CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal: How she scored 99.4% with NCERT, PYQs and timed mock tests

CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal scored 99.4% in 2026. Read her subject-wise marks, study routine, book list (RD Sharma, Exemplar, Educart), and an 8-week plan you can follow.

Edited by Kavita Malhotra

    Introduction: Meet CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal

    CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal scored 99.4% in the CBSE Class 10 board exams in 2026 . Her subject-wise marks were strong across the board, with full marks in French and near-perfect scores in Mathematics, Science and Social Science.

    Sanvi's story matters because it shows a realistic, repeatable path: NCERT books first, steady daily study, focused Mathematics practice using RD Sharma and Exemplar, and heavy PYQ (Previous Year Questions) practice with timed mock tests.

    Result day and reaction

    Sanvi says she was overwhelmed when she finally saw her result of 99.4%. She had been hoping for something above 98%, so the score felt like validation for months of consistent work. The happiest moment for her was seeing her mother's joy — that emotional reaction was the highlight.

    Family background and support system

    Her father is a software engineer and an NIT Trichy alumnus who works in the semiconductor industry. Her mother is a homemaker and has been Sanvi's primary emotional and operational support during preparation.

    Parental support played a clear role. Sanvi credits her parents for creating a steady environment that made daily study and late-night study sessions possible.

    Overall strategy that led to 99.4%

    The backbone of Sanvi's preparation was daily consistency. She treated NCERT books as the primary resource and made sure she understood every line before moving to extras.

    She layered preparation: first thorough NCERT reading, then reference books and Exemplar problems, then Previous Year Questions. Timed mock tests at home were used to sharpen speed and accuracy in the final phase.

    Subject-wise approach and resources

    Sanvi balanced deep NCERT work with targeted reference books and practice material. Below is the list she used for each subject and how she approached them.

    Subject Primary resources How she used them
    Mathematics NCERT, RD Sharma, CBSE Exemplar Daily Mathematics practice; numerical drills from RD Sharma; Exemplar for higher-difficulty and board-style problems
    Science NCERT, CBSE Exemplar, Educart Clear NCERT concepts first; Exemplar + Educart for additional numerical and application-based questions
    English NCERT, Teacher notes Focus on writing, comprehension and accuracy using teacher-provided notes and NCERT practice
    French Get Ready French, School worksheets Textbook mastery and worksheet practice for grammar and translation
    Social Science NCERT Thorough NCERT reading and map/answer practice

    This mix kept her preparation NCERT-centred while giving extra exposure to varied question types via RD Sharma, Exemplar and Educart.

    Subject-wise marks (table)

    Subject Marks
    English 97
    French 100
    Mathematics 99
    Science 99
    Social Science 99

    These subject-wise marks show a balanced preparation. Full marks in French reflect steady textbook and worksheet practice, while near-perfect scores in Maths and Science point to regular numerical practice and problem-solving.

    Daily routine and study hours

    Sanvi’s daily rhythm changed over the year but followed a predictable pattern. She typically started around 8 AM, mixed subjects during sessions to avoid monotony, and included short breaks and an afternoon nap when needed.

    Closer to exams she put in about 7–9 hours a day, with several late-night study sessions. To keep physically and mentally fit, she took evening walks with her mother — a simple habit that helped her stay fresh.

    Revision techniques in the final 1–2 months

    Sanvi completed the syllabus well before the final revision window. The last 1–2 months were dedicated to solving PYQs and taking timed mock tests at home.

    Timed mock tests improved her speed and question-selection skills. Solving Previous Year Questions helped her recognise recurring themes and board-question patterns, which boosted confidence and accuracy.

    How she handled challenging topics

    Sanvi says no single subject felt overwhelmingly difficult because of her daily practice routine. For Maths and Physics numericals she practised problems every day — repetition removed doubt.

    When stuck, she turned to Exemplar problems and reference book exercises (RD Sharma for Maths, Educart for Science) to see different question formats. That exposure reduced surprises on exam day.

    Future plans: PCM, JEE and the computer engineering aim

    Sanvi has opted for the PCM stream in Class 11 and aims to prepare for the JEE exams. Her long-term goal is to pursue computer engineering.

    Her current habits — NCERT-first approach, timed mock tests, daily Mathematics practice — are directly useful for JEE preparation. This transition requires more depth in problem-solving, which she plans to build gradually.

    Practical takeaways for students

    • Prioritise NCERT books. Make sure you understand every line before reaching for reference books. NCERT remains the foundation for boards and helps build concepts for JEE preparation.
    • Make Previous Year Questions (PYQs) part of daily or weekly practice. PYQs reveal patterns and common question types.
    • Do timed mock tests regularly. Speed and accuracy improve only when you simulate exam conditions.
    • Keep Mathematics practice non-negotiable. Use RD Sharma and CBSE Exemplar for a mix of routine and higher-difficulty problems.
    • Balance study with simple fitness habits like short evening walks to manage stress and maintain focus.

    Gaps and unanswered questions (what we don’t know)

    • Exact result declaration date beyond the year 2026 is not specified. We only have the year.
    • Sanvi’s school name and hometown or city are not provided.
    • There is no mention of a specific coaching institute or coaching schedule.
    • A detailed daily timetable with time allocation per subject is not available.
    • Her mental-health strategies beyond evening walks and family support are not detailed.
    • We do not have sample PYQs or solved examples from her personal notes.

