Uff, the wait is finally over, and the IIM Calcutta has finally announced the much-awaited CAT 2024. Congratulations to those who made it, and for those who didn’t, remember that CAT is not the end of the world, but if you are still into it, then give yourself some time, and you will eventually get better.

This blog will address those celebrating their CAT success today and will discuss the steps that follow:

The Next Step:

So, for those first-timers, here is what usually happens after the CAT results are out. Each IIM (we have a total of 21 of them) will now release its individual shortlist based on candidate percentiles and cut-off marks. The shortlisted candidates will then proceed to the written ability test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) stages. They will then come up with their final admission list after evaluating a candidate’s overall performance in all three stages, i.e. CAT score, WAT score and GD-PI performance.

So, yes, it’s still a long way to go before you land in your dream B-school.

What You Must Do in the Meantime:

While every CAT aspirant dreams of getting into an IIM, let’s now address the elephant in the room. What if you aren’t selected for the IIM? In that case, you must keep your alternative options open, regardless of how well you performed. The next logical step after the CAT 2024 results is to attempt other MBA entrance exams while also preparing for your GD and PI rounds.

This is important because admission to IIMs depends on several factors beyond the CAT score. Even a 99 percentile does not guarantee admission into the top IIMs.

What Are These Other Exams?

Other major entrance exams for MBA include XAT, MAT, SNAP, and NMAT. If you have filled out the forms for any of them, keep your prep going. However, if you haven’t, you can keep a check on exams like CMAT, MAT, ATMA, MAH-CET, TANCET, and TSICET, which are usually conducted between January and March.

For Those Only Depending on CAT

For those with the "CAT or nothing" attitude, your next big hurdle is to clear the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds of the MBA admission process. All leading MBA colleges in India will soon conduct these rounds to pick the best from the lot. Just like the CAT, these stages are going to be equally challenging.

Preparing for The WAT/GD-PI Phase

This second stage of MBA admission will be conducted between February and May. Here are some important things you must know about the prep:

1. Preparation Time: Approximately two months post-CAT.
2. Join GD/PI Workshops: Gain real experience by participating in online workshops; these can help build your confidence.
3. Prepare for Both Types of GDs: Focus on case-based and topic-based GDs to meet varying B-school requirements.
4. Seek Mentorship: Leverage tips from seniors/mentors for insights not found in books or online.
5. Work Experience Focus: Candidates with 4+ years of experience should prepare for questions on their specialisation.
6. Know the Format: Understand the unique GD-PI format of each B-school to avoid surprises.

So here you are, standing at the crossroads of possibilities. The CAT 2024 results are just the climax of a long journey, but trust us—it’s just the beginning of an even more exciting chapter. Keep those preparations going, as every big dream demands hard work, preparations, and plenty of grit.

Take a deep breath, gear up for what’s next, and here’s to you and your extraordinary journey ahead.