Anik Arora

I still remember the first mock exam I took for the IIM Bangalore UGAT. More than just being a test, it was a reality check. It gave me a clear picture of where I stood, what the exam demanded, and, more importantly, how I needed to prepare for it.

My preparation journey was far from a straight line. There were plenty of ups and downs academically, but there was also a lot of learning and, importantly, a lot of fun along the way. Classes gave me the foundation, but some of the most valuable parts of my preparation happened beyond them through the conversations and guidance I received from Aayush Sir.

Those conversations helped me look at preparation differently. Instead of thinking only about improving my scores, I gradually began to understand how the right approach, consistent effort and a broader perspective could make a difference.

Looking back, that's probably the biggest thing I've taken away from this journey. I learnt to think beyond grades and admissions and started looking at preparation as an opportunity to improve myself more holistically.

The journey eventually led to some results; I was proud of AIR 25 in IIM Indore, along with admissions to IIM Rohtak and Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies. But for me, the more lasting takeaway has been the perspective I gained along the way: an understanding of what I am capable of achieving when I approach a goal with the right mindset and guidance.