10 things you MUST do while preparing for board exams

With board exams just a month away, Mohit Gundecha, CEO, YourNextLeap.com
suggests ten things you must do to ensure that you are better prepared for the
D-day. Illustrations by Uttam Ghosh

As a youngster, board exams are probably the first challenge you will face among the
many other challenges that will be thrown at you later in life. Thankfully, you have
ample time to be prepared. With just a little over a month left for the exam, here are
some tips and suggestions that might help you get better prepared for the challenge
that awaits you.

1. Plan smartly
Ensure you give the required amount of time to each subject based on your proficiency
and the vastness of the syllabus. While planning, ensure you account for each chapter
and each topic in that chapter. One way to plan your study could be to start preparing
for exams in the reverse order, that is, prepare first for the last exam such that you
start preparing for the first exam about 2 weeks before the date.

2. Study textbooks thoroughly

here is very little chance of a question beyond your prescribed textbooks. Ensure you
are well versed with each concept and topic in your textbook. Do not ignore diagrams,
tables or graphs in your textbooks as questions can be asked on any chapter from the
textbook.

3. Solve past year's question papers

Try to solve at least 10 past year's question papers to get an idea of the exam pattern
and popular questions. Having studied well and being exam-ready are two different
things. Solving past year's papers help you to get exam-ready. You will find a majority
of questions being repeated over the years.

4. Stress on important points/formulae

Memorising certain formulae, notes and dates are essential for almost all subjects.
Make sure you learn them by-heart well in time before the exam. Write down these
points (formulae, theorem, definitions)on flash cards that you can carry along with you
in your pocket or wallet. You can read them every time you have a moment to spare --
especially while you are travelling. You can write down these notes in bright colours on
chart papers and stick them around your study place or pin them on to a board in
your room. Every time you pass by, you will take a look at the notes which will also
help you in memorising them.

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5. Time your efforts
Get an idea as to how much time you need to answer a particular question. This will
help you know if you need to concentrate on speed or accuracy. Finding out how much
time you spend on a particular question will also help you know your strengths and
weaknesses. Once you find that out, stress more on your weak areas

6. Study in a group, once in a while

It is always good to study in a group, say once a week. It will help you get your doubts
cleared by your friends who might know how to solve a particular question you find it
hard to solve. Studying in a group also helps you validate your exam preparation and
efforts. Say, you have left out some portion of the syllabus purposefully; your study
group can tell you if it's a good idea to do so. Spending time with your friends will also
help you feel refreshed.

7. Study early mornings

Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise'. The idea is to sleep
early and wake up early to stay fit and fresh. Studying in the early mornings is the
best time as there is minimal distraction outside which helps you concentrate better.
Having rested well, your mind is also in a better state to grasp what you are reading.

8. Stress on your weaknesses

It is not a good idea to ignore your weak subjects. The board exam result is an
aggregate percentage of all your subjects. Give equal importance to each subject. In
case you find a particular subject difficult, direct more efforts towards it -- practice
more and more so that by the end of preparations you are comfortable with all the
subjects. Ignoring even one subject can lead to a dramatic fall in the aggregate
percentage. For example, when you have scored about 90 marks in all five subjects
while you managed to score just 65 in one, it will reflect on your overall score in a bad
way and will also pull down your percentage to 85.

9. Take care of your health

A lot of students end up feeling sick due to pressure, sleep deprivation and improper
diet. Ensure that you have at least 7 hours of sound sleep everyday and have 4
healthy meals every day. Drink a glass of milk before going to bed in case you are
facing trouble getting sound sleep.

10. Don't lose your peace

Comparing your pre-boards marks with your friends who have scored more or
worrying about lacking behind in preparation is only going to make matters worse.
Learn to concentrate on your efforts rather than others. Just Relax! Don't give up on
recreation and hobbies. About 8 hours of dedicated study is enough to get you good
marks. Spend the rest of the day doing things you like or best, pursue a hobby. It will
keep the exam pressure from getting the better of you.

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 Important Tips to Prepare for 10th Board Exams – UrbanPro

Board exams play a vital role in shaping the future career of any student as the grades
which a student is able to secure in the Board Exams essentially shape the future
prospects for the student.
The 10th Board exams are just round the corner. Below are listed some important tips
which will help you prepare effectively and secure a meritorious position in the
examination.

