Ashmita Jain of New Panvel scores 99.6% in CBSE Class X

For Ashmita Jain of St Joseph's High School in Khanda Colony, life changed for the best between Jurassic Park and Jungle Book. Before appearing for her Class X Central Board of School Examination (CBSE), she watched the Steven Spielberg movie. After the exam, she saw the Jon Favreau blockbuster. And when results came out, her score was 99.6%. She has to be the national-level topper. If not, in the Mumbai or Chennai region, at least.

The New Panvel student scored 498 out of 500 marks, with 100% in three subjects.

"I used to study 7-8 hours a day and focused on the basics," she told dna. Ashmita now wants to study science in Class XI and XII.

Kalpana Dwivedi, principal, St Joseph's High School, says Ashmita is a multi-talented student and she made the school proud. "She is very disciplined and always took part in school activities," said Dwivedi.

For St Joseph's High School, there are more reasons to cheer. Two other students, Rhutuja Thakur and Bhakti Ghanwat, scored 98.6% and 97.8%, respectively. Out of the 248 students who appeared for the examinations from the school, 70 scored 10 CGPA and 72 scored 9 CGPA.