CBSE Board Exam 2024: Top Mistakes Students make during CBSE 10th 12th Board Exam Preparation

An effective study plan for CBSE 10th board exam 2024 preparation/ CBSE 12th board exam 2024 preparation is important for students to score well. However, it is also important for them to know the most common and silly mistakes to avoid during CBSE board exam preparations. Shiksha.com connected with a few education experts to understand some of the top mistakes that students must avoid during CBSE board exam preparations to score good marks in board exams 2024:

Mistakes to avoid during CBSE 10th 12th Board Exam 2024 Preparation

CBSE Board Exam 2024 Class 10, 12 Preparation: Keeping CBSE Class 10, 12 preparation game on point is crucial to get the desired CBSE result 2024. The Board released the revised CBSE date sheet 2024. As per CBSE Class 10, 12 Date Sheet 2024, exams dates are changed for three subjects. The whole CBSE Board Exam 2024 schedule is out. Students appearing for CBSE Board Exam 2024 must commence CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam 2024 preparation. To score well in CBSE Board Exam 2024, students avoid certain mistakes during their board exam preparation.

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As per CBSE 10th date sheet 2024, CBSE Class 10 board exam 2024 will be conducted from February 15 to March 13. Meanwhile, CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2024 will be conducted from February 15 to April 2, 2024, as per CBSE Date Sheet 2024 Class 12.

Also Read: CBSE Practical Exam 2024 Mandatory! How to score good marks in CBSE 10th, 12th Practical Exams?

“Exam preparation can be overwhelming, and there are a few typical blunders that frequently cause students to stumble. By being aware of these traps, you can steer clear of them and make sure your exam preparation goes more smoothly,” says Dr Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group.

Also Read: CBSE Board Exam 2024: Pro tips to score above 95% by CBSE 10th, 12th Toppers 2023

An effective study plan for CBSE 10th board exam 2024 preparation/ CBSE 12th board exam 2024 preparation is important for students to score well. However, it is also important for them to know the most common and silly mistakes to avoid during CBSE board exam preparations. Shiksha.com connected with a few education experts to understand some of the top mistakes that students must avoid during CBSE board exam preparations to score good marks in board exams 2024:

Lack of Study Plan

Planning plays an important role in CBSE Board Exam 2024 preparation. Before commencing CBSE Class 10 board exam preparation 2024/ CBSE Class 12 board preparation, students must prepare a proper study plan as per the syllabus. Setting hourly goals for completing syllabus with adequate breaks in between helps to stay focused. “Some students have no plan. They work without knowing what their goals are. This increases the possibility of them not being able to prepare for the exam. Studying continuously for long periods of time is a bad idea. When you work constantly without rest, your brain stops working after a while and eventually you cannot concentrate and focus,” says Aparna Magee, Director Principal, Manav Rachna International School.

Also Read: CBSE Date Sheet 2024! How to prepare for CBSE Board Exam 2024 using Class 10, 12 CBSE Time Table?

Talking about absence of a preparation plan for CBSE board exam 2024, Chinar Banga, Deputy Head for Senior Years, Shiv Nadar School Faridabad, said, “Lack of a proper schedule during exam preparation can lead to burnout and exhaustion. It is important to strike a balance between study sessions and leisure time. Recreational activities, especially sports, can help you overcome fatigue. If possible, one should avoid online gaming or the use of social media to enhance cognitive performance.”

Relying Only on Memorization

Grasping too much information in one go and relying only on memorization may result in last-minute blackout. Students who tries to memorize equations, tables, graphs, etc. without understanding the concept often tend to get confused during CBSE board exams. It is important for students to break down the complete CBSE 10th syllabus 2024/ CBSE 12th syllabus 2024 into smaller, achievable chunks, and revise regularly to reinforce your understanding. Also, practicing practical subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, statistics, etc. help students score better marks. “The other most common mistake is emphasising quantity over quality. In a rush to cover the syllabi, students rely on rote memorisation rather than understanding the concepts. This may lead to confusion while answering the paper, and students may forget what they already know,” Banga added.

Also Read: CBSE Date Sheet 2024 Class 10, 12: Major changes announced by Board regarding CBSE 10th, 12th Exams

Talking about students falling trap of passive learning Bali said, “Another mistake is spending unproductive study hours. Merely logging in for extended hours does not guarantee success. Students often fall into the trap of passive learning, such as mindlessly reading textbooks or highlighting without true comprehension. Students need to adopt active learning strategies, engaging with the material through summarization, discussions, and practical applications to enhance understanding. Many students make the error of studying hard but not smart. Rote memorization without grasping the underlying concepts can lead to superficial knowledge. Instead, students should focus on understanding the material, connecting concepts, and applying critical thinking skills. This approach not only aids in better retention but also prepares students to tackle a variety of question formats in the exams.”

