMT Ghaziabad? Top Factors
IMT Ghaziabad is known for its lineage and industry connects. The extensive alumni base is highly beneficial for any student to seek help in the industry. With 45 years of reputation, the college provides ample opportunity to all students. This is why I chose IMT Ghaziabad over other B-schools.

IMT Ghaziabad Experience
The experience at IMT so far has been quite impressive. The college has a lot more to offer than students can imagine. From the courses to the extra-curricular activities, IMT Ghaziabad helps everyone excel in their careers. It has opened multiple horizons and opportunities and I am looking forward to studying my specializations soon.

Whom do you credit for your success?
I would always give credits to my family and friends for my success. I have been through difficult times but never alone. The journey from CAT to MBA is very vicarious and without them, I would not have survived any of this. My Father and Mother have given me more than I can ever thank them for or repay them for.

Your Message to CAT/XAT Aspirants
I would just say that everyone should trust the process. The only thing that one can control is their preparation and they should trust it with their hearts. A lot of MBA is about luck, so whatever you can control, only focus on that. Also the journey is long and about patience so hold onto things for just a little more and you will see your luck blossom.

Read complete details on IMT Ghaziabad Admissions 2026 and IMT Ghaziabad Placements 2026.