Your CBSE board exams are just a month away, in 2026, and you will most likely be at once nervous and excited. That's totally okay! You might have been studying all year round, or you might just be starting to get serious, but this is a guide that will make the most of these vital 30 days.
You might be thinking, "Is one month really enough?" The answer is YES! Last month, many students who studied smart achieved amazing marks. It is not that you have to panic, but plan.
The remaining 30 days will not be about getting to know everything the first time. They are concerned with updating what you are already familiar with, sharpening your writing abilities, and developing confidence. They worry about refreshing that which you already know, honing writing skills, and gaining confidence. It is your first major test in Class 10, and a positive score will make you feel confident in the next few years.
The greatest error that students make is wasting time worrying instead of studying. Stop thinking, "I should have started earlier," and start thinking, "I'll make these 30 days my best effort." Your positive mindset matters just as much as your study hours.
The first week you should discover what you know and what you do not know. This is very essential since you are not supposed to waste time in reading something that you have read very well.
Select any topic and quickly turn the pages. Indicate them by three colours: green where you have mastered the chapter, yellow where you feel comfortable with the chapter and red where you find the chapter challenging.
Begin with your red chapters. These are your danger zones. However, the instructor is a clever thing here; you do not have to master all the difficult chapters. There are fewer marks in some of the chapters. Revise areas in which you are scoring well and which you can comprehend faster.
The clarity of the formula suffices in certain subjects like maths and science. Make a small notebook, and there you will write down all the most significant formulas, definitions, and diagrams. Such a formula book will be your last-minute book of revision.
With your weak chapters identified, please begin focusing on them. Don't just read – practice solving questions. For maths, solve at least 10-15 problems from each chapter. For science, understand all diagrams and experiments properly.
In social science, many students find history dates confusing and geography maps difficult. Make simple tricks to remember dates. For maps, practise drawing them at least five times. Your hand will automatically remember the shapes.
For languages such as English and Hindi, please consider revisiting your literature chapters. You don't need to memorise them word by word. Please focus on comprehending the story, characters, and main message. That's enough to write excellent answers.
Revision doesn't mean reading everything again slowly. Smart revision means going through important points quickly and remembering them for longer.
If you haven't made notes yet, do it now. Ensure that your notes are concise and precise. Include only the most significant points, formulas and keywords. Super important stuff can be highlighted with the help of different colours.
Make mind maps on the difficult chapters. Mind maps are illustrations in which you will put the key point in the centre and the other related points around these points. They appear to be cool, and they make you remember the links between various concepts.
Go through your notes at least one time in the morning and once in the evening. Double revision is a scientifically proven method for improving memory. This is because revising at different times throughout the day helps your brain remember better.
Start solving CBSE Class 10 previous year question papers from 2022, 2023, and 2024. These papers will demonstrate to you just what kinds of questions the board will be asking and in what detail they would like answers.
Read through your notes at least once in the morning and once in the evening. The double-revision is a scientifically tested technique of enhancing memory. The reason is that revising at various times during the day allows your brain to remember better.
Check your responses based on the marking scheme after solving. Look at the places where you lost marks – did you miss out on answers, or did you omit answers or have presentational problems? These are lessons to learn now not to make the same mistakes on boards.
You might know everything, but if you can't write answers properly in the exam, your marks will suffer. This week is all about improving your answer-writing skills.
Take important questions from each chapter and practise writing complete answers. Time yourself to understand the duration required for writing a 3-mark answer compared to a 5-mark answer.
For science, always include diagrams wherever possible. Even if the question doesn't specifically ask for diagrams, drawing them earns you extra appreciation from examiners. Make sure your diagrams are neat with proper labelling.
In social science answers, use proper headings and subheadings. Break long answers into points. Examiners love point-wise answers because they're easy to verify. Furthermore, underline important keywords in your answers.
When working on maths, please ensure that all your steps are clearly shown. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can obtain step-marking if your method is correct. Never skip steps thinking you'll save time. Those steps can save your marks.
Please obtain CBSE sample papers for Class 10 and complete them as you would during the actual exam. No cheating, no looking at books, and no unlimited time. Be strict with yourself.
These sample papers help you build exam temperament. You will know what questions to take up initially, the ones to leave and how to spend your time when you become stuck on a challenging question.
Once you are done with your paper, please estimate how many marks you are likely to get. When you are getting 70-80% in sample papers, chances are that you will get equal or more on boards since by then, you will be better prepared.
