CBSE class 12 English Board exam 2023: 10 simple tips to score good marks

The CBSE class XII English Board exam is scheduled to be held on February 24, 2023. While thorough preparation is important, what matters finally is how you approach the questions and present answers on the day of the exam. With just a few days in hand, students must strategise to make sure they not only answer questions correctly but also complete the English paper on time.

Encouraging students, Savita Panhotra, HOD-English, Apeejay School, Pitampura, says, “My first tip is read, read, and enjoy the language! Once you start enjoying and appreciating it, you have mastered the art of scoring full marks in any subject you want. Because now you can articulate those brilliant ideas of yours so well!”

She shares the following tips for scoring good marks in the English Board exam:

1. A good visual appeal/presentation in beautiful handwriting is the first step to impress and convince the examiner that you have sincerely attempted the paper.

Also Read: Mind Your Language: 6 easy tips to get a good command of English

2. In the reading time allotted to you (15 minutes), do not waste time reading the whole question paper. You will be reading it in the course of the three hours given to you. Use these 15 minutes judiciously to read the comprehension passages carefully, check the questions and get a head start. The reading section is very scoring, so read the questions carefully and answer briefly as required.

3. Select the options wisely by reading the questions carefully. If you are confident, go for it, without rethinking. Give it your best shot. Draw a margin on the right side of the answer sheet for rough space and write your value points; then elaborate them in logical sequence systematically.

4. Do not overwrite your answers and waste time. Be clear, grammatically correct, legible, and precise while attempting the questions. Do not exceed the word limit and end up compromising on some other question due to lack of time. Every question matters and must be attempted thoroughly.

5. Learn the names of the poets/authors/prose/poems; writing the wrong spelling will leave a poor impression on the examiner and expose your cramming, which is not recommended.

6. While reading the prose or poem section, try to always develop a parallel text. Compel yourself to look at the text through a prism of thoughts. Try to search for new perspectives within the context of the topic.

7. Revise the theme/sub-theme of the prose and poems and mention them in the long answers. Quote keywords/phrases from the text to enhance your answer.

8. In the writing section, be specific about- what- where- when- how; do not miss any details. Revise the different formats as explained by your teachers. Narrate the sequence of events carefully without missing important details. Use relevant examples to hit the nail on the head but do not describe the quoted example. Just drop a hint and move on.  Do not go overboard and end up writing a novella. There would be time for that too in the future! Concentrate on writing that answer within the prescribed word limit.

9. Maintain proper spacing between your answers to present a neat and well-written paper.

10. Revise both your literature texts thoroughly. Names of characters should be remembered clearly without mixing them up like Raj Kumar Shukla is often written as Ram Kumar Shukla by many last-minute Rip Van Winkles! The written practice of solving as many sample papers as possible is key at this moment.