Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams for admission into top business schools across India. Nearly 2.5 lakh candidates take the CAT exam every year with the goal of getting into programs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and many others (Indian Express). Only the top 0.01% of test takers manage to score 99.99 percentile or above on the CAT exam, making it an incredibly rare achievement.
Achieving 99.99 percentile essentially means you’ve scored better than 99.99% of test takers that year, putting you in the top rank lists across various IIMs. It requires extensive preparation, skill, and some luck on test day. With only a few thousand seats for a lakh candidates, getting 99.99 percentile is often a make or break between getting into a top IIM or not (Ruchi Aggarwal). This section explores what it takes to achieve such an exceptional CAT score.
CAT Exam Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based test conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management for admissions to postgraduate management programs at various IIMs across India https://byjus.com/cat/exam-info/. The CAT was introduced in 1988 and replaced the existing admission process conducted individually by each IIM.
The CAT exam is conducted in a computer-based format and tests verbal ability, quantitative ability, data interpretation and logical reasoning skills. It consists of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Candidates get 60 minutes for each section with sectional time limits https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Admission_Test.
The CAT uses a percentile system for scoring. The raw scores in each section are converted into scaled scores ranging from 0 to 300. The overall percentile score is calculated based on the scaled scores. This percentile score is used by IIMs for shortlisting and selection. The CAT percentile required for IIM admissions varies across programs and colleges.
Difficulty of Achieving 99.99 Percentile
The 99.99 percentile on the CAT exam is an extremely high score achieved by only the top 0.01% of test takers. According to CAT results, out of around 2,00,000 test takers each year, only about 20-30 candidates score in the 99.99 percentile range (Quora, 2022). This makes it enormously challenging to reach this level.
Scoring in the top 99.99 percentile requires getting almost all questions correct on a very difficult exam covering quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability. Test takers must demonstrate exceptionally high aptitude in all these areas to be in the top 0.01%. The exam is designed to challenge even the brightest students, with complex questions and strict time limits.
Aspiring to a 99.99 CAT percentile requires immense preparation, practice, and test-taking skills. Given the intense competition for limited seats in the top IIMs, most candidates achieving this score have studied intensively for 1-2 years with expert coaching. Scoring this high is a remarkable achievement demonstrating intellectual caliber at the very peak of all CAT test takers.
Time Commitment Needed
Scoring in the 99.99th percentile on the CAT exam requires an immense time commitment. Most experts recommend studying for the CAT for at least 6 months to 1 year before the exam date. This includes time spent in coaching classes, self-study, and taking practice tests.
According to exam preparation experts, students should plan to study at least 4-5 hours per day for CAT preparation. This would equate to 120-150 hours per month. Over the course of 6-12 months, the total preparation time would be 720-1800 hours (Source 1).
In addition to self-study hours, most students enroll in coaching classes as well. Popular CAT coaching programs can range from 100-200 hours of instruction. Factoring these in, the total commitment is often 1000+ hours (Source 2).
Practice tests are another essential component of CAT exam preparation. Students aiming for 99.99 percentile typically take 25+ mock tests in the months leading up to the exam. Each test requires 4 hours to complete. This adds another 100+ hours of time commitment (Source 3).
In summary, achieving 99.99 percentile requires an enormous time investment of 1000+ hours spent in self-study, coaching classes, and practice tests over a 6-12 month preparation period.
Coaching Costs
The expense of test prep classes and private tutoring can be a major factor in aiming for 99.99 percentile on the CAT exam. Popular coaching institutes like TIME, IMS, Career Launcher, and others typically charge between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 for their classroom programs spanning 3-6 months. According to sources, the average cost per hour for private CAT tutoring ranges from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000. Aspiring 99.99 percentilers often invest in both classroom and private lessons to maximize their chances. Online coaching options like Percentilers provide more affordable test prep, with courses starting under Rs. 10,000. However, coaching is not mandatory to score in the top percentile bands. With rigorous self-study, 99.99 percentile is achievable without enrollment in expensive coaching programs.
Registration and Materials
The registration fee for taking the CAT exam is Rs. 1900 for general category candidates and Rs. 950 for reserved category candidates as of 2022 (CAT Registration 2023 – Fees, Application Form, Last Date). This fee allows you to register for the exam and access your scorecard when results are announced. The fee has to be paid online during the registration process.
