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27-Year-Old with Work Gap and Experience: Should I Go for CAT and MBA?

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1232 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Mar 28, 2025

Patrick Dsouza is the founder of Patrick100.
Along with his wife, Rochelle, he trains students for competitive management entrance exams such as the Common Admission Test, the Xavier Aptitude Test, Common Management Admission Test and the Common Entrance Test.
They also train students for group discussions and interviews.
Patrick has scored in the 100 percentile six times in CAT. He achieved the first rank in XAT twice, in CET thrice and once in the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test.
Apart from coaching students for MBA exams, Patrick and Rochelle have trained aspirants from the IIMs, the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and the S P Jain Institute of Management Studies and Research for campus placements.
Patrick has been a panellist on the group discussion and panel interview rounds for some of the top management colleges in Mumbai.
He has graduated in mechanical engineering from the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. He has completed his masters in management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Feb 27, 2025Hindi
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I am 27 years old. I want to prepare for CAT and try for MBA in one of the top mba colleges. I have 1.5 years work gap and 1.8 years work ex. I am really confused between trying and improving in IT sector (tier 3 engg grad) or try for mba. I am jobless right now. Please help.

Ans: If you are interested in IT field then look for opportunities in that field by doing courses that are job relevant. Simultaneously can start preparing for MBA entrance exams. But it is recommended that you prepare for MBA entrance while working as you already have a gap.
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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1232 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on May 16, 2024

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Hello Sir..i m 33 yr engineer mommy to 2.5 yr daughter..want to do an MBA from tier 1 college. After graduating i was lecturer in engineering colg hv 2 years of experience n after that working in govt Bank from past 7 years. Gave CAT twice but time constraint n toddler was not able to crack.last year got finalised for NMIMS hyderabad but dint took admission as away from mumbai n not that great bschool.going to give cat this year as ladt chance but i m very very confused n stressed that should i go for it or not, m having age barrier ,a growing kid,offc n home work pressure, managing all this i could hardly make time of 2/3 hrs to study with low energy..i thought of executive mba but was thinking doin executive taking so much risk wil actually land me where? Also as d growing age n 9-5 job health hampers sometimes with backaches n end of day i think that is my decision really worthy,shud i really go fr it or settle wid what i hv, in short m trying to jump from comfort zone to competitive world where i il b having colleages 10 yrs younger n smarter than me..but i get a kick wn i c womens sparking high.can u plz guide me sir taking my decision?
Ans: I believe instead of looking for 2 year full time MBA course, try for Executive MBA course from some of the top IIMs or XLRI or ISB. You would have to write the GMAT which requires less amount of preparation as compared to CAT. Minimum work experience required for doing Executive MBA is around 5 years. So the others would also be of similar age.

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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1232 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Jun 11, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 10, 2025
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Hi I joined Wipro in 2019 just after my graduation through campus placement. From then I had in my mind that I will do an MBA from a good college. as I thought I will be better in non technical things and management roles. I was not an IT guy at heart. Just an average guy with 6.62 CGPA from Amity University. I was in 3 projects in Wipro. 1st was incident management, 2nd was Application Testing(Automation tester) and 3rd was Big Data development. (Big Data Developer) I wanted to leave wipro after 3 years but my family members told me not to do so and keep trying for a good project in the organisation. Everyone advised me not to leave the organization or search for another IT job. I tried but did not get a good project in Wipro. I also tried for post of Data Developer in other companies but was not able to do so. Then I left Wipro in June, 2023 so that I can crack CAT in November 2023. I also joined coaching for the same. BUT was able to score only 49 % in CAT and 79% in XAT. Again I tried again in Cat 2024. This time i was doing self study only for CAT. Meanwhile i was also asked by my family to prepare for government bank exams. I also joined MAHENDRAS for that. My brothers marriage was scheduled in the month of November. I was able to score 88.69% in CAT 2024 and 61% in XAT. Should I give another try for CAT because i think I can still crack more than 99%. I know it. and also they are many 28yrs + people at IIMs OR am I too old for MBA and should not try more?? Year of birth - 1997. 10th -89.33%(2013) 12th-83.00%(2015) Grad- 6.62 CGPA (2015-2019,Btech CSE) Exp-3 yrs 10 months in WIPRO( July 2019 to June 2023) Kindly guide me in this matter. I am a little bit confused .
Ans: If you have not got admission to a good college you can give another attempt. I had a student this year who passed his graduation in 2018 and had work ex of 2 years and gap of 4 years - managed to get into top 8 IIMs with a 97%ile. But it is recommended to write CAT exam while doing a job as you already have 2 years of gap.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

