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My Journey with CDAC: A Road to Success

I am thrilled to share my experiences from completing the DAC course at CDAC. The journey has been immensely rewarding, and I'm now at the placement phase after passionately completing my training.

मी मराठी आणि इंग्रजी दोन्ही भाषांचा वापर करणार आहे. (I will be using both Marathi and English.)

If you don't understand Marathi, feel free to use the translation.

You can use this blog to:

1. Get information about the CDAC process:

a. Cracking C-CAT to get into the course.

b. Starting the course with a positive mindset.

c. Do's and don'ts during the course.

d. My personal views and opinions about the entire process.

2. Enjoy reading something new and fun.

Why CDAC

My Journey with CDAC: A Road to Success

In August 2018, I was working with Amazon as a Customer Service Associate in Pune. I loved my job, the VCS site, and Amazon's brand.

तरीही मनात होतं कि आपण हे करतोय त्या पेक्षा चांगलं काहीतरी करू शकतो. (I still felt that I could do something better than what I was doing.)

I completed my B.E. in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering in 2016, following a Diploma in Electronics Engineering in 2013. While I had sound knowledge in my field, there were no job opportunities available in it. Immediately after completing my engineering, I got placed at Amazon.

Post-engineering, good-paying jobs and growth are easily found only in the IT sector.

२ वर्ष नोकरी केल्यानंतर मी कुठे होतो हे मला माहित होत आणि घरी माझ्या लग्नाचा विषय निघू लागला आणि मला लक्षात आलं जर काही करायचा असेल तर लगेच करावं लागेल. (After two years of working, I knew where I stood, and discussions about my marriage started at home. I realized that if I wanted to achieve something, I had to do it immediately.)

प्रथमेश भाऊजी and my friend Vikrant strongly recommended pursuing CDAC.

I came across an answer on Quora: "If you are hungry for IT jobs, go for CDAC."

Here are some helpful links on Quora:

I finally decided to pursue Software Development, and the next phase of my journey began in September 2018.

Pre-DAC

My Journey with CDAC: From Amazon to a New Beginning

In September 2018, I began searching for centers that provide Pre-DAC training. My father advised me to pursue Pre-DAC to ensure I could crack the C-CAT exam.

We visited CDAC Pashan, the main center, which is a huge site. We inquired about the courses offered by CDAC. You can find the eligibility criteria and courses here:

I focused mainly on the DAC course, the most popular one at CDAC with the highest placement rates. I also considered courses related to my Electronics field. After some research, I decided on DAC, and now I look back and see it was a good decision.

For DAC, I prepared only for Section A and Section B. More information about the admission process can be found here:

I visited CDAC ACTS at the Pashan Center, but they do not provide Pre-DAC. I then explored IET, Know IT, and found information about PreDAC at the Kothrud Center. Here’s a list of CDAC centers:

While working at Amazon, I informed my manager, Pushkaraj Borawake Sir, about my plan to pursue this course and my need to resign. Despite several discussions with him and the Operations Manager, they still wanted me to stay, especially with the peak season approaching. I was one of the best CHT performers for the last six months.

My manager suggested that I could prepare for the entrance exam while continuing my job. It was a tough decision for me. In September, I applied for resignation with a one-month notice to focus on C-CAT preparation. Pre-DAC training lasted 1-2 months, with the exam dates on December 9th and 16th, both Sundays.

Again, I thought if I couldn't crack the exam, it would take another six months and be difficult without a job. I personally visited Kothrud, IET, and Know-IT with my father to discuss E&TC 2016 pass out, job opportunities, and Pre-DAC schedules.

Kothrud and IET started Pre-DAC batches before my notice period, so I had only one choice left—Know-IT. Sunbeam was good at Pre-DAC training but was far from home, so I left that option.

Know IT offered training from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday to Saturday. I visited the place, decided to join, and paid the 8000 earned by me for Pre-DAC.

I met Vaibhav Inamdar Sir [TPO KNOW-IT] and he mentioned the option to "Study from Home." My father insisted on attending classes in person.

