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Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
CUET Subject Strategy: Why confidence and course fit matter more than popularity
'In CUET, it's not just about what most students choose — it's about what you can ace,' says a Delhi University aspirant. With CUET UG 2025 results now declared, the 2026 senior secondary batch of students is reassessing their subject choices for next year's exam. While popular subjects like Business Studies and English continue to dominate the full-score charts, a new trend is emerging—niche subjects, though less commonly chosen, are helping confident candidates gain a competitive edge. According to CUET UG 2024 data, Business Studies led with 2,098 students scoring a perfect 200, followed by Political Science (5,141 candidates) and English (1,683). In 2023, English had topped the list with 5,685 students scoring full marks. These mainstream subjects remain favourites due to large student pools and widely available resources. Interestingly, regional and less commonly opted subjects—such as Assamese, Mizo, Japanese, and German—had just one or two students scoring full marks. Though seemingly marginal, this points to a strategic opportunity for students aiming to stand out. Introduced in 2022, the CUET UG is held as an entrance test to shortlist candidates for admission to UG programmes at central universities across the country and other participating state universities. Candidates can choose a maximum of five subjects from a pool of 37 subjects (13 languages + 23 domain-specific subjects + one general aptitude test). The subjects are selected based on the eligibility criteria for a programme at a desired university. This year, only one student scored 100 percentile in four of five chosen subjects. Of the 13.54 lakh registered candidates, 10.71 lakh appeared for the exam. 'Many students are now waking up to the fact that niche subjects may offer an edge,' says an assistant professor at a central university in Assam. 'If a student is genuinely strong in a subject like Sanskrit or Persian, their chances of ranking high improve due to less saturation and more manageable competition,' the professor added. According to Karan Mehta, co-founder of Toprankers, a smaller test-taker pool doesn't guarantee a high percentile; it only changes the distribution dynamics. 'If you're among the top scorers in a niche subject, you might get a high percentile with less pressure. But if the test is tough or the pool is highly competent, even one incorrect answer can drastically lower your score. So, your percentile depends more on relative performance than just the number of test takers,' he added. However, as per Ritika Gupta, CEO and counsellor at AAera Consultants, for a niche CUET subject with a smaller number of test-takers, a student can certainly stand a better chance of attaining higher percentiles, as long as they perform well. Generally, with a smaller number of candidates, there is less spread in scores, which may favour a prepared candidate. 'This only holds if the student is capable of the subject. If a student does poorly, then the poor performance of a smaller number of candidates would become noticeable and could lead to a drastically lower percentile. It is worth noting that normalisation also benefits groups; therefore, the key remains performance. The more important thing for choosing a subject is the subject's relevance to the programme the student is seeking, as well as how confident the student feels with the content. Choosing just based on the lower number of test-takers should not be the priority,' she added. In CUET's normalised scoring pattern, how many people score high in a subject can directly impact percentile rankings. So, even though it might be easier to find resources for business studies or biology, scoring in these subjects can be more competitive. For Angad Arora, a humanities student from Chandigarh who took Punjabi as a language subject, the decision paid off. 'I was fluent in the language since childhood, but people discouraged me because it wasn't 'mainstream'. Turns out, I scored 200 — and it boosted my CUET percentile,' he says. Garima appeared for six subjects in CUET UG 2022 – English, Hindi, political science, geography, history and physical education. She got full marks in all the subjects and took admission in Political Science (Hons) at the Hindu College. She opines that if one is interested in niche subjects, it can be beneficial for the score card. 'It just boils down to one thing – which subjects you are confident in,' she added. However, teachers caution that niche subjects should be chosen only when a student is genuinely confident. Ramnath Kanakadandi, senior course director at T.I.M.E, opines that subjects should be selected based primarily on one's interest combined with the long-term prospects of the area. Competition is a factor to be considered, only after considering the earlier two parameters and only in an all things being equal kind of scenario, Kanakadandi added. 'If we make competition the primary factor, we run the risk of getting into subjects or courses that may not offer the benefits that we can otherwise get, based on our interest/ability,' he added. Before selecting your subjects for CUET, Garima added, it is extremely important to see the particular requirements for your desired course and University. Candidates will have to make sure that their combination of subjects satisfies those requirements. 