CBSE 12th Board Exams 2026: 10 most effective prep tips to score above 90% in 12th board exams

CBSE 12th Board Exams 2026: 10 most effective prep tips to score above 90% in 12th board exams

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Updated on Aug 13, 2025 15:04 IST

In this article we have compiled a few tips and tricks suggested by experienced CBSE teachers and board exam toppers, to help students conduct CBSE 12th board exam preparation in an effective and organised manner.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release the CBSE 12th Board Exams 2026 date sheet in November 2025. While the Board is yet to release the official CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Class 12, the Board has already released CBSE 12th Sample Papers 2026 online. Students must note that the CBSE 12th exams are in less than 6 months and preparing for such crucial examinations is definitely not a walk in the park. This year, CBSE has asked students to prepare the complete CBSE Class 12 syllabus, which is released on the official website. Shiksha.com has compiled some most effective prep tips to help students score above 90%.

With the school and coaching for CBSE Class 12 board exams 2026 ongoing, students must be finding it difficult to make a schedule and concentrate on studies. Since not many days are left until the CBSE 10th and CBSE 12th Board Exams to begin, students are advised to adopt the smarter way to begin the CBSE 12th board exam preparation.  

Q:   Can you give some tips to score above 90% in class 12th?
A:
Hi Abhishek, The Secret of scoring above 90 % (or even 95%) is - to study NCERT's fully and solve past year question papers. NCERT's play an important role, as if you have read the NCERT properly, then most of the questions in the papers would be known to you. Just read the NCERT's again and again instead of going into guide books. Secondly, solve previous years question papers seriously as in CBSE questions do repeat. Lastly, Study efficiently, cover all the topics and just believe in yourself. This above mentioned technique was adopted by me also, and I have myself scored 95.2 % in CBSE 2017. Hope it helps you.
Q:   How can I prepare for CBSE 10th exams using CBSE date sheet?
A:

Students appearing for CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 must understand the strategy to utilize CBSE date sheet 2026 for preparation of CBSE Board Exams 2026. CBSE 10th Phase 1 Board Exam 2026 will commence on February 17 and will conclude on March 9, 2026. Now, let us understand ways to use CBSE date sheet to commence CBSE Class 10 preparation 2026.  

Prepare a subject-wise list for CBSE Class 10, 12

List down all the subjects of CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026. Students appearing for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 will commonly be appearing for English, Hindi, Science, Social Science and Mathematics.

List down CBSE Class 10, 12 syllabus and list of topics to cover

Students are advised to cover the complete CBSE 10th syllabus 2026. It is important for students to cover the whole syllabus to score well in board exams. Students must also not forget to make note of important topics to cover to avoid last minute hassles.

Know your subject-wise strengths and weakness

Prioritize the subjects you think you are weak in. Try to cover the whole syllabus using time management. It is important to cover weak subjects before the ones you feel confident about. Use the CBSE 10th timetable to know the number of preparatory days allotted to each subject. Try and cover lengthy subjects much prior to any other subjects.

Make Notes for Revision

While preparing for CBSE Board Exams 2025 Class 10, students are advised to make notes for all the subjects. The short notes prepared during the preparation process will help students in last-minute revisions.

Don’t forget to test yourself!

 While preparing for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026, students are advised to keep testing themselves. Practice as many CBSE Class 10 Sample Paper 2026. Use previous year question papers to revise and practice for CBSE board exams 2025. Practicing sample papers will not only help students understand their preparation level but also teach them time management while making under the CBSE 10th exam pattern.

Q:   Can I cheat in CBSE 10th board exam?
A:

CBSE board is strictly against the practise of using any unfair means during the examinations. The board is actively working to prevent and discourage any malpractice during board examinations every year. 

So, you are advised to go through the CBSE 10th syllabus and solve as many previous years question papers and sample papers to avoid cheating during the CBSE 10th board exams.

You can go through the article below to check the penalties for cheating during board exams:

https://www.shiksha.com/news/boards-cheating-during-cbse-board-exams-2023-check-penalty-for-cheating-in-cbse-10th-12th-board-exams-blogId-115193

In this article we have compiled a few tips and tricks suggested by experienced CBSE teachers and board exam toppers, to help students conduct CBSE 12th board exam preparation in an effective and organised manner. These tips will not only help students to cope with examination stress but will also increase their chances to grab more than 90 per cent in upcoming 12th board exams.

10 Most effective tips for CBSE Board Exam Preparation are listed below:

Table of contents
  • Identify Strength and Weakness
  • Prepare a Study Plan/Schedule
  • Stay Connected
  • Cover the Prescribed CBSE Syllabus
  • Practice Previous Year’s CBSE Question Papers
  • Go through CBSE Sample Papers and Marking Scheme
  • Take Regular Breaks
  • Meditate and Relax
  • Decode the Art of Writing Board Exams
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Identify Strength and Weakness

Identifying strengths and weakness before beginning with the preparation helps to set goals. Discovering strengths and weaknesses allows students to pick and choose subjects to begin with first. This way, students can begin preparation for the subjects they find difficult to study and try completing the syllabus way before the examinations begin. This method would buy them time to revise the subjects they find difficult. However, this does not mean that they don’t need to study the subjects that they find easy. Students must note that scoring well in CBSE Board Exams is easy only with thorough and smart preparation.

  1. Prepare a Study Plan/Schedule

Preparing a timetable and sticking to it becomes a task sometimes. However, if a student is dedicated to scoring well in board exams, then s/he must prepare a study schedule and follow it religiously. By planning a study schedule does not mean that one needs to fill each and every hour with studies. Schedule the hours with dedicated subjects as well as leisure time. Keeping mind off the study for some time actually helps to concentrate better. Keep dedicated hours for everything and never postpone the decided schedule.

