Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Introduction
Yogesh Sahu, a 99.92 percentiler in XAT and 97 percentiler in CAT, defied the odds as a non-engineer to secure admission to XLRI Jamshedpur. His journey from a biotech background at Amity Noida to excelling in one of the toughest MBA entrance exams is an inspiring tale of strategic planning, relentless preparation, and self-belief. This post delves into Yogesh’s preparation strategy, focusing on key aspects like logical reasoning, geometry, and decision-making, which are crucial for cracking XAT.
Journey of Planning for an MBA
Early Decisions
While studying biotech in college, Yogesh realized the limited scope in his field and began exploring other career options. Seeing his friends prepare for MBA exams, he downloaded the MBA exam papers to assess his potential. Despite leaving math in 10th grade, he found the questions manageable, understanding that competitive exams do not require solving the entire paper.
Yogesh’s decision to pursue an MBA was driven by a desire to broaden his career opportunities and escape the confines of his biotech background. The turning point came when he noticed that many of his peers, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, were gearing up for MBA exams. Their preparation and the prospects of a promising career in management inspired him to consider the same path.
Crafting a Winning Strategy
Focus Areas for Non-Engineers
Yogesh emphasizes the importance of focusing on logical reasoning and geometry for non-engineers. He spent significant time understanding and solving these questions, initially struggling but gradually developing a strategy. For logical reasoning, he practiced a variety of question types to become familiar with different patterns and improve his speed and accuracy. Geometry, despite being a challenging area, became manageable through consistent practice and a clear understanding of basic concepts.
Yogesh’s approach to logical reasoning involved breaking down complex problems into simpler components and using elimination techniques to arrive at the correct answer. This method not only improved his problem-solving skills but also boosted his confidence in tackling difficult questions.
Mock Tests and Analysis
Mocks played a crucial role in Yogesh’s preparation. He observed a steady improvement in his scores, with a peak at 98 percentile two to three months before the exam, boosting his confidence. He learned not to let fluctuating mock scores affect his morale, viewing them as practice rather than a final verdict. Each mock test was an opportunity to learn and refine his strategy.
Yogesh meticulously analyzed each mock test to identify his strengths and weaknesses. He focused on understanding the mistakes he made and worked on avoiding them in future tests. This iterative process of taking mocks, analyzing results, and improving strategies helped him build a robust preparation plan.
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Ego Management
A critical realization for Yogesh was to keep his ego aside. If he couldn’t solve a question, he moved on instead of wasting time. This approach helped him manage his time better and focus on scoring areas, reinforcing the idea that one doesn’t need to solve the entire paper to achieve a high percentile.
Yogesh’s humility and willingness to learn played a significant role in his success. By acknowledging his weaknesses and working diligently to improve them, he was able to overcome the challenges posed by the MBA entrance exams. His ability to prioritize questions and manage his time effectively was instrumental in maximizing his scores.
Key Preparation Strategies
XAT Specifics
Yogesh highlights that XAT’s decision-making (DM) section is unique, comprising situational questions. To excel in DM, he downloaded 8-10 years of previous papers, studied the patterns, and used them as mocks. Analyzing these papers helped him understand the scoring dynamics and improve his performance.
The decision-making section, with its emphasis on real-world scenarios and ethical dilemmas, required a nuanced approach. Yogesh developed a structured methodology for tackling these questions, focusing on understanding the context and evaluating the options critically. His consistent practice with past papers allowed him to become adept at identifying the best course of action in different situations.
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Sectional Scores
Yogesh’s sectional scores in XAT were outstanding:
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DM: 99.8%
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Verbal: 98.8%
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Quants: 98.9%
His impressive scores across all sections were a testament to his comprehensive preparation and balanced approach. Yogesh’s ability to excel in the decision-making section, in particular, set him apart from other candidates and demonstrated his strong analytical and ethical reasoning skills.
Decision-Making Strategy
For DM, Yogesh recommends:
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Downloading past papers and understanding the type of questions. Familiarizing oneself with the format and nature of decision-making questions is crucial for effective preparation.
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Practicing these papers as mocks. Treating past papers as actual tests helps simulate the exam environment and improve time management skills.
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Analyzing performance to identify areas of improvement. Regular analysis of mock tests allows candidates to pinpoint weaknesses and develop targeted strategies to address them.
Yogesh’s methodical approach to decision-making questions enabled him to navigate complex scenarios with confidence and accuracy. His practice with previous papers provided valuable insights into common themes and question patterns, allowing him to refine his strategy and improve his performance.
General Preparation Advice
Stay Positive: Don’t pressure yourself at the start. Believe that if others can do it, so can you. Maintaining a positive mindset is essential for staying motivated and focused throughout the preparation journey.
Research and Network: Talk to people who have given CAT/XAT to gain insights. Engaging with peers and mentors who have successfully navigated the exams can provide valuable guidance and support.
Understand the Exam: Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus through mocks and classes. Comprehensive understanding of the exam structure helps in developing an effective study plan and reduces anxiety on the exam day.
Yogesh’s holistic approach to preparation, which combined self-study, peer interaction, and expert guidance, was instrumental in his success. His commitment to continuous learning and improvement enabled him to overcome challenges and achieve exceptional results.
Conclusion
Yogesh Sahu’s journey from scoring 5 marks in mocks to achieving 99.92 percentile in XAT is a testament to the power of perseverance and strategic planning. His story highlights that non-engineers can excel in CAT and XAT with the right approach and mindset. By focusing on key areas, managing time effectively, and staying motivated, aspirants can achieve their MBA dreams.
Yogesh’s experience underscores the importance of self-belief and determination in achieving one’s goals. His disciplined approach to preparation and willingness to adapt his strategies based on feedback and analysis were crucial factors in his success. Aspiring MBA candidates can draw inspiration from Yogesh’s journey and apply his insights and strategies to their own preparation efforts.
Parting Message
Yogesh’s advice to aspirants:
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Believe in Yourself: Stay confident and keep working towards your goal. Confidence and self-belief are crucial for maintaining motivation and focus during the preparation phase.
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Strategize: Focus on understanding and improving weak areas. Developing a targeted approach to address weaknesses and enhance strengths is essential for achieving high scores.
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Stay Motivated: Find sources of inspiration and don’t get disheartened by setbacks. Maintaining a positive attitude and seeking motivation from various sources can help overcome challenges and stay committed to the preparation journey.
By embracing these principles and adopting a strategic approach to preparation, aspiring MBA candidates can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Yogesh’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication, hard work, and the right mindset, success is within reach.
