Your Class 12 CBSE Board Exams are only 30 days away. You may be nervous, confused or even scared. That's normal. But don't worry – these last 30 days strategy can make a huge difference in your final results. Whether you're in the Bio, Maths, or Commerce stream, this guide will help you prepare smartly and score well.
Why the Last 30 Days Matter Most
Your most important time is the last month before your board exams. It is the time when all your studies meet. There is still a lot that you can do to improve your marks, should you use the correct strategy. Most students who get a 90+ score in their boards report that the month before their boards is when they made the best progress.
Your Daily Study Schedule
These 30 days require you to study 8-10 hours a day. Divide your day into study periods:
- Morning (6 AM - 9 AM): Have a subject that is most difficult for you. When the mind is fresh, maths students should focus on solving problems. For Bio students, revise biology diagrams and concepts. For commerce students, work on accountancy numerical problems.
- Mid-Morning (10 AM - 1 PM): Focus on theory subjects. Read your notes, important questions, and NCERT books. This is the best time for subjects like English, business studies, economics, chemistry, or physics theory.
- Afternoon (2 PM - 4 PM): Take a short break after lunch, then solve previous year question papers—practice sample papers from the CBSE website.
- Evening (5 PM - 8 PM): Revise what you studied in the morning. Make short notes. Practice diagrams if you're a bio student. Solve more problems if you're in maths or commerce.
- Night (9 PM - 10 PM): Light revision only. Go through formulas, important definitions, and key points before sleeping.
Subject-Wise Strategy for Different Streams
For Biology Students
- Biology: Focus on NCERT diagrams. Draw them again and again. Revise chapters like Human Reproduction, Genetics, Biotechnology, and Ecology thoroughly. Make short notes for definitions and differences. Practise labelling diagrams daily.
- Chemistry: Organic Chemistry is scoring. Revise name reactions, mechanisms, and conversions. For physical chemistry, practice numerical problems. For inorganic chemistry, make colourful charts for d-block elements, coordination compounds, and chemical analysis.
- Physics: The formula sheet is your best friend. Write all formulas on one page and revise daily. Solve problems in numbers as in current electricity, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. Maximum marks are intended for these chapters.
For Mathematics Students
- Mathematics: Practice makes it all. At least 2-3 sample papers should be done daily—target more high-scoring subjects such as calculus, vectors, 3D geometry and probability. Write a formula book containing all significant formulas, theorems, and properties. Revise it every morning.
- Physics: Same strategy as Bio students. Focus on numericals and derivations.
- Chemistry: Same strategy as Bio students. Physical chemistry needs more practice for maths students.
For Commerce Students
- Accountancy: Practice journal entries, ledger posting, and final accounts daily. Ratio analysis and cash flow statements are very important. Make format sheets for all types of accounts. Practise partnership and company accounts thoroughly.
- Business Studies: This is a theory subject but very scoring. Make chapter-wise short notes. Focus on principles of management, marketing management, and financial management. Write answers in points with proper headings.
- Economics: Understand concepts clearly. Macroeconomics is easier to score than microeconomics. Practise numerical problems from the National Income and Money and Banking chapters. Make diagrams for different curves and graphs. Your diagrams should be neat and labelled properly.
- Applied Mathematics (if applicable): Practice calculus, linear programming, and financial mathematics daily. Solve previous year papers.
How to Use NCERT Books Effectively
NCERT books are your main books for board exams. Read every line carefully. Solve all examples and exercise questions. For theory subjects, the NCERT language is what examiners expect in your answers.
Don't ignore the NCERT even if you have studied from reference books. Many questions come directly from NCERT or are based on NCERT content. Underline important lines. Make side notes for quick revision.
Previous Year Question Papers Are Gold
Download the last 10 years of CBSE question papers for all your subjects. Solve them under exam conditions. Set a timer and write full answers on paper. This helps you manage time during actual exams.
After solving, check your answers with the marking scheme. See how CBSE awards marks. Learn the pattern of questions. You'll notice that some topics repeat every year. Focus more on those topics.
Smart Revision Techniques
You cannot read everything again in 30 days. You need smart revision:
- Make Short Notes: Write key points, formulas, definitions, and important diagrams on separate sheets. Revise these sheets daily.
- Colour Coding: Use different colours for different topics. This is more memorable to your brain. Point out important facts with yellow, formulas with green and definitions with blue.
- Teach someone: Teach your friends or family members on topics. You learn more and you retain more when you teach.
- Voice Recording: Have a voice recording of yourself reading important topics and listening when you are travelling or during the time of taking a break.
Sample Papers and Mock Tests
Solve a minimum of 15-20 sample papers per subject. Sample papers would be available on the CBSE official site, in the guidebook or on online education sites.
Do full-length mock tests every 3 days. Write the test as it would be on board exams, sit in a quiet room and leave your phone away. This helps you to have confidence, and time management is made easier.
