Patna: DAV BSEB School student Suzal Raj, among top scorers from the city in this year's CBSE Class XII exams, said his competition was with himself. He has secured 98.4 per cent in the arts stream.

Asked how he managed to do so well (he scored 100 in political science, 99 each in history, economics and geography, 95 in English and 97 in physical education), Suzal said he had set a target to complete four chapters a day, come what may. "I would test myself from time to time. I used to solve question papers, setting a time for myself," said a beaming Suzal. Students need to focus on their studies to do well in exams and they must motivate themselves, he said. "Motivation by others will not take you far. You have to motivate yourself and prepare accordingly," he asserted.

Talking about his future plans, Suzal said he has set his eyes on cracking the UPSC exams. "First, I will try to get admission into the prestigious Delhi University for my graduation. I will prepare for UPSC alongside. Ultimately, I want to be an IAS officer," he said.

Ujjwal Singh from Dr G L Dutta DAV Public School has scored high in the commerce stream, scoring 97.8 per cent. Ujjwal had an altogether different strategy for his exam preparation. "I used to study only when I wished to. I never slogged for my exams and would never fix study hours. I used to sit and study whenever I wished to," Ujjwal said. "I also used to take time out to play volleyball or watch movies." He said he first covered subjects he was weak in and then those that were his strengths. "I had not scored well in accounts in my Class XI exam. So, I first focused on this along with other subjects I was weak in. I also used to study subjects I was strong in alongside," he said. Ujjwal, said he wanted to become a lawyer. "I have also sat for CLAT," he said.

Siddhant Priyam from Delhi Public School, who has scored 98.2 per cent in science, is among the high scorers in science in Patna.

Ujjwal Singh of Gyan Niketan, scored 68.4 per cent in science despite undergoing treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy. "My heartbeats become irregular a night before my physics exam. My family stood by me for which I was able to complete my exams. I could have scored even better had I been fit," he said.

Altogether 83,563 students sat for the CBSE's Class XII exams in Patna region (comprising of Bihar and Jharkhand). Of them 58,944 students managed to pass. The overall pass percentage is 70.54 per cent. Patna has got ninth position in the ten regions of CBSE so far as Class XII result is concerned.