How Do I Solve RD Sharma (Class 12) for the Boards?

Preparing for the CBSE Class 12 Mathematics board exam can feel overwhelming, especially when you have a comprehensive reference book like RD Sharma Class 12. With hundreds of questions across multiple chapters, students often wonder:

"Do I need to solve the entire RD Sharma book for boards?"

The answer is Nobut you need to solve it strategically.

RD Sharma solutions is one of the most trusted Mathematics books for Class 12 because it covers concepts in depth, provides a wide variety of questions, and prepares students for every difficulty level. However, attempting every question without a plan can waste valuable preparation time.

In this guide, you'll learn the most effective way to solve RD Sharma for board exams while maximizing your score.

Why RD Sharma is Good for Class 12 Boards

RD Sharma isn't just another practice book. It is designed to strengthen your conceptual understanding before introducing application-based problems.

Some major benefits include:

• Builds strong fundamentals
• Covers CBSE syllabus comprehensively
• Includes easy, moderate, and difficult questions
• Improves speed and accuracy
• Helps in solving competency-based questions
• Enhances confidence before the board examination

Students targeting 90–100 marks often use RD Sharma alongside NCERT.

Step 1: Finish NCERT Before Starting RD Sharma

One of the biggest mistakes students make is directly jumping into RD Sharma.

Instead:

• Complete every NCERT chapter.
• Solve all examples.
• Solve every exercise.
• Revise miscellaneous exercises.
• Understand every theorem and formula.

NCERT forms the base of CBSE board papers.

Once NCERT becomes easy, RD Sharma becomes much more manageable.

Step 2: Understand the Concept First

Never memorize solutions.

Before solving any exercise:

• Read the theory.
• Understand definitions.
• Learn derivations.
• Revise formulas.
• Watch concept videos if necessary.

Strong concepts reduce mistakes significantly.

Step 3: Solve Exercise-Wise

Avoid randomly picking questions.

Follow this order:

1. Exercise 1
2. Exercise 2
3. Exercise 3
4. Continue sequentially

RD Sharma is designed so that each exercise builds upon the previous one.

Step 4: Solve Easy Questions First

Don't spend 20 minutes on a difficult question.

Instead:

• Complete easy questions.
• Move to moderate problems.
• Attempt difficult ones later.

This approach:

• Builds confidence
• Saves time
• Improves consistency

Step 5: Focus on Important Chapters

Not every chapter carries equal weight.

High-scoring chapters generally include:

• Relations and Functions
• Inverse Trigonometric Functions
• Matrices
• Determinants
• Continuity and Differentiability
• Applications of Derivatives
• Integrals
• Differential Equations
• Vector Algebra
• Three-Dimensional Geometry
• Linear Programming
• Probability

These chapters usually contribute a significant portion of the board exam.

Step 6: Solve Only Selected Questions if Time is Limited

If your exam is near:

Don't solve every question.

Instead solve:

• All solved examples
• First 50–70% of exercise questions
• Previous year pattern questions
• Important application-based questions

Skip repeated questions with identical methods.

Quality practice is better than quantity.

Step 7: Maintain a Formula Notebook

Many students lose marks because they forget formulas.

Prepare a notebook containing:

• Differentiation formulas
• Integration formulas
• Matrix properties
• Determinant properties
• Probability formulas
• Vector identities
• 3D Geometry formulas

Revise it daily.

Step 8: Practice Without Looking at Solutions

Reading solutions does not improve problem-solving skills.

Instead:

• Read the question.
• Think for 5–10 minutes.
• Try solving independently.
• Refer to the solution only if necessary.
• Reattempt the question later.

This develops analytical thinking.

Step 9: Mark Difficult Questions

Keep track of challenging problems.

Use symbols like:

⭐ Easy

⭐⭐ Moderate

⭐⭐⭐ Difficult

Before exams, revise only the starred questions.

This saves considerable revision time.

Step 10: Solve Previous Year Questions

After completing RD Sharma:

Practice:

• Previous Year Board Papers
• Sample Papers
• CBSE Question Banks
• Competency-Based Questions

Many board questions follow similar concepts.

Weekly RD Sharma Study Plan

Consistency is more effective than studying long hours occasionally.

Common Mistakes Students Should Avoid

Many students work hard but still lose marks because of avoidable errors.

Avoid these mistakes:

• Ignoring NCERT
• Memorizing instead of understanding
• Skipping difficult chapters
• Looking at solutions immediately
• Not revising formulas
• Solving questions without timing yourself
• Leaving revision for the final week

How Many Questions Should You Solve Daily?

A balanced target is:

• 20–30 Mathematics questions per day
• 2–3 hours of focused practice
• 30 minutes of revision
• 15 minutes of formula review

Quality matters more than the number of questions attempted.

Is RD Sharma Enough for CBSE Boards?

Yes, RD Sharma is more than sufficient for excellent board preparation when combined with:

• NCERT
• Previous Year Question Papers
• CBSE Sample Papers
• Regular revision

For most students, solving every question in RD Sharma is unnecessary. Strategic practice aligned with the CBSE exam pattern is more effective.

Expert Tips to Score 95%+ in Class 12 Mathematics

Follow these proven strategies:

• Complete NCERT thoroughly before RD Sharma.
• Practice Mathematics daily.
• Revise formulas every week.
• Solve timed mock tests.
• Analyze mistakes after each test.
• Focus on presentation and stepwise solutions.
• Strengthen weak chapters early.
• Practice competency-based and case-study questions.

Regular practice combined with smart revision can significantly improve your board performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is RD Sharma necessary for CBSE Class 12 boards?

No. NCERT is the primary resource for CBSE boards. However, RD Sharma is highly recommended for additional practice, conceptual clarity, and improving problem-solving skills.

Should I solve every question in RD Sharma?

Not necessarily. If time permits, solve all questions. Otherwise, prioritize solved examples, important exercises, and questions that cover different concepts without repeating similar patterns.

Is RD Sharma harder than NCERT?

Yes. RD Sharma includes more advanced and varied questions than NCERT, making it an excellent resource for strengthening concepts after mastering the basics.

How long does it take to complete RD Sharma Class 12?

With consistent study of 2–3 hours per day, most students can complete the book in approximately 3–5 months, depending on their pace and prior understanding.

Can I score 95+ using only NCERT and RD Sharma?

Yes. Many high-scoring students prepare primarily with NCERT and RD Sharma, supplemented by previous year question papers and CBSE sample papers.

RD Sharma is one of the best companion books for CBSE Class 12 Mathematics, but success depends on how you use it. Start with NCERT, understand each concept thoroughly, practice systematically, and revise consistently. Instead of trying to finish every page, focus on mastering concepts and solving a diverse set of problems.

With disciplined preparation, regular revision, and strategic use of RD Sharma, you can confidently aim for 90% to 100% in your Class 12 Mathematics board examination.