Journey 

to IIM Raipur:
Pratik Lonkar
PGP Batch 21-23

Somewhere around four years ago, I was in 3 rd year of my engineering graduation. As an engineer most
of the students possess dream to crack the GATE exam. I thought the same in my FY of graduation but ended up
thinking that Mtech.is not my cup of tea and I realised MBA is the only thing which I can do better.

After this realisation I joined the CAT classes in my 3 rd year and started the preparation for the same. As
I had joined that course for 2yrs, I took it very leniently and that year went like a swift. It is always been told that
“Don’t put yourself in comfort zone it otherwise it will hamper your growth”. But I did the opposite thing. I grabbed
the job through placement and joined on of the MNC. From the first day of my joining, I had known that I am not
suitable for this Technical IT job. The thought of MBA did not leave from my mind during my job period. Some
people used to say it is very difficult to crack the CAT if you are working. Some said that even if you crack the
CAT, because you are an IT engineer, most IIMs won’t select you. Those were that kind of people who neither
got into any reputed institute nor they have tried for the same. But as per human psychology we either take
pressure or we drop the plan.

The same thing happened with me my 1 year in company went without doing any preparation for CAT.
After two three months my fellow team member got selected in IIM Lucknow. He was that kind of person who
always used to get A band in his work, was very dedicated. He used to spend long hours in office yet he
managed to crack the CAT. I took that inspiration and did my studies and went for the exams. That was my
second year of work experience. I got below average marks and I thought that IIM is not my destiny. I was so
frustrated that I had decided to take the admission to an average b-school as I was so curious and passionate
about the MBA. In the same year Corona occurred. I know for almost all people the corona was like a curse. But
particularly for MBA, covid turned out like a blessing. As there was a fear that economy will slow down, there
might be the possibility that people may lose job. As I had taken admission to 1year MBA program, there was a
surety of low placement at such average institute and I withdrew the admission form that college.

Due to covid my project client declined the extra budget for the project and I got release from the
project. The month was April -2020. To get the new project you have to go through the interviews and usually the
one gets project within 3-4 months. As I had knowledge of previous project it wasn’t difficult for me to get a new
project. I took this 4-month opportunity to prepare for the CAT. I changed my way of studying. The regular mock
helps me to get prepared for the D-Day. Due to covid the CAT concern authority reduced the time limit of CAT to
2 hrs from 3 hrs with reduction of questions. Though it was clear from the authority but one thing they did not
clear was regarding number of questions to be asked in the actual paper. I prepared different mocks with
different no if questions and thought whatever may be the condition, I have to do it MBA this year only and from
the reputed institute. At the result day I was in fear regarding the percentile. I remember, I was in traveling and I
saw the result. Though I got good percentile but still I was not happy with my performance as I was expecting
more. I the month of February I filled the forms for several private b school and at the same time I got a mail from
CAP that you are eligible for the interviews. I filled the CAP form and started preparing for the interviews. I
managed the work time and preparation time efficiently. I took help from the mentors. Because I had clarity that if
my interview went wrong then the probability that I will get the IIM zero. During this time, I had converted some
good private B-school.

Finally, the CAP interview date arrived. I was in the waiting room from 9 AM. I waited for 3 hrs and the
CAP admission committee called me in. I answered each and every question and the best part of that interview
was that the interviewer gave me compliment and it seemed that they were happy with my interview.

I already had thought that, this is my last year of CAT and I will take the admission to any of the good
college. After some days I mailed my manager regarding my MBA plan as I already had some converts. Though I
had the backup plan for my MBA but getting it done from IIM is like getting you another world. The result day
arrived. There was too much traffic on site. I always thought that I want Raipur at any cost. But due to anxiety,
fear I was ready to take any baby IIMs till the date of result. After some time, I managed to open the Raipur site.
My mom was there with me. She was talking some random things and that the same time I was able to login.
When I clicked the result tab, it was shown that “Congratulations you are selected.” At that moment I hugged my
mom and there were tears in my eyes.

Last but not the least if a small-town boy who has done his education in vernacular medium from a
government school can get the admission in IIM Raipur, then anything is possible.