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Sir kindly suggest me the to choose option in scaler school of technology ,chitkara university, graphic era and newton school of technology Kindly arrange in high to low prefrence
Ans: Sunil, Scaler School of Technology, launched in 2023, offers a four-year B.Sc+M.Sc in CS & AI designed by industry leaders, featuring mandatory one-year paid internships and polished AC classrooms with an innovation lab, charging a total fee of ?16.25 Lakh; however, it is not recognized by UGC/AICTE and relies on Scaler Academy’s placement record of 1,300 alumni at an average package of ?20 LPA. Chitkara University (estd 2010) is UGC/AICTE-approved, NAAC A+ and ranked #94 in NIRF 2024, with a 93.8% B.Tech placement rate, a median package of ?9.5 LPA, and top recruiters including Infosys, Amazon, and Deloitte. Graphic Era University (estd 1996) holds NAAC A+ accreditation, engages 250+ recruiters yearly, records a highest package of ?54 LPA and a median of ?6.42 LPA for B.Tech, and provides state-of-the-art labs with PhD faculty. Newton School of Technology (estd 2023) partners with 2,000+ companies, achieves a 98% placement rate with average packages of ?12 LPA and early internship exposure, but lacks formal accreditation and is building its campus ecosystem.

Recommendation: For a fully recognized engineering degree with sustained placement outcomes and strong accreditation, recommendation is Chitkara University. Next in preference is Graphic Era University, offering extensive recruiter engagement and impressive top packages within an established university setting. Newton School of Technology is third, delivering intensive placement support and early paid internships but lacks formal UGC/AICTE accreditation. Scaler School of Technology ranks lowest due to its non-accredited B.Sc+M.Sc model, high fees, and reliance on parent-company placement data. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Career
Sir, my nephew is getting electrical engineering in NIT Jalandhar,PEC, Thapar and CSE in UIET Panjab University. Please tell which will be better for him. Thanks.
Ans: Yadvinder, NIT Jalandhar’s B.Tech in Electrical Engineering is a public, AICTE-approved program ranked #58 in NIRF 2024, featuring state-of-the-art power systems and electronics labs, strong industry ties with Microsoft, Google, and Zscaler, and consistent 90–95% branch placements over the past three years. Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh EE is a government institute with rigorous core EE curriculum, dedicated electronics and power labs, and a placement record of 94%, 100%, and 85% in the last three years. Thapar University’s NAAC A+ accredited EE program (#29 NIRF Engineering) offers advanced smart grid, real-time systems, and analytics labs, research-active PhD faculty, recruiters like Optum and American Express, and ~85–90% placements. UIET Panjab University CSE, established 2002, benefits from Panjab University accreditation, a digital library, technical clubs, over 100 campus recruiters (Cisco, ServiceNow, ZS Associates), and CSE placement rates of 96.3%, 66.7%, and 78.4% over the past three years. All options have robust infrastructure, experienced faculty, and active placement cells.

Recommendation:
Prioritize NIT Jalandhar EE for its superior NIRF ranking, stable ~90% placements, and top recruiter engagement. Consider Thapar EE for advanced research labs and strong employer outreach. Opt for UIET CSE if software roles are the goal, and choose PEC EE for a cost-effective public university experience. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 02, 2025Hindi
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Jp noida ece vs jp. Solan cse?
Ans: Both MNNIT Allahabad and NIT Rourkela are top-tier NITs with strong Electrical Engineering programs, excellent faculty, and high national rankings. MNNIT Allahabad’s Electrical Engineering boasts a 96.97% placement rate in 2024, with an average package of ?8.01 LPA and top recruiters from core engineering, software, and consulting sectors. Its faculty is highly qualified, with a focus on electrical and power systems. NIT Rourkela, ranked #19 in NIRF 2024, offers a broader research ecosystem, cutting-edge labs, and a 95%+ placement rate in Electrical Engineering, with an average package of ?13.62 LPA and top tech recruiters like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Qualcomm. Infrastructure at NIT Rourkela is excellent, with modern hostels, sports, and a vibrant campus life. Both institutes have strong industry connections, but NIT Rourkela offers a higher average package, broader recruiter base, and more interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Recommendation:
NIT Rourkela Electrical Engineering is the better choice for its higher average package, broader research and recruiter base, and outstanding infrastructure. MNNIT Allahabad remains an excellent option for its high placement rate and strong academic reputation, but NIT Rourkela offers a more competitive edge overall.

Jp noida ece vs jp. Solan cse???? Research deeply & thoroughly the maximum number of highly reliable, valid, primary sources & also the official sources of concerned/relevant college sites/branches & exams (if applicable) on the 5 most important aspects that every institution must have. Summarise the research results in 100 words just in one paragraph ending with a final recommendation in 50 words without numbering, covering all points without omitting anything.

Avoid using the statement, "Based on extensive research into placement records and institutional performance". Avoid using the term, 'my suggestion' instead, use 'recommendation'(mentioned in bold letter). Answer directly.