In terms of prep materials, you will likely need to budget for practice books and online test prep courses. Well-known CAT exam prep books like those from Arun Sharma and IMS Learning can cost Rs. 500-1500. Comprehensive online prep courses from providers like Byju’s, T.I.M.E., Career Launcher, etc. can cost Rs. 10,000-50,000 depending on the program length and features.
The total budget for registration and prep materials to score 99.99 percentile on CAT can range from Rs. 15,000-60,000, depending on whether you opt for just books or a full-fledged online course. Purchasing additional mock tests and sample papers could also add to the costs.
Opportunity Cost
One of the biggest costs of preparing for CAT is the potential earnings lost while spending time prepping for the exam instead of working. Many CAT aspirants take a year off from their jobs or internships to focus on test prep full time. This means forfeiting a year’s worth of income and professional experience that could be gained by working.
For example, an engineer with 2 years of experience may be earning around ₹6-8 lakhs annually. Taking a year off would mean sacrificing this income. Additionally, the work experience gained during that year could help them earn higher salaries after completing an MBA. So the true opportunity cost is both the immediate income lost as well as the future earning potential that is impacted.
According to https://insideiim.com/quitting-job-cat-2022, aspiring MBAs should carefully consider this opportunity cost before deciding to quit their jobs. Factors like job satisfaction, learning opportunities, and career trajectory should be weighed against the high risk of not getting into a top MBA program after sacrificing a year’s time and income.
Soft Skills Needed
Achieving a 99.99 percentile score on the CAT exam requires more than just academic knowledge and test-taking skills. You’ll also need to develop key soft skills like perseverance, time management, and stress management.
Perseverance is crucial because preparing for CAT is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to diligently study and practice questions for months on end without burning out or losing motivation. Pushing through when you feel like giving up is what separates the 99.99 percentile scorers from the rest of the pack. This level of perseverance requires an immense amount of self-discipline.
Time management abilities are also essential to balance CAT preparation with other responsibilities. Creating a sustainable study schedule and sticking to it takes organization and efficiency. You can’t afford to waste precious preparation time if you want to cover all the material thoroughly.
Finally, stress management comes into play as the exam date approaches. The competition is fierce, and students often feel overwhelmed. Keeping anxiety under control and maintaining focus under pressure will allow you to maximize your score when it counts the most.
Developing perseverance, time management skills, and stress management techniques provides the necessary mental edge to sustain the intense CAT preparation process. Academic abilities alone are not enough to join the elite 99.99 percentile scorers.
Lifestyle Factors
Proper nutrition is vital when preparing for the CAT exam. Having a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can boost mental acuity and energy levels (Owner and Cat-Related Risk Factors for Feline Overweight and Obesity: A Matched Case-Control Study). It’s recommended to avoid heavily processed foods and sugary snacks that can cause crashes. Meal prepping can help ensure you have nutritious meals and snacks on hand.
Getting adequate rest is also crucial. Sleep is when your brain consolidates memories and recharges for the next day (Owner and Cat-Related Risk Factors for Feline Overweight and Obesity: A Matched Case-Control Study). Aim for 7-9 hours per night. Establish a relaxing pre-bed routine and avoid screens before bedtime.
Having a strong support system can help manage the stress of exam prep. Share your goals with loved ones and explain how they can best support you. Joining a study group can also provide camaraderie and accountability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, scoring 99.99 percentile in the CAT exam requires immense dedication, strategic preparation over many months, and significant financial investment. While coaching costs can range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakhs, the real total cost factors in the opportunity cost of not working for 6-12 months, registration fees, prep materials, and lifestyle changes. Quant skills, verbal ability, logical thinking, and speed are crucial. With the right commitment and skills, 99.99 percentile is achievable, but not easy. The months of hard work and costs involved will pay dividends for those seeking admission into the top IIMs.
According to quora.com, “Scoring in the 99.99 percentile in the CAT (Common Admission Test) typically requires a high level of dedication, preparation, and strategic focus over a 6 to 12 month period.”
As one Reddit user advised, “Most CAT Quant is easy to solve given unlimited time, try to reach a level where you can solve all non-geometry questions of a paper in 1.5 hrs.”