As CBSE Class 10 board exams approach, students often focus on studying harder but not necessarily studying smarter. In the final months before the 2026 board examinations, many students unknowingly make mistakes that affect their performance, confidence, and overall exam experience.
These mistakes are rarely about lack of intelligence or effort. Most of them arise from poor planning, misinformation, stress, or last-minute panic. Identifying and correcting these errors early can significantly improve outcomes.
At Deeksha Vedantu, students are consistently guided to recognise these pitfalls well in advance so they can prepare with clarity, balance, and confidence.
Studying Without a Clear Plan
One of the most common mistakes Class 10 students make is studying without a structured plan. Many students revise subjects randomly based on mood or perceived difficulty rather than following a well-thought-out schedule.
Problems caused by lack of planning include:
- Uneven time allocation across subjects
- Repeated revision of strong chapters while weak areas are ignored
- Poor time management close to the exam
- Increased anxiety due to unfinished syllabus
A realistic daily and weekly study plan helps maintain balance and prevents last-minute stress.
Ignoring NCERT Textbooks
Despite repeated advice from teachers, many students rely heavily on guidebooks, notes, and online summaries while neglecting NCERT textbooks.
NCERT books are critical because:
- Most CBSE board questions are directly or indirectly based on NCERT
- Definitions, examples, and diagrams are taken from textbook language
- Marking schemes align closely with NCERT explanations
At Deeksha Vedantu, NCERT mastery is treated as non-negotiable before moving to advanced practice.
Starting Sample Papers Too Late or Too Early
Sample papers are powerful tools, but timing matters.
Common mistakes include:
- Solving sample papers before completing the syllabus
- Starting full-length papers only a few days before exams
- Treating sample papers as score predictors rather than learning tools
A phased approach-concepts first, practice later-yields far better results.
Focusing Only on Weak Subjects
While improving weak subjects is important, completely ignoring strong subjects is a frequent error.
This leads to:
- Loss of confidence in previously strong areas
- Silly mistakes due to lack of revision
- Decline in overall score balance
Effective preparation maintains consistency across all subjects.
Memorising Without Understanding
Rote learning may seem tempting, especially under time pressure, but it often backfires.
Issues caused by memorisation include:
- Difficulty handling application-based questions
- Inability to adapt to slightly twisted questions
- Poor performance in competency-based sections
CBSE 2026 exams emphasise understanding and application, making conceptual clarity essential.
Ignoring Internal Assessments
Many students underestimate the importance of internal assessments.
Internal marks:
- Directly contribute to final board results
- Can significantly boost overall percentage
- Are easier to secure compared to external exams
Balanced preparation includes equal attention to school-based assessments.
Not Analysing Mistakes Properly
Solving tests without analysis is one of the most damaging habits.
Students often:
- Check scores but ignore error patterns
- Repeat the same mistakes in multiple tests
- Fail to revise weak concepts identified earlier
Maintaining an error notebook and revisiting it regularly leads to measurable improvement.
Poor Time Management During Exams
Even well-prepared students can underperform due to poor time management.
Common issues include:
- Spending too much time on one section
- Rushing through easier questions
- Leaving questions incomplete
Timed practice under exam conditions is the best solution.
Excessive Comparison With Peers
Comparing scores, speed, or syllabus coverage with friends often leads to unnecessary stress.
Every student has:
- A different learning pace
- Different strengths and weaknesses
- Unique revision needs
Healthy competition should inspire improvement, not anxiety.
Neglecting Health and Sleep
Late-night study sessions, irregular meals, and lack of sleep negatively affect concentration and memory.
Common consequences include:
- Reduced focus
- Increased irritability
- Lower retention of studied material
At Deeksha Vedantu, students are encouraged to maintain healthy routines alongside academics.
Overthinking the Final Outcome
Constantly worrying about results, ranks, or future consequences drains mental energy.
This often results in:
- Loss of confidence
- Panic during exams
- Underperformance despite preparation
Focusing on daily effort rather than final results helps maintain emotional balance.
