How to Become a Topper in Class 10 Exam- Know 25 Tips and Tricks!

Acing the class 10 board exams requires rigorous preparation and a strategic approach. As the class 10 marks form the basis for higher education and career choices, excelling in these exams is critical. With focused efforts and diligence, any student can become a topper, regardless of innate academic talents.

The journey begins by creating a realistic study plan that covers all topics in depth. Students should analyze past exam papers to identify important concepts and frequently asked questions. Daily revision of key topics and solving sample papers is crucial. Studying for 8 to 10 hours per day with full concentration is vital in the final few months. Students should also eat nutritious meals and get adequate sleep to stay mentally fresh.

While becoming a topper requires tremendous diligence, the rewards of excellent academic performance are manifold. One can enter their dream college or career option by taking the class 10 exams through rigorous efforts. The skills of time management, diligence, and focus also shape students into competent professionals for life.

In this blog, we will help you become a topper in the Class 10 exam.

25 Most Effective Ways to Top Class 10 Exam

Let us look at the 25 most effective tips to help you top your class 10 boards:

1. Set clear goals: Begin your exam preparation by setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals. Define explicitly what percentage or CGPA you are aiming for, relevant to your capabilities and limitations. This will provide the clarity and motivation needed to stay on track with a demanding study schedule.
2. Make a realistic study plan: Chalk out a practical hourly, daily, and weekly study plan based on the syllabus, exam pattern, and your current academic schedule. Ensure it’s balanced across all subjects and includes revision time as per personal comprehension skills. Check time availability alongside tuitions if any, and stick to the routine.
3. Understand the exam pattern thoroughly: Analyze previous year’s question papers and marking schemes to identify weightage of topics, frequently asked questions, priority areas, choice distribution, and difficulty level. This knowledge is critical for exam preparation. Also solve sample papers in advance to acquaint with exam duration, types and format of questions expected.
4. Learn smart – focus on concepts: Rather than mugging up facts and figures, focus on understanding concepts, principles, theories, and their correlation systematically. Being thorough with fundamentals clears associated doubts and strengthens ability to attempt application-based problems.
5. Take organized notes: Maintain subject-wise notes compiling main points, formulae, diagrams, charts, shortcuts or tricks. Underline key terms, use highlighters, include relevant examples. Well-organized notes reduce preparation time and facilitate easy revision. Maintain digital copies as backup. Follow teacher’s guidelines on note-taking if any.
6. Study with concentration: Study with undivided attention when you actually sit with your books, maintaining noise-free environment and avoiding distractions from mobile, TV etc. Late nights may impact health, so maximize output in planned study hours for best results. Quality focus trumps longer distracted hours.
7. Clear your doubts immediately: Never ignore any doubts or lagging areas in understanding while studying. Seek help from teachers, mentors or even classmates till concepts are crystal clear. Unresolved doubts accumulate and daunt confidence during exams.
8. Solve previous years’ question papers: Solving previous years’ question papers aids immensely in understanding exam format, importance given to topics, types of questions asked and preparation level vis-a-vis syllabus. Develop skills to complete papers within stipulated time and assess yourself to identify strengthening required in any subjects.
9. Attempt mock tests: Appearing for periodic mock tests of each subject during preparation gauges progress level, range of paper coverage, time management capability, accuracy of solutions attempted and prevailing shortcomings if any. With this feedback for improvement, genuine exam simulation boosts confidence besides enhancing performance.
10. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses: Identify topics, subjects and question types you are good at versus those needing more attention. This analysis helps channel extra efforts towards specific requirements. Play on existing strengths while working to overcome weaker areas. A combo of smart and hard work yields success.
11. Follow an organized revision routine: Equally important as studying new topics is revising whatever has been learnt – daily, weekly and monthly revisions mandatory. Spaced repetition strengthens retention power. Maintain revision planners, notes, short summaries for frequent recapitulation of theories, formulas, diagrams, derivation steps etc.
12. Examine sample answer scripts: Procure a few sample answer scripts, especially of past toppers and analyze them to learn parameters examiners look for – key elements in correct answers, presentation style, structuring insisted upon, approximate length and detailing of responses expected. This eliminates chances of missing crucial examiner expectations.
13. Practice diagrams and derivations: For subjects involving diagrams, graphs, illustrations, tabulations, chemical equations etc adequate relevant practice using pencil on paper is essential. The same applies for mathematical statements, theorem or numerical derivations. Helps avoid exam hall hassles.
14. Work on speed and accuracy: Being slow even at solving familiar questions defeats desired exam score. Practice timed sample papers considering sections carrying higher weightage relatively more. This diagnostic approach boosts speed, ensures fuller paper attempt, shapes strategy and builds result assurance.
15. Focus on exam writing skills: Answer writing skills – following instructions, paper presentation, planning, structuring and sequencing responses neatly paragraph by paragraph with the right context and correlations – gain examiners’ attention for scoring high even for average content. Practice key writing skills.
16. Attempt all types of questions: Exams comprise different types of questions based on knowledge levels – facts, concepts, application, analytical, derivations, evaluative etc. Solving across this question spectrum ensures comprehensive preparation besides anticipation of questions that might be asked.
17. Learn smart tricks and shortcuts: Subjects like Maths have hidden shortcuts that facilitate faster problem solving with better accuracy. Be aware of relevant tricks and hacks that reduce lengthy procedures into simple steps thereby saving precious exam time while optimizing attempted questions.
18. Boost memory power: Strong memory ensures quick recap of theories, concepts, formulae, diagrams, historical dates, character names, scientifist’ contributions when required in exam hall. Mnemonic learning tricks, reciting or visually imagining key points boosts memory. Maintain memorized notes.
19. Assignments and workbooks: In addition to textbooks and studying notes, students are often advised assigned worksheets, assignments or workbook exercises by school. Completing them not just adds to knowledge depth but also gives a fair idea of ideal responses expected during exams.
20. Comply with school instructions: Schools often advise students pre-boards or preparatory leave routines prioritizing planning compulsory afternoon classes, test series or doubt clearing sessions. Attending these focused sessions as mandated optimizes overall exam readiness. Strictly abide by guidelines.
21. Subject-wise analysis essential: Post solving sample papers or tests, assess performance by analyzing subject-wise or chapter-wise accuracy levels, types of mistakes – factual errors, missed details, no correlations highlighted. Identify priority areas for strengthening rather than overall paper score alone.
22. Mandatory comprehension passages: Scoring well in long answer type comprehension passages involving case studies or scenarios is vital for scoring high especially in languages, business or other theory subjects. Practice comprehension, analysis and structuring responses effectively within timelines.
23. Verify your progress: It is vital to test actual exam preparedness level a month before finals through simulation tests, percentage achievable based on performance or topic readiness analysis rather than over-confident assumptions. Gives time for remedial strengthening.
24. Attention to continuity and presentation: Examiners observe not just answer content but presentation too – like structuring in clear paragraphs, headings if specified, logical sequence of points provided, no abrupt endings midway, linking intro to conclusions. Practice accordingly.
25. Believe in your abilities: While achieving academic excellence needs smart hard work, it also demands confidence and positive mindset. Believe in your talents and efforts invested, rather than pressurizing yourself. Conviction in attempting papers diligently optimizes performance.

