You’ve heard it a thousand times: these tests will affect your future; you must study hard for them! But seriously, it can be too much. It can be difficult to keep track of which of the following strategies is actually helpful, as you’re trying to strike a balance between what you are expecting and the long list of syllabus and revision.
The reality is, it isn’t a matter of studying 12 hours a day to get 90% or higher. It’s about learning smart, knowing what’s important, and how to score 90 percent in class 10, repeated habits that are effective for you.
9 Study Tips to Score 90 Percent and Above in Class 10 Board Exams
Every student studies differently, but a few timeless habits always make a big difference. Here are nine practical study tips for Class 10 students that can help you plan better, focus deeper, and feel more confident on exam day.
1. Make a Realistic Study Timetable
A good study plan is your best friend during board exam preparation. It keeps you organised and ensures you cover every subject on time.
Divide subjects based on difficulty. Give more time to the ones you find challenging and shorter, focused slots for subjects you are already confident about. Include short breaks because studying non-stop does not help you remember better.
Stick your timetable somewhere visible to keep yourself accountable every day.
Sample Weekly Timetable:
| Day | Morning (2 hours) | Evening (3 hours) |
| Monday | Mathematics | English Literature |
| Tuesday | Mathematics | Second Language |
| Wednesday | Social Science | English Grammar |
| Thursday | Science | Social Science |
| Friday | Science | Mathematics |
| Saturday | Social Science | Third Language |
| Sunday | Mock Tests | Review and Rest |
2. Do Handwritten Notes
If you write it down, your brain will remember it more quickly. Self-made notes would mean you have a deep understanding of the concepts, and you can revise them faster at a later date.
Use various coloured pens for definitions, formulae and key points. Do not copy word for word from the Textbook. Use your own words to summarise. This process is itself an active revision, and these notes are your best revision tool in the last two weeks.
3. Important topics first!
All chapters of all subjects have more weightage. If you prioritise them early, you’ll have a solid base and have improved time management later.
Look at your syllabus and past year papers and make a note of which topics make frequent appearances. After the high-weightage chapters, proceed to lighter-weightage chapters. One of the best board exam preparation tips is to do it Smart and do it Strong.
4. Practice: Revise Regularly, Not Just Before Exams
Most of the students learn well but forget to edit and correct; that is where they lose marks. Periodic revisions help to refresh information and make it more easily recalled when it is time to take the test.
Make time to revise for a minimum of 1 hour per day. Review what you have learned up to the end of each week. This habit helps to gain confidence and also helps to alleviate from the last minute panic.
5. Your Textbook is Your Most Reliable Resource
There are lots of reference books and Internet resources out there that can foster distraction. However, your NCERT Board Exam Textbook or State Board Exam Textbook is the most vital resource for the board exam preparation.
All the question papers are prepared based on the textbook syllabus. Read and understand each chapter of your principal book and then use guides or reference materials. Additional resources are not replacements, but for additional practice.
6. Drink Enough Water.
As exam time approaches, students will often skimp on sleep or meals. However, eating and sleeping well are essential to the proper functioning of your brain.
Have small meals that are prepared at home and drink plenty of water. Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep each night. A rested mind is a clear mind, a quick mind, and a mind that can remember things better! Self-care is not an alternative to student learning. It is part of them.
7. Practise Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Mock tests are rehearsals before the big day. They help you get used to the exam format, manage time better, and understand what types of questions to expect.
Start solving one full paper every week. Once you finish, review your mistakes and identify which areas need more work. Solving the last five to seven years of CBSE papers is one of the most impactful and effective study techniques available to any Class 10 student.
8. Test Yourself Weekly
Testing yourself weekly is a great way to track your progress. It shows you where you are improving and what still needs work.
Create small tests from your notes or ask a friend to quiz you. Even thirty minutes of weekly self-testing gives you a clear picture of your strengths and weak areas. Regular self-evaluation keeps your board exam preparation on track and removes guesswork from your revision.
9. Focus on Concept Clarity, Not Memorisation
You do not need to memorise everything word for word. When you panic in the exam hall, memorised answers disappear. But concepts stay.
When you truly understand something, you can answer any question about it, even if it is asked in an unfamiliar way. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and visual explanations to build understanding. Ask your teacher if something is not clear. Concept clarity is the foundation of scoring 90 percent and the most underrated of all study tips for Class 10 students.
3 Exam Writing Tips for Exam Day
Your preparation might be thorough, but how you write your paper matters just as much. Here are three quick tips to make the most of those three hours.
1. Attempt Confident Questions First
Start with questions you know best. This secures early marks, builds momentum, and ensures your strongest answers are already written even if time runs short toward the end.
2. Write Clear, Direct Answers
Many students think longer answers mean more marks. They do not. Examiners prefer clear, direct, and to-the-point responses. Stick to what the question asks. A two-mark question needs two points, not a paragraph. Overwriting leads to missed questions and unnecessary errors.
3. Recheck Your Answer Sheet
Keep ten to fifteen minutes at the end to review your paper. Check that all questions are numbered correctly, no sub-questions are missed, and no careless errors have crept in. A short recheck at the end can recover marks that preparation has already earned.
Conclusion
Success in board exams is not built overnight. It is built slowly through daily habits, small adjustments, and a consistent mindset. When you plan your studies, revise regularly, take care of your health, and practise past papers seriously, good results follow naturally.
Stop chasing perfection. Start putting in consistent effort every day. The students who score 90 percent are not necessarily the most talented. They are the most consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the trick to get 90 marks in Class 10 Board exam?
Concentrate on completing the syllabus on time, revising frequently, and solving previous-year papers under time constraint with a good approach to NCERT. Daily student study habits throughout the month – not over the weekend – are more important than anything else.
2. What is the daily required time for studying 10th board classes?
Need not learn for a full day. 5-6 concentrated hours with suitable breaks, revision and mock tests every day and every week is better than long sessions that may be unstructured. The quality of attention is more important than total hours.
3. How do you revise for the board exams?
Rewrite daily notes at least 1 hour in your own handwriting. Practice past year papers, prioritize high-weightage topics, and test yourself on a weekly basis. These will help you recall information much better than studying for hours on end.
4. Can I prepare for the 10th board exams only from NCERT?
Yes, for most subjects. NCERT mastery covers almost all of the topics in CBSE board papers. The use of reference books is supplementary. First prepare from the NCERTs and then practice with other material.