Although students who topped the Common Entrance Examination (CET) celebrated their success when the results were announced on Saturday, most of them have yet to heave a sigh of relief. They are waiting to see how they have fared in other competitive examinations that will allow them entry into the some of the more sought-after colleges and courses. Obtaining a seat through the CET is not a priority, they said.
Most toppers are preparing for JEE (Advanced) or waiting for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) results. All of them are aiming to get a seat in the top IITs. A few want to pursue pure sciences at prestigious institutions like Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research.
P. Mahesh Anand of Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Marathahalli, who topped the State in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS), B.VSc (Veterinary Science), and secured fifth rank in pharmacy, wants to pursue his bachelors in medicine from AIIMS, New Delhi. “I am working hard to get into AIIMS, which has always been my dream. Though I am extremely happy that I topped the State CET, I am waiting for my NEET results.”
Jiffin Biju of Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Marathahalli, who secured the first rank in engineering and second in pharmacy, said that if one is well prepared well for JEE, it’s easy to ace CET.
Keerthana M. Arun of National Public School, Rajajinagar, who secured first rank in B.Sc Agriculture is preparing for JEE (Advanced). A recipient of Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana scholarship, she wants to pursue pure sciences at either the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, or Indian Institute of Science Education and Research. “Depending on my rankings in JEE (Advanced), I will decide what to do next. I wish to do pure sciences.”
Toppers from integrated colleges
Some of the top rankers are from integrated colleges that offer coaching for competitive examination as well as have PU classes. The Department of Pre-University Education had banned PU colleges from conducting integrated classes.
Sai Saketika Chekuri of Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Ramamurthy Nagar, who topped the State in pharmacy and secured third rank in engineering, said constant monitoring in college helped her a lot. “There was equal focus from the beginning on entrance examinations as well as board exams. This was an advantage.”
Bhuvan V.B., of Expert PU College, Mangaluru, who secured second rank in agriculture and sixth rank in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, said mock tests were held on alternate days and constant analysis and monitoring of performances helped him. When you are given excellent coaching for entrance exams and board exams together, it builds your confidence and gives you an edge over others,” he said.