How to Prepare for Class 12 Board Exams


The 12th board exam, although marks the end of your school life, opens the door to a greater arena where you step in to pursue an education that matches your career aspirations. Thus, this exam holds prominence in life as a deciding factor for you, and a selection factor for different colleges, institutes and entrance exams that can open up new avenues.

Tips on Science

Physics:

  • Get a grip on the fundamental and concepts of the subject to acquire an extra edge over the competitors.
  • Generally the exams contain a number of questions that are direct formula- and theorem-based. Therefore, make sure to revise these as many times as possible.
  • Repeated practice is the key strategy here. Use the formulas and theorems extensively in solving different problems of last years' papers and model papers, making sure to time yourself. Try and solve at least five numerical problems daily.
  • Some of the relatively easier topics are Modern Physics, Optics, Oscillation & Waves, and Heat & Thermodynamics, which are more based on theory and direct formula. Preparing these well will get you sure-shot marks.

Chemistry:

  • This is a high-scoring subject while less time-consuming compared with other subjects.
  • The questions on Organic and Inorganic Chemistry can be attempted first as these are fact-based and can be solved very quickly. This will boost your confidence and give ample time for rest of the paper.
  • Speed with accuracy in solving problems can only be acquired thorough in-depth study of the subject and extensive practice.
  • Thoroughly study the name reactions in Organic Chemistry, along with examples, as these are extremely important.
  • Write down all the important formulae on a piece of paper and paste it where you can't help seeing it on a daily basis.

Biology:

  • As the subject include lots of diagrams, emphasise on special diagrams along with their theory part.
  • Biology involves learning and memorising difficult terminology. Practice spelling and writing such terms repeatedly so as to get acquainted with them.
  • Once you go through the entire syllabus, try to solve objective questions first. Whenever stuck, consult the book to revise that portion. This will help you to get in-depth knowledge on the topic. Solve previous years' questions within the time limit.
  • Adopt a learning style that you are most comfortable with. It can be the use of visual devices like drawing, charts, pictures, graphs and maps, to name a few. These supplements help you to retain the knowledge on the subject as you immediately associate the question with a diagram or a picture that you have gone through while studying the subject.

Recommended textbooks

  • Moderns ABC of Chemistry, Class XII by Modern Publishers
  • Advanced Problems in School Physics by Cengage LearningIndia
  • Trueman's Elementary Biology by K.N. Bhatia and M.P. Tyagi

Tips on Mathematics

  • Get the fundamentals and concepts clear.
  • Practice a lot as this is the key to success. Take out an hour in a day to practice mathematics regularly. The more you practice the more clear you will be about the concepts and techniques.
  • Solve the problems using conventional methods first. Once you are thorough enough, try out short-cut methods to increase speed. Be alert that you do not jump crucial steps, which may confuse you later.
  • Calculations can be lengthy and time is a major factor during the exams. Thus practice a lot to acquire speed so as to attempt the entire paper.
  • Beware of the silly mistakes that you often make. Try to improve on these while you practice.
  • Jot down important formulae and tables that you need to memorise. Copy them on to a list and carry it around wherever you go.
  • Practice common square root and cube root problems so that you can quickly solve them during exam.

Recommended books

  • Mathematics XII by R.D. Sharma
  • Books by Arihant Publications in Mathematics that include Integral Calculus, Differential Calculus and Algebra
  • Hall & Knight's book on Higher Algebra
  • Modern Geometry by Durrel, M.A.

Tips on Commerce

Accountancy:

  • Accountancy is mostly about fundamentals and calculations. Firstly, make sure that the concepts are absolutely clear.
  • The second important step is practice. Solve as many problems as possible. Get hold of previous years' papers. Regular practice gives you an idea about the different nuances of the subject.
  • Show calculations properly, with sufficient explanations and narrations. Be alert and avoid oversights that are commonly committed in accountancy.
  • Be clear about various formats of different statements of accounts. Draw formats neatly using scale and pencil. Always start an account statement on a new page and try to complete on a single page. Rough work should be done on the rough sheets provided or on a different sheet.
  • The subject includes partial marking, so even if you are unable to complete or solve an entire problem, attempt it to add some marks to your total score.

