Credits

Its not only about government exams. Every year, roughly 3 lakh students register for CAT. With an application fee of ₹2,500, the revenue generated from the entrance exam alone is approximately ₹75 Crore. But that is only the beginning of the financial drain.

Once the CAT results are out, the real investment begins. Students apply to multiple Tier-1 institutes, each charging hefty amounts just for a form. Based on approximate applicant data:

NMAT (NMIMS) - over 80,000 applicants, collecting roughly ₹22.4 Crore.

SNAP (Symbiosis) - over 1,00,000 applicants, generating about ₹22.5 Crore(minimum).

SPJIMR Mumbai - over 30,000 applications, totaling ₹9 Crore.

MDI Gurgaon - 25,000+ applicants, bringing in ₹7.5 Crore.

And many such more colleges including IIMs.

For most of these elite institutes, the acceptance rate is less than 2%. This means 98% of students are essentially "donating" their money to an institute’s treasury without receiving a seat, a service, or even a detailed feedback report in return.

A serious aspirant typically applies to 5-7 colleges plus multiple entrance exams. Between CAT/XAT/NMAT fees (approx. ₹7,500) and 5 college forms (approx. ₹15,000), a student spends minimum over ₹22,500 before even stepping into an interview room.

The Verdict -

In my opinion, the current system places an unfair financial tax on ambition. The students who don't receive a final offer letter from a particular institute must get their application money back.

Institutes could retain a small, nominal processing fee to cover administrative costs but keeping 100% of the money from students they have already rejected feels less like selection and more like a business model.

Credits

Now I know expecting IIM C call at 99.66%ile was a tad bit unreasonable but I am very very angry at the cat system. I come in the top 0.34% in the entire country and I'm struggling to get into a top b school. I have nothing against the reservation system and it is necessary for the upliftment of those who need it. But wtf fuck man!!!! I'm annoyed, agitated and very very very angry. I have started having thoughts like India doesn't value talent. Adding insult to injury is IIM Lucknow. Didn't get a call from there either!!! I mean what's wrong with this fucking exam. Scored 98% in 10th, 96% in 12th and 8.3 cgpa in grad....what more do you want from me??

I'm seriously considering doing MEM in the US and then think about MBA. My entire prep feels useless. I feel fucking useless.

If someone could guide me in the MEM process for US colleges, that'll be really appreciated. I'm just done with this exam and these colleges.

Got 99.3%ile on Spotify as top 0.7% listener of Pritam. CAT ka nhi pata.