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.

How to make quality notes from ICSE books

Preparing the right kind of personalized study notes from ICSE books is an important step towards obtaining a great score in the final ICSE exams. Quality notes from ICSE books not only promote effective understanding of all concepts but often re-kindle students’ interest in subjects they usually consider difficult. Therefore, while preparing notes from the ICSE books it is important for students to keep a few essential points in mind that will help make these notes effective and relevant for the final ICSE examinations.

To help all students studying under ICSE board prepare quality notes, here are a few important pointers on how to go about preparing such notes.

• Before starting to prepare notes from ICSE books, it is important for students to first go through the chapter and highlight all the important concepts, assess their understanding for all the highlighted concepts and then identify the learning gaps. Customizing study notes as per the current level of understanding will help students emphasize on areas/topics that require more attention. Such an exercise will eventually result in a thorough understanding of all concepts.
• While preparing study notes, students should make sure that it is not a word-to-word replication of what is actually given in the ICSE book. Students should try to prepare notes that are crisp and in their own language. This will facilitate a quick understanding and easy recall of all the concepts during the revision sessions. Such an exercise will also help students to optimize benefits from such an extensive note-making exercise.
• Student should also ensure that their ICSE book notes are complete. Students should practice caution that they do not miss out on any important concept/topic in the chapter while preparing such notes. Such comprehensive notes can aid as a ready-to-use booklet for anytime reference.
• While preparing notes from ICSE book, students should structure the notes as per their unique learning styles. For example, if a student is a visual learner and understands concepts faster through visual learning aids, he/she should try to include as many diagrams, illustrations, mind maps etc in his/her notes. He/she can also use colour highlighters to stress on important points in the notes. Notes that are customized as per the preferred learning styles helps students with an accelerated pace of learning.
• If students are not interested in performing such an elaborate activity to prepare notes and want some readymade curriculum-aligned study material/notes, they can seek help from websites that provide such online learning resources. ICSE study material for Maths & Science available at such websites are prepared by a team of highly qualified educationists. These notes are in easy-to-understand language supported with high quality, value adding graphics for a quick understanding. Along with the study material, students can also try their hands at curriculum-aligned interactive puzzles, tests, revision notes etc. to solidify their understanding in weak areas. 2D/ 3D/ real-life videos help students understand concepts much faster and ensure that their learning is permament.

If all you students out there preparing for ICSE exams keep all these essential points in your minds, the notes made from ICSE books will not only make learning fun and effortless but will also make scoring good marks easy.

Feature-cum-benefits of E-learning

E-learning is the buzz word among school students these days. High speed broadband connectivity at affordable rates and easy accessibility to high quality curriculum aligned e-learning content has led to this increasing popularity of internet-based learning. Today there are a variety of websites that provide online learning and assessment solutions for CBSE, ICSE, Maharashtra State SSC Board, Karnataka State SSLC Board and Tamil Nadu Matriculation Board. Learning content ranging from study material enriched with animations, interactive puzzles, a variety of tests, dynamic formative assessments to crisp revision notes; you name it and e-learning websites have it all. However, there are a many students who are still not completely aware of all that internet-based learning or e-learning has to offer.

To elucidate on features cum benefits of internet based learning or e-learning to all you students studying under CBSE, ICSE, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Matriculation Board, here are a few points. 

• Customized content as per learning styles:- Internet based learning imparts education using a variety of mediums. As a result, e-learning is well-equipped to accommodate different types of learners and makes available to them unique learning content in the manner that suits them the best. 
• Collaborative learning:- E-learning also allows students to study together, share their experiences, ask questions, share knowledge with their peers etc on the virtual world. As a result, students can use the online learning experience as a powerful tool for learning and problem-solving and also ensure that they excel academically.
• Self-paced learning:- E-learning also provides opportunity to the students to choose their pace while learning. Learners who are slow can repeat their study sessions as many times as they wish, whereas fast learners can sail through their lessons and ensure that they stay ahead of their peers.
• Cost effective:- By subscribing to online study sessions, students get the opportunity to study from quality and experienced teachers without having to incur those high tuition costs. Apart from lower costs, students can also get to save the time and effort spent on travelling to and from tuition centres, schools etc.
• Time saving:- E-learning allows students to study as per their own convenience. Students can log on to their favorite online learning website whenever they get time or in-between their other study/activity sessions and be sure of a stress-free and enriching study experience.
• Stay in control:- Online learning not only allows students to stay in control of their study schedules and the pace with which they choose to study, but also helps them manage other activities besides studies. As a result students are not only in control of their studies, but in effect start feeling to be in control of their life as a whole. 

Apart from all the above features cum benefits of e-learning, the privilege of studying in the comforts of your home makes it an instant hit amongst students. So all you CBSE, ICSE, Maharashtra State Board, Karnataka State SSLC board and Tamil Nadu Matriculation Board students, just surf your way through these e-learning websites and be sure of a smooth and stress-free learning experience.

Happy browsing!

Essential of E-learning videos

One of the most exciting features of internet based learning is the e-learning videos. With high speed broadband connectivity penetrating to of the most interior locations, video based e-learning is soon gaining in popularity. Web-based learning accompanied with e-learning videos not only makes for an ideal virtual classroom, but also help promote an effective, engaging and exciting learning experience. 

Nowadays, there are various universities that offer online degree/diploma courses at the graduation and post graduation levels. To obtain such degrees students are expected to study using the online course material and e-learning videos made available by the university and take periodic online tests for assessment. 

That is not all. There are various websites that provide multimedia enriched e-learning content for students studying in school. These websites can go long way in making the entire studying experience truly enriching and effective. However, while studying from such e-learning videos online students should make sure that they have the following essential elements in it.

High quality content for a thorough understanding

To score great marks in school and to ensure a thorough learning experience, students should only refer to videos that are of a high quality.  The term ‘high quality’ not only refers to the technical aspect of these videos but to the content as well. Studying from e-learning videos that are not up to the mark can hamper a thorough conceptual understanding. Therefore while surfing for e-learning videos, students should be sure that they are not getting swayed by the high quality animations and other effects used in these videos, but should also ensure that along with quality animations the content of these videos is also up to the mark. 

However, students who have a dial-up connection or a low broadband speed cannot fully experience the benefits of e-learning as buffering/ downloading of these e-learning videos can consume a lot of time and can therefore be quite a hassle. 

Logically organized material for a smooth learning experience

A variety of multimedia enriched videos can not only make learning fun but help make it an extremely engaging experience. Along with adding variety to the study schedule, these 2D, 3D and real life e-learning videos impart conceptual understanding in a very simplified manner that help students retain information for a long time. However, bad pronunciation, poorly organized and presented content, incomplete information etc in the e-learning videos not only hamper the pace of learning but can also deter future attempts at trying to understand the concept using online resources. Therefore, while referring to e-learning videos students should make it a point to check it for above mentioned points and only consider learning from those websites that meet the above requirements 

E-learning videos backed by relevant study material for a complete learning

While surfing for e-learning websites that provide curriculum-aligned study videos, students should make it a point to only refer to sites that support these videos with relevant study material. Such a blend of e-learning videos and relevant study material can help concretize understanding and make scoring great marks easy. There are  various websites that provide such chapter-wise learning resources and curriculum-aligned puzzles, chapter-wise practice tests, full length model tests, chapter-wise revision notes and a lot more for students studying under CBSE, ICSE, Maharashtra State SSC board, Karnataka State SSLC board and Tamil Nadu Matriculation Board.

So the next time you want to add some zing to your study schedule, do surf through a few e-learning videos. 

All the best for your exams!