The night before my Class 10 pre-board exams is a memory I’ll never forget. I was sitting on the floor with a pile of books, pencils, and an untouched CBSE Sample Paper 2025-26 staring back at me. I felt like I had read every chapter, yet something inside me whispered, “What if you forget everything in the exam hall?”
That night, I decided to take a leap. I timed myself and solved that paper as if it was the real deal. By the end, I realized I had not only finished it on time but also felt calmer than I had in weeks. From that moment, I made sample papers for my best friend.
If you’ve been feeling anxious about board exams, trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and so have thousands of students before you. But the good news is that with the right practice strategy, you can walk into your exam hall feeling confident. In this post, I’ll share some easy, practical tips that helped me (and later, my students) turn sample papers into a superpower.
Make a Ritual Out of Practice
When I was preparing, I didn’t treat solving papers like a chore. I turned it into a ritual. Every evening, I’d clear my desk, keep a glass of water nearby, and play soft music for 5 minutes before starting. That little routine told my brain, “It’s focus time.”
You can try this too. Pick a fixed time in your day, like 4 PM after a snack, and dedicate that hour solely to solving papers. Routines make preparation less stressful because your brain gets used to a pattern.
Break the Fear of Maths
Maths was always my weak spot, and I’d freeze whenever I saw a tough question. But then I started solving a class 10 maths sample paper every other day. At first, it was frustrating. I’d get stuck, erase my work, and feel defeated. But slowly, the same questions that scared me started feeling easy.
One trick that worked wonders was pretending every maths paper was a puzzle game. Instead of panicking, I’d challenge myself: “Let’s see how many puzzles I can crack today.” By the time I gave my boards, I actually looked forward to the maths paper because it felt like a game I had already mastered.
Learn the Story Behind Every Answer
Here’s a mistake I made at first: I would just check the answer key, memorize it, and move on. That doesn’t work. When you’re solving papers, take time to understand why your answer was wrong.
Resources like NCERT Solutions for Class 10 helped me so much because they explain every step like a teacher is sitting next to you. I’d copy down the solutions in my own words and revisit them later. That’s when things started clicking.
The Notebook of Mistakes
One of my favorite habits was keeping a “Mistake Notebook.” Whenever I messed up a question, I’d write it down with a short note: “Misread the question,” “Forgot formula,” or “Silly calculation error.” Every Sunday, I’d go through that notebook. Over time, my mistakes became my greatest teacher.
You could even color-code your mistakes: red for silly ones, blue for conceptual gaps. By your final weeks of prep, that notebook becomes your most powerful revision tool.
Train Like It’s the Real Exam
Before my boards, my parents used to laugh because I’d make them act like invigilators. I’d hand them a paper, ask them to time me, and sit at a completely clean desk. I even avoided drinking water until the break, just like the real exam.
The first time I tried this, I was nervous and rushed. But after doing it for a week, sitting in the actual board exam hall felt like just another practice session. This small step removed so much anxiety.
Mock Tests for Extra Confidence
Even though I was preparing for school exams, I remember solving a CAT Mock Test once just for fun. It was tough and filled with logical reasoning problems I had never seen. But surprisingly, after struggling through it, my school papers felt easier.
If you have time, try solving a mock from a different exam. It stretches your brain and makes the actual boards feel less scary.
A Story That Stuck With Me
One of my students, Aarav, was terrified of science. Every time I’d hand him a paper, he’d say, “Ma’am, I’ll never finish this.” I encouraged him to start small: just one section a day. By the end of the month, he could complete entire papers without hesitation.
When his results came, Aarav had scored above 90 in science. He told me, “It was never about being smart; it was about learning how to practice.” His story proves that small, consistent steps always lead to success.
Take Care of Your Mind and Body
Here’s a piece of advice I wish someone had given me earlier: your brain won’t work well if your body is exhausted. Sleep well, take short breaks, and eat simple, healthy food. During breaks, I’d go for a short walk or play a quick game of badminton with my cousin. It helped me recharge and return to study mode with fresh energy.
The Final Word
Preparing for exams can feel overwhelming, but remember, every paper you solve is one step closer to confidence. With consistent practice, tools like CBSE Sample Paper 2025-26, and guidance from NCERT Solutions for Class 10, you’ll slowly see yourself improving. Don’t forget to revisit your class 10 maths sample paper regularly and even challenge yourself with a CAT mock test or two for extra sharpness.
Most importantly, don’t let fear control your preparation. When you solve your first paper under timed conditions, it may feel difficult. But after a few weeks, you’ll notice something magical: you’re faster, calmer, and ready for whatever question comes your way.
So start today. Clear your desk, print out a paper, set a timer, and give it your best shot. That one small step will make all the difference when you’re sitting in the exam hall, smiling because you’ve already done this a hundred times.