How Tanishka Improved from 70s to 97.95 Percentile in CAT
Maruti Sir:
That’s a great improvement — from the 70s to almost 98 percentile! What changed the second time?
Tanishka:
Honestly, sir, after my first attempt, I didn’t want to give CAT again. I had studied hard and failed. But my father convinced me to give it one more try, saying, “If it doesn’t work, do whatever you want afterward.”
So I made up my mind — this time, I’ll give it everything. Discipline and consistency became my two non-negotiables.
I religiously solved Cracku’s Daily Targets — every single day for two years. Even when I was out, I did them on my phone. That daily practice kept me in touch with all three sections.
Tanishka’s Section-Wise CAT Strategy
VARC Section Strategy
Maruti Sir:
Let’s talk section-wise. How did you approach VARC?
Tanishka: -
VARC was the toughest section for me initially. I used to read very slowly, so I started small — reading 2–3 articles a day from The Hindu, Aeon Essays, and The Guardian.
Then I moved to Cracku RC practice sets and daily parajumble tests.
What helped the most was timed practice. I stopped rereading paragraphs again and again. Instead, I focused on grasping the main idea of the RC quickly and trusting my first instinct.
By the final months, I was able to solve 4 RCs in mocks comfortably and accuracy improved from 50% to nearly 85%.
DILR Section Strategy
Maruti Sir:
How about DILR? Many students fear this section.
Tanishka:
Yes sir, even I did at first! During my first attempt, I used to get frustrated because I couldn’t finish even one full set. But later, I realized it’s all about pattern recognition.
I started solving one set daily from Cracku’s archives — covering all types: arrangements, tables, bar graphs, caselets, and games & tournaments.
In the last few months, I started revising previously solved sets instead of always attempting new ones — that built confidence.
Also, I developed a “5-minute rule” — if I couldn’t understand the set in 5 minutes, I’d skip it. That habit alone helped me maximize attempts and accuracy.
Quantitative Aptitude Strategy
Maruti Sir:
You have a Statistics background. Did that help in Quant?
Tanishka:
Yes sir, but only to some extent. My basics in Arithmetic and Algebra were strong, but I was rusty in Geometry and Modern Math.
So I focused heavily on Arithmetic — topics like Percentages, Ratios, SI-CI, Profit & Loss, and Time-Speed-Distance.
I maintained a formula notebook and revised it weekly. I also did Cracku topic tests daily — especially 5-question mini-tests to maintain speed.
My goal wasn’t to solve every question but to solve the right ones fast. That’s what worked — accuracy over quantity.
CAT Mocks, Exam Mindset & Performance on Test Day
Maruti Sir:
When did you start taking CAT mocks seriously?
Tanishka:
Around August, sir. Before that, I was just revising notes casually. Once I started mocks, I took one every 3–4 days and analyzed each in depth.
I noted the type of questions I got wrong and revisited those concepts immediately.
Maruti Sir:
How were you feeling before the actual CAT?
Tanishka:
Surprisingly calm. I knew I had done my part. And since I had promised myself — “This is the last attempt” I felt mentally lighter. When I heard the paper was easier, I was actually happy! (laughs)
Tanishka’s Interview Preparation for IIMs and FMS Delhi
Maruti Sir:
Post results, how did you prepare for interviews?
Tanishka:
I thought I’d get around 99 percentile but ended up with 97.95, which hurt initially. Then I fell ill for 20 days, so I had only 25 days to prepare for IIM Bangalore’s interview.
With no coaching, I started on my own — reading newspapers daily, revising economics, marketing, HR basics, and current affairs.
Slowly I picked up pace, and by February, I had built decent confidence.
Interview Experiences at IIM Calcutta and FMS Delhi
Tanishka:
My IIM Calcutta interview was the best — very conversational. They asked me about my life year by year, and just 5–6 questions from statistics.
My FMS Delhi interview was the toughest. It started with —
“Those were the first words. I was standing. I was about to ask, ‘May I sit?’”
From that moment, they grilled me. Every answer was challenged. It was a pure stress interview. But I stayed calm, didn’t lose my cool — and later, I converted FMS Delhi! That moment was unreal.
Key Lessons Tanishka Learned from Her CAT Journey
Maruti Sir:
Before we wrap up — one thing you did right and one thing you did wrong in your CAT journey?
Tanishka:
The best thing: daily consistency. I never skipped practice, no matter what.
The mistake: being too rigid with my study plan. Some days I forced myself to study even when I couldn’t focus. Later I learned to listen to my body and adjust accordingly.
Maruti Sir:
Beautifully said, Tanishka. Discipline with flexibility, that’s what real preparation looks like. Congratulations again on FMS Delhi. With its low fees, you’ll have the freedom to chase your startup dreams later.
Tanishka:
Thank you, sir! That’s exactly my plan — I’ll try corporate life first and then build something of my own. Cracku and your videos really helped me stay motivated throughout the journey.
How Tanishka Went from 70%ile to FMS Delhi Convert: Conclusion
Tanishka’s CAT journey shows how discipline and daily effort can lead to great success. From scoring in the 70s to reaching a 97.95 percentile, her story proves that regular practice, mock analysis, and the right study material can completely change your preparation. Cracku’s Daily Targets helped her stay strong in all three sections VARC, DILR, and Quant — while her focused approach built confidence over time.
Getting into FMS Delhi shows that with the right attitude, even failures can become turning points. For every CAT aspirant, Tanishka’s journey is a reminder that success doesn’t depend on long study hours but on smart and consistent effort. Stay disciplined, follow a plan, and use trusted platforms like Cracku to achieve your dream score.
