Asked by Nikita Chowdhury on 2026-03-31 in CAT Prep
I graduated in 2024 with a specialization in Biology. Since then, I have been actively trying to find job opportunities, but I’ve been facing multiple challenges. Most of the roles available to me are in the BPO sector, which involve night shifts, 10-hour workdays, and approximately 4 hours of daily travel. Considering the physical and mental strain of such a routine, I find it very difficult to sustain alongside serious exam preparation. I did take up a job in December to gain experience and support myself. However, the job required me to work in a 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. night shift and also insisted that I relocate closer to the office. Given these conditions, it became very difficult for me to continue, and I had to resign. Through this, I have gained nearly two months of work experience. Another challenge is that, due to my academic background in Biology, there are limited job opportunities in my core field without pursuing further specialization or higher studies. This has made job searching more uncertain and less aligned with my long-term goals. Regarding CAT preparation, I appeared last year and secured 62 percentile. One of the major reasons for this was the coaching institute I had enrolled in. I had joined an online coaching called PrepZone, for which I paid a significant amount (around ₹20,000). Unfortunately, they provided very minimal support—only about a month of classes, no DILR sessions, no proper mentorship, and eventually, they stopped engaging altogether. It felt like they completely withdrew support. Many other students in that coaching were working professionals, so they were able to switch to other platforms like CrackU or iQuanta. However, since I had just graduated and was not financially independent at the time, I was unable to switch to another coaching, which further impacted my preparation. Additionally, I come from a non-mathematical background, having studied Maths only up to Class 10. Because of this, my Quant foundation is weak, and I require more time and structured guidance to build concepts from the basics. Considering all these factors, I have made a conscious decision to prioritize CAT preparation rather than continuing in jobs that are physically exhausting and leave little room for focused study. I genuinely believe that with the right guidance, consistency, and a structured approach, I can significantly improve my performance. I am fully aware of my weaknesses, especially in Quant, but I am willing to put in the effort required to overcome them step by step. What I am seeking is the right mentorship, direction, and accountability to help me navigate these challenges effectively. I've 71.5/74.5/64.7 profile,GNEF
1 Answer
Shweta Arora(Mentor) · 2026-04-01 · 2 helpful
Hi, firstly you'll need to score very well in CAT to be able to compensate for your academic marks. Secondly, I understand how challenging it must have to prepare alongside job but getting work-ex helps improve your score for shortlisting. If you choose to not pursue that route, then I'd recommend devoting at least 3-4 hours dedicatedly to preparing for the exam, especially Quant since you mentioned it is your weakness. You can use the material on this website to get a structure. The progress bar will keep you consistent and accountable and for any guidance or support just ask a question here in community.