‘Normalise conversation on exam anxiety’: CBSE Class 12 toppers on mental well-being during Board prep

While thorough preparation is important, what ultimately determines your success is how well you are able to stay calm and confidently take an exam, says Himani Chahar. She topped the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) class XII Board exam in Apeejay School, Pitampura, with 97.6 per cent. “Remember, the Board papers are not that difficult. Once you go through the question paper, you will automatically feel confident. Seeing your classmates write the exam also gives a sense of moral support,” the Humanities student shares.

Class XII Board exams are nothing short of a milestone in a student’s life and so it is normal to feel anxious or nervous about it. Navigating the pressure of scoring well in a national-level exam can be overwhelming. Tanya Gupta from the Commerce stream, who scored 96.4 per cent, similarly suffered “extreme anxiety” ahead of her exams.

“It started around the time of my internal exams. There was no pressure from my parents or teachers, but it was induced by my own expectations. The other reason was perhaps that we skipped examinations in the previous two classes – X and XI—due to the pandemic and had to directly get ready for the Board exams,” the Apeejay Pitampura student reveals.

Also Read: Beyond Marks: CBSE class XII toppers share study strategies and tips to manage stress  

Tanya went on to seek professional help. She recounts, “When I used to tell people that I suffered from anxiety, a lot of them found it to be odd. They thought it was a small issue, but it had a big impact on me. I did not find much help except for the psychologist. We need to normalise conversations around mental health.

“I went for therapy. I did two-three sessions with a psychologist, which helped me a lot to cope. Other than that, I told myself, ‘This is not the end of the world if you don’t score that well.’ Gradually, I was able to overcome the stress as I began to see how my hard work was paying off in the form of good marks, be it in the half-yearly exam or the pre-test.”

The toppers also recommend taking adequate breaks during preparation for the sake of mental health.

How to avoid panicking during exams  

According to Eklavya Sharma from the Science stream, exam jitters can be kept at bay if the concepts are clear in one’s mind. This will help you decode questions, no matter how twisted.

But how does one do that? “The best way to build concept clarity is by thoroughly studying the NCERT books. Instead of cramming, one should try to get a grasp on what the textbook says about a particular topic,” Himani, who plans to pursue her graduation in Economics, emphasises.

Practising some questions can help build a better understanding of concepts and their application, adds Eklavya, who scored 96.6 per cent.

Agrees Pragun Kakkar, a Commerce student from the school who scored 96.4 per cent. “There were instances where I wrote the right answer, felt underconfident, and rewrote a wrong answer. Self-doubt is bad and so it is crucial that you muster all courage and stay confident, which comes from solving sample papers and previous-year question papers.”

In a Board exam, timing your answers is crucial, the students assert. If a question looks too tricky to be answered, they recommend you move on. Pragun, who wants to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics, explains, “You tend to panic when you can’t answer a particular question and that can impact the rest of your paper. My seniors and teachers had already warned me about it and advised me to not waste my time and go ahead with the rest of the paper.”

Himani, however, advises students to attempt every question. “There will be ample time to attempt the unsolved question at the end. If you are still unable to get it, highlight the key points. There are chances that on seeing the key points, the examiner will be certain that you at least know the right way to approach the question.”

Are marks everything?

It is natural to feel competitive but obsessing over marks can take a toll on you. Apeejay Pitampura students say that while there is no substitute for hard work, neither of them aimed to become toppers.

Tanya remarks, “I always worked hard and scored well in my exams but becoming the topper was not exactly my goal. I did not think about marks on the day of the exam. I consciously blocked out every emotion or thought and just focussed on giving my best shot.” She is now aiming to pursue her graduation in Business Management Studies.

Eklavya, who is now preparing for JEE Advanced, was confident about his performance. “My exams went well so I was expecting similar marks although I never thought I would top the school. I am very happy and proud!”

For Himani, Board exam preparation should be more about the process of self-growth than marks. “Focus on the process rather than specific marks to avoid being bogged down. Persistent hard work brings good results,” she adds while thanking her teachers and parents for their constant guidance and support.