By Sachin Sharma | Udgam Welfare Foundation
15+ Years of Teaching Experience | MSc. Mathematics | BEd. | MBA
Let me be honest with you.
When I started teaching Class 10 Maths back in 2009, almost every student who sat in front of me said the same thing: “Sir, Maths is the subject I’m most scared of.”
And honestly? I understood why.
Class 10 Maths has a reputation. It feels like one big wall — full of formulas, theorems, constructions, and word problems that seem designed to confuse you. Parents worry. Students panic. Coaching fees go through the roof.
But here’s what 15 years of teaching has taught me: Maths is not about being “brilliant.” It’s about being consistent. I have seen students from government schools in Delhi — students who had no coaching, no private tutors, and barely any books — score above 90 in their CBSE board exams. Some of them went on to crack JEE Mains. What they had wasn’t talent. It was a plan.
That’s exactly what I’m going to give you today.
This guide is for every Class 10 CBSE student who wants to score 90 or above in Maths — without spending a single rupee on expensive coaching. Bookmark it. Come back to it. Follow it week by week.
Let’s begin.
First, Understand How CBSE Class 10 Maths is Actually Marked
Before you make a study plan, you need to understand the game you’re playing.
CBSE Class 10 Maths (Standard) is a 80-mark paper. Here’s how the marks are split:
| Section | Question Type | Marks Per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | MCQs + Assertion-Reason | 1 mark each | 20 marks |
| Section B | Short Answer (SA-I) | 2 marks each | 10 marks |
| Section C | Short Answer (SA-II) | 3 marks each | 18 marks |
| Section D | Long Answer | 5 marks each | 20 marks |
| Section E | Case Study Based | 4 marks each | 12 marks |
Plus 20 marks from Internal Assessment (practicals, projects, periodic tests).
So your actual board paper = 80 marks. To score 90+ overall (out of 100), you need roughly 72–75 marks in the written exam if you score well in internals.
This is very achievable. Here’s why: Section A alone gives you 20 marks. If you prepare MCQs seriously — which most students don’t — you’ve already secured 25% of your paper.
Know Your Syllabus: What’s Actually There in Class 10 Maths CBSE 2025
The CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus is divided into 7 units:
Unit 1 — Number Systems
Real Numbers (Euclid’s Division Lemma, Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic)
Unit 2 — Algebra
Polynomials, Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions
Unit 3 — Coordinate Geometry
Lines (in 2D), Distance Formula, Section Formula, Area of Triangle
Unit 4 — Geometry
Triangles (Similarity), Circles (Tangents)
Unit 5 — Trigonometry
Introduction to Trigonometry, Trigonometric Identities, Heights and Distances
Unit 6 — Mensuration
Areas Related to Circles, Surface Areas and Volumes
Unit 7 — Statistics and Probability
Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode), Probability
Algebra carries the most weightage (20 marks) in the exam, followed by Geometry (15 marks) and Trigonometry (12 marks). This matters when you plan your time.
The Chapter-Wise Importance Guide (Based on 10 Years of Paper Analysis)
I’ve analyzed CBSE Class 10 Maths papers from 2014 to 2024. Here’s the brutal truth about which chapters appear most often and in which sections:
🔴 High Priority Chapters (Don’t Skip These)
1. Quadratic Equations
Almost always appears in SA-II or Long Answer. Word problems from this chapter are extremely common. Master the discriminant, factorisation, and completing the square method.
2. Arithmetic Progressions (AP)
AP is a CBSE favourite. Expect at least 1–2 questions in every paper. The good news? AP has a limited number of question types — once you know them all, you’ll never get stuck.
3. Triangles (Similarity)
Proof-based questions from this chapter appear every year. Many students lose easy marks here because they don’t practice writing clean, step-by-step proofs. Don’t be that student.
4. Trigonometric Identities + Heights & Distances
Identities are easy marks if you memorise them. Heights and Distances requires drawing diagrams correctly — a skill most students develop only with practice.
5. Statistics
Mean, Median, Mode using grouped data. This chapter is straightforward and the questions are very predictable. If you master the formulas and the table method, you will not drop marks here.
