CBSE 10th Topper 2026: How Sarthak Ghosh Scored 98.6% by Focusing on Chapters, Not Hours

Sarthak Ghosh, the CBSE 10th Topper 2026, scored 98.6% by sticking to NCERT, practising PYQs and setting chapter targets rather than counting study hours. His subject-wise marks were strong across the board — a clear sign that targeted revision and timed practice worked.

Article updated: Apr 16, 2026

CBSE 10th Topper 2026: Result Summary and Subject-wise Performance

Sarthak’s overall score: 98.6% . He shared subject-wise marks that show consistent high scoring in languages and core subjects.

These marks tell you two things. First, languages and theory-heavy subjects need clean presentation and precise answers. Second, high marks in Maths and Science came from steady practice and clear concept-building.

Why Sarthak’s approach matters for CBSE class 10 students

Focusing on chapters rather than hours shifts your goal from 'time spent' to 'topics completed'. That reduces anxiety about long study sessions and forces regular progress checks. If you want consistent improvement, switch to chapter targets and timed practice like Sarthak did.

CBSE 10th Topper 2026: Core Study Philosophy — Chapters, Not Hours

Sarthak deliberately avoided tracking hours. Instead he set daily chapter targets. That meant he finished specific portions and could measure real progress every day. You can do the same: one chapter complete is better than five distracted hours.

How to turn chapter targets into daily plans:

• List chapters for the week and mark the tricky topics.
• Break each chapter into sub-topics or exercise sets.
• Assign one or two sub-topics per study block and aim for quality answers, not just reading.

This method helps with boredom and gives immediate feedback: either you can solve questions from that chapter or you need to re-revise.

Daily Routine and Study Habits

Sarthak preferred night study because there were fewer distractions. He kept study blocks focused and used two-minute breaks between sections to reset. Short breaks like these prevent burnout during long revision stretches.

Create a distraction-free night session:

• Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb and place it away from the desk.
• Use a small lamp and a clean desk to reduce visual noise.
• Study the toughest topics when your energy is best — for Sarthak it was at night; for you it might be morning.

How to plan realistic daily chapter targets without tracking hours:

• Aim to complete a fixed number of pages or exercise sets per night.
• If a chapter has exercises, finish a set of problems rather than an arbitrary time slot.
• Log what you completed — chapter name, exercises done, mistakes to fix.

Revision and Practice Strategy (Last 1–2 Months)

In the final two months Sarthak revisited NCERT thoroughly and solved previous years’ CBSE 10th question papers under timed conditions. The plan was simple: make NCERT flawless, then replicate exam timing and pressure with PYQs and mocks.

What you should do in the last 1–2 months:

• Finish one full NCERT book per subject as a review. Mark any forgotten points.
• Solve PYQs topic-wise first, then take full-paper timed mocks every 4–5 days.
• Review every mock: correct mistakes, note recurring weak spots, and re-solve wrong answers the next day.

Timed PYQs help you with time management and presentation. Sarthak also focused on the extra info boxes in NCERT since many MCQs come from those snippets.

Subject-wise Approach and Resources

Mathematics — practice and pattern recognition

• Focus on problem-solving and varied practice. Work on the kinds of problems that appear frequently in CBSE papers.
• Practice previous years’ numerical questions and typical application problems from NCERT exercises.
• For each chapter, maintain a short formula sheet and a list of common question types.

Social Science — move from rote to understanding

• Treat history and civics as story-plus-concepts. Understand causes, effects and linkages rather than memorising lines.
• For maps and dates, use quick visual notes and timelines.
• Sarthak said Social Science was the toughest for him; he overcame it by focusing on understanding — you should too.

Science and Languages — consolidate NCERT and read info boxes

• NCERT in Science is your primary text. Understand experiments, diagrams and definitions clearly.
• Languages require neat presentation and clear answers. Practice writing answers with correct grammar and structure.
• Pay attention to NCERT’s bold terms and information boxes — they often feed MCQs and short-answer questions.

Study Materials and Practice Sets (What to Use and When)

Primary reliance on NCERT is essential. Beyond NCERT, use selective practice materials and PYQs.

What to use:

• NCERT textbooks for all subjects — read every line and the extra info boxes.
• CBSE previous years’ question papers (PYQs) — solve topic-wise first, then full papers under timed conditions.
• A small set of quality mock tests — one full-length mock every 4–6 days in the last month.
• Short worksheets or practice sets for Maths and Science to improve speed.

When to use them:

• Early preparation: finish NCERT chapters and basics.
• Mid-preparation: start topic-wise PYQs and short timed quizzes.
• Last 1–2 months: timed full-paper PYQs and mocks, plus daily revision slots.

If you use coaching materials, pick only those that add value for your weak topics. Overloading on books can waste time — Sarthak stuck to NCERT plus PYQs.

Time Management, Presentation and Exam-day Tips

Timed practice improves speed and builds exam temperament. Sarthak practised PYQs under timed conditions and worked on presentation.

