CBSE 12th Toppper 2024 Neha Grover targets Psychology (Hons) from Delhi University with 98%

CBSE 12th Topper Nehal Grover has secured 98% in CBSE 12th Board Exams 2024 with utmost dedication and hard work. Neha, a student of GD Goenka Public School, Dakshineshawar aims to pursue Psychology Hons from Delhi University. In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Grover talked about her CBSE 12th board exam preparation routine, her reaction to Class 12 CBSE results, tips for upcoming aspirants and more.

CBSE Board Exams 2024 were conducted from February 15 to March 13, 2024. The Board announced the CBSE Class 12 Results 2024 on May 13. 

Also Read: CBSE 12th Topper 2024 Ananya Gupta shares strategy to score above 95% in Board Exams

Q: Congratulations on your result! How was your reaction after seeing the results? Did you score what you expected?
A: Thank you so much. I was pleasantly surprised on checking my result, everyone around me got very excited and I was just kind of processing the huge score. While I did expect a good score around 95 or 96%, 98% came as a surprise.

Q: Please tell us something about your family background.
A: I belong to middle class joint family from a service background. My father is working with Automotive MNC as AVP – Sales & Marketing and mother was working as DGM for a German MNC in Logistics company. She took a break to support my studies during my crucial time of schooling & started working from home in a Health Startup company. I have a younger brother studying in class V.  My life is always blessed by my Grandparents who have retired from respectable positions in Govt of India undertakings. 

Also Read: CBSE 10th Topper Shaurya Sarthak with 99.2% wants to pursue BTech from IIT Delhi, Bombay

Q: Please tell me about your stream, did you choose this stream by choice?

A: I got a good score of 90% in Class X but since I did not want to pursue Science stream & was always fascinated by Psychology as a subject, I decided to pursue Humanities stream with Psychology as main subject. Due to this reason I had to change my earlier school & decided to join G D Goenka, Dwarka as they offer Humanities curriculum is perfectly designed & was matching my aspirations.

Q: What was your strategy to score above 95% in CBSE 12th Board Exams?
A: Stay consistent from the start, understand the concepts thoroughly, listen to teachers carefully in the class, clarify all the doubts in time & practice by writing so that I can refer to the notes anytime. For a few difficult topics, I would make my younger brother sit in front of me & explain to him the topic (although it was very difficult for him to understand) which helped me to better understand the topic.

Q: Did you take any online or offline coaching?
A: I did take offline coaching for Applied Math & Economics but ultimately it was schoolteachers who were my pillars of strength. They were always encouraging and available.

Also Read:CBSE 10th Topper 2024 Nishkarsh Parashar with 99% aims to crack JEE and join top IITs

Q: Who encouraged you the most in this journey?
A: My family and my teachers are my biggest support in this achievement. They never had a single ounce of doubt on my capabilities & decision to select humanities as my main subject even after scoring high grades in Class 10. They encouraged me to study as per my interest and motivated me throughout my XII class to work hard. My friends too supported me to achieve this milestone of my life.

Q: What was your routine during the CBSE board exam preparation?
A: I am a night owl. I prefer to study late hours when there is no disturbance from family & screen. I studied for 8-10 hours per day according to the subject I was studying on a particular day. I made a rotational schedule for studying wherein I studied difficult topics & my favorite subjects simultaneously. I used to take short breaks in between the study sessions wherein I used to either play with my brother or watch the screen to refresh my mind. 

Q: What are your future plans? Which career path are you aiming?
A: Going forward I want to pursue my career in Clinical Psychology. The mystery of Human behavior has always attracted my attention. I would like to finish my Graduation in India & then go for further studies to Europe.

Also Read: CBSE 10th Topper Anushka Mallick with 99% wants to pursue higher studies from Oxford University

Q: Are you planning to begin preparing for any entrance exam?

A: I am appearing for CUET, IPU – CET & entrance exams for other Universities.  Preparation is still going on for CUET and other entrance exams.

Q: What is your dream college/institute?
A: My focus is Delhi University for Psychology (Hons) and I have kept Economics (Hons) as a backup stream.

Q: Please share some tips for students prepping to appear in CBSE Board Exams 2025
A: Few tips for students appearing for CBSE Board Exams in 2025 would be:

• Stay consistent from the start.
• Revise whatever is being done in the class on the same day
• Listen carefully to the lessons being taught in the class and clear all your doubts instantaneously
• Practice by making your own handwritten notes
• Remember to take breaks in between and not overwhelm yourself
• Do as many sample papers as possible