On my last working day, I informed my Amazon Manager that I was joining classes from 9 AM to 3 PM, Monday to Saturday. He discussed with Sachin Sir, and they informed me I could log in from 5 AM to 8 AM and then attend classes. What a great option it was!

I woke up early, worked for three hours a day, and studied at the classes too.

November 2018 - Pre-Diwali

My Journey with CDAC: Pre-DAC Experiences and Lessons

In September 2018, I began my search for centers offering Pre-DAC training. I confirmed my admission in October, 20 days before the sessions started. Neelam, the receptionist, handed me Section A study material and advised me to go through it within 20 days.

Due to my 9-hour shift and other chores, I couldn't dedicate much time to it but managed to read some OS concepts. When the actual Pre-DAC sessions began, I logged in at 5 AM sharp, logged out at 8 AM, and rushed to classes.

Fortunately, Know IT remained closed for 8 days during Diwali, allowing me some breathing room. The course was divided into two phases: Aptitude before Diwali and the technical section after Diwali.

Amit Naik taught Aptitude and emphasized the importance of loving numbers to understand aptitude better. I will treasure the aptitude book he provided forever. I met some incredible people during this time: Nikhil, Shailesh, Joel, Jyoti, Manjusha, Atul, Sumnesh, and Saket. Our batch consisted of around 15-20 people, and I enjoyed every session.

The sessions were long, and कॉलेज संपल्यावर मला सवय राहिली नव्हती कि मी एवढा वेळ lecture ला बसेन (I wasn't used to sitting through such long lectures after college). Amit Sir motivated us, saying we would be proud of ourselves one day for doing this.

He instructed us to revise all the topics during Diwali, and I diligently did it! After his sessions, I can confidently say that I now love numbers and calculations. Over about 8 days, he covered numerous topics:

1. Percentage

2. Profit & Loss

3. Fault Measurement

4. HCF & LCM

5. Simple & Compound Interest

6. Ratio & Proportion

7. Mixture & Allegation

8. Average

9. Speed, Time & Distance

10. Boat & Streams

11. Time & Work

12. Pipes & Pistons

13. Efficiency, Group Work

14. Calendars

15. P & C - Permutations & Combinations

16. Probability

17. Blood Relations

18. Directions

19. Clocks

20. Coding & Decoding

Stay tuned for my next post on how to crack Section A of C-CAT.

Pre DAC Section A Aptitude

Amit Sir's Valuable Lessons Amit Sir taught us that if you love numbers, you will love aptitude and develop a problem-solving attitude. एक गोष्ट नक्की केली पाहिजे ती म्हणजे पाढे पाठ करणे. (One thing you must definitely do is learn the multiplication tables.) You should know the tables up to 20, and if you can learn up to 30, it's even better. मी आजही रोज पाढे म्हणतो. (Even today, I recite the tables daily.) It takes just 5-10 minutes. I recite tables, squares up to 15, and cubes up to 10. More than sufficient. Go through each topic, memorize the formulae, and learn the concepts. Once you know the concepts and formulae, find 20 different types of problems on each topic. Learn the same problems and read them repeatedly. That's the secret! I solved all the problems taught in class and then used Indiabix for additional practice. If you need any help regarding the questions I solved to crack the entrance exam, you can email me. IndiaBIX: Aptitude Questions and Answers https://www.indiabix.com

Pre DAC Section A English [ Communication ]

English and Communication Training At the end of the PreDAC course, we had training for English and communication skills. An amazing person named Sukrut Patwardhan guided us through the CCAT English section. Facebook Profile of Sukrut Patwardhan The level of English required is not very high, but you can score well with good preparation. The first thing you should focus on is reading. I recommend watching this video: How to Improve Your English Communication Skills Also, read this article: How to Learn Speed Reading If you can read the book mentioned below, your reading skill will stay with you for a lifetime. Once you are comfortable with reading, prepare yourself for these types of questions: The word in the passage with the closest meaning is ________. The word "it" in the third paragraph refers to ______. It can be inferred from the passage that __________. Synonyms, Antonyms. Find an alternative word. That will be more than sufficient to crack the CCAT.

