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Exceeded expectations. There is always a slip between the cup and the lip. Anyway I was expecting a good total. It is always 99% hardwork and 1% luck as everybody say. But I feel that 1% "luck" could be achieved through "work". Above all god's grace made it.

2. Many schools and students start their preparation for the twelfth standard examinations while in the 11th standard itself. When did you start your preparations for the 12th standard public examinations?

Before my school began to commence the class XII, I had completed 25-30% of the syllabus. I started my preparation half way through my class XI around Jan 2007. I completed learning English and French as they were quite easy. I tried to cover a few chapters in maths and computer science which did not require much of teacher's help. My urge to perform well in academics began in class IX itself.

3. Was the teaching and materials provided by the school sufficient for your preparations or did you take any special coaching for any of the subjects?

Yes, the materials supplied by the school was sufficient for my preparations. My parents especially my mom would immediately buy me any question bank or book I required at whatever cost. I attended special coaching for Physics from my class teachers Mrs.Kala Ravichandran.

4. For how many hours per day did you study?

I study for about 8-10 hours a day, excluding the time spent at school.

5. How was your typical school working day like? How would you allot time for each of your work?

My school working days were definitely hectic. I used to sleep at 10 pm in the night and wake up at 3.30 or 4.00 am in the morning. I frame a timetable and try to cover what is being taught at school that day.

6. How was your typical school holiday (weekend etc) like? How would you allot time for each of your work?

A school holiday used to be more hectic than a working day because I buy to thrust in a lot of work that day. I go to bed around 10 pm and wake up at 5.00 am. I used to space out my day's work. Mostly, I try to revise and recollect whatever I learnt in school that week. I used to give a self-test and evaluate my performance. I would also try to learn whatever I left unlearnt that week.

7. Did you approach preparation for each of the subject (Language, English, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology/Computer Science) differently or was your approach the same to each of the subject?

I planned differently for different subjects. My second language was French. I am crazy about French. To score excellent marks in a subject one must like the subject first. I completed a fast-track course for French at Alliance Francaise. It helped me score better.

8. If your approach to each of the subjects were different, how did you approach the preparation for -

a. Language (French) Paper

If one is confident of the grammar in French, one can score excellent marks in French. Since it is a short paper, one can complete it well within time. The paper must be presented neatly. Two different coloured pens can be used. The grammar exercises must be practiced everyday. I had prepared my own essay answers, letters and dialogues looking at the previous year papers. Special headings can be given to the essays. The answer paper must be presented flawless without any spelling mistake.

b. English Paper

In English, not only a sound knowledge in English is required but also a neat handwriting and a good presentation is required. I used to write my essays with sub-handing. I used to give suitable quotes from the text wherever required. To score good marks in paper-I one must be thorough with full grammar and vocabulary. Grammar exercises must be thoroughly practiced from the reader. All the difficult words in each lesson must be learnt thoroughly along with its meaning, opposite and spelling.

c. Physics Paper

I used to practice the derivations everyday. The formulas have to be revised each and everyday. As soon as I completed learning a chapter. I used to workout the problems in that chapter in a separate notebook. The concepts have to be understand properly. Then, physics is a cake-walk. The lesson has to be carefully studied to answer the objective type questions. The 3 mark question's answers can be given in the form of points. The paper has to be completed within time. One need not attach too much importance to presentation.

d. Chemistry Paper

Chemistry paper is quite a lengthy paper. One must try to attempt more questions from organic chemistry in order to same time. All the equations must be practiced thoroughly. The 3 mark answers can be given in the form of points.

e. Mathematics Paper

To score a centum in maths, all the problems in the text book must be thoroughly practiced. One must understand the concepts in deep in order to answer the one-mark questions. In the 6-mark & 10 mark problems one can draw a neat diagram and highlight important formulas and contusion.

f. Computer Science Paper

To score a centum in Computer Science, one must be thorough with all concepts in C++ and with all dialog boxes, buttons and icons in star office. One must try to learn all objectives from all kinds of Q-Banks as it contributes 75 marks. A neat presentation is required. The 2 mark answers can be written in the form of points. Draw sufficient dialog boxes or write relevant programs for each 5 mark question.

9. How important are handwriting and learning to write speedily in the examinations? Is there anything that a student can do to improve these two aspects?

Both these aspects are very important in presenting an answer paper. A neat presentation can fetch more marks. At the same time, one must complete the paper. The best solution for this is to given oneself a lot of writing practice. One must give himself/herself a lot of self-more papers, calculate the time taken and evaluate it.

