How Debopam Scored 99.88%ile in CAT 2025 in Just 5 Weeks

Scoring 99.88 percentile in just 5 weeks might sound absurd to many CAT aspirants. Because revising the PYQs, taking CAT mock tests and improving the score in weaker sections at atleast need 2 to 3 months of preparation. Along with that, if he is able to convert IIM Ahmedabad, it might be a dream for lakhs of MBA aspirants. But Debopam treated it like a series of small, controlled steps. He was already working full-time as a software engineer when he started preparing for CAT 2025. There was no long study break or months of dedicated CAT preparation behind his 99.88 percentile. He prepared for around five weeks while managing his job, fitness routine and daily responsibilities.

How Debopam Improved from 95.3 to 99.88 Percentile in CAT

Debopam had already appeared for CAT once in 2024. However, that attempt was more of a trial run than a serious preparation cycle. He had prepared for barely a week and wanted to understand what the exam felt like.

That attempt gave him a 95.3 percentile. Debopam saw it as evidence that he could do considerably better with focused preparation. His confidence came from the fact that he had reached 95.3 with almost no preparation.

“I probably am naturally fit for this exam and if I put some effort…”

He did not begin with an elaborate long-term target. He simply wanted to see how far he could push his score. The result was a jump from 95.3 to 99.88 percentile.

He was a software engineer in Hyderabad at a healthcare-based GCC and did not take a break from work.

The challenges he had to overcome to ace the CAT 2025

Debopam's five-week preparation was not completely smooth. A few factors could easily have disrupted his preparation:

• He had a full-time job to manage alongside CAT preparation.
• His preparation window was only around five weeks.
• Work could become hectic during certain periods.
• He expected to feel nervous before the CAT exam.
• VARC did not feel as comfortable on the actual exam day.
• He had to maintain his preparation without depending on long study hours.
• After CAT, he still had to prepare seriously for IIM interviews.

His solution was not to study endlessly. Instead, he created a routine around the time and energy available to him.

How He Prepared for CAT in Just 5 Weeks While Working Full-Time

Debopam's approach was surprisingly practical. He did not try to squeeze several hours of CAT preparation into every weekday.

He worked in two-week sprints at his job. When possible, he completed a significant portion of his work in two or three days and used the remaining days more flexibly. This gave him space for CAT preparation. His preparation happened across different parts of the day.

Fitness was another part of his routine. He went to the gym around five days a week and spent about two hours on weight training and other exercises. He also mentioned having coffee during the day and supplements as part of his routine to maintain energy even after working hours.

CAT daily targets played a key role in motivating him daily. Also, he attempted the Headstart mocks before the exam to control his nervousness.

Debopam’s CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for Quant, VARC and DILR

Debopam did not describe a complicated subject-wise strategy. His strength was DILR, and he wanted to make sure that strength translated into a strong score on exam day.

VARC was a different story. During the actual exam, D-Day, he felt that he might have underperformed in VARC because of nervousness. But he did not allow that feeling to affect the rest of his paper.

DILR was where he wanted to make his biggest impact.

“DILR was always my strength. So I wanted to make sure I ace it no matter what.”

He solved four DILR sets and got them right. Quant then felt close to his usual performance in mocks.

That gave him a way to judge his attempt after leaving the exam hall. Even though VARC had not felt perfect, he knew that his DILR performance had gone well and Quant was around his expected level.

This is where consistent CAT mock tests become useful. A mock gives candidates a baseline for what their normal performance looks like. Previous-year CAT questions can then help candidates understand the type of reasoning the exam demands, while sectionals can reveal where a particular section needs attention.

Debopam's experience also shows why candidates should avoid judging their entire CAT attempt based on one section.

His actual exam-day thought process was roughly this:

• VARC felt slightly below his expectations.
• DILR remained his strongest section.
• He completed four DILR sets successfully.
• Quant felt similar to his mock performance.
• He focused on the sections he could control instead of carrying one bad feeling forward.

The eventual CAT response sheet confirmed a strong performance. Debopam recalled his scaled score as 113.

How CAT Daily Targets Helped Debopam Stay Consistent

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was not about a difficult topic or a special shortcut. It was about daily targets.

Debopam said the daily targets were “very, very helpful” and called them one of the best parts of his preparation.

Maruti Sir explained why the idea was created in the first place. His thinking was simple: candidates often work hard for a week or two, miss one day, and then mentally feel that the entire preparation has collapsed.

Daily targets provide a smaller win.

Even on a difficult day, completing the day's target gives a candidate the feeling that something productive has been done.

“If you do the daily targets, at least you feel that you have done something productive.”

That psychological aspect mattered to Debopam because he was already balancing a demanding job. He did not need another system that made missed study hours feel like failure.

How Debopam Built Confidence and Managed CAT Exam-Day Pressure

The final two days before CAT became particularly important for Debopam.

