After 15 exam failures, SBI officer scores 99.86 percentile in CAT, wins IIM-A seat

Soumil Saxena, a St Stephen's College graduate, faced rejection across more than 15 competitive exams, including three UPSC Civil Services attempts and CAT 2023. He eventually cleared SSC CGL and SBI PO in 2023, going on to serve as an SBI Probationary Officer for nearly two years. While managing his banking job, Saxena continued preparing for CAT and achieved a 99.86 percentile in CAT 2025. His persistence ultimately earned him admission to IIM Ahmedabad, one of India's most prestigious management institutions. His story has been widely cited as an example of resilience and the ability to adapt after repeated setbacks.