CAT is one of the most unique and challenging exams in India. Scoring a 99 percentile is rare, but converting a top-tier IIM is a more difficult task. Today, we share the story of Mridul Tiwari an iQuanta student, a CAT 99.98 percentiler who made it to IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, and XLRI Jamshedpur, all top MBA institutes. What makes his journey special is that he converted all these colleges with his full-time job, and in his third attempt. Mridul’s path wasn’t easy. Despite scoring 99 percentile in his first two attempts, his low academic scores kept him from converting top calls. But he didn’t give up. While managing a job, he came back stronger, scored 99.98 percentile, and finally converted his dream colleges.
This is what makes the CAT journey meaningful. It’s about persistence, patience, and believing in yourself even when things don’t go as planned. Mridul’s story becomes even more inspiring when you learn what sparked his interest in an MBA and how he now motivates aspirants across the country. In a conversation with iQuanta, he shared how he stayed focused, faced his challenges head-on, and found solutions without making excuses, always keeping his ambition alive.
Why do you choose to pursue an MBA?
Mridul: Back in my first year of college in 2019, I was unsure about my future. The career paths after B.Tech felt overwhelming and uncertain. I found myself naturally drawn to career sessions that offered alternative options.
It was during one such session that I met Rishi Mittal, my college senior and an iQuanta CAT topper who scored a perfect 100 percentile in his very first attempt. Hearing about his journey to IIM Bangalore lit a spark within me. The career opportunities after an MBA felt exciting and aligned with my passion for business and entrepreneurship.
That day, I made up my mind, I would crack the CAT and earn a seat at an IIM.
How was your CAT journey in the first and second attempts?
Mridul: In 2022, I entered my final year of college with a clear goal to crack CAT with a 99 percentile. I prepared diligently for 6 to 7 months and regularly participated in the daily quizzes on the iQuanta Facebook community. The group felt incredibly supportive and encouraging, where everyone pushed each other to stay motivated.
After months of hard work, I scored a 99.34 percentile. It was a moment of pure joy, a sense of achievement without any regrets.
But fate had other plans. Despite my score, I didn’t receive interview calls from BLACKI or even the new IIMs. My academic history held me back, 74% in Class 12 and 76% in graduation, and being a General Engineer Male (GEM) further dropped my chances.
Still, I refused to let that spark fade. In 2023, I took up a job and restarted my CAT preparation. I also joined iQuanta as a doubt solver, allowing me to learn and earn at the same time. Juggling work, CAT prep, and my responsibilities at iQuanta wasn’t easy, but I gave it everything I had. Even while commuting on buses for work, I used that time to solve Quant questions and maintain daily consistency.
On the result day, I scored 99.6 percentile. I was thrilled, but once again, my low academics kept me from securing calls from the BLACKI IIMs.
Join the Largest CAT Preparation Community in India
So, how did you decide to give your third attempt? And what changed this time?
Mridul: Cracking a top IIM was always my only goal, nothing less. Even after scoring 99 percentile twice, I remained confident that I could do it again and reach higher the third time.
This time, I changed my approach. I started solving questions not just for the exam, but as a fun activity. I treated CAT preparation as something fun and focused especially on my weakest section, DILR, by solving more and more sets. I also increased my focus on mock tests. iQuanta’s quality content and AI-based mock analysis helped me pinpoint my mistakes and stay sharp. Every weekend, I attempted and deeply analyzed 3 to 4 mock tests. On the other hand, I began preparing early for interviews, knowing that converting calls would be the real challenge.
In 2024, my hard work finally paid off. I scored a 99.98 percentile in CAT with sectionals as follows: VARC 96.2, DILR 99.98, and Quant 99.94. With this score and my work experience, I received interview calls from all BLACKI IIMs, and also cracked 99.74 percentile in XAT, securing a call from XLRI Jamshedpur.
If I had to sum up my journey, it was my unwavering commitment and discipline that helped me achieve my dream of converting top-tier colleges.
Any suggestions for your juniors and fellow aspirants?
Mridul: Yes, I do have a few suggestions for CAT aspirants.
First, give equal attention to all three sections. Make sure each section is well-prepared. Don’t let any one of them become your weak point.
Second, start your preparation as early as possible. Time is valuable, and since CAT is an aptitude-based exam, different aspirants may need different amounts of time to adapt and improve.
Third, prioritize doubt-solving. It’s natural to have doubts during preparation, and getting them resolved is crucial for progress. iQuanta’s 24/7 doubt-solving support genuinely helped me stay on track.
And most importantly, don’t give up. There will be moments when it feels tough, overwhelming, or even pointless. But the reward at the end is absolutely worth it. Every bit of fatigue and every moment of missed fun will be forgotten once you step into an IIM, where some of the best experiences of your life await.
Enroll for the iQuanta CAT Course
