School exams

One thing that students detest the most during their school lives is school exams. Under the current Indian education system, school exams are usually considered as the most reliable means of assessing a student’s progress. Undoubtedly, paper & pencil exams are important ways of assessing students’ understanding of concepts, but relying solely on paper-pencil based assessments as the only way to test how much a child knows may not be right. There are various ways other than school exams that can prove immensely helpful in assessing students’ progress in schools. Teachers can also assess students through various classroom activities like discussions, debates, practical assignments etc.  However, these techniques of assessing could possibly be time consuming and also require the teacher to be very insightful about child psychology. These techniques require teachers to practice strict caution against biases coming into play and demand from the teacher to be a lot more patient, so as to allow students to become comfortable with the set-up.  

Changes introduced by CBSE in its assessment system

Unlike the other educational boards in India that still continue to rely solely on paper & pencil school exams to evaluate ‘how much the student has understood’, CBSE has made an attempt to move away from this system. Under the new scheme (CCE) adopted by CBSE, along with the paper & pencil tests (summative assessments) students are also evaluated through various classroom activities (i.e. formative assessments) like quizzes, presentations, etc.  CCE also lays a lot of emphasis on the assessment of students in co-scholastics areas that contribute to the holistic development of student. In light of all the attempts made by the CCE to bring freshness into the education system, care has been taken not to undermine the importance of the traditional testing system (based on paper & pencil tests).  

How to prepare for school exams?

In order to excel in school exams (formative assessments and paper-pencil tests) it is very important for students to be attentive in class. Being attentive and focused in the class helps students to effectively understand the concept; as a result it helps them perform well in the classroom discussions. Likewise for the summative assessments it is very important for students to extensively go through the study material and understand all the concepts thoroughly. After understanding the concepts, the next important step is to test their understanding by taking chapter-wise tests. There are a few websites that provide such tests for students studying under CBSE, ICSE, Karnataka, Maharashtra & Tamil Nadu boards. The chapter-wise tests available on such sites are in multiple-choice & question-answer formats that ensure thorough testing. Apart from these chapter-wise tests, students should also try their hand at sample papers/ model tests available at such websites. These mock exams can also help students test their exam taking skills.

Wishing you all the best for your school exams!

Happy studying!

Online CBSE Study Materials: Your Study Companion

The technology savvy world surrounding us is changing everyday. In this era, the traditional classrooms with chalks, duster and blackboards have been gradually replaced by online education and virtual class rooms. Online education is the most easy and comfortable way to learn. With an increase in accessibility of internet, online education has become the new education mode for both teachers and students.

In order to keep pace with the new mode of learning, CBSE has launched an online educational system to sort out students’ difficulties. The online study support has been thoroughly researched from CBSE question banks, model papers, research papers, test papers etc. and framed exactly as per CBSE curriculum. Students can now follow the online CBSE tutorials which are convenient for an easy learning process.

Online CBSE study material is a powerful resource that offers a stress free learning experience to learners. It not only ensures an improved conceptual understanding of important topics but also assists the students in scoring good marks in exams. The online CBSE study material is supported with multimedia that includes audio, attractive visuals and animation. These are also supported with relevant power point presentations, graphics and illustrations that are easy to understand, grasp, and remember and thus eventually a big help in scoring great marks in exams.

The multimedia-enriched content helps the students in grasping the concepts more effectively than dull and mundane books. Online education creates a learning environment for a student that is full of energy and excitement. Learners can judge their understanding of concepts by attempting online CBSE practice tests, online sample papers and time bound CBSE model papers. Through these CBSE study materials students can also identify their weaker areas and make these strong through meticulous efforts.

Online CBSE study material is offered by a number of websites. These are present in an easy-to-understand language and can help the students in improving their CBSE exam results. Students can benefit from virtual classes and can save a lot of money and energy that would otherwise be spent on commuting to and fro tuitions. They can also overcome the constraints of a busy lifestyle as the CBSE study material is available online 24*7 and can be accessed anytime anywhere.

CBSE study material is offered with sections that are dedicated to solving queries and are managed and administered by expert professionals round-the-clock. The online CBSE study material help the students prepare an efficient revision schedule. More and more practice help the students manage their speed and complete the questions within the allotted time limit.

If the students follow the online CBSE study material, they can get quality education in a cost effective manner and can surely come out with flying colors in their exams.

CBSE Solutions

An issue that is usually top-of-mind in students after a poor performance in pre-board exams is how to lay hands on the ‘ideal’ CBSE Solutions. In spite of practicing hard, students sometimes do not manage to attain the desired results. Their self confidence starts wavering and more often than not, it ends up in them doubting their own potential. I could go on about the perils of examination stress, but that is not what I intend to do here.

Attempting to help all you students out there give your best shot in the examinations, I begin by stating a simple fact –there is no point getting all stressed out about the impending exams as exams do not spell the end of things. A pre requisite to scoring well in exams is to have your self-confidence in place. And from there on, with minor adjustments to your answering and preparation techniques, your final CBSE Solutions can fetch you your dream marks.

CBSE solutions are available in a variety of formats in both online and offline mediums. Students can gain access to CBSE solutions and information related to it in the form of solved ten years’ papers, sample marking scheme, online tutorials for CBSE solutions, solved questions with accompanying videos etc. It is also important for students to identify the right medium for themselves and accordingly begin their search.

Using these available CBSE Solutions at the right time can further reinforce learning. The ideal time for using these CBSE Solutions is usually right after the final preparations for the pre board exams. Students may tend to take their pre boards exams lightly and may not aptly stress on the right kind of CBSE solutions. That is not a wise thing to do. It is important for students to treat pre-board exams as mock CBSE exams and answer using the guidelines for CBSE solutions or the marking scheme. This will help them test their grounds and enable them to brush up on their weak concepts.

