PREPARATION TIPS

As we get ready to welcome 2018, we also become aware of the exams lurking on the other side. But there is still time and no need for panic - when you choose to do things the right way. Here are ten examination tips for students, to help significantly boost grades in the New Year.

1)       Read a small fraction of the entire syllabus: You don’t have to read everything at one stretch. Read a few chapters. It will help you remember. If you rush through them by the dozen – it will be difficult to recall.

2)       Don’t stretch the sessions beyond two hours: Do not study from dawn to dusk – for 10 or 12 hours. You need to follow the below process.

•   Let your study time be composed of 2-hour slots.
•   Divide these 2 hours further into x 4 half hours.
•   It goes like this à25-minute study + 5-minute break = 30 minutes
•   Repeat the above 30-minute cycle x 4 times for two hours.
•   After this two hour study period, take a 20-minute break.
•   Get ready for the next 2-hour study session (you may switch to a different subject).

3)       Take a quality break: Now that you have “served your time” for 2 hours (pun intended), make sure you celebrate with a ‘quality’ break. Do not use your off time thinking, calling, or messaging friends with study-related matter.

Give your mind a release. Whether you choose outdoor games, watching YouTube, listening to your favourite iTunes or mp3, or munching your favourite cookie – it’s entirely your choice.

4)       Focus on the main points: The syllabus is made up of Core Material and Explanations. Core material consists of formulae, diagrams, charts and graphs. Explanations consist of examples and quotations. Study the Core Material since 75% of the questions arise from here. Make sure you read the previous years’ question papers. You may thus skim out the creamy stuff, i.e., the important points.

5)       Switch subjects: Before you start, divide your subjects into categories.

                                I.            Geography, Biology and History are memory intensive.

                              II.            Physics, Chemistry and Maths are logic based.

                            III.            English and Languages are interpretation based.

It is good to switch between these subject categories while studying for exams. But don’t keep switching every time. Do it after a 2-hour long study of one particular subject.

6)       Write it down: Read the chapter, and underline the important points. Read these aloud while jotting them in your notepad. It helps retention when you hear it aloud and write.

7)       Use proper note-taking strategies: This is how you do it.

•   Breeze through the textbook and underline the important points. It should not take you more than 10 minutes.
•   Convert every heading and sub-heading into potential questions – to be asked in the exam.
•   Read the text again. Now write down the underlined points in your own words. Read aloud these bulleted points for better understanding.
•   Ask yourself the questions you noted down (by converting sub-headings). See if you can answer them.
•   Repeat these steps till you completely understand the lesson.

8)       Use Visuals: Get yourself another miniature notepad or sticky notes. Now check the points you have previously underlined in the text or notepad. Convert these points into visual cues for better comprehension. E.g. you can have a sticky-note containing all the formulae in Physics. If you are studying Chemistry, you can have periodic table elements depicted in a sequence as per their appearance in the reaction. Post these stick-notes containing visual cues on your walls, cupboards or anywhere in the bed or bathrooms.

9)       Revise Daily: Brush up whatever you study, every 24 hours. According to science, 75% of what you just learnt will vanish from memory – if you don’t revise. So, make sure you revise and engrave the information in your mind.

10)     A good night’s sleep enhances memory: Getting at least 7 – 8 hours sleep is a must. A good night’s sleep helps convert short-term into long-term memory. Get yourself the sleep you deserve – after all the effort you have put in.

The above tips will help you comprehend your lessons better and study faster. So leave aside your anxiety and get down to the actual work. All the best for your exams!

