text: how should i start preparing for cat? i am presently studying b.tech2nd year in iit madras.i approached time coaching center and they told that coaching will be given from 3rd year.where should i start my preparation? dude ... you have better things to do in 2nd year than worry about cat. in a couple of years, when companies come calling for your batch guys, i am sure the packages they will offer will rival iim packages. the top jobs at iims are i-banks - which usually require you to have just the quantitative skills. these skills can be found in plenty among iitians and the companies are begining to realise this. so, forget about cat. if you are interested in an mba, do so after some years of experience. and join a finance/consults job right after iit. also, try to make full use of the research park coming up in collaboration with iitm in tarams. there are going to be a lot of established firms and a few startups by some of your classmates (in future) /seniors in the research park. check this out - http://www.iitmadras.org/corner/2006/placement/  ~an alumnus.