CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Subject-wise tips from an expert as per updated paper pattern and marking scheme (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 9, 2022 15:11 IST

The CBSE Class 10 board exam 2022 is around the corner and students are well immersed in their preparation for the same. The CBSE board exams for both Classes 10 and 12 are beginning from April 26 onwards.

Board exams are undoubtedly are the stepping stones to a successful future ahead. Whether it is about obtaining admission in the college and course of a student’s choice or choosing a stream in senior school, the board exam result reflects a student’s aptitude and is an indicator of his/her academic excellence.

Here are subject-wise tips from an expert to help you score high marks as per the updated paper pattern and marking scheme:

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Science tips

• As per NCERT, some chapters/topics have been deleted in Science. So, it is necessary to understand the reduced syllabus and thoroughly practice the questions based on it. For instance, as per sample paper,

In Biology, more weightage is given to ‘Heredity and Evolution’ followed by ‘How Do Organisms Reproduce’ and then by ‘Our Environment’

In Chemistry, ‘Carbon and its Compounds carries higher weightage followed by ‘Periodic Classification of Elements’

In Physics, ‘Electricity’ chapter is given more weightage, followed by ‘Magnetic Effects of Electric Current’.

• Maximum weightage is given to Biology section followed by Chemistry and then by Physics.
• The updated paper pattern contains ‘Case study-based questions’ and ‘Short answer type questions’. Give emphasis on application-based questions.
• Keep a subjective approach in understanding fundamentals and thoroughly focus on the lines of NCERT textbook.
• Summary of each lesson should be carefully memorised. Create Flowcharts to remember concepts in a concise manner ensuring revision in less time. Using flash cards can be a quick memory tool.
• Practice Solved Examples and back exercises from NCERT texts chapter-wise.
• In Physics, formulae should be tabulated in such a manner that it is easy to remember and use proper sign convention to solve the numerical problems wherever required.
• In Biology and Chemistry, the labelling of diagrams/reactions should be practiced as both diagrams/reactions-based questions can be asked based on the sample paper.
• Practice case study questions from important topics like Physics Electrical circuit, Common measuring instruments, Joule’s heating effect of current, Magnetic field and field lines, Force on a moving charge in a magnetic field, Electric motor, Electromagnetic induction, Biology Reproductive system in human beings, Monohybrid and Dihybrid cross, Food chain and Food Web, Chemistry Modern Periodic Table, Bonding of carbon.
• Practice the available Model Test Papers based on the revised pattern in a timed manner.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Mathematics tips

• Analyse the rationalized syllabus along with the updated paper pattern and marking scheme
• Solve NCERT and Exemplar problems repeatedly
• Thoroughly practice of Subjective type questions to learn the step-wise method of answering questions
• Practice Case-Study based questions from topics like ‘Surface Areas and Volumes’ and ‘Some applications of Trigonometry’
• Solve Sample papers for both basic and standard Mathematics within stipulated time
• IMPORTANT CHAPTERS - Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions, Circles, Surface Areas and Volumes

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Social science tips

• In-depth study of NCERT - Social Science is both fact based and concept based. So, students should clear their concepts by repeated readings of NCERT. Relate chapters and concepts in an interconnected manner and identify your weak areas.
• Clarity about examination pattern - CBSE has issued a detailed ‘blueprint of the examination pattern and subject-wise distribution of marks. Write answers in points according to the marking scheme.
• Dedicate separate time for each subject according to its content - Time dedicated to every subject (History, Geography, Economics and Political science) must be allocated in advance. Keep in mind the content of the chapters as some of these require more time for revision. All four subjects have equal weightage.
• Real time practice - For effective preparation, real time practice is very important. Attempt the sample papers just like actual Board exams and analyse your mistakes subjectively.
• Map based questions - Practice map-based questions from History and Geography
• Read the instructions carefully - Read the instructions about the internal choices, word limit, if any. Distribute time for each section as section B may require more time. Keep enough time for revision to identify last minute writing mistakes.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: English tips

• Reading Comprehension: Read the questions thoroughly before attempting. Don't get nervous if the passage is long or carries difficult vocabulary. Skip irrelevant information as per questions asked and understand the thought flow in order to find the most appropriate answers.
• Writing: Learn the formats of Letters properly and stick to formal tone and expression. Do not use fancy, verbose writing style. Stick to comprehensive, clear and logical style of argumentation. For analytical paragraph, use comparative phrases while preparing the report of the bar graphs, pie-charts, etc. Conclusion of the report must be given in clear words, rather than using fancy quotes or idiomatic expressions.
• Grammar: Practice Editing, Omission, Gap-filling questions based on tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, and other parts of speech. Do not worry about punctuation or spelling errors. Sentence Transformation questions must be carefully practiced in dialogue conversion and process writing format.
• Literature: Write short answers in a single paragraph and long answers in two to three paragraphs. Accuracy of writing should be ignored while focusing on value points. Do not include lengthy summary of the chapters unnecessarily while writing answers. Understand the main idea of the questions well enough.
• Practice sample papers in order to familiarise yourself with the updated paper pattern & learn time-management. The sample papers give a glimpse of a variety of questions that can be anticipated in the actual Term-II Board exam, and thereby boost student’s readiness before the paper.
• Attempt the paper with a strategy that suits your paper attempting style. Always begin with questions that you are most confident about in order to boost your confidence. Once you have covered major set of questions, proceed with the questions that take more reading time.
• Thorough revision of Literature chapters and poetry section is a must. Read each line carefully to remember key details. Do not focus on merely remembering the summary of the chapters. Instead, do line-by-line analysis of all implied idea-based questions that can be asked in the paper. Revise all the literary devices and figures of speech used in both prose and poetry section.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Hindi and other languages

• Understand the syllabus & paper pattern thoroughly. It is important to plan a preparation strategy for the exam and attain clarity regarding how to attempt the paper.
• Take thorough reading of the chapters focusing on the tone, mood, theme and character traits of the speaker to answer with subjective clarity.
• Critical appreciation of the poems and lessons is imperative. Connect these with the central idea and message imparted through the chapters.
• Solve previous year question papers to develop time-management skills and accuracy of writing.
• Practice writing answers and solve grammatical questions. Try to write compositions every day and solve as many questions as possible.
• Practicing model question papers is very important for CBSE Term-II Exam. Model papers will help evaluate one’s own progress and also know areas lacking preparation. Giving mock tests, helps to be in a constant phase of revision.

- Article by Vivek Bhatt, National Academic Director, Foundation, Aakash + BYJU’S

Check the CBSE sample papers here.

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