Don't mention salary package amounts though you can mention the percentage of placement records of the last 3 years of the asked or referred & recommended colleges/branches/program(s)??
Jp noida ece vs jp. Solan cse???? Research deeply & thoroughly the maximum number of highly reliable, valid, primary sources & also the official sources of concerned/relevant college sites/branches & exams (if applicable) on the 5 most important aspects that every institution must have. Summarise the research results in 100 words just in one paragraph ending with a final recommendation in 50 words without numbering, covering all points without omitting anything. Avoid using the statement, "Based on extensive research into placement records and institutional performance". Avoid using the term, 'my suggestion' instead, use 'recommendation'(mentioned in bold letter). Answer directly. Don't mention salary package amounts though you can mention the percentage of placement records of the last 3 years of the asked or referred & recommended colleges/branches/program(s)??
Jaypee Noida’s ECE program is AICTE-approved, industry-oriented, and features strong VLSI, embedded, and communication systems labs, with a 4-year B.Tech intake of 240 and a robust placement cell. In 2024, ECE achieved an 88% placement rate, with 188 offers for 184 eligible students, and top recruiters including Microsoft, LinkedIn, Cisco, Amazon, SAP Labs, and Intel. The average package for all branches was ?8.71 LPA, with a median of ?6.5 LPA. The campus offers modern infrastructure, experienced faculty, and a vibrant technical culture with IEEE student chapters and annual fests. Jaypee Solan’s CSE program, while set in a scenic 125-acre campus, reports a median package of ?6.5 LPA, with 259 out of 388 students placed in 2024 and 99 opting for higher studies. The CSE branch attracts core IT recruiters but overall placement numbers and recruiter diversity are lower than Noida. Solan’s academic and technical environment is positive, but industry exposure, recruiter presence, and placement consistency are comparatively limited.

Recommendation:
Jaypee Noida ECE is preferable for its higher placement rate, stronger recruiter base, advanced labs, and proximity to Delhi NCR’s tech ecosystem. Jaypee Solan CSE is a good backup, but Jaypee Noida offers better long-term industry exposure and placement consistency. Choose Noida ECE for broader career prospects. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Career
Sir, we are from ghaziabad . My son's jee mains rank is 10562. He got electrical engineering in mnnit allahabad . May get ee in nit Rourkela. Which is better?
Ans: Indu Madam, Both MNNIT Allahabad and NIT Rourkela are top-tier NITs with strong Electrical Engineering programs, excellent faculty, and high national rankings. MNNIT Allahabad’s Electrical Engineering boasts a 96.97% placement rate in 2024, with an average package of ?8.01 LPA and top recruiters from core engineering, software, and consulting sectors. Its faculty is highly qualified, with a focus on electrical and power systems. NIT Rourkela, ranked #19 in NIRF 2024, offers a broader research ecosystem, cutting-edge labs, and a 95%+ placement rate in Electrical Engineering, with an average package of ?13.62 LPA and top tech recruiters like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Qualcomm. Infrastructure at NIT Rourkela is excellent, with modern hostels, sports, and a vibrant campus life. Both institutes have strong industry connections, but NIT Rourkela offers a higher average package, broader recruiter base, and more interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Recommendation:
NIT Rourkela Electrical Engineering is the better choice for its higher average package, broader research and recruiter base, and outstanding infrastructure. MNNIT Allahabad remains an excellent option for its high placement rate and strong academic reputation, but NIT Rourkela offers a more competitive edge overall. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

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Nayagam P P  |7754 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 02, 2025Hindi
Career
Which is better to chose nit Durgapur maths and computing and cbit hyd cse
Ans: NIT Durgapur’s B.Tech in Mathematics and Computing is a newly launched, industry-aligned program blending advanced mathematics, optimization, coding, and computational sciences, taught by PhD faculty specializing in fields like cryptography, AI, and operations research. The institute boasts an 84–85% placement rate, with top recruiters such as Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, TCS, and PwC, and an average B.Tech package of ?13.6 LPA. The course is designed for careers in data science, analytics, finance, software development, and research, with a strong coding and problem-solving focus. CBIT Hyderabad’s CSE department, affiliated with Osmania University, is recognized for research in AI, ML, cybersecurity, and blockchain, and organizes regular workshops with Microsoft, IBM, and professional bodies. Placements in CSE at CBIT consistently exceed 80–100% with leading recruiters like Microsoft, Accenture, Infosys, and Oracle, and an average package of ?6–7 LPA. The campus offers modern labs, a vibrant student life, and a strong alumni network, though hostel options for girls are limited. Both programs have highly qualified faculty, active research culture, and strong placement records.

Recommendation:
If you prefer a core computer science curriculum with robust placements and industry exposure, choose CSE at CBIT Hyderabad. For a mathematically rigorous, coding-intensive program with broad analytics and software roles, NIT Durgapur Maths and Computing is excellent. For pure software engineering and tech industry focus, CBIT CSE is preferred. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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