‘Math isn’t terrifying,’ say CBSE toppers who scored 100/100 in the subject

Stressful face, shivering hands, and a mind full of doubts! Board exams are nothing less than that. But for Aryan Sinha, the CBSE Class 10 topper from Apeejay School, Kharghar,  it wasn’t so. He scored 98.4%, with 100/100 in Mathematics and 99/100 in Social Science and Science. Aryan never faced any stress or anxiety during the Board exam preparation phase.  “The tests that were held periodically in addition to the pre-Board exam helped me in my overall preparation. Ups and downs of marks, small mistakes and the guidance on how to avoid them by my parents and teachers made me stress-free by the time the CBSE board exams arrived. Consistent practice made me stress-free and I didn’t even feel that I was giving such an important exam,” Aryan emphasised.

He also added, “In fact,  I was pretty anxious right before the results. For one week, I was following the news that results will be declared soon and so, I was constantly checking the CBSE website. And when the results were out , I pretty much scored whatever I had expected. I expected I would score full marks in Math and Hindi. But I scored 97 in Hindi.”

When asked if Mathematics is his favourite subject, Aryan replied, “It is indeed!” Even though mathematical calculations and formulae can be a crooked pudding for some, Aryan holds a different perspective. He said, “Students usually fear Math. But for me, my preparation strategy had begun from a very young age. My aptitude towards competitive exams developed through various exams and Olympiads, which I have been giving from Class 3. From then onwards, I started getting the feel of how these competitions are like, so that I don’t face many challenges. That’s how I got rid of Math phobia. I have been pretty good in the subject and never scored marks below 95 or 96.”

Aryan shared, “Of course, Math is all about practice. I solved numerous question papers but in addition to that what I primarily did was  analysing approaches and methods for different kinds of problems.”  Thus, Aryan has opted for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in his Class 11 as he aspires to pursue Computer Science Engineering from any of the top 5 IITs in future.  

Mantra for success: Aryan says that one of the key things during the Board exam preparation is self-analysis. “It’s not just important how many question papers you are solving, but you also need to prioritise self analysis to identify the minute mistakes that you have made and your scope for further improvement,” he added.       

Practice is the key

Another perfect scorer in Math, Gargi Gupta mentioned, “In the beginning of the session, I did not get a perfect score in Mathematics and that created a slight fear in me. However, I used to dedicate a couple of hours every day to  practice questions. Also, I tried to solve the maximum questions in stipulated time, and that helped me to get rid of the fear as well as score 100/100.” 

Securing an overall 97.8% marks in CBSE Class 10 Board exams, Gargi scored 97 in Science, English as well as Hindi and 98 in Social Science. “I felt good after checking the results. However, I expected a little more,” she said.

When asked about her preparation strategy, Gargi mentioned, “There was no such planned strategy, but I used to set some short-term goals and achieve them on a daily basis. I used to study for 4-5 hours without any distractions and took proper sleep. A disciplined pattern helped me to achieve my daily goals with ease.”

Gargi also credits her parents and teachers, who supported her constantly to cope with the stress and utilise it in the right way. “I used to go for an evening walk for about half an hour to refresh my mind. The school was a great aid and helped me in the preparation of Boards. The teachers were always quick to respond to the doubts and helped me to clear my concepts,” she said.

Some quick tips: Gargi, who is currently preparing for NEET and  aspires to become a doctor, advised, “It’s important to be regular in studies and to avoid any unwanted distractions.Hard work is the key to success.”

Strategic preparation approach

Like Gargi, her batchmate Madhyarla Mahathi scored 97.8% in her Class 10 CBSE Board exams. “I am delighted with the results of my 10th grade exams, which I attribute to my strategic preparation approach. I started early and aimed to cover as much of the syllabus as possible before the half-yearly exams. Consistency was key, so I made it a habit to study daily and complete the topics taught in class on the same day. I focused on maintaining productivity by staying consistent and efficient with my study time. This approach helped me feel well-prepared and confident during the exams, resulting in the positive outcome I achieved. I am proud of my dedication and will continue to apply this strategy to future studies,” highlighted Mahathi.  

The topper scored  98 in English, 95 in Hindi, 100 in Maths, 97 in Science and 99 in Social Science. “The structured and supportive environment at my school greatly contributed to my academic success. Teachers were readily available for guidance, creating a nurturing atmosphere where I felt comfortable seeking help. The school’s thoughtfully designed curriculum and provision of resources further enhanced my learning experience. Overall, the school played a crucial role in providing a conducive environment for my achievements,” she appreciated.

When asked how she coped with the exam stress, Mahathi pointed out, “Regularly practicing dance as a hobby during my 10th-grade studies helped me maintain a balanced lifestyle. It provided a creative outlet and reduced stress, positively impacting my overall well-being. Additionally, reading self-help books enhanced my ability to grasp subjects quickly. By implementing the strategies I learned, I improved my learning process and academic performance. These hobbies played a pivotal role in my success. Social media was also a stress buster, but I never used it for more than an hour.”

Keep in mind: Mahathi , who finds the world of business fascinating, aspires to pursue an MBA and a career in finance. She suggested starting early with preparation and being consistent are key. Practice daily; NCERT is the king. She also emphasised to focus more on productivity while setting daily targets and following a disciplined routine.

Practice, practice & practice

Nishigandha K Patil, another CBSE Class 10 topper from Apeejay School, Kharghar, scored 97.6%, with 99 in English, 95 in Hindi, 100 in Mathematics, 97 in Science and 98 in Social Science. When asked about her preparation strategy, she mentioned, “Whatever was taught in school, I used to go home and revise it daily. I also focused on practicing mathematical sums as well as science formulae. Throughout the year, I also solved sample papers and after the pre-Board exams, I practiced solving previous years’ questions papers and that helped me a lot.” The topper also credits the teachers for guiding her throughout the preparation phase.

A word of advise: Nishigandha suggested, “Everyday, please revise whatever is taught. The subjects that you think is tough for you, focus on those a little more than the other, but don’t ignore other topics and subjects. Moreover, you must also take out some free time for yourself, where you give your mind a little time to relax.”