Class 12 Board exams: ‘Time management is of the essence for Business Studies paper’

The Board exams for classes X and XII are about to end. In fact, Board exams for class X end today with the Math today. But for students of class XII, there is still a couple of weeks left before they can relax. After the Economics exam on March 17, 2023, the students have three-four days before they take the Business Studies exam – the exam by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is slated for March 25, 2023, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.

While the subject appears to be simple, at times it can get complicated if the concepts are not clear. “The most basic thing that students need to understand is that rote learning will not help. They will also need to understand the topics from the basics in order to write about them during the exam,” Anu Khanna, a PGT Commerce at Apeejay School, Faridabad in Sector 15, says.

By now, students would have already gone through their textbooks a couple of times to be familiar with the chapters and the topics in each lesson. “But since the students have a few days before their exam, here are a few last-minute tips,” Khanna said.

Here’s what students need to do

1.       You should read the NCERT book consistently and regularly.

2.       You should start the revision first with important topics that have greater mark weightage.

3.       While reading and learning, always pen down subheadings on a separate sheet and go through those subheadings during last-minute revision rather than the entire book.

4.       Acronyms always help students learn better. For example to learn Dimensions of Business Environment – PESTL can be learnt for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, and Legal Dimension.

5.       While learning definitions, try to learn them by memorising keywords and then frame your answers.

6.       Solve the last five years’ CBSE question papers or sample papers before going for the exam and try to solve them according to the time allotted for the exam.

7.       Marking scheme of CBSE is strictly based on NCERT so subheadings need to be learnt as given in NCERT and an explanation can be given by elaborating on keywords.

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The most basic thing that students need to understand is that rote learning will not help. They will also need to understand the topics from the basics in order to write about them during the exam

–Anu Khanna, PGT Commerce at Apeejay School, Faridabad in Sector 15

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What to do on D-day

A.      Time management is extremely important. Divide the question paper into three parts — MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions. Then divide the time according to marks’ weightage.

B.      Business Studies is a scoring subject but you have to lay stress on presentation. Underline important points and headings of answers with the same pen or pencil (do this simultaneously while writing answers).

C.      Strictly follow the CBSE pattern to write the answers – stick to the word limit given the question paper.

D.      Number of points to write for an answer depends on the marks allotted to the question. Take an example: A 3-mark question should be attempted by giving three points – three subheadings, and three explanations. But in the absence of subheadings for that particular topic in NCERT, the students are expected to give six points.

E.       However in a question where process or steps are asked, write all points irrespective of marks (explanation varies according to the marks).

F.       For attempting the case-study-based question, always read the question first and then read the case so that while reading the case you are quickly able to relate it to the relevant topic and recall the points.

G.     Attempt all questions, and give examples whenever possible.

“Last but not least, during your reading time of 15 minutes, read the question paper carefully. Plan your answers for MCQs and case studies in your mind by focusing on keywords indicated in the questions. This will save time and leave time for revision of the answer sheet before submitting the same,” Khanna said in conclusion.