CBSE Board Result 2025: Not just marks, but mindset that nailed the exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) declared the results for Class 12 on May 13, 2025. This year witnessed a slight rise in the overall pass percentage. For the Class 12 exam, a total of 17,04,367 students had registered. Of these, 16,92,794 students appeared for the exam, and 14,96,307 successfully cleared it, resulting in a pass percentage of 88.39%.

Among them are shining examples of perseverance and purpose who have set benchmarks for the CBSE Class 12 results. Meet Ishaan Sharma, Riya Vasudev, Anirudh Sharma, Sana Mahajan, and Megha Verma of Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, who have made their school and parents proud.

In a candid interview, they share their study strategies and plans, among other things.

Ishaan, who scored 98.2%, shared, “My success can be attributed to regularity and consistency. From the beginning of the academic session, I followed a well-planned routine. I believe that studying throughout the year is more effective than cramming in the last few months. As the exams approached, I focused more on completing my syllabus and revising, rather than counting hours,” he said.

He approached the exams with a calm mindset to deal with anxiety. “I always told myself that one day wouldn’t change much—if I had prepared well throughout the year. And if I hadn’t, no last-minute efforts would have helped anyway,” the Chartered Accountant aspirant opined.

His teachers played a significant role in his success. “They were always available for clearing doubts. Their cooperative attitude boosted my confidence,” Ishaan stated, who had Commerce, with Accounts, Economics, Business Studies, English, and Painting.

Riya, who scored 97.2%, said, “For my Boards, I focused mainly on the NCERT textbooks for all subjects. Preparing for NEET alongside the Boards also helped me strengthen my understanding of Physics and Chemistry, which gave me an added advantage during the Board exams.”

Throughout the year, her teachers were a constant source of support and encouragement. Their belief in her motivated me to work harder and stay committed to her goals. They played a key role in keeping me inspired during the tough phases of preparation.

The distractions, especially social media, often pulled her attention away from her studies. “There were also times when low scores made me feel demotivated, but I chose to stay consistent and focused,” she shared.

Anirudh, who scored 96.6% and pursued Commerce with Music, said that his preparation was entirely based on self-study, without any tuition. “My strategy was to focus on Accounts and Economics daily, and to alternate English and Business Studies. Consistency was key; I practised questions, especially numericals, extensively at home,” he shared.

The teachers, especially in Accounts and Economics, were very supportive, he added. They always encouraged us to practise and revise. “My parents were a source of constant motivation. They never pressured me to study for a fixed number of hours. Instead, they advised me to study sincerely and to keep distractions like mobile phones away while studying,” he stated.

Sana, who scored 95.4% and pursued Commerce with Painting, said, “This result is not just my achievement—it’s a proud moment for my parents as well. It’s been a journey of persistent hard work. I started my preparation well in advance because I knew that if I couldn’t stay focused during Class XII, then preparing for CA would be even more difficult. The Chartered Accountant aspirant and an entrepreneur shared.

“Having a strong personal motive kept me motivated. The teachers, acting as second parents by providing mentorship, helped her stay on track and ensured the longevity of her jewellery business venture.

Megha, who also scored 95.4%, said, “The secret to my success was setting small, achievable goals daily. I made it a point never to skip a goal once set. As the Board exam neared, I increased my study hours. I strongly believe that going to school is essential. The notes and tips given by our teachers were incredibly valuable. They taught us smart writing strategies like leaving space after each answer, using headings and bullet points, and attempting every question, even if unsure. These small tips made a big difference,” she said and added that to deal with the exam anxiety, she took small breaks after every few hours of study.

She also said that her mother is her biggest support. Everything I am and hope to be is because of her. She stood by me through every stage—from Class X to now. Preparing for CA is now a shared dream between us. I dedicate this achievement to her and all my teachers,” she said.