FORMAL LETTER

Purpose of the letter:

·         To express one’s opinion on a wide range of issues

·         To express and share one’s observations and views in a public forum, for example a magazine or a newspaper

·         Language of the letter:

·         Formal language must be used

·         Repetition of ideas must be avoided

·         Sub paragraphs should be used in an organised way

·         Personal outlook must be included but biased language should be avoided

Sender’s address Date Address of the addressee Dear Sir/Madam (Subject: __________________________________ ) Body of the letter (in 3-4 paragraphs) 1. Statement of the problem (Introductory) 2. Causes of the problem 3. Outcome of the problem 4. Suggestions/remedies 5. Conclusion Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely Sender’s name

                                     SAMPLE FORMAL LETTER

Question: You are Saurabh Srivastava, a resident of Defence Colony Bagdogra, Siliguri. Your colony is facing the severe problem of supply of inadequate and poor quality of tap water. You decide to express your views and make the authorities aware of the situation by writing a letter to the Editor of The Siliguri Times, Siliguri. Write your letter in about 150 words.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Defence Colony

Bagdogra

15th April 2016

The Editor

The Siliguri Times

Siliguri

Subject: Inadequate and bad quality of water supply.

Dear Sir

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the civic authorities to the bad quality and inadequate supply of tap water in our locality.

It is unfortunate that the local civic authorities do not take care to provide the citizens with even the basic amenities such as proper and adequate water supply. In our locality, water is supplied only for three hours in the morning. For the rest of the day the taps remain dry. Also, the quality of supplied water is poor. It is unhygienic and contaminated. There have been cases of water borne diseases like diarrhoea and dysentery. It is highly expected that these diseases may break out in form of epidemic if the problem is not properly addressed.

It is expected that instead of ignoring the issue, the authorities concerned will take immediate steps to ensure supply of adequate and good quality of water in our locality so that we citizens are able to live a disease free and stress free life.

Yours faithfully,

Saurabh Srivastava

SOME EXAM TIPS

     SOME USEFUL TIPS FOR SCORING GOOD MARKS IN BOARD EXAM

As we get ready to welcome 2018, we also become aware of the exams lurking on the other side. But there is still time and no need for panic - when you choose to do things the right way. Here are ten examination tips for students, to help significantly boost grades in the New Year.

1)       Read a small fraction of the entire syllabus: You don’t have to read everything at one stretch. Read a few chapters. It will help you remember. If you rush through them by the dozen – it will be difficult to recall.

2)       Don’t stretch the sessions beyond two hours: Do not study from dawn to dusk – for 10 or 12 hours. You need to follow the below process.

  Let your study time be composed of 2-hour slots.

  Divide these 2 hours further into x 4 half hours.

  It goes like this à25-minute study + 5-minute break = 30 minutes

  Repeat the above 30-minute cycle x 4 times for two hours.

  After this two hour study period, take a 20-minute break.

  Get ready for the next 2-hour study session (you may switch to a different subject).

3)       Take a quality break: Now that you have “served your time” for 2 hours (pun intended), make sure you celebrate with a ‘quality’ break. Do not use your off time thinking, calling, or messaging friends with study-related matter.

Give your mind a release. Whether you choose outdoor games, watching YouTube, listening to your favourite iTunes or mp3, or munching your favourite cookie – it’s entirely your choice.

4)       Focus on the main points: The syllabus is made up of Core Material and Explanations. Core material consists of formulae, diagrams, charts and graphs. Explanations consist of examples and quotations. Study the Core Material since 75% of the questions arise from here. Make sure you read the previous years’ question papers. You may thus skim out the creamy stuff, i.e., the important points.

5)       Switch subjects: Before you start, divide your subjects into categories.

                I.    Geography, Biology and History are memory intensive.

                II.     Physics, Chemistry and Maths are logic based.

                III.       English and Languages are interpretation based.

It is good to switch between these subject categories while studying for exams. But don’t keep switching every time. Do it after a 2-hour long study of one particular subject.

6)       Write it down: Read the chapter, and underline the important points. Read these aloud while jotting them in your notepad. It helps retention when you hear it aloud and write.

7)       Use proper note-taking strategies: This is how you do it.

  Breeze through the textbook and underline the important points. It should not take you more than 10 minutes.

  Convert every heading and sub-heading into potential questions – to be asked in the exam.

  Read the text again. Now write down the underlined points in your own words. Read aloud these bulleted points for better understanding.

  Ask yourself the questions you noted down (by converting sub-headings). See if you can answer them.