Ignoring the Syllabus

There are rare chances for CBSE Board Exam 2024 Class 10, 12 having out-of-syllabus questions. Completing CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2024/ CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2024 is crucial for students to score good marks. Covering the whole syllabus would help students tackle tricky questions, one markers and more. “Some students approach their studies in an aimless manner, leading to disorganized attempts. Creating a well-organized study schedule that addresses every subject and allocates time according to significance or difficulty is essential. If you limit your attention to what you believe to be important, you may overlook important subjects that are included in the syllabus. Make sure you go over each chapter in detail,” said Sahoo while talking about students making mistakes while neglecting the syllabus during Board Exam preparation.

Also Read: CBSE Date Sheet 2024 Class 12 PDF (Revised) @cbse.nic.in; Download CBSE 12th Exam Time Table

Procrastination and Anxiety

“It is a common mistake to put off studying or to wait until the last minute to revise. Cramming, tension, and a poor understanding of the subject are the results. Rather, making a study plan and following it will help you split up the work and avoid last-minute anxiety,” said Shipli Sahoo warning students to avoid procrastination if they want to qualify board exams with excellence.

“Continuous conversation about what others have done or prepared can cause anxiety, and students may tend to lose confidence in their preparation. Believe in yourself and trust your own potential. A strategic and holistic approach to exam preparation will not only lead to better grades but also foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter, which is crucial for future academic and professional success,” Banga added.

Not Practicing Sample Paper

Practicing CBSE 10th Sample Papers / CBSE Class 12 previous year question papers help students understand time management. Previous year question papers of CBSE Class 10, 12 also give students an ardent idea about CBSE 10th exam pattern 2024/ CBSE Class 12 exam pattern 2024. “A lot of students fail to realize how important it is to complete past exam papers. You can become more accustomed to the exam format, improve your time management skills, and identify important areas for revision by practicing past year's papers,” Sahoo said advising students to practice sample papers for CBSE Board Exam 2024.

Also Read: CBSE Date Sheet 2024 Class 10 PDF (Revised) @cbse.nic.in; Download CBSE 10th Exam Time Table

Neglecting Mental and Physical Health

Studying continuously for longer hours, lack of sleep, and fear of scoring less in board exam often take a toll on students’ mental health. Preparing for CBSE 10th board exam 2024/ CBSE 12th Board Exam 2024 while staying sane is the key to score well in the examination.

“In the high-stakes environment of board exams, students often find themselves grappling with stress and pressure, which can lead to common mistakes during the preparation phase. Schools have observed several recurring pitfalls that students should be wary of to ensure a more effective and fruitful study period. One critical mistake is neglecting self-care and mental health. The intense pressure of board exams can lead students to prioritize study hours over their well-being. Students must recognize that a healthy mind contributes to better academic performance. Insufficient sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise can impair cognitive functions, hindering effective learning,” shared Dr Skand Bali, Principal, Hyderabad Public School.

Chinar Banga added, “Not sleeping or eating enough the day before the exam can lead to physiological and psychological distress in the examination hall.”

Sharing important tip for students to take care of their health during board exam preparation, Sahoo added, “To increase their study time, students frequently forgo sleep, food, and exercise when preparing for exams. However, since a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, studying well requires taking breaks, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep.”

Late Preparation

Students must begin their preparation well in time. Leaving things for the last minute is one of the biggest mistakes many students make. “Late Preparation for exams is common among students. Many students do not start studying until exam week. Another mistake is last minute mugging up. This can cause a lot of stress during the test. You can get rid of this stress if you don't leave anything to the last minute,” Magee said. "Exams are just one part of your overall plan, so the plan needs to be perfect for you to be successful. Hard work and timely preparation are the keys to succeeding in the exam. However, your attitude towards any exam and how you approach it are equally important," she added. 

Also Read: CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 2023: Download Subject-wise Class 10 Sample Papers PDF

Underestimating Yourself

Keep faith in yourself is important to get excellent CBSE 10th results 2024/ CBSE 12th Result 2024. “The fixation on competition and constant comparison with peers can be counterproductive. Each student has unique strengths and weaknesses, and the exam is an opportunity for personal growth rather than a race against others. Healthy competition can be motivating, but excessive comparison can lead to stress and anxiety. Students should concentrate on their progress and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small,” added Bali advising students to focus on self-growth.

Not following Board Exam Instructions

Question paper comes with a set of instructions written on the front page. Students get an extra 15 minutes to read the question paper before beginning writing answers. Many students fail to utilize these extra minutes in a hurry to complete their exam. Advising students to go through the question paper properly, Magee added, “Not reading the exam paper properly is one of the mistakes most students make during the exam. Many students cannot spend their time reading effectively due to anxiety and fear. For this reason, they choose the wrong question among the options and later regret it.

It is also common to write unplanned responses. Students answer questions without preparation. They just beat around the bush first, then add the important words in the last few lines. Later, when they realize this, they will try to correct their answer by deleting the original content and rewriting it in the plan.

It is very important to identify the weak areas and start to work on them early. Understanding and solving these mistakes will not only increase the confidence, but will also improve work, making your preparation time more efficient and effective. Remember, learning smartly is as important as learning hard.”

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