CUET UG: Daksha Shrestha Singh of Patna secured 100 percentile in all four subjects she appeared for in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG 2023. Singh appeared for English, Economics, Political Science and History. She is currently pursuing BA English (Hons) from Miranda House, Delhi University. The 18-year-old completed her schooling from St Joseph’s Convent High School, ISC board with 97.25 per cent in her Class 12 board exams.
Daughter of a government employee and an English teacher, her rendezvous with the subject was through her mother who taught English to classes 11 and 12. She believes the reason she grew fond of the subjects at an early age is due to her mother. Indianexpress.com spoke to Daksha to find out how she secured full marks in all the subjects.
Why did you choose Delhi University?
I wanted to study at DU because of the academic environment I would get here, I wouldn’t get anywhere else in the country. Many of my seniors are studying in the DU colleges. They told me that the English faculty here is among the best in the country.
How did you prepare for CUET?
Since I was from the ISC board and CUET is based on NCERT, I had to study separately for my boards and separately for CUET. For my preparation, I joined Career Launcher which proved to be very helpful as they taught NCERT line by line, then there used to be MCQs and revision after every class and some compulsory mock tests to be solved in stipulated time. I solved all the mock tests provided by the coaching.
I also took mock tests from other sources and spoke to my seniors and asked them for tips and tricks to prepare for the exam.
What was the study schedule like?
I started my preparation when I was in school. I used to come back from school by 3 to 3:30 pm and then go to the coaching centre. The timing would vary. On some days, it used to be for three hours and on other days, it would be for one-and-a-half hours. After coaching I would study NCERT and then ISC books for my boards.
How was it preparing for your board exams and CUET simultaneously?
CBSE was easier for a few subjects while for the remaining ISCs was better. Economics had less theory than ISC but for history and political science, I felt CBSE is more relevant. CBSE English is much easier than ISC. It would definitely be better if CUET had questions from other boards as well.
What is your opinion on CUET and normalisation?
I definitely think the older system was very redundant. As every board have its own marking system, it is difficult to assess the potential of students only on the basis of board exams. CUET is better than the previous system but it’s too early to say if it is the best alternative
For normalisation, I personally didn’t have to suffer, however, a few of my friends from the Commerce stream suffered a lot, losing somewhere around 50 to 60 marks.
What reference material did you use?
I referred to NCERT books as my primary source, and other resources from my coaching and for English I used only my ISC grammar book.
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What would you do after graduation?
Once I graduate, I want to pursue English at the Master’s level. After that, whether I want to pursue it further or appear for civil service, is something I will decide later.
What did you do for recreational purposes?
It’s important to have something to go back to. I really love reading so I would read a book either a new one or something that I have read multiple times. One of my all time favourites is ‘Resurrection’ by Leo Tolstoy.
What advice would you give to students who will appear for CUET?
Everyone must read NCERT line by line as that is where all the questions are from. Solve as many mock tests and MCQs as possible as it will get you familiar with the exam pattern.