'Taking niche subjects might give you a competitive edge but it needs to align with your overall goal too. For example, if you want to pursue a bachelors in Zoology from DU, you need to score marks in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with English only being a qualifying subject. In such scenarios, I would say there's not much scope for niche subjects. Hence, you'll have to work harder in your domain subjects. Have a clear understanding of the requirements of your desired course and dedicate your time and efforts accordingly,' she added. Moreover, limited takers for some subjects mean that a poor performance might have a sharper negative impact on percentile, since normalisation factors in the overall difficulty and cohort performance. With CUET opening doors to over 200 universities and changing the face of undergraduate admissions, subject selection has become more strategic than ever. Experts suggest that students should begin self-assessment early in Class 11, mapping their comfort zones and aligning their CUET subject choices accordingly. Mehta said subject selection is one of the most critical steps in CUET planning. He has asked the candidates to always begin by checking the subject requirements of target universities and programmes on the CUET information bulletin or university websites. Some programmes mandate specific subjects — Economics (Hons) often requires maths. 'Choose your subjects in a way that you keep multiple program options open including backups,' he added. Emphasising that ability should be a key factor when selecting subjects, a senior course director at T.I.M.E. noted that eligibility criteria vary across colleges. For instance, English is not a mandatory subject for many programmes. Even where it is required, each university and programme has its own CUET score cutoffs. While a high English score may help meet the cutoff for certain courses, a low overall score due to other subjects could still affect admission chances. The key to success in CUET lies in aligning subject choices with both your strengths and your academic goals. While niche subjects can offer a strategic edge by reducing competition, they should only be considered when they align with the eligibility criteria of your desired course and institution. For aspirants aiming for specific programmes like zoology or economics, prioritising core domain subjects is non-negotiable. Ultimately, whether you choose a popular or less conventional subject, the decision must be guided by confidence, clarity of purpose, and a deep understanding of university requirements. There has been a noticeable shift toward strategy-based subject selection. Earlier, students picked subjects based on boards or school teaching. Now, they are considering scoring potential, normalisation impact, and previous year college cut-offs. For example, many students are adding the General Aptitude Test and language subjects purely for college flexibility and backup options. Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More
Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Edtech leader Toprankers launches Lighthouse, a new personalised mentorship platform for students and parents
PNN New Delhi [India], July 4: Toprankers, one of India's leading ed-tech platforms guiding students toward careers beyond engineering and medicine, is proud to announce the launch of its newest initiative, Lighthouse, today, July 4, 2025. At its core, Lighthouse by Toprankers is an intrapersonal mentorship ecosystem, combining the best of human guidance and AI-driven insights. It is built to enhance not only academic performance but also critical life skills by strengthening a student's Emotional Quotient (EQ), Adversity Quotient (AQ), and Intelligence Quotient (IQ). The tailor-made mentorship programme will help students unlock their full potential through structured feedback, empathetic advice, and goal-focused planning, enabling better decision-making, personal growth, and long-term success. "Our students don't just need academic coaching--they need holistic mentoring that prepares them for life," said Karan Mehta, Co-founder of Toprankers. "Lighthouse is our response to what both students and parents have been asking for: clarity, structure, and support throughout the exam prep journey. By combining expert mentors with smart AI-based tracking, we're helping learners perform better, think clearer, and grow faster." Lighthouse also brings parents into the conversation, offering them monthly, balanced updates on their child's academic and personal development. In addition, parents will receive decision-support mentoring, helping them make informed and thoughtful choices for their child's educational path. With its launch, Lighthouse marks a significant shift in how mentorship is perceived and delivered in India's competitive exam landscape. It's not just about scoring higher, it's about growing stronger, emotionally and intellectually, every step of the way. The launch of Lighthouse adds a powerful new dimension to the Toprankers House of Brands, which already includes some of the most trusted names in entrance exam preparation. These