Most Common Mistakes Before Boards: Impact & Fix Table
The table below summarises the most frequent mistakes Class 10 students make before CBSE board exams and how each one directly affects performance, along with a practical fix.
| Common Mistake | Impact on Board Performance | Smart Fix Strategy |
| Studying without a plan | Incomplete syllabus, last-minute panic | Create a weekly timetable with subject rotation |
| Ignoring NCERT textbooks | Loss of marks due to non-standard answers | Read NCERT line-by-line before reference books |
| Delaying sample paper practice | Poor time management in exam | Start full-length papers 2–3 months early |
| Solving too many papers | Burnout, confusion | Limit papers and focus on analysis |
| Memorising without understanding | Low scores in application questions | Focus on concepts and examples |
| Ignoring internal assessments | Missed easy marks | Treat IA as score boosters |
| Poor revision strategy | Forgetting studied content | Maintain short revision cycles |
| Comparing with peers | Anxiety, self-doubt | Track only personal progress |
| Neglecting sleep & health | Reduced focus and memory | Follow fixed sleep and meal timings |
| Overthinking results | Panic during exams | Focus on daily effort, not outcomes |
Why These Mistakes Increase in the Last 30–40 Days
As the board exams approach, pressure naturally increases. Students often feel the urge to do more-solve more papers, study longer hours, and revise everything repeatedly. Unfortunately, without structure, this phase becomes the most error-prone.
Key reasons mistakes peak before boards include:
- Fear of underperformance
- Conflicting advice from peers, teachers, and online sources
- Unrealistic study targets
- Lack of clarity on exam expectations
At Deeksha Vedantu, students are trained to shift from “quantity-based study” to “quality-based execution” during this crucial phase.
Last 30 Days Before Boards: Do’s & Don’ts Checklist
The final month before the CBSE Class 10 board exams can either make or break performance. Use this checklist to stay on track.
What Students Should Do
- Revise NCERT textbooks for every subject
- Practise 1–2 sample papers per subject with full analysis
- Maintain a mistake notebook and revise it daily
- Focus more on accuracy than speed
- Revise formulas, maps, diagrams, and definitions regularly
- Sleep for at least 7–8 hours daily
- Follow a fixed daily routine
- Ask doubts early instead of postponing them
What Students Should Avoid
- Starting entirely new chapters
- Solving unlimited mock tests
- Comparing marks with friends
- Studying late into the night regularly
- Skipping meals or physical activity
- Changing study strategy every few days
- Overusing social media or exam-related rumours
Students at Deeksha Vedantu follow a structured last-30-days framework that balances revision, practice, and mental well-being.
Subject-Wise Mistakes Students Commonly Make
Mathematics
- Skipping steps to save time
- Not revising formulas daily
- Avoiding word problems
Science
- Ignoring diagrams and labelling
- Rote learning reactions without concepts
- Uneven focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Social Science
- Writing lengthy answers without keywords
- Poor map practice
- Ignoring source-based questions
Languages
- Overwriting answers
- Neglecting grammar practice
- Not managing time in writing sections
How Teachers and Mentors Help Students Avoid These Mistakes
Guided preparation plays a crucial role in minimising errors.
Effective mentoring includes:
- Personalised revision plans
- Regular answer evaluation
- Feedback on presentation and structure
- Monitoring stress levels
- Adjusting strategies based on performance
This structured mentoring approach is a core part of the academic model at Deeksha Vedantu, helping students stay disciplined and confident during board preparation.
FAQs
Q1. Is it normal to feel anxious before board exams?
Yes. Mild anxiety is normal and can even improve focus when managed properly.
Q2. Can last-minute studying improve scores?
Only for revision. New topics should not be attempted at the last moment.
Q3. How can students avoid burnout before exams?
By following structured schedules, taking breaks, sleeping well, and avoiding over-testing.
Conclusion
Most Class 10 board exam mistakes are not academic-they are strategic. Students who plan well, revise smartly, and maintain emotional balance perform significantly better than those who simply study harder.
With the right guidance, structured preparation, and consistent support-such as the ecosystem provided at Deeksha Vedantu-students can avoid these common pitfalls and approach the CBSE Class 10 board exams of 2026 with confidence, clarity, and control.
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