Thorough Knowledge of Syllabus

Our education system is such that the student is rarely aware of the syllabus. They
tend to follow the directions which their teachers give them throughout the 10 years of
their school lives. However, the situation is bit different in class 10th and the student
needs to be aware of the exact syllabus which they need to follow.
A better way is to consult your teachers on the exact syllabus format or get the copy of
the same from the website of the concerned school board, be it Central Board for
School Education (CBSE) or any other regional board.

Find a Quiet Corner of the Home to Study

To prepare effectively for the examination, you need to identify a quiet corner of the
home, so as to study in peace and prepare comprehensively for the examination.
Ensure that you are away from any kind of electronic gadget, be it television or radio
as you start your preparations for the upcoming examination.
Electronic gadgets are a source or distraction and your valuable time will get wasted in
case you start watching television in the middle of your study session.

Take Help from Sample Papers

You can take help from sample papers which are available at any given bookstore in
your city or town. Besides having a copy of previous year’s question paper, these
sample papers have a range of other sample questions for one to solve. This gives the
student a fair idea of the format of the question paper as it will appear in the
examination.
Solving these sample question papers will help you revise as in all its probability these
sample question papers cover the entire syllabus. Some sample question papers come
along with answers and you will be able to get a fair idea of length of answer you need
to provide for any given question.

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Try to Develop a Conceptual Understanding

The common tendency among students is to cram the syllabus without understanding
the basics of the topic or subject. This tendency is to be avoided if you are seeking to
get good grades. A distinct disadvantage of cramming down the syllabus without
understanding is that in case the question appears in the examination in some other
form, you might end up in trouble. If however, the syllabus has been understood
effectively and the basics of the topic are clear in your mind, you will be able to solve
any given problem with minimal efforts on your part.

Have a Healthy Diet

Following a healthy dietary schedule is important when you begin preparations for the
examinations. Ensure that you take a light dinner whenever you plan to study till late.
Overeating decreases the grasping power and you will feel lethargic all the while. This
will create difficulty for you when it comes to remembering facts and figures.
Studying till late hours should be avoided in the later stages of the exam preparation.
You should never remain awake till late night a day before the examination as this can
create headache, the next morning and you might end up in trouble.

Make Brief Notes

Making brief notes of the topics always helps and you should prepare brief notes of
whatever your teachers share with you. These help you prepare effectively as and
when the exams approach.

Do Not Leave it for the End

Start preparing for the board examination from the day your session begins. Do not
leave the things to the end as this can create unnecessary pressure on you and can
affect your examination results eventually. Keep some dedicated hours for studying
from beginning of the session and study on a daily basis.
Follow the above listed tips and you will be able to secure a meritorious position in
your class 10th Board Examinations.

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 Formulating a Study Plan for 10th Board Exams

It isn’t easy to prepare for an exam that is touted as “the biggest exam of your life”. (I
wouldn’t lie; it really is!!!) With old lessons sitting heavy in the head, new ones piling
up, well-wishers clocking your study hours and finally, the study hours decreasing by
the day, the countdown to your first board exams can be a scary affair. But, does it
have to be? Not if you have a smart little study plan for 10th board exams in place.
Every study guide on the planet will say ‘organize your time’ and ‘make a study
timetable’. But how do you do it?
So, for all those biting their nails and dreading about the impending danger, check out
this study plan for 10th board exams!
Check out this article if:
 You want to see what an effective study plan for 10th board exams looks like
 You want steps for making a study timetable.
What an Awesome Study Timetable Looks Like:

Please Note: This is just a sample timetable I had created for the month of
September 17′. You could modify it as per your preferences (whether you are a
night owl or an early riser), add a few more hours of studying and use it for the
last few months before the 10th board exams.
Preparation Strategy for Class 10th Board Exams
1. Start early.
Students tend to ignore their body clock. When they are on preparatory leave, most
students study late into the night and end up sleeping in the morning. Start your

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 timetable waaaaaay in advance, so you have enough time to revise everything. You
might even need to make a few different timetables.

2. Give a colour code to each subject.

It will be easier to navigate your timetable this way and you will be able to see more
easily if you have a fair balance between all of your subjects. Also, it looks visually
appealing.

3. The cliché: Planning.

Don’t just dive straight into it. Think things through first.

