Planning early is the key, say toppers

Toppers in engineering stream plan to study in IITs as they excelled in IIT-JEE too

But most of the toppers in the medical/dental streams want to take up studies at any good college in Karnataka.

The toppers stress the importance of planning “well ahead and being certain about one’s goal in life”. Besides, the entrance tests should not be taken “too seriously” as most students do, the toppers say.

Arjun Rao, a resident of Nerul (West), Navi Mumbai, who secured the first rank in the engineering stream, says he was “too thrilled and excited” over topping the entrance test. Rao will apply for IIT-Bombay, as he had a good score in IIT- JEE as well. Ditto with second rank-holder Dheeraj M N of Vijayanagar, Bangalore, who aspires to join any of the IITs.

Also eyeing the IITs are Ajay Singhvi of Shankarpuram, Bangalore, and Deepak R of Mysore, who secured the third and fourth rank in the engineering stream respectively. Both have good scores in IIT-JEE.

Singhvi says the examinations should be treated normally and one should not let the pressure bog him/her down. Deepak urges future aspirants to start preparing at the earliest and warns against wasting time.

For Prerana N of Sundarnagar, Gokula, Bangalore, who secured the first rank in the medical stream, the success is only the beginning of other academic challenges she hopes to beat.

Prerana thanks her parents and everybody else who “put up with my tantrums during the preparation period,” especially her coaches.

She advises future aspirants to “plan your life well ahead and be always decided on what you wish to do in life.”

Sneha V, the second rank-holder in the medical/dental stream, says that concentrating on multiple-choice questions helped her. She also emphasised more on concepts. She wishes to study at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.

S Arun from Christ Junior College, Bangalore, who secured the third rank in medicine/dental streams, stood eighth in the CET conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Arun says he will opt for the IITs. Medicine was only his second option.

According to him, the tests conducted by COMED-K and CET are the same, except for the time factor.

The fourth rank-holder in medical/dental streams, Deepti Agarwal from Davangere was pleasantly surprised with the results. She plans to study at JJMMC College, Davangere.