CBSE Board Exam Day Tips

The Night Before the Exam

What you do the night before determines your exam day performance.

Do not study new topics: The night before is for light revision only — go through your notes and formula sheets, not new chapters. Pack your bag the night before: Keep your hall ticket (admit card), school ID, pen (blue/black), pencil, eraser, sharpener, geometry box if needed, and a wristwatch. Lay them out tonight. Sleep by 10 pm: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation reduces your ability to recall information and think clearly. Set two alarms: Set an alarm for the morning and a backup alarm 15 minutes later. Eat a light dinner: Avoid heavy or unfamiliar food the night before the exam.

Exam Day Morning Routine

The morning of your exam sets your mental state.

Wake up 2-3 hours before the exam: This gives you time to eat, freshen up, and do a final light revision without rushing. Eat a proper breakfast: Never skip breakfast on exam day. Eat familiar food — a full stomach helps concentration. Avoid oily or heavy food that makes you sluggish. Do a 30-minute light revision: Go through key formulas, definitions, and important points. Do not attempt to read full chapters. Leave home early: Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the reporting time. Rushing causes anxiety and mental blocks. Stay calm and positive: Talk to yourself: 'I have prepared well. I will do my best.'

What to Carry to the CBSE Board Exam

Essential items to carry:

Mandatory: Admit card (Hall Ticket) — cannot enter without it. Keep two photocopies at home. Writing instruments: At least 2-3 blue/black pens (carry extras in case one runs dry). One pencil for drawing graphs or rough work. Geometry box: Compulsory for Maths and Science (compass, ruler, protractor). Wristwatch: Mobile phones are strictly prohibited. Bring an analogue or digital watch to track time. School ID card: May be required for identity verification.

Do NOT carry: Mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, calculators (unless permitted for specific subjects), and any loose papers or notes.

How to Manage Time During the Exam

Time management is one of the most important skills for the board exam.

Read the question paper in the first 15 minutes: CBSE provides 15 minutes of reading time before writing begins. Use this fully — read all questions, mark questions you are confident about, and plan the order.

Attempt easiest questions first: Start with questions you know well. This builds confidence and ensures those marks.

Allocate time per mark: 1 mark = 1 minute. 3 marks = 5-6 minutes. 5 marks = 8-10 minutes. Keep a rough mental budget.

Leave difficult questions and return: If you're stuck, skip and return. Never spend more than 2× the allocated time on any one question.

Keep 10-15 minutes for revision: At the end, re-read your answers. Check calculations, spellings, and that you've answered all parts.

How to Attempt the CBSE Board Paper

These strategies help you present your answers effectively:

Read each question twice: Underline key instruction words — 'explain', 'list', 'compare', 'give reasons'. Answering a 'compare' question like an 'explain' question loses marks.

Write your roll number on every answer sheet: Check that your roll number, subject code, and set number are filled correctly on the main answer sheet.

Use headings and subheadings: Well-structured answers with clear headings score higher than block paragraphs.

Draw diagrams wherever applicable: Especially in Science and Social Science — diagrams are worth marks and show understanding.

Use margins correctly: Write within the margins. Don't write in the bottom margin — it's sometimes cut off during scanning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Exam Day

These mistakes cost students unnecessary marks:

Forgetting the admit card: This happens every year. Keep it in your bag the previous night. Arriving late: Late entry may be denied for some time after the exam starts. Leave home early. Leaving questions blank: Always attempt every question. Even a partial answer can earn partial marks — a blank earns zero. Not reading instructions on the question paper: Section-based instructions (attempt any 3 out of 5) are printed at the top. Missing these leads to excess attempts (which are marked but the worst are counted) or insufficient attempts. Panicking at a difficult question: If you encounter a question you don't know, stay calm. Take a breath, skip it, and come back after completing the rest. Over-explaining short answers: A 1-mark answer should be one line. Writing a paragraph for a 1-mark question wastes time.

Post-Exam: What Not to Do

After the exam:

Do not discuss immediately: Right after the exam, friends discuss answers. This creates unnecessary anxiety about questions you can't change. Avoid these conversations. Focus on the next exam: If you have another exam coming, start revising for it the same evening or next morning. Take a short break: One evening of rest is fine. Do not take multi-day breaks between exams. Do not dwell on mistakes: Once the exam is over, it is over. Focus on doing well in the next paper.