Achievements
CBSE class 12 toppers share how they juggled Board preparations with competitive exams
The toppers share how they managed their time between coaching classes for competitive exams, school, and self-study
The run-up to class XII Board exams includes rigorous preparation for competitive exams like Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for many. With coaching classes, school assignments, and self-study, how does one manage to simultaneously prepare for multiple exams? What should you prioritise?
Says Aditi Singh from Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, who took the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) class XII Board exams and NEET this year, “Once I started my NEET coaching classes alongside Board exam preparation, I realised there wasn’t much of a difference. A competitive exam is just more advanced. Once the basics are clear, it becomes easier to study for multiple exams together. Besides, preparing for a competitive exam side by side gives you an extra edge.” She scored 95.8 per cent in her Board exam.
Also Read: CBSE Class 10 toppers credit their teachers, parents for their success
Accustomed to online classes amid the pandemic, some students struggled to manage their hectic schedules once offline classes began. Pranav Kumar, who took JEE Mains exams this year alongside class XII Board exam, shares, “I took some time to adapt—from travelling long distances to reaching for classes on time. It was hectic. But I continued with JEE coaching in the online mode so that eased things a bit.”
The Science student, who secured 94.8 per cent in CBSE, adds, “While the syllabus for Boards and JEE are similar, it is more detailed in the latter. Studying for JEE, in a way, prepared me for the Board exam as well. I focussed on NCERT but for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM) subjects, I referred to my JEE notes as well.”
Offline classes, however, worked in their favour. Aditi shares, “I am someone who studies better in a physical classroom, along with my peers and teachers. It also made me more focussed.”
‘Quality over quantity’
Sitting with your books for hours won’t count if you are unable to use the time efficiently to learn, says Mehak Kapoor, a Commerce student who topped Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, with 97.2 per cent. “I believe in quality more than quantity. If you are sitting for six hours and not being able to retain anything, then it is of no use. This will exhaust you further. I only studied for two-three hours. During my break time, I watched something online. I made sure to go out for a while to feel refreshed. I also listened to a lot of music and talked to my friends.”
Students don’t have to deprive themselves of ‘me-time’, Aditi opines. “Weekends for me were reserved for movies, music, and more. Friends, on the other hand, act as calming forces during your exam preparation. You can share your thoughts and fears with them.”
‘Practice is the way to overcome fear’
With a vast syllabus to study, Board exams can be nerve-wracking. But it is immense self-belief and confidence that keeps you going. “If you are confident, you won’t forget what you have studied even if you have less preparation. Lack of confidence is demotivating,” Pranav, who wants to pursue Computer Science, believes.
And this confidence can only come from practice. Having scored a perfect centum in Mathematics, Mehak says it is only regular practice that can help you overcome exam fear. “There is no simple way to ace Maths if you don’t practise. I practised from Day 1, so I was not stressed at all during the Board exams. My Maths teacher simplified things for me, so I never feared it.”
Equally important to secure good marks is a neat, presentable answer sheet. Jahanvi Kapoor, a Humanities student who got 96.4 per cent says, “If your paper presentation is good, some of your minor errors might go unnoticed. For Humanities, in particular, you must write your answers in points with a proper introduction, body, and conclusion. Students must practise mock papers to perfect this format.” The topper aims to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
‘Parents helped relieve stress’
“My parents never spoke to me about my Boards. I used to sit with them to get away from my books for a while and relax. They believed in my ability, so they mostly tried to relieve me of the exam stress. My teachers, on the other hand, helped me a lot with academics,” shares Mehak, who is now preparing for CUET.
Talking about parents and teachers’ support, Jahanvi adds, “While my parents never pressurised me, I felt a sense of responsibility and realised the least I could do was perform well. Being a perfectionist, I always work towards scoring good marks.
“Our teachers were amazing. They provided us with all the important resources and cleared our doubts.”
“The teachers were my backbone. Not just Board exams, they helped me with my NEET preparation as well,” Aditi signed off.
“Results par excellence, a testimony of grit, determination and hard work to reach for the stars, conquer horizons!”
-Sandeep Singh Kathuria, principal, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park
