Maths is the subject where a student can score full marks, and also the subject where careless mistakes cost the most. After four decades of teaching Maths in Pune, these are the habits we see in students who score 95 and above.

1. Understand the paper you are writing

SSC: Maths is written as two papers, Algebra and Geometry, each worth 40 marks in the board exam, plus internal assessment.

CBSE: one 80-mark paper plus 20 marks of internal assessment, with Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration and Statistics & Probability as the major areas.

Knowing where the marks are helps you plan revision time sensibly.

2. Practise in this order

Textbook solved examples, until you can do them without looking.
All textbook exercises.
Previous years’ board questions on the same chapter.
Mixed problem sets and full papers.

Students who jump straight to difficult reference books often have gaps in the basics.

3. Write every step

Board marking gives marks for method. Write the formula, substitute the values, then simplify. A correct final answer with no steps can lose marks, and a wrong final answer with the right method still earns partial marks.

4. Make Geometry presentation a habit

Draw neat, labelled figures with a pencil and ruler.
Write “Given”, “To prove” and “Proof” clearly in theorem questions.
Give reasons for every statement in a proof.

5. Keep a formula and mistake notebook

One page per chapter with every formula, identity and standard result. On the facing page, note the mistakes you made in tests. Revise this notebook every week and again the night before the exam.

6. Time yourself

From December onwards, solve full papers in the exact time allowed. Plan to finish with 15 minutes left to recheck calculations, signs and units.

7. The most common careless mistakes

Sign errors while transposing terms.
Copying a number wrongly from the question.
Forgetting units in Mensuration answers.
Not simplifying the final answer.
Leaving questions unattempted. Always write what you know, because steps earn marks.

Learn Maths in Bora’s style

Maths and Science have been at the heart of Bora Classes since 1982. Our batches include chapter-wise tests and daily doubt classes, so no student carries a doubt into the next chapter. Call or WhatsApp +91 70370 37703 to join a batch.