Q:   Which is the best book of numerical for physics for class 10th?
A:
Hi OM, I guess, you already have solved all the NCERT exercise problems. And if you hadn't yet done that solve them first. Moving toward you can refer to these:- 1. Pradeeps Science Physics Class - 10 2. S. Hands Physics Class 10 - Part 1 Paperback 3. Physics Foundation Course for JEE/NEET/Olympiad - Class 10 Paperback 4. Mastering numericals and objectives of Physics by Stalin Malhotra (McGraw Hills Publications) Get any one of them solve it and practice sample paper and previous year paper for better time management. Thank you for reading. Thanks :). .
Q:   Is CBSE Class 12th Board exam checking strict?
A:

For Class 12th, it is considered to be strict. However, it is said that the checking done by evaluators is linient in comparison to the checking done by them in Class 9, 11 in their schools.

So, if u have covered the entire CBSE 12th syllabus and your preparation is on point, then you must not worry about the strict checking. Also, you can click on the link below to check the CBSE 12th important preparation points. 

Top tips to score high in CBSE board exams

Top mistakes students make while preparing for CBSE 12th board exams

Q:   How can I prepare for CBSE 12th examination to get 80% above marks in annual board examinations?
A:
You have to just revise your subjects daily. You can also buy some handbooks. The best way is to study daily. Just two months before exam buy a 10 years solved and study it.
  1. Stay Connected

Meeting friends, interacting with experts and teachers is quite beneficial to cope up with the learning process. However, students are advised not to compromise over conducting interactive sessions with friends and teachers. Conduct mock tests with friends, exchange study material online and gather as much knowledge as possible. This would not only help to prepare for CBSE Board Exams in a smarter way but will also keep one sane in the midst of these difficult times.

  1. Cover the Prescribed CBSE Syllabus

Over the years many toppers talked about this secret mantra of excelling in the board exams. Approximately 90 per cent of the CBSE board exam question paper comes from the NCERT books. Students are advised to thoroughly complete the prescribed CBSE syllabus from their books before going overboard in search of outside study material.

Also Read: CBSE 12th Syllabus 2026

  1. Practice Previous Year’s CBSE Question Papers

The way completing the prescribed CBSE syllabus is important, it is also necessary to go through the questions that appeared in the past. Practicing previous years' CBSE question papers help students prepare a strategy to attempt board exams. Once done with the syllabus and revision, students are advised to start practicing question papers to track their preparation level and know where their preparation for CBSE 12th board exams is lacking. Practicing papers for subjects such as mathematics, physics, accountancy, chemistry, and more helps students track the pattern, style, and type of questions that never change over the years.

  1. Go through CBSE Sample Papers and Marking Scheme

CBSE Sample papers are released by the board for all subjects for CBSE 10th and CBSE 12th students on the official website. Teachers often recommend practicing CBSE sample papers, when asked about how to prepare for CBSE Board Exams to score well? They also ask students to go through the marking schemes released by the board to understand how their answers would be evaluated in board exams. Knowing the subject-wise weightage prescribed by CBSE helps students formulate their study plan well. 

  1. Take Regular Breaks

Concentration and thorough study is definitely the mantra to get excellent CBSE 12th Results, but taking out some leisure time increases the chances of scoring well the board exams. Taking regular breaks from studies helps to calm the mind. A continuous studying method would result in tired mind and lack of concentration. While preparing for CBSE 12th Board Exams, students are advised to avoid studying for long hours continuously.  Instead, they must take regular intervals every 50 to 60 minutes. These intervals are important to relax the brain and retrieve energy to get ready for the next study session. Taking breaks while studying helps to keep the brain focused and alert.

  1. Meditate and Relax

Experiencing anxiety and stress while preparing for CBSE 12th Board Exams is common. However, students must note that this anxiety and stress can become a reason behind their poor performance in CBSE board exams. While talking about the mantra of achieving success in CBSE Board exams, Hansika Shukla, the CBSE 12th Topper, who scored 99.9 per cent in CBSE 12th Board Exams, stated that the most important thing is to believe in self. No matter how much the student study it will always appear less until s/he appears for the exam. Therefore, student must refrain their brain from playing tricks with them by mediating well. Meditation also improves sleep, brain performance and increases the ability to concentrate for long hours.

  1. Decode the Art of Writing Board Exams

Board exams are not all about mugging up the syllabus thoroughly. Presentation of what the students have studied matters the most. Decoding the art of expressing and writing answers during the board exams is the most important step to get excellent CBSE 12th results. After preparing hard for the CBSE 12th board exam, the answer sheet must reflect the hard work. Students must learn the proper technique and strategy to write the CBSE Board Exam answers in the best way and complete the exam well on time. Students must make the best use of the 15 minutes reading time allotted before starting writing the exam. Prioritizing the well-prepared questions is a must. Writing brief and to-the-point answers while sticking to the word limits helps score good marks. Choosing the right question from the choice-based question is another wise step to learn. Do not panic, attempt all questions and write clean are some points on which the students must focus while appearing for CBSE Board Exams.

Going by the past trend, CBSE 12th Date Sheet 2026 will be released soon. In line with the conduct of CBSE Board Exams 2026 Class 12, the Board will announce CBSE 10th Results 2026 and  CBSE 12th Result 2026 in the month of May. Students still have a lot of time to study well and score excellent 12 board results.

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