10. Are there any strict Dos and Donts that you would recommend a student preparing for his or her twelfth standard examinations to adhere to?

Do's:

Have sufficient sleep.
Plan your work everyday.
Listen to your teacher attentively.
Practice all diagrams and equations regularly.
Present your paper neatly.
Practice as many model papers as possible.

Don'ts:

Do not waste time in TV & Internet.
Do not spoil your health by staying awake for long hours.
Do not get tensed or nervous before entering the examination hall.

11. Did your school identify you as a prospective state rank holder early and give any special attention and coaching? How important is the choice of a school in achieving high marks in the examinations?

Yes, my school was expecting a state rank from me in Std X exams. But I disappointed them. They were confident that I would secure the sate rank in the class XII exams. My principal personally spoke to me and gave me all tips. My school had conducted a services of monthly tests. Apart from that they gave me and other high achievers a lot of revision tests which groomed me to achieves a state rank. I feel that the choice of a school plays no role in achieving high marks in the examination. It is the individual's hardwork that pays.

12. What was the role of your parents and family in your preparations for your public examinations?

Mother - Source of comfort, support and encouragement (soothing soul)
Father - Friend, philosopher, critic and guide
Sister - Source of support, stress buster
A family should provide a conducive atmosphere for the child to study calmly. My mom would be the first one to be happy on my achievement and she would support and encourage me to achieve greater heights. My father would point out the little mistakes which I make so that I correct them. He was a critic and he saw to that I was not overconfident. My sister sacrificed watching television as it would disturb me. A family plays an important role in a student's achievement.

13. How did you learn about your achieving the state rank in the examinations? What was your reaction when you first heard it?

I came to know from the newspapers that the results would be published on May 9th. I was really nervous. I got up late that morning. I switched on the T.V. and I was watching sun News. Simultaneously I tried to see my results online. It was a pleasant shock to see my name appear in the headlines. I cried out in joy. My mother was into joyful tears.

14. Did you have any time to play any sport, pursue any hobby during your preparation for the public examination?

No, I did not have any spare time. But wherever I found time I used to talk with my parents and sister.

15. Your life must have changed after achieving the state rank. You must be busy receiving lot of congratulatory messages, awards, recognitions etc. Could you tell your experience since the results were released?

There was a lot of media attention on me. On May 11th, I was being interviewed by the school management. I was awarded with a gold ring by the Velammal Group of Schools. I was invited as a chief guest for many functions in many schools. I had a chance to meet the other toppers and communicate with them. I was awarded a cash award by the Bharati Viday Bavan Mat. Her.Sec. School, Erode.

16. Are there any special people you would like to thank for your achievement?

First I would like to thank my family for providing me a congenial atmosphere to study. Then I would like to thank the school management for giving me a lot of revision tests which boosted. My confidence, I would like to thank my school Principal for identifying me as a capable student and giving me all the necessary tips and ideas. My special tanks to my class teacher Mrs.Kala Ravichandran, my Chemistry teacher Mrs.Kumari Prema, my English teacher Mrs.Jayashree for having corrected all my silly mistakes in the school examinations. This made me avoid all careless mistakes in the public examistion.

17. Tell us about your family.

My father Mr.K.Ganesan is working as a software engineer (Senior Vice President) in CSC (US-based company). He doesn't spend quantity time but spends quality time with me. My mother Vidya Ganesan is a house-wife. She made sure that my study atmosphere was comfortable. My sister Anuja Ganesan is studying in class X in the same school. She is much more intelligent than me. She is sweet and naughty.

18. What course have you chosen to pursue after your twelfth standard?

My ambition is to become an IFS officer. So first I want to do engineering (ECE) and then I would start my preparation for the civil service exam.

19. Finally, what is your advise to the students who would be taking their public examinations shortly?

* First thing I would like to tell them is "Failure is just success delayed". Many students get rejected by their initial failures and halt making any further efforts imagining themselves to be incapable.

* Have a healthy sleep. Have healthy food. A sound mind and a sound body is essential.

* Listen attentively in class. Make a not of whatever important point your teacher says.

* Frame a time table for your everyday study.

* Try to use the weekends for revision.

* Attach equal importance to English and language subjects.

* Try to practice as many model papers as possible and check whether you are able to finish it well within time.

* Practice all diagrams, equations and problems regularly.

* Above all, go with a dear mind to the examination hall with full confidence. You will definitely come out with flying colours.