You're in the last week. This is not the time to study new things or worry about what you don't know. Focus only on strengthening what you already know.
Please review your notes and formula books several times. You should be able to recall all important formulas, definitions, and key points without looking at books.
Read your formula books and notes haphazardly. Do not make any effort to learn anything new. And simply refresh what you had in mind.
Prepare all the items you need for the exams, including your admit card, pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, geometry box, and a water bottle. Have it where you are likely to see it and not waste time on the morning of the exam going to find something.
Don't overstress yourself in these last days. Study for 4-5 hours maximum and spend the rest of the time relaxing. Your brain needs rest to perform at its best during exams.
Go through your formula books and notes casually. Don't try to memorise anything new. Please take a moment to review and reinforce what you already know.
Prepare all your exam essentials: an admit card, pens, pencils, an eraser, a sharpener, a geometry box, and a water bottle. Keep everything ready in one place so you're not searching for something on exam morning.
One day before your exam, do only light revision. Do not handle serious chapters or hard problems. And just read your notes and believe in your preparation.
Sleep well the evening before your exam. Sleep for at least 8 hours. Many students make this mistake by studying all night and waking up tired during the exam. Don't be that student.
Wake up fresh, eat a healthy breakfast and be at your exam centre 30 minutes early. Bring a little sheet of cheat cards (to make last-minute revision outside the hall, not in it, of course). Stay calm and confident.
For maths, focus on chapters like Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Trigonometry, and Statistics. Practise formula-based questions daily. Even solving five or six problems daily makes a huge difference.
In science, physics numericals, chemistry equations, and biology diagrams need special attention. Make separate lists for all three. In physics, remember all formulas and units. In chemistry, balance equations properly. In biology, label all diagram parts correctly.
You will score well in social science if you write properly. In history, remember important dates and events. In Geography, practise map work daily. In political science and economics, write answers in points with proper explanations.
For English, reading comprehension passages need practice. Read the passage twice before attempting questions. In the writing section, follow proper formats for letters and essays. The grammar section is easy scoring – revise all rules thoroughly.
Wake up early at the same time each day and establish a study habit. You are getting your job and doing it best when you have something to do. Late-night studies are not good; on the contrary, morning.
Break after every 5 minutes, after 45 minutes of study. One of the activities during a break should be something that will be relaxing e.g. a stretch, a walk or listening to music. It is not worth scrolling on phone during breaks as it kills your focus to continue the subsequent study.
Keep hydrated and full on the brain-friendly (nuts, fruits, eggs etc.) and the most convenient foods. One should also avoid excessive consumption of tea and coffee because they can cause one to feel sleepy in life. The nature of the food that you eat has a direct impact on your concentration and memory skills.
There is no evil in nervousness – it keeps you awake. But too much stress is a curse. You may speak to your parents, teachers or friends in the event you are overwhelmed. Sharing your feelings makes you feel better.
Remember, millions of students do the board examinations annually, and everybody feels as tense as you do. You are not a sole observer of the trip.
With 30 days remaining before your CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026, this is your prime opportunity to excel. It is not necessary to be a genius; one should be only consistent, focused, and sure.
All of them have the same question paper and study the same syllabus. The variation is in your study plan and performance in examinations. This plan must be taken seriously; you have to stay positive and do your best.
Always believe in yourself since you can accomplish a lot. This day will be over in no time, and you should make each day count. Get smart, stay fit and enter that examination hall with confidence. This is the end of your Class 10 board life, and it is only the beginning of your success story.
Wish you all the best in your CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026! Go demonstrate to them with that exam paper what you are. Your victory is not far away; only snatch it!
To make these last 30 days even more productive, go ahead and enroll in Mentrovert - the smart study partner to the success in CBSE. Mentrovert will assist you in being consistent, confident, and exam-ready with professional mentors, smart study plans, doubt-solving, and high-speed revision tools. Make it count with every other day and make your preparation your achievement with a Mentrovert today!
Q1. Is one month enough to prepare for CBSE Class 10 Board Exams?
Yes, one month is enough if you revise smartly and stay consistent every day.
Q2. How many hours should I study daily in the last 30 days?
Study 6–8 focused hours daily with short breaks for better retention.
Q3. Should I focus more on new topics or revision?
Focus mainly on revision, sample papers, and strengthening your weak areas.
Q4. Are previous year question papers really helpful?
Absolutely — they show question patterns and improve your speed and accuracy.
Q5. How can Mentrovert help during exam preparation?
Mentrovert offers expert mentors, stress management support, and smart revision plans.