Exam & Marks : Evaluation of knowledge

CDAC's Unique Evaluation Process CDAC employs a very unique and standardized way to evaluate student performance. They conduct classes, lab sessions, and examinations at the end of each module. The first module completed was C++. They held a 40-mark practical examination, where we had to solve 2-3 problem statements by writing code, running it, and showing the expected output. We needed to upload our output, which they would then examine. 80% of students failed this exam due to its unique format. In our colleges, we were not used to such an evaluation method. I scored 8/40 and failed miserably. Although I wrote the code, it didn't run, and it was quite challenging to get it right. CDAC's evaluation scheme is based on a 40 + 40 + 20 structure: 40 marks for the module exam, 40 marks for the final exam, and 20 marks for internal evaluation, which includes attendance and overall understanding. Additionally, 40 marks are allocated for lab sessions. Initially, I didn't fully understand how the system worked, but my goal was clear. I aimed to pass the course with a first-class grade of 60%+ and focus on gaining knowledge rather than just marks.

Communication & English Sessions

Holistic Development at Know-IT Know-IT took utmost care in ensuring our overall development, not just focusing on technical skills. They recognized the equal importance of soft skills. From the start of the course, they emphasized communication skills. Sessions were conducted in English, and we were encouraged to speak in English to improve our communication. Vikram Nayak and Deshpande Madam made sure that everyone spoke English confidently. This approach greatly helped us in building the necessary skills for interviews and beyond.

Pre DAC Section B

Preparation Strategy for Section B of C-CAT If you plan properly and have more than a month to prepare for Section B, here is the sequence you should follow: C Programming OOPs (Object-Oriented Programming) Data Structures Computer Fundamentals Operating Systems Data Communication & Networking I suggest getting printed Pre-DAC notes from Sunbeam or Know IT and thoroughly finishing them. Considering that you will work in the IT industry for around 30 years, you should focus on clearing the concepts.

December 2018

A Supportive Manager and a Life-Changing Decision I was fortunate to have an exceptional manager, Mr. Pushkaraj, while working at Amazon. He allowed me to work for only three hours a day for the entire month of November 2018 and still receive a full salary. Without his support, it would have been impossible for me to crack the C-CAT exam. After the exam, I rejoined the office. When I decided to pursue the C-DAC course and leave my job, I had an exclusive meeting with my manager. He mentioned that earning ₹22,000-₹25,000 at the age of 25 was sufficient in a city like Pune. Amazon offered great IJPs and opportunities to move to any department based on skill sets. He even suggested a specific department for growth (which I'll keep confidential). I was already performing well and had been a continuous top performer in CHT. After a lengthy discussion, I told him I had plans and targets to achieve in my life, and to pursue them, I needed to leave. I was also planning to get married in the next 1-2 years. He said, "Okay. First, appear for the C-CAT. Give your best. If you succeed in the entrance exam, go for your dreams. If not, we will continue."

C-CAT Results

Preparing for C-CAT: A Journey of Determination I studied diligently and appeared for the exam confidently. I was certain I would clear it. I took the exam twice. If you're planning to take the C-CAT, you should consider doing the same. Within 7 days, you get an idea of the exam pattern, and if you study hard, there's a good chance your rank will improve in the second attempt. My friends Suraj and Tushar are examples of this, as am I, although I had less time to study due to my job. In December 2018, I was working from Mumbai at Saurabh's place. I had a strong feeling that I would clear the exam. I knew that if I were to take admission, I would consider CDAC Kharghar. Saurabh lives in Kamothe, so I stayed there for 10 days. We had lengthy discussions about whether I should pursue the course in Mumbai or Pune. When the results came, I had cleared both exams. My rank was around 4200 for the first exam and around 2800 for the second one.

April 2019 : Third month of CDAC

This is one of the best times I had as a student.

Friends at CDAC Know-IT

Me & Rushi early morning 7:30 AM at the lab

My schedule for April 2019 was:

Keep doing 4-10 PM

I did all the programs. Did even if I didn't want to. Did it even when no one was doing. Did it even when I was tired and bored.

