“CBSE Class 10th results are released” as soon as the notification popped on the screens of students on April 15, 2026, their hearts started thumping faster. The moment is marked by a mix of anticipation and apprehension. In innumerable homes, students hovered over result portals, hearts racing, minds replaying every exam they had written.For Arham Jain, a student of VIBGYOR High, Gurugram, that moment unfolded into something unforgettable. He scored 99% in his best five subjects, a near-perfect outcome that, even for him, felt surreal.“I could not believe my eyes,” he says. “I was completely overwhelmed by my emotions.”What followed was not just relief, but recognition, an understanding of what it means to reach a milestone after months of invisible effort. “I understood what every single sportsman, athlete or any big other name feels when they achieve something in life.”
A year that was about control, not chaos
Spend a few minutes speaking with Arham, and one thing becomes clear, his journey was not driven by panic or pressure, but by definite strategy.“I do not believe in studying for long hours,” he says, almost matter-of-factly. “I have always prioritized quality over quantity.”In a system where long study hours are often worn like a badge of honour, this approach stands out. Arham chose focus over fatigue, clarity over chaos.“I used to study with full focus for just a few hours, keep things clear in my mind. Don’t overcomplicate the entire learning process.”By late summer, while many were still navigating their syllabi, he had already finished his. “I completed my syllabus around August to September,” he says, a decision that allowed him to shift gears early, moving into revision with a sense of calm rather than urgency.
The grind behind the calm
If the philosophy was simple, the execution was anything but. Arham immersed himself in practice, relentless, structured, and purposeful. “I think I have given some 50 to 70 sample papers,” he says. Each one was reviewed, corrected, and internalised.“This helped me realize where I was actually lacking, and fix things step by step.”As it is a well-established fact that guidance plays a crucial and decisive role in success. . “They checked every answer, gave honest feedback, which made me aware of how I can improve.”
More than just books
Arham’s year was not confined to textbooks. From Model United Nations to Indian Youth Parliament, he remained actively involved in extracurriculars. Usually, students step away from participating in the extracurricular activities during the board season, but here Arham stood as an exceptional example.For him, extracurriculars were necessary. “They helped in my profile building, personality development,” he said.What made it work was balance. Between study sessions, he turned to badminton and guitar, small pauses that carried significant weight. “I ensured that I took small breaks, which helped me unwind all the pressure, and avoided a lot of burnout.”In a year that tests not just intellect but endurance, these moments of release often become the difference between persistence and fatigue.
The power of a pressure-free environment
Perhaps the most understated advantage in Arham’s journey was the environment around him.“At home and school, there was not a lot of pressure,” he says. “My parents told me that both exams are just like ordinary exams that I’ve been giving since childhood.” In a culture where board exams are often magnified into life-defining events, this perspective grounded him.“The environment all around me was very calm, I was constantly motivated.” It allowed him to approach the exams not as a burden, but as a continuation of a process he already understood.
The days that didn’t go as planned
Even in a near-perfect journey, there were cracks, days where motivation dipped, focus faltered. “Yes, there were a lot of days when I did not feel like studying,” he admits. “I would sit many times with my books, but not feel like studying.”Instead of forcing productivity, he chose honesty. “I would pursue hobbies like guitar, badminton, going out, and taking walks.”In preparation for an examination, we cannot forget to be human. There is something deeply human in choosing to step away at times when the situation gets overwhelming.There is something deeply human in that choice, to step away rather than push through exhaustion. It reflects an understanding many students arrive at too late: that rest is not a distraction, but a necessity.
Facing weakness without fear
Arham’s 99% did not come from avoiding difficulty; it came from confronting it. “At the start… there were some subjects which intimidated me a lot, like Hindi,” he says.But he refused to let it remain a weakness. “I did not ignore it; instead, I worked harder on those subjects, so that it does not become a point that pulls me down.”By the end, there were no weak subjects left, only areas he had strengthened through effort and persistence.
When the result finally came
Despite consistent performance in tests and practice papers, Arham had set a realistic expectation for himself. “I was expecting a result above 95%,” he says. But 99% was something else entirely.The numbers embellished the moment. And like many students who achieve something extraordinary, his first reaction was disbelief, followed by a wave of emotion that words can only partially capture.
What really made the difference
When asked to distil his success into a few principles, Arham does not overcomplicate it. “Quality over quantity, a balanced routine, belief in my teachers, and a calm environment.”But beneath these words lies something deeper, a consistency that does not demand perfection, only persistence. He also takes a moment to acknowledge those who stood beside him.“I’m immensely grateful for the teachers my parents, my younger sister. Every single person played a very crucial role.”
A message that cuts through the noise
To students now stepping into the same cycle of preparation, his advice is refreshingly grounded. “Don’t study for long hours, break it into small focused shifts. Show consistency even if you don’t want to study and don’t overcomplicate the entire board process, try to be calm.”In a landscape crowded with strategies and shortcuts, his words carry a certain clarity, almost a reassurance.
Beyond the result
With the board exams behind him, Arham is already looking ahead. “I aspire to become an environmental engineer and earth scientist.” For now, he has chosen PCM with computer science, a step towards a larger goal that he describes as something he is “slowly, slowly” working towards.There is no rush in his tone, no urgency to declare victory. Just a steady, deliberate movement forward.
More than a score
As the result season continues, stories like Arham Jain’s offer something numbers cannot, a glimpse into the emotional and mental landscape of a board exam student.Because behind every 99% is not just hard work, but doubt, discipline, small breaks, moments encouragement, and the courage to keep going, even on days when nothing seems to move.And perhaps that is what truly defines success, not just the marks on the screen, but the journey it took to get there.