Home > Career > Question

Sign In | Create an account

Language:

Now in हिन्दी too

Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Can I get into top MBA colleges in India with a 99.8+ percentile in CAT despite having a 2-year gap after graduation?

Patrick Dsouza |1435 Answers |Ask -Follow

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2024

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

Question by Mayank on Sep 14, 2024Hindi

Career

I am 28 years old man. I have 87.5% in my 10th, 90.6% in my 12th, 73.6% in my Under grad from private engineering college, 81% in my post grad from IIT Kharagpur and having 3 years of experience in state run discom but i have a 2 year gap after my under grad. I am planning to do MBA. I believe i can score nicely in CAT exam. Given my profile is it possible for me to get into top MBA colleges like IIM A,B,C,L and FMS if I score 99.8+ percentile in CAT.

Ans: Yes it is possible to get into top IIMs with your profile if you get a good score in CAT. Can also look at option of doing Executive MBA after getting 5 years work ex

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Mayank Chandel |2595 Answers |Ask -Follow

IIT-JEE, NEET-UG, SAT, CLAT, CA, CS Exam Expert - Answered on May 31, 2023

Question by Raja - May 12, 2023Hindi

Career

Hi Mayank. Hope you are keeping well. I was thinking for preparing for CAT exam, (Here is my profile - 81 in 10th , 73 in 12th, 48% in graduation(scored less due to medical condition), 69% in post grad. (Mcom) and 30 months of work experience in Pwc. My question is can i give cat exam as my graduation percentage is below 50 and i am an obc too. And if i cannot give cat exam what other options are availsble for me to do mba from tier 1 colleges which can give me better placements. It would be great if you would give some names for the colleges i should target for.

Ans: Raja,
You are not eligible to appear for the CAT exam. If you can share from which city you are seeking MBA it would be easy for me to help you.

Aashish Sood |127 Answers |Ask -Follow

CAT, Management Expert - Answered on May 15, 2023

Question by Raja - May 12, 2023Hindi

Career

Hi Ashish. Hope you are keeping well. I was thinking for preparing for CAT exam, (Here is my profile - 81 in 10th , 73 in 12th, 48% in graduation(scored less due to medical condition), 69% in post grad. (Mcom) and 30 months of work experience in Pwc. My question is can i give cat exam as my graduation percentage is below 50 and i am an obc too. And if i cannot give cat exam what other options are availsble for me to do mba from tier 1 colleges which can give me better placements. It would be great if you would give some names for the colleges i should target for.

Ans: Well you aren't eligible for CAT or other such similar management entrance exams.

However, you can choose to go for GMAT.

Or you can go for executive MBA offered by almost all premiere institutes. Check the individual IIMs for their respective criterion.

Patrick Dsouza |1435 Answers |Ask -Follow

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Nov 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 12, 2024Hindi

Career

Sir, I'm 28 years old hotel managementgraduate. Currently, working in digital marketing agency and having 22 months of work-ex. My academic score for 10th ,12th and graduation is 92%, 72%, 74% respectively. Can I attemt CAT and go for MBA now. Is it possible to make it to IIM's. Is this a good decision.

Ans: You can write CAT and get into a good college. My suggestion would be not to leave your job but prepare for CAT along with your job. Only if you get a good college then can leave your job to pursue MBA. If you do not get a good college, then continue working and can look for doing Executive MBA later which requires 2+ (ISB, Great Lakes), 3+ (XLRI), 5+ (IIMs) years of work experience and easy to get in.

Patrick Dsouza |1435 Answers |Ask -Follow

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

Question by learn - Jan 27, 2025Hindi

Career

Sir I am 33 year old b.com graduate(2014) lady with 2 year work experience one year as contract basis and one year as permanent as a teacher in vedantu and I am married and I have a kid of one year old .. I want to give cat and do mba to restart my career.. Will I get any tier 2 college if I get good percentile in cat and will I get placement after that...

