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How Shruta Scored 97.91 Percentile While Working at Deloitte
What happens when a full-time job, low mock scores, and a weak DILR section stand between you and your MBA dream? Shruta Sharaba Mishra’s CAT 2024 journey answers that question with persistence, consistency, and the willingness to keep improving. Working as an Analyst at Deloitte, Shruta managed demanding 9-to-9 workdays while preparing for CAT. Despite limited weekday study time and an inconsistent mock-test performance, he eventually scored 97.91 percentile in CAT 2024, including an impressive 99.42 percentile in Quant. His journey also led to converts from several reputed B-schools, including MDI Gurgaon, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIT Madras DOMS, and IIT Kharagpur VGSoM. More importantly, his story shows that even a delayed start and a demanding job do not have to stop you from pursuing your MBA goals.
Watch Shruta’s CAT 2024 Success Story
Shruta’s journey is particularly relevant for working professionals preparing for CAT.
His preparation involved balancing a demanding Deloitte job, daily targets, mock tests, section-wise improvement, and MBA interview preparation. His experience shows how consistent preparation can work even when you do not have several hours available every weekday.
Shruta Sharaba Mishra’s Academic and Career Profile
Shruta comes from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and developed a strong academic foundation during school. He scored 10 CGPA in Class 10 and 92% in Class 12. He also achieved an impressive milestone in mathematics during higher secondary education. He qualified for the Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO) and became one of six candidates selected from Odisha for INO. After Class 12, Shruta joined VSSUT, Burla, one of Odisha’s oldest government engineering colleges.
His profile before CAT 2024 included:
Profile Area | Shruta’s Details |
Name | Shruta Sharaba Mishra |
Location | Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
Class 10 | 10 CGPA |
Class 12 | 92% |
Graduation | B.Tech, VSSUT Burla |
Employer | Deloitte Consulting |
Role | Analyst |
CAT Year | CAT 2024 |
CAT Percentile | 97.91 |
How Shruta’s First CAT Attempt Changed His MBA Goal
Shruta first appeared for CAT in 2022 during his final year of engineering. At that stage, he had limited awareness about CAT and did not seriously prepare for the examination. He explored a few previous-year questions through Cracku before entering the examination. Surprisingly, he secured 97.62 percentile despite his limited preparation and experience. The result introduced him to the possibilities that CAT could create after engineering. He received interview calls from IIMs but entered those interviews without adequate preparation.
His next attempt in CAT 2023 did not produce the same result, as he scored around 95 percentile. DILR became his biggest weakness, despite his earlier comfort with data interpretation. Instead of treating the setback as the end, Shruta continued working and gained professional exposure at Deloitte. His journey gradually shifted from casual CAT attempts toward a more focused MBA goal.
How Shruta Prepared for CAT 2024 While Working a 9-to-9 Job
Shruta joined Deloitte and started working in a demanding consulting environment. His regular schedule often stretched from 9 AM to 9 PM, leaving limited time for weekday CAT preparation. During this period, he also appeared for competitive examinations and cleared SBI PO. His consulting role in Hyderabad provided valuable professional exposure and financial independence. A major turning point came after he unexpectedly met Maruti Sir on the road. Maruti Sir gave him his contact number, but Shruta decided not to reach out immediately. He wanted their next interaction to happen after he had achieved something worth discussing. From September, Shruta started taking CAT preparation seriously while continuing his demanding job. He followed Cracku’s Daily Targets consistently, even on exhausting workdays.
Preparation Challenge | Shruta’s Response |
9-to-9 Deloitte schedule | Completed short daily targets |
Limited weekday study time | Used weekends for focused preparation |
Weak DILR performance | Analysed mistakes through mocks |
Low mock scores | Continued attempting and reviewing tests |
CAT anxiety | Used previous experience to stay composed |
Weak VARC confidence | Built reading speed through daily practice |
How Cracku's DashCATs Helped Shruta Prepare for the Unexpected
Shruta used Cracku DashCATs regularly and found their unpredictability especially useful. His mock scores were not always encouraging as CAT 2024 approached. At times, his scores dropped sharply despite having prepared more seriously. Instead of allowing these results to damage his confidence, he used them to identify recurring mistakes. One major issue was spending too much time on individual questions. DashCATs helped him recognise this habit and gradually change his attempt strategy. He experimented with different question orders instead of blindly following the sequence of the paper. This became particularly useful when the actual CAT paper demanded quick decisions.
“One thing I really liked about the Cracku mock test was that it prepares you for the unprepared.”
