Central Borad of Secondary Education answers questions relating to its
examinations from The Hindu's readers. Readers are welcome to send in more
questions, primarily those relating to the Class X and XII examinations, to cbse-
help@thehindu.co.in, which will be forwarded to the CBSE.

Answers to select questions will be published in these columns in subsequent
instalments. The purpose of this series is also to help reduce examination-related stress
among students.

Last month, before my pre-board examination, I was suffering from a severe
breathing problem. When I consulted the doctor, he said it was due to stress and
that I was perfectly healthy. How do I overcome this?

(Shailaja J, Noida)

You need to relax and take the examination as a routine activity. Just read one textbook
— whether it is the NCERT or any other publication. There is no reason to feel panicky
and if you can just focus on your studies, you will definitely score good marks.
Relaxation means you need to exercise regularly, practise some sort of yoga or deep
breathing and adopt a positive attitude that makes you believe in your strengths. Tell
yourself, "I know this, I can do well."

I would like some sample question papers for the class XII Commerce Board exams.

(Ankit Singh)

You can obtain the Sample Question Papers for Commerce-based subjects from all the
Regional Offices of CBSE and from the Publication Store at CBSE HQ. For the
addresses, visitwww.cbse.nic. in. You can also download this from the CBSE website.

There is a lot of boxed and bracketed information in the NCERT Class X science

and social science textbooks. Is this for Board evaluation?

(S. Mathangi, Trichy)

Content matter given in boxes in RED BORDER is non-evaluative. Students are advised

to consult the CBSE Secondary School Curriculum 2005 Volume I also.

Can I do rough work using a pencil in the main answer sheet?

(Ashwini, Bangalore)