While using these CBSE solutions students should keep in mind that it should be updated as per the changes in the examination pattern, if any. For example, your CBSE solutions should follow a certain word limit and answering style for very short answer questions, short answer questions and long answer questions as per the required guidelines.

Also, while practicing with the help of CBSE solutions, stress on the subjects that you are comparatively weak in. Focus should be not just on reading the available CBSE solutions for previous years’ questions, but to actually practicing writing the answers and treating it as a mock question paper. Regular practice that is in sync with the marking scheme can help students prepare better and excel in their final exams.

To help students with the marking pattern, each year CBSE publishes previous years’ Question Papers on its official website along with the proposed CBSE solutions. The marking scheme equips students with pertinent information like approach to answering in different subjects, key points to be included in the CBSE solutions etc. Along with the previous years’ papers, a list of official sample papers for various subjects with the proposed CBSE solutions is also released by CBSE each year.

Students are often keen to read the answer booklets of high scoring students. To help students score better, CBSE has also start publishing the answer sheets of such high scoring students on their website. Now students can view answer sheets in pdf format on CBSE’s official website-yet another reference point for CBSE Solutions.

So the next time you prepare for your board exams do seek help from CBSE Solutions and see those grades go up.

CBSE solutions: Your key to success in exams

Throughout the world, various exams are conducted every year and millions of students appear for these with sweaty hands and trembling feet. Similarly, in India, lakhs and lakhs of students appear for CBSE exams every year. Most of the candidates appearing for these exams are scared, depressed, worried or exhausted. Sometimes, inspite of regular studies and dedication, students are not successful in scoring in exams.  This happens due to lack of confidence and inadequate practice. The stress and tension of the exams can be avoided if students follow CBSE solutions.

If students have not been able to perform well in CBSE pre-board and mock exams, they doubt their own potential and they get stressed out. Students should keep one thing in mind before they prepare themselves to face exam- they should keep their minds stress free to give their best shots in the examination hall and feel confident about whatevey they have studied. Students should believe in their potential and should refer CBSE solutions to obtain dream marks in exams.

Students can find CBSE solutions in the form of solved CBSE ten years question papers, CBSE solved sample papers, CBSE model papers, CBSE practice papers etc. They can also get online tutorials and study support for CBSE solutions, solved question papers accompanied with interesting games, puzzles, videos, animation and quizzes. CBSE solutions can help the students analyze their true potential and can also help them avoid repeating their mistakes.

Students can now choose the appropriate study medium from a variety of resources to outshine in exams. They can follow various e-learning portals that offer CBSE aligned study material. The online CBSE study support is the best medium to go for instant and qualitative learning in a very short time. These e-learning portals offer an apt platform for students where they can seek help from expert teachers and instructors regarding CBSE syllabus.  The experienced teachers personally interact with CBSE students via emails, chats and discussion forums etc. In these online discussion boards, learners can get accurate answers to their queries that are supported by explanation and reasoning for easy understanding and better retention of notes.

Right time to refer CBSE solutions:

If students use these available CBSE solutions at the right time, they can definitely strengthen their learning process. The right time for using CBSE solutions is during the final round of preparations for the exams. Students should take their exams seriously and prepare using the question pattern in the CBSE solutions. This would not only help the students test their preparation level but would also allow them to work on the weaker concepts. While practicing from CBSE sample papers, students should always ensure that the CBSE solutions they are following is updated as per latest CBSE syllabus. Regular practice using CBSE solutions would give the students a clear idea about questions asked in the exams, marking scheme etc. Using CBSE solutions would also help the students to increase their writing speed and improve their time management skills in order to complete the question papers within the allotted time.

Seek help from CBSE solutions, both online and offline and see your grades in exams go up and up!

Simplifying CBSE Science

Driven by a perception related to better career options after studying CBSE Science in school, most parents and students prefer opting for CBSE Science at the plus two level. There used to be a time when only the very ‘studious’ and ‘serious’ students who would like to pursue a career in medicine or engineering opted for CBSE Science. Not any more. Nowadays, more and more students are opting for CBSE Science over the other available options. In such a scenario it becomes even more important for students to understand the CBSE Science syllabus and identify websites that provide quality CBSE Science sample papers, revision notes, science animations and other related study material.

CBSE Science syllabus- Structure

To start with, the syllabus for CBSE Science for all classes has been conceived in a manner that facilitates sequential and progressive conceptual understanding of a student. The entire model of structuring and imparting conceptual knowledge has been well thought out. ‘What’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ form the basis of the delivery model for the CBSE Science curriculum. The systematic and smooth transition of imparting knowledge from a basic level to an expert level can easily be observed in the approach adopted in the NCERT Science books.

For classes 4th to 6th the science books by CBSE encourage students to explore the world around and learn through a hands-on experience. This is followed by encouraging students in higher grades to involve themselves in group discussions and simple experiments that allow them to share and learn information. CBSE Science syllabus further imparts knowledge through advance study modules to students studying in classes till the X. Once they have chosen CBSE Science as their subject/ stream in class 11th, it is taught as a full-fledged discipline. While pursuing it as a discipline, Science as a composite subject is bifurcated into Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology.

CBSE Science animations, revision notes, model tests & more

While preparing for your CBSE Science exam, you can choose to seek help from science animations. These science animations are available in 3D and 2D formats that explain complicated and time consuming processes/concepts effortlessly. These science animations stress on conceptual understanding of the topic and are a valuable aid while revising for the final CBSE Science exam.

While revising, students can support these science animations with readymade revision notes and model tests. There are a few e-learning websites that provide such animations, model tests and readymade revision notes. These e-learning websites are dedicated to developing learning content specially aligned to the CBSE curriculum that helps students to prepare better for their CBSE Science exam.