Section-wise time allocation (example for a 3-hour paper):

• Quick read-through: 5–10 minutes to decide question order.
• Easy/weighty questions first: 90–120 minutes for main sections you are strongest in.
• Remaining questions: 60–70 minutes for tougher or carrying sections.
• Final 10–15 minutes: review answers, correct slips and ensure neat presentation.

Short-break strategy:

• Use micro-breaks (like Sarthak’s two-minute breaks ) between sections to stretch and refocus.
• Avoid long breaks during the exam; keep a steady writing rhythm.

Answer-writing tips to gain presentation marks:

• Write clear headings and underline key terms if allowed.
• For long answers, structure them with short paragraphs and bullets for clarity.
• In Maths, show steps neatly — partial marks matter.

Mental Preparation and Support System

Family support mattered to Sarthak. His father is an engineer and his mother a doctor; he also has a brother in college. He credited his family’s support for steady focus.

Simple stress-management practices you can use:

• Short breathing exercises for 3–5 minutes before study or before a mock.
• Keep a short daily routine with light exercise or a 20-minute walk.
• Break revision into small wins — finishing a chapter or scoring better in a mock.

Keep motivation steady by measuring progress with chapter targets and not by comparing to others. Sarthak’s advice: believe in your preparation.

Actionable 8-Week Plan for CBSE Board Exams 2027

This 8-week plan follows Sarthak’s idea of chapter targets, timed PYQs and focused revision. Use it as a template and adjust based on your syllabus coverage.

Daily checklist template you can use:

• Morning/Evening: 1 chapter revision (NCERT) + formula/summary note.
• Midday: 1 timed PYQ set (30–60 mins) or practice problems.
• Night: Presentation practice — write one long answer neatly and review.
• End of day: Mark mistakes and add to 'fix list' for the next day.

Tips for Parents and Coaches

Parents can support without adding pressure by helping create structure: a quiet study space, fixed meal times and small rewards for milestones. Help your child set chapter targets and check off progress instead of watching hours.

Practical ways to help:

• Set a consistent sleep and study schedule to keep energy stable.
• Arrange short mock sessions at home and encourage timed practice.
• Praise effort and improvement; avoid fixating on marks.

Coaches should focus on clearing concepts and prescribing selective practice, especially on PYQs and presentation skills.

Common FAQs Answered from the Interview

Q: How did you react to the result?

A: Sarthak was grateful and satisfied that hard work paid off, although he admitted he had hoped for a little more. Gratitude and calm acceptance helped him move on to Class 11 plans.

Q: Tell us about your family background?

A: His father is an engineer, his mother is a doctor, and he has a brother in college. He credits family support for steady preparation.

Q: Which subject was most challenging?

A: Social Science. He focused on understanding rather than rote memorisation to overcome difficulty.

Q: How important were NCERT books?

A: NCERT was Sarthak’s primary resource. He said every line matters — especially the extra information boxes that often feed MCQs.

Q: What was your scoring strategy?

A: Clear concepts first, then timed practice. He emphasised reading extra info boxes and practicing PYQs for MCQs and short answers.

Q: What was your revision strategy in the last 1–2 months?

A: Revisit NCERT thoroughly and solve PYQs under timed conditions to replicate exam pressure.

Q: What did your daily routine look like?

A: He avoided counting hours. Instead, he set and completed chapter targets daily, preferred night study and took short 2-minute breaks between sections.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: He plans to pursue engineering and is preparing for Class 11 now.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for CBSE 10th Aspirants

Start early and make NCERT your base. Set chapter targets, use PYQs for timed practice and focus on neat presentation. Small breaks and a consistent routine matter more than tracking long hours.

Sarthak’s results show that clarity of concepts, disciplined chapter completion and timed mock practice are a practical path to high scores. Apply the 8-week plan, use the daily checklist and keep your stress-management simple — that combination is closer to exam success than cramming.

FAQ

Q1: How many hours did Sarthak study daily?

A1: He didn’t track hours. He focused on finishing fixed chapter targets each day rather than counting study time.

Q2: Which books did he use?

A2: NCERT textbooks were his main resource. He also practised previous years’ CBSE 10th question papers.

Q3: How did he handle Social Science?

A3: By shifting from rote memorisation to understanding themes, causes and links. Visual tools like timelines or mind maps help.

Q4: Did he take coaching?

A4: The interview highlights NCERT and PYQs as his core strategy. Specifics about coaching were not mentioned.

Q5: Any quick exam-day tip?

A5: Do a quick 5–10 minute paper scan first, answer easy and high-weight questions early, and reserve time to review.

Q6: How can parents support during board season?

A6: Create a calm study environment, help enforce schedules, and encourage small milestone celebrations rather than pressuring for hours.

Q7: What role did mock tests play?

A7: Mock tests and timed PYQs helped with time management, identifying weak areas and improving answer presentation.

Q8: Final piece of advice for CBSE Board Exams 2027?

A8: Master NCERT, believe in steady progress through chapter targets, practise PYQs under time, and keep answer presentation neat.