Is XAM IDEA Sufficient for Achieving 95 in Your Board Exam for Physics and Chemistry?

Are you aiming for a 95 or higher in your board exams for physics and chemistry? Is the XAM IDEA book alone enough to help you achieve this goal? Let's explore the necessary steps and resources you should consider, guided by a student who achieved a 95 in both subjects.

Step 1: Conceptual Clarity and Good Resources

Firstly, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the concepts. For physics, a well-regarded book like S.L. Arora is highly recommended. For chemistry, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) books will suffice.

Step 2: Practice Numerical Problems

In chemistry, focus on solving numerical problems from the chapters you are studying. Additionally, work through the solved numerical problems provided in the book. For physics, read through the solved examples in your textbook, and practice the conceptual questions that follow.

Step 3: Prioritize Easy Topics

The 12th board chemistry paper is generally very straightforward. You can skip some chapters like extraction of metals and polymers and still achieve a high score. However, for a perfect score of 100, ensure you cover all topics thoroughly, even the less interesting ones.

Step 4: Show Your Work for Partial Marks

If you're running out of time during the exam and can't finish a problem, don't leave it blank. Writing the relevant formulas and inserting the values you have can earn you some marks. I once managed a 95 by simply scribbling formulas and inserting values when I ran out of time during the boards.

Step 5: Master Derivations in Physics

Derivations are often the most scoring part in physics. Make sure to practice and memorize these. They can significantly boost your score.

Step 6: Practice Sample Papers

Do not skip solving sample question papers, especially the ones provided by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Solve at least the last three years' sample papers. I once received 8 marks from a question common in just three sample papers. Make sure to verify your answers using the marking schemes provided by CBSE. Some books, like Arihant, Oswald, and XAM IDEA, contain valuable sample papers.

Step 7: Strategic Use of XAM IDEA

While I used XAM IDEA for both physics and chemistry, its importance varies by subject. For chemistry, pay particular attention to questions marked as NCERT Example and those from previous years. Re-read these questions multiple times and focus on the numerical problems with the same tags. For physics, concentrate on questions marked as NCERT, especially the short questions in conceptual chapters like Electromagnetic Induction, Electric Charges and Electric Fields. You can also go through broader questions from optics, electronic circuits, electrical devices, and other subjective chapters. For theory-based chapters like Wave Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter, and the rest of the second part of physics, read the NCERT once.

Step 8: Refer to NCERT for Diagrams

For diagrams in physics, always refer to the NCERT textbook. Diagrams are crucial for scoring well in the practical section of the exam.

P.S. – Time Management

Stay calm during the exam. Don’t leave any question blank. With determination, a score of 90 will be relatively easy to achieve. Best of luck!