Gautam Ganeriwala’s CAT 2024 Journey to IIM Ahmedabad

Gautam Ganeriwala’s CAT 2024 Journey to IIM Ahmedabad: Cracking the CAT is never easy, it demands patience, focus, and belief in yourself. Gautam Ganeriwala’s 2024 journey is one of those inspiring stories that every CAT aspirant can relate to. From scoring 96 percentile in his first attempt and taking a gap year to achieving a remarkable 99.93 percentile and converting IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, and FMS Delhi—his story is about power of consistency and smart strategy.

In an exclusive conversation with Cracku, Gautam shared his preparation journey, mock analysis routine, interview experience, and powerful tips for CAT 2025 aspirants who wish to follow the same path.

Gautam’s Educational Background and Early Interest in Management

Gautam comes from Kolkata, where he completed his schooling at Don Bosco Park Circus. During his school days, he served as the Student Council President for three years, which sparked his early interest in leadership and management.

Later, he pursued B.Com (Hons) at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and went on to qualify as both a Chartered Accountant (CA) and ACCA. This strong foundation in business and finance helped him develop analytical and logical thinking skills that proved useful during CAT preparation.

Learning from His First CAT Attempt with 96%ile

In his first CAT attempt, Gautam managed a 96 percentile with minimal preparation. He admits that the score came more from aptitude than effort. However, this attempt taught him two important lessons — consistent effort beats raw talent, and self-reflection is key.

He realized that if a half-hearted attempt could fetch a 96 percentile, full dedication could take him much further. That realization became the fuel for his comeback.

Overcoming the Gap Year and Building a Positive Mindset

After his first CAT attempt, Gautam decided to take a gap year to focus fully on improving his score. Like many aspirants, he initially feared that a gap year might affect his chances with top IIM colleges. But he soon learned that institutes value clarity, purpose, and strong interview performance more than continuous work experience.

He prepared honest, well-structured answers for interview questions about the gap year, highlighting how it allowed him to focus on skill-building and self-improvement. This mindset shift turned what many see as a “setback” into a strength.

How Gautam Improved to 99.93%ile in CAT 2024

Gautam’s success came from three key factors:

• Mindset shift: He started seeing CAT as achievable with discipline and patience.

• Section balance: He maintained his strength in VARC while dedicating extra time to LRDI and Quant, his weaker areas.

• Structured routine: Instead of studying randomly, he followed a clear, consistent plan with daily goals.

This focus helped him build both confidence and accuracy—turning his preparation into a steady climb toward 99.93 percentile.

Also Read, CAT Section-wise Preparation Strategy 2025, Study Material

Daily Study Routine and Section-Wise Preparation Strategy

 VARC Strategy

VARC was always Gautam’s strongest area, and nearly half of his marks in the first attempt came from this section. So, instead of spending too much time relearning the basics, he focused on sharpening his comprehension skills. During the mocks, he would simply read the passages and mark the answers without making notes. However, once the mock ended, he would write a one-line summary for every paragraph of each RC passage. This helped him clearly identify misunderstandings in his interpretation and improve his accuracy over time. He believes VARC improvement mainly comes from consistent practice and deeper analysis of mistakes, not just reading theory.

DILR Strategy

For DILR, Gautam focused heavily on set selection, which he believes is the most important skill for this section. He used the CAT Study Room to practice different types of sets and regularly solved sectional tests to improve his decision-making ability under time pressure. During mock analysis, he would solve all the sets that he could not attempt in the mock to ensure he did not leave similar questions unanswered in future tests. He also points out that he started taking DILR sectional tests a bit late in his prep and advises future aspirants to start early so they get enough experience in choosing the right sets. CAT previous papers are an excellent source of starting DILR preparation.

Quant Strategy

Quant was his weaker section, so he gave it special attention in the second attempt. He practiced extensively using the Cracku Study Room to strengthen his concepts. Gautam took nearly 60 CAT mock tests in total, and he believes mock analysis played a huge role in improving his Quant score. During analysis, he focused on three types of questions: those he attempted incorrectly (to understand the conceptual mistake), those he didn’t attempt (to identify gaps and revise concepts), and even the questions he solved correctly (to find faster methods and reduce time spent). This detailed review process helped him gradually build speed, accuracy, and confidence in Quants.

The Importance of Mock Tests and Analysis in His Preparation

Gautam attempted around 60 mock tests before the exam, but his real progress came from mock analysis. He focused less on scores and more on learning. His 3-step method was simple:
 Review wrong answers to identify conceptual gaps.
 Revisit unsolved questions and fix missing clarity.
 Re-analyze correct answers to find faster solving methods.

He also tracked how long he spent on each question type, which helped him improve time management. According to Gautam, “Mock analysis is where real growth happens.”

Cracku’s Role in Gautam Ganeriwala’s CAT Preparation

Gautam credits Cracku for providing a structured and result-oriented practice system. The Cracku CAT Study Room gave him access to unlimited sectional tests and quality video solutions.

He especially appreciated how Cracku’s CAT online coaching helped him focus on accuracy, speed, and set selection—the exact mix required to perform under pressure. He often revisited video explanations to clarify doubts quickly without wasting time searching for theory.

How He Managed Stress and Confidence Before the Exam

Like most aspirants, Gautam faced ups and downs in his mock scores during the last month before CAT. Instead of panicking, he took it as part of the process.

He recalls that in the final two weeks, his mock scores suddenly jumped above 99.5 percentile, giving him confidence. Yet he warns aspirants not to tie self-worth to mock percentiles. “Believe in your preparation,” he says, “and trust that your consistency will show up on exam day.”

Interview Preparation and IIM Ahmedabad Interview Experience

After CAT results, Gautam immediately shifted focus to interview prep. He connected with current students through LinkedIn and prepared for mock interviews.

His IIM Ahmedabad interview was intense and fast-paced, but his strong finance knowledge and calm attitude helped him perform well. He emphasizes that being honest, composed, and confident is what impresses the panel the most.

Gautam’s Advice and Tips for CAT 2025 Aspirants

Do’s:

• Start mock and LRDI practice early.

• Focus on consistent effort, not sudden bursts.

• Analyze every test sincerely and stay confident.

Don’ts:

• Don’t idolize colleges—focus on your own journey.

• Don’t postpone mock analysis.

• Don’t doubt yourself; every topper started from uncertainty.

Key Lessons from Gautam Ganeriwala’s CAT Journey

Gautam’s story shows that success in CAT is not about luck—it’s about mindset, daily effort, and smart analysis. From a 96 percentile and a gap year to 99.93 percentile and top IIM calls, his journey proves that growth comes with reflection and consistency.

For CAT 2025 aspirants, his message is clear: practice regularly, analyze honestly, and stay calm. With belief and discipline, your dream MBA colleges is within reach.