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How Shivam Improved His CAT Percentile in Just One Year
Scoring low in CAT can be heartbreaking, especially when you've invested months in CAT preparation. Many aspirants believe that one poor attempt defines their future, but Shivam's journey proves otherwise. After scoring just 60 percentile in CAT 2024, he couldn't secure interview calls from top B-schools. Instead of giving up, he analysed his mistakes, changed his preparation strategy, and came back stronger the following year.
From following a structured study plan to taking regular mock tests and staying consistent every day, Shivam transformed his preparation completely. His efforts not only helped him improve his CAT performance but also enabled him to perform well in other MBA entrance exams like NMAT and SNAP.
If you're preparing for CAT and wondering how to improve your percentile, Shivam's journey offers practical lessons that every aspirant can learn from.
Shivam's CAT Journey at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Score | 60 Percentile |
| Biggest Challenge | No Interview Calls |
| Preparation Duration | 7 Months |
| Daily Study Hours | 8–10 Hours |
| Questions Practised | 3,000+ |
| Major Change | Started Taking Mock Tests |
| Other Exams | NMAT, SNAP, XAT |
| Interview Preparation | Cracku GDPI Program |
Why Shivam Scored Only 60 Percentile in His First CAT Attempt
In his first CAT attempt, Shivam focused mainly on concepts and practice questions. However, he skipped full-length mock tests, which made it difficult to manage time and perform under exam pressure. On the actual exam day, he struggled in the LRDI section, affecting his overall percentile.
He also used multiple CAT study materials without following a structured preparation plan, making his practice less effective.
Mistakes He Made
- Didn't attempt full-length CAT mock tests.
- Studied from multiple resources without a clear strategy.
- Had limited exam-level practice.
- Struggled with time management and exam pressure.
Instead of giving up after scoring 60 percentile, Shivam learnt from his mistakes, changed his strategy, and came back much stronger in his next attempt.
How Shivam Improved His CAT Percentile in Just One Year
After CAT 2024, Shivam knew that simply studying harder wouldn't be enough. He needed to study smarter.
In May, he joined Cracku's CAT preparation course and committed himself to a structured study plan. Instead of changing resources every few weeks, he relied on one platform and followed it consistently until the exam.
One of the biggest changes was his daily routine. He studied for around 8–10 hours every day, revised concepts regularly, solved hundreds of practice questions, and analysed every mock test carefully.
Coming from a bodybuilding background, Shivam compared CAT preparation to fitness training. Just as muscles develop through consistency rather than one intense workout, he believed CAT success also comes from following the process every day.
What Changed in His Preparation?
| CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 Preparation |
|---|---|
| Random preparation | Structured study plan |
| No mock tests | Regular mock tests |
| Multiple study sources | One dedicated platform |
| Limited practice | 3,000+ questions solved |
| Panic during exam | Better confidence & calm mindset |
This gradual improvement gave him confidence before the exam. Instead of worrying about the result, he trusted the preparation he had put in over several months.
CAT Preparation Strategy That Helped Shivam Improve
After his first CAT attempt, Shivam realised that finishing the CAT syllabus wasn't enough. To improve his percentile, he needed a clear plan, regular practice, and continuous improvement. Instead of studying randomly, he followed a structured strategy that kept him on track throughout his preparation.
This simple approach helped him stay consistent and gradually improve his performance over seven months.
| Activity | Time Spent |
|---|---|
| Concept Learning | 2–3 Hours |
| Practice Questions | 3–4 Hours |
| Mock Test & Analysis | 2 Hours |
| Revision | 1–2 Hours |
Instead of chasing long study hours, Shivam focused on productive learning. He analysed every mock test, worked on his weak areas, and solved 3,000+ questions on Cracku's Study Room. This consistent practice improved his confidence, accuracy, and exam temperament helping him perform much better on the actual CAT exam.
How Mock Tests Changed Shivam's CAT Preparation
The biggest difference between Shivam's first and second CAT attempts was mock tests. In his first attempt, he focused only on concepts and practice questions, without experiencing the pressure of a full-length CAT exam.