His mock-test experience taught him that CAT rewards adaptability rather than comfort with predictable question patterns.
How Shruta Improved VARC Before CAT 2024
Quant remained Shruta’s strongest section, while DILR continued to create uncertainty. He therefore realised that improving VARC could provide the extra cushion needed for his final percentile. A senior suggested reading Aeon essays while brushing. The long essays initially took nearly 22 minutes, but his reading speed improved steadily. Eventually, he reduced his reading time to approximately 15 minutes. By CAT day, he could complete three VARC passages within the first 19 minutes. He did not chase perfect accuracy because he understood his own strengths and limitations. Instead, he focused on maintaining speed and attempting questions without carrying unnecessary regrets. This approach helped him score 96.52 percentile in VARC.
CAT 2024 Result: 97.91 Overall and 99.42 Percentile in Quant
Shruta entered CAT 2024 with a clear understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. His final sectional performance reflected the strategy he developed during his preparation.
His 99.42 percentile in Quant was the standout feature of his scorecard. However, clearing the DILR sectional threshold was equally important for keeping his admission opportunities alive. He scored around 15 marks in DILR, narrowly crossing the required sectional threshold. Interestingly, Cracku’s Percentile Predictor estimated 97.93, while Shruta eventually scored 97.91 percentile.
Which IIMs and B-Schools Did Shruta Convert?
Shruta understood that CAT percentile was only one part of the MBA admission process. His academic record, engineering background, work experience, and interview performance also shaped his final opportunities. His profile eventually helped him convert several respected management programmes across India.
B-School | Result |
MDI Gurgaon | Converted |
IIM Raipur | Converted |
IIM Ranchi | Converted |
IIM Sirmaur | Converted |
IIT Madras DOMS | Converted |
IIT Kharagpur VGSoM | Converted |
His IIM Raipur interview particularly benefited from his entrepreneurship and startup exposure. During his employment gap before joining Deloitte, he had worked with a quiz-based startup. This experience gave him a genuine story when the interview panel asked about startups. Instead of manufacturing an answer, he could connect the question with his actual experience.
How Shruta Prepared for Six MBA Interviews
Shruta’s CAT journey did not end with a 97.91 percentile. The bigger challenge began after the scorecard, when he had to convert his interview calls. His profile brought six interview opportunities, and he eventually converted all six effectively. The process required preparation, composure, and the ability to turn ordinary profile points into memorable conversations. His first major lesson came during the IIM Raipur interview. When the panel asked about his startup experience, Shruta immediately showed supporting documents.
“I have worked in one.”
The panel became interested in the experience and started asking detailed questions about his work. His experience taught him an important interview lesson: never mention a profile point without preparing evidence behind it.
How Shruta Handled Difficult and Unexpected Interview Questions
The CAP interview tested Shruta differently. The panel began with questions from his engineering subjects, including topics he had not revised recently. Instead of repeatedly apologising, Shruta redirected the conversation toward subjects connected with his professional experience.
“This is not in my line of work, so I am unable to recall it. However, you can ask me about DBMS and object-oriented programming.”
The response showed confidence without sounding defensive. The interviewer then moved away from the outdated topics and asked broader questions. Shruta eventually scored 35 out of 50 in the CAP interview. His experience highlights an important interview lesson: you do not need to know the answer to every question. You need to remain composed when the conversation moves beyond your preparation.
Why Shruta Treated MDI Gurgaon Differently
MDI Gurgaon was especially important to Shruta because he knew that entering the flagship PGDM programme was difficult for candidates from his engineering college. Therefore, he treated the MDI selection process as an opportunity requiring complete focus. One major sacrifice came during the same period. Shruta had qualified for the Tata Crucible Corporate Quiz, reaching the top 12 from the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region. However, the event clashed with his MDI interview preparation. He decided to skip the opportunity despite considering the competition a personal dream.
“I will get this opportunity again. I may not get an MBA opportunity again next year.”
That decision captures an important part of his journey: success was not only about adding achievements but also about protecting the priorities that mattered most.
How Shruta Stood Out in the MDI Gurgaon GD
The MDI Gurgaon selection process included a written component, GD, and PI. The written topic focused on whether companies should remain flexible regarding geopolitical events. Shruta felt dissatisfied with his written response, but the GD gave him another opportunity to stand out. Instead of trying to dominate the discussion, he waited for a suitable opening. When the group discussed tariffs, he introduced Taiwan’s semiconductor concentration as a practical example. The discussion became more specific and grounded. Shruta also noticed that candidates often focus on entering the conversation rather than listening. He deliberately encouraged quieter participants to share their views. His approach was simple: stand out through relevance, not volume.
