Follow a time-table for exams, solve sample question papers

To help students sail through the next few weeks of board examination, HT brings to you tips from principals, teachers and experts to help students in preparing for the exams. You can also send in your queries.

To help students sail through the next few weeks of board examination, HT brings to you tips from principals, teachers and experts to help students in preparing for the exams. You can also send in your queries.

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In a theoretical paper such as business studies, history or sociology, how important is it to follow the serial order. Can I answer the questions in the order I feel comfortable with? Do I stand to lose marks if I do so?
Questions can be answered in any order and no marks will be deducted for not following the same. However, candidates should ensure that the serial numbers of the questions are given correctly and distinctly and all parts of the question are attempted together.

For the mathematics paper, are marks provided for steps? If I get most of the steps correct but my final answer is incorrect?
It is always better to write all the steps and write the solution to the questions systematically. At times, major steps in the solution are assigned separate marks in the marking scheme. A candidate may lose marks if specific steps are not written.

I have gone through several sample papers and reference books for mathematics for Class 12. But I find it extremely difficult to work out questions in analytical topics such as probability or permutation and combination. What should I do?
These topics cannot be dealt only by knowing the formulaes. The students must rather have concept clarity and an analytical approach. In probability and permutation-combination it is important to have a clear understanding of the statement and the situation mentioned in the problem. Practice questions given in the NCERT textbooks, boards questions papers of previous years and sample question papers uploaded on the CBSE website.

What are HOTS questions? How much is one expected to write in a HOTS question? Please guide.
HOT stands for HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS questions, asking students to go beyond explanation and to give their views and suggestions, do problem solving. You are expected to write what has been asked in the questions.