🟡 Medium Priority (Important but More Manageable)
- Real Numbers (mostly 1–2 mark questions, but the Euclid’s algorithm is predictable)
- Polynomials (graph-based questions, zeroes of polynomial — limited types)
- Coordinate Geometry (Distance Formula and Section Formula come up regularly)
- Surface Areas and Volumes (formula-heavy, but the question types are well-defined)
- Circles (Tangents) (1–2 questions, always — theorem + application)
🟢 Relatively Easier but Don’t Ignore
- Linear Equations (mostly appears as short questions; direct substitution or graph)
- Probability (simple calculations, direct formulas — always appears in the paper)
- Areas Related to Circles (sector, segment area — formula-based, very doable)
The 6-Month Study Plan to Score 90+ in Class 10 Maths
This plan assumes you’re starting in September/October, which gives you about 5–6 months before the CBSE board exams in February/March 2025.
If you’re reading this later and have less time, don’t panic. Scroll down to the “Last 60 Days” section — I’ve covered that separately.
Phase 1: Build Your Foundation (September – October)
Goal: Clear every basic concept. No shortcuts here.
This is the most important phase. Students who skip this and jump straight to sample papers almost always struggle later. Think of this phase as building the base of a building — if it’s weak, everything above it falls.
What to do in Phase 1:
Go chapter by chapter in this order: Real Numbers → Polynomials → Linear Equations → Quadratic Equations → AP → Coordinate Geometry.
For each chapter, follow this sequence:
- Read the NCERT textbook from cover to cover — every definition, every example
- Solve all NCERT exercises (every single question, not just the ones your teacher told you)
- Note down every formula in a dedicated “Formula Notebook” (I’ll talk about this in a moment)
- Solve 10–15 extra questions from any standard practice book or free resources
Time per day: Minimum 1.5 hours of pure, distraction-free Maths practice.
The Formula Notebook Trick:
This is something I tell every student I teach. Buy a small, separate notebook — only for formulas and theorems. Write them down by hand. Every time you encounter a new formula, add it. Review this notebook every single morning for 10 minutes.
By the time exams come, this notebook will have every formula you need. No last-minute panic. No missed formulas. Just calm, confident revision.
Phase 2: Geometry and Trigonometry (November)
Goal: Master the “scary” chapters.
Most students dread Geometry and Trigonometry. The reason is usually that they tried to memorise proofs without understanding them. Let me give you a different approach.
For Geometry (Triangles and Circles):
Don’t memorise proofs. Understand the logic. Ask yourself: “Why is this true? What does this theorem actually say?” Once the logic clicks, the proof writes itself.
Practice writing the same proof 3–4 times from memory. The first time will be hard. By the third time, it’ll feel natural.
Also, practice diagrams separately. Many students draw rough, unclear diagrams and then lose marks for poor presentation. A clean, labelled diagram always impresses the examiner.
For Trigonometry:
Start with the basic ratios (sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot). Don’t move forward until these are rock solid. Then learn the standard angle values (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°) — not just the table, but also why these values are what they are.
Trigonometric identities are your best friend in this chapter. There are only a handful of key identities, but they appear in dozens of different question forms. Once you can recognise which identity to apply in which situation, you’ll solve identity-based questions in 2–3 minutes.
Heights and Distances: Always draw a diagram first. Label the angle of elevation or depression, the heights, and the distances. Once the diagram is right, the equation writes itself.
Phase 3: Mensuration, Statistics, and Probability (December)
Goal: Lock in your “scoring” chapters.
These three chapters are your best friends in the exam. Here’s why: the questions are largely formula-based and follow predictable patterns. If you practice enough, you will almost never make mistakes here.
Statistics: Master the table method for calculating Mean (using step-deviation), Median (using the cumulative frequency table), and Mode (by identifying the modal class). Practice 20–25 questions from each type. The question will change its numbers, but the method stays exactly the same.
Mensuration: Surface areas and volumes trip up students when they mix up formulas for similar shapes (like a cone vs a hemisphere). Make a clear, visual chart of all formulas — draw the shape next to its formula. When you see a combination problem (like a cone on top of a hemisphere), always break it into individual shapes first.
Probability: This is one of the most straightforward chapters in the syllabus. The formula is simple: P(event) = Number of favourable outcomes / Total number of outcomes. Practice questions from playing cards, dice, coloured balls, and numbered cards — these are the most commonly tested scenarios.
Phase 4: Revision + Case Study + MCQ Practice (January)
Goal: Turn your knowledge into exam-ready performance.