4. Break it down in achievable targets.

Take a separate piece of paper. Then, under each subject, list all of the things that you
need to know. This might be all the topic areas for that subject, what you covered each
week in class/tuitions or the different sections of the exam.

5. Be specific.
What exactly do you need to do in order to feel confident in all of the areas you listed
in step 3? For example, if one of the topic areas is ‘trigonometry,’ list the exact page
numbers and exercises that you will do to practice trigonometry. Then think about
how excellent it will feel when you reach the end of your timetable and you never have
to do trigonometry ever again.
6. Create a schedule for one subject at a time.
This way, you can be sure you’ve covered everything. Make sure that you are realistic
with how long each exercise is going to take.
7. Factor in time for BREAKS.
You cannot forget the time spent on food and sleep. Everyone works differently but
generally speaking, a 5-10 minute break every hour is a good amount. Give yourself
the night off every once in a while as well.
Read about why you shouldn’t forget your hobbies during 10th board exams
preparations here.
8. Mix it up; don’t make it monotonous.
No one likes studying maths for 6 straight hours. Give yourself a mix of subjects each
day so that you decrease your chances of losing interest really quickly. Most people are
more productive in the morning, so try mixing up the time of day you tackle different
subjects as well.
9. Don’t beat yourself up.
A study timetable is not set in stone. You might find ways to improve it as you go. Be
flexible with what you’ve written and be prepared to move things around if you find
that your estimations of the time were a bit off. It’s a good idea to use a pencil…
Try and set a specific time to study every day and you’ll find that it makes things so
much easier. Look at the classes you have to attend, work out the time that you need
to get to them and then set a realistic time every day, so it almost becomes like part of
your daily timetable.
Remember that the grades you get in the 10th board exams do matter and they
determine, to a large extent, your career graph. Put your best foot forward and don’t
panic. Take the exams with full confidence and with a positive attitude. There’s no
reason for you to flounder.
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 Preparation tips for Subjects of Class 10th Board Exams

SCIENCE
You need to primarily take care of these following areas – Chemistry, Physics, and
Biology. Students who are thinking of taking up the science stream in class XI should
strictly focus on all these three areas as this will strengthen their foundations.
1. Keep the complete list of formulae, experiments, and derivations
2. Don’t even think about skipping the science laboratory lectures and classes. Use the
science laboratory as much as you can for every single experiment.
3. It is crucial to use NCERT books that can be followed thoroughly to score well in
Science. All the question papers revolve around the concepts given in the NCERT book,
so keep that in mind.
4. Many science formulas have rules that you strictly need to follow and use them
correctly. Let’s say, for using quadratic formula; you need to change the equation to
the standard quadratic form.
5. PHYSICS-You need to get a good grip on the basic concepts of the subject. Most of the
questions from paper contain direct formulae- and theorem-based questions.
Therefore, learn them thoroughly to solve questions correctly. Try solving formulae and
theorems from last years’ 10th board exams papers and model papers for various
problems.
6. CHEMISTRY-The best part is that this high-scoring subject needs lesser time for
preparation. So, you can get the required speed and accuracy by solving different
problems you can achieve through in-depth study of the subject and extensive
practice. Go through the name reactions thoroughly; create charts of formulae along
with names and revise them as and when possible.
7. BIOLOGY-This subject includes a lot of diagrams, so it’s important to give special
attention to diagrams and their theory. Ensure that important terms and their
respective functions are remembered. Biology has a lot of learning and memorization
of difficult terminology. Write such terms down repeatedly so that you get acquainted
with them. Get meticulous with the key definitions as the subject is mostly theory.

MATHEMATICS
Class 10th mathematics is all about basic geometry, trigonometry and the concept of
numbers. These subjects build aptitude and concepts that turn out to be beneficial for
the students who wish to appear for aptitude-based tests in future.
1. Class 10 Math formulas may seem very general, but many times they are seen in
previous years’ question papers and questions are asked from them.
2. It’s crucial to keep the concepts/formulas sheet
3. Go through the usage of all the Math formulas thoroughly.

