CBSE class 10 Exam Tips: “MCQs are the most important part of the question paper”

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) class X Board Exam for Math is slated for March 11, 2024. The exam usually covers the entire syllabus prescribed by the Board. Topics might include linear equations, quadratic equations, theorems related to circles and triangles, coordinate geometry, statistics, and probability to name a few.

According to Abhishek Bajaj, a Math teacher at Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, “The question paper typically consists of multiple sections covering topics like Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Arithmetic. It may include both objective-type questions (multiple-choice, fill in the blanks) and subjective/descriptive questions.”

He shared a few important tips that students should watch out for to succeed easily at the exam.

The best revision techniques that students should follow

·        A student should know the syllabus and distribution of marks of a particular topic.

·        Do NCERT including miscellaneous questions.

·        Practice MCQs from sample papers and the MCQs book of RD Sharma.

·        Do not completely depend on notes, read NCERT for basic theory and concepts.

·        Write formulas and results of theorems on flash cards or in separate notebooks.

·        Solve the reference book suggested by the teacher.

 Common mistakes students can make

·        Students do not give proper numbers/sections to the questions.

·        They do rough work at the end of the sheet which is time-consuming. The examiner wants to know the whole thing ranging from basic calculations to vast concepts. It is advised to students to do rough work within margins along with the question.

·        Avoid over-attempting the questions having internal choices.

·        Students write the answers without giving the concept or reason behind it, which in turn, deduction of marks.

 As there are three days of break before the Math exam, the schedule should be as follows

·        Divide the whole day into three shifts of one-and-a-half hours to study with two short breaks.

·        Before starting the day, do some yoga for at least 20 minutes. In this shift, try to do the geometry portion including chapters Triangles, Circles, Trigonometry, and Coordinate Geometry as these concepts are vast and need more energy and time.

·        Do every example and question of NCERT.

·        Practice the MCQs of topics in this shift from all in one/BK Singh/RD Sharma which is preferred by the teacher.

·        Practice previous year’s questions and questions from sample papers of Xamidea/Educart preferred by the teacher.

·        Next day the same timetable should be followed for the algebraic portion.

·        Take at least two mocks with a break of at least two hours between them with a proper timer and do only revision of chapters which are weekly identified by attempting the mock.

·        In between breaks, take healthy meals and avoid using mobile phones.

·        A nap of 30 minutes can be taken.

 “Before the exam night, a student needs to be relaxed and take proper rest. Do not go with a new topic that is left. It is better to revise the formulas and statements of theorems that you already know,” Bajaj advised.

What to do during the exam

·        Utilise reading time to select the section with which the exam should start.

·        Remember, if a student starts with a particular section, he has to complete the section. In case, a student does not know the answer, he should leave the space and fill that space at the end of the exam by writing the definition or concept related to the questions.

·        In addition to this, in a reading time of 15 minutes, every student should do at least seven MCQs. These questions will not need hard and fast calculation. It will be completely based on basic concepts.

·        Always go with elimination techniques to solve MCQs. It is not important to know which is right. It is more important to know which is wrong which will ultimately lead to the Right option.

·        Do not leave any 5-mark questions. These questions always come from the same chapters. It will take 25 minutes to solve.

·        Questions of 2 marks are always a little bit tricky. First do questions of a topic on which a student has command.

·        Do questions of 3 marks in the end as they are a little bit lengthy and out of the box.

·        There are 3 case-study questions each carrying 4 marks. These questions are situational based but the concept is quite easy as compared to all questions of other sections. This portion helps to score 80/80 in Math if it will be attempted properly.

·        Try to do an exam in two hours and 40 minutes. In the last 20 minutes, read your answer sheet and count the number of questions attempted so that no question will be left unattempted.