Such comprehensive knowledge of the syllabus structure and online study resources for CBSE Science will surely give you an edge over your peers. So go ahead, use the information provided in the article for an excellent performance in your exams.

All the best!

How to study from the CBSE Sample Papers

Practicing well from the CBSE sample papers is a sure-shot way for students to excel in their final CBSE examinations. CBSE sample papers can be of immense help especially to students preparing for class X and class XII board examinations. CBSE sample papers not only help students get acquainted with the overall examination pattern but also help them identify their weak areas. Managing time while writing the final CBSE examinations becomes relatively easy if adequate revision has been undertaken using the CBSE sample papers. Keeping in mind the extensive benefits of practicing through CBSE sample papers, it is very important for students to also understand when and how to practice from these sample papers.

• To begin with, it is very important for students to start practicing from CBSE sample papers only once they are through with memorizing the key points in a particular subject. This will help students assess their own preparation levels and will also give them a clear idea of the amount of effort required to solidify the identified weak areas.
• To strengthen the conceptual understanding of weak areas in a particular subject, students may also choose to practice from the chapter-wise CBSE sample papers or the CBSE practice tests. There are a few websites that make such chapter- wise CBSE practice tests available to the students studying under the Central Board of Secondary Education. These practice tests include questions both in MCQ and Question- Answer format that not only add variety while practicing but also help to check the conceptual understanding of the subject matter by the student at different levels.
• Once through with the chapter- wise assessments, students can re-visit the old CBSE sample papers and re-attempt the tests to ensure a better understanding of the concepts tested therein. Students should also visit websites that provide CBSE curriculum aligned sample papers and model tests. The more the student practices through these model tests, better are his/her chances to score exceptionally well in the CBSE board examination.
• While revising using CBSE sample papers, students are advised to actually practice writing the answers and not just read the questions in the sample papers. Attempting the CBSE sample paper using a pen and paper in simulated exam atmosphere will not only help students frame complete answers but will also help them hone their time management skills that can be of immense help during the exams.
• While answering the questions asked in CBSE sample papers, students should constantly check their answers against the ones that are provided in the official marking scheme. An exercise like this will help them assess their weak areas and will also enable them to frame complete answers that can fetch them excellent scores in the final CBSE examinations.

Now that all you students out there know when and how to use the CBSE sample papers, you can start taking a go at them right away. With the examinations round the corner, the CBSE sample papers can be of great help to achieve your dream score.

All the best for your exams!

Benefits of practicing using CBSE Sample Papers

To score exceptionally well in CBSE examinations, a revision exercise that appropriately incorporates practice session using CBSE sample papers is a ‘must’. A robust practice session using CBSE sample papers can help students become sure of a great score in the final examinations.

For all you CBSE students out there, here is a list of all the benefits of practicing using CBSE sample papers. A thorough understanding of the benefits of revising using CBSE sample papers will help students appreciate such a revision exercise and will also enable them to appropriately use it for specific areas.

• A thorough practice using CBSE sample papers will help students evaluate their preparation levels for exams. Once through with understanding all the key points in the chapters, students should then start testing their knowledge thorough these CBSE sample papers. It will also help students assess their strategies with respect to handling different types of questions, customizing their answering style as per the requirements of the question etc. Such a rigorous analysis of the strategies adopted will help students arrive at the correct and apt techniques to handle examinations effectively.
• While practicing using CBSE sample papers students, also get to assess their speed with regard to answering the questions in question paper, to the best of their ability. If students wish to truly test their time management skill, they should practice using these CBSE sample papers in simulated exam conditions. Such a mock exercise will not only help them learn how to effectively manage time but will also help them to test their mettle to withstand exam-related stress.
• While looking out for CBSE sample papers students should only refer to websites that provide solved CBSE sample papers along with the official marking scheme. Seeking help from such sample papers will help students understand the requirements of the questions along with the correct style of answering that will help them fetch great marks in the final examination.
• A robust practice session using the CBSE sample papers will enable students to identify their weak areas well in advance and take corrective action to improve their learning in those areas. Without a thorough practice using CBSE sample papers, it is usually not possible for students to gauge their preparation levels for exams. Therefore, it becomes very important for students to not miss out on these essential practice sessions to score top grades in their examination.
• Lack of confidence in one’s preparation levels for exams is one of the major reasons for high anxiety levels during exams. To beat exam-related anxiety and remain stress-free during exam days it is very important for students to be 100 percent sure of their preparation levels. By attempting a variety CBSE sample tests, students can be fully confident of their preparation levels for exams and of obtaining an exceptional result.

However, while seeking help from such CBSE sample papers, students should ensure that they have gone through their entire syllabus and have memorized all the key points in the subject. Also while attempting any CBSE sample paper students should try to resist their temptation to look into the available solutions. Doing so will truly will help them optimize benefits from an exercise like this.

Happy Studying!

How to beat CBSE result related anxiety?

After attempting final CBSE examinations, the next thing that students anxiously wait for is the news of declaration of the official CBSE results. Post-exam students are often seen trying to evaluate their performance by calculating their tentative score in the exam, and comparing their performance with that of their peers etc. All these actions betray their anxious wait for the CBSE results. It is normal for students to be excited about their performance in the CBSE exams, but students should make sure that they do not get ‘plagued’ with anxiety to the extent that they start treating their results as a ‘verdict’ on the direction their life is going to take. Students should also understand that marks obtained or the grades scored by them in these exams are at best an indication of their performance for these particular exams and are unlikely to have any significant impact on their life as a whole.

Here are a few tips to help all you students out there who are eagerly waiting for their CBSE results, and suggestions on how to beat exam result related anxiety.

