Behind the Numbers: Here’s what went into the making of toppers

The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) Class 10 results are out, and once again, exceptional students have emerged as the shining stars of the education system. These remarkable individuals have demonstrated outstanding academic prowess, securing top positions across the country. Behind their remarkable achievements lies an unwavering commitment to hard work, determination, and a strong ethic.

Let’s delve into the stories of these CBSE toppers, exploring the secrets behind their extraordinary success.

All-out effort

According to school topper, Kartik Mittal, who secured a whopping 97.4% in the Board examination, “My preparation strategy was to consult only NCERT books. I did that till my Pre-Boards, after which I focused on the NCERT Exemplar. I did not refer to any other books. Moreover, the practice assignments given to me by my school teachers were sufficient to prepare me for the exam.” The student expresses gratitude to all the teachers who encouraged and supported him. He says, “They were available to clear my doubts beyond school hours too.”

In addition to this, Mittal is a far-sighted achiever. Currently, he is preparing for the NEET UG 2025 exam. “I want to take up the Medical stream in my +2. My goal is to become a doctor as they have the power to give another life to people.” At home, all members from the Mittal family have a Commerce orientation, but the student wishes to branch out in the field of Medicine.

When asked about an inspiring figure in his life, interestingly, Mittal says, “My friend, Saptorshi Polley, who is also a school topper. He helped me a lot during the preparations. Beyond academics too, he broadened my horizons. We often discussed many other topics and learnt from each other. I was assured at all times that I could rely on him for everything. I want to give him the due credit for his contribution to my success. Moreover, Saptorshi is a brilliant scholar.”

Surely, there were other ups and downs for Mittal in his preparation journey. Like many others, some days he won, other days he lost. “I managed it all with my music classes and kept at it. Whenever I felt I am not doing my best, I motivated myself to get back up.”

Go with a plan  

Securing 97% in the said examination, Kashvi Virmani too started with NCERT books. Her mantra was to be consistent with her studies. “My goal was to not cram everything. Besides, my strongest subjects were Mathematics and Science. I scored the most (100/100) in Science and least (95/100) in Hindi.” Going forward, she will opt for the Non-Medical stream with Computer Science.

She says, “I want to be a Software Engineer after my engineer-father. Cricketers like Virat Kohli inspire me as I watch and play sports. I am a Badminton and Tennis champ.” Sharing her words of wisdom with her juniors she says, “Be consistent and focus on accuracy. Solving sample papers is the best way to score big. They boost your confidence and enhance your time management skills. I suffered in English but I worked hard on the subject. As it was my weak point, I identified it early on.”

Team up

Saptorshi Polley aced the CBSE exam by bagging 96.8%. He says, “I am happy with the result but there is always scope of improvement. It is definitely an honour to be a part of the toppers’ list.” He studied with his friend, Kartik Mittal for the exams. “If I inspire him, he inspires me. We are a great team! During our preparation, if I found some fact, I would share with him and he did likewise. It was collaborative and motivating to do it together! We felt that we were getting better at the subjects. Along the way, we also learnt to find solutions to our problems,” he says. Beyond academics, Polley admires his friend’s moral values such as honesty and benevolence. “Many people approached him for study tips and he didn’t shy away from helping them. I think it’s great!”

For his juniors, he says making a schedule is okay but look for the time frame in which you have maximum productivity and concentration. “Plan your day according to that and ensure to manage your time well.”

“I congratulate our staff, students and parents for the 100% results of Class X and XII. It is the determined efforts put in by all that have brought the glorious results. Our students branch out in different directions from here on and we urge them to do their work with passion and give their best in all that they do.  Stay true to the school motto, “Soaring High is My Nature”.

-MS ANITA YADAV, PRINCIPAL, APEEJAY SCHOOL, SECTOR 15, FARIDABAD