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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1468 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Dec 25, 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 - Dec 23, 2025Hindi
Career

I completed my Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics Engineering from Mumbai University in 2016. Although my undergraduate CGPA is below 6.0, I bring six years of professional experience in the IT industry along with certifications in Azure and Artificial Intelligence. I am currently exploring Master’s degree opportunities in India and abroad through GATE. I would like an evaluation of my chances of admission to top-tier institutions, guidance on steps to strengthen my profile for international admissions, and a list of colleges for which I may be eligible.

Ans: There are not many good colleges abroad accepting GATE scores for Masters. For that you may have to write GRE or IELTS based on your target country, college and course. In some countries you may get scholarship if you know the local language, eg Germany, French, etc. For masters in India you can apply through GATE scores for any of the top colleges.
Career

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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1468 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Jun 26, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 22, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
I graduated with a B.Com (General) with 73.52%, and I obtained 54.71% in 10th grade and 51.17% in 12th grade. I belong to the General category and am eligible for an EWS certificate. My academic profile is summarized as 5|5|7. Since graduation, I have been a fresher with no practical work experience or internships, and I do not have any notable co-curricular or extra-curricular achievements. I took the CAT 2022 exam shortly after graduation for experience. Following that, I started preparing for CAT 2023, XAT 2024, and MHT CET 2024 but was unsuccessful due to a lack of consistency, discipline, and dedication. This year, I am preparing for CAT, NMAT, SNAP, XAT, MHT CET, and CMAT with the goal of getting into a top B-school in India. My preparation is going well this time. Although I realize I may not get into the top IIMs (BLACKIS), I am targeting and working hard for the new and baby IIMs, XLRI, FMS, SPJIMR, NMIMS, SIBM, and other reputable non-IIMs. Many people have advised me to pursue an MBA from local colleges or to try for government or banking jobs. While I respect their suggestions, I am determined to pursue an MBA from a top college in India. I cannot change my past academic record, but I am focused on improving my overall profile. I seek your valuable guidance on how to justify my gap years, improve my profile, and get advice for GDPI, securing a SIP, and placement. Currently, I am only able to get job of BPS in MNCs with only 11k p.m. for night shift. It may affect my schedule my preparation and work culture will be hectic and will only get 1.5 to 2hrs on weekdays for preparation. If I able to get a sales/Marketing related to my career interest then i can max 14k with more hectic work and more travel which may results inconsistency in preparation in weekdays. Even if I start working now, I can only add about 2 months of work experience before CAT and other MBA entrance test registrations, and less than 10 months of work experience before GDPI next year. I am committed to achieving a 99+ percentile this time. Alongside my preparation, I have acquired two beginner-level certifications in digital marketing and plan to add up to five more certifications in pre-MBA relevant skills. I am highly grateful for your feedback and suggestions.
Ans: It may be a little difficult to get into top colleges based on your academics - though it is possible if you do well in the written test and interview. It will help if you look at more colleges for admission. IF you are ready to wait then can take up a job and try to get experience along with preparation for CAT. By next year you would have 1 year experience which would give you some additional marks that could help you get a call.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 20, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I hope you are doing well. I am writing to inform you that I have secured a **merit rank of 58,452** in the MHT CET (PCM) exam. I am keen on pursuing engineering in the **Mumbai region** (including Thane, Navi Mumbai, etc.) and would greatly appreciate your guidance on colleges where I might have a realistic chance of admission. My preferred branches, in order of priority, are: 1. **Computer Science (CSE)** 2. **CS with AI/ML** 3. **CS with AI & Data Science** 4. **Information Technology (IT)** 5. **Electronics & Telecommunication (ECE)** 6. **Electrical Engineering (EE)** If possible, kindly suggest:
Ans: With a merit rank of 58,452 in MHT CET (approximately 39-42 percentile), you have viable admission options in several engineering colleges across the Mumbai region, including private institutions in Mumbai, Thane, and Navi Mumbai that specialize in computer science and related disciplines.

Suitable Colleges with Realistic Admission Chances
Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai is particularly well-suited for your rank, with MHT CET cutoffs ranging from 3.89-97.87 percentile across all categories, and specific programs showing cutoffs around 92-96 percentile for Computer Engineering and 89-92 percentile for Information Technology. The institute holds NAAC A accreditation and offers modern programming labs with 90-95% placement rates for engineering graduates over the past three years.