• Stop discussing! It is important for students to stop discussing about the exams and their performance once it is over. The more students tend to discuss about the exams there are increased chances that they will also discuss about the mistakes committed by them in these exams! The futility of the entire exercise cannot be overemphasized, cos after all, you will never get to write that very exam again!
• Plan for the future! Students should utilize their time by planning for their future and setting their career goals. Once through with the exams, students should research extensively about the existing career options and also try to explore new career opportunities available to them, keeping their interest and aptitudes in mind. Keeping their minds occupied with such thoughts and channelizing their energies constructively will help student beat CBSE result related stress and will also yield productive outputs
• Engage into physical activities/ hobby courses! Soaring competition levels and increase in expectations from all corners leaves students with little time during the academic year to engage in physical activities and hobby courses. With nothing much to do after the exams, students can keep themselves busy in these activities before the CBSE results are announced. These activities will help students un-wind themselves and will also provide them an opportunity to beat the stress and develop their personality at the same time.
• Celebrate your result! Before the final CBSE results are announced, it is important for students to make necessary arrangements to celebrate their results. Good or bad, students should look forward to their results rather than fear the day when the CBSE results will be announced. It is important for students to look at their CBSE results in perspective and not let their spirits dampen if they failed to perform as per their own or others’ expectations. Taking everything positively, students should set higher goals for themselves and work harder to achieve those goals.

Now that all you students out there know how to beat CBSE result related anxieties do not exhaust yourself by constantly worrying about your results. Just try out these tips and look ahead to the future confidently.

All the very best for your results!

CBSE Physics

Get your act together for CBSE Physics if you aspire to crack the toughest entrance exams in India and secure a seat in the best engineering college. Thousands of students each year sit for these competitive exams that just have a few hundred seats to offer. With increasing number of students aiming to crack these entrance exams each year, competition levels are soaring. In a situation like this how to keep stress levels under control and prepare well for these entrance exams and also be sure of the performance? After reading this article, questions like these will no longer trouble you. This article will help you arrive at ways that will make cracking the most difficult engineering entrance exam easy. 

• Plan for the academic years in advance! If you are in class XI, now is the right time to start planning and preparing for your engineering entrance exams. Students in class XI and XII should lay emphasis largely on three subjects i.e. CBSE Physics, Maths and Chemistry. Thorough understanding of concepts in these subjects is imperative to help them emerge with flying colours. The engineering entrance examination papers are primarily geared to check the conceptual knowledge of students majorly in these subjects. Therefore, students are advised to start planning for their entrance exams while they are studying in class XI. However, if you have lost out on some precious time, there is no point getting stressed out. Start preparing for these entrance exams right away!
• Get your basics clear! It is of utter importance for students preparing for these engineering entrance exams to have their knowledge of basics concepts and processes in CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths crystal clear. The questions asked in these entrance exams are based on the concepts taught in CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths for classes XI and XII but of a higher difficulty level. Therefore, before starting to prepare for these engineering entrance exams students are advised to thoroughly go through their NCERT books for CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths. While preparing for the entrance exams students should practice hard the end-of-chapter questions in these NCERT books. Students can also choose to seek help from various websites that provide free NCERT solutions for CBSE Physics, CBSE Chemistry and CBSE Maths.
• Pass your CBSE board exams with more than 60% marks! Some students may not know that majority of the engineering institutes in India have an eligibility criteria for admission. As per this eligibility criterion, students should have passed their CBSE board exams with more than 60% marks. A condition like this gives more reasons to students preparing for these entrance exams to take their NCERT books for CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths seriously. While preparing for the board exams, students should also practice from the previous years’ board papers for CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths. There are a few websites that provide previous years’ solved board papers, model tests and practice tests for these subjects to help students score well in their board exams.
• Seek help from entrance exam aligned test papers! After preparing for your board exams, students should practice concepts from the model question papers and test series for entrance exams. This will help students get a hang of the type of questions that are usually asked in these engineering entrance exams from CBSE Physics, Chemistry and Maths.

Now that all you students know how to prepare for your engineering entrance exams, I am positive that cracking these exams won’t be difficult.

All the best!

Tips for CBSE Papers

Each time CBSE Papers (board exams) approach, students witness higher anxiety levels manifesting in sweaty palms, shaky legs and twitching fingers. The fear of exams gives most students sleepless nights. Students often tend to find it difficult to get down to studying and try to seek answers from their friends as to where to begin. The problem does not end here. Panic attacks before entering examination hall, issues like how to answer CBSE Papers and what to do once you are done with your exams crops up.

Here are a few tips for all you students out there who are to face CBSE Papers or any other board exams (conducted by other boards). It is important for students to learn to deal with the situation by breaking it down into stages. The entire examination period can be thus, divided into three stages i.e. Pre Exam, During Exam and Post Exam.

1. Pre Exam:- The most important key to fare well in any exam is to prepare well. Before starting it is important to go through the entire CBSE syllabus for your grade. Start off with the difficult subjects first, as fresh mind allows for fast and effective understanding and memorization of concepts. Prepare a time table for yourself in detail that lists down when and how you plan to deal with all the subjects.  For attempting CBSE Papers well, going through all the related NCERT text books thoroughly is a primary requirement. Generally NCERT text books deal with all the relevant topics in detail, however if you feel the need seek help from the reference books suggested for CBSE Papers, feel free to do so. While studying subjects like Social Sciences, it may be a good idea to practice CBSE papers for each of the individual subjects like History, Geography and Civics separately. Be careful not to delve excessively into a subject that you like; concentrating on ’least preferred’ subjects first will help you make the most of your revision time.
   Once done with memorizing key points, try to revise at least once before attempting the final CBSE Paper. If you are left with enough time before the final exams, try your hand on mock tests prescribed for CBSE Papers.
   
