CBSE Class 10 Half-Yearly Exam 2025 – 7 Last-Minute Study Hacks

The Class 10 half-yearly exams 2025 are just around the corner, and it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement, stress, and last-minute panic. But here’s the good news: even the final days can be turned into a golden opportunity to boost your preparation.

With focused strategies, smart revision, and the right mindset, you can cover important topics effectively, strengthen weak areas, and gain the confidence to tackle any question. In this blog, we’ve covered 7 last-minute study hacks specifically for Class 10 students, designed to help you revise efficiently, stay calm, and make every hour count before the exams.

7 Last-Minute Study Hacks to Ace Your Class 10 Half-Yearly Exams 2025 

1. Prioritize High-Weightage Topics

When your half-yearly exams are just a few days away, trying to revise every single chapter equally can waste your time. Instead, you can simply focus on the topics that are more likely to give you marks. But since schools don’t always share a fixed marks distribution for half-yearlies, here’s how you can prioritize:

• Check past year papers from your school because patterns usually repeat, and some chapters naturally appear more often.
• Ask your teachers or seniors which areas usually carry more weight in the half-yearlies. They can guide you well, since they often know which topics get more focus and are likely to appear in the exam.
• Balance core concepts and easy wins. Don’t ignore basics like formulas, definitions, or diagrams, since these can bring quick marks even if you’re short on time.

Why it works: By concentrating on important topics, you can score more in less time and feel confident going into the exam.

2. Use Active Recall, Not Just Reading

If you just keep on reading your books and notes, it won’t really stick. What actually works is active recall, pulling information out of your memory. You can simply try this:

• Writing formulas, definitions, and key points from memory.
• Drawing diagrams (Science, Geography) without looking at the textbook.
• Explaining a concept aloud to a friend or even to yourself.

Hack: Stick small sticky notes with formulas, dates, or definitions on your study table or wall; seeing them often reinforces memory.

Multiple studies show the power of active recall. For example, in one experiment, students were asked to remember 20 names. Those who tested themselves (active recall) remembered 57% of the names, while those who only re-read the list managed just 29% nearly two grades higher. 

3. Solve Sample Papers Under Time Conditions

Half-yearlies are like the rehearsal before the final performance — and sample papers are your best tool to get exam-ready. They don’t just test your knowledge, they train you to handle the real exam environment.

Here’s how to do it:

• Solve at least one full paper daily for subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English.
• Sit for a strict 3-hour slot, no shortcuts, no breaks.
• Once done, don’t just glance at the marks. Analyze every mistake — was it a concept you didn’t know, a silly error, or poor time management? Then work on that weak spot immediately.

4. Make a “2-Day Quick-Revision List”

The final two days before exams are not for new learning but for reinforcing or revising what you already know. Here’s the subject-wise breakdown of what to revise in the last 48 hours to make the most out of it

Subject	What to Revise in the Last 48 Hours
Mathematics	Formulas, important theorems, and tricky problems are where you often make mistakes.
Science	Key equations, labeled diagrams, and NCERT back questions.
Social Science	Important dates, definitions, map points, and major events.
English	Summary of chapters, and poems; grammar rules, and format of writing skills.
Hindi	Summary of poems/chapters, format of writing skills, grammar (vyakaran) rules.

Pro Tip: Don’t touch new chapters now. Stick to this checklist and revise smartly.

Also See:

Most Expected Questions for Half-Yearly Exams – Class 10 Maths

30+ Most Expected Questions for Half-Yearly Exams – Class 10 Social Science

Most Expected Questions for Class 10 Science Half-Yearly Exams

5. Practice Map and Diagram-Based Questions

Subjects like Science and Social Science are full of diagrams and maps that can help you score easy marks if revised well. Teachers often give step marks for labeling, so even if you forget the full answer, a correct diagram can save you.

• Draw and practice Geography maps of India (mountain ranges, rivers, and other important map points) from memory.
• Practice labeling Science diagrams like the most important biology diagrams, electric circuits, ray diagrams, or experiment setups, etc. Because neat diagrams often fetch full marks even if the written answer is weak.
• Revise History flowcharts and timeline-based questions.

Hack: Redraw diagrams multiple times; your hand remembers more than your eyes.

Also See: Class 10 Important Questions & Answers Chapter wise

6. Focus on Short, High-Impact Revision Techniques

At this stage, small tricks save time:

• Mnemonics: Use them for dates, events, or formulas. Example: “BRUM” for Geography — Bajra (Rajasthan), Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra.
• Bullet Points: For Social Science answers, concise answers get marks faster.
• Color Coding: Highlight keywords, important formulas, and dates for quick recognition.

Tip: Avoid starting new chapters; focus on what you already know and make it solid.

7. Maintain Calm & Smart Exam Habits

Last-minute preparation is not just about studying; it’s also about staying calm:

• Take short breaks every 45–60 minutes to stay fresh.
• Sleep at least 6–7 hours; a tired mind forgets even what it knows.
• Visualize answering questions confidently as mental rehearsal reduces anxiety and boosts recall during the actual exam.
• On exam day, read the question paper fully first, start with easy questions, and leave tricky ones for later.

Final Hack: Confidence + smart revision = marks. Don’t panic; if you have studied properly, then just trust your preparation.

Also See: Class 10 Important MCQs Chapter wise

Final Thoughts

The last days before the Class 10 half-yearly exams are not about cramming everything but revising smartly and focusing on high-yield topics. Use these 7 hacks to maximize your preparation, stay calm, and enter the exam hall confident. Remember, these exams are your practice stage for boards, so every effort now builds your foundation for the final show.

You’ve got this! Stay focused, revise smartly, and let your hard work pay off.