MGM College of Engineering & Technology, Navi Mumbai accepts students with MHT CET ranks extending to 119,300-119,500, making it highly accessible for your rank. The college provides specialized AI & Machine Learning programs with cutoffs in the 80-86 percentile range for general category students.

Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai maintains cutoffs from 1.55-99.86 percentile across all categories, with Information Technology programs accepting students around 81-94 percentile range. This NAAC-accredited institution offers comprehensive engineering curricula with 85-90% placement consistency.

Saraswati College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai presents excellent opportunities with MHT CET cutoffs ranging from 1.91-91.83 percentile, particularly strong in Computer Engineering (cutoff around 45-65 percentile for various categories) and AI/ML programs. The college holds NAAC A+ accreditation and achieves placement packages up to ?22 LPA.

Thakur College of Engineering & Technology, Mumbai offers programs with expected cutoffs of 80-92 percentile for Computer Engineering and 78-85 percentile for Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering. The college maintains NAAC A accreditation with 51% placement rates and average packages of ?5.14 LPA.

Universal College of Engineering, Thane provides accessible admission with cutoffs ranging from 17.78-82.7 percentile for general category home university students, particularly suitable for Computer Engineering and Information Technology programs.

Key Institutional Strengths: These institutions demonstrate the five essential institutional qualities through NAAC A/A+ accreditations ensuring academic standards, NBA approvals for program quality, modern laboratories equipped with AI, IoT, and programming facilities, active industry partnerships with companies like TCS, Infosys, Capgemini, and Amazon, and structured placement cells achieving 75-95% job placement consistency across engineering disciplines. Faculty profiles include PhD-qualified professionals with industry experience, while infrastructure encompasses smart classrooms, research centers, and internship programs with stipends ranging from ?10,000-50,000 per month.

Recommendation: Prioritize Vidyalankar Institute of Technology Mumbai and Saraswati College of Engineering Navi Mumbai for their balanced combination of accessibility, strong placement records, and modern infrastructure. Consider MGM Navi Mumbai and BVCOE Navi Mumbai as backup options for assured admission with reasonable career prospects in your preferred branches. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
Hello sir can u tell me best college option at crl 338726 rank with sc category rank as 21726 homestate is maharashtra anything other councelling should I try? With csab and jossa
Ans: Sunil, I just reviewed last year’s JoSAA opening and closing ranks, and it appears that securing admission even in lower-demand branches with your rank will be quite challenging. However, I recommend you also double-check the possibilities yourself.

By the way, have you appeared for the MHT-CET exam? If yes, please share your expected score or rank. Additionally, have you registered or applied for any other entrance exams or colleges? Providing these details will help me give you a more precise and tailored response. ALL the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
My daughter completed class 12 from Delhi this year. She secured 42527 rank in JEE Mains and obtained the score of 242 in BITSAT. Record showing that she can secure a position in a dual-degree program at BITS Pilani. Thinking about M.Sc (Mathematics). Other options are NSUT and DTU with EE branch. What will be the best choice and any other option for her.
Ans: Dharmendra Sir, a BITSAT score of 242 is excellent, though her JEE score is somewhat lower in comparison. Regarding branch choice, it’s important to remember that almost all branches can lead to good careers if the student is genuinely interested and passionate, continuously upgrades both technical and non-technical skills, builds a strong network and personal brand, researches job market trends, and joins at least an above-average college with decent placement records.

Your daughter can consider BITS MSc in Mathematics if she has a strong interest in math. BITS placement records show over 70% placement rates in roles like Data Science, Analytics, Quant, and Finance for this program. Additionally, BITS allows MSc Maths students to switch to certain BE programs after the first year, based on meeting criteria such as minimum CGPA—but this is not guaranteed.

My advice is that she should not accept a BE branch she does not like, even if offered via CGPA-based promotion from MSc Maths.

If she prefers Electrical Engineering, then DTU’s EE branch would be a better first choice.

