How to Use the 15-Minute Reading Time in CBSE Board Exams

You get the question paper 15 minutes before writing starts, usually from 10:15 to 10:30 AM. You can't write, but you can plan, and good planning saves 15–20 minutes later.

Minute by minute

• 0–2: check the paper is complete (page count, number of questions) and read the general instructions.
• 2–10: read every question once. For each internal choice, decide your option now.
• 10–13: note the questions you can answer fastest, so you start with confidence.
• 13–15: fix your time plan by section.

What to watch for

• questions with several parts, which are easy to half-answer
• "explain with a diagram": the diagram carries marks
• word limits in language papers
• unusual framings of familiar topics (case-based questions)

Order of attempt

Many students do the one-mark section first. Others start with a section they're strong in. Either works, as long as you planned it in the reading time and number everything clearly.