2. During Exam:- Once you enter the examination hall, do not stress yourself or panic. First read all the instructions and the marking scheme carefully. Accordingly, allocate your time for each question. An answer within the prescribed word limit that covers all the important points will fetch you more marks in CBSE Papers than writing lengthy and incomplete answers. If possible, support your answers with diagrammatic representations. Your writing should be legible enough for the examiner to read. Once done with answering the CBSE Paper, do revise your answer sheet and highlight the major points. It will make your answer sheet look more organized.
   
3. Post Exam:- There’s not much that you can do once you are done with a particular CBSE Paper. Unwind and quickly start preparing yourself for the next one. If it was the last CBSE paper set goals   for the future and support them with a concrete and actionable plan. It is equally important to have backup plans or alternative courses of action after your CBSE papers.

How to revise for CBSE board examinations?

With the board exams approaching, students preparing for the CBSE board examinations are again feeling the heat. Exam related anxiety has started taking a toll over the young minds. Something that can help students re-store their wavering confidence and can also help them gear up to beat exam-related stress are repeated and robust revision sessions.

In order to make the revision activity for the CBSE board examinations a thorough and effective exercise, students should follow this simple three-step process.

Step I - Organizing the revision notes! The first step while starting to prepare the CBSE revision notes is to collect and organize the existing study material. Students should first collate all the relevant notes i.e. class lecture notes, notes from NCERT books, tutorial notes etc. The second step is to prepare notes by summarizing all the important and relevant points in one place. Students can then further refine this consolidated text to arrive at their ‘ideal’ and complete CBSE revision notes. Students can further prepare flash cards, summaries etc. from the CBSE revision notes to further make their learning effective. In case students do not have ample time to perform such an elaborate activity for preparing the CBSE revision notes, they can also refer to websites that provide CBSE curriculum aligned revision notes. These revision notes are concise and complete summaries of the chapters. The text in these CBSE revision notes are supported by well illustrated and neatly drawn diagrams that aid in better and speedy understanding of concepts.

Step II - Devise an exam strategy! Once through with preparing the CBSE revision notes the next important step is to start revising from these notes. Along with revising it is also very important for students to device an exam strategy that helps to tackle exam related issues. Their exam strategy should answer questions like how to manage time, how to approach the CBSE question paper on the final examination day, how to tackle stress before and during exams etc. This exam strategy will not only help students manage their studies better, but will also enable them to deliver a better performance. It is also very important for students to device a customized strategy for themselves instead of blindly following ready-made strategy templates often handed down by well meaning friends and relatives. Since each student is unique, their needs and priorities too will be unique. It is therefore imperative for students to have an examination strategy that is devised especially keeping their unique motivations, learning styles, and bio-rhythms in mind.

Step III - Revise using previous years CBSE board papers! Once through with revising and formulating an exam strategy, students should ideally end their revision activity for the CBSE board papers with a thorough practice session using the previous years’ test papers. This will help students assess their preparation levels and will also help gear them up to ace the CBSE board exams confidently. Practicing using the previous years’ CBSE papers or CBSE sample papers in simulated exam conditions will help students gain a first hand experience of how it feels to attempt the CBSE board paper. Students can also seek help from various websites that provide CBSE curriculum aligned practice tests and model tests that will help them take their CBSE board papers head on!

Now that all you students out there preparing for CBSE board paper know how to start revising, I am positive that a great report card is out there waiting for you!

All the very best for exams!

CBSE Question Paper

Students getting anxious about the possible questions that could appear in the final CBSE question paper is quite normal. While studying for the final CBSE examinations, students usually keep in mind the format of the questions that have a higher weightage and the probability of being asked in the exams. Therefore, in order to score exceptionally good marks in all the subjects the students are advised to customize their answers according to the subject and question they are tackling.

To help all you students out there who are to appear in their CBSE exams in the near future, here are a few tips on how customize your answer for each subject.

• Maths:- One simple mantra to score cent percent marks in Maths is to the keep the calculations uncluttered and accurate so as to arrive at the correct answer. While attempting the CBSE question paper for Maths, student should first demarcate space on all the pages in the answer sheet for rough work. This will enable students to keep a track of the calculations they have performed to arrive at the solution. Whenever in doubt, students can re-check their calculations from any stage and be confident of their answer. Also, while a attempting the CBSE question paper for Maths, student should write down all the in-between steps in the answer. This will help students fetch some marks for the steps even if the final answer is incorrect.
• English & Hindi:- For language subjects the key is to build a very good command over the basics of the language and develop a sound vocabulary in order to achieve your dream score. Unlike other subjects like Maths, Accountancy etc, scoring high marks in language subjects is relatively difficult. Therefore, students should not be over ambitious and just focus on attempting their CBSE question paper well. While attempting the reading section in the CBSE question paper for the language subjects, students should first read the unseen passage carefully. Once through with a thorough read, students should then start answering the questions asked from the passage. Whereas, while attempting questions from the text-book section in the CBSE question paper, students should try to answer in ‘to-the-point’ format and stick to the prescribed word limit.
• Science:- Students should not commit the mistake of cramming concepts for a subject like Science in order to score great marks in the final exams. The key to excelling in CBSE question paper for Science is to understand and memorize concepts and processes well. Students should try to supplement their answers with neatly drawn and clearly labeled diagrams. This will help students explain the concepts thoroughly and enable them to score those extra marks in CBSE question papers.
• Social Science:- While attempting the CBSE question paper for Social Science, students should not write mindlessly lengthy answers in order to meet the desired word limit. Rather, students should concentrate on writing precise and complete answers. There is a common notion that writing lengthy answers in Social Sciences can help students score good marks. However, this statement does not hold true.