Ans: It is possible to get into tier 2 college and get a decent job. But probability is low. Because of your age there is high chance that you may find difficulty in getting placement post your MBA. Also doing a full time MBA with 1 or 2 year child at home looks a tall order. Look out for short job oriented courses in the area of your interest.

Patrick Dsouza |1435 Answers |Ask -Follow

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Aug 20, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 20, 2025Hindi

Career

Sir I am 25 years old having 3 years of work ex in an software MNC , I did btech in 2022 with 7.75 CGPA , class 12 -69% , class 10 -9 CGPA, currently I am preparing for CAT exam , with such average academics , will I able to get admission into top tier MBA college, if not , then should I stop my CAT preparation?

Ans: Your 3 years work ex will fetch you some marks and could help overcome some marks lost due to low academics. You do have a chance to get into a good college like XLRI, FMS even some of the top IIMs.

Latest Questions

Samraat Jadhav |2542 Answers |Ask -Follow

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2026Hindi

Money

i invested 18L own money and 6 Lakhs from MTF borrowing in Oct'22 to Oct'23 periods, now 24 Lakhs become 14 Lakhs, 10 Lakhs down, Alklyamine 98 @ 3300, relaxo 135@1083, PVRINOX 87@1865, tatainvest 250@1120,vstindustries 484@429,suntv 160@836,concor 250@860,clean 19@2060,bajajauto 14@11935,AWL 357@432,ATGL 20@1030,ADANIGREEN 20@1975,ADANIENT39@3390,ADANENSOL50@1324,ACC52@2600,COCHINSHIP10@2650,DATAPATTERN 10@3186,GRSE19@2975,MAZDOCK10 @3500,HONDAPOWER 10@4000,TATAELXSI17@7320,VBL30@660,BHARATFORG20@1740. GUILTY TO OVERRIDE WIFE SUGGESTION TO BUY JEWELS FOR DAUGHTER'S 3 YEARS AGO WHEN PF AMOUNT WITHDRAWN 13L, NOW THIS ALSO LOSS AND JEWEL ALSO 2.5 TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT TIME. WRONG DECISION. PLS CORRECT & SUGGEST. AGE 51

Ans: I would suggest you approach a SEBI Registered Investment Adviser nearby you and discuss the full story with your financial details and he/she would be the right person to guide you after analyzing all your requirements. You can find your nearest adviser from this link of SEBI - https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebiweb/other/OtherAction.do?doRecognisedFpi=yes&intmId=13

Samraat Jadhav |2542 Answers |Ask -Follow

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2026Hindi

Money

I applied for an IPO on the War-Burg platform for Avana Electrosystems and got an allocation far above my funds available . Now the system will not allow me to close my position . What should I do ?

Ans: this is a scam

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

SIP of 2000 long term 10+ years. What type of schemes would you suggest (e.g. large, flexi etc.) and how.much allocation to each type would be best. I am in my 40s and this is my first exposure to MFs.

Ans: Hi,

As this is your 1st time exposure, better to connect with a professional.

Connect with a a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

Hello sir/maam, I have a health insure for myself of hdfc ergo of 10lakh cover. Now i am married this year thus should i take another insurance for my wife or include her within mine. We both are working and i want to be secure such that in case claim we do kot face any issue incase in future we have any health emergency.

Ans: Hi,

You can include her name in your policy and increase the sum insured to 20 lakhs. Your overall premium will increase but it is required considering higher medical costs these days.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

At51 years, can I start ppf account?

Ans: Hi,

Yes you can but not recommended. Instead increase contribution to your PF under VPF.
PPf comes with minimum 15 years lock-in, you will not have access to PPF funds till age of 65. Better to go for an alternative.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Surander - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

Hi Sir, If performance of the some MF is not as per the market how to swich another performing MF. Question is shall i start SWP on Poor Performing F or Exit in one go .

