Breaking Barriers: Kaajal Negi’s Inspiring Journey to Dual IIM Admits with a GMAT 690
At GMAT30, we celebrate every student’s success, but some journeys leave us truly inspired. Kaajal Negi’s MBA journey is one such story of resilience, determination, and unexpected triumphs. Achieving a dual IIM admit is something very few of us can dream of; Kaajal not only dreamed but attained it! This is her story of how she cracked multiple IIMs with a GMAT 690 and 6 years of work experience.
The GMAT Start: A stolen car and job hunt!
Kaajal’s GMAT journey began in 2023, with her searching for a new job and having her car stolen from an upper-middle-class locality in New Delhi. Despite her personal challenges, she was never deterred from her goal of accomplishing a 750 on the GMAT. She had her eyes (and mind) set on the top B-schools such as ISB, IIM-A, IIM-B, and IIM-C.
She underwent the process as comprehensively as any student I have ever taught. She signed up for our Weekday classes and attended every session till the very end. She was diligent with completing her class assignments and using our 24×7 doubt-solving WhatsApp group to get her doubts sorted. Although she wrote the GMAT in late 2023, she didn’t get her dream score of 750+, thus resulting in a rejection from one of her dream schools in ISB. In spite of this setback, she maintained her focus. She took advantage of our unlimited validity, and opted to attend fresh classes to prepare for the GMAT Focus Edition mid-2024 onwards. On the side, she also worked meticulously on her applications to keep herself motivated.
This granular attention to the overall GMAT prep and Admissions process meant that Kaajal left no stone unturned. Sometime during September 2024, she decided that her time would be better invested in working full-time on her applications (she had accumulated an additional year of work experience) rather than on improving her previous GMAT score. She went all in and dived head first into her application essays
A Christmas to Remember: IIM-Lucknow Admit
Kaajal’s GMAT journey had its fair share of challenges, but she remained steadfast in her preparation. With a GMAT score of 690 and six years of work experience, she applied to top B-schools, hoping for the best. On Christmas Eve, she received the fantastic news—an admit from IIM-Lucknow! It was a moment of pure joy, a well-deserved reward for her dedication. Could there be something better that the New Year had in store for her?
An Unexpected Surprise: The IIM-Bangalore Admit
While Kaajal had also applied to IIM-Bangalore, we were cautiously optimistic about her chances. With GMAT scores being a crucial factor, we knew her score was on the lower side for IIM-B. However, what we sometimes underestimate is the power of a well-rounded application—strong work experience, compelling essays, and a well-crafted narrative can make all the difference.
Last month, we were overjoyed to learn that Kaajal had defied the odds and secured an admit from IIM-Bangalore! It was an unexpected yet well-earned victory, proving that the right approach to applications can open doors even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Completing the Triumvirate Holy Grail of IIM Admits: A/B/C
Kaajal’s success marks a special milestone for GMAT30. Over the past six months, we have seen students secure admits from all three of the holy grail IIMs—Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. The journey of every GMAT30 student reinforces our belief that with the right guidance, strategic preparation, and persistence, top B-schools are within reach.
Key Takeaways for MBA Aspirants
GMAT is Just One Part of the Puzzle – While a high score helps, admissions committees look at the whole profile, including work experience, essays, and recommendations.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Strong Application – A well-crafted story, aligned with the school’s values, can significantly boost your chances.
Apply Even When in Doubt – If Kaajal hadn’t taken the chance, she might have missed out on her IIM-Bangalore admit.
Trust the Process – Persistence and faith in your journey can lead to incredible outcomes.
Lessons from Kaajal’s dual IIM admits
Kaajal’s journey is a reminder that MBA admissions are about more than just numbers. Her story is an inspiration for all GMAT aspirants—proof that perseverance and strategic planning can lead to extraordinary results.
At GMAT30, we couldn’t be more thrilled for Kaajal and wish her the very best in her IIM journey! To all future applicants, remember: your dream B-school might be closer than you think.
Congratulations, Kaajal, on getting admitted to one of the most sought-after Indian B-schools in IIM-Banagalore! The best is yet to come!
Kaajal Negi’s Youtube Testimonial video
Are you ready to start your GMAT success story? At GMAT30, we’re here to help you unlock your full potential. Reach out today to see how we can help you achieve your goals.
