Kushal Makkar

When I first joined Delhi University in 2025, I thought I had found the path I wanted to follow. But after spending a year there, I realised something wasn't right. The environment didn't challenge me in the way I had hoped, and I found myself wanting something more. That's when I decided to prepare for IPMAT alongside my college and joined XEP.

If I had to describe my preparation journey, I'd call it a roller coaster of highs, lows, and comebacks. There were phases where everything seemed to be moving in the right direction, and there were moments when self-doubt quietly crept in. Looking back, I now realise that those difficult phases taught me far more than the easy ones ever could.

The phase I remember most vividly is the winter of 2025. My preparation wasn't where it needed to be. My focus had slipped, my consistency was fading, and although the exam was still a few months away, I knew something had to change.

A conversation with my mentor became the turning point.

We built a simple but structured routine. Every day, I solved questions, shared my progress, and received regular feedback. It wasn't a dramatic overnight transformation, but a gradual process of becoming more disciplined, more accountable, and more consistent. Looking back, that period changed the way I approached not just exam preparation, but long-term goals in general.

Today, when I reflect on those two years, I don't think of them only as the journey that helped me secure an admission. I think of them as the phase that taught me how to handle pressure, manage setbacks, and keep moving forward even when progress felt slow. More importantly, it strengthened my self-belief and introduced me to mentors and peers who genuinely influenced the way I think.

Preparation eventually comes to an end, but the habits and perspective you build during it stay with you much longer. That's what this journey has truly given me.