The CET results declared on Friday show that clearing this test -- and with distinction -- is not something restricted to students belonging to the richer sections of society.
A newspaper agent’s son, V Vinay, can score second position in the medical stream, while Kishor B Bhattad from one of the most backward districts of the State, Bagalkot, can bag the sixth position in the same stream -- and without any coaching, to boot.
Perhaps, the happiest among the CET toppers is Venkatesh S Kaulgud, who ranked first in the engineering stream and eighth in the medical. This youngster from Dakshina Kannada district is a product of Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva PU College.
He says long hours of preparation every day made it possible for him to clear the exam with flying colours. Venkatesh hasn’t any confusion about his area of specialisation -- It would be electronics engineering.
There is a palpable sense of jubilation at MES PU College, from where six students have emerged rank-holders in medical as well as engineering stream.

Medical toppers say:
Vinay V, Rank-II, MES PU College, Bangalore:
“I never expected I would perform so well. It is all by the grace of God, parents and teachers. My father is a newspaper agent while my mother is a housewife and both are PU pass. I used to devote four to five hours a day on studies.”
Amina Asfiya M Iqbal, Rank-III, St Agnes, Mangalore:
“My father was a doctor who passed away at a young age. I wanted to be a doctor like him. I thank my grandfather, teachers and friends, who supported me a lot in clearing this exam.”
S D Preetham, Rank-IV, Sri Venkateshwara College, Hassan:
“I am thrilled and so is my family. I owe it to my parents and teachers. I want to be a doctor though I never had any particular schedule for studies, which were more like a hobby.”
Kishor B Bhattad, Rank- VI, SRA College, Bagalkot:
“I was surprised to learn that I ranked sixth in the medical stream. I never had any coaching. Coming from a  backward district doesn’t mean that people should also remain backward”.
N V Ankith, Rank-VII, MES College, Bangalore:
“I was suffering from typhoid at exam time and never expected to score a rank. It is amazing. I owe my success to God. I used to study for four to five hours a day”.
G Indushree, Rank- IX, MES, Bangalore:
“I haven’t decided which stream to take, though I have been selected for Engineering also. Since biology is my favourite subject, I may opt for medical. I never had any timetable for preparations. It’s all sheer hard work.”
M V Akhila, Rank X, MES, Bangalore:
“I had expected a rank. It’s a matter of pride for me, my family, school and teachers. I want to be a doctor and serve the masses.”

Engg toppers say
Venkatesh Kaulgud, Rank-I, Sathya Sai Lok Seva College, DK:
“It is pleasing to note that I topped in the Engineering stream and is ranked eighth in medical. Everyday I spent six to eight hours studying for the exam.”
Sagar G V, Rank-II, Sadvidya Comp College, Mysore:
“I was sure I would do well. Regular hours and proper planning in studies helped me clear the exam”.
K V Ramya, Rank-III, Government PU College, Shimoga:
“I had Expert Postal Coaching and I used to set apart four to five hours a day for studies. Dedication is the primary thing required to pass any exam.”
S R Naveen, Rank-V, Sri Bruhanmatha Comp College, Chitradurga:
“I never had any coaching because I never felt its need. The primary thing is that one should understand the concepts. I would like to go for Electronics and Communication as there is lot of scope for it.”
Kashif Shamaz, Rank X, Sharanabasaveshwara Residential College, Gulbarga:
“With the blessing of my parents, teachers and God, I cleared this exam. I am looking at IIT, whose exams were held in April and I expect to clear that also. I used to study for nearly six hours a day.”