Last updated on: November 9, 2025
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Yuvika Rathi
College Student
In India, board exams are treated as a defining academic moment. Scores often become a measurement of intelligence, discipline, and future potential. But does scoring well in board exams guarantee success in college, career, or life?
Not entirely.
While board exams matter, real-world success requires a broader skill set that goes far beyond textbooks.
Board exams are not useless. They serve important purposes:
They ensure you are familiar with:
This base helps in higher studies like engineering, commerce, medical, humanities.
Class 12 marks are considered in:
Preparing for boards helps students learn:
These are real-life habits.
So yes — Board exams matter. But only up to a point.
However, board exams do not evaluate many abilities needed in real-world environments.
| Focus Area | Real Value | Missing Component |
| Memory | Helps in exams | Doesn’t ensure understanding |
| Speed Writing | Useful in theory subjects | Not needed in most careers |
| Set-pattern Answers | Ensures scoring | Reduces creativity |
This is why students with average marks often do extremely well later — they build the missing skills.
In college, internships, interviews, and workplaces — nobody asks your Class 10 or Class 12 marks.
They look for how you think and how you solve problems.
| Skill | Why It Matters | How to Build It |
| Communication | Used in interviews, presentations, team work | Speak in English/Hindi daily, record yourself, debate clubs |
| Critical Thinking | Needed to solve real challenges | Solve case studies, puzzles, ask “why” instead of memorizing |
| Decision-making | Helps in career choices & life | Take responsibility for small decisions first |
| Emotional Intelligence | Helps in dealing with stress and people | Journaling, self-reflection, understanding triggers |
| Adaptability | World changes fast | Try new things, learn continuously |
A Class 12 96% scorer struggled in her college group presentations because she never practiced communication or teamwork.
A student with 75% in CBSE learned graphic designing during vacations — now runs a freelance business earning ₹15,000–₹30,000 per month alongside college.
Conclusion: Scores matter initially, but skills matter longer.
You don’t need to choose between exams and skills.
You can build both in very small daily steps.
| Time | Task |
| 3–4 hours/day | Focused board exam study |
| 30 minutes/day | Learn one skill (writing, coding, speaking, etc.) |
| Weekends | Practice real-world projects |
Real success is a mix of:
Board exams give you the start.
Skills give you the direction.
Attitude gives you the sustainability.
Board exams are important — but they are not the final definition of your future.
Your marks may open a door, but your skills decide how far you go.
So, study seriously, yes — but also grow as a person.
Learn to think, communicate, solve, and adapt — that is what success demands.