Overall, prioritizing MSc Mathematics at BITS seems to be the recommended path initially. ALL the BEST for Your Daughter's Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
Sir, I am currently in class 12th and will be going for engineering in the next few months.. I am currently confused between choosing Computer Science Engineering (CSE) and Mechanical Engineering for my career. I have always wanted a good salary and strong career growth, which is why CSE seems attractive. However, during this past year, I studied mostly online, and honestly, sitting in front of screens all day feels very draining to me. I realized that I do not enjoy spending 24/7 with laptops and coding-based work. I am also interested in designing, practical work, and fields where I can be involved in creating and building things, which makes Mechanical Engineering feel appealing. Another concern I have is that in CSE, people often say you must keep constantly learning new technologies, otherwise you may get replaced easily. Also, right now, almost everyone seems to be choosing CSE, which makes me wonder about future competition and job security. At the same time, I worry that Mechanical Engineering may not provide the same salary growth or opportunities as CSE. How should I decide between these two fields? Should I prioritize interest and work style, or salary and market demand? Which option would be better for long-term career satisfaction and financial stability?
Ans: Relisha, my suggestion is to focus mainly on your interest and the type of work you enjoy when making a career decision, because long-term satisfaction and financial stability depend on how much you like your work, how continuously you improve your skills, and how well you build connections. Over the next four years, work on improving both your technical and soft skills related to your chosen field, build a strong LinkedIn profile that clearly shows your skills and achievements, and create a good professional network by connecting with people in your domain. Keep checking job market trends regularly through LinkedIn and other reliable sources so you stay updated. Also, choose your college carefully by looking at the placement records of the last 2–3 years. If you decide to go for mechanical engineering, then focus seriously on skill development and personal branding, because these efforts together will play a big role in your long-term career satisfaction and financial growth. ALL the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 21, 2026Hindi
Career
My grand son 88.9437 percentile and air in ews gen .26453 and all india rank 171310 please tell govt IIT.
Ans: The percentile you mentioned is for JEE Main, which is used primarily for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, not IITs. Admission to IITs is based on JEE Advanced ranks, which are separate. You have not mentioned your grandson's home state also. At your grandson's rank, top NITs/IIITs and popular branches like CSE/ECE are generally unlikely; chances are better in some lower-demand branches in newer/lower-cutoff NITs or IIITs, and especially in several GFTIs. Category-wise cutoff trends published from JoSAA data also show many mid/lower-tier institutes extending much further than top campuses. Apart from your grandson's home state, have other States' NITs/IIITs/GFTIs also as backup options if son is interested in any particular branches. To get detailed information about opening and closing ranks for the last 2-3 years, please visit the official JoSAA website. There, you can input details such as Round Number, Institute Type, Institute Name, Academic Program, and Category to view the corresponding cutoff ranks.

By reviewing this data, you can identify near-realistic institution and branch options that match your rank. This will help you strategically fill the maximum number of choices during the JoSAA counselling window to improve your son's chances of admission. It is advisable to fill choices for both JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds and keep state-level and private institute options ready as backups. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
My son got 53700 AIR and 16000 in obc category rank in jee mains 2026 we are from Gurgaon what is the best option for.my son
Ans: Poonam Madam, With a CRL of 53,700 and an OBC-NCL rank of 16,000, the most realistic JoSAA option appears to be NIT Kurukshetra under Haryana Home State quota, primarily for lower-demand or newer branches. In 2025, NIT Kurukshetra’s OBC-HS cutoffs closed around: 15,224 for Production & Industrial Engineering, 15,885 for dual-degree Civil Engineering & 17,735 for Sustainable Energy Technologies. Among these, Sustainable Energy Technologies seems the most achievable option, while Civil and Production & Industrial Engineering are borderline. Admission to core or top branches at NIT Kurukshetra and regular-round IIIT Sonipat is unlikely at this rank. However, IIIT Sonipat could become possible during CSAB Special Rounds, where 2025 CRL cutoffs ranged between 61,875 and 67,471. Have other States' NITs/IIITs/GFTIs also as backup options if son is interested in any particular branches. To get detailed information about opening and closing ranks for the last 2-3 years, please visit the official JoSAA website. There, you can input details such as Round Number, Institute Type, Institute Name, Academic Program, and Category to view the corresponding cutoff ranks.

By reviewing this data, you can identify near-realistic institution and branch options that match your rank. This will help you strategically fill the maximum number of choices during the JoSAA counselling window to improve your son's chances of admission. It is advisable to fill choices for both JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds and keep state-level and private institute options ready as backups. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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