There are two kinds of CAT aspirants.
The first kind has time.
The second kind has responsibilities.
And then there’s someone like Meet Mehta—who had neither the luxury of time nor the option to slow down.
An electrical engineer from Gujarat Technological University, Meet wasn’t sitting in a library solving mocks all day. He was working at Adani Green Energy Limited, managing high-stakes engineering deliverables, contributing to one of the world’s largest renewable energy projects in Khavda, and navigating the kind of deadlines that don’t care about your CAT schedule.
Yet, somewhere between project reviews and 10+ hour workdays, he decided to prepare for one of India’s most competitive exams.
No sabbatical.
No “ideal time.”
No perfectly planned roadmap.
Just a decision—and a system built around constraint.
Because the truth is:
Preparing for CAT while working full-time isn’t about finding time. It’s about redefining how you use the little you have.
And that’s exactly where most aspirants get it wrong.
They wait. For lighter workloads.
For motivation.
For lighter workloads.
For motivation.
For the “right phase.”
Meet didn’t.
He started where he was—with exhaustion, unpredictability, and limited hours—and turned that into a strategy that led him to a 97.90 percentile and eventually, a seat at IIM Udaipur. This blog isn’t about ideal preparation.
It’s about real preparation—the kind that fits into packed schedules, mental fatigue, and everyday chaos.
What You’ll Learn From This Conversation
About Meet Mehta
1. How was he as a student?
2. What made him leave earning and return to academia?
3. Did he believe he could crack CAT at that time?
4. How much did he score in CAT?
5. Which section was his favourite?
6. Can DILR be cracked with limited preparation?
Education, Career & MBA Insights
1. How should students choose between skills vs education?
2. Does an MBA make it easier for aspiring entrepreneurs?
3. What are the biggest myths students believe about CAT & MBA?
4. Does ROI really matter, or is the journey more important?
5. What is the real experience of the first day at IIM?
6. How competitive is the environment inside IIMs?
7. What are placements really like inside the college?
CAT Preparation Journey
1. What did his daily routine look like during preparation?
2. How many hours of coaching vs self-study?
3. Which matters more: self-study or coaching?
4. His lowest point during preparation—and how he overcame it?
5. What advice would Meet Mehta give to CAT aspirants today?
6. A moment during prep that truly boosted his confidence From Day 1 of preparation to his first CAT attempt?
7. How to identify easy vs difficult questions?
8. First 3 months: Should you focus on accuracy or speed?
9. His views on using shortcuts in CAT
Most people look for strategies. Few understand the mindset it actually takes.
Meet's approach to accuracy is something that stuck with many aspirants who heard him speak. "Accuracy cannot be built overnight," he says—and he means it literally. When he started prep, he wasn't chasing speed. He was chasing correctness, one question at a time, even if it took longer than he'd have liked.
His journey isn't just about cracking CAT—it's about showing up on days when you're exhausted, staying consistent when nothing feels enough, and building discipline when motivation runs out.
He's also direct about the speed vs accuracy trap that derails most working professionals: "4 minutes will become 2.5 minutes in one month — you cannot solve questions faster and be accurate at the same time," he explains. The first three months aren't about racing the clock. They're about building the kind of accuracy that speed can follow.
If you've ever thought "I'll start when things calm down"—this is your reality check.
Because they rarely do. This podcast isn't just another topper's story. It's an honest, unfiltered look at what it takes to prepare alongside a full-time job—and still make it.
Watch the full podcast below. It might just change the way you approach your CAT preparation.