  Repeat these steps till you completely understand the lesson.

8)       Use Visuals: Get yourself another miniature notepad or sticky notes. Now check the points you have previously underlined in the text or notepad. Convert these points into visual cues for better comprehension. E.g. you can have a sticky-note containing all the formulae in Physics. If you are studying Chemistry, you can have periodic table elements depicted in a sequence as per their appearance in the reaction. Post these stick-notes containing visual cues on your walls, cupboards or anywhere in the bed or bathrooms.

9)       Revise Daily: Brush up whatever you study, every 24 hours. According to science, 75% of what you just learnt will vanish from memory – if you don’t revise. So, make sure you revise and engrave the information in your mind.

10)     A good night’s sleep enhances memory: Getting at least 7 – 8 hours sleep is a must. A good night’s sleep helps convert short-term into long-term memory. Get yourself the sleep you deserve – after all the effort you have put in.

The above tips will help you comprehend your lessons better and study faster. So leave aside your anxiety and get down to the actual work. All the best for your exams!

Forget the Past – Look to the Future

Don’t let the ghosts of your past performance scare you. Believe in yourself and start with a positive frame of mind. You will become a topper through hard work. If you have had a below 40% past, don’t get bogged down because of it. Scoring 85% is more about hard work than intelligence.

Syllabus Books – Don’t leave them and befriend Heavy Duty Reference Books

I have seen many students go all out and buy ‘heavy duty’ reference books. While it is good to seek extra knowledge for your future competitive exams, do not ignore your very own syllabus textbooks. I repeat – “Stick to your textbooks to get a higher percentage”. You will benefit from those huge reference books – in the competitive exams following class 12.

Work on your weaknesses

Do you read the question paper thoroughly? Remove all your test and pre-board answer sheets. Check out all the mistakes – note them down. Make sure you won’t repeat them in future.  See the positive side. Convert these mistakes into opportunities for scoring better marks.

Time Management

Time Management is the key to getting good marks. Apply the below techniques to maximise your study time:

  Do not sleep for 8 hours, like in your childhood. Uninterrupted 6-hour sleep is      adequate. You gain two extra study hours!

  You can also get an extra half hour by alternatively using your games, extracurricular or lunch periods for learning logic-based subjects like Maths or Accounts.

  It is best to use the last three months for self-study. Do not join any coaching classes at this stage. Study by yourself and note down key points.

  Study for 8 hours on weekdays and 9-10 hours on weekends. Toppers may deny it – but it’s a fact that they study as much, or even more to stay at the top.

Old is Gold – Solve Previous Years’ Question Papers        

Don’t spend a fortune to buy reference books. Try solving previous years question papers instead. “Your ability to be a topper in any subject is directly proportional to the number of question papers you have solved successfully”. Now, evaluate your performance and see where you stand. Did you get 85% right away? If so you are just brilliant!

Your English Counts

If you think that English is not a scoring subject, think again! Many students score full marks in core subjects, but get a lower rank because of their English marks. Apart from being a key factor in deciding the rank, good English also helps you express better while answering other subjects. And make sure you also work on your handwriting and drawing skills. A neat and tidy answer sheet with clear diagrams always impresses the examiner.

On the Eve and Morning of your Exams

Let the night before exams serve to calm your nerves. Relax! Stop imagining how terrible the examiner or question paper will be. And don’t try to study anything now. Go to bed early. It will give your brain the much needed ‘reset time’ – to function at its best on exam day!

Sleep for 8 hours. Get up early. Now, quickly revise all the important topics or main points you have jotted down. If something is still unclear, leave it aside. Today is not the day to worry. See the positive side; revise the other topics that are clear to you. Always remain confident!

Here is some important advice - “Leave your books at home”. Pack your things including hall ticket and stationary. Reach the venue at least 45 – 60 minutes in advance. Don’t enter any group discussions or quizzes outside the exam hall. Remain aloof and enter the room with a relaxed state of mind!

