The CBSE Exam Class 10 is one of the biggest milestones in your life. It is the first major exam, and everyone is either panicking or studying. Your house is full of advice about subject confidence, stream selection, and competitive exam readiness.
Here at Aakash, we have guided lakhs of students in building confidence in their preparation and outshining with flying colours. In this guide, too, we will walk you through some tried and tested CBSE exam class 10 preparation tips. So, let’s get started!
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026: Key Details at a Glance
To prepare well, you must understand the following key details:
| What You Need to Know | Explained Simply |
| When will the exams happen | The CBSE Class 10 board exams for 2026 are expected to run from February 17 to March 11, 2026, so students should plan their revision with this window in mind. |
| How long each exam is | Every theory paper is 3 hours long, with extra reading time at the start so you can scan the paper and settle your nerves. |
| How marks are divided | Each subject is out of 100 marks. 80 marks from the written exam and 20 marks from internal assessments like projects, practicals, and tests done during the year. |
| What the question paper looks like | The paper isn’t just long answers anymore. It’s a mix of different question types to test understanding, not memorisation. |
| MCQs | About 20–25% of the paper will have multiple-choice questions, which reward clear concepts and quick thinking. |
| Short and long answers | These questions check how well you explain answers, show steps, and present ideas clearly, especially important in Science and Maths. |
| Case-based & assertion–reason questions | Expect questions that make you apply concepts to situations, not just repeat textbook lines. Thinking logically matters here. |
| Competency-based focus | Up to 50% of the paper may now test application and reasoning, showing CBSE’s shift away from pure rote learning. |
| Why the official syllabus matters | Everything you study should come only from the official CBSE syllabus and date sheet. Extra material may waste time and add confusion. |
How to Prepare for CBSE Exam Class 10 in the Final Few Weeks: Subject-Wise Guide
If you are still looking for “how to study 10 hours a day” advice, the boards will punish you for it. Why? Because the last few weeks before CBSE Class 10 exams are not about studying more, they are about studying more sharply.
At Aakash, we see this every year: Two students. Same syllabus. Same effort. Very different results.
The difference? It lies in what they stop doing in the final weeks.
Sounds intriguing, right? Let’s get into the details.
First, Reset the Mindset (This Is Non-Negotiable)
Before subjects, one truth.
You cannot “cover” the CBSE Class 10 syllabus 2026 now.
You can only convert what you already know into marks.
That means:
- Less reading, more recall.
- Fewer chapters, better accuracy.
- No new resources.
If a book or channel is new in February, it is already late.
With this in mind, let’s move ahead, subject by subject.
Mathematics: Stop Solving. Start Scoring.
Most Class 10 students lose marks in Maths for one reason. They know the method but miss the mark. Here’s what toppers do differently in the final weeks.
1. Convert Chapters into Question Types
Don’t revise chapters, rather revise question formats.
Example:
- Quadratic Equations – nature of roots, value of k, word problems
- Triangles – prove similarity, find ratio, area-based questions
- Trigonometry – identity simplification (step-wise marks), height & distance
When you see a question, your brain should say:
“Oh. This is that type.”
Not: “Which chapter is this from?”
Pro tip: The examples in every chapter can be your best pal in this process!
2. Write for the Examiner, Not Yourself
CBSE Maths marking is generous but conditional. Steps matter more than final answers.
One missing line = one missing mark.
In the last weeks:
- Rewrite solved examples as answers, not rough work.
- Practice writing reasons: “Since ΔABC ~ ΔDEF…”
Language matters here.
Helpful advice: Look into CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions PDF. These have been prepared by expert faculty– teachers who have also checked exam papers in the past. So, they know what many don’t!
3. One Formula Page. Nothing Else.
If you still need to “revise formulas” chapter-wise, stop. Create a single formula sheet. One page, every day.
Speed often comes from compression. Plus, do not forget, writing, particularly by hand, significantly enhances recall and memory retention compared to typing or reading. Research says so!
4. Science: Treat It Like Three Different Subjects (Because It Is)
Just because CBSE has put the class 10 science together, it doesn’t become one. It is Physics + Chemistry + Biology, each with its own trap.
Physics: Diagrams > Derivations
In the final weeks, remember:
- CBSE prefers application and visuals, not memory.
- Ray diagrams, circuit diagrams, and magnetic field lines– these are free marks.
What to do:
- Practice drawing diagrams from memory.
- Label neatly. Use a pencil. Don’t rush.
Numericals?
- Focus only on standard formula-based questions.
- Units. Units. Units. Half marks die there. So, always be thorough with them.
Chemistry: NCERT Is the Paper
No exaggeration, but every reaction, every condition, every example, if it’s in NCERT, it’s exam-worthy.
Final-week strategy:
- Write reactions in columns: Reactants, Conditions, Products
- Memorise trends, not lists (reactivity, properties).
- Refer to NCERT Solutions for Class 10: Download Free PDFs
Avoid:
- Extra reference books.
- “Tricks” for organic chemistry. CBSE tests clarity, not speed.
Biology: Keywords Are Currency
Biology answers are not paragraphs. They are keywords arranged politely.
Do this:
- Highlight command words: define, explain, differentiate.
- Underline keywords in answers. Yes, underline.
Diagrams again:
- Human eye, heart, ear, brain, plant tissues, practice once daily.
- Clean and simple ones work best with neat labelling and not lines criss-crossing. Remember, bio diagrams are not a part of the Arts exam.
5. Social Science: It’s a Writing Exam in Disguise
Students fear SST for the wrong reason. The problem is not content, it’s structure.
History & Geography: Stop Memorising, Start Mapping
Literally.
- Timelines for History.
- Maps for Geography.
Final weeks:
- Revise History answers in 3–4 sharp points.
- For Geography, practise map work daily. Ten minutes is enough.
Maps are not optional marks, rather, they are guaranteed marks.
Civics & Economics: Definitions + Examples
CBSE loves:
- Crisp definitions.
- Real-life examples.
If your answer sounds like a textbook paragraph, shorten it. If it sounds like a news article, perfect.
6. English: This Is Where Ranks Change
English is underestimated, and that’s why it decides percentages.
Literature: Don’t Retell the Story
CBSE does not want the plot. It wants interpretation.
Final-week method:
- Revise characters through traits, not events.
- Learn 2–3 strong lines per chapter/poem for reference.
Answer like this:
- Point.
- Explanation.
- Line reference (optional but powerful).
Writing Section: Structure Beats Vocabulary
No fancy words needed. What examiners want:
- Format correctness.
- Logical flow.
- Relevance.
Practice:
- One letter.
- One analytical paragraph, every alternate day.
Time yourself because it can make all the difference. The Sample Paper class 10 for English can help you in this process.
Final Words
Re-reading gives comfort. Writing gives results. So follow this rule:
- If you revised it twice, test it once.
- If you tested it twice, analyse mistakes once.
That’s it!
Preparing for the CBSE exam class 10 isn’t difficult, even in the final weeks, provided you follow a structured approach, and providing one is our topmost goal.
Remember, boards reward calm students, not frantic ones. You are not late. You are exactly where you should be if you use these weeks right!
