5 tips on how to attempt the class X Political Science Board exam

Attempting the Social Science class X Board exam question paper can be a little tough to study since there are four subjects and questions are a mix from any of the four NCERT book. Studying over 20 chapters from the first page to the last can stress out even the best of students. Given that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made most of the questions that are based on real-time examples, the students need to be very careful.

The same is true for the Political Science subject which has five chapters – Power-sharing, Federalism, Democracy and Diversity, Gender, religion, and caste, Political parties, and Outcomes of democracy.

According to Smita Sharma, a Social Science teacher at Apeejay School, Pitampura, the only challenge in studying these chapters is that most of the questions are application-based.

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“Take time in reading the question paper carefully. The sections have a mix of Geography, History, Economics, and Political Science. Some chapters may overlap and hence it is important to understand what the question is asking and from which subject”

Smita Sharma, Social Science teacher, Apeejay School, Pitampura

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Topics to study for class X Board exams

1. Power-sharing: The students must understand what power sharing is (definition), different forms of power sharing; there are cases studies – Belgium and Sri Lanka (Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka and Accommodation in Belgium) – that the students must be well-versed with since there can be questions on understanding the concept of power sharing. Another important topic is Prudential and Moral Reason of power sharing. There is a possibility of getting MCQs from this chapter.

2. Federalism, Democracy and Diversity: This is another chapter form where MCQs can be asked. The chapter is also important since long question-answers can be asked. The topics to study are: Different types of Federalism, what are its key features, and how it is followed in India – how the language, Centre-state relations and formation of the linguistic states have been following the concept of Federalism through these factors. Decentralisation is another important topic – meaning, steps towards it (local self-governing bodies). This chapter can be used to ask MCQs. Differences can be asked – Federalism and Unitary system. Here, recent real-time examples should be cited.

3. Gender, religion, and caste: All the three topics are important and students can be asked three different questions on them. Feminism and women in politics representation need to be understood. Students must also know the role caste plays in politics and how caste division is an integral part of politics in India. Meaning of religion, secularism, what are the essential features of secularism, how communalism is dangerous for society are other must read topics. For a 3-mark question, the word limit should be 60In fact, the word limit is mentioned in the questions paper and students must abide by it or they won’t be able to complete the paper. Give answers to the point.

4. Political parties: Meaning, components, functions and why they are needed are important topics. They may sound similar but answers are different so care must be taken here. Questions can be around what are political parties and their necessity – both answers are different. There is also a list of political parties – national and regional. The MCQs can be around the symbols, founder, foundation year and salient features of the political parties. A commonly asked question challenges political parties, reforms and suggestions. Students get confused between reform and suggestions so extra care should be taken while attempting a question on this if any.

5. Outcomes of democracy: It appears to be a simple lesson but every line in this chapter can be used to ask new questions. So this chapter needs to be done thoroughly. Application-based questions are a favourite from this lesson. Popular questions can be: What are the three outcomes of Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate (application based), how dignity and freedom can be maintained in democracy, is democracy a failure of success, how minorities are accommodated in democracy or are minorities accommodated in democracy – Justify, and difference between democratic and non-democratic government. Live examples should be cited here.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Don’t immediately start answering the question paper the minute you read it. Read it carefully and see what it is asking.
2. Don’t make the mistake of answering questions for the visually challenged candidates.
3. MCQs should be read carefully to get the answer correct.
4. If the question is asking for a list, just do that; if the question is asking the student to mention the list, be a little elaborate in the answer.
5. Question paper must be read at least twice before attempting it.