In all my years of teaching Class 10 and 12 students, I hear the same doubt every single session: “Ma’am, the syllabus looks more or less the same, so why does the paper feel tougher?” The honest answer is — it is usually not the content, it is the pattern. Here are five simple, practical tips I give all my own students to help them crack the CBSE Maths exam pattern with confidence. Be thorough with NCERT first, then move to extra material CBSE papers are still firmly based on NCERT textbooks. Before jumping to reference books or online question banks, I always insist that every NCERT example and exercise is crystal clear first. This alone covers a large chunk of the paper. For the exact chapter list, refer to the official CBSE syllabus PDFs: 📄 Class 10 Maths Syllabus 2026-27 📄 Class 12 Maths Syllabus 2026-27 Practise case-study questions every week As case-study and competency-based questions now carry good weightage, I don’t let my students leave these for the last month. We solve at least 2-3case-study problems every week in class, so the format feels familiar and not intimidating on the day of the exam. Don’t take internal assessment lightly With 20 marks kept aside for periodic tests and maths activities, this is not “extra” — it is a guaranteed chunk of the final score. I always tell parents: please take every class test and project seriously, right from the start of the session, not just before the boards. Plan revision as per chapter weightage All chapters are not equal in marks. In Class 12, for example, Calculus alone carries the highest marks. I guide my students to give revision time accordingly — more hours to high-weightage chapters, lighter revision to smaller ones — instead of spreading equal time everywhere. Time yourself while solving mock papers Over the years, I have seen many bright students know the concepts well, but still lose marks due to poor time management in the exam hall. I make my students solve at least 3-4 full-length mock papers in exam-like time conditions before the boards, so that pacing becomes second nature by exam day. Maths does not have to be stressful. With the right guidance and a plan built around the actual exam pattern, I have seen most of my students turn Maths into their strongest, most scoring subject — and I would love to help your child do the same. Want a personalised plan for the 2026-27 session? Book a free demo class with me today, and let’s work out a strategy that suits your child.   Kavita Rana