Deepak Jha
Manager, Management Consulting, Accenture Strategy & Consulting
IIT BHU · IIM Ahmedabad · Manager, Accenture Strategy & Consulting.
- JEE Main preparation
- Choosing JEE coaching
- Branch vs college
Self-study, MBA timing, ROI and career change
CAT, GMAT and MBA career counselling
Talk through CAT self-study, preparing while working, CAT versus GMAT, MBA return on investment and a career change into consulting with someone who moved from IIT and a PSU to IIM Ahmedabad.
Counsellors for CAT, GMAT & MBA
Open a profile to see verified experience, the questions they handle and the exact session terms.
Questions worth a personal answer
- Can I prepare for CAT through self-study?
- How do I prepare for CAT while working full-time?
- Should I take CAT, GMAT or both?
- Is an MBA worth leaving a stable PSU or core job?
- When is the right time to pursue an MBA?
- How can I move from engineering into consulting?
- Does an IIT background change the MBA decision?
- Should I retry CAT or apply with my current options?
Prepare around the life you actually have
A useful CAT plan must fit around work hours, travel, energy and the sections that genuinely need repair. Self-study can work, but only when mocks, analysis and revision have protected time instead of being added to an impossible timetable.
Choose CAT or GMAT from the destination
CAT and GMAT are not interchangeable badges. Compare target schools, geography, programme format, work experience, application timing, test strengths and total cost before deciding whether to take one exam or both.
Treat the MBA as a career investment
The meaningful comparison includes fees, lost salary, role change, geography and the probability of reaching the work you want. A famous campus does not automatically make every MBA sensible at every career stage.
Plan the career change beyond admission
Moving from engineering, a PSU or project delivery into consulting requires more than an entrance score. Your story, transferable skills, case preparation and expectations about consulting work all matter.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers before you decide whether a personal call would add value.
Can CAT be cracked through self-study?
Yes. Self-study can work when you use reliable material, take timed mocks, analyse every error and revise weak concepts consistently. Coaching is useful only when it solves a specific structure, teaching or accountability problem.
How should working professionals prepare for CAT?
Start from a diagnostic mock, protect realistic weekday and weekend blocks, and prioritise analysis over collecting more material. The plan must survive busy work weeks rather than depending on perfect daily consistency.
Should I choose CAT or GMAT?
Choose from the programmes you want. CAT is primarily used by Indian management institutes, while GMAT is accepted across many global and selected Indian programmes. Work experience, geography, budget and application calendar should guide the choice.
Can I prepare for CAT and GMAT together?
There is overlap in quantitative and verbal reasoning, but the formats and preparation emphasis differ. A combined plan is sensible only when you have a clear school list and enough time to practise each exam format separately.
Is GMAT better for experienced professionals?
It can be a better fit for programmes that value substantial work experience, including one-year and international MBAs, but experience alone does not decide the exam. Check the exact admissions policy of every target programme.
Is an MBA worth leaving a PSU job?
It depends on the role you want, the programme, fees, lost salary, family constraints and how much career mobility the MBA realistically adds. Compare the downside of leaving stability as carefully as the potential upside.
When should an engineer pursue an MBA?
The right time is when you understand why management education is necessary for the next role. Some benefit from early experience; others need several years to build leadership evidence and clarity.
Does an IIT degree guarantee an IIM admission?
No. Academic history is only one part of the process. Entrance performance, work experience, category rules, written applications and interviews can all affect selection.
Can an MBA help me move into consulting?
A strong MBA can provide recruiting access, business foundations and a peer network, but consulting entry still requires a credible profile, structured problem-solving, communication and case-interview preparation.
Should I retry CAT after a disappointing percentile?
Retry only when you can identify what will materially change: concepts, test strategy, time availability, preparation quality or exam execution. Also compare the schools and career outcomes already available.
What should I discuss in a CAT or MBA counselling call?
Bring your academic record, work experience, mock scores, target schools, budget and the career change you want. The conversation can then focus on your actual trade-offs rather than generic exam advice.
Is this CAT or GMAT subject coaching?
No. It is one focused strategy and career-decision call. It can help you choose an exam, structure self-study and assess MBA timing, but it does not replace a full preparation course.
Secure payment options
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