CAT is one of the most unique and challenging exams in India. Scoring 99 percentile is rare, but Saksham scored it in both of his attempts. Saksham, a BBA graduate from Jaipur, who defied the norm by retaking CAT even after scoring 99.04 percentile in his first attempt. With the aim of securing seat in his dream college—FMS Delhi, Saksham took a strategic second attempt. He scored 99.42 percentile in CAT 2024, he credits much of his success to iQuanta’s supportive community, rigorous mock strategy, and real-time doubt solving.
This blog will takes you through Saksham’s preparation strategy, his biggest hurdles, and how he turned anxiety into his achievements. Let’s read what experience he has shared with us.
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Tell us about yourself, your academic background and your CAT score.
My name is Saksham Kedawat, a BBA graduate from Saint Xaviers College, Jaipur. My CAT 2024 score is 99.42 percentile.
How much time did you give for CAT preparation, how you managed it?
I joined iQuanta in June 2024, just 5 months before CAT exam. I devoted daily time blocks as:
- 2 hours for Quant because this was my stronger section, I practiced 35-40 questions daily.
- 2 hours for LRDI as I took the hardest set to solve every day so that it took me to solve it in the longest time and build the stamina. I solved minimum 6 to 7 sets in 2 hour duration. LRDI inception videos helped me alot.
- 1 hour for VARC which includes reading books and essays, 1 complete VARC section test daily, and 20 VA questions along with 4 RC set i.e one entire section every day.
What was the most helpful feature which iQuanta provided to you?
The most helpful feature was the community that iQuanta provided. I used to study at night and that time there was no one to solve my doubts but after posting doubts on iQuanta community, it got solved within 10-15 minutes and that is the best part. I think many other students will agree on this as this feature we cannot get anywhere else. iQuanta’s peer-to-peer model provided instant help.
During my last CAT attempt, I was a fresher and was having lot of doubts which were not resolved at that time as my previous coaching doesnt provide this instant doubt solving approach. This year, iQuanta community service makes it very easy and special thanks to Jaipur iQuanta faculty, Mr. Shamal Sir & Mr. Gaurav Sir, who were always available to solve our doubts.
Did you faced hurdle during your CAT preparation & How do you overcome it?
My first hurdle was that this was my second attempt, first attempt was 99.04 percentile of which I calls form various prominent colleges but my dream college was FMS Delhi and I didn’t got a call from there (FMS Delhi cutoff was 99.15+ percentile).
So I took a calculative decision to retake the CAT exam. My family was supporting me, but back in my mind I was struggling with the thought that what if I score less than my previous percentile, what my family & friends will think about me, and that’s where iQuanta’s Jaipur faculty role came in the picture. Every faculty out there boost my morale and handled my sensitivity very well. They taught me that move on from your past and try to make your future better, control it.
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Any suggestion you want to give future CAT aspirants?
The biggest suggestion I want to give to future CAT aspirants is give lots and lots of mocks, that is non-negotiable. Mocks helps you handle time pressure immensely. I myself didn’t take mocks seriously during my first attempt. I gave only 15-20 mocks, which degraded my score. But this time I gave 30 plus mocks, which increases my morale day by day.
Also, practice VC and Quant on regular basis and maintain a schedule. For LRDI, practice the easiest sets first and then move further to hardest one; with this you can actually measure your growth. Analysis of mocks is equally important to further calculate your mistakes and to learn from them, without analysis mocks won’t help.
Saksham’s CAT story is one of a courage, planning, and calculated ambition. He did’nt settle for “good enough” but aimed for the best and reached it. With iQuanta’s support, he converted stress into structure, and confusion into confidence.
If you’re wondering whether to retake CAT or how to improve beyond 99 %ile, Saksham’s journey is your answer.