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4. If you are planning to score an A1 in math 10th board exams, then it’s really
important to be in synch with your NCERT book. Almost the entire question paper
includes concepts and formulas that are given in the NCERT book.
5. Try to read the problem, again and again, to understand the exact idea of the question
while solving a problem-based question.
6. On a rough paper, jot down exactly what is given in the question paper and what you
need to find. Then, in a methodical way, find what is asked of you.
7. After the revision is done, you can start solving sample papers, unsolved papers and
practice papers within the given set of time.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social science may sound boring, but one can use study tools to make it fun. Things
like flashcards, colourful charts, timelines and funny mnemonics can help you study
apart from the textbook and notes reading. In 10th class, social sciences studies are
either the beginning or ending.
1. Go through the course once without trying to remember it; just as you would read a
newspaper or novel and try to understand it.
2. It is important to prioritize your subjects and topics as per the marks weightage and
easy and difficult chapters. You can rely on this list to create a practical study
schedule.
3. Make notes for specific points that you feel are important and you are likely to forget,
in addition to school notes.
4. Make a chart that includes important dates, go through it regularly and you will find
that you can easily remember the dates.
5. Make the study subject-wise instead of combining all topics; remember that they were
separated for a reason.
6. Use as many flashcards as possible for definitions and also for various historical
events. This technique is a kind of fun and quick revision.
7. You can practice map work by finding out the important locations you want to
remember, then locate them on a blank map
8. It’s crucial to understand economics and political science, and it’s better to avoid
memorizing.
9. Solve previous year papers/ sample papers and start practicing by writing within the
word limits.

ENGLISH
1. Unseen passage/note making: This section is quite scoring and needs the least
amount of effort comparatively.
2. Writing skills: Stick to formats religiously. Most of the questions on this subject are for
10 marks, divided into 3 marks for the format. Four are for content and three for
fluency/accuracy of English. Go through sample letters and also articles from
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 reference books so that you can improve thinking skills and understand presentation
skills. Board examiners often give preference to an exhaustive article that has lots of
ideas and inputs by the student instead of simple repetitive arguments in fancy
language.
3. Grammar: The only trick here is: practice, practice, practice. Learn the basic rules and
attempt as many questions as possible and correct yourself after making mistakes.
4. Literature: When it comes to poems, have a notebook handy and jot down everything
your teacher explains. Please know that just understanding the chapter is not enough
as students would need to write 7-10 mark answers in the exam. Keep this in mind,
and make an effort to attempt past years’ papers and questions from other reference
material. Every long answer has an introduction, body and conclusion. Your aim
needs to be about writing 150-200 words spread across 3-4 paragraphs.

HINDI
1. This subject is fairly scoring and one can get 90+ easily. But to do that, you have to
study the NCERT textbooks really well as they are very useful.
2. You need to get your hands on a question-bank-cum-guide and practice questions.
3. Solve past years’ papers(Oswal, Arihant or any of the available sources), and cross-
check with the solutions provided. In fact, most of the times, questions are just
repeated in exams.
4. The points mentioned above are the only 3 simple you need to score 95+ in the paper.

Things to Do On the Day of the 10th Board Exams

 If you will be going to an unknown exam centre, then it is recommended that you visit
the center before the exam day and understand the route well. Many times, parents
accompany their children to the center on the first day but the kids lose their way if
they have to visit on their own and enter the exam hall late. No one wants to lose out
on time and miss a section of the paper.
 It is also important to not get bogged down by the stress and pressure around you. Try
and use the last one hour before the exam to relax. Don’t think too much about the
exam as that will add to your tension. Follow this trick. Ask your friends to avoid
talking to you about the upcoming exam in the last one hour. It’s crucial to relax so
that you can concentrate better at the time of the examination.
 Lastly, believe in yourself and don’t let anyone else tell you that you are incapable of
doing something. Your perseverance and determination will help you ace the exams
and emerge a winner.
Did you find this article helpful?
Yes, thanks! OR Not really…?
Leave your comments in the section below.
Good luck!
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 How to Prepare for Class 10 Board Exams

You will be appearing for your 10th board exams this year. Till now you have been
competing with classmates but now for the first time you will be exposed to greater
competition, with numerous students across the country appearing for exam. This will
be your first step towards achieving the goal you have set in life. This is because the
10th board marks will be a decisive factor for most of your future endeavours.

Tips to prepare

 Know the syllabus clearly: Follow your class lessons properly to cover your
syllabus in a systematic manner. The class lessons are probably the first
introduction of the topics to you. After coming home, revise whatever is taught
in the class, as the topics will be still fresh in mind. In case of confusion, clarify
with your teacher the next day.

