Let me tell you something that might surprise you.
The students who score 95+ in Maths are not geniuses. They do not have some special talent that you do not have. They are not studying 12 hours a day or using expensive coaching materials.
In my 10+ years of teaching Class 12 Maths, I have seen average students score 98. And I have seen naturally talented students score 75 — because they got overconfident and did not prepare properly.
So what actually separates a 75 from a 95? It is not talent. It is strategy. Learn how to score 95+ in Class 12 Maths with the exact techniques and common mistakes to avoid.
The difference? Strategy.
Scoring 95+ is not about studying more. It is about studying smart, practicing the right way, and knowing exactly how to attempt the paper on exam day.
In this guide, I am sharing the exact strategies that my top-scoring students follow. These are not fancy tricks – they are practical habits that anyone can adopt.
Tip 1: Master NCERT like it is your best friend
I cannot stress this enough. If you want to score 95+, NCERT is not optional – it is everything.
Here is a fact that many students do not realize: More than 90% of board exam questions come directly from NCERT or are small variations of NCERT problems. The board examiners design the paper using NCERT as the reference.
What does ‘mastering NCERT’ actually mean?
- Solve every solved example – do not just read them, actually write and solve them yourself
- Complete all exercise questions – yes, all of them, including the ones that look similar
- Do the miscellaneous exercises – many students skip these, but important questions come from here
- Solve NCERT twice – first time to learn, second time to reinforce
If you have genuinely completed NCERT — every example, every exercise, every miscellaneous problem — you have already done 80% of your board preparation.
The remaining 20% is practice papers and revision.
Tip 2: Marks are in steps, not in answers
This is one of the biggest secrets of scoring high in Maths board exams.
Board examiners give marks for your method, not just your final answer. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still get 70-80% marks for that question if your steps are correct.
What ‘showing steps properly’ looks like:
- Write ‘Given’ at the start – list what information is provided
- Write ‘To Find’ or ‘To Prove’ – state clearly what you need to calculate
- Write ‘Solution’ – and then show each step of your working
- Mention formulas before using them – write the formula first, then substitute values
- Box or underline your final answer – make it easy for the examiner to find
I have seen students lose 10-15 marks in a paper just because they skipped steps. They knew how to solve the problems, but they did not show their work properly. Do not make this mistake.
Tip 3: Have a paper-attempting strategy
Most students just start from Question 1 and go in order. This is not always the best approach. Here is a smarter way to attempt your Maths paper:
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| First 15 min | Reading time. Read the entire paper. Mentally mark which questions you know well. |
| Next 25–30 min | Attempt all MCQs and assertion-reason questions (Section A). These are 20 marks. |
| Next 45–50 min | Solve questions you are most confident about from any section. Build momentum. |
| Next 50–60 min | Attempt remaining long answer questions (5 marks each). Show all steps. |
| Next 15–20 min | Case study questions. Read carefully — questions are usually straightforward. |
| Last 10–15 min | Review time. Check if you attempted everything. Double-check calculations. |
Golden rule: Never spend more than 10 minutes on a single question. If stuck, mark it and move on. Come back later if you have time.
Tip 4: Solve previous year papers like your exam depends on it
Because it does. CBSE has patterns. Certain types of questions repeat every year. When you solve previous year papers, you start seeing these patterns.
How to use previous year papers effectively:
- Start solving papers only after completing the syllabus (at least once through NCERT)
- Solve in exam conditions – 3 hours, no phone, no breaks, no help
- Check answers against the marking scheme (available on CBSE website)
- Note down your mistakes – these are your weak areas
- Solve at least 10 papers before board exam (last 5 years + CBSE sample papers)
Students who score 95+ have usually solved 15-20 papers before the exam. They have seen almost every type of question. Nothing surprises them.
Tip 5: Create a formula sheet and revise it daily
Maths has a lot of formulas. Integration alone has dozens. If you do not revise them regularly, you will forget them – and forgetting a formula in the exam is a terrible feeling.
How to create an effective formula sheet:
- Make it handwritten – the act of writing helps memory
- Organize by chapter – Integration formulas together, Vectors together, etc.
- Include only formulas, not explanations – keep it compact
- Use colors or highlighters for important ones
Revision schedule: Spend 15-20 minutes every morning going through your formula sheet. By exam time, these formulas should be automatic.