Time would have gone even if I didn't study.

Study more in the morning and evening.

I used these diaries which I will keep with me for lifetime as notes.

Me & Rushi early morning 7.30 AM at the lab

My Schedule for April 2019:

Daily Routine (4-10 PM):

• Consistently completed all scheduled programs, even when I lacked motivation.

• Persevered through fatigue and boredom, doing the programs when others didn’t.

Reflections:

• Time would pass regardless, but studying ensured I made progress.

• Prioritize studying more in the morning and evening.

Diary Entries:

• Reflection after 2 months: I must practice and improve my skills.

• Focus: It's time to be more productive. There are only 24 hours in a day, and I have many tasks to complete.

• Sanfoundry Practice: Dedicate 1 hour at night to solving Sanfoundry questions.

28 April 2019:

• No plans for movies or social outings. Prioritize work over leisure.

 

February 2019 - First Month of DAC

Beginning a New Chapter with DAC Admission

Getting admitted to the DAC program was a significant milestone for me. It marked the beginning of a new chapter, where my career in IT as a Software Developer was about to commence. I felt happy, focused, and grateful to God.

I left my job and started a full-time course. The first two days were introductions.

Introduction and Course Overview:

• Shriniwas Sir, an exceptional teacher, introduced everyone and provided an overview of the course. He highlighted the depth and planning of each module, making the journey ahead seem exciting and full of learning opportunities.

Initial Weeks:

• C Programming: Kishwar Madam began with a week-long revision of C programming, followed by two weeks of C++.

• Aptitude Sessions: Morning sessions at 9 AM started with aptitude training by Mr. Amit Rohra, an excellent instructor who taught us to solve problems quickly and with a different perspective. The first session ran from 9 to 11, followed by a 10-minute break, and then the second session from 11:10 to 1 PM.

Daily Routine:

• Lunch Break: From 1 to 2 PM, I enjoyed the food my mother prepared every day—taking my dabba filled with bhakri, bhaji, koshimbir, and loncha.

• C & C++ Classes: Kishwar Madam taught C and C++ from 2 to 4 PM. Despite the sleepy afternoons, I made it a point to sit straight, usually on the third or fourth bench from the back, directly aligned with the board to stay focused.

• Lab Sessions: Lab sessions were scheduled from 4 to 6 PM. On the first day, some students planned to leave by 6, but the lab instructor insisted we stay until we completed our practice. I decided to stay and practice until 7-7:30 PM.

Lab Partners and Setup:

• In the first week, we chose our lab partners—Nikhil became my lab partner. We fixed our spots by securing the only PC left in the corner during lunchtime. It turned out to be the best place to learn.

February Routine:

• Aptitude modules continued in February, along with regular C/C++ classroom and lab sessions.

Goals and Achievements:

• From the first day, my goals were clear, and I achieved them:

  1. Graduating with first-class honors.

  2. Securing a placement within the first three job calls.

March 2019 - Second month of CDAC

Progressing Through an Intense Course

As the days passed, the course became more intense.

Our branch head announced that our OOP (Object-Oriented Programming) course was beginning. It started with basic concepts, but by the time we reached Polymorphism, 30% of the students had fallen behind.

I also found myself struggling, as the speed of teaching did not match my pace of learning. I decided to allocate more time to digest the material. I allowed myself to read, learn, and spend extra time understanding the concepts.

After 2-3 weeks, I was able to grasp 80-90% of the syllabus. I learned the rest from peers who were already familiar with the concepts. Those with IT backgrounds had an advantage because they already knew the basics.

OOP is a fundamental topic essential for becoming a proficient IT professional. Many concepts are still being relearned by me, even after 4-5 years of experience.

