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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1415 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 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 - Sep 29, 2025Hindi
Career

Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action..

Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.
Career

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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1415 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2025

Career
Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action...................
Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |228 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 10, 2025

Money
Hi, I'm 49 married with 2 kids aged 16 and 11. I work in mid mgmt in a Finance co. Wife is 45 works at a Bank. Combined annual salary is 80 lakhs. Live in a home which just got loan free. Have a rental income of 40k monthly that my wife gets. Mom also lives with us and she gets a rental income of 45k per month. I have invested in a small office space which will be ready by mid 2027 and has a construction linked plan, have to pay 40L more. I Have stocks of 45L and EPF of 60L PPF of 12 L. Have ancestral property in land at native place not much but say 25L. Mom has pledged 50% of her assets to my sister. Liability of office and company car is 6L. School fees and tution fees are paid from rental income and wife chips in. There's maintenance, club membership fees, insurance, repairs and maintenance, kids pocket money, groceries, internet, mobile, maids etc. which I pay. I'm thinking of quitting my job and starting something on my own. I am a guest lecturer at a college which is pro bono and also helping 2 Startups of friends over weekend with a tiny equity stake in one. Is it a right decision? Pressure at work is high, growth chances are minimum. Many colleagues asked to go. The environment isn't very encouraging. Pls advise if I'm ok financially with about 45 lakhs liability. Never got a chance to save as EMIs were 75% of income. I'm unable to get a direction.
Ans: You are 49, with a stable dual-income family, home loan cleared, and some investments in place. You feel stagnated in your job and want to start something of your own. It’s a natural and valid thought at this life stage — but the decision needs to be planned, not impulsive.

At present, your financial base is decent but not fully liquid. You still have about ?45 lakh in liabilities, upcoming education costs for your children, and limited cash reserves. Your wife’s job and rental income can sustain household expenses, but not much beyond that.

The wise move is to continue your job while you explore your business or investment idea part-time. Use the next 18–24 months to:

Clear pending loans, especially the office property.

Build a minimum ?20–25 lakh emergency corpus.

Fund your children’s education separately.

Test and refine your business idea alongside your job.

Before quitting, also discuss openly with your spouse whether she is comfortable with you stepping away from a steady income. Her emotional and financial comfort will determine how smooth your transition is.

In short:
Keep your job, continue your startup or investing interest part-time, strengthen your finances, and plan a structured exit once liabilities are cleared. Freedom feels best when it’s backed by security, not uncertainty.

Contingency buffer and health insurance details:
For detailed financial planning and portfolio reconstruction, please connect with a Qualified Personal Finance Professional (QPFP).

Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

...Read more

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