7 mistakes that stop students from scoring 90+
I have been checking board-level answer sheets for years. The same mistakes keep appearing. Avoid them and you are already ahead of most students.
| # | The mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not showing calculation steps | Write every step, even obvious ones. Marks are given for method. |
| 2 | Spending too long on one question | Set 8–10 minute limit per question. If stuck, mark and move on. |
| 3 | Messy handwriting and presentation | Write clearly. Use proper spacing. Draw neat diagrams with ruler. |
| 4 | Not attempting all questions | Never leave blanks. Write formula, first step, anything. Partial marks exist. |
| 5 | Ignoring case study questions | Practice 15–20 case studies before exam. They are 12 marks total. |
| 6 | Silly calculation errors | Double-check arithmetic in Integration and Matrix problems. |
| 7 | Not reading questions carefully | Underline key words. Check what is actually being asked. |
Tip 6: Draw diagrams wherever possible
Diagrams serve two purposes: they help you understand the problem better, and they show the examiner that you know what you are doing.
Chapters where diagrams are important:
- Linear Programming – always draw the graph, shade the feasible region, mark corner points
- Application of Derivatives – for maxima/minima problems, sketch the situation
- Application of Integrals – draw the curves and shade the area being calculated
- 3D Geometry – draw lines, planes, and points to visualize the problem
- Probability – draw tree diagrams for Bayes Theorem questions
Exam day: What to do and what not to do
The night before:
- Do NOT study anything new. Your brain needs rest to consolidate what you have learned.
- Light formula revision only – go through your formula sheet once.
- Pack your bag – admit card, pens (carry extras), pencil, ruler.
- Sleep by 10 PM. A tired brain makes silly mistakes.
On exam day morning:
- Wake up with enough time – do not rush.
- Eat a proper breakfast. Your brain needs energy for 3 hours of intense focus.
- Reach the exam center 30 minutes early.
- Avoid discussing with other students – it creates unnecessary anxiety.
During the exam:
- Read the paper once completely before starting to write.
- Start with questions you know well. Build confidence.
- Keep track of time – wear a watch.
- Do not panic if you see an unfamiliar question. Take a breath, read it again.
You have prepared for months. You know this subject. The paper is not designed to trick you — it is designed to test what you have learned. Trust your preparation. Stay calm. Solve what you know first.
And remember, one exam does not define your entire life.
Students who stay calm perform better than those who panic. Your mental state matters as much as your preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really possible to score 95+ if I am average in Maths?
Yes, absolutely. Board exams test preparation and practice, not natural talent. I have taught many students who considered themselves ‘average’ and they scored above 95% because they followed a structured approach. The key is consistency.
How many hours should I study Maths daily to score 95+?
Quality matters more than quantity. 2-3 hours of focused, distraction-free practice is better than 5 hours of half-hearted studying. During the last 2 months, you might increase to 3-4 hours.
Should I use reference books or just NCERT?
For scoring 95+ in boards, NCERT is sufficient. Complete it thoroughly first. If you have extra time, try NCERT Exemplar. Reference books like RD Sharma are more useful for competitive exams.
How many previous year papers should I solve?
At minimum, solve the last 5 years of board papers plus the current year CBSE sample paper. Ideally, aim for 10-15 papers. Always solve in exam conditions and check against the marking scheme.
What if I make a silly calculation mistake in the exam?
If your method is correct, you will still get most of the marks even if your final answer is wrong. This is why showing steps is so important. Try to minimize errors by double-checking arithmetic.
Is coaching necessary to score 95+?
Not necessary, but it can help. Some students do well with self-study. Others benefit from structured guidance and doubt clearing that coaching provides. It depends on your learning style and self-discipline.
What should I do if I cannot solve a question in the exam?
Do not leave it blank. Write whatever you know – the relevant formula, a diagram, the first step. You may get 1-2 marks for partial work. Then move on and come back later.
Quick summary: The 95+ formula
- Master NCERT completely – every example, every exercise, twice if possible.
- Show all steps – marks are in the method, not just the answer.
- Practice previous year papers – at least 10 in exam conditions.
- Create and revise formula sheet daily – 15 minutes every morning.
- Have a paper-attempting strategy – do not just go question by question.
- Stay calm on exam day – panic costs more marks than lack of knowledge.
Scoring 95+ is not magic. It is discipline, practice, and smart strategy. You can do this.
Want expert guidance for your board exam preparation?
At Ritu Mathematics Classes, we focus on exactly these strategies — NCERT mastery, step-wise solution writing, and regular practice with feedback.
Our small batch sizes (maximum 15 students) mean every student gets personal attention.
If you are in Chandigarh or nearby areas (Sector 35–44, New Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula), book a free demo class.
You might also find these helpful:
- Complete preparation guide for Class 12 Maths board exam 2026
- Easy chapters in Class 12 Maths – where to start
- Last 30 days revision plan for Class 12 Maths
All the best. Go get that 95+.
– Ritu Goyal Founder, Ritu Mathematics Classes, Chandigarh