Plans for March 2019 (Sunday, 17th March):

1. Start the new topic on Monday and clarify concepts during the class itself.

2. Watch and learn from videos provided by Shrinivas Sir.

3. Wake up early at 4 AM and prepare for aptitude (Apti).

4. Make time for self-care.

5. Improve coding skills.

6. Prepare for topics as if an interview is scheduled for the next day.

My Schedule for March:

• 4 AM: Wake up

• 5-6 AM: Apti practice - revising, memorizing squares, cubes, tables

• 6-7 AM: Get ready and exercise

• 7-8 AM: Travel to class

• 8 AM - 9 PM: CDAC classes

• 9 PM - 10 PM: Travel back home

• 10-10:30 PM: Dinner and watch the news

• 10:30 PM - 4 AM: Sleep

Self-Reflection:

I asked myself: "How do you want to live in these remaining 5 months, and what are you going to do about it?"

1. I want to be extremely happy during these 5 months.

2. Wake up early at 4 AM and sleep by 9:30 PM.

3. Learn every programming concept thoroughly.

4. Strive to be an expert in everything I do.

5. Eliminate time-wasting habits.

6. Maintain a passion for coding throughout my career.

Actions:

1. Keep a positive attitude.

2. Establish a consistent sleep and wake-up routine.

3. Practice diligently to become an expert. Just do it.

Third month of CDAC: May 2019

 Things written in my diary:

The course will end by June end. Last 2 months of project & placement.

Daily 1 hour for placement-related activities

.net & java are the most important modules

1 hour for CCEP MCQs

Daily 1 hour for Aptitude

रोज सकाळी उठून पूजा रामरक्षा विष्णुसहस्त्रनाम आणि सकाळी ७  बातम्या हे न चुकता करणे 

मे  महिन्यापर्येन्त आता बराच syllabus  शिकवून झाला होता. ह्या महिण्यात जे प्रामाणिकपणे आणि नित्य नेमाने अभ्यास करत होते त्यांचीच परिस्तिथी चांगली होती. बाकीच्यांची हालत बेकार झाली होती कारण शिकवणे आणि समजून घेणे याची सांगड घालणे अवघड होत होते. आमचे सर आम्हाला मार्गदर्शन करतच होते. मी एकच गोष्ट केली ती म्हणजे त्यांनी सांगितले ते पूर्ण ऐकले आणि त्या प्रमाणे वागलो. 

सर म्हंटले होते कि इथे तुम्हाला हुशारीची गरज नाही. नेमाने आम्ही सांगतो तेवढा आणि तसाच अभ्यास करा. 

Checked CDAC website for job description at CDAC

My schedule for learning

निखिलचा वाढदिवस 

DevOps

    

                                                        I am grateful that they taught me git too

Sample question paper of CDAC Internal exam

I learned Cloud computing too. Can you imagine it? I learned GCP, cloud computing concepts IAAS, PAAS, SAAS, and VMs.

Fifth Month of CDAC Course: July 2019

Crucial Month Leading to CDAC Exams

This month was very important as the curriculum was about to be completed and the CDAC exams were about to start.                                                  

                                                                

 

        

                                                                    Sample question paper

Exam timetable

                                     Happy me on Saturday. We were allowed to wear casuals on Saturday.

I always prioritized learning over grades. Exam time was our opportunity to showcase what we had learned. Each exam was objective and had no negative marking, conducted by CDAC. I focused on exam preparation, aiming to achieve first-class honors with a 60% score.

Campus

DAC Students

View from my desktop

Know IT was such a good institute, they asked us to take these mock tests so that we will be comfortable for the final exam.

On 2nd June 2019 I had two goals:

1] I wanted to clear CDAC CCE with 60%

2] I want to get placed in the first 3 calls

Things helped me to achieve this: Affirmations, Visualization, and feeling about it. 

CCE Exam Preparation (23rd June - 12th July 2019):

Goals:

1. To score well on the CCE exam.

2. To demonstrate my capability to Shree, Nikhil, Aukshan, Rushi, Ashish, Vaibhav, Akshay Raut, Shirphule, Shrinivas Sir, Bakul Madam, Kishwar Madam, and the staff of Know IT.

3. To meet the criteria for placement with CCE.

Action Plan:

1. Dedicate every minute towards achieving my goal.

2. Focus on multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and core concepts.