4 mistakes to avoid in class 10 Economics Board exam

Taking the Board exams for the first time can be nerve-racking. This is because the student is at sea about the format of the question paper even if he/she may solve previous year’s papers. Sitting in another school with invigilators who are not familiar can be a bit daunting. Therefore, it is important to be well-prepared to deal with all kinds of scenarios and keep a cool head.

Keeping calm and not getting stressed is the first thing that a student should master before taking the Boards. According to Neena Kaushik, PGT (Economics) at Apeejay School, Saket, who teaches class X, it is important for students to understand the concepts of the chapter.

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“Though there are only four chapters, what is required of the student is a thorough understanding of the concepts in order to be able to attempt analytical-based questions”

– Neena Kaushik, PGT Economics Teacher at Apeejay School, Saket  

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“Though there are only four chapters – Development, Sectors of Indian Economy, Globalization and the Indian Economy and Money and Credit – what is required of the student is a thorough understanding of the concepts in order to be able to attempt analytical-based questions. Chapter 5 on Consumer Rights is project work that is for 5 marks,” Kaushik explained and listed a few mistakes to avoid.

How to write the answers in class X Economics Board exam

1. The Social Science question paper has a mix of Geography, History, Political Science and Economics questions. There are some chapters from Geography or even Political Science that may be similar to Economics. It is important for students to identify what the examiner is asking – whether it is an Economics or Geography question.
2. Students must underline the key points. This is especially true for long answers (5-marks). Also, while writing the answer give a line of introduction, write the five points elaborating them, after underlining them, and a line of conclusion. If there is time, a student can write a couple of points extra; the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) doesn’t cut marks for writing more. Developing an answer leaves a good impression on the examiner. But stick to the word limit given in the question paper.
3. While attempting MCQs, the student must write the answer rather than just say, for example 1B. Writing the option will ensure that the correct choice has been answered. Also, if the student doesn’t have a very neat handwriting 1B can be mistaken for 1A and one doesn’t want to lose marks for a silly mistake.
4. There are some questions that have an either or option. Most students don’t write the question they have attempted. If the student doesn’t want to waste time in writing the question, mention the question in the answer that is being attempted in the first line so that the examiner must be able to easily identify the question.

Topics not to miss out on

1. Understanding of Economic Development: Questions can be asked on difference between growth and development, what is the human development index – what is the criteria being used to construct this index; there can be analytical questions based on this – what are the ways and how an economy can develop. While attempting any question based on this chapter students must first understand the concept and rationale of economic development and then write the answers. This is because most of the questions from this chapter are based on real-time situation and connect it to the text in the NCERT book.
2. Sectors of the Indian Economy: This chapter has concrete points that the students will have to learn like – What is GDP, What are the different types of sectors – primary, secondary, and tertiary, then there are organised and unorganised sectors.
3. Money and Credit: This a bit of a technical chapter and students understand organised and unorganised courses of credit. They need to understand this in the context to rural India. Students must know what credit means and what are the types of credit; why do small farmers need loans and not the big farm owners? Understanding the associated ‘whys’ is necessary.
   
   “Economics is a scoring subject and the student can get full marks. If the student has understood the concept and the associated ‘whys’ he/she can write an answer in their words and still get full marks from the examiner. The questions can be answered provided one understands how things work and with a bit of analytical thinking one can write the answer,” Kaushik opined.
4. Globalization and the Indian Economy: Utilise the reading time given for the question paper. There are a few chapters that can overlap and identifying whether it is from Geography, Political Science or Economics is a must. Understating the integration of globalisation with India’s economy is a must. Questions on the impact of glabalisation on the Indian economy, the World Trade Organization, foreign trade, what is globalisation, and how globalisation can be integrated into the economy can be asked. Here having at least five points for each topic is prudent.