Economics:

  • Concentrate on different terms and key concepts involved in the subject.
  • This subject also includes lot of calculations and diagrams. Practice a lot to get acquainted with them. In Economics it is mandatory that you label the diagrams properly.
  • The theoretical part is just an important. Memorise the important definitions and formulae. Prepare your own short notes and revise them regularly.

Recommended textbooks:

  • Introductory Micro Economics, NCERT book
  • Macro Economics, NCERT Book
  • Accountancy for Class XII by Banerjee

Tips on Humanities

History:

  • This subject contains facts as recorded by historians. So the only mantra is to read, memorise and remember important events, names, periods and dates of different historical occurrences.
  • Keep revising the material regularly as it is fact-dense.
  • Make the study interesting by watching related TV programs, movies, browsing the Internet for old documents, photos, etc., related to historical events.
  • Every now and then, get together with some friends and discuss history. This will stimulate the mind and help fuse all the ideas together.

Political Science:

  • Make sure you read up on the influential figures so as to understand their motivations clearly.
  • Focus on world politics and also the recent political scenario, with respect to different nations.
  • Keep yourself updated with the recent political developments inIndiaand the current affairs, both national and international.

Sociology:

  • You should have good knowledge of the different social concepts, whether it is modern demography, urbanisation, kinship or family.
  • Thoroughly study the textbook.
  • Be acquainted with the RTI Act.
  • Learn the different definitions given by eminent sociologists.

Recommended textbooks

  • Together with History Class XII by Dolly Haryal
  • Political Science (Class XII) by Namrata Singh

General Tips

  • Know the syllabus of different subjects clearly. Attend your class lessons properly, which will help you to cover the syllabus in a systematic manner.
  • Revise the lessons taught in class each day after coming back home, as these will still be fresh in your mind. Even the slightest of doubt should be clarified with the teacher the very next day.
  • Solve the exercise questions at the end of each topic. When stuck, take guidance from your teacher or a senior to solve it.
  • Maintain separate notebooks for each subject where you can jot down important notes and formulae apart from solving exercises. This will help you before the exams as you can just grab a particular notebook for a subject and revise the portions you have to.
  • Highlight important points and formulae so that you can locate them easily.
  • Chalk out a well laid time table for your Board exam preparation so that you allot ample time for each subject.
  • Choose the time that is most convenient for you to study, whether early in the morning or at night.
  • Solve as many question papers and practice books as possible. Follow the previous years' question papers to know the trend and type of questions that are frequently asked.
  • Find out your strengths and weaknesses. Do not ignore your weaknesses; rather, concentrate to improve on them. Take guidance and suggestions from your teachers.
  • Revise whatever you have studied and do not take up or study anything new just before the exams as you may get confused.
  • Make a weekly revision plan once you have completed the entire syllabus.
  • Keep yourself fit during the exams. Eat healthy and take ample rest. Sleep for at least 7-8 hours in a day.
  • Take some time out in the day to relax. A fresh mind and body will help you to work accurately and efficiently.
  • Do not get stressed out or nervous before the exams, as this will only waste your quality time. Be patient and keep practicing.
  • Reach the examination hall a little earlier instead of scrambling in at the last moment. Ensure that you carry all the important things like admit card, pen, pencil, eraser, etc. Settle down in your seat and keep everything properly in place. Stay calm and composed.
  • Be mentally alert and read the questions carefully as any silly mistake or misinterpretation of questions can be quite damaging.
  • Glance at the paper for five minutes after you get it. Start with the ones that you are more confident with, instead of wasting time with difficult ones. If you get stuck with a question, move forward with the others instead of lingering on it for too long. Once you have completed the easier and moderate ones, attempt the others.
  • Revise and re-check the paper carefully if you have time.
All the best for your board exams!



Last Updated on : March 23, 2016