10 Study Tips for Class 10 Board Exams That Actually Work

You can do this

Class 10 board exams are one of the most talked-about milestones in an Indian student's life. Yes, they matter. But they are not as unpredictable as they feel. Students who score well are not necessarily the smartest — they are the most organised. Here is what they do differently.

1. Start with previous year papers

This is the single most effective study technique for board exams. Previous year papers (available free on the CBSE and CISCE websites) show you exactly what kinds of questions are asked, how marks are distributed, and how answers should be written. Do not leave this for the last month — start from the beginning of the year.

2. Make a timetable and stick to it

A timetable only works if it is realistic. Do not plan 10 hours of study per day — plan 4 to 5 focused hours. Spread subjects across the week, rotate between subjects you find easy and hard, and always keep Sunday for revision.

3. Understand, do not memorise

Especially in Science and Maths, understanding concepts beats rote learning every time. When you understand why a formula works, you can apply it even when a question is worded differently. Ask your tutor to explain the logic behind each concept, not just the steps.

4. Write practice answers by hand

Board exams are written. Students who only read their notes often find it hard to write complete, well-structured answers under time pressure. Get into the habit of writing answers by hand from Class 9 onwards. Time yourself.

5. Focus on high-weightage chapters first

Not all chapters carry equal marks. In CBSE Maths, for example, Algebra and Geometry together account for a large portion of the paper. Check the CBSE or ICSE weightage chart for each subject and make sure you are solid on the chapters that carry the most marks.

6. Do not skip short answer questions

Many students focus entirely on long answers and neglect one-mark and two-mark questions. These add up quickly. Practise short answers for every chapter — they are often easier marks to score than long essays.

7. Revise at least twice before the exam

One reading of the chapter is never enough. Plan your revision so that by the time exams begin, you have covered each subject at least twice. Your second revision will be much faster than the first, and your recall will be significantly better.

8. Get your doubts cleared immediately

Do not let doubts pile up. A question you do not understand in September will still confuse you in February — and by then you will have more chapters to worry about. Ask your teacher, your tutor, or a classmate. Getting one doubt cleared per day is a very manageable habit.

9. Take care of sleep and breaks

Studying at 2am when you are exhausted is less effective than studying for two hours in the morning when you are fresh. Your brain consolidates memory during sleep. Protect your sleep, especially in the final month before exams.

10. Practice in exam conditions

At least once per subject, sit down with a previous year paper, set a 3-hour timer, and write the full paper without looking at your notes. This is uncomfortable — and that is exactly the point. Doing this once per subject removes a lot of the anxiety from the actual exam day.

One last thing

Marks matter, but they do not define you. Do your best, study consistently, and trust that honest preparation will show in your results. And if you need extra support in any subject, a good tutor can make an enormous difference in the final few months.