New Delhi: Every year, the announcement of CBSE results triggers a familiar wave of reactions: celebratory selfies, emotional phone calls, and beaming parents. Amidst this, lakhs of anxious students ponder one big question: how do high scorers achieve such remarkable results?
The answer, it turns out, is far less dramatic than all-night study marathons or impossibly rigid timetables. Across schools and academic streams, CBSE Class XII high scorers from previous years consistently emphasize a set of simple habits: paying attention in class, revising regularly, writing down answers, and solving previous years' question papers. Most importantly, they stress learning from mistakes instead of panicking over them.
Smart and Consistent Studying
For many of these top performers, the strategy was not about studying endlessly but about studying smartly and consistently. A common thread running through their experiences is a deep trust in NCERT textbooks, a focus on conceptual clarity over rote memorization, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle rather than sacrificing everything for marks.
Manveen Kaur: Maximum Output in Minimum Time
Manveen Kaur, who scored 98% in humanities from Amity International School in 2024 and is now studying political science at Jesus and Mary College, emphasized the importance of efficiency. "Being deeply involved in extracurriculars, I did not have the luxury of endless hours of studying. I had to prioritize smart work over raw labor," she said. Calling NCERT the "ultimate blueprint," Manveen explained that repeatedly revising the same material helped her master concepts without relying on multiple guidebooks. During exams, she employed a "frameworking technique"—quickly jotting down key points before attempting long answers to avoid losing track under pressure.
Suryaanshu Gupta: The Power of Classroom Learning
Suryaanshu Gupta from The Indian School, who scored 97% in science and is now pursuing BTech at IIT-Delhi, stresses the value of paying attention in class. "Teachers can often convey concepts faster and better than students can learn through books alone," he said. He noted that many students underestimate classroom learning while excessively focusing on coaching material. "Listening carefully in class saved me time later because I didn’t have to study the topics from scratch again," he added.
Across all streams, regular revision and writing answers emerged as a recurring pattern. "This improves memorization, reduces mistakes, and increases speed during exams," Suryaanshu said, adding that analyzing mistakes in school tests helped him improve steadily.
Riddhima Ghosh: Balance and Understanding
For Riddhima Ghosh of Shiv Nadar School, who scored 97.8% in 2025 and is now studying commerce with ACCA specialisation at Symbiosis College, balance was as important as discipline. "My preparation focused more on understanding concepts rather than memorization," she said. At the same time, she ensured she spent time with family and friends to stay mentally refreshed.
Avni Drolia: Personalized Preparation
Avni Drolia, who scored 98% in humanities in 2025 and is studying political science at Hindu College, adopted a deeply personalized approach. "I realized very early that I am a visual learner," she said. She created "revision walls" filled with timelines, formulas, laws, and key concepts pasted in her room. "Even casually glancing at them every day helped me revise subconsciously instead of trying to mug things up," she explained.
Like many other high scorers, Avni relied heavily on NCERT textbooks and previous years' question papers. "Make NCERT your Bible," she advised, adding that understanding CBSE answer patterns and marking schemes helped her write exams more effectively.
Khushal Bansal: Consistency Over Cramming
Commerce student Khushal Bansal, also from The Indian School, who scored 96.75% last year, echoed the importance of consistency. "I had a hectic extracurricular schedule, so school tests helped me revise concepts regularly," said Khushal, now a student of bachelor of management studies at Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies. Instead of forcing himself to study mechanically, he focused on enjoying subjects like accounts and mathematics through regular practice.
Key Takeaways from Toppers
Despite pursuing different streams and adapting varying study styles, the message from these high scorers remains strikingly similar: Consistency matters more than last-minute studying, mastering basics is better than seeking shortcuts, and calm, steady preparation often yields better results than piling on last-minute pressure.
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