How to Study for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam?
CBSE Class 10 board exams are an important step in a student's education, helping them move on to higher secondary school. As students get ready for these important tests, having good study strategies is key to handling the large amount of material and getting the best results.
This guide will look at effective methods designed for CBSE Class 10 students, highlighting the need for organized study plans, understanding the exam format, and practicing regularly.
How to Study for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam?
Preparing for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam is an important task that needs a good plan. With the right techniques, you can improve your understanding and performance.
Class 10 Board Exam Revision Plan for Science
Science in Class 10 is basic, but it can be challenging if you don’t put in the effort. In earlier classes, you might have just studied from textbooks and teacher's notes. However, in Class 10, you need to refer to multiple sources like NCERT books, reference books, and your class notes.
Make Your Own Notes:
When a chapter is taught, sit down to study it. Read the textbook out loud and make sure you understand the concepts. Try explaining the topic to yourself and doodle on a page or whiteboard to visualize your understanding.
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For example, when studying the Electricity and Magnetism chapter in Physics, check if you understand the concept. If not, watch online videos to clarify. Afterward, write your own notes in a notebook. |
For Biology, create tables and flowcharts for topics like hormones or brain functions. Many think Biology is all about memorization, but watching videos can help you visualize and understand better.
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Pro Tip: To remember things, make mnemonics or relate them to silly stories or real-life examples. This makes it easier to recall later. |
Chemistry Tips:
In Class 10, you’ll encounter many chemical formulas that you need to understand and memorize. Initially, I found this overwhelming, but remember that about 60% of Class 10 Chemistry is formulas. All formulas are connected across chapters, so you can’t ignore any of them.
Create a Formula Chart:
At the end of each chapter, list all the formulas and regularly review them. If you forget a formula, write it on a sticky note and place it where you frequently pass by. Instead of just copying formulas, practice recalling them. If you can’t remember one, then refer to your textbook.
Physics Guidance:
For Physics, make sure you fully understand the concepts. Watch videos if needed. Solve every numerical problem, especially those in NCERT, including examples, in-text questions, and back exercises. Completing the NCERT problems is essential. You can also test your understanding by solving worksheets or questions from any guidebook you prefer.
Biology Preparation Tips
Your notes will cover most of the Biology content, but revising and actively recalling information is key. Here’s how to do it effectively:
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Revise with MCQs: Solve multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and other practice questions from your guidebook after completing each chapter.
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Don’t Forget Diagrams: Diagrams are important not just in Biology, but also in Chemistry and Physics. It’s easy to forget about them until the last minute, so start practicing early.
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Focus on Neatness: When it comes to diagrams, neatness matters a lot. Make sure your drawings are clear and the right size. Practice drawing diagrams several times: first, copy them from the book, then close the book and draw them from memory. If you get stuck, refer back to the book until you can do it without looking.
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Simple is Best: Some teachers may suggest making diagrams colorful and decorative, but that can take too much time during exams. Instead, draw your diagrams neatly in pencil. Use a ruler for straight lines (like circuit wires), and label them in capital letters. For complex diagrams like the brain, heart, and nephron, use simplified versions if you have them.
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Space for Diagrams: In the exam, dedicate an entire page to each diagram. Write the heading and question number clearly. If a theory question can be explained with a diagram, include it.
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Everything in NCERT Matters: Every part of the NCERT textbook is important, diagrams, activities, yellow and blue boxes, in-text questions, and back exercises. Don’t skip anything. Exam questions often come from parts of the book you might overlook.
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Do Activities Well: Pay special attention to the activities in the NCERT, as many questions are based on those. Make sure to complete them carefully.
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Start with NCERT: Even if you don’t do anything else, ensure you thoroughly study NCERT first. It helps build a strong foundation for higher classes.
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Pro Tip: Before using any reference book, complete the NCERT Exemplars. They contain high-quality, precise questions that can really help you prepare well. |
Maths Preparation Tips
Math can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can do well. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare effectively:
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Practice Regularly: Unfortunately, there’s no escaping the fact that you have to practice maths. It can be challenging, but consistent practice will build your confidence and skills.
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Focus on NCERT: If you’re feeling unsure about maths, start with the NCERT textbook. Complete all examples and exercises, including optional exercises. Don’t be fooled by their “not for exams” label, questions from these can appear in board exams and pre-boards.
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Explore Reference Books: While many students use RD Sharma or RS Aggarwal, choose what works for you. If a particular reference book makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to set it aside. If you plan to pursue advanced maths, having a solid understanding of the basics is crucial.
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Use NCERT Exemplars: The NCERT Exemplars are great for practice as they contain valid and precise questions. Complete them before moving on to any other reference material.
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Organize Your Work: Get a big register for your maths practice. Mark difficult questions or important ones with a highlighter or by circling them. If there’s an especially tough question, use a red box to make it stand out. This will help you focus on the questions that matter most during revisions.