What to do inside the Examination Hall

Read the question paper thoroughly – allot yourself 10-15 minutes. Get to the roots of each question and mentally prepare yourself to answer it. Don’t worry about using up these 15 minutes. Answering the previous years’ question papers will have given you a lot of confidence, besides prepping up your time management skills! You will have sufficient time on your hands – when you plan strategically.

Start with 5 or 10 marks questions first. Make sure you assign adequate time to answer the bigger questions. Keep the final hour or half, for answering the one mark questions.

Carry extra pens, pencils, erasers along with a scale. Draw diagrams where necessary. Once done, revise the answer sheet thoroughly. Scan it for errors and fix it.

The above eight-point strategy will easily help you to get 85 percent and more in your board exams in short span of time. So follow these eight steps and watch your academic career take off!

Useful URL on RTE implementation/Challenges

Useful Link on implementation/Challenges of RTE in CBSE Schools

  http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/rte-act

Information on RTE

In an important reversal of stand, the Centre has admitted that the Right to Education Act doesn't allow home schooling.
Admitting that the earlier stand was incorrect, the Centre last week urged Delhi high court to permit it to file a fresh affidavit clarifying its stand in respect of home schooling vis-a-vis the RTE Act.
The U-turn by the Centre came on a petition filed by a student who argued that individuals had the right to choose their mode of education. The petition, filed by one Shreya Sahai through her mother, contended that RTE does not cater to gifted or talented children who leave the schooling system, or those in alternative schools and this anomaly must be addressed.
In response, the Centre had claimed by way of an affidavit submitted in July this year that RTE equates schooling with education and said those who opt for home-schooling are free to do so. The RTE Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2010, makes it mandatory for every child (from six to 14 years old) to be enrolled in a formal school.
Intervening in the adjudication of the petition, Social Jurist advocate Ashok Agarwal had strongly objected to the Centre's stand and argued that the demand on the part of Sahai for home-schooling/alternative forms of schooling and the stand taken by the Centre in support of such a demand is based on a completely casual and erroneous interpretation of the letter, spirit and intent of the RTE Act. Aggarwal contended this might lead to dismantling and weakening of the RTE Act.
In the latest hearing, the court gave time to the Centre to file a new affidavit. Earlier, the Centre had also said that National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for children in the age group of 6-14 years will only be allowed to run up to 2015. "Parents who voluntarily opt for alternative forms of schooling may continue to do so. The RTE Act does not come in the way of such alternate schooling methodologies or declare such form of education illegal," it had stated.

                 RTE's stand is enabler, not restricter. It should only restrict itself to the matter when a school denies or discriminates against admitting a child. It should not interfere how an individual should obtain education. If RTE aims to enforce schooling, education should become a fundamental duty, not right! The very fact that open schooling is thriving is that people have lost faith in Governmental way of providing quality education, and restricting open schooling is not very much unlike internet censorship. As for the question of enrollment, govt should create separate enrollment system like NIOS for students who wants to opt out of regular schooling. After all, why restrict someone from achieving that he or she is capable of? Didn't Rabindranath Tagore and Indira Gandhi took private tuitions at home instead of going to school? Didn't Abhinav Bindra, India's only solo Olympic gold bearer took private coaching instead of governmental help? Govt have no right to fail someone who is capable of succeeding on his or her own. Full support to all gifted children including Shreya. And to those to who aspires to be gifted by studying at home

Nobody has actually stressed the point that by RTE act.the Govt. has conveniently shifted the burden to private schools.Municipal schools are being closed and many private schools are unaided.How can a govt. force a private institution not aided by it to take poor children who are not able to pay their fees,who cannot afford to buy books,uniforms etc?They have made a mockery of a noble thought poorly and cynically executed.

