From Pre-Boards to CBSE 2023 Boards: Acing Science Examination

With Pre-boards exams just around the corner, most of you would be fully engrossed in your preparation. However, most students do not use this period of preparation to work on their weak areas, their mode of attempting paper and their approach of writing subjective answers. Pre-boards serve as the best opportunity to not only measure how effective your board preparation has been till now but also gauge where you stand as compared to other students in your class. Take these exams as a wake-up call and plan your days ahead to eventually put your best foot forward in Board Exams.

Let’s decode the methodology to make your preparation for the Science Exam more effective.

Understand the Syllabus & Paper Pattern

The present syllabus of CBSE X Science Exam has been designed around five broad themes – Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour, World of Living, Natural Phenomena, Effects of Current and Natural Resources.

The Typology of Questions – Understanding, Applying, Analysing and Evaluating and Creating | Total marks = 80 | Duration = 3 hrs.

As per the sample papers released by CBSE, there will be 39 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E. Section A includes 16 MCQs along with 4 Assertion-Reasoning type questions carrying 1 mark each. Apart from this, Section B includes 6 Very Short answer type questions carrying 2 marks each, Section C includes 7 Short answer type questions carrying 3 marks each, Section D includes 3 Long answer type questions carrying 5 marks each and Section E includes 3 source-based/case-based units of assessment of 4 marks each with sub-parts.

Deleted Chapters/Topics

As per CBSE, some chapters/topics have been deleted in Science. So, it is necessary to understand the reduced syllabus and thoroughly practise the questions based on it.

Chemistry:  Periodic Classification of Elements has been deleted. Questions will be asked from Four chapters only – Chemical Reactions and Equations, Acids, Bases and Salts, Metals and Non-metals and Carbon and its Compounds.

Biology: There are a total of six chapters namely Life Processes, Control and Coordination, How do organisms reproduce?, Heredity and Evolution, Our Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. However, topic Evolution has been deleted. Though the chapter Sustainable Management of Natural Resources has not been deleted from the syllabus, CBSE has mentioned that it will not be assessed in year end exams.

Physics: Chapter Sources of Energy has been deleted. So questions will be asked from four chapters only – Light: Reflection and Refraction, Human eye and Colourful World, Electricity and Magnetic Effects of Electric Current. 

As compared to previous year, some topics from chapter Magnetic Effects of Electric Current such as Electric Motor, Electromagnetic Induction, Electric Generator have also been deleted. 

In addition, some topics have also been reincluded to this years’ Physics syllabus, i.e.

The Human Eye, Defects Of Vision, Persistence Of Vision (chapter Human Eye and Colourful World) 

Household Electric Circuit, Domestic Wiring, Electrical Problems (chapter Magnetic Effects Of Electric Current)

Also See: CBSE Board Exams 2023

Plan Section-Wise Revision with NCERT

Almost equal weightage is given to all three subjects. Paper generally contains understanding based questions. So, read all the given questions first and then attempt questions. While preparing, focus on the lines of the NCERT textbook. Carefully memorise the summary of each lesson. You may also create Mnemonics to recall factual data. Flowcharts can also be created to remember concepts in a concise manner ensuring revision in less time using flash cards. Do not forget to solve examples and back exercises from NCERT of each chapter. 

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Key Areas in  Physics:

Prepare a list of formulas for every chapter in such a manner that it is easy to remember. Numericals and derivations are important in Physics, so concentrate on these areas. Chapters like Light: Reflection & Refraction, Electricity should be more focused from the numerical point of view. Numericals should be solved step-wise to attain a good score. Make chapter-wise short notes of theoretical and conceptual topics and revise them regularly. Do not forget to use of SI units, symbols, nomenclature of physical quantities and formulations as per international standards

Pay attention to the most important topics in all chapters as follows:

1. Light Reflection and Refraction: Laws of reflection, Laws of refraction, Mirror formula, Lens formula, Magnification, Ray diagram of image formation due to spherical mirrors and spherical lenses
2. Human Eye and Colourful World: Defects of Vision, Atmospheric Refraction, Scattering of Light
3. Electricity: Ohm’s law, Combination of Resistors, Electric Circuit
4. Magnetic Effects of Electric Current: Properties of Magnetic Field, Force on current carrying conductor, Domestic Wiring

Key Areas in Biology:

Practise labelling of diagrams thoroughly. Pay attention to the most important topics in all chapters as follows:

1. Life Processes: Nutrition in Human Beings, Breakdown of glucose by various pathways(chart), Human Heart, Excretion in Human beings
2. Control & Coordination: Reflex Arc, Human Brain, Hormones in Animals
3. How do Organisms Reproduce: Modes of Reproduction (Fission, Fragmentation, Budding), Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Male Reproductive system, Female Reproductive system
4. Heredity and Evolution: Heredity, Monohybrid cross and dihybrid cross, Sex determination
5. Our Environment: Food chain, Food webs, Ozone layer 

Key Areas in Chemistry:

Both diagrams and reaction-based questions are equally important. Pay attention to the most important topics in all chapters as follows:

1. Chemical Reactions and Equations: Decomposition Reaction and its types, Redox Reaction, Double decomposition reaction  
2. Acids , Bases and Salts: Chemical properties of Acids and bases, Indicators and pH, Preparation, properties and uses of salts   
3. Metals and Non-Metals: Reaction of metals with water, acids and other metal salts, Properties of Ionic compounds, Roasting, calcination and electrolytic refining, Corrosion  
4. Carbon and its compounds: Nomenclature and structure of carbon compounds, Chemical properties of carbon compounds, Physical and chemical properties of ethanol and ethanoic acid 

Learn Through Mock Papers:

Practise the available Model Test Papers based on the new pattern in the stipulated time frame. Pay special attention to Assertion reason type of questions in all subjects. As per the sample paper issued by CBSE, more analytical type questions were asked. So it is very important to understand the concepts thoroughly to attempt such questions.

To download a compiled question bank containing board exam papers for past twelve years along with their detailed solutions, visit Class X Chapter-wise Previous Years’ Question Bank (CBSE) – Term 2

For better understanding of concepts, and more practice questions, check out Important concepts at Physics Concepts – Aakash Byju’s , Major Themes And Concepts Biology – Aakash Byjus | AESL , and Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry Topics – Aakash Byjus | AESL

All the Best for preparation and do well in your exams!

Also see: CBSE Class 10 & 12 Datesheet

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