Meow!

Hi,
I just wrote the CAT for the second year in a row. I hadn’t prepared much last year and managed to get a decent percentile (92.xx), so I thought with some effort maybe there is hope. The experience of having written it earlier certainly helps. Last year after coming out of the exam, it did seem like a disaster. I was worried about the number of questions I had attempted. To top my anxiety I asked a friend, who wrote it with me, how many he had attempted. He answered 54 (out of 60). I was like, ‘Dude! Wtf?’ (He eventually made it to IIM A). As if the test experience wasn’t enough, I discovered that my helmet was stolen. I was already fretting that the exam fee had been a waste and now one more k gone just like that. I went back home thinking this is not for me. That software job in the waiting, that is the future.

But this time was different. I was determined. I spent some time actually preparing and writing mocks. The confidence grew as the D-day approached and I was feeling good. I was sure I was not going to repeat the mistakes from last time around. The proctor, after taking my finger prints, remarked ‘This is your second attempt, I see’. I was thinking ‘And my last’. I went in with a lot confidence.

What did not change though from last year was the way I came out after the exam and the thoughts on my way back home.

So, what changed? I had a helmet lock with me this time and yes, I did not lose it!