Board Exams
Rahul is preparing for his most important exams so far — his board exams — and feels the pressure to perform well.
Key words and phrases
Useful sentences
- Ask When does the board exam timetable come out?
- Answer It usually comes out two months before the exams.
- Ask Have you finished the syllabus?
- Answer Almost — I have one chapter left to revise.
- Ask Are you taking any mock tests?
- Answer Yes, my school has scheduled three mock tests.
- Ask How do you handle the pressure?
- Answer I take short breaks and talk to my parents about it.
- Ask What percentage do you need for your dream college?
- Answer I need at least ninety percentage.
- Ask Did you collect your admit card?
- Answer Yes, the school gave it out yesterday.
- Ask What do you do if your mind goes blank in the exam hall?
- Answer I take a deep breath and read the question again.
- Ask Do you write your roll number on the answer sheet first?
- Answer Yes, that's the first thing I do when the exam starts.
- Ask Are you cramming or studying steadily?
- Answer I try to study steadily so I don't have to cram at the end.
- Ask What rank do you hope to get in your school?
- Answer I'm hoping to be in the top five with a distinction.
Dialogue
VikramRahul, how is your board exam preparation going?
RahulIt's going okay, but I feel a lot of pressure.
AnitaDon't stress too much — just revise a little every day.
RahulI have a mock test tomorrow. I hope I do well.
VikramYou've worked hard all year. You'll be fine.
RahulThanks, Papa. I'll try to concentrate and stay calm.
AnitaDid you keep your admit card safely with your stationery?
RahulYes, Ma. It's in my exam bag along with my pens and geometry box.
VikramGood. And remember, if your mind goes blank in the exam hall, just breathe and reread the question.
RahulI will, Papa. I just want to pass with distinction and make you both proud.
Common mistakes
- Saying "I am having stress" instead of "I am stressed" or "I feel stressed."
- Saying "My percentage is ninety" instead of "I scored ninety percent" (percentage is the concept; percent is the unit used with a number).
- Saying "I will give my boards" instead of "I will take my board exams" or "I will sit for my board exams."
- Saying "I will write the exam" as the only way to describe taking an exam — in casual spoken English, "take the exam" or "sit the exam" is more natural.
- Saying "My mind became blank" instead of "My mind went blank" — English uses "go blank," not "become blank."
- Saying "I got compartment" instead of "I have to sit for a compartment exam" or "I got a supplementary exam in one subject."
Quick quiz
1. What is a practice exam before the real one called?
2. Complete: "Try not to take too much ___."
3. What word means to focus your attention fully?
4. What card must you carry to enter the exam hall?
5. What do you call a teacher who supervises students during an exam?
6. Complete: "My mind ___ blank as soon as I saw the question paper."
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