CBSE Topper Interview: From Late Night Study to 99.4%; How Consistency Helped Sanvi Ace 10th Board Exams

CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal got 99.4% in her board exam this year. She studies from NCERT books and practices Maths daily. She is willing to appear for the JEE exams. Read further to know more. 

CBSE 10th Topper Interview 2026: Sanvi Agarwal, who obtained 99.4% with her dedication and late-night study sessions. She said her journey was built on daily consistency, studying NCERT textbooks, and the constant support of her parents. Read further to know more. 

Q: Congratulations on your result! How was your reaction after seeing CBSE 10th results? 

Sanvi: Thanks! I was at my coaching classes and actually didn't find out right away when the results came out. But once I did, and saw my score was 99.4%, I was completely overwhelmed. It really showed that all the hard work, staying consistent, and those late nights over the year had paid off. I was hoping for something above 98%, so hitting this number felt really good. Most importantly, my parents, especially my mom, helped and guided me every step of the way. Seeing her so happy was the best part.

Q: Please tell us something about your family background?
Sanvi: My dad is a software engineer who studied at NIT Trichy. Right now, he works in the semiconductor field. My mom is a homemaker, and she's been a huge support for me this whole time.

Q: What was your strategy to score 99.4%? 
Sanvi: The biggest thing was staying consistent right from the start. And finally, constantly going over what I learned and practicing tons of Previous Year Questions, or PYQs, were definitely key to doing well.

Q: Please share your subject-wise marks?

Q: Which subject did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome it?
Sanvi: Honestly, I didn't really find any single subject super "challenging." But I did make sure to practice Maths and Physics numericals every day. That consistent practice helped me avoid any big problems or stress closer to the exams.

Q: How important were NCERT books in your preparation? Did you use any additional resources?
Sanvi: NCERT books were absolutely crucial for me. My main goal was to read and really understand every line in them. On top of NCERT, I also picked up some reference books. They helped me get familiar with different kinds of questions. For Maths, I used RD Sharma and the Exemplar. For Science, it was the Exemplar and Educart. For English, my teacher's notes were enough, and for French, I worked with the Get Ready textbook and school worksheets. All these extra materials really made me feel more confident.

Q: During your CBSE board preparation, what did your daily routine look like, and how many hours did you spend studying on average?
Sanvi: I usually got up around 8 AM and started studying. I tried to mix up the subjects I studied each day so I wouldn't get bored or burned out and could stay productive. I'd take breaks to watch TV or even nap for an hour in the afternoon to clear my head. Closer to the exams, I was putting in about 7 to 9 hours of studying every day. I'd also go for evening walks with my mom; staying physically fit felt just as important as getting my mind ready.

Q: Did you follow any specific strategy for revision in the last 1 to 2 months?
Sanvi: By that point, I'd already finished the syllabus, so my main focus was just solving as many PYQs as I could. I also did timed mock tests at home, which really helped with my speed and how accurate I was. It was like a final "touch-up" for my prep, and it made me feel really confident going into the exams.

Q: What are your future plans? Which career path are you aiming for?
Sanvi: For Class 11, I'm taking the PCM stream, and I'm already getting ready for the JEE exams. My big goal is to pass the JEE and then go into computer engineering!