He knew he would be nervous the night before the exam. Since he had the second slot, he had some additional time before reporting. He deliberately focused on getting enough sleep in the days leading up to the exam.

Another unusual decision was to take a Headstart mock on the night before CAT.

The Headstart mocks were relatively easier, and Debopam already had some of them remaining. He took one mainly to build confidence. He scored well.

That result gave him a positive feeling going into the examination.

“Carrying over that confidence played a huge…”

• He also received limited information about the earlier slot before his own exam. The previous slot had finished shortly before his second-slot exam, and he learnt that there was no major change in the pattern.
• Maruti Sir pointed out that appearing in CAT Slot 3 may have a longer waiting period, which can increase anxiety. Constantly checking Telegram groups, Reddit and other discussions can make that wait more stressful.
• Don’t isolate yourself from every update. It is to avoid consuming so much information that it starts affecting your mental state.
• Later, for the exam, he used the CAT score predictor to know his score.
• After CAT, Debopam did not assume that a 99.88 percentile meant the process was finished. His interview preparation became the next challenge.

Debopam’s Key Advice for CAT 2026 Aspirants

The conversation eventually moved far beyond the five-week CAT journey. Since Debopam was heading to IIM Ahmedabad, Maruti Sir shared several practical lessons about what comes after CAT.

Prepare for interviews by understanding yourself

Maruti Sir stressed that interviews are not about creating a fake version of yourself.

“You should basically tell the truth about everything, but in a diplomatic way.”

Debopam followed this approach during his own interview preparation. He took interview mocks, prepared for HR questions and technical areas, and spent considerable time introspecting about his goals.

The point is simple: know what you have done, why you did it and what you want next.

Build a master resume before joining IIM Ahmedabad

Maruti Sir's next advice was extremely specific. Prepare a master resume containing everything you have ever done.

That includes achievements that may initially appear too small to matter. His own example was a school-level public-speaking achievement. Individually, one fifth-standard prize may not belong on an MBA resume. But a complete master list can help candidates identify patterns and combine multiple achievements into a stronger point.

He also recommended keeping proof of achievements.

Certificates, letters and other documents can become difficult to arrange once college begins. Getting them together beforehand saves time later.

Get familiar with accounting and Excel

For an engineering graduate entering an MBA, accounting can initially feel unfamiliar.

Maruti Sir advised Debopam to understand the basics of financial reporting, including the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

He also recommended learning Excel well. The reason was not that these topics are exceptionally difficult. It was about saving time once the programme begins. When the academic workload becomes heavy, knowing the basics beforehand can make a difference.

Treat IIM Ahmedabad academics seriously

Maruti Sir repeatedly returned to one point: time is limited during the first few months of an MBA.

Classes, assignments, group projects, company presentations, applications and surprise quizzes can all compete for attention.

His advice was to prepare mentally for that pace instead of being surprised by it.

He also warned against allowing summer-placement shortlists to determine your confidence. Getting a shortlist is good, but not getting one should not destroy your academic focus.

“If you’re not getting a shortlist for whatever reason, focus on your CGPA.”

The final CGPA can matter significantly for placements, so academics cannot be treated as secondary.

Join clubs, but do not let them consume your MBA

• Maruti Sir did not recommend avoiding clubs and committees. He suggested participating, meeting people and becoming part of campus life, but without sacrificing academics.
• The larger purpose is networking and building a reputation among peers.
• His explanation of networking was particularly practical. Years after graduation, an alumnus may be able to help another alumnus reach a company or find the right person for an opportunity. But that network works better when people remember you positively.
• So the goal is not to meet everyone forcefully. It is to be known as someone reliable, hardworking and easy to work with.

Look beyond the first job offer

The career discussion took another turn when Debopam asked about finance, strategy and product management.

Maruti Sir openly acknowledged that his own experience in finance had influenced his opinion. He had expected intellectually challenging work but eventually found the experience different from what he imagined.

His advice was to understand the actual job rather than selecting a career only because of its salary.

He also encouraged students to speak with seniors and gather multiple perspectives before making a decision.

For entrepreneurship, start with financial stability

The final part of the conversation focused on Debopam's long-term interest in entrepreneurship.

Maruti Sir's advice was built around financial freedom rather than rushing into a startup.

He suggested:

• Avoid taking unnecessary loans.
• Clear education loans as much as practical.
• Build some personal savings.
• Do not put all personal savings into the startup.
• Find a strong founding team.
• Be prepared to stay with the venture for the long run.
• Start earlier if entrepreneurship is genuinely the goal.

Conclusion

Debopam's CAT journey was short, but it was not careless. He used five weeks intensely, relied on daily consistency, protected his confidence before the exam and understood his strengths. Maruti Sir's later advice expanded the lesson: CAT is only one part of the journey. What comes after the percentile requires the same combination of self-awareness, consistency and long-term thinking.