Therefore while attempting CBSE question paper for any of these subjects, students should keep the following points in mind and customize their answers accordingly.

Benefits of revising using CBSE solved papers

Previous years’ CBSE solved papers are usually the first resort for students planning to revise for their final CBSE examinations. They not only help students assess their preparation levels for the final CBSE exams, but also help gain the much required confidence to beat exam-related stress. However, many students still may not have discovered the real benefits of revising using CBSE solved papers.

To help all you students out there score great marks in your final CBSE examinations, here are a few points enumerating the benefits of practicing using solved CBSE papers. After going through these benefits, I am confident that practicing using CBSE solved papers will become an important element of your revision activity and you will try to avoid missing out on these practice sessions.

• Familiarization with the overall examination pattern is the first benefit that a student planning to practice from the CBSE solved papers is sure to obtain. It often happens that despite of a lot of hard work, students are not able to perform well in their final CBSE examinations. Apart from poor quality of preparation, one of the significant reasons for the same is that students are usually ill-equipped to handle examinations with respect to the type of questions asked, answering technique, customization of answers as per the requirements of the questions etc. To efficiently combat issues like these, it is very important for students to practice using CBSE solved papers.
• Revising using solved CBSE papers will also help students hone their ability to accurately evaluate a lot of situations and accordingly take corrective steps to score great marks in the final CBSE examinations. While revising using solved CBSE papers, students are equipped to assess their preparation levels for their final examinations and take timely remedial actions to fortify their understating in weak areas. If these solved CBSE papers are practiced in simulated exam conditions, students can also evaluate their skills related to time management and also that of handling exam-related stress. To score great marks in the final CBSE examinations, it is very important for students to complete their exam to the best of their abilities within the stipulated time. Students can sharpen their skills related to time management through rigorous practice using solved CBSE papers and other CBSE-aligned model papers.
• Practicing using solved CBSE papers also helps students gain the much required confidence to beat examination stress. High anxiety levels, wavering confidence, under preparedness etc. usually leave students revising for their CBSE examinations extremely concerned about their final performance in the exams. As a result, there are chances that their performance may witness a dip. To help students combat this situation with full vigor, students should practice as hard they can using solved CBSE papers/ solved sample papers/ solved model papers.

It is very important for students to understand that the key to scoring great marks in exams lies not just in possessing knowledge, but also in being able to use or apply that knowledge in the best possible manner to answer the questions. Students can seek help from a lot of websites that provide solved CBSE papers for subject like Maths, Science, English, Hindi & Sanskrit etc. Along with the latest solved CBSE papers, these websites also offer to the students a variety of tests for a thorough assessment of preparation levels. So what are you waiting for, take a go at it right away!

Assure good marks in CBSE exams with NCERT solutions

The key to performing well in CBSE exams include studying hard, grasping important & relevant points mentioned in the chapter and retaining these. The candidates appearing for the exams should study in a smart and streamlined manner, so that they are able to translate their efforts into performance.

Most of the questions in CBSE exams are based on end-of-chapter questions from NCERT textbook with slight changes in language or numerical values.  Majority of the students believe that solving NCERT questions is uninteresting and time consuming. But, this is definitely the simplest way to outshine in CBSE examinations. 

How to prepare ideal NCERT Solutions?

Before framing the answers to the questions listed in NCERT textbook, the students should read the chapter attentively and thoroughly. They can underline or note down the important points covered under each topic.  A comprehensive study of the entire chapter would not only help in getting good marks but enhance the conceptual understanding of the students.

Before writing ideal answers, the students should carefully read, analyze and understand the subject of the questions. They should know the difference between ‘Explain’, ‘Illustrate’ and ‘Brief description’ and should answer the question accordingly.  The students should tailor their answers depending on the type of questions i.e. one word, multiple choice, short answers or long answers. Keeping in mind the type of question and marks allotted for each, they should set word limits for every type that would help them in customization of their answers. 

In addition to the above factors, the answers should be simple in language and crisp with no grammatical and spelling errors. 

Proper revision to reassure high scores in CBSE exams

The NCERT solutions should be arranged in an organized manner with the chapter number and page numbers to avoid confusion. Organized solutions would require less time to go through during revision. Further, it would also promote in understanding, grasping, memorizing and retaining the notes effectively. 

Less time? Go for NCERT Online Solutions

When CBSE exams are round the corner, students don’t want to devote much time in forming NCERT solutions. In that case, they can simply find the solutions to their question in various websites offering online NCERT solutions. These solutions are properly illustrated with graphics, videos and animations & apt for preparation in CBSE exams. 

A few points to remember before referring to online NCERT solutions

Before referring to online NCERT solutions, students must cross-check the answers for any kind of inaccuracies. They should ensure that each answer is written as per the demand of the question. While referring to online NCERT solutions, students should also make certain that these solutions are accurate with respect to language and grammar.

By following the above mentioned tips while framing, studying and revising NCERT solutions would definitely assist the students in getting excellent marks in CBSE examinations.

How to study using previous years’ CBSE papers?

With board exams a few weeks away, it is time to get over with all your final preparations and start testing your knowledge using previous years’ CBSE Papers. Practicing using previous years’ CBSE papers not only acquaints students with the overall examination pattern but also helps them assess their current levels of preparation. 

