CBSE class 12 Board Tips: ‘Always underline key points’

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has slated the Economics exam for March 18, 2024. Students must have already completed their initial round of prep for the exam. However, studying the chapters needs to be complemented by solving several question papers to ensure one is exam-ready.

It is natural to be overwhelmed before the exams, especially since it is the Boards and that too for class XII. There is pressure on the students to get an excellent score. “This is true to a certain extent. More so, if some students have missed reading a few chapters or topics. Hence, it is crucial to focus on effective preparation strategies a day before the exam day,” shared Jyotika Gupta, PGT Economics at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park.

The educator gave tips on what to do a day before the exam.

·         Review a few CBSE sample papers to gain confidence and understand the exam pattern.

·         Focus on relevant sample papers, including the current and previous year’s papers, to get an idea of what to expect.

·         For subjects like the Indian Economy, review key points as outlined in the NCERT textbooks and the conclusion part of each chapter for a comprehensive overview.

·         Prioritise revising chapters with high relevance and ease of understanding, such as Macroeconomics, covering national income (formulas and specific questions), money, banking, and government budget.

·         Revisit the conclusion or key points of chapters for Indian Economics to grasp the overall content.

On the day of the exam, students should employ the following strategies to efficiently attempt the question paper, Gupta advised.

·         Utilise reading time effectively to thoroughly understand the question paper.

“It is very important for the students to understand what the examiner is asking in the question paper. Once the student has understood what is being asked, they should write the answer. It is necessary to write to the point,” Gupta said.

·         Attempt the paper section-wise, focusing first on sections where they are most prepared. It’s advisable to start with Macroeconomics if well-prepared, as it can be completed quickly.

“When you attempt well-prepared questions, it leaves a good impression on the examiner. Also, ensure that you don’t overwrite. Write answers neatly and avoid excessive corrections,” Gupta said.

·         Manage time efficiently by allocating specific durations to different types of questions (for example, six markers within 20 minutes) and saving at least 15-20 minutes at the end for review.

·         Spend an appropriate amount of time on questions based on their marks, suggesting around 5-6 minutes for 4 markers and 2-3 minutes for 2 markers. MCQs should ideally be tackled within 10-15 minutes, utilising the 15-minute reading time to identify answers.

·         Underline key points or answers to highlight them for the examiner. This is especially necessary if the student is writing the answer in a paragraph format.

“It is advisable that students write the answers in bullet points and then elaborate on them. If the student knows the points, it is easier to expand on them,” Gupta said in conclusion.