Biology is a simple yet complex subject and that is because it can only be mastered with a good preparation strategy. It is mostly a theoretical subject and requires a thorough understanding of important things. If anyone’s aiming to crack exams like NEET, paying attention to this subject becomes even more important. As such, if you have taken up Biology in class 12th, make sure you give it proper time, and effort in order to score. And so, we have curated a foolproof guide that will help you prepare for this exam with a breeze!
1. Check the biology syllabus and the exam pattern
In internal exams and for board exams, Biology carries 100 marks in total with 70 marks for the theory section and 30 marks for the practical section. In most of the internal exams, teachers focus on topics like Reproduction, Human Health and Diseases, Organisms and Populations, Genetics and Evolution, plant anatomy etc. Class 12th internal papers are made in a format which is similar to that of the ISC/CBSE biology board paper.
| Units | Chapters | Important Topics | Marks |
| I | Reproduction | Reproduction in Organisms; Human Reproduction; Reproductive Health;
Genetics and Evolution; Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants |
14 |
| II | Genetics and Evolution | Heredity and variation; Molecular Basis of Inheritance; Evolution | 18 |
| III | Biology and Human Welfare | Human Health and Diseases; Microbes in Human Welfare;
Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production |
14 |
| IV | Biotechnology | Principles and processes; Biotechnology and its Application | 10 |
| V | Ecology and Environment | Organisms and Populations; Biodiversity and its Conservation; Ecosystem; | 14 |
| Total | 70 |
2. Invest in study material
Buy reference books for class 12th Biology along with reference papers, previous year question papers, question banks and sample question papers. Listed below is a list of study material that you can refer to for your class 12th Biology exam:
- NCERT books for class 12 Biology in Hindi or English
- CBSE Biology chapter-wise solved papers class 12th – Arihant Expert
- Pradeep’s A Text Book of Biology class 12 – P.S. Dhami
- S.Chand’s Biology for class XII – B.P. Pandey
- Trueman’s Elementary Biology for Class 12 and NEET – K.N. Bhatia and M.P. Tyagi
3. Draft a timetable and set up goals
It is very important to come up with a good study plan and stick to it. Time table helps in inculcating discipline and setting up a routine by adding structure to your day. This will help you with time management and you will be able to save time not only for your studies but also for other activities and hobbies. Don’t forget to include breaks in your study plan. Set up goals for each day and try to achieve them. Divide your subject into topics and further into subtopics that you will be learning for the day.
4. Make notes
Your study preparation is incomplete without proper notes. Making NCERT books for class 12 Biology in Hindi notes will help you in remembering the concepts much more conveniently and they also come in handy during revision. Look for previous year question papers and sample questions in your books and study materials. Set aside a few important questions from the particular topic and then frame notes according to them. This will help you in keeping a track of all the topics that you have covered, and you will also be ready with the type of questions that might be asked.
Make sure to practise all the important diagrams, as they are helpful in explaining the answers. You can try making flashcards for chemical equations, terminology and formulas. Notes help a lot in saving time as they aid in quick in-between revisions.
5. Section wise questions
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Understanding type
Don’t mug up things without understanding their meaning. Try to understand the concept first, as only then will you be able to answer these questions. Here, you’ll be required to compare, contrast, paraphrase, and explain the topics. They can be of judging or justifying type. 30% of the biology paper consists of these types of questions.
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Application type
These are situation-based questions where you have to apply your thinking skills and knowledge according to diverse situations. Again, these types of questions carry 30% of the total number of questions in the paper.
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Remembering and theoretical
They are the simplest type of questions since you just have to remember the facts, theories, terms, principles, and concepts. 10% of the paper consists of these questions. These questions might also include diagrams and tables.
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Questions that require High Order Thinking Skills
For these questions, you are required to contrast, compare, classify, and differentiate between different topics. Integrating pieces of information from different topics and stating facts to support them is important. The density of such questions is 17%.
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MCQs
Fill in the blanks, match the columns, state true or false, MCQs etc. these questions are very easy to attempt if you have a basic knowledge of the topic. Almost 13% of the paper is full of such questions.
6. Solve question
Solving questions and writing answers is an important part of your preparation. Practice questions from sample papers and previous year question papers periodically. This will help you in self-assessment and would also give you an insight of your strengths and weakness, along with how far along are you in your study plan. It will also help in enhancing your time management skills, and your pace of answering questions.
7. Pay attention in the lab
Practical assessment carries 30 marks in class 12th biology exams. Thus, paying attention to labs during the practical class will definitely be fruitful to you. Be sure to make a proper notebook with all the practicals, write down all the practicals along with the necessary steps and the diagrams. Understand the experiments carefully and learn the relevant material for the viva as well.
8. Consistency and revision
Solve mock tests and previous year question papers and practice till you get a thorough grasp of the topic. Staying consistent with your studies is an important factor to consider when you are aiming to score high. Study for at least five hours a day with breaks in between. Pick up a topic from your biology class textbook, draft short and to the point notes, revise them, solve in-text questions, go through past year papers, solve mock and sampler questions, and finally revise those concepts again on weekends.
It is not very difficult to score well in 12th biology examinations. You just need to be thoroughly prepared. Make sure you cover each and every section of NCERT thoroughly. Most of the questions asked in the exam are from the NCERT book. Also, be neat and tidy when answering questions. Make sure to save time for revision before submitting. Above all work hard, and stay dedicated. All the best!
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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