MHT CET 2018 Topper Interview– “Study Smart and Focus on HSC Books for Preparation” says Sagar Raskar

After a season of bated breath and excitement, DTE Maharashtra has finally released the result of MHT CET 2018. With over 257 students securing the top scores, a few elite have emerged as the toppers of MHT CET 2018. One such student is Sagar Raskar from Ahmednagar, who secured 190 marks in MHT CET 2018. Hailing from a small town, Sagar Raskar has grabbed one of the top ranks while scoring full 100 marks in Mathematics section. Owing his success to his preparation strategy which consisted of 7 to 8 hours of study and focus on HSC/Board examination books, Sagar Raskar speaks to Careers360 regarding why he wants to pursue engineering, who is his biggest inspiration and why he believes MHT CET preparation is not much different from the board examination.

Careers360: Congratulations for your outstanding performance in MHT CET! What was your reaction upon knowing your rank?

Sagar Raskar: I was happy on knowing my score in MHT CET.

Careers360: Tell us something about yourself. Which board have you studied under? Which school have you studied in?

Sagar Raskar: I studied in Residential College, Ahmednagar.

Careers360: What is your score in MHT CET? What is your all state rank and category rank?

Sagar Raskar: I have score 190 marks in MHT CET 2018. I have yet to know my rank since the ranks were not specified in the result.

Careers360: Did you also appear for JEE Main? What was your score and rank in JEE Main?

Sagar Raskar: Yes, i appeared for JEE Main too. My score was 125 and rank was around 52,000.

Careers360: Why do you want to study engineering? When did you decided to study engineering? Which branch would you be interested in? Which college do you wish to apply for?

Sagar Raskar: I decided to study engineering because i like it. The subject really interests me. I am interested to study Computer Science Engineering. I want to get admission into POET.

Careers360: When did you start your MHT CET preparation? Tell us something about your preparation strategy and daily routine for MHT CET?

Sagar Raskar: I started off my preparation from 11^th standard. Everyday I studied for 7 to 8 hours. I referred to HSC books for my preparation.

Careers360: Was there a difference in the preparation strategy in the last months of MHT CET considering that the board exams also are during this period? How did you manage preparation for both?

Sagar Raskar: No, there was not much difference in the preparation strategy for MHT CET and board exams.

Careers360: Did you take coaching for MHT CET and if yes from where? What are the benefits of coaching according to you?

Sagar Raskar: Yes, i took coaching for MHT CET from Ahmednagar. Coaching definitely benefited me since my preparation was taken well care of and regular mock tests was conducted.

Careers360: Mock tests and sample papers – how extensively did you practice with the help of these? Do you think practicing from the previous year papers help and how?

Sagar Raskar: Mock test and previous year questions papers did provide me with a lot of help. Through these, I felt my preparation was getting better and I was more confident about doing well for the examination.

Careers360: Are there any special books that you feel have helped with your MHT CET preparation? Are the school text books adequate for preparing for MHT CET and Class XII?

Sagar Raskar: I feel books of board exams are the best for MHT CET. School text books are adequate for preparing MHT CET and Class XII.

Careers360: How was the MHT CET exam different from JEE Main? Did you give JEE Main in offline mode or online?

Sagar Raskar: MHT CET questions were based off from the books whereas JEE Main questions are application based. Overall, MHT CET was much easier than JEE Main. I attempted JEE Main in offline mode.

Careers360: Did you face any problem during the MHT CET examination? Which subject was the easiest and which was the toughest? What do you think is a tough thing to manage during the exam?

Sagar Raskar: There was no problem during the MHT CET examination. Mathematics was the easiest and Physics was the toughest.

Careers360: This year also three questions were found wrong and full marks awarded to all students. Did you attempt these questions? What is your opinion about this – should only students who have attempted the questions get the marks or all should?

Sagar Raskar: Yes, I had attempted all of those questions. It was right for all students to get the marks since the questions had created a lot of confusion.

Careers360: What do you think are the key factors behind your stupendous success in MHT CET?

Sagar Raskar: My college had prepared me well of the examination and i did work hard to score good results.

Careers360: How did you de-stress yourself during the preparation? What are your hobbies?

Sagar Raskar: I used to read books during my break time. Sometimes I used to go play with my friends but usually I read books.

Careers360: Who is your ideal or biggest inspiration in life?

Sagar Raskar: My biggest inspiration in life is Sundar Pichai.

Careers360: You know you are an inspiration to thousands of students across the country. Do you have any message for future aspirants on tackling the MHT CET exam?

Sagar Raskar: I would advise the students to not waste their time on other books and concentrate on HSC/Board books since they are the main factors which will help them in MHT CET.