CBSE to introduce English novels from class IX

The Central Board of Secondary Education is aiming to foster reading habits in students by introducing novels for classes IX-XII. With this attempt, more emphasis will be laid on teaching language skills rather than merely providing verbose notes which makes studies monotonous and mundane.

This attempt of CBSE would nurture reading habits among students of Classes XI and XII as well as among students who are a part of the Formative Assessment in CCE of Classes IX and X.

 As per the revised guidelines of the curriculum in English language, CBSE has introduced the following novels for students of Classes IX to XII (w.e.f. 2012-13 for classes IX and XI and w.e.f. 2013-14 for classes X and XII)

Class	Class IX	Class X	Class XI	Class XII
	English Communicative (Code 101)  English Language & Literature (Code 184)	English Communicative (Code 101)  English Language & Literature (Code 184)	English Core (Code 301)	English Core (Code 301)
Name of the Book Prescribed	Gulliver’s Travels the Book (2005 edition) by Jonathan Swift   OR Three Men in a Boat (1889 edition) by Jerome. K. Jerome	Diary of a Young Girl (1947 edition) by Anne Frank  OR  The Story of My Life (1903 edition) by Helen Keller	The Canterville Ghost (1906 edition) by Oscar Wilde  OR  Up from Slavery( 2000 edition) by Booker T. Washington	Hounds of Baskerville (1902) Arthur Conan Doyle OR Lord of Flies 1954) William Golding

As per the guidelines, out of the two novels prescribed at each level, every school has the option to choose and teach students either of the two novels for the sake of examination. All the novels would be introduced in expanded form.
 Check out the link below to read more: http://www.cbseacademic.in/web_material/Circulars/2012/Promoting_Reading_Habits_3_2012.pdf

How to study from CBSE solved papers for a great score in exams?

Students often undermine the importance of practicing using solved CBSE papers and consider the activity of revising using the revision notes as sufficient for the final examinations. Revision sessions using the bulleted highlights of the chapter are undoubtedly beneficial for the students, but solely relying on them alone is also not advisable. Along with revising using revision notes students should also try their hands at solved CBSE papers. Revising using these solved CBSE board papers will acquaint students with the overall examination pattern. It will also equip students with a first-hand look of the final CBSE papers and will familiarize them with the correct answering technique that will help them to score great marks in exams. Keeping all these advantages of revising using solved CBSE papers in mind, it is important for students to qualitatively enhance their revision session by practicing using the solved CBSE papers.

While planning to revise from the solved CBSE papers, it is for students to keep in mind the following steps so as to make this exercise a thoroughly effective one.

• The first and foremost step for students preparing for the CBSE papers is to carefully go through their NCERT textbooks. A strong conceptual understanding of all the important topics in the subject is very important to score top marks in exams. While learning the important points in the chapter, students should lay emphasis on understanding the concepts over cramming the said text. Students should plan to practice from these CBSE solved papers only when they are through with their studies and are 100% confident about their preparation.
• While organizing the CBSE solved papers, students should also simultaneously look out for the official marking scheme. Students should try to arrange for as many solved CBSE papers possible, so as to ensure enough practice for the final exams. Students should also ensure that they do not give in to the temptation to read the solutions before attempting the paper.
• Before starting to practice from the CBSE solved papers, students should choose a study corner in their room that is well-lit and a noise-free zone. Students can also ask their friends and family not to disturb them while they are practicing from the solved CBSE  papers. Students should take this practice session as a mock CBSE exam and accordingly keep a track of the time.
• Students should make sure that once they start writing their mock CBSE paper, they should just focus on writing quality answers and completing the paper within the stipulated time period. Students should also resist from looking into the available solutions.
• Once students are through with practicing from CBSE solved papers, students can then check their answers against the available solutions. Students can also calculate their score with the help of the official marking scheme so as to assess their preparation levels. An exercise like this will also help students take timely corrective action and ensure that they obtain a good score in the final CBSE papers.

While on the look-out for the CBSE solved papers for class X and class XII, students can seek help from a variety of websites that not only provide CBSE solved papers but also equip students with printable revision notes, practice tests, model tests and a lot more. Revision kits such as these will aid all you students out there with effective revision before the final examination.

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