Is there a formula to get  90% (or more), in your Boards? Believe us, there is. Simran Kohli talks to eight students who have secured their dream score of 90% in their Class XII exams. Hard work is just one way...

95.2%

Hargun Sethi, Sophia Girls Sr Secondary School

The advice I would give my juniors is:  enjoy your 12th because it's the last year of your school life. Don't take me wrong, study regularly and compensate whenever you go out with your friends. You have almost 8-9 months to complete your syllabus, so be thorough with it. Don't get stressed at all. Set a target percentage, write it down on a piece of paper and paste it in front of your mirror so that you see it every day and get motivated to work towards it. Also, make notes of every subject – I know it's really boring and taxing but it will help you a lot when you revise. Apart from this, take breaks in between to refresh your mind and I am sure you will perform exceptionally well! 

90%

Srishti Sakhuja, Modern School

Besides studies, the most important aspect during the exams is your health. I had a lot of panic attacks because of the hype around the boards. So, take care of yourself and study according to your own capacity. Comparing or competing with others will be of no help –  after all, you are studying for yourself and you want to score well. Regularity and being organised help in the long term but it's never too late to start if you feel left behind. Focus on smart learning than rote learning, practice previous years' papers to get rid of your fear and get an idea of how the exams will be. Try to create an ‘examination hall’ environment and practice as much as you can to become fluent in your subjects. Even if you aren't able to do it alone, your mentors, teachers, and parents are always going to be there for you whenever you need them. Lastly, don't get disheartened if you don't score well or couldn't study – life doesn't end here. You will get tons of opportunities in your life. Boards are just one of the stepping stones.

93%

Muskan Mehtani, Venkateshwar International School

There is just one secret recipe — it's to work hard, very hard. Besides this, you have to be regular with your studies and not miss any of the classes. If you have parents who are absolutely certain about how much time you should devote to your studies, you are blessed, and also in a bind. I am sure a lot of you out there can relate with me on the difficulties of facing the combination of appearing for class XII and dealing with strict parents. Nevertheless, I believe it was all worth it in the end when I scored a superb 93 per cent. And now I am absolutely free to enjoy my life without any restrictions, and my parents are really proud of me.

90.6%

Saina Bhayana, The Khaitan School

Scoring a respectable percentage in the 12th standard is all about controlling your nerves and being confident. You have to trust yourself and appear for the Boards the way you appear for school tests. If you have been getting it right in the school tests, then you have the formula ready; you just need to replicate that in the Boards. Just be strong with your fundamentals, you'll get through and get 'there'. 

99.6%

Raksha gopal, Amity International 

No one expects to score this much, so I would be lying if I told anyone I had targeted 99 per cent. I studied throughout the year. Last-minute preparation doesn't work, you have to be focused all the way. Even if you don’t want to study, you should. Get into the preparation mode from the time summer vacations start. Don't miss classes, solve as many papers as you can, and have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus. 

96.25%

Shubhangi Derhgawen, Delhi Public School Noida

Well, I believe, the best way to get the most out of your 12th, is to relax and treat the Boards as a school exam. You need as much time with books and studies as you do with participating in events and continuing your hobbies. 

It is important to keep a regular check on studies alongside the extra curricular activities that you enjoy. Make a time-table and factor in enough time for revision.

97%

Sanaa Sachdev, Amity International School

I've finally gotten an opportunity to share the secret routine I followed during the Boards. Well, I didn't follow a routine, actually. I studied the topics that interested me first and then moved onto the boring stuff. That's because when time is short, you grasp faster and you just don't have a choice at the last moment. According  to me, don't torture yourself but don't have too much fun either. Just sit back, watch a movie; and don't follow a boring routine. Don't plan too much. The Boards are important but don’t agonise over them!

95.5%

Gurmehar Sethi, Army Public School

Consistency and smart learning was my go-to mantra. The key points of every subject were something that I prioritised the most by making a list from the previous years' papers. Once I mastered the key elements thoroughly I was more confident about my preparations.