There is always pressure during CBSE Board exams; that is normal, and you can handle it. But do you know that not being able to finish the exam on time is more stressful than preparing for an examination. As the clock ticks down, pressure builds up, and you may miss out on answering questions that you know.

No matter how much effort you put into exam preparation for your Class 10 CBSE and Class 12 CBSE board exams, delivering your answers within the given time makes all the difference. To Study Smart for CBSE board exam and achieve the best results, effective time management in exams is a crucial skill. You can learn and practise this skill to perfection.

Many students, including the exam toppers, credit their success to effective time management during exams. Once you learn how to handle time wisely during exams, it helps you to stay calm, focus better, and recall answers easily without panicking when you get stuck with tricky or difficult questions.

This article will walk you through time management strategies to help you succeed in your exams. Managing time not only helps you to cover all the answers, but also boosts your confidence during the exam. 

1. Understand the Exam Pattern Inside Out

Whenever you approach your CBSE board exams, make sure to be aware of the exam pattern completely. During your exam, you will be more occupied with recalling the answers from your exam preparation. So understanding the pattern well, such as the number of questions, types of questions, and how much to write, will help you navigate the paper smoothly and finish it on time.

Understanding the exam pattern not only helps you maintain the flow while writing your exam, but also helps you to stay focused on providing answers according to the marks allotted. Knowing the exam pattern helps you to stay more in control throughout the exam.

You can understand the exam pattern by referring to the sample papers and question papers from previous years.

2. Know Your Rhythm, Keep Moving

No one knows your pace better than you. Be aware of how quickly you can answer different types of questions, and plan your time accordingly. One of the most common mistakes in board exams is starting your exam slowly, thinking there is more time left. This can affect your time management during exams and leave you rushing through important questions later.

During exam prep, write mock tests to learn how much time it takes for you to complete every section and question. Identify where you lag behind, practice more to improve those areas, and allocate time wisely for each section according to your own pace, so you can complete all the required questions without being rushed. Knowing your rhythm helps you stay calm and focused, both during your exam preparation and while writing board exams. 

3. Prioritise Known Questions

You can master time management for your Class 12 CBSE and Class 10 CBSE board exams if you focus on the questions you know well. Prioritising known questions often builds confidence as you write your board exam. 

Approach the known questions first; it helps you deliver your answers more effectively within time. Leave the tougher or unknown ones to last so that you can spend more time thinking and recalling. The confidence built up by following this prioritising strategy can support you in recollecting and attempting answers even for the tougher questions. 

4. Ignore Distractions

While writing your board exams, distractions are no joke. Even small distractions can eat up your time in an exam. During the exam, each second is precious. When someone passes by or something unexpected happens, you might get distracted. Sometimes, these moments of distraction will take up your board exam time without you even realising it. 

So when you begin your exam, be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let them distract you. One of the most crucial exam tips to finish the paper on time is to stay unbothered about what is happening in the surroundings and remain focused on your exam.

5. Handle Mistakes Wisely

While writing your exam, mistakes might happen; the best way to handle them is to not panic, take a breath, and move on to the next question and come back to the mistakes later. If you get stuck on the mistakes, you will become restless and lose confidence in answering further questions.

Mistakes during exams are not the end; they are part of the process, and you can resolve them if you remain calm and collected. Handling mistakes effectively is part of time management during the exam. All your exam prep for your 10 CBSE and Class 12 CBSE board exams will come in handy when it comes to correcting the mistakes while managing time. All you need to do is stay composed and leave some room in your time management for proofreading and correcting the mistakes.

6. Use Extra Time to Review Answers

Now that you have implemented your time management strategy, you will get extra time at the end. Use this valuable time to review your board exam answers and check the number of questions you have attempted. One of the most effective exam tips is to keep track of the questions you have answered, like marking them on the question paper as you complete them. This review time prevents you from losing marks from careless mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Your exam preparation goes hand in hand with good time management in exams. All your efforts and exam prep will bear fruit if you Study Smart for CBSE board exams and follow all the time management tips to finish the paper on time. Build your confidence, stay calm and focused, and you will ace your Class 10 CBSE and Class 12 CBSE board exams.

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