Ans: Hi Surandar,

Investing like this will never work in your favor and instead give you losses along with tax liabilities.
If you do not know about Mutual funds, connect with a professional to start.
Expecting your funds to double overnight is not done here. Mutual funds are for long term and need a lot of patience.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Ram - Nov 18, 2025Hindi

Money

Hi, I worked in STL from year 1997 to 2005 . As at time the concept of UAN was not there I couldn't find any trace of my PF and Pension contribution in EPFO portal.Also that company is closed long back I am not able to create New UAN . After 2005,I worked in number of companies and retired in 2024.My last company from where I retired is an exempted company where I transferred my all PF after 2005. I visited in local epfo office in Kolkata regarding my pf/eps withdrawal/transfer to my latest company from where I retired last year, local pf office of Kolkata not able to see my pf balance of my First company STL,due to pf not connected to UAN, what should be done right now STL had deposited PF amount in Bandra Mumbai office.

Ans: Hi Ram,

Here is what you can do:
1. Locate your old salary slips from STL and try to find the PF number.
2. As the company doesn't exist now, your old PF must have become 'inoperative'
3. Visit Bandra, Mumbai EPFO Office yourself along with your details and request them to trace your old account (should know your PF number from salary slips beforehand).
4. Or connect with EPFO online under 'Inoperative helpdesk' to know what can be done by you.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Rimpa - Jan 04, 2026Hindi

Money

I want to invest in Mutual fund my monthly SIP is 1700 please make me a PORTFOLIO where i can get high return i want to invest for long time + i want to invest in Gold fund but not from the 1700 sip it will be my another individual SIP.

Ans: Hi Rimpa,

Start your SIP of 1700 under Kotak Multicap fund for long term.
If you wish to start gold investment, buy gold ETFs online or choose a gold mutual fund.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Chidambaram - Jan 02, 2026Hindi

Money

Dear Sir, I'm 53 yrs old now, i would like to know, in SBI Life Policies, at present, what are the best beneficial wealth policies as well as with Sudden Death Protection, which suits my age and income source salary is 10L /Annum.. thanks, from Chennai (02nd Jan 2026)

Ans: Hi Chidambaram,

Please connect with SBI Bank professionals to get such wealth policy. I am a CFP and suggest only mutual funds investment along with comprehensive financial planning.
I do not recommend any such policies to anyone.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 18, 2026Hindi

Money

I am 42, I have two daughters 17 and 13. Me and my wife earn 5L per month currently. We do not know when we will stop being as productive as this We currently have the following portfolio 1. 1.2cr PF 2. 17L PPF 3. 40L MF 4. Real estate (3 flats in city and 5 acres in hometown) 4cr 5. Liquid 1 cr Upcoming life events 1. Kids college 2. Kids marriage After these between me and wife we need atleast 1L per month to live. I want to continue to work for 10 more years and my wife will work for 5 more. Can I retire early?

Ans: Hi,

You two are earning well and have accumulated a lot at such young age. Let us analyse in detail:
- Liquid - 1 crore >> this can take care of the immediate requirement for your kid's higher education.
- Your current investments in PF, PPF and MF - can be considered a portion for your retired life.
- Land and Flats worth 4 crores - can liquidate worth half value to keep it aside for your kids marriage.
- Save aggressively in equity and balanced mutual funds till the time you guys are working. Investing as small as 2 lakhs per month for next 10 years can grow your MF corpus from 40 lakhs to 6 crores.
This along with your PF is more than sufficient for the two of you to retire at your respective paces.

Make sure that the current MF investment along with planned SIP of 2 lakhs monthly is done under professional supervision. Any wrong investment can lower returns and create a negative impact.

Summary - You are on the right path. Start investing aggressively for next 10 years and consider liquidating 50% of your real estate assets to fulfil kids education and marriage.

And also consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

See more questions »

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Video Reply
Audio Reply

WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Copy link

Delete

Close

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus

Sign up

email

uname

mobile no

Country Code

Mobile number

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

LOGIN

x