CHENNAI: Never once did Vivek Jajoo, a Sishya School student in Adyar, expect to be a State topper. So, when the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations announced the results of ISCE (class X) and ISC (class XII) examinations on Monday, he was understandably elated.
Speaking to Express, Vivek said all that he had on his mind while preparing for the exams was score good marks. “I never studied with the intention of topping,” the Science student who scored 98.20 per cent (491 on 500) said. With centums in Mathematics and Computer Science, and 99, 98 and 94 marks in Physics, English and Chemistry respectively, Vivek said his immediate goal was to get into the IIT.
The 17-year-old, who held the post of head boy in school, informed that he took his studies seriously only after the annual exams that ended in December last. “Though I prepared a time-table after the annual exams, I was flexible with my schedule. I did not go subject by subject. I touched upon every subject every three or four days,” he said. Asked if he devoted time for play and television, Vivek said he never studied at a stretch and took a 20-minute break after studying for 45 minutes. “During the first five minutes of the break, I recalled whatever I learnt and spent the remaining time watching TV or chatting with my family,” he said.
Attributing his success to his parents, teachers and brother, Vivek said had they not provided the atmosphere in school and home, he wouldn’t have achieved what he has. “All that I did before exams was solve question papers. I solved questions at the end of the chapter and read the summary. On the exam day, I went through the formulae,” he said.
His advice to future students? Be wide-awake during the exam, stay focussed and read the questions thoroughly before answering. With the short-term goal of becoming a computer engineer, Vivek aspires to become an entrepreneur in future.