Welcome to ToppersTalk.com

Thank you!! At times I used to imagine how it would be if I get State rank and I used to get excited at it. I was expecting the state rank not definitely but a little. But I was surely expecting atleast a district rank. But in God’s play, I achieved state topper rank.

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?

Starting the preparation for 12th standard in 11th standard itself is a good way to score high marks in 12th TN board exam, but the students fail to acquire the basics of 11th standard which is also important in life as well as to appear in exams like IIT-JEE, AIEEE etc. Anyhow, I started my preparation only after the 11th Board exam on 6 April 2009 in my school.

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?

The materials provided by the school were sufficient but I felt the teaching was not sufficient though good. So I went to take special coaching for the subjects - Maths, Physics, Chemistry

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

That varies. At the beginning, I used to study 2 or 3 hours and then towards the exam, it extended to 5 or 6 hours.

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

In the 1st half, the school days were full of teaching and I had no time to study. In the 2nd half, it was full of learning and exams to which I allotted time as to my wish which I am interested to study at that time

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

During school holidays, I usually have lot of tests in tuition centres. So I would be preparing for those tests. Time allotment will be as per the tests. In case of free time, I used to study languages, computer etc.

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 gave equal weightage and importance to all subjects. But the time allotment will be different to different subjects. Thus my approach was different to different subjects

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

a. Language (Tamil) Paper

- I gave importance to my handwriting, presentation etc
- I memorized the poetic verses for Cheyyul section eventhough they are irrelevant so as to impress the paper valuer
- I gave importance to language as in case of other subjects and I studied Tamil whenever I got free time

b. English Paper

I gave importance to my handwriting and presentation. My English teacher gave all the instructions on how to present the paper in a pucca way and I followed them correctly. For prose essays and poem summaries, I collected matter from 4 or 5 guides, put them together, synthesized the matter and memorized it. I also learned many quotations that can be used somehow in the general essays

c. Physics Paper

In case of Physics, I gave importance to the keywords and I understood the Concept and then memorized it. Diagrams are very very necessary. They must be drawn and seen from the beginning itself. Choosing derivation type questions saves time. The final answers of some important problems may me memorized (after knowing how to do), so that once we do it in exam, we get the confidence. Remember the units for physical quantities

d. Chemistry Paper

In case of Chemistry, a student must learn thoroughly the blue print and study accordingly. Choosing the questions is important. Those questions must be time saving and concept based. Choosing the compulsory problems is also to be careful. I memorized the organic reactions by repeated study and by understanding the reaction i.e. reactants, products, removed cpd. etc

e. Mathematics Paper

I never bothered about mathematics in my 12th standard as I was quite strong in it. I used to view the notes of my teachers only before the exam. One words come from text book and COME book. Listening to the class is very important. Repeated tests bring better improvement in the subject. I never wrote and saw Maths at any point of time. This is suitable to me but not to all. Some will have to write and see.

f. Computer Science Paper

In case of C.S., if a student knows C++ programming, he can keep aside II Volume and concentrate in I Volume. Keywords should be present. One should thoroughly know the books to answer all one words though 75% of one words come from previous year questions.

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?

Handwriting is very very important in case of languages, but it is irrelevant in subject papers, but it should be understandable. Language papers can be finished in less time, but speedily is important for subject papers to finish the paper in 3 hours

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?

The students must find their own way to study. There is no use in asking state toppers how they studied. Students must not aim to get State 1st, but they must aim to score maximum marks in all subjects. They should have a mentality that in no case they should leave any mark anywhere. I did it and I am recognized as state topper. Still I am not fully satisfied as I have not yet achieved the max score. In Tamil, max score is 197 and my mark is 194, 3 marks behind.

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?

Definitely my school trusted me more than me. They believed me a lot and they were expecting that I would get a state rank and finally I achieved it. A student can get a state rank only if he studies in a school which encourages him, believes him, gives a moral support to him.

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

To say the truth, my parents never helped me in my studies because since I was a lad, I take care of myself in my studies and I don’t expect anyone’s help. But they co-operated with me a lot. My mother used to be awake late night when I study and she prepares tea to keep me brisk. My other family members - my uncles and aunts, grandpa and grandma, brothers and sisters - had a lot of faith in me. They all supported me and encouraged me to achieve this success.

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

At about 8:30 or 8:45, my friend called me on phone and said that I had bagged the First rank in state level. I did not believe it first. Only after I saw flash news in TV, I believed it. I was shocked to hear it. I was extremely happy and no other thoughts came into my mind.

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

Actually, I am not interested in any sport and also I had to give up my hobby during the preparation. But still I continued watching TV not regularly, but at times. I was highly engaged in studying the subjects and I had repeated tests, so I had no time to do any of the other activities. But during the holidays, I used to enjoy a lot, watch TV and go to ground and play any game.

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?

Just after 5 minutes the results were published, the press and media people rushed into my home. I had never seen such a large group of media people in my life. But I never got tension and that was my plus point. After the press people had taken interview, I had no time to take rest. I had to roam here and there to see so many important persons and attend many congratulatory functions.

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

I would like to thank all my teachers for their kind teaching and then my parents who kept me healthy every time. My grandma who looked after me a lot, my brother who advised me a lot and my sister. I would specially thank Mrs.Jeyalakshmi Annamalai HM, HOD, my English teacher who encouraged me whenever she saw me. I would also like to thank my class teacher Mrs.Geetha, all subject handling teachers and specially my tuition teachers for their outstanding teaching

17. Tell us about your family.

I have a loving mother, caring father and a sweet brother. I also have a loving grand mother who looks after me a lot. My brother is doing his 3rd year in Anna University (CEG) - in CSE group. My family is a sweet family

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

I have not yet decided what course to choose. I am oscillating between ECE and CSE. I hope I can choose the right course and pursue my studies in a pucca way

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

Do listen to the class attentively. Don’t diver yourself. Don’t waste your time anywhere anytime. To score state ranks, keep up your handwriting. Practice to write speedily in the exams from the beginning itself. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. I used to complete Physics, Chemistry and Maths papers in just 1:45 or 2:00 hours. Then only you can check for the answers and you will not get tension if any question goes wrong because you will have enough time. I took more time for languages because I gave importance to presentation. Give quotes wherever possible. Don’t miss keywords in case of subjects. Give due importance to diagrams. Have the total book’s concepts at your finger tips. Don’t follow others on how to study. Find your unique style of studying which you find easy. Many students study well but they fail to finish it off by presenting in the paper. Don’t let it happen. The most important is that try to keep yourself healthy. Ask your parents to give you fresh fruits. My parents just did that and nothing else. Reduce watching TV, using mobile phones. Do repeated tests. You can achieve. Adieu! ALL THE BEST OF LUCK