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Color Code Your Questions:
When you encounter a question you find difficult, mark it. If you struggle with it during your first revision, highlight it. If you keep getting it wrong, put it in a red box. This way, you can quickly identify which questions need more focus. -
Daily Practice:
Avoid leaving maths for the last minute. Commit to practicing every day for at least an hour or two. It’s better to develop a routine, like doing maths in the morning when your mind is fresh. -
Understand Concepts:
Pay attention in class, and if you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to watch online videos or ask your teacher for help. -
Memorize Key Values:
For chapters like Trigonometry, memorize the values of functions and identities using mnemonics or by writing formulas on a chart to hang where you can see them regularly. -
Practice Constructions: Don’t overlook geometric constructions; they can earn you easy marks in exams.
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Triangles and Theorems: The chapter on triangles includes many theorems you will need to prove. Practice these multiple times to ensure you can write and prove them confidently during the exam.
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Take Practice Tests: Once you’ve completed the syllabus, practice with tests and worksheets from reference books.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Social Science Preparation Tips
Social Science is an important subject, but it can be tough. You might find that many students struggle with it and don’t like it much. However, scoring well in Social Science is not as hard as it seems. If you are genuinely curious about history and the world, you might actually enjoy it. You can learn a lot about history from interesting books, movies, documentaries, and even Google.
You should start studying for Social Science 2–3 weeks before the exam after finishing your Math and Science work. Even that might not feel like enough, and you could end up pulling all-nighters.
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In Social Science, you need to remember certain facts, like dates in history and details in geography.
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To help with this, consider using a guidebook from Arihant, which has good summaries and practice questions.
You might find that for history, the summaries are lacking, but they can be good for geography. So, read the geography summary and also refer to the NCERT books to ensure you don’t miss any important points.
When you write your notes, use bullet points because they’re easier to remember than long paragraphs. If you count the pages you need to study, try writing smaller to make it feel less overwhelming.
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For history, read the entire NCERT book, going over paragraphs multiple times until you understand the key points. For geography, use the guidebook summaries, and for Political Science and Economics, focus on your notes and the NCERT books. This can take a lot of time, so make sure you have enough.
If you struggle with remembering facts, try writing them on sticky notes and placing them where you study. For history, watch movies or documentaries related to what you’re studying.
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For example, you can watch “Gandhi” several times while studying Nationalism in India to make the chapter more interesting and easier to remember.
If you find a particular part of history confusing, try to visualize the events. For instance, if you study Nationalism in Europe, imagine the story of how Garibaldi united Italy. Creating a mental image can help you remember better.
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In the Print Culture chapter, there are many names and dates to remember. Write all the important dates and names on a page and keep it in your textbook for quick revision.
In geography, some chapters, like Agriculture and Minerals, require you to remember various details like cropping periods and soil types. It might help to make tables in your notebook to organize this information. |
Study Tips for Social Science, English, and Hindi
When studying Social Science, you found it helpful to group crops and minerals by their common locations. For example, you learned that iron, copper, and mica are found in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar. This technique not only helps you remember multiple items at once but also reinforces your memory of the material as you study.
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By repeatedly reviewing your notes, you can visualize where you wrote down key information, such as cotton, wheat, and rice, along with their common locations.
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Be sure to do the same for power resources, nuclear energy, and coal.
For Political Science, you find the topics relatable and interesting, especially those related to gender, religion, and caste. You should read the textbook carefully and pay close attention to the definitions of bolded terms, as they are often tested. The book includes pictures and cartoons that may also be asked about, so understanding their significance is important.
Economics is relatively easy for you, but it’s essential to remember some key facts, like how to calculate the Body Mass Index. Some data in Economics needs to be memorized for satisfactory answers, so consider writing these on a post-it note and sticking them somewhere visible.
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Additionally, it’s important to understand the case studies and examples of various people discussed in Economics, as they often come up in exams.
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You can usually identify the important 5-mark questions in both Economics and Political Science chapters, so focus on those, and don’t forget to complete the back exercises of NCERT before moving on to practice questions.
Map work is crucial, as it provides an easy way to earn marks. You often forgot about map work until the last minute, but now you take several maps and mark the required information using your textbook. Practice going through them, and then take a blank map to do the markings without looking at the original. Revise the maps the morning of the exam, and do a final review just before entering the exam hall.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Hindi Literature Preparation Tips
You might find writing long answers boring, it’s okay to write shorter answers from the internet in large handwriting just to get it done. But remember, in Hindi, it’s important to understand the emotions of the chapter. Read each chapter twice to understand its value, especially while your teacher explains. After reading, look at the questions and see if you can think of answers in your head. You can check NCERT solutions online and read them because your notebook answers might not be great.
Hindi poems are very important, and some can be hard to understand. Make sure you learn their meanings from your teachers or online.
Remember: For both Hindi and English, you must know the names of the poets and authors because they will be asked.
Pro Tip: If you have good friends, assign each other chapters to study. That way, you can exchange well-written answers, and you only need to focus on one chapter’s quality.
