With two weeks left for the CBSE board examinations to begin, students are worrying about revision strategies and techniques along with tips on how to attempt questions. A team of experts from CBSE answer their questions.
1. I have been a topper all through school but right before the exams I have started making silly mistakes like copying the digits wrong, erroneous calculations and forgetting formulae. Please help.
Reply: You appear to be over-anxious about the examinations and your performance. Since you have been a topper, feel confident about yourself and your abilities. Do not be in a hurry to solve questions. Read the given data carefully and solve the questions coolly. In the examination, keep aside some time for revision at the end.
2. Where can one get previous years' papers? For mathematics and accounts, is it necessary to do all the questions in the NCERT text book or should one rather concentrate on sample papers? Where is the chapter-wise break up of marks in all subjects available?
Reply: Chapter-wise break up of marks is given in board's Senior School Curriculum 2013, a document which is also available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in. Solving greater number of unsolved questions in mathematics and accounts will help in better preparation. Try to solve as many questions from NCERT textbook as possible. Previous years' board examination question papers are usually included in any latest edition.
3. I'm worried about how to prepare for English. My friends have joined English tuitions but I don't see sense in that. How should I prepare to finish the paper in time?
Reply: You have to practice writing answers to questions section wise. Under the Reading Section, care has to be taken to answer the comprehension questions to the point. Only a global understanding of the passage is required to answer all questions. You must also practice the items in the Writing Section. Prepare points for current topics so that you do not waste time in thinking over the topics in the examination hall. Practice at home and get it corrected by one of your teachers or your parents. Tuitions won't help you, it is the writing practice that makes you perfect.
3. I'm worried about how to prepare for English. My friends have joined English tuitions but I don't see sense in that. How should I prepare to finish the paper in time?
Reply: You have to practice writing answers to questions section wise. Under the Reading Section, care has to be taken to answer the comprehension questions to the point. Only a global understanding of the passage is required to answer all questions. You must also practice the items in the Writing Section. Prepare points for current topics so that you do not waste time in thinking over the topics in the examination hall. Practice at home and get it corrected by one of your teachers or your parents. Tuitions won't help you, it is the writing practice that makes you perfect.
4. I have a fear of mathematics. I always feel underprepared. Where should I start my preparations from? What books can I practice after finishing the NCERT textbook?
Reply: You might use some standard textbooks besides NCERT textbook in the subject. But select this additional material with care. Do not waste time in referring to many new textbooks at this stage. Solving a complete unsolved question paper as practice will infuse confidence in you.
5. My school follows SK Aggarwal for Economics. Which other reference books would you recommend ? Also, in accountancy, is the following in syllabus: Memorandum Balance Sheet (in Dissolution)?
Reply: NCERT textbooks are the only textbooks prescribed by the board. However one may have to refer to some standard textbooks for better understanding. Different topics are found to have been dealt differently in various textbooks. But it is not advisable to refer to new textbooks at this point. And, Memorandum Balance Sheet (in Dissolution) is not part of the syllabus.