In view of the benefits of using previous years’ CBSE papers for revision, students should keep in mind the following steps for using the previous years’ CBSE papers effectively:

• The first and foremost step is to finish all conceptual understanding. Before starting to practice from the previous years’ CBSE papers, students should have all their study material and revision notes in place. Students should only plan to practice from these previous years’ CBSE papers once they are confident about their preparation and they think they are cent percent ready to write the final CBSE papers.
• While organizing the previous years’ CBSE papers, students should also simultaneously look out for their respective solution sheets along with the official marking scheme.  At this stage creating a pool of such solution sheets is important. However, students should restrain themselves from reading the solutions at this stage.
• Before starting to practice from the previous years’ CBSE papers, students should aim to create a simulated exam atmosphere around them. Choosing a study corner that is free of any disturbance and well-lit. Students can also choose to ask their parents and friends not to disturb them while writing an ‘exam’. Students should also keep a stop-watch handy, so as to keep a track of the time left to complete the mock CBSE paper.
• With all the required things in place, students can now start attempting their CBSE papers. Students should make sure that once they start writing their mock CBSE paper, they should resist any temptation to look into the solution sheet. Students should focus on completing their mock CBSE papers in time and write quality answers that can fetch them a good score.
• Once students are through with their mock CBSE papers, it is time to evaluate their performance and calculate their score. With the help of the solution sheet and the official marking scheme students can appropriately rate their performance. While evaluating the answer sheet, students should try to act as a strict examiner and not reward marks generously. Doing so will help them raise their own standards of performance.
• Once through with checking the CBSE papers, students can highlight or identify all the topics or areas where they performed poorly. Students should then get back to their CBSE study material and revise those particular topics to strengthen their conceptual base.
• After a few days, students should once again go back to those questions and revise them all over again. They should also ensure that they are cent percent accurate this time around.

Now that all you students out there know how to use previous years’ CBSE papers, scoring good marks will not be that difficult.

Formative Assessment - The holistic method of evaluation

With the recent initiatives in the area of education reforms Formative Assessments has become the buzzword among teachers and students alike. Under CBSE’s guidelines for a Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation policy for students it has become necessary that teachers build in formative assessments into their evaluation methods.  

The term Formative Assessments refers to an approach to evaluation in which assessment is built into the teaching-learning process wherein evaluation is suitably used to tailor instruction or teaching. This allows teachers to adapt to the needs of different students. Thus, in simple terms it is not evaluation at the end of learning (Summative Assessment) but rather evaluation during the process of learning.  Formative Assessment thus is assessment that is carried out throughout the year by the teacher, either formally or informally. Yet another point of difference between formative and summative assessments lies in its purpose. The purpose of formative assessments ideally should not end in the allocation of grades, unlike the purpose of summative assessments; the goal of formative assessments is to ‘improve’ a student’s performance. 

The key to a good formative assessment system is constant feedback about a student’s progress along with modification of teacher’s instructions in line with students’ learning needs. CBSE in its guidelines for implementation of CCE has listed down a variety of formative assessment tools that teachers may use for evaluating the students in the various subjects both inside and outside the classrooms.  Some of these are – class work, homework, oral questions, quizzes, projects, assignments/tests.  As per the CCE guidelines there will be four formative assessments in a year- two in each term. A total of 40% weightage has been accorded to formative assessments under the new CCE guidelines by CBSE.  

There is a flip side to the manner in which the term ‘formative assessments’ is sometimes interpreted in the schools. Some teachers interpret it as having to conduct weekly tests. This is not a correct interpretation. Formative assessments are meant to aid in the diagnostic or remedial function of assessment rather than evaluating what a child knows. Through effective use of formative assessments it should become possible for teachers and students to modify or re-set their goals in specific subjects. Specifically, a well designed formative assessment system can help the teachers and the students in the following ways:

• It guides the teacher to where the problem lies
• It helps students to identify their own conceptual problem areas
• It provide students with timely feedback and  scope for intervention for improving in the weak areas
• It allows teachers to tailor their instructions to adapt to the needs of different students
• It enables teachers to give specific inputs and feedback to the students and parents.

A lot of businesses have mushroomed overnight that claim to offer formative assessment solutions for students and schools. It is important that as students you exercise caution and discretion in using the same. Companies that have a proven track-record in the education sector and have successfully delivered quality learning solutions to students can be rightfully trusted to deliver a comprehensive assessment solution.

How to manage time while preparing for CBSE exams?

Do you fear that dearth of time will be one of the reasons for you not performing well in your final CBSE exams? If yes, then stop worrying. After reading this article, I am confident that you will no longer face time constraint related issues while preparing for your CBSE exams.

To combat time management related problems, it is very important that students preparing for the CBSE exams plan and schedule the available time well in advance. Estimating and planning both the time and effort required to be invested in a particular task helps students stay in control of the situation. Organizing time well also leads to optimization of productivity.

Therefore, in order to score well in your CBSE exams and effectively manage the available time, follow this simple five-step process. These tips will help you manage your time effectively before the final CBSE exams and will also help you score excellent marks in the process.

• Look ahead! While scheduling your studies for the CBSE exams, you should not just selectively plan for exams but for the entire academic year. As a student preparing for the CBSE exam, ask yourself three questions i.e. what are the things that I need to do to score great marks in the exams, what are the timelines for the same and what is the estimated time and effort required to complete these activities. These activities should not just include scholastic but co-scholastic tasks as well. Therefore, while attempting to look ahead for your CBSE exams, first try to gain a broad understanding of the overall studies and co-related activities that are imperative for your holistic development.
• Make plans in advance! Once through with gaining an insight into the effort and time estimation, the next step is to actually sit down and prepare a plan for the whole academic year. Since the preparation for the CBSE exams should ideally begin from the start of the academic session, therefore it is necessary to manage actions for the same right from the start. On a paper set a date for completion against each activity mentioned in the year-long plan. While planning for CBSE exams, leave aside some time for contingencies. Rather than trying to squeeze in activities later on, it is always beneficial to leave some scope for the same beforehand.
• Chalk out specific short-term plans! Once through with formulating a year-long plan for the CBSE exams, the follow up activity should ideally be that of chalking out smaller short-term plans. You should set weekly and monthly goals that will help you work effectively towards meeting the demands of the year-long plan. Try to create plans or goals that are realistic and achievable and will contribute effectively to your ultimate goal of achieving top score in your CBSE exams.
• Prioritizing is important! Sometimes you may realize that you have more on hand than you can actually handle! At such times it is important that you prioritize amongst the given activities. First, spend time to evaluate and then carefully prioritize. Remember that prioritization in haste can often have an adverse impact on your final score in the CBSE examination.
• Review actions timely! Simply preparing plans and blindly following those time plans won’t suffice towards fulfilling your dream of performing well in final CBSE exams and effectively managing your time. You will need to periodically review both the performance of the actions taken and the effectiveness of your plans, and take suitable corrective actions if required.

