At CBSE Guidance, we had the pleasure of interviewing Subham Ghosh, one of the CBSE Class 10 toppers who scored an impressive 92% in the 2024-25 board exams. His dedication, consistency, and effective strategy will surely motivate many students preparing for upcoming exams. Here’s an exclusive glimpse into his preparation journey, resources, mindset, and powerful advice.
Section 1: Basic Details
Q: What is your full name?
A: Subham Ghosh
Q: Which school do you attend, and where is it located?
A: Army Public School, Bengdubi, West Bengal
Q: What was your total percentage in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams?
A: 92%
Q: Can you share your subject-wise scores?
A:
- English: 85
- Hindi: 89
- Mathematics (Standard): 90
- Science: 96
- Social Science: 92
- Information Technology: 94
Section 2: The Exam Journey
Q: How did you feel when you saw your board exam results?
A: When I saw my board exam result I felt delighted and enjoyed that moment with my parents.
Q: What inspired you to aim for a high score in the boards?
A: The goal of scoring 90%+, parents' happiness and struggle inspired me to aim for a high score in the boards.
Q: When did you start your serious preparation for the exams?
A: I was serious for my board examination from the beginning and started preparing for it from 1st April 2024.
Q: Did you follow a fixed timetable or a flexible study routine? Please describe briefly.
A: I followed a fixed time table in which I gave 4-5 hrs for self study and 2-3 hrs for school work. I played outdoor games as well, like badminton and cricket for 1 hr.
Q: On average, how many hours did you study daily during exam season?
A: On an average, I studied 9-10 hrs daily during exam season.
Section 3: Strategy & Study Resources
Q: Which subjects did you find the easiest and most difficult? Why?
A: I found Maths and Science the easiest because they are not boring and I like studying physics and solve numericals. I found SST the most difficult subject as we have to learn dates and too many long answers.
Q: How did you prepare for your weakest subject?
A: I gave more time to Social Science and stayed focused, avoiding distractions. For Science and Social Science, I also used questions and answers provided on the CBSE Guidance website, which were very helpful.
Q: Which study materials or resources helped you the most?
A:
- For Maths: RS Aggarwal textbook was highly useful for practice.
- For Hindi: Classroom teaching by school teachers was enough.
- For Science & SST: CBSE Guidance website’s question-answers were very helpful in clearing concepts.
- General Practice: Arihant Sample Papers and Oswaal Question Bank were key tools for practice.
Q: How did the CBSE Guidance YouTube channel help you in your preparation?
A: It cleared my concepts and solved doubts. I relied on it regularly for revisions.
Q: Did you solve sample papers or previous-year papers regularly? If yes, how did they help?
A: Yes, I solved Arihant sample papers and previous-year papers regularly. They helped me understand the question paper pattern and improved my speed in finishing the paper.
Q: Any specific revision strategies you followed in the last month before exams?
A: For revision, I used my own handwritten notes during the last month before exams.
Section 4: Mindset & Motivation
Q: How did you stay focused and motivated during stressful times?
A: I stayed focused and motivated during stressful times by remembering my parents' hardwork and goal of scoring 90%+.
Q: Did you take breaks or follow any hobbies to relax during your study time?
A: Yes, I took 10–15-minute breaks and played outdoor games to relax.
Q: How did your parents, teachers, or friends support you in this journey?
A: Only my parents and teachers supported me in this journey. My parents supported me by motivating and giving adequate resources. My teachers supported me by teaching me the concepts and motivated me.
Q: What was your biggest learning from this entire board exam experience?
A: My biggest learning from this entire board exam experience was " Talent without handwork is nothing."
Section 5: For Future Aspirants
Q: What are your top 3 tips for juniors preparing for board exams?
A:
- Be consistent.
- Don’t get distracted.
- Follow CBSE Guidance and work hard.
Q: What mistakes should students avoid during board exam preparation?
A: Students should avoid watching marathons at last moment, they should avoid social media and distractions during studies.
Q: What are your future goals (academic or career)?
A: My goal is to become an IITian.
Q: Would you like to share any message or special thanks to anyone?
A: Thank you, CBSE Guidance, for providing free and outstanding education to lakhs of students.