CUET 2022 Topper Interview - Dishank Gandhi - “Be consistent with your preparation”

CUET 2022 Topper Interview - Dishank Gandhi from Delhi, scored 100 percentile in all the subjects opted by him in CUET exam. He gave three domain papers namely, history, political science and psychology, for which he did his preparation through NCERT books. He had put prominent emphasis on NCERT books and self study as a part of his CUET preparation strategy.

One of the main mantras of his scoring 100 percentile is to be consistent and revise the same chapters again and again. He started by covering the deleted part of the Class XII syllabus as it was part of the CUET syllabus. Then, he covered the chapters of term 1. Lastly he revised the chapters of term 2. Careers360 interviewed Dishank to learn how he prepared for CUET 2022 and achieved the perfect score in the newly introduced entrance test.

Read the full interview of CUET 2022 candidate Dishank Gandhi to know all the aspects of his preparation for the CUET exam.

Careers360 - How would you describe yourself? Where did you complete your schooling and tell us something about your family?

Dishank - I regard myself as a hardworking and diligent child who is lucky to have received the necessary support of parents, teachers and friends at every stage of life. I completed my schooling from Darbari Lal DAV Model School Pitampura, New Delhi. I live with my parents and my elder brother. My mother is a homemaker and my father is a businessman. My brother is preparing for civil services. We’re based in Delhi.

Careers360 - What motivated you to appear in CUET?

Dishank : It was compulsory to appear in CUET in order to get into the Delhi University.

Careers360 - When did you start your preparations for the CUET exam?

Dishank - I started my preparation just after the completion of my XII board exams i.e. June 15, 2022 thus giving me at least 45 days to complete my syllabus.

Careers360 - How much time did you devote to self-study? What do you think is better, coaching or self study?

Dishank - My preparation was based on self study only, I didn’t take any coaching as I thought it won’t be necessary as the syllabus of the exam was derived from NCERT books only which I had studied during my 12th Class itself. Coaching is not required as CUET It is a competitive exam just like any other that demands nothing but hard work. Be consistent with your preparation and that’s it. I can say this for my subjects alone, with regard to other subjects, perhaps it may be necessary.

Careers360 - How was the CUET UG preparation different from the early days to just a month before the exam?

Dishank - My preparation strategy remained the same for the whole journey. I kept on reading the same chapters again and again till the date of my exams. Firstly, I covered the deleted part of the XII syllabus as it was to come in CUET. Then, I covered the chapters of term 1. Lastly, I revised the chapters of term 2. I kept on repeating the same cycle for revision as well.

Careers360 - How many domain tests did you appear in for the CUET exam?

Dishank - I gave three domain papers namely, history, political science and psychology.

Careers360 - Which subject is your strong one and which is the weakest? Are NCERT books sufficient for preparations?

Dishank - Although there was no subject I had been weak in as I was consistent in studying right from the beginning of 12th Class. Preparing for English was a little challenging as there was no set pattern and syllabus. To overcome this, I kept on enhancing my vocabulary with lots and lots of word meanings with basic grammar practice on a daily basis.

Careers360 - When it came to exam day, what was your strategy? According to you, what was the toughest and easiest section?

Dishank : My centre was at a far off place and it took me nearly 2 hrs to reach there. There was a lot of uncertainty because candidates from other shifts were complaining of centre change and exam cancellation. I too was anxious and stressed but my family supported me on every step. My exam too was cancelled even after sitting for 4 hours at the centre itself. I got ill that day and contracted COVID. On the new date, I got allotted the same centre again and this time everything went smoothly.

There was no pre-decided pattern for attempting the questions. When you have to wake up at 4 in the morning to travel for 2 hours to the examination centre, you can’t think about anything but to pray that your exam should not be postponed. I think all the sections were of nearly the same level with history being on a little tougher side as it consisted of many questions on chronologies, matchings and dates which require a very thorough and clear understanding of the book.

Careers360 - What is your dream college for studying UG programmes? What is your aspiration in the field of your programme and which specialisation would you be interested in?

Dishank - I want to do a BA(hons) political science and for that I would be targeting north campus colleges of University of Delhi. I would like to go into the field of international relations.

Careers360 - To whom do you attribute your successful CUET topper journey? What would you suggest to future CUET aspirants in terms of preparation, attitude etc?

Dishank - I would be attributing my successful journey to my family who always supported me at every stage of life and made me capable to stand where I am standing right now. I am also thankful to my teachers and friends who always motivated me to achieve high standards and remained connected with me during 12th Class and to those who remained in touch with me after school.

To CUET aspirants, I would like to say that NCERT's your best friend. Keep on reading the deleted chapters as well during your 12th Class only. Trust me you won’t regret it. Be consistent. Also, in the end it is just an exam. Please take care of your mental health. That’s more important. Don’t stress much. All the best :)