Study Plan to Become a Topper in Class 10 Exam

Here’s a weekly study plan to become a topper in class 10 exam:

Day 1

• Morning (2 hours): Maths – Practice problems from previous chapters, work on areas of weakness.
• Afternoon (1.5 hours): Science – Review key concepts in Physics or Chemistry, do practice MCQs.
• Evening (1 hour): English – Read a comprehension passage, work on grammar exercises.
• Night (1 hour): Social Science – Revise historical events or geography maps, make mind maps for key concepts.

Day 2

• Morning (2 hours): Science – Focus on Biology, practice diagrams and labeling, review key experiments.
• Afternoon (1.5 hours): Maths – Solve past year board questions, focus on application of concepts.
• Evening (1 hour): Social Science – Practice map marking for Geography, answer short answer questions for History or Civics.
• Night (1 hour): English – Write a practice essay or story, learn vocabulary words.

Day 3

• Morning (2 hours): English – Practice grammar and composition skills, work on sentence structure and punctuation.
• Afternoon (1.5 hours): Social Science – Review key dates and events for all subjects, make timelines for major periods.
• Evening (1 hour): Maths – Take a mock test or solve timed practice problems, analyze mistakes and improve weaknesses.
• Night (1 hour): Science – Revise all science subjects briefly, identify any gaps in understanding.

Day 4

• Morning (2 hours): Maths – Revise formulas and equations, practice solving numerical problems.
• Afternoon (1.5 hours): English – Read aloud poems or passages, practice public speaking skills.
• Evening (1 hour): Social Science – Discuss important topics with classmates or study group, answer debate questions.
• Night (1 hour): Science – Work on practical problems or experiments, review diagrams and figures.

Day 5

• Morning (2 hours): Revise all subjects equally, focus on areas of weakness identified throughout the week.
• Afternoon (1.5 hours): Take a full-length practice board exam under timed conditions.
• Evening (1 hour): Analyze your practice exam, identify areas for improvement, address any remaining doubts.
• Night (1 hour): Relax and de-stress, get a good night’s sleep before the actual exam.

Day 6

• Morning (1 hour): Quick revision of key formulas, concepts, and important points for each subject.
• Rest of the day: Relax, avoid cramming, stay positive and confident.

FAQs- How to Become a Topper in Class 10 Exam

How much time should I dedicate to studying?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on your learning style and the complexity of the subjects. However, aiming for consistency is key. Start with 2-3 hours of focused study daily and gradually increase based on your needs and comfort. Remember, it’s not about cramming, but about understanding the concepts.

What’s the best way to create a study schedule?

Personalize your schedule! Consider your class timings, extracurricular activities, and preferred study time (morning, afternoon, evening). Allocate dedicated slots for each subject, including breaks. Stick to your schedule as much as possible, and adjust it if needed.

Should I focus on textbook reading or practice questions?

Both are important! Textbook reading provides the foundation of knowledge, while practice questions help you apply your understanding and identify areas for improvement. Aim for a balanced approach, dedicating time to both.

How can I stay motivated throughout the year?

Set realistic goals and reward yourself for achieving them. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Take breaks to avoid burnout, and engage in activities you enjoy. Remember, studying shouldn’t be a chore!

What are some resources to help me prepare for the exams?

Utilize online resources like educational videos, practice tests, and revision notes.