How I Decided to Prepare for CAT After Graduation
How I Decided to Prepare for CAT After Graduation
I still remember the day my final semester exams ended. Most of my friends were already applying for jobs or planning to go abroad. Some got into start-ups, some joined family businesses, and a few were still figuring things out — like me.
I graduated from a Tier-3 college in a small city. Not a bad place, but not the kind that gives you automatic placements or big exposure. During my last year, I started realizing that I didn’t really want to continue the path I was on. I wanted something more — a bigger platform, better opportunities, and honestly, a sense of direction.
That’s when I started hearing about CAT.
How I First Heard About CAT
One of my seniors had cracked CAT and got into IIM Lucknow. I was shocked — someone from our college actually made it to an IIM. Until then, I thought those colleges were meant only for students from IITs or fancy universities.
I texted him out of curiosity. He told me that CAT isn’t about which college you come from, it’s about how well you perform on that single day. That stuck with me.
Later that night, I opened my laptop and started searching:
- “What is CAT exam?”
- “How to prepare for CAT after graduation?”
- “Can I get into an IIM from a Tier-3 college?”
And honestly, that rabbit hole changed everything for me.
Realizing What CAT Actually Is
The more I read, the more I understood that CAT (Common Admission Test) is not just an exam — it’s like a gateway to the top B-schools in India.
If you clear it, you can study in places like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Indore, and more, where students from all backgrounds come together.
Get Sultan Raichand’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
The exam mainly tests three things:
- Quantitative Aptitude (Maths)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (English)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
It’s not about memorizing things, but about thinking fast and accurately under pressure. That felt challenging — and exciting.
Why I Chose MBA and Not a Regular Job
After graduation, I had two options:
- Take up a normal 9-to-5 job and “settle down.”
- Take one more shot at something that could change my caree completely.
I went with the second.
It wasn’t an easy choice — there’s always pressure when you don’t take the safe route. But somewhere, I knew that an MBA from a good college could open doors that were otherwise closed for people like me.
Also, I wanted to learn how businesses work, how leaders think, and how I could build a career where growth doesn’t stop after 2–3 years.
The First Steps I Took
In the first few days, I didn’t even know where to start. There were hundreds of coaching institutes, YouTube channels, and blogs claiming to have the “perfect CAT strategy.”
It was overwhelming.
So I did something simple — I gave myself one week just to understand the exam.
I downloaded the CAT syllabus, checked a few previous year papers, and tried solving a few basic questions. It was humbling — I got many wrong, but it gave me a sense of where I stood.
Then I created a small plan —
- Brush up on school-level maths.
- Start reading editorials and novels for English.
- Try to solve at least one DILR set a day.
It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
What It Feels Like Starting from a Tier-3 College
When you’re from a Tier-3 college, you automatically carry a chip on your shoulder.
You constantly hear things like “CAT is for toppers,” “You need a strong background,” or “You won’t get calls from IIMs.”
I used to believe that too. But the more I read about others’ journeys, the more I realized — people from all backgrounds have cracked CAT. It’s not about where you studied, but how much effort you’re ready to put in now.
That thought gave me confidence.
Looking Back Now
It’s been a few months since I started my CAT preparation, and honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s not just about the exam anymore — it’s about improving myself every day.
If you’re a graduate from a small-town college like me and thinking about CAT, here’s what I’d say: start now. Don’t overthink it. You don’t need to be a genius; you just need to be consistent.
In my next post, I’ll share what I learned in my first week researching about the CAT exam — the things nobody tells you, and what actually matters when you’re starting out.