Analyse your mistakes after every mock test. Write down some dumb mistakes you are repeating. Work on avoiding them.
Time Management During Exams
In the exam hall, follow this strategy:
- First 15 Minutes: Read the entire question paper carefully. Decide which questions you'll attempt. Start with questions you know completely.
- Next 2 Hours: Write answers to questions you're confident about. Don't waste time on difficult questions initially.
- Last 30 Minutes: Attempt remaining questions. Revise your answers if time permits.
Always write neatly and cleanly. Use headings and subheadings. Draw margins. Present your answer sheet well. A good presentation gets you extra marks.
Answer Writing Tips for High Marks
- Write in Points: Examiners like responses in points and with correct numbering. Checking is easier, and you receive marks quickly.
- Use Diagrams: Neat diagrams should be used where feasible. Label them properly. Even when you have a weak theory, diagrams get you points.
- Highlight Important Words: Highlight important words, formulas, and definitions. It draws the attention of the examiner.
- Never Leave Questions: Do not skip any question. Write anything you know, even when you do not know everything. You might get partial marks.
- Adhere to Word Limit: In case the question is 150 words, write about 150 words. Do not write too much or too little.
Take Care of Your Health
Education is great, but health is better. Take these precautions:
- Sleep for 7-8 hours daily. Do not trade sleep for additional studying. A fatigued brain cannot learn right.
- Eat healthy food. Diets should include fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Drink plenty of water. Do not eat junk food and cold drinks.
- Exercise for 30 minutes daily. Take a brisk walk in the morning or stretch your legs. Exercise enhances focus as well as alleviates stress.
- Have brief pauses between learning sessions. Go outside, play music, or visit your family.
Manage Exam Stress and Anxiety
Before exams, it is normal to be stressed. But allow not stress to master thee:
- Keep a Good Attitude: Have Faith in Yourself. You have prepared well. You can score good marks.
- Avoid Comparisons: Do not compare how you are prepared with your friends. All people are at their own pace and style.
- Breathe Deeply: When you are anxious, always close your eyes and breathe deeply. It calms your mind instantly.
- Talk to Someone: In case you are too stressed, discuss it with your parents, teachers, or friends. Sharing your feelings helps.
- Meditation: Meditate or pray 10 minutes a day. It causes peace and clarity of mind.
What Not to Do in the Last 30 Days
- Don't Start New Topics: Only revise what you've already studied. Starting new chapters will confuse you.
- Don't Study All Night: It is bad to study late before the exams. Your brain needs rest.
- You should not waste time on social media: You should not have your phone during study hours. The greatest distractor is social media.
- Difficult Paper: Don't Panic: When you get a bad exam, do not despair. Concentrate on the next examination.
- Don't Disregard Weak Subjects: You can give additional time to those subjects that you are not good at. Loss of marks will come with ignoring them.
Last 30 Days Strategy Scoring 90+ Marks
- CBSE marking scheme study. Get clear on what is required of examiners in answers.
- Practise CBSE-format answers. Make use of the appropriate introduction, body and conclusion.
- Focus on presentation. Write in clear handwriting. Prepare your answer sheet in an appealing way.
- Pay special attention to questions with 5- or 6-mark questions. These questions are capable of increasing your overall percentage by a huge margin.
- Revise key questions and guess papers of coaching institutes. They usually have a correlation with board exam questions.
Your Final Week Strategy
In the last 7 days before exams:
- Day 1-3: Quick revision of all subjects. Go through your short notes and formula sheets.
- Day 4-5: Solve two full sample papers. Practise time management.
- Day 6: Light revision only. Don't study anything new. Stay calm and confident.
- Day 7 (Exam Day): Wake up early. Eat a good breakfast. Reach the exam centre 30 minutes before the time. Carry all required stationery. Stay positive.
Getting Help When You Need It
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might feel stuck or stressed. You may have someone to confide in, someone who can listen to you and know what you are experiencing. Career dilemma, exam stress, doubts about the choice of subject – these are no crimes made in every Class 12 student.
It is at this point that professional advice comes in. Mentrovert is the first site in India dedicated to student career and mental health counselling. They offer online personalised one-on-one counselling to Class 10 and 12 students.
What is so special about Mentrovert? Their counsellors are also very familiar with the Indian education system. They also provide career guidance in order to find the correct stream and college after the boards. They also offer mental health therapy to enable them to deal with exam stress and anxiety.
The best part? Mentrovert gives free counselling to those students who are interested in trying their services. They are of the opinion that students should come first before profits. Their services are convenient and accessible since you can access them online from the comfort of your home.
When you have board exams and you are overwhelmed, when you have to know how to manage your process of preparation and to decide what career path you have to choose, Mentrovert can assist you.
Remember, asking for help is not a weakness - it's smart decision-making. Visit Mentrovert and start your journey toward confident exam preparation and a brighter future today.