 Solve questions: Try and solve the questions at the end of each topic and also
the last ten years' papers. If you are stuck, make sure you have it resolved by
the next day at the maximum. Take help from teachers and seniors, as needed.

 Maintain separate notebooks for each subject: Jot down important notes and
formulae that you come across during your studies. This will help before the
exams as you can just grab the subject notebook and revise the portions you
want.

 Highlight important points: Highlight important points and formulae on

textbooks and reference books to locate them easily. Revise the points as and
when you get time.

 Plan your studies: Chalk out a time table for board exam preparation and
allocate ample time for each subject. Choose the time that you think is best for
study. It can be early in the morning or late at night. Do not allow distractions to
mar your studies. Select a study space that you feel is most suitable and
convenient.

 Know your strengths and weaknesses: Hone your strengths but do not ignore
your weaknesses. Concentrate more to improve on them. Take guidance from
your teachers.

 Revise Well: Do not study anything new or from a new book right before exams,
as you may get confused. Revise what you have studied and glance at important
notes and formulae. Make note of important formulae and keep them handy so
that you can take a look at them as an when you want. Make a weekly revision
plan once you have completed the entire syllabus.

 Keep fit: Eat healthy and take ample rest. Make sure you are also spending
some time playing and re-energizing yourself.

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 Subject-wise tips
Physics

 Get a grip on the fundamental concepts of the subject.

 A major part of the exam contains direct formulae- and theorem-based

questions. Therefore, revise them thoroughly to solve questions accurately.

 Use the formulae and theorems extensively in solving various problems from last
years’ papers and model papers.

Chemistry

 The good news is this is a high-scoring subject, and also requires lesser time for
preparation.

 Speed and accuracy in solving different problems can be acquired through in-
depth study of the subject and extensive practice.

 Study the name reactions; make charts of formulae along with names and revise
them as and when possible.

Biology

 As the subject includes lots of diagrams, give special attention to important

diagrams and their theory. Make sure you remember the important terms and
their respective functions.

 Biology involves learning and memorising difficult terminology. Write such terms
repeatedly so as to get acquainted with them.

 Get thorough with the important definitions as the subject is mostly theory.

Mathematics

 Mathematics is a high-scoring subject once you are clear with the concepts. Do
not fear it; instead, start practicing. You will see that you will slowly develop
interest.

 Calculations can be lengthy and time-consuming. Practice a lot to acquire both

speed and accuracy, as it is the one and only trick to attain a high score in the
subject.

 Beware of the silly mistakes that you often make.

 Jot down important formulae and tables that you need to memorise. Keep them
handy so that you can glance at them whenever you want.
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  Practice common square root and cube root problems so that you can quickly
solve the questions during the exam.
History

 This subject contains facts as recorded by historians. So, the only mantra is to
read, memorise and remember important events, names, periods and dates of
different historical occurrences.

 Study, revise and answer questions from time to time.

Geography

 Practice map-pointing a lot.

 Problems on latitude and longitude, among others, are quite high-scoring.

Practice extensively to master them.
On Your Exam Day

 Reach the examination hall a little earlier. Ensure that you have the important
documents such as admit card, pen, pencil, etc., with you. Locate your seat and
settle down comfortably, keeping everything in place.
 Read the questions carefully, as any silly mistake of understanding the question
can be damaging.

 After you get the question paper, spend five minutes to glance through it. It is
better to solve those questions that you are more confident with, instead of
wasting time with the difficult ones.

 Do not waste time if you get stuck with a question. Move forward with the
others. Once the easier and moderate ones are done with, attempt the relatively
tougher ones if you have the time.

 Revise the paper carefully, provided time permits.

Some Recommended Books

CBSE Books
 NCERT Books on Class 10 subjects
ICSE Books
 ICSE Mathematics 15th Edition (Paperback) by Ravinder Kumar Vimal and
Vinod Kumar Jain
 Longman History & Civics for ICSE 10 (Paperback) by Singh
 ICSE Geography For Class 10 (Paperback) by R.K. Jain
 ICSE Physics For Class X (Paperback) by Pankaj Bhatt
 S.Chand's ICSE Chemistry X 1st Edition (Paperback) by B.S. Bisht
 ICSE Biology, by Sarita Aggarwal

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