Meet CAT Topper Siddhant Sharma, a true inspiration for every aspirant chasing their IIM dream. Born and brought up in Bangalore, Siddhant completed his engineering from BITS Pilani Goa Campus, worked for two years as a Product Manager at an edtech startup, and prepared for CAT 2024 alongside his full-time job.
His efforts paid off when he secured an impressive 99.94 percentile in CAT 2024, his first attempt, with sectional percentiles of VARC – 99.71, LRDI – 99.83, and Quant – 99.14.
In this exclusive interview with LPT, Siddhant Sharma shares his journey, mindset, preparation strategy, and life at IIM Ahmedabad, offering invaluable insights for future CAT aspirants.
Interview With Siddhant Sharma (CAT 2024, 99.94 Percentile)
LPT: Hi Siddhant! Congratulations on your amazing result. How does it feel to be studying at IIM Ahmedabad now?
Siddhant: Thank you! It feels incredible. Every class here is a new learning experience. The environment is extremely competitive, but in the best possible way. The relative grading system keeps you on your toes, and being surrounded by such bright, driven people is truly motivating.
LPT: Let’s start with a quick introduction of yours for our readers.
Siddhant: I’m Siddhant, born and raised in Bangalore. I did my undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. After graduation, I worked for two years as a Product Manager at an edtech startup called Trans Neuron.
Eventually, I decided to pursue my MBA to expand my knowledge and career opportunities. Now, I’m proud to be part of IIM Ahmedabad.
LPT: Was pursuing an MBA always part of your long-term plan?
Siddhant: The thought first came to me way back in school – around 8th grade. I was always curious about how businesses work and what goes into decision-making. Over time, I explored different paths, engineering, coding, and product management, but eventually realized I wanted to understand the bigger picture. An MBA was the perfect next step for that.
LPT: How did you decide when to start preparing for CAT?
Siddhant: It really depends on three factors – whether you’re an engineer or not, how strong your English foundation is, and how much time you can give daily.
If you’re an engineer fluent in English, three months of serious prep is enough. Non-engineers might need around six months, and if you have any academic gaps, nine months gives a good cushion.
LPT: You were working full-time while preparing. How did you manage both?
Siddhant: It was tough initially. I didn’t quit my job, so I had to be very disciplined. I started waking up early, cut down my screen time from almost four hours to less than 90 minutes a day, and stayed consistent. Honestly, CAT is a test of consistency more than anything else. Even one focused hour a day adds up over time.
LPT: How much did your work experience help during CAT prep?
Siddhant: Not much during the prep itself – in fact, it made things slightly harder because I was out of touch with studying. Students still in college have an advantage since they’re used to exams. But during interviews and final admissions, work experience adds a lot of value. It gives you maturity and helps you relate to real-world scenarios.
LPT: How many mock tests did you take before CAT 2024?
Siddhant: Around 30 to 40 full-length CAT mocks. In October, I gave one every 2–3 days, and by November, almost one daily. But mocks only help if you analyze them deeply. Don’t just check solutions – understand your mistakes, the concepts behind them, and how to improve your time management.
LPT: What’s your advice on focusing between strengths and weaknesses?
Siddhant: You can’t ignore either. To clear sectional cutoffs, you must work on your weak areas. But to maximize your total percentile, you should double down on your strengths. It’s all about finding the right balance.
LPT: According to you, which section is the most crucial in CAT?
Siddhant: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension). It’s the first section and sets your momentum for the rest of the exam. Plus, strong comprehension skills help across LRDI and QA too.
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LPT: Many non-engineering students fear CAT. Can they crack it too?
Siddhant: Absolutely! CAT is not just for engineers. Your score is compared within your academic category — engineers with engineers, commerce with commerce, and so on. Non-engineers might score a little lower overall but can still get top B-school calls due to academic diversity points.
LPT: What was your lowest point during preparation?
Siddhant: I got the 8:00 AM slot for CAT, and I’m not a morning person. When I gave my first mock at that time, I scored half my usual marks. It was a panic moment. My mom and grandfather advised me to practice every morning, and within 10 days, my scores were back up.
My final mock before CAT gave me an All India Rank 1 – that phase taught me discipline and adaptability.
LPT: Tell us about your IIM Ahmedabad interview experience.
Siddhant: It was wild! The panel didn’t ask me a single question about my academics, work experience, or goals. The discussion was about global warming, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump.
They were testing my thought process, not memory. At the end, I thought I’d done terribly, but surprisingly, I made it. They really value clarity of thought and composure.
LPT: What’s life like at IIM Ahmedabad?
Siddhant: It’s intense but amazing. Classes start early, attendance is 100%, and participation is graded. Every day at 1:45 PM, we get a surprise quiz at 2:30 PM – you never know the subject!
The pace is crazy, but the learning is unmatched. After classes, there are club meetings, case preps, and assignments – it’s easily 12–16 hours of work daily. But everyone around you pushes you to do better.
LPT: Do students get time for extracurricular activities there?
Siddhant: Yes, and it’s encouraged. There are 50+ clubs – dance, music, consulting, finance, product, sports, and more. I’m part of the dance club and sports committee. The campus facilities are top-notch – gym, football ground, pool, tennis courts, and even a rock-climbing wall. It’s hectic but fun.
LPT: If you could go back, would you change anything?
Siddhant: Not at all. My dream was IIM Bangalore since it’s my hometown. But now that I’m at IIM Ahmedabad, I realize it was the perfect choice. The energy here is something else. I wouldn’t change a thing.
LPT: What’s something most people don’t know about IIM Ahmedabad?
Siddhant: The diversity. Only about half the batch are engineers — the rest come from commerce, law, design, and arts. There’s also excellent accessibility for students with disabilities.
You meet people from every corner of India, and that makes classroom discussions richer. The inclusion here is what truly sets IIM Ahmedabad apart.
LPT: Finally, what’s your message for CAT aspirants preparing now?
Siddhant: Stay consistent, don’t get overwhelmed by competition, and take enough mocks. Reduce distractions and enjoy the journey. CAT preparation is not just about cracking an exam — it’s about building discipline, clarity, and self-belief.
LPT: Thank you, Siddhant! It was wonderful speaking with you.
Siddhant: Thank you! I hope my story helps more aspirants stay motivated and focused.
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Siddhant Sharma Interview: Watch Video
LPT wishes Siddhant Sharma continued success in his journey at IIM Ahmedabad and beyond. His story is proof that with smart work, focus, and consistency, you can turn your CAT dream into reality.
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