By January, you should have covered all chapters at least once. Now the real work begins.
Case Study Questions — The Most Neglected Marks:
Case study questions were introduced by CBSE a few years ago and carry 12 marks — a significant chunk. Many students are still treating them as an afterthought. Don’t make that mistake.
These questions present a real-life scenario (a farmer measuring his field, an architect designing a building, a student tossing coins, etc.) and ask you 4 sub-questions based on it. The maths involved is usually Class 10 level — the challenge is reading the problem carefully and mapping it to the right concept.
The best way to practice case studies? Solve at least 5 case study questions per chapter from your textbook and CBSE-released materials. You’ll start seeing patterns very quickly.
MCQ Mastery:
Section A has 20 one-mark questions. Students who score 18–20 in Section A almost always end up with 90+ in the paper. But MCQs require a different kind of preparation.
Don’t just solve MCQs and check the answer. When you get one wrong, go back and understand exactly why you got it wrong. Was it a concept gap? A calculation error? A misread question? Fix the root cause, not just the answer.
Also, for MCQs, elimination works beautifully. If you’re not sure of the answer, try to eliminate 2 options using logic — your chances of getting it right improve dramatically.
Phase 5: Mock Tests and Final Revision (February)
Goal: Simulate the real exam. Eliminate all last-minute surprises.
By February, you should be solving full-length mock papers under real exam conditions. That means:
- 3-hour time limit, no interruptions
- No formula sheet (close your notebook and textbooks)
- Pen and rough paper only
After every mock test, do a detailed analysis: Which sections did you struggle with? Where did you lose time? Which types of questions tripped you up? Use that analysis to guide your revision.
In the last 2 weeks before the exam, stop learning new things. Only revise what you already know. Go through your Formula Notebook daily. Solve 2–3 questions from each chapter to keep the concepts fresh.
The night before the exam: Do not study new material. Review your Formula Notebook one more time. Sleep by 10 PM. Your brain consolidates memory during sleep — an exhausted brain performs poorly, no matter how much it studied.
The Last 60 Days Strategy (For Students Starting Late)
If you’re reading this in December or January, don’t panic. 60 days is enough to score 90+ if you’re strategic.
Here’s your priority list:
Week 1–2: Complete Real Numbers, Polynomials, Statistics, and Probability. These are high-yield, relatively quick to learn chapters.
Week 3–4: Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions, Coordinate Geometry. Focus only on the question types that appear most frequently.
Week 5–6: Trigonometric Identities, Triangles (proofs + applications), Circles. Learn the theorems. Practice at least 5 proofs per theorem.
Week 7–8: Full mock tests + error analysis + Case Study practice + final formula revision.
In this compressed plan, you do NOT have time to do every NCERT question. Focus on NCERT examples, NCERT exercises, and CBSE previous year papers from 2018–2024. These are your highest-priority resources.
Free Resources From Udgam Welfare Foundation
At Udgam Welfare Foundation, we believe that the quality of a student’s education should never depend on the size of their parent’s bank account. Since 2012, we have been providing completely free learning resources to thousands of students across India.
Here’s what you can access — completely free — right now:
Free Online Tests for Class 10 Maths: Chapter-wise, topic-wise, and full-length mock tests. Attempt them, get instant feedback, and track your progress. No login fees, no hidden charges.
Case Study Questions with Solutions: A dedicated collection of case study questions for every chapter, with detailed step-by-step solutions.
Free Mathematics Study Material: Worksheets, practice problems, and revision notes that are aligned directly with the current CBSE syllabus.
YouTube Video Tutorials: Our YouTube channel, E-Learning Hub Udgam, has detailed video explanations for difficult topics. If a concept is confusing in text, watching it explained on a board often makes it click immediately.
All of this is free. Always has been. Always will be.
Common Mistakes That Cost Students 10–15 Marks Every Year
I’ve checked thousands of Class 10 Maths answer sheets over the years. The same mistakes appear again and again:
1. Skipping steps in solutions.
CBSE gives marks for each step, not just the final answer. A student who writes the correct answer with no working might get 1 mark out of 3. A student who shows all the right steps — even if the final answer has a small arithmetic error — often gets 2 out of 3. Always show your working clearly.
