‘Identify weak areas to fare better’

The English queries were answered by M.Sharda,head of English department,Ramjas School,Pusa Road. The queries on Mathematics were answered by Ashoka Choudhury,subject coordinator and Geeta Pant,Mother Teresa Public School,Preet Vihar.

For the English paper,I am apprehensive about the topics that will be covered in the writing skills section. Can you please suggest a few ?
Anita Malhotra,Principal,Summer Fields School ,Kailash Colony (on behalf of the students)
Usually topics that are likely to be covered are those that have been in the news in recent months. For instance,for the CCE in Class IX,heritage monuments and their maintenance,preserving the monuments,waste management,dangers of plastic waste,increasing rate of crime in cities etc,are some likely topics that may figure in the notices,posters,letters,articles or speeches. The best way to prepare for this section is reading newspapers everyday and being aware of recent events.

Learning all the formulae of Mathematics is a big trouble. Please suggest an easy way to learn them.
Sakshi Patel,XII B,DPS
In Mathematics,chapters related to inverse trigonometric functions and calculus are formula-based. Prepare a list of formulae,and instead of learning them,solve questions where you actually use them. In the chapter related to ‘Area under the curve’,few formula of integration is used. So,you must practise them as these questions are of four or six marks each. Lastly,associate the learning of formulae with variables for recalling easily. For example,sin A + sin B = 2 sin (A+B)/2 cos (A-B)/2 can be S+S =2SC.

Is it important to answer the paper in proper sequence or I can start from the last question and move in any order (since the latter questions carry more marks)?
Anita Malhotra,Principal,Summer Fields School ,Kailash Colony (on behalf of the students)
No,it is not mandatory to answer the questions in a fixed order. During the reading time of 15 minutes,choose questions either from the four marks or the six marks section. Copy the question number correctly and answer according to your choice.

How should we manage our time,given only eight days before the Mathematics board exam?
Shivali Sharma,XII B,DPS
Firstly,practise the problems of topics having more weightage. Next,all the miscellaneous examples and problems from NCERT book should be done. After revising the chapters in four days ,two unsolved sample papers must be solved in three hours in order to regulate your time. Lastly,CBSE sample papers and Board papers must be reviewed.

In a paper like Mathematics where calculations are involved,if the final answer is wrong,do the examiners look at the method of solving and give credit for partially correct method ? Are marks given for correct steps of an answer? How much weightage is given to the final answer?
Anita Malhotra,Principal,Summer Fields School ,Kailash Colony (On behalf of the students)
The final answer is only considered to be correct if the intermediate steps are logically as well as arithmetically correct. The final answer carries 1/2 or one mark whereas the steps leading to the answer have more marks.

I always feel some sort of aversion from Mathematics. I always lack confidence in this subject even though I know I’m prepared. Moreover,I couldn’t cross even 70 per cent throughout the year in Class XII. There is constant fear built in by my teachers about the subject in school. How to deal with the situation?
Shivam Kapoor,XII B1,Kalka Public School ,Alaknanda
Shivam,identify the weak areas. For instance,if you are unable to remember the correct formula,focus on that,or if you commit mistakes in calculations then you have to work on that. Identifying the weak areas will help you assess your performance better. So,stop being afraid and work with confidence.

If there is a question in literature,should we give details of the event that had taken place before and after the incident that is asked in the question,or do we have to just directly write what is asked?
Shreya Agarwal,X A,St Mary’s School,Safdarjung Enclave
There is no need to give the context for any question in literature unless you have been asked for it. Go directly to what you have been asked. Remember this way you don’t exceed the word limit and moreover the examiner knows the text equally well.

In English,will there be negative marking for exceeding the word limit or for not following the correct format?
Anita Malhotra,Principal,Summer Fields School ,Kailash Colony (on behalf of the students)
There is a slight penalty for exceeding the word limit but this is applied if you go far beyond the limit. For example,in an answer that is supposed within 50 to 60 words,you can answer in 40 to 70 words without inviting any penalty. Regarding format,there is no negative marking as such but there are marks for the format. For instance,if a letter carries 10 marks then two marks might be allotted for the format.