Image Credit: Indian Express

IIT Bombay’s 21-year-old electrical engineering student, Ms. Apoorva Rajadhyaksha, made history by becoming the only female to score a perfect 100 percentile in the CAT 2024, India’s most competitive management entrance exam. A journey that started with excelling in mathematics and representing India at the European Mathematical Olympiad in 2020, Apoorva’s success story is a testament to her determination, meticulous planning, and perseverance.

Born and raised in Mumbai to two professors of medicine, Apoorva’s academic foundation was grounded in a love for problem-solving. Her academic journey began with a strong performance in the JEE Advanced 2021, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 681, which earned her a spot at IIT Bombay.

Despite being an electrical engineering student, Apoorva developed a deep interest in finance and economics during her time at IIT Bombay. “I realized early on that financial literacy was crucial to investing my future earnings wisely,” she says. This interest led her to take up additional courses and projects in finance, ultimately sparking her decision to pursue an MBA.

Her leadership roles, such as heading the media and publicity team for a technical club and currently leading the logistics and operations team at IIT Bombay, also honed her skills in teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking—skills that would later prove invaluable in her management journey.

With just four months to prepare for the CAT 2024 exam, Apoorva faced the challenge of balancing her rigorous engineering curriculum, leadership roles, and intensive study schedule. “I created a strict schedule and dedicated three hours daily to CAT preparation, including online lectures, solving practice papers, and revising key concepts,” she shares.

To stay focused and reduce stress, Apoorva incorporated meditation and music into her daily routine, which helped her maintain mental clarity and stay present in each moment, whether studying or leading team meetings.

She credits mock tests and solving previous years’ question papers for helping her manage time during the exam, noting that “CAT is more about managing time and understanding the essence of the questions than knowing everything.”

When the CAT 2024 results were announced, Apoorva’s perfect score came as a pleasant surprise. “I was confident about scoring above 99.9 percentile, but achieving a perfect score validated all the hard work and sacrifices I had made,” she says.

Looking ahead, Apoorva envisions combining her strong technical foundation in electrical engineering with business knowledge. “With the world increasingly moving towards technology-driven solutions, I aim to leverage my expertise in data analytics and AI to solve real-world problems, either as a product manager or a consultant.”

Her parents have been a constant source of support throughout her journey. “They’ve always encouraged me to pursue my interests, whether it was engineering or now transitioning to management,” she adds.

As the only female to score a perfect 100 percentile in CAT 2024, Apoorva hopes to inspire other women to pursue competitive fields. “Hard work, consistency, and confidence can help you achieve anything,” she concludes.

Apoorva Rajadhyaksha’s extraordinary achievement is a testament to her hard work, determination, and the strong foundation laid during her time at IIT Bombay. Her success highlights the Institute’s commitment to holistic development, innovation, and leadership, empowering students to explore diverse interests and excel beyond their primary disciplines. It also underscores the importance of gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields, with IIT Bombay actively fostering an inclusive environment that supports women in STEM and management. Apoorva’s journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women leaders, proving that with the right support, dedication, and vision, they can break barriers and thrive in any field.