Now that all you students preparing for the CBSE exams know how to organize time, planning for exams won’t be difficult.

All the best for exams!

How to prepare for CBSE class X papers

CBSE class X papers are often considered the first set of ‘real’ exams that a student takes during his schooling. Before the advent of the Comprehensive & Continuous Evaluation (CCE), CBSE class X papers were compulsory board exams that all students studying under the CBSE board had to clear in order to get promoted to the next class. However, after the introduction of CCE, these end-of-the-year CBSE class X board papers have become an optional exam that students can take on demand.  Students who wish to change their school or board after class X are required to appear for the CBSE class X board papers /board exams.

Students who opt for CCE are required to take two summative and four formative assessments in an academic year. Apart from these paper & pencil tests, students are also required to actively take part in the year-round formative assessments that test their skills related to public speaking, leadership qualities etc.

Why should students take their CBSE class X papers seriously?
Students who wish to excel in their lives and are aiming for a bright career should take not only the CBSE class X papers but all the exams very sincerely. These exams are not only geared to test their knowledge and understanding in that particular subject, but also their endurance to stand the stress of demanding situations.  If a student is planning to opt for ‘Science’ as a subject of choice in class XII and is required to decide between opting for the medical vs the non-medical streams, his/her performance in CBSE class X papers along with an honest introspection into is strengths and weaknesses can help him make a choice. If he/she has performed extremely well in Physics & Chemistry and has performed relatively poor in Biology and finds understanding concepts in Biology difficult, and further if he is not keen on becoming a doctor or pursuing other fields related to Biology such as Botany, Zoology etc, then ‘non-medical’ Science should be his choice.

Thus, your performance in these exams not only help you in choosing the right career, but they also help students develop basic computation and analytical skills that are essential in day-to-day life. For example, an architect is expected to know how to calculate area of a plot and have a general idea about dimensions & volumes, concepts that are taught in class X (Chapter- Mensuration).

How to study for CBSE class X papers?
Being attentive in the class and engaging in rigorous self-study sessions are a must for any student who aspires to excel in studies. Students should start their studies by giving the chapter a thorough read, followed by solving the end-of-chapter NCERT questions. Students face any problems while trying to solve NCERT questions can seek help from websites that provide free NCERT solutions to the end-of-chapter questions. These solutions are further enriched with high quality videos & animations that explain the concept(s) so as to make learning effective. Apart from these NCERT solutions, students can also seek help from other learning & assessment aids that are available on this website.

So the next time you appear for your CBSE class X paper, you will know how to study effectively. Don’t you?

Happy studying!

Beat CBSE board result related stress

It is CBSE board results time, and students must be feeling stressed out about their performance. “I could have done better in my exams”, “I wish I had done some more revision for Science”, “I didn’t get enough time for preparation”, “What if I don’t fare well in these exams” etc are constant thoughts that usually occupy young minds during their wait for the official results. Having butterflies in stomach and getting anxious about the final CBSE board result is normal. However, it is very important for students to avoid getting too worked with anxiety. It is also important for students to understand that CBSE board results are indicative only of their performance in these particular board exams and are unlikely to have any significant irreversible impact on their life as a whole.

For all you students out there awaiting your CBSE board results here are a few tips on how to maintain your cool during this wait. These tips will also help you cope with result related stress and also provide you with alternative ways to utilize your time better.

• Exams are over, stop discussing about it! There is no point getting unnecessarily stressed out thinking about and discussing your performance in the CBSE board exams. Now that the official announcement of these results is expected anytime soon, getting involved in such conversations at this time will only mount more pressure on an already anxious mind. Therefore, the most effective way to keep away from result related stress is to stop discussing about the exam once you are done with it.
• Think positive and plan for the future! This is the best time to introspect, set goal and draft plans to achieve those goals. It is important to think positive and analyze your strengths and weaknesses and accordingly plan for life after CBSE board results. Doing so will help keep the mind focused on other important tasks and prevent negative thoughts form causing unwanted stress. At this stage it is also very important to prepare back-up plans for any contingencies.
• It is the best time to indulge into hobby courses! Make the most of this time by getting enrolled into hobby courses. This will not only allow students to keep the result related stress at bay, but will also help them hone their skills in something that they really like doing. Students can also choose to indulge in some physical activities that will not only help them stay fit but also keep their heads cool. Finding and allowing for such creative and /or constructive expression of their energies will help students bring freshness into their minds and help them face their studies with renewed vigour.
• Be ready for a party! The CBSE board results are the outcome of year-long hard work. Therefore it is important for students to celebrate their results. Even if the results are not as per your expectations, it is important that you accept those results and make plans for the next phase of your student life. Doing so will also help students learn a very important lesson of life - that of taking responsibility for their actions and taking charge of their lives.

Keep all these points in mind and face your CBSE board results head-on. Even if CBSE board results do not turn up as per your expectations, take it as a challenge, strive and work towards better results for the next academic year.