include LegalEdge by Toprankers (India's No.1 platform for law entrance coaching), Supergrads by Toprankers (IPMAT and management entrance prep), Judiciary Gold by Toprankers (Judiciary exam preparation), CreativEdge by Toprankers (for design and architecture entrances), and Udaan by Toprankers (career counselling and school engagement programmes). With over ten lakh students taught and a strong track record of success across competitive fields, Toprankers is redefining how India learns. With their 50th offline centre launched in Bangalore and expanding its impact across digital and hybrid formats, Toprankers remains committed to student-first innovation. The launch of Lighthouse on 4th July 2025 is yet another step in delivering not just academic results, but empowered, self-aware individuals who are ready for life beyond exams. Toprankers is India's leading institution for career counseling and entrance exam preparation, specializing in careers beyond engineering and medicine offering comprehensive preparation programs for students pursuing unconventional career paths in both undergraduate and postgraduate categories. Our courses cover a wide range of fields, including law, architecture, design, commerce, humanities, and management, through both online and offline classrooms. With a robust presence across India, Toprankers operates 50 regional centers in 25 cities, providing exceptional classroom education. With over 12k+ selections in India's top national institutes and 10 lakh+ social media family, Toprankers continues to set the standard for excellence in test preparation, empowering students to achieve their academic goals.
India Today
11-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Common University Entrance Test 2025: Students face woes with remote centres
As the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates (CUET-UG) 2025 unfolds, lakhs of aspirants across India face a wave of logistical difficulties that threaten to derail their academic aspirations. Students, particularly from Delhi-NCR, Meerut, and surrounding regions, are voicing growing concerns over the allocation of exam centres far from their chosen locations-some being asked to travel as far as Dehradun and Muzaffarnagar, despite having selected nearby cities as are calling the issue a case of poor planning and mismanagement. It has not only raised questions of safety and affordability but is also taking a mental and emotional toll on students already navigating the pressure of high-stakes examinations."It is deeply concerning to see CUET-UG aspirants across the country facing severe logistical challenges due to the apparent mismanagement by the NTA," says Karan Mehta, Co-founder of Toprankers. "Students being allotted exam centres in their third-preference cities - and, in many cases, hundreds of kilometres away - is not just inconvenient, it's unfair. This raises serious concerns about travel safety, affordability, and the emotional toll on students already under academic pressure."The lack of transparency surrounding rescheduled exam dates has only added to the anxiety. With several commerce stream students still in the middle of prolonged board exams, the overlap with CUET dates creates further complications. "The delay in exam conduct will inevitably push results back, leading to a late start to the academic session, disrupting university timelines. Students deserve transparency, efficiency, and empathy in the process - especially when their future hinges on it," Mehta adds. advertisement Manish Mohta, Founder of Learning Spiral, echoes similar sentiments. "Certain procedural rubrics on distant exam-center locations for CUET have caused great distress to students. Logging heavy costs while bearing the physical strain may deteriorate one's mental well-being as candidates find themselves in increased states of anxiety and tiredness, way before the exam."He emphasises that accessibility must be a core pillar of exam planning, especially for students from rural or economically challenged backgrounds, for whom long-distance travel is not always feasible. "These kinds of hindrances may not allow a student to give their best, which will affect their future," he education leaders are now questioning the very structure of CUET as a one-size-fits-all exam. W.R. David, Principal of Winmore Academy, Bengaluru, points out, "Selection based on board marks would make the process much easier for students. CUET completely nullifies the consistent effort put in by students during their board exams." He advocates for a more rigorous, concept-based board evaluation that could potentially replace the need for a separate entrance test, easing both stress and financial strain on students and the cumulative burden of last-minute travel, overlapping exams, unclear schedules, and rising coaching and transport costs is creating an environment that feels more exclusionary than inclusive. In a country where education is becoming increasingly digital, accessible, and student-centric, such oversights could undo the very progress the system strives to CUET-UG continues to be positioned as a gateway to 280+ universities, experts argue that now is the time to re-evaluate the student experience and reimagine an entrance process that is not only fair and uniform, but also compassionate and accessible to all.
