The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the Class 10th result on April 15, 2026. Board exams have, for decades, carried a similar kind of frenzied, sweaty-hands feeling. One can easily picture students with thumping hearts and constantly refreshing result pages. One of those students, Gunnika Khurana, stood as one of the toppers of the CBSE Class 10th board exam results, achieving 99.6% in the examination. When asked about her tremendous feat, she revealed interesting insights about her preparation journey.The success story and perfect scores usually get the spotlight, but the hard work behind the scenes rarely makes headlines. When she saw the results on screen, she could sense a contrast with the day when she had cried a day before her pre-board exam, apprehensive about her preparation. Here’s the journey to a fascinating success story.
“I needed to do something to make them proud”
Gunnika, among this year’s high scorers, does not speak in superlatives. Her story unfolds not as a tale of brilliance, but as a study in discipline, doubt, and steady resolve. “I needed to do something to make my parents proud,” she said in an interview with The Times of India.There was no sudden turning point in Gunnika’s preparation, no dramatic last-minute grind. Instead, her journey began early, almost unconsciously.“I’ve been part of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad since I was in grade seven. My parents have been very supportive, and they did not put any pressure on me at all academically or otherwise. But I always had this at the back of my mind that I need to do something to make them proud.”That quiet sense of responsibility, without overt pressure, became the foundation of her preparation.“When I entered grade nine all of our teachers encouraged us that you have boards next year. So I kind of had that mindset from grade nine itself. I started preparing like from then only.”
A moment of panic before celebration
For most students, the results day is imagined as a moment of triumph. For Gunnika, it began with confusion. “To be very honest, when I first opened the account, the theory marks stated 79 out of 80. So I thought those are my total marks, and the subject was English. So my first reaction was, what happened?”It is a fleeting but telling moment, the kind that captures the fragility of expectations. “When I saw the practical marks, they added up to 99, then I moved forward.The joy arrived, but not without that brief, unsettling doubt. “I was expecting good marks, but then to see them on screen, it was a whole different feeling.”
No obsession with hours, only with consistency
Contrary to the popular narrative of relentless study schedules, Gunnika’s preparation was measured and deliberate.“I did not really count the hours; I would just sit with my to-do list, I think I’d be done with my to-do in about three hours, and then six hours a day when I was nearing the board examinations.” What defined her approach was not the number of hours, but how she used them.“I think discipline is one of the major keywords of success. And just staying calm under pressure is another, asking for support also plays a pivotal role.”
The subject that tested her limits
Even high scorers have weak links. For Gunnika, it was Social Science. “SST is one subject which, I found a bit challenging. In Social Sciences, I had to express myself subjectively, and the syllabus was very vast.”Her response, however, was rooted in method rather than panic. “My father helped me here, he would ask me rapid fire questions, like, what time is this dam, etc. So I think active recall just helped me do social science better.”It is a reminder that success, often, is built in small, everyday practices rather than grand strategies.
Breaking down, and building back
Perhaps the most revealing part of her journey is not her success, but her vulnerability. “During my first pre-board, I was feeling overwhelmed; I started crying the night.”It is a moment that resonates across households during board season—the weight of a “first big exam” settling in.“I called out to my father, my parents just helped me calm down and reassured me that it’s fine, we’re going to support you.” That reassurance, she suggests, was critical in helping her regain control.
Stepping away to move forward
Unlike many students who push through burnout, Gunnika chose to pause when needed. “I did feel downcast at times. I would just leave my books go with my family get my mind off studies, for like a good two hours and then I would be refreshed.”Her approach was simple, but effective. “If you’re feeling down just go out and you’ll have that new sense of energy to start again.”
Golden advice from the topper
In the final phase before the exams, her strategy shifted from learning to refining. “I practiced a lot of CBSE past year papers instead of going through all the content again, which helped me actively recall what I’d already read.” Her advice to juniors is equally precise, and uncompromising.“You need to read every line of NCERT, every word, every line, every picture, every caption. because what would be the difference between a good score and a perfect score, it can come in the form of an MCQ.”When asked about what made her strategy a “topper’s secret” she said, “I made short notes, mind maps and flowcharts, that really helped me revise at the very last moment, because going through all the chapters again is not possible.”
A larger lesson beyond marks
Gunnika is clear that academic strategy alone is not enough. Emotional honesty matters just as much. “Even if you’re feeling down, you should not hesitate to ask for help, sometimes, we hold back from our emotions. I think that’s really important, because there’s a lot of pressure and we need to express ourselves.”The 16-year-old learned and also explained the importance of seeking help from your loved ones when you need to. More than marks and scoring high, this is a life lesson every student needs to imbibe in a world ruled by ferocious competition.
Looking ahead
With Science as her chosen stream, she is now preparing for the next milestone. “I want to become an engineer, and will prepare for JEE Mains exam.” Another exam, another cycle of preparation, but perhaps with greater clarity.
The story behind the score
In a results season dominated by percentages, Gunnika’s journey offers a different takeaway. It is not the story of a student who never faltered, but of one who acknowledged the pressure, worked through it, and stayed consistent.In the end, her result is not just a number on a screen. It is the sum of early preparation, small daily habits, moments of doubt, and the decision, each time, to continue.
