IIM Lucknow students talk about their experience of writing the test, approach and intent

Students of the top institute, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, discuss their view regarding the significance of the CAT test compared to other options

 

Shakshi Sinha, Student, IIM Lucknow

My experience has been one of change, from being a soft-spoken, academically not-so-strong student to a self-assured person with the efforts of perseverance. After completing my Class XII in Commerce, I joined for a BCom in Patna Women's College, and initiated a project to establish a school for rural kids, enhancing my leadership potential. Understanding that there was room for improvement, I appeared for the CAT exam so that I could challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. CAT is a prominent management entry test in India, being the door to the premier Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Admission to IIMs is highly coveted because of their world-renowned faculty and extensive alumni network.

 

Preparation for the CAT honed my problem-solving capabilities and gave me discipline worth its weight in gold during my MBA tenure. IIM Lucknow admission brought me to an educational world of possibilities, where I educated myself to solve business issues through strategic thinking and the convergence of imagination and fact-driven decision-making. This exposure solidified the foundation for my internship at Pidilite Industries, where I worked on actual issues and got to work with industry specialists. What I educated myself through at IIM Lucknow helped in procuring this internship and a pre-placement offer (PPO), affirming my marketing career.

 

L Shruti, Student, IIM Lucknow

CAT is a dream of many aspirants seeking to target IIMs or top business schools. Each aspirant has personal reasons to do an MBA, some with work experience in hand seek faster growth follow corporate careers or change their field or industry.

 

I had always aspired to pursue management and get into a corporate setup or at least think of entrepreneurship down the line, I joined IIM Lucknow as a fresher after completing my BBA from IIM Rohtak. IIMs are always mentioned as premier institutes, but there are also colleges like the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Xavier School of Management (XLRI), Management Development Institute (MDI) and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) that have their own tests. It is difficult to get into older IIMs, but CAT scores give admission to other deserving MBA colleges. CAT is an aptitude test that tests mathematical, logical, and verbal skills, along with time management, decision-making, and the pressure-handling skill.

 

Some skills are inherent, but all can be acquired through practice. The two-stage selection process, involving interviews and Written Ability Test (WAT), is integrative and tests personality traits for suitability as managers. The diversity of backgrounds in IIMs opens up exposure to diverse experiences and learning opportunities.