CBSE Class 10 board exam 2021 toppers with 498-499/500 marks share success stories
We got talking to a few CBSE Class 10 board exam 2021 toppers with 498-499/500 marks on how they dealt with the board cancellation, how they had been preparing before, and how they feel about CBSE's new evaluation formula and the overall high scores this year.
The CBSE 10th result 2021 was declared on Tuesday based on the evaluation criteria prepared by CBSE board after the CBSE exam Class 10 was cancelled due to the pandemic. A staggering number of 57,824 candidates scored over 95%. The pass percentage this year was 99.04%, which is much higher than the average year. Several factors contributed to this, including the extended time given to students to prepare for the board exams cause of the delay, the assessment criteria issued to CBSE schools, and other reasons.
We got talking to a few of the CBSE Class 10 toppers for 2021 who received 498-499/500 marks in CBSE, raking up percentage scores of 99.6-99.8%.
Amrutanshi Mohanty
99.8%, Sai international School
Amrutanshi says that his board exam preparation began long back because the pandemic was already in full swing and the school had taken adequate measures to boost the IT infrastructure in view of Covid-19.
He supports the governments’ decision to cancel the board exam but adds that he would have been happy to write his papers if they had gone ahead.
He is happy with the CBSE evaluation criteria and credited the overall high marks to students being less stressed due to the support from teachers and parents.
“It was not easy for students nor teachers, yet we left no stones unturned to give our best,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
Amrutanshi plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up engineering in the future.
Sriram Patnaik
99.8%, ODM Public School
Sriram Patnaik is one of the state toppers in Odisha and the one mark he lost out was due to the 99 in his English paper. He scored a full 100 marks in each of his other papers in the CBSE Class 10 board exam 2021.
He says that what really helped in his test-taking abilities were the many practice tests, mock exams, pre boards and revisions along with a few physical classes which were carried out towards the year-end.
“Some technical issues were present online, but mostly it was manageable,” he says.
He had mixed reactions when the board exams were cancelled. “On one hand, the covid crisis was at large and so there was no alternative. On the other hand, a student always likes to give his/her best on test day,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
He praises the new evaluation formula by CBSE as well. “It does not lay emphasis on any one examination. Rather it takes into account a student's performance throughout the year(s) and rewards those who have worked hard consistently and not just before the exam,” he says.
He says that even though the board exam scores were given by the schools, “the scores aren't undermined as every candidate received a level playing field”.
Sriram plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up medical studies in the future in India or in the US.
Dhruvi Singh
99.8%, Ryan International School
Dhruvi initially faced a little trouble adjusting to the online classes and the increased exposure to screens. The lack of physical interaction with teachers before the board exams was also an issue.
She adds that her school introduced a new learning platform to ensure smooth teacher-student interaction which went a long way in helping boards students.
The news regarding the cancellation of board exams threw her a bit. “I felt that this would definitely be a setback for me as I prepared for very high scores and was in high spirit to achieve the same,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
But with teachers ensuring that deserving students would be awarded proper scores, she realized the importance of the decision. She supports the CBSE evaluation formula and feels it casts an equal eye on all students for evaluation.
She also feels that though it may seem that students have been showered with marks this year, “if we take into account the adverse situation faced by the students and teachers, extra efforts put in by the staff, and the continuous support from our mentors, who adapted to the new teaching and learning process, then the scores are very much justified.”
Dhruvi plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up software engineering in the future after cracking JEE Mains and Advanced.
Kushagra Mishra
99.8%, Ryan International School
Kushagra says that the initial stages of online classes saw a lot of technical issues faced by both teachers and students. However, soon after, online study plans by teachers, the school’s online portal, and the new interface Ryan OS made e-learning quite easy and hassle-free.
The news of board exams being cancelled was a bummer at first, says Kushagra, because of the hard work that had been put into them. But it was relief to let go of the exam anxiety.
“During the school year, we participated in various co-curricular activities to make sure our learning was constant, so that paid off. This evaluation formula effectively judged our all-around development,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper regarding the evaluation formula.
He credits the overall high scores in the CBSE Class 10 results 2021 to the extra effort from the teachers during the pandemic and due to the scheme of “judging every aspect of a student and not just their pen-and-paper ability”.
Kushagra plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up either contemporary arts or get an engineering degree from an IIT in the future.
Kartikaya Srivastava
99.8%, Ryan International School
The live classes at school initially troubled Kartikaya in the lockdown. Added to not meeting friends daily, internet issues and technical problems, most students faced adjustment problems in the beginning.
The new online interface of the school took care of the technical and communication issues soon after.
Kartikaya was pretty upset when the board exams were cancelled. He had planned to score better than his pre-board exams, but was later glad for the decision taken in the interest of safety.
The CBSE Class 10 topper feels that CBSE’s new evaluation formula is unbiased as it’s based on the performances all year around. He credits the efforts from students and teachers for the high scores in board exams this year.
Kartikaya plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up research in physics and maths. He hopes to get admission in the Indian Institute of Sciences or any other reputed science college in the future.
Goral Mashru
99.6%, Orchid International School
Goral missed offline classes a lot during the lockdown.
“It was much easier to grasp concepts in the classroom environment where friends were there to help too. I also missed doing practicals for subjects like Maths and Science, which often helped understand concepts better,” she says.
She made it a point tow write her notes in pen-and-paper. She studies for 3-4 hours every day after school and completed her homework on a daily basis. Worksheets and practice questions were sent daily by the school which allowed her to be on top of her subjects.
“Apart from studies, I also practiced karate and dance which helped me maintain my mental and physical health,” Goral says.
Her initial disappointment at the board exams being cancelled was soon replaced with relief at not having to attempt the exams in such a tense environment and remaining safe at home.
Goral appreciated the new CBSE evaluation formula as it took into account not just the final exams but the preparations all through the year.
“Those who had studied hard for the whole year despite the depressing situation would be truly rewarded for their hard work,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
“I would like to congratulate each and every student who has scored so well, despite so many difficulties and struggles. But I do believe that more than marks, it is the lessons learnt and the hard work everyone has put in the results this year that count,” she says.
Goral plans to continue her studies in the science stream and take up organic chemistry for higher studies. She also plans to take a shot at the UPSC civil services exams.
Nitya Tripathi
99.6%, Ryan International School
“In the initial days, we had no classes and were enjoying a fun-filled holiday but we never realised when this 1 weak holiday turned into a long lockdown,” says Nitya.
The school’s new interface and the daily assignments helped her stay prepared.
Nitya was initially annoyed when the board exams were cancelled but later realized it was for the good of the students.
“Perhaps, knowledge never goes in vain,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
She appreciates the CBSE evaluation formula and credits the hard work by teachers and students and the fair judgement of CBSE for the overall high board exam marks this year.
Nitya plans to continue her studies in the science stream and take up aeronautics for higher studies.
Abhinav Mishra
99.6%, Ryan International School
After teething troubles, Abhinav adjusted to the ‘new normal’ within a month’s time thanks to the schools’ new online interface.
“With no traveling time due to school closures, I devoted my maximum time to studies and I would watch a bit of YouTube videos, interact with family, and would do yoga to keep anxiety at bay,” says the CBSE Class 10 topper.
He was sad at first on hearing the news about the board exam cancellation, but realized soon that it was for the safety of students.
He is satisfied by CBSE’s evaluation formula and credits the overall high marks to the extended time period students got to prepare for the board exams.
Abhinav plans to continue his studies in the science stream and take up engineering for higher studies. He hopes to crack the IES exam later.
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India Today wishes the heartiest congratulations to all CBSE Class 10 board exam toppers!
