Calcutta student scores 100% in ISC ..... A NEVER-BEFORE FEAT BY EXAMINEE AT LA MARTINIERE FOR BOYS

MITA MUKHERJEE AND JHINUK MAZUMDAR, TT,  08 May 2019, Calcutta: A Marvel fan from La Martiniere for Boys in Calcutta who reads science fiction and philosophy for recreation scored 100 per cent in ISC, a never-before feat in 42 years of the board exam.

Salt Lake-resident Dewang Kumar Agarwal was not alone in the feat. Vibha Swaminathan from Bangalore, a humanities student, too scored a perfect 100.

Dewang, who studied science got the full 100 marks in English, physics, chemistry and computer science. In maths, his score is 99 per cent.

In ISC, the total percentage is calculated on the basis of the marks scored in English which is compulsory and three other papers. "My studies always come first.

I have worked very hard for my ISC. I was satisfied after writing the exams in every paper," Dewang told Metro.

He would never study for fixed number of hours everyday but he would set small goals everyday and make sure that he achieved those targets. "It could be just an hour on a particular day but it could stretch for five hours the next day," Dewang said.

His favourite subject is computer science and engineering and he wants to graduate from an IIT.

He has cracked the JEE-Mains and is preparing for the JEE-Advanced.

His favourite pastimes are reading, listening to music, watching movies and he enjoys swimming.

"The last movie I saw was Avengers: Endgame. And I closely follow Marvel through the films. I read books in variety of subjects and I usually swim at least twice a week," he said.

The ISC results showed 20 students in Bengal placed between 100 per cent and 99.50 per cent marks. Nineteen of them are from schools in Calcutta and one from Siliguri in north Bengal.

Four of them have got 99.75 and 15 scored 99.50 per cent.

Metro spoke to heads of several schools many of whom said there are more high scorers in various subjects this time.

"The results have been excellent this time. More students are scoring 100 per cent marks in various subjects. In the past it was believed that marks should not be given. The lesser marks the better. Times have changed. There is no harm in giving more marks. The college cut offs have gone up. The high marks in ISC will help students in meeting the cut offs for seeking admission in top institutions," said Rupkatha Sarkar, principal, La Maritiniere for Girls' school.

Gerry Arathoon, secretary and chief executive of the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) that conducts the ISC examinations said council had introduced a number of measures to make the ISC curriculum student friendly..