CUET Toppers' Tips: How balance between coaching, self-study helped Dhruv Wadhwa to get into SRCC

CUET Topper Dhruv Wadhwa says that he practices MCQs and gave equal time to self-study and coaching. He feels that it's the balance between the both that helped him to ace in the exam. Read further to know his strategy, books he referred to and exam day tips.

CUET Toppers' Tips: Know how striking balance between coaching, self-study helped Dhruv Wadhwa to get into SRCC

CUET Topper Dhruv Wadhwa who is currently pursuing BCom(Hons.) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, says that coaching and self-study helped him to ace in Common University Entrance Exam 2022. Wadhwa scored 790.4/800 in CUET Exam 2022. While speaking to shiksha, he said, "I dedicated approximately 6 hours each day to self-study and approximately 2 hours to coaching. Coaching and self-study, in my opinion, are both essential for academic success. To attain one’s goals, one must strike a balance between the two." Read further to know his strategy, books he referred to and exam day tips.

Q. Please tell us about your family and educational background.

A.  I am Dhruv Wadhwa. I am from Chandigarh. I have completed my schooling from GMSSS-16, Chandigarh.

Q. When did you start preparing for CUET Exam? What all books did you refer to?

A. I started studying for CUET in February 2022. I focused on the general test syllabus because the domain syllabus was similar to that of the board exam, which I had already completed. I used Poonam Gandhi for business studies, T.S. Grewal for accounting, and T.R. Jain for economics.

Q. How much time did you devote to self-study? What do you feel is better, coaching or self-study?

A. I dedicated approximately 6 hours each day to self-study and approximately 2 hours to coaching. Coaching and self-study, in my opinion, are both essential for academic success. To attain one’s goals, one must strike a balance between the two.

Q. How did you prepare for CUET UG, just a month before the exam?

A. I had already completed my domain topics syllabus, which was very similar to that of the board exam. So I just went over the syllabus and practised mock exams every other day. For the general tests, I used to practise questions, finish a chapter, and then attempt sample papers chapter by chapter.

Q. How many domain tests did you appear in the CUET exam?

A. In the CUET exam, I took four domain tests: accountancy, economics, business studies, and mathematics. I also took the General Test and the English Language Test.

Q. Which subject is your strong one and which is the weakest? Are NCERT books sufficient for preparations?

A. My strongest subject was accounting, and my weakest was mathematics. NCERT books, in my opinion, are insufficient for preparation. A student has to practise a wide range of questions, which I don’t believe NCERT provides. Furthermore, while most topics are discussed briefly in NCERT books, students should refer to guides for a greater understanding.

Q. When it came to exam day, what was your strategy? According to you, what was the toughest and easiest section?

A.  I revised the syllabus the day before the exam to keep my mind sharp. I planned to take the more difficult exam first because it will require more work and will allow me to relax while taking the remaining papers. The most difficult section was mathematics, while the easiest was English.

Q. Which all universities did you apply for? What was your dream college?

A.  I applied to Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University for Bcom(honours). Shri Ram College of Commerce was my dream college.

Q. To whom do you attribute your successful CUET topper journey? What would you suggest to CUET 2023 aspirants in terms of preparation, attitude etc?

A. My success is credited to my parents, teachers, sisters, and friends. They were extremely helpful during my preparations. The journey would have been much more difficult without their love and support. I would advise upcoming CUET 2023 aspirants to maintain a positive attitude and to work continuously towards their dream college and goals. All that is required is consistency and hard work. I would advise them to create a strategy for preparing and then follow it. Students do not need to be concerned on the day of the exam because the results are not in their hands. They’ve done their best, so stay calm and ace the exam.