Priya Shankar: Chennai’s Physics Prodigy with Perfect Score

🎓 Student Profile

Name: Priya Shankar State: Tamil Nadu City: Chennai School: DAV Girls Senior Secondary School, Gopalapuram CUET Score: 800/800 (Perfect Score) AIR Rank: 45 Target College: IIT Madras (Integrated M.Sc. Physics) Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English

📝 Interview Transcript

SATHEE Team: Priya, congratulations on achieving a perfect score! How does it feel to get 800/800 in CUET?

Priya Shankar: Thank you! It still feels surreal. A perfect score wasn’t my initial goal - I just wanted to do my best. The fact that I scored 200/200 in all subjects, especially Physics, is beyond my expectations. Physics has always been my passion, so getting a perfect score means a lot.

SATHEE Team: What was your preparation strategy for achieving this perfect score?

Priya Shankar: My strategy was built on three pillars: Conceptual Clarity, Consistent Practice, and Smart Revision. I started CUET preparation in Class 11 itself, alongside my JEE preparation. The key was understanding that CUET tests application of concepts, not just rote learning.

📚 Detailed Preparation Strategy

Physics (200/200): “Physics is my favorite subject! My approach was:

1. NCERT First: Read every chapter multiple times until concepts were crystal clear
2. Concept Mapping: Created mind maps for each chapter connecting related concepts
3. Problem Solving: Solved every problem in NCERT plus additional 50-100 problems per chapter
4. Derivation Practice: Wrote every derivation at least 5 times until perfect
5. Weekly Tests: Took SATHEE’s mock tests every Sunday and analyzed mistakes”

Chemistry (200/200): “Chemistry required a different approach:

• Organic Chemistry: Made reaction mechanism charts and practiced daily
• Physical Chemistry: Focused on numerical problems and formula understanding
• Inorganic Chemistry: Used mnemonic devices and daily revision
• Practical Knowledge: Understood experiments thoroughly as they’re often asked”

Mathematics (200/200): “Math was all about practice:

• Daily Problem Solving: Solved 20-25 problems daily
• Concept Hierarchy: Mastered basic concepts before moving to complex ones
• Time Management: Practiced solving problems within time limits
• Error Analysis: Maintained an error diary and reviewed it weekly”

English (200/200): “English was challenging but I worked systematically:

• Vocabulary Building: Learned 10 new words daily
• Grammar Practice: Did grammar exercises for 30 minutes daily
• Reading Comprehension: Read articles from diverse topics
• Writing Practice: Wrote essays on current affairs weekly”

🗓️ Daily Study Schedule

Weekday Schedule:

• 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM: Physics problem solving
• 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM: School preparation
• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM: School
• 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Mathematics practice
• 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Break and refresh
• 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Chemistry study
• 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM: English language practice
• 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Revision and doubt clearing
• 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Planning next day’s study

Weekend Schedule:

• Saturday: Full-length mock tests + detailed analysis
• Sunday: Weak subject improvement + revision of entire week

SATHEE Team: How did you balance school studies with CUET preparation?

Priya Shankar: It was challenging but manageable. The key was integration rather than separation. I treated school studies as foundation building and CUET preparation as application practice. My teachers were very supportive - they allowed me to work on CUET materials during free periods.

SATHEE Team: What resources did you use besides NCERT?

Priya Shankar:

1. SATHEE Platform: Their mock tests were incredibly accurate
2. Previous Year Papers: Solved last 5 years of various entrance exams
3. Reference Books: HC Verma for Physics, OP Tandon for Chemistry
4. Online Resources: Physics videos by Indian professors
5. Study Groups: Regular discussions with classmates

🎯 Overcoming Challenges

SATHEE Team: What were your biggest challenges?

Priya Shankar:

1. Time Management: Initially, I tried to study everything and got overwhelmed
2. Peer Pressure: Seeing friends prepare differently created self-doubt
3. Burnout: There were times when I felt completely exhausted
4. Subject Balance: I loved Physics more and sometimes neglected other subjects

SATHEE Team: How did you overcome these challenges?

Priya Shankar:

• Structured Schedule: Created realistic timetables with breaks
• Parental Support: My parents helped me stay grounded and focused
• Regular Exercise: Did yoga and meditation for mental clarity
• Subject Rotation: Ensured equal time for all subjects

💡 Tips for CUET Aspirants

For Perfect Score Aspirants:

1. Master NCERT completely - Every line matters
2. Practice consistently - Daily problem solving is non-negotiable
3. Analyze mock tests thoroughly - Understand why you made mistakes
4. Stay healthy - Physical and mental health affects performance
5. Believe in yourself - Confidence is crucial for perfect scores

For Science Students:

1. Focus on concepts, not just formulas
2. Solve problems from multiple sources
3. Make your own notes - Writing helps retention
4. Join study groups - Teaching others reinforces learning
5. Take regular breaks - Avoid burnout

🏆 Achievements Beyond CUET

• National Science Olympiad: Gold Medalist (2023)
• Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY): Selected for interview round
• National Level Science Exhibition: First prize for Physics project
• School Topper: Consistently topped class throughout high school

🎯 Future Goals

“I want to pursue research in Quantum Physics and contribute to India’s scientific advancement. My dream is to work at ISRO or DRDO and help India become a leader in space technology.”

📞 Message to Students

“Perfect scores are achievable with the right strategy and consistent effort. Don’t compare yourself with others - everyone has their own journey. Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than memorizing. Most importantly, enjoy the learning process!”

Key Takeaway: “Success in CUET is not about studying hard, it’s about studying smart!”

Follow Priya’s Journey: Connect for Mentorship

More Perfect Score Stories: View All Perfect Scores

Priya Shankar is currently pursuing B.Sc. + M.Sc. Integrated Physics at IIT Madras and continues to mentor CUET aspirants through SATHEE’s mentorship program.