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How to tame the maths terror
Starting today, Times City Provides Subject-Specific Expert Guidance
By Ramu Banerjee/TNN
New Delhi: It may not be the first paper that Class X students will face next month. But it's certainly the one that's keeping them on their toes. Yes, we're talking numbers here. Specifically, the mathematics exam.

Slated for March 9, the maths paper is one that’s responsible for the maximum number of calls in most helpline centres. From distress calls about losing concentration to fishing for the “important“ chapters, students seem to have a one track agenda: Stack up as much information as possible.
To facilitate this, here’s Times City’s take on what to do in the next two weeks for a great maths paper.
First step: Practice. That’s the mantra that all our subject experts agreed on. Said Sabir Hussein, Gyan Bharti School, “Now is the time when students have to solve as many sample papers as possible.”

Trying to learn something new will not work. Added Sanjeev Agarwal of Mathematical Sciences Foundation - a maths helpline - and teacher at DU, "Focus on areas that you are confident of. And don't go by the idea that last year the paper was simple. This year, it'll be tough. The CBSE sets standard papers."
When it comes to important chapters, our experts felt that geometry and algebra, which account for as many as 48 marks, were worth some practice. Said Hussein, "The theorems are important. Don't forget to list the steps while proving a theorem."

In case You're wondering if you have to go through all of them, here's some respite. Said Agarwal, "Out of the 30, only 12 need to be crammed."
Another way to score is to beef up your commercial arithmetic skills. Worth 12 marks, Agarwal said that it's no more than simple multiplication. Another scoring area is statistics. "The pie diagram is worth 4-6 marks," pointed out Hussein. Also go through the formulae, especially in mensuration. "These are questions that may be worth 4-6 marks but add up to a good total, "said Agarwal.

Finally, chill. "Three hours are enough. If you spend 40-50 minutes on each section, you'd still have time to revise. Don't get psyched out, "he added. Sound advice. Act on it.