Consistency in studying, poring over study materials and solving previous years’ questions papers is what helped these students top the Common Entrance Test 2016, the results of which were announced on Saturday.
Sanjay M. Goudar from Seshadripuram PU College, Yelahanka, who has got the second rank in medical and dental, said he faced a lot of stress following the cancellation of chemistry exam after it was leaked twice, apart from the confusion over National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). “However, my teachers motivated me to remain focussed and stay calm.” About what helped him score well, he said his preparation for the All-India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and solving 60 multiple choice questions every day helped him excel. This has also helped him improve speed. He now plans to pursue medicine in either All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) or at Bangalore Medical College.
Milind Kumar Vaddaraju from V.V.S. Sardar Patel PU College bagged the first rank in engineering. He said that IIT coaching helped him prepare for CET. “I followed a well-planned schedule, which helped me manage time. I enjoyed studying the science subjects,” he said and added that he hoped to join the Indian Institute of Technology.
Milind tells The Hindu he put aside just a week for CET preparation:
The topper in the architecture stream, Mridhulla C.R. from C.M.R. National Public School attributed her success to her coaching classes. She said she had secured 94.8 per cent in the board examinations and had also attempted the National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA). She plans to pursue architecture at M.S. Ramiah Institute of Technology. In a video interview with The Hindu, she credits her victory to her teachers:
Niranjan Kamath from Expert PU College in Mangaluru, who has bagged the second rank in engineering, wants to pursue basic sciences. He is now eagerly awaiting results of IIT (mains) and hopes to get a seat at National Institute of Technology- Surathkal. He secured 578 out of 600 marks in the second Pre-University examinations, the results of which were announced recently.
Vachana Shree Patil from Shaheen Independent PU College in Bidar has bagged the third rank in medical/ dental and second rank in ISM and Homoeopathy. “The past two years, I have only focussed on my studies… I neither watched television nor used a mobile phone. I didn’t want any distractions. This has helped me succeed,” she said.
Second rank holder in architecture, Aishwarya Mahadevan from The Amrutha Academy, said that she had decided on architecture soon after 10th standard. “I appeared for NATA when in 11th standard. Balanced study helped me and I never overworked myself. To cope with stress, I played basketball,” said the trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She now hopes to pursue architecture at Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University in Ahmedabad.
Neha Sarah Abraham from Sophia High School is the third rank holder in architecture. She said appearing for NATA was a big challenge, as she took a crash course a few months before. “Though I had little time to prepare, I rigorously studied the material provided by the coaching centre. Now, I hope to go to Singapore to pursue studies. Interior designing is my aspiration in the field of home and housing,” she said.
Third rank holder in engineering, Divya A Jamakhandi from KLES Independent PU College, said she had been preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination for the past two years. She hopes to take up electronic engineering in either the NITs or R.V. College of Engineering. “To prepare for CET, I solved previous years’ question papers and thoroughly studied the study material provided by coaching classes. I avoided social media and exercised to relieve stress,” she said.
Here is Divya talking about her exam preparation methods:
Rahul R.V. from R.V. PU College, who bagged the fourth rank in engineering, said he studied for nearly six hours a day. Stating that he didn’t expect the fourth rank, he said: “My parents and teachers were supportive and aided me immensely. I hope to take up engineering in electronics and I am targeting colleges such as R.V. College of Engineering, NIT, BITS Goa.”
Fifth and seventh rank holders in engineering Vignesh S. and Sourabha Bharadwaj B.M. are both from V.V.S. Sardar Patel PU College. Vignesh said he was preparing for IIT since class 10 and added that his parents motivated him to perform better. Sourabha said her study sessions were usually for 10 hours days. “I took active part in playing cricket and chess to relieve stress.”
H.L. Praveen Raj, student of Masters PU College in Hassan, secured the sixth rank in engineering. "I am interested in artificial intelligence. My interest in games has prompted me to conceive of a brain that works on software.” He is sure of getting a seat in computer science stream in a reputed college. "I have also appeared for JEE and hope to into NITK at Suratkal,” he said and added that he plans on specialising in digital electronics.
Devyani Ramamoorthy from Mallya Aditi International School is the fourth rank holder in architecture. “I was committed to studies and kept myself motivated. I pursued a lot of hobbies, such as Carnatic music, playing football and reading,” she said and added that she hopes to take up city planning or urban designing to create healthy public spaces in India.
Seventh rank holder in architecture Ullas M. from C.M.R. National Public School said he used yoga to relieve stress. He has obtained the 149th rank in NATA and secured 91.29 per cent in his board examinations.
(With inputs from Koushik Narayanan, Roshan Sriram, Nikhil Asati, Sonam Rai, Akanksha Grover)
