What Are My Options If I Score Less in Class 12?

Many believe that the board exam results stay on our life’s report card forever. And something that is printed usually does remain for eternity. But that is not what we are going to discuss here today. The 2023 board results for Class 12 are finally out. Some of you may have scored very well, some of you may have just scraped through. Maybe you got just about 50%, or even lower. Now, you are worried and you don’t know what to do next. For just some time, leave aside the social challenges of scoring low, and think positively about your next steps. In this article Careers360 shares tips on what options you can explore and still have a fulfilling career with time, diligent effort, and a positive attitude.

Building Your Career Despite A Setback

Shagun was a school topper in Class 10. In Class 12, somehow, she did not focus on her studies and spent a lot of time partying and socialising. She thought she would do well; however, her percentage was just 63 per cent. She was aghast and her whole family was upset. Shagun consulted a career counsellor who advised her to apply in colleges which are entrance exam based. She switched cities and moved to a college near her hometown, she cleared both the entrance exam and interview with flying colours. With a fresh start in a new city, she focused on her academics and extracurriculars. A few years later she studied for the CAT and got admission in one of the premier MBA institutions in India. Further, she secured a good placement in the marketing department of an FMCG organisation. Now her low scores in grade XII were finally behind her because she built her career and academic track record diligently.

So what are the options for you if you didn’t cross the 90 percent mark and had to make do with a first class or even lower. Keep reading to know more.

Private Universities

For some of you the low scores may have been due to a personal emergency, illness or an unfortunate incident that created obstacles in your exam and results. Maybe you are otherwise good with exams and tests and have been working hard for a large part of your school life. If you can relate to this, then you can register for the established private universities and their entrance exams and personal interviews. Many universities conduct their own entrance exams to check the quality of the candidates. This proves as a second chance to students who may have scored badly due to unfortunate circumstances. For example, Sharda University in NCR has a SUSAT to screen candidates for different courses. Similar entrance tests are also administered at GD Goenka University, BM Munjal University, Flame University, Krea University, Amity University etc. These are private universities with very good infrastructure and offer a host of courses and options for students. The fees are usually high and vary for different courses based on requirements like lab and other infrastructural facilities. However, you get a good chance to pursue a course of your choice despite a low percentage if you can afford the fees. You may also get a scholarship if you do well in your entrance exams and interview.

School of Open or Distance Learning

If you are looking at completing a graduation and focusing on job-oriented courses, there are many schools of distance or open learning that offer a variety of courses to you. They usually provide course material and conduct contact classes for students over weekends and holidays. Some of the well-established government/recognised universities offering open learning opportunities are listed below:

• The Delhi University, School of Open Learning also offers three basic degree programmes in Humanities and Commerce. The courses offered are BA, BCom and BA (Hons) and are usually priced within Rs 7000/- per year. At the School of Open Learning you can pursue a basic degree of your choice and enrol in additional job-oriented diploma courses and engage in internships to enhance your experience.
• The Madurai Kamaraj University of Distance Learning offers a whole host of undergraduate courses. The fees for the degree programmes range from Rs. 10,000- 50,000/- for the entire programme. There are over 30 courses offered at the undergraduate level in Sciences, IT, Communication, Journalism, Commerce, History, Political Science etc.
• Annamalai University also offers many programmes and has contact classes across India.
• Indra Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has a variety of options that you can choose from for an undergraduate degree. The courses are well structured, with excellent course material and experienced faculty. There are various schools or departments of learning such as engineering, sciences, humanities, foreign languages, drama and performing arts, gender and development studies etc.

All of the above universities also offer post graduate degrees, and you may choose to continue your education with them while you pursue a part-time job or other career-based courses alongside.

If you are looking at completing a graduation and focusing on job-oriented courses, there are many schools of distance or open learning that offer a variety of courses to you.

Also Read | 5 Exciting Ways to Kickstart Your Start-up Journey in College!

The National Institute of Open Schooling

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) offers many job-oriented vocational courses for students who have passed the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations. Most of these are job-oriented diploma courses and can offer immediate employment opportunities. Some of these courses include Beauty Therapy, Ayurveda Assistant, Bee Keeping, Yoga Teachers Training Programme, CRM - Domestic Voice, Community Health, Hair Care and Styling, Mushroom Production, Care of Elderly, Computer Applications etc. These are usually one year diploma courses and there are contact centres that offer training and classes in the same. There are also two-year diploma courses for radiography, laboratory technology, imaging technology, yoga sciences etc. Totally over 100 courses are available covering a wide range of subjects from office operations, agriculture, tourism, textiles, assistants in hospital technology and imaging services. You can enrol for a course of your choice and based on your interests and strengths. For more details you can lookup the official NIOS website.

YMCA

The YMCA offers six month and one year diploma courses in IT, design, tailoring, mass media, public relations, management, office management, digital media, travel and many other courses. They also provide placement opportunities and assistance to students. You can find more details at New Delhi YMCA

Airline Cabin Crew

Some of you may have scored a first division in your Class 12 exams and may prefer to start working immediately. If you are physically fit, pleasant, like to travel and have good stamina, this may prove to be a lucrative job for you. Some airlines recruit directly and some recruit through cabin crew training academies. You will need to go through a medical test, an interview and undertake the training for cabin crew members. Salaries range from 40,000 per month to over a lakh per month for international airlines.

Learn Foreign Languages

If you are good with learning a new language or have already been exposed to languages like French, German, Japanese, Spanish etc. you may want to pursue higher diploma level courses in the same. This will equip you for roles as interpreters, translators, foreign language teachers etc. Look up the foreign language centres near your home and visit them to get more details.

Also Read | 5 Tips To Balance Your Job and Startup Like a Pro

Overall, you can pursue a career of your choice even if you have scored low in your grade XII exams. Your career-route and universities of study will differ, however with a positive mind-set and attitude, you can get back on track and do well in life.

Stay upbeat and focus on the positives! Keep working everyday to achieve your goals as setbacks are a part of life. Good Luck!

Srividya is a Career & Life Coach who works with teens, adults and returning professionals to help them find joy and alignment in their careers and lives. After working for over two decades, she founded LifeVidya in 2019 and has worked with hundreds of students, professionals, and women. She can be reached at www.lifevidya.in.