For his second attempt, he made mock tests a regular part of his preparation. He took one mock every week and spent more time analysing his mistakes than writing the test itself. This helped him improve his time management, question selection, and overall exam strategy.
As the exam approached, his mock scores consistently ranged between 95–99 percentile, giving him the confidence to face CAT without panic.
How Mock Tests Helped Him
| Before Mock Tests | After Regular Mock Tests |
|---|---|
| No exam experience | Comfortable with the CAT pattern |
| Poor time management | Better speed and accuracy |
| Panicked during tough questions | Stayed calm under pressure |
| Couldn't identify weak areas | Improved weak sections regularly |
| Low confidence | Entered the exam confidently |
How Shivam Overcame Gap Years and Low Academics in MBA Interviews
Many CAT aspirants worry that gap years or low academic scores will ruin their chances of getting into a good MBA college. Shivam had the same concern.
He completed engineering in five years instead of four, had around two years of gap, and his academic performance gradually declined from school to graduation. Naturally, interviewers questioned him about his profile.
What Helped Him Stand Out?
- 🏆 Winner of NPC Mr. Karnataka 2024
- 💪 Worked as a Personal Trainer
- 🌐 Built his own online fitness website
- 🎯 Participated in multiple extracurricular activities
- 🗣️ Attended several mock personal interviews before the actual interviews
Rather than making excuses, Shivam showed that he had developed discipline, leadership, communication skills, and the ability to overcome setbacks.
Shivam's NMAT, SNAP & MBA Interview Preparation Strategy
After completing CAT, Shivam didn't take a break. He immediately shifted his focus to NMAT, SNAP, and other MBA entrance exams.
Since CAT had already strengthened his fundamentals, he only needed to adjust his strategy for each exam.
For NMAT and SNAP, speed became the biggest priority. Instead of learning new concepts, he practised mock tests to improve his accuracy under time pressure.
His preparation paid off with impressive scores.
Shivam's MBA Entrance Exam Performance:-
| Exam | Performance |
|---|---|
| CAT | Significant Improvement |
| NMAT | 231 Score |
| SNAP | 98.7 Percentile |
| GDPI | Converted in the First Merit List |
For his interviews, he attended multiple mock personal interviews, which helped him prepare answers for common questions related to his academics, gap years, and career goals.
Instead of memorising answers, he focused on telling his story naturally.
This made him more confident during the actual interviews and helped him convert his calls successfully.
Shivam's Top CAT Preparation Tips for Every MBA Aspirant
After his MBA entrance journey, Shivam shared a few lessons that helped him improve from 60 percentile to top MBA interview calls. These simple tips can help every CAT aspirant prepare more effectively.
Start Mock Tests Early
Don't wait to complete the syllabus before taking mocks. They help you understand the CAT exam pattern, improve time management, and identify weak areas from the beginning.
Stay Consistent Every Day
Regular study is more effective than studying for long hours occasionally. Even a few productive hours every day can make a big difference over time.
Follow One Preparation Plan
Avoid switching between multiple books, coaching materials, or YouTube channels. Choose one trusted platform and stick to it throughout your preparation.
Solve More Quality Questions
The more CAT-level questions you practise, the better your speed, accuracy, and confidence become. Consistent practice prepares you for different question types.
Analyse Every Mock Test
A mock test is useful only when you review it. Analyse your mistakes, understand where you lost marks, and work on improving those areas before the next mock.
Don't Let Your Profile Hold You Back
Gap years, average academics, or a poor first CAT attempt don't decide your future. With a good CAT score, honest interview answers, and consistent effort, you can still secure top MBA opportunities.
Conclusion
Shivam's journey proves that a low CAT percentile, gap years, or average academics don't have to define your MBA future. After scoring 60 percentile in CAT 2024, he changed his preparation strategy, stayed consistent, and focused on regular mock tests and practice. His hard work helped him perform well in CAT, NMAT, SNAP, and MBA interviews, showing that the right approach can lead to remarkable improvement.
If you're preparing for CAT, take inspiration from Shivam's story. Every mock test, every practice session, and every mistake you learn from brings you one step closer to your goal. Stay consistent, trust the preparation process, and keep improving every day your CAT success story could be next.
