Patna: Shining in exams is not only a result of mugging up, say students who have excelled in the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) exams.

Aryendra Singh from Don Bosco Academy, who scored 97.2 per cent in the ISC (science stream), said: "The coaching classes help students in better understanding of the subject but schoolteachers also play a major role as they teach you how to write answers in a concise and right manner. They keep us focused and make us read nothing out of syllabus."

Ritik Raj from Don Bosco Academy, who scored 98.6 per cent in the ICSE, said: "Every day I used to devote around three hours to study, and that increased to five to six hours one month before the exam. I used to take part in sporting activities. I used to play football even one month before the exam as it acted as a stress buster. Parents shouldn't stop students from playing sports even before exams because in a way it helps improve their concentration level and also increases their stamina.

"We have very good teachers in our school. My parents also supported me," he added.

Soni Sagarika from Mount Carmel High School scored 93.5 per cent in the ISC commerce stream, while Shweta Singh and Astha Jain from St Joseph's Convent High School, Bankipore, scored 94.25 per cent in the arts stream. Altogether 2,900 students took the ICSE and 650 students took the ISC from Patna. The ICSE pass percentage is 99.6 per cent and the ISC pass percentage is 99 per cent in the state capital.