    These gaps mean you should treat Sanvi’s routine as a strong template, not a rigid schedule to copy verbatim.

    Actionable 8-week plan for Class 10 students inspired by Sanvi

    This plan assumes you have completed most of your syllabus or are close to finishing it. It focuses on PYQs, timed mocks, and targeted revision while keeping balance.

    Week 1–2: Syllabus check and NCERT polish - Day 1–3: Make a chapter-wise checklist for all subjects. Mark topics you are weak in. - Day 4–14: Finish NCERT revision for weak topics; practise end-of-chapter questions. Do short daily Maths drills (30–45 minutes). - Mock: One 2-hour timed paper for a subject each week.

    Week 3–4: PYQs and targeted practice - Solve PYQs chapter-wise for Maths and Science. Use RD Sharma and Exemplar selectively for tougher problems. - Do two timed full-length papers across these two weeks to build stamina. - Continue French practice with Get Ready French exercises and school worksheets.

    Week 5–6: Speed and accuracy - Take three full-length timed mock tests (one every 3–4 days). After each test, spend at least one day analysing mistakes and revising those topics. - For Maths: daily 1-hour problem-solving focusing on numerical accuracy and shortcuts. - For Science: focus on diagrams, experiments, and numerical practice from Educart and Exemplar.

    Week 7: Final topic polishing - Revisit troublesome chapters using NCERT and short notes. Use teacher notes for English practice. - Take two timed papers and one subject-only timed test to clear last-minute doubts.

    Week 8: Light revision and confidence building - Do light NCERT reading, last-round PYQs, and quick formula sheets. - Keep study hours moderate (4–6 hours), prioritize sleep and short evening walks. - Day before exams: relax, skim notes, avoid heavy study to keep your mind fresh.

    Mock schedule recommendations - Start with 1 subject test per week in early weeks, move to 2–3 full tests per week later. - After each mock, spend 30–60 minutes error-analysing. This step is as important as the test itself.

    Daily split example (near exams) - Morning: newer or tougher topic (2–3 hours) - Afternoon: brief nap and light revision (1 hour) - Evening: timed practice or PYQs (2–3 hours) - Night: recap and quick notes (30–60 minutes)

    How to use books Sanvi used (quick guide)

    • NCERT books: Read line-by-line. For theory subjects, write short answers in your own words. For Maths, solve all example and exercise problems.
    • RD Sharma: Use for extra practice. Don’t try to finish the whole book; pick problem types you struggle with.
    • CBSE Exemplar: Use to attempt higher-difficulty and application-based questions that often appear in board papers.
    • Educart (Science): Use to strengthen numerical problems and application questions.
    • Get Ready French and school worksheets: Regular writing and translation practice will secure high marks in language papers.
    • Teacher notes (English): Polish answers, vocabulary and presentation using your teacher’s guidance.

    Advice for students scoring lower marks

    If your current scores are below your target, start with these steps: - Fix the basics: Re-read NCERT chapters for conceptual clarity. - Short daily targets: Focus on 2–3 clear goals per study session. - PYQs: Start solving the last 5 years’ board questions for each subject — this gives quick improvement. - Timed practice: Even short, timed 30–45 minute sessions can build speed. - Talk to teachers for quick feedback and correction.

    FAQs based on her interview

    Q: How did Sanvi react to her result?

    A: She was overwhelmed and had hoped for above 98%. The best part for her was seeing her mother so happy.

    Q: What was her main preparation strategy?

    A: Consistency, revising regularly, solving PYQs and taking timed mock tests.

    Q: Which Maths books did she use?

    A: RD Sharma and CBSE Exemplar, along with NCERT for concept clarity.

    Q: What did she use for Science?

    A: CBSE Exemplar and Educart, plus NCERT as the base.

    Q: How many hours did she study daily?

    A: Around 7–9 hours closer to the exams, with lower daily hours earlier in the year.

    Q: What are her future plans?

    A: She has opted for the PCM stream in Class 11, will prepare for the JEE, and aims for computer engineering.

    Q: Did she use any coaching institute?

    A: She mentioned being at coaching classes when results released, but did not specify any coaching institute name or schedule.

    Q: How did she keep fit during preparation?

    A: Short evening walks with her mother were part of her routine to maintain fitness and clear her mind.

    Conclusion: Key lessons from CBSE 10th topper Sanvi Agarwal

    Sanvi’s success is built on a clear formula: NCERT-first, regular Mathematics practice using RD Sharma and Exemplar, heavy PYQ work, and timed mock tests to build speed. Her daily study routine, late-night study sessions when needed, and parental support were important enablers.

    If you follow the pillars she used — NCERT books, PYQs, timed mock tests, consistent daily study and sensible fitness breaks like evening walks — you’ll improve both marks and confidence. Use the 8-week plan above as a practical template. Repeatable habits beat last-minute cramming every time.

    Important date

    Event Date
    CBSE Class 10 board result year 2026

    This post is for subscribers on the Free, Bronze and Gold tiers

    Already have an account? Log in