Right to Education (RTE)

The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into force from April 1, 2010. This is was a historic day for the people of India as from this day the right to education will be accorded the same legal status as the right to life as provided by Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. Every child in the age group of 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an age appropriate classroom in the vicinity of his/her neighbourhood. Any cost that prevents a child from accessing school will be borne by the State which shall have the responsibility of enrolling the child as well as ensuring attendance and completion of 8 years of schooling. No child shall be denied admission for want of documents; no child shall be turned away if the admission cycle in the school is over and no child shall be asked to take an admission test. Children with disabilities will also be educated in the mainstream schools. The Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh has emphasized that it is important for the country that if we nurture our children and young people with the right education, India’s future as a strong and prosperous country is secure. All private schools shall be required to enroll children from weaker sections and disadvantaged communities in their incoming class to the extent of 25% of their enrolment, by simple random selection. No seats in this quota can be left vacant. These children will be treated on par with all the other children in the school and subsidized by the State at the rate of average per learner costs in the government schools (unless the per learner costs in the private school are lower).

All schools will have to prescribe to norms and standards laid out in the Act and no school that does not fulfill these standards within 3 years will be allowed to function. All private schools will have to apply for recognition, failing which they will be penalized to the tune of Rs 1 lakh and if they still continue to function will be liable to pay Rs 10,000 per day as fine. Norms and standards of teacher qualification and training are also being laid down by an Academic Authority. Teachers in all schools will have to subscribe to these norms within 5 years. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has been mandated to monitor the implementation of this historic Right. A special Division within NCPCR will undertake this huge and important task in the coming months and years. A special toll free helpline to register complaints will be set up by NCPCR for this purpose. NCPCR welcomes the formal notification of this Act and looks forward to playing an active role in ensuring its successful implementation. NCPCR also invites all civil society groups, students, teachers, administrators, artists, writers, government personnel, legislators, members of the judiciary and all other stakeholders to join hands and work together to build a movement to ensure that every child of this country is in school and enabled to get at least 8 years of quality education. Benefits of Right to Education Act, 2009 RTE has been a part of the directive principles of the State Policy under Article 45 of the Constitution, which is part of Chapter 4 of the Constitution. And rights in Chapter 4 are not enforceable. For the first time in the history of India we have made this right enforceable by putting it in Chapter 3 of the Constitution as Article 21. This entitles children to have the right to education enforced as a fundamental right.

www.education.nic.in/Elementary/free%20and%20compulsory.pdf

Read more at: http://www.icbse.com/right-to-education-act

CBSE circular about introduction of Vocational Courses in schools

        

 As you must be aware that CBSE is currently offering various skill based courses at senior secondary to impart knowledge and training that strengthen the core skills of the students’. To further strengthen this program of developing skills and competencies the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched the National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) starting from Class IX onwards, to be implemented in educational systems throughout schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities from 2013-14. The following programmes under various domains have been identified for implementation in schools starting from Level I i.e. from class IX onwards from the Session 2013-2014.

i. Retail

ii. Security

iii. Information Technology

iv. Automobile Technology

 All these courses of 200 hours each may be offered as an additional compulsory subject by rationalising the existing content for classes IX and X on pilot basis.

                    Also, as a pilot programme these courses have already been introduced in 42 schools   

                    affiliated to the Board  from the academic session 2012-13. The competency based 

                    curriculum package would consist of syllabus, student manual, trainers guide, aining         manual, teacher qualifications and multimedia packages and e- material to facilitat    facilitate the successful implementation of the courses. 
 

   In cognizance of shortage of trained professionals and the necessity for development   of     employability skills among the students, the Board has been offering a number of career oriented competency based courses at Senior Secondary level. Accordingly, theBoard has revised the curriculum of the following courses with revised scheme of studies (as appended below) by way of taking inputs from the industry experts and academicians.

1. Bakery and Confectionery

2. Dairying

3. Health and Beauty Studies

4. Library and Information Sciences

5. Office Secretaryship 

6. Transport Systems and Logistic Management

7. Travel and Tourism

8. Horticulture

In addition, Board has prepared curriculum for the new courses namely

1. Retail Operations & Services

2. Medical Diagnostics

3. Foundry Technology

4. Front Office Operations

5. Food Production

6. Food & Beverage Services

7. Geospatial Technology

8. Mass Media studies & Media production