Amidst the pandemic, CBSE has issued a spree of circulars announcing changes in the exam pattern, beginning session 2020-21. The most important ones are:
Case Study Based Questions that will hold > 20% weightage in the assessment.
Assertion-Reason based problems that will hold 10% weightage in assessment
A decrease in the number of long answer type questions. 14 objective type questions ( MCQs, VSA type) and 10 very short answer type question will account for close to 25% weightage in assessment
An overall increase in the number of question asked
A choice in Basic or standard maths
Let’s look at them in detail and what they mean for your child
Case study questions
There will be 2 questions worth 8 marks out of 80
No resources (books, ebooks, etc.).
Will be application-based hence rote learning won’t suffice
Would be multi-layered and require a comprehensive understanding of how one part of the syllabus is relevant to the other
How to score well?
Questions based on a given case study are normally taken from real-life situations. These are certainly related to the concepts provided in the textbook but the plot of the question is always based on a day-to-day life problem. There will be all MCQs or objective questions only based on the case study. So, the case-based questions can be answered as a very short answer.
Many parents are unaware of how the MCQs are answered.
Here are a few pointers that all parents/teachers should know:
Step by step solution is not required in MCQ type questions.
The student should tick/write down the correct option only.
Writing a complete solution is nothing but a wastage of time.
Students will not get extra marks for writing a complete solution.
For the board examiner, writing a complete solution is part of the rough work only.
Most of the time, you need not solve the MCQ completely to get the correct option. You can start thinking in reverse order and choose the best fit option.
2. Assertion- Reasoning Based Questioned
The new pattern that has been introduced gives a heavy 25% weightage to objective type questions in all subjects. That means, Out of 80 marks, 20 marks will be assigned to this new bracket of questions i.e Multiple Choice Questions, Assertion-Reason Based, Case study based questions, Fill in the Blanks, etc. Subjective questions where students need to write a detailed answer will carry only 60 marks under the new pattern. The long answer type questions have reduced in number and weightage. Hence, it has become necessary to study between and lines with minute details to answer objective type questions.
How to score well?
Read thoroughly
A lot of students skip this utterly important part, taking it as easy, but always read the question carefully to understand the assertion statement. Then, figure out whether the reason statement is true or not. Once you feel you have found the correct answer, read both the given statements once more. Then select the option that you think is right.
Think of each statement independently
Evaluate the given statements independently to figure out the correct answer. In certain questions, the reason provides the correct explanation for the given assertion statement, while in others it does not. If your concepts are clear, you will be able to quickly spot the inaccuracy in the explanation and select the correct answer. You need to think logically and use your conceptual understanding to analyze the scenario before answering assertion questions.
Practicing assertion questions with CBSE Class 10 practice tests
Assertion questions can be confusing. You need to know the meaning of the options available to get the answer right. Here, practice tests can be useful. Just reading tips on answering may not be effective. Tips are great for developing your own strategies to tackle the exam questions. If you practise CBSE Class 10 assertion questions, you will improve your thinking abilities. Once your practice test results are available, check whether you happen to lose marks due to lack of conceptual knowledge, overconfidence or lack of focus resulting from nervousness.
3. Standard vs Basic maths - How to choose?
Basic maths
The overall difficulty level was EASY
The QP had 40 questions in 4 sections with Internal choice.
To excel in Basic maths, be through with your NCERT and Exemplar. You don’t have to necessarily do help books or RS/RD. You can also have a look at the Practice book that CBSE released for Grade 7 to 10. But that is not mandatory at the Basic level. In addition to that, you must go through the Sample Papers with the lastest 30% cut in the syllabus, that CBSE released on its official website. Basically, the NCERT along with SQP would be enough to score well in Grade 10 Basic Mathematics.
Standard Maths
The overall difficulty level was EASY to MODERATE
Most of the questions were from last year
To excel in Standard maths, you should be through with the NCERT. You should also thoroughly practice the official Practice book CBSE released lately. It becomes mandatory at the standard level. You should also practice the important concepts from RD Sharma or any other help-book you think fits better on your question paper setting or curriculum. In addition to that, you must go through the Sample Papers with the lastest 30% cut in the syllabus, that CBSE released on its official website. Basically, the NCERT, CBSE practice book, important concepts from RD, along with SQP would be enough to score well in Grade 10 standard Mathematics.
In conclusion, Choose Maths Basic if you want to:
Take Humanities in Class 11 and 12
Take Commerce without Maths in Class 11 and 12
Take any non-maths course after Class 12 - like Design, Animation, Humanities
Choose Maths Standard if you want to:
Take Commerce with Maths in Class 11 and 12
Take Science in Class 11 and 12
Give IIT-JEE or Medical Exams (NEET)
To do any Engineering course after Class 12
To do CA, CS after Class 12
Want to go to Medical Field after Class 12
4. A decrease in the number of long answer type questions
14 objective type questions ( MCQs, VSA type) and 10 very short answer type questions will account for close to 25% weightage in the assessment. Long answer type questions have reduced. These are completely new types of questions, the sole purpose of which is evaluating your understanding of the subject to its core along with its application in a never-studied-before scenario. This will also be a hit for those children who pull through by simply memorizing answers. If your concepts are clear, you will be able to quickly spot the inaccuracy in the explanation and select the correct answer.