CBSE Class 10 Preparation Tips: English Grammar
For English Grammar, it’s pretty moderate, and you shouldn’t face much trouble. Just practice from any workbook or test. When you write answers, say them in your mind to ensure they make sense. Hindi grammar can be a bit tough, so get a grammar book and practice from it. Solve previous year papers and practice sheets to understand the concepts well. Teachers usually give a list of grammar topics to focus on, so stick to that.
CBSE Class 10 Preparation Tips: Final Board Exam
People often have mixed opinions about board exams, some say they are easy, while others find them difficult. The paper pattern has improved, so you won’t need to remember long answers. If you understand the concepts, you’ll score marks. It’s now more practical and application-based, so only those who know the subject well will do well.
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In SST, pictures are important, as are all the boxes. Make sure to handle them well. Before the boards in science, get model test papers and practice tests.
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You can use guides like Together with and Arihant.
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Also, solve previous year papers to understand the types of questions asked. This will help you identify what you need to work on.
Facts: To achieve good marks, self-study is important. You could take many tuitions, but if you don’t study on your own, it won’t help.
Make sure your paper is neat, with key points underlined. In Science and SST, answer questions in points.
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If a question in SST is worth five marks, provide 5-6 points.
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For languages, write your answers in paragraph form and stick to the word limit.
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Place diagrams on a separate page, ensuring to label all aspects clearly.
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Avoid using correction fluid; just neatly strike out any mistakes.
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Also, double-check that you fill in your roll number and name correctly on OMR sheets.
The internal marks are important, so submit your projects and copies on time, and take practicals seriously.
CBSE Class 10 Study Timetable
Creating a detailed study timetable can significantly enhance your board preparation:
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CBSE Class 10 Study Timetable |
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Time |
Activity |
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6:00 - 7:00 |
Wake up & Yoga/Meditation |
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7:00 - 8:00 |
Study Mathematics |
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8:00 - 9:00 |
Study Science |
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9:00 - 9:30 |
Break |
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9:30 - 10:30 |
Study Social Science |
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10:30 - 11:30 |
Study Languages (Hindi/English) |
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11:30 - 12:00 |
Break |
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12:00 - 1:00 |
Revise Key Concepts |
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1:00 - 2:00 |
Lunch |
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2:00 - 4:00 |
Practice Previous Year Papers |
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4:00 - 5:00 |
Group Study Session |
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5:00 - 6:00 |
Free Time/Physical Activity |
Best Study Methods for Class 10 Boards
To study better for the CBSE Class 10 board exams, try these tips:
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Active Learning: Get involved with what you're studying by talking about it, teaching someone else, or using the ideas in real-life situations.
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Use Technology: Use educational apps and online resources for extra practice and to better understand the subjects.
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Neat Writing: Write your answers clearly and neatly during exams. This helps the examiners read your answers easily and gives a good impression.
Class 10 Board Exam Revision Plan: Facts and Realizations
10th grade is manageable, and you should enjoy this time with your friends while creating memories. Don’t stress too much about studying since you’ll have to do it in 11th grade anyway.
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You don’t have to be one of those people who study endlessly. Sure, study smartly, but also make time to enjoy yourself. You don’t need to study the entire year; most of your studying can happen a month before the exams. Prepare for periodic tests and half-yearly exams a few weeks in advance, and focus on pre-boards about a month before.
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It’s normal to take breaks and hang out with friends, so don’t feel guilty about not studying every day. Just try to study a little each day, even if it’s for half an hour.
When choosing your subjects for next year, pick the ones you genuinely enjoy. In 11th grade, things get tougher, so staying dedicated to subjects you love will keep you motivated. You really need to love your subjects because that passion will drive you, especially when things get tough.
How to Study for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam FAQs
Q1. How can I study Social Science effectively?
Ans: To study Social Science, group similar topics together. For example, group crops and minerals by their common locations, like iron, copper, and mica found in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar. This technique helps you remember better. Also, practice map work regularly to earn easy marks.
Q2. What should I focus on while studying Political Science?
Ans: In Political Science, pay special attention to topics like gender, religion, and caste. Read definitions of bolded terms and understand the significance of pictures and cartoons in your textbook, as these are often asked in exams.
Q3. How can I prepare for Economics in Class 10?
Ans: Economics is easier if you remember key facts and case studies. Memorize important data, like how to calculate the Body Mass Index, and review case studies. Focus on the 5-mark questions and complete the NCERT exercises before moving to other practice questions.
Q4. How should I approach Hindi and English Literature?
Ans: For Hindi and English, know the names of poets and authors. Read chapters twice to understand them better. Also, pay attention to Hindi poems, as they can be tricky. Practice writing skills by focusing on the correct format for letters and stories to earn more marks.
Q5. What are some tips for scoring well in board exams?
Ans: To score well, practice solving previous year papers and model test papers. In Social Science and Science, answer in points, and in languages, stick to the word limit. Don’t leave any questions blank—always write something, even if unsure. Keep your paper neat and underline key points for better presentation.