GD Element | What Shruta Did |
Content | Introduced Taiwan semiconductor concentration |
Participation | Entered when he had a relevant point |
Listening | Observed other participants carefully |
Group involvement | Invited quieter candidates to speak |
Body language | Maintained attention while others spoke |
How Shruta Made His PI Introduction More Memorable
The MDI interview brought another unexpected decision. Shruta had used a fixed introduction across his earlier interviews. Before entering MDI, he decided to change it slightly. Instead of only mentioning cricket and football, he added anime to his interests. The interviewer immediately asked whether he had watched Death Note. Shruta had not, but he handled the question honestly.
He redirected the conversation toward Studio Ghibli films and explained how their stories influenced his perspective. The panel continued exploring his interests instead of ending the topic quickly. The interview eventually covered anime, AI, work experience, Japanese language learning, Odisha, and regional culture. It lasted approximately 23 minutes.
How Shruta Prepared for MBA Interviews With Limited Time
Shruta did not have unlimited preparation time because he was working full-time. Instead, he focused on areas that could realistically influence his interview performance.
He prepared:
- Current affairs
- Budget-related topics
- Recent newspaper developments
- Personal academic and professional stories
- Mock interviews
- Career goals and preferences
A senior conducted a mock interview for him instead of simply giving generic advice. That session helped Shruta recognise that some of his answers sounded uncertain. His mentor suggested presenting himself as domain-agnostic rather than pretending to have a fixed specialisation. This helped him discuss his career goals with greater maturity.
What Shruta Did Right During His MBA Interviews
Shruta’s interview strategy centred on confidence without arrogance. He accepted difficult questions instead of pretending to know everything. At IIM Madras and other interviews, panels challenged him on engineering and general knowledge topics. He maintained his composure even when questions moved outside his strongest areas.
He also used his strengths instead of spending excessive time worrying about weaknesses. His quiz background, curiosity, consulting exposure, and academic record became useful conversation points. This approach helped him convert six interview opportunities effectively, including MDI Gurgaon and several IIMs.
Shruta’s Biggest CAT Preparation Lessons for Aspirants
When asked about his preparation, Shruta identified one major strength: he did not waste energy worrying about factors he could not change. His profile, college background, and work-experience calculations were already fixed. Instead, he focused on performing well in the interviews he received. His biggest regret was not practising enough DILR earlier. He felt that the section required consistent exposure and repeated practice. For future CAT aspirants, his advice is straightforward: focus on the factors you can control and prepare deeply for every opportunity you receive.
Key Lessons From Shruta’s CAT Journey
- Do not let a weaker profile become your permanent excuse.
- Prepare evidence for every achievement mentioned in your interview.
- Keep answers concise and allow interviewers to explore further.
- Listen carefully during GDs instead of waiting only for your turn.
- Use current affairs to strengthen your interview conversations.
- Stay calm when questions move beyond your preparation.
- Build confidence through mock interviews and repeated practice.
From 97.91 Percentile to MDI Gurgaon: Shruta’s CAT Journey
Shruta entered the MBA journey from a college that did not frequently send candidates to top B-schools. His 97.91 percentile, 99.42 Quant percentile, consistent preparation, and interview strategy changed that trajectory. Yet his most powerful lesson came after the CAT scorecard.
“You are going to MDI because you are good. You deserve to be there.”
That advice captures the mindset Shruta needed throughout his journey. A reputed college should make you feel privileged, but never inferior. You earn your place before entering the classroom. The college simply gives you a bigger stage. Shruta’s story therefore goes beyond CAT preparation. It shows how persistence, self-awareness, consistency, sacrifice, and composure can turn an unlikely opportunity into a life-changing MBA convert.
From a 9-to-9 Job at Deloitte to 97.91%ile in CAT 2024: Conclusion
Shruta Mishra’s CAT 2024 success story proves that long working hours, disappointing mock scores and a weak section do not have to decide your final result. By maintaining consistency alongside his Deloitte job, improving VARC strategically and relying on his strength in Quant, he reached 97.91 percentile and kept multiple top B-school opportunities open.
His journey also shows that CAT preparation does not end with the exam. Thoughtful interview preparation, concise answers, strong personal stories and composure helped him convert six management programmes, including MDI Gurgaon. The biggest takeaway for aspirants is simple: focus on what you can improve, prepare consistently and make every opportunity count.