2. Not reading the question carefully.
Every year, students solve a perfectly good problem — but for the wrong question. They find the surface area when the question asked for volume. They find the sum of an AP when the question asked for the nth term. Slow down. Read every question twice before you start solving.
3. Leaving questions blank.
Even if you don’t know how to solve a question completely, attempt it. Write down the formula. Set up the equation. Draw a diagram. Partial credit is real in CBSE, and a blank answer always gets zero.
4. Spending too long on one question.
If you’re stuck on a 3-mark question for 10 minutes, move on. Come back to it later. Don’t let one difficult question cost you the time you need for three easy ones.
5. Poor presentation.
Messy handwriting, unlabelled diagrams, and disorganised steps make it harder for the examiner to follow your logic — and can cost you marks. Write neatly. Underline your final answers. Draw diagrams with a pencil and ruler.
A Note From the Desk of Sachin Sharma
I started Udgam Welfare Foundation because I saw something deeply unfair. Students from well-off families could afford coaching institutes that charged 50,000 to 1,00,000 rupees a year. Students from working-class families, whose parents drove autos or worked as security guards, couldn’t. But the talent was equal — sometimes the government school kid was sharper. They just didn’t have access.
Our 2015 JEE batch proved it. Five students from Delhi government schools, from families with incomes below ₹12,000 a month. No fancy coaching. Free material, free guidance, consistent effort. All five cracked JEE Mains and joined IITs, DTU, and premier engineering colleges.
That’s not an exception. That’s what happens when a student has the right plan and the determination to follow it.
You have the plan now. The determination is yours.
Score 90+. You absolutely can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is NCERT enough for scoring 90+ in Class 10 Maths CBSE?
NCERT is the foundation and it’s absolutely non-negotiable. For the majority of students aiming at 90+, thorough NCERT practice — all examples, all exercises — combined with CBSE previous year papers is sufficient. You don’t need expensive guide books. What you need is consistent, focused practice.
Q: How many hours per day should I study Maths for Class 10 boards?
Aim for 1.5 to 2 hours of focused Maths practice every day. Quality matters more than quantity. An hour of truly focused problem-solving beats three hours of distracted studying. Consistency over 5–6 months is what creates the difference between 70 and 90.
Q: I’m weak in Geometry and always lose marks in proofs. What should I do?
Start by reading the theorem statement carefully and understanding what it’s actually saying — draw a diagram as you read. Then read the proof, step by step, and ask yourself “why does this follow from the previous step?” Once you understand the logic, close the book and try to write the proof from memory. Do this 3–4 times. You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes natural.
Q: Are case study questions hard?
They look harder than they are. The actual maths in a case study question is usually Class 10 level — sometimes even easier. The challenge is connecting the real-life scenario to the mathematical concept. Practice 4–5 case study questions per chapter and you’ll get comfortable very quickly.
Q: My boards are in 45 days. Is it too late to score 90?
It’s not too late, but you need to be extremely strategic. Focus on your highest-weightage chapters first (Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics). Solve CBSE sample papers from the last 5 years. Master your formula sheet. Prioritise accuracy over attempting every single question. 45 days of focused, disciplined effort can make a very significant difference to your score.
Q: Where can I find free Class 10 Maths practice tests online?
Udgam Welfare Foundation offers completely free chapter-wise and full-length Class 10 Maths online tests with instant feedback and performance analysis. Visit udgamwelfarefoundation.com and navigate to the Class 10 Maths section. No registration fees, no hidden charges — just free, quality practice.
Final Thought
The students who score 90+ in Class 10 Maths aren’t necessarily the ones who studied the most hours. They’re the ones who studied the right things, in the right order, with a clear plan.
You now have that plan.
Print it. Follow it. Trust the process.
And if you ever get stuck — on a concept, a problem, or just feel lost — come back to this blog, visit our free test portal, or reach out to us directly. We’ve been helping students like you since 2012, completely free of charge, and we’re not going to stop.
All the best for your boards. Go score that 90. 🎯
Written by Sachin Sharma, Founder of Udgam Welfare Foundation. MSc. Mathematics | BEd. | MBA | CTET | HTET | Data Science (Johns Hopkins). Over 15 years of teaching experience in Mathematics for CBSE, ICSE, JEE, and competitive examinations.
Udgam Welfare Foundation has been empowering underprivileged students with free education, study material, and coaching since 2012. Our mission: quality education for every child, regardless of economic background.