How to Prepare for the Upcoming CBSE X Exam

CBSE has released the date sheet for the 2020 X board examination. The first paper will be on February 15, 2020, and the last paper will be on March 20, 2020. In this blog, we will look into the details of the exam and discuss important preparation tips.

With less than two months left for the exam, the right time to start preparing is now. In fact, a month and a half are enough for you to study and successfully clear the exam.  CBSE exams are among the easiest to crack as the board stresses more on critical thinking and reasoning abilities and less on rote-based learning. When we are looking at the trajectory of the CBSE board exam, class 10, it is understood that a decent amount of preparation is a must for achieving success.

In the aspect of the CBSE board exam, class 10, a well-disciplined approach towards study is very crucial.efore diving straight into how to prepare, let’s look at the exam pattern as it will help you to strategise and plan better.

The CBSE X standard exam pattern, released by the CBSE includes details like marking scheme, the difficulty level of the questions, number of questions and types of questions, marks and more. It’s important to remember that paper pattern and marking schemes differ with each subject as some subjects have only theory and other subjects have both practicals and theory. 

CBSE reviews the exam pattern every year before making it public and makes the question paper based on this pattern. This year the CBSE X exam pattern will on 80:20 pattern, of this 80 marks will be for written exam and 20 marks will be for internal assessment—periodic tests, notebook submission, subject enhancement activities.

One point to note is that for the upcoming exam, all the questions will be from CBSE books and not from NCERT books.

To pass the exam, the student must score a minimum of 33% marks in both theory and practicals.

Let’s now look at subject-wise marks breakdown.

For Language 1, Language 2, Science, Mathematics, and Social Science, the paper will be for 80 marks in each subject and will include 100% of the class X syllabus. For each individual subject, both marks and grades will be awarded. CBSE will follow 8 point grading system.

According to the new rule by CBSE, schools will have to conduct an internal assessment of 20 marks to assess the student’s creativity, punctuality, reading skills, writing skills, and subject knowledge. This also includes a periodic test of 10 marks, notebook submission of 5 marks and subject enrichment activities of 5 marks.

For Language 1, Language 2, Science, Mathematics, and Social Science, each paper will have 20 marks from the internal assessment. This includes:

10 marks from periodic tests:  for the final submission, the best of two from the three periodic tests will be considered.  Periodic tests are not only meant to check the student’s preparedness but also to find out if any remedial measures are needed to help the help. These tests are pen and paper-based.

5 marks from notebook submission:  this includes regularity of notebook submission, timely assignment completion, organisational skills, and neatness of the notebook.

5 marks from subject enrichment activities: this includes speaking skills, listening skills, practical lab work, math lab work, map work, and project work. There are also separate activities such as narrations, conversations, and dialogues, that are considered for marks.

There’s also a 6^th additional subject and marking scheme followed either languages 1 &2 or subjects will be followed.

Grading System

CBSE assesses students on an 8-point grading system. The grading system has been recreated below:

Marks Range	Grades
91-100	A1
81-90	A2
71-80	B1
61-70	B2
51-60	C1
41-50	C2
33-40	D
32 and Below	E (Fail)

Grades will be given after considering the marks range obtained and considering both formative and summative assessments, grades will be given.

The upcoming CBSE X exam 2020 will consist of Very Short Answer (VSA) type questions, Short Answer(SA) type questions, Long Answer (LA) type questions.  along with the making scheme.

CBSE Class 10th Exam Preparation

Here are the examination preparation best practices that you can follow.

Tip 1

Familiarise With the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The first step toward preparing for the upcoming exam is to familiarise with the exam pattern and syllabus. We have mentioned the exam pattern in this blog. Secondly, take a deep look at the CBSE class X syllabus. CBSE has made it clear that the upcoming exam will have questions from CBSE books only and not from NCERT books.

Tip 2

Make a Time Table

Once you have taken a look at the exam pattern and syllabus, prepare a timetable that you think suits your study plan well. Work on it until you get it right. Once your schedule is ready, follow it religiously and stick to it. Don’t give way to complacency.

Without a proper plan in place, you’ll be unable toreach your target. Make a schedule that you can maintain and follow. You must start with difficult subjects/topics first and keep the easier ones for later preparation. 

Tip 3

Solve Sample Papers

Solving sample papers is one of the most effective strategies that you can use to prepare for the exam. There are two benefits to solving sample papers: 1. You will know what kind of questions will appear in the exam 2. It will help you manage time effectively.

Another benefit is it will also help you to analyse your preparation level. While you are solving sample paper, keep an eye on the clock because it will help you track your paper solving speed.

Sample papers are available freely online. Check this link and this link.  You can even buy them at a neighbourhood book store in the form of a booklet.

Work on as many mock tests as possible. Make time for mock tests as they will help you get good with timing and concepts.

Tip 4

Practice Previous Year Question Paper

Another way to prepare for the CBSE class 10^th exam is to practice and solve the previous year’s questions papers. There are two benefits to practicing the previous year’s question paper: 1. You will get an understanding of the nature of the exam and the type of questions appearing in it. 2. You will understand the nature of your preparation and based on the level of preparation you can make improvements.

Tip 5

Take Regular Breaks While Preparing

While it’s true to remain focused, it’s also important for you to take short breaks while studying. It’s believed that taking breaks will help you relax, de-stress, and clear your head. This will make your studies effective and efficient. Having multiple study sessions with regular breaks will not only help your brain remember the information but also improve concentration and motivation. 

Tip 6

Take Proper Rest

Take rest every day. Get proper sleep, play sports, go to movies or parks to de-stress.  Getting fear or anxious before the exam will hamper your chances of getting good marks.

Tip 7

Study in a Group

It’s always fun to study with a group of friends or classmates. Not only does it help you learn better, but it also helps in understanding the concepts better as the group will always have a new or easy way to get around concepts.

Tip 8

Revise Formulas

One of the most important things about any exam is to remember formulas that are used in mathematics and science. This is the time you should start working on formulas and remember them by heart. Revise these formulas every day to ensure you do not forget them on the day of the exam.

Tip 9

Make Notes

It’ s important to make notes while you are studying and use them for a quick reference on the days of the exam. This way you are saving time and effort. 

Tip 10

Stay Positive

No exam is tough and no exam is easy. It all depends on how you prepare for it and take it. Ensure you study all tough subjects/topics at the beginning and keep the easier ones for the last. All the important topics should be revised after every few days.

To get more details about the CBSE exam, read our blog All You Need to Know About the CBSE X Exam 2020.

Hope we have given you the tips that will help you prepare well and write the upcoming exam with confidence. If you any questions or feedback, please write it below and we will be happy to help.

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