How to prepare for Class 8 Social Science(History): Tips & Tricks for Social Science PDF Download

History is often considered to be one of the most difficult subjects to learn and understand. But, that is not a case at all. Although the subject does not test the understanding skills of students and is basically based on cramming of facts and answers but, that does not mean you cannot understand it. You just need to follow a proper strategy for History class 8. In order to gain expertise in History subject it is necessary to be clear about the facts. Remembering all the facts is undoubtedly a tedious task but preparing separate notes for each chapter can prove fruitful.

Social Science Studies (SST) for Class 8

Includes 153 docs, 135 videos & 56 tests

To help you, here are a few tips to follow while preparing for Class 8 History:

1. The first and foremost task in the preparation should be to read NCERT Textbooks and refer NCERT Solutions. Go through the history chapters from the NCERT Textbook and make notes and revise these notes the next day. CBSE board strictly follows NCERT book and over the years every single question has been from NCERT book so, you must read it. Solve questions taking help from NCERT Solutions for History class 8. NCERT Solutions will help you improve your writing skills. Learn the answer and try writing it on your own. Good writing skills help you get good marks in lengthy questions.

NCERT Textbooks and solutions

Chapter 1 - How, When and Where

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 1 - How; When and Where; Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 1: How; When and Where; SST; Class 8

Chapter 2 - From Trade to Territory (The Company Establishes Power)

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 2 - From Trade to Territory (The Company Establishes); Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solution - Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory; SST; Class 8

Chapter 3 - Ruling the Countryside

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 3 - Ruling the Countryside; Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 3: Ruling the Countryside; SST; Class 8

Chapter 4 - Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 4 - Tribals; Dikus and The Vision of a Golden Age ; Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions; Chapter 4: Tribals; Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age; SST; Class 8

Chapter 5 - When People Rebel (1857 and After)

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 5 - When People Rebel (1857 And After); Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 5: When People Rebel; SST; Class 8

Chapter 6 - Colonialism and the City (The Story Of An Imperial Capital)

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 6 - Colonialism and the City (The Story Of An Imperial Capital); Class 8; SST
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 6: Colonialism and the City; SST; Class 8

Chapter 7 - Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 7 - Weavers; Iron Smelters and Factory Owners; Class 8; SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - 1, Chapter 1: Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners, SST, Class 8

Chapter 8 - Civilising the Native , Educating the Nation

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 8 - Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation, Class 8, SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 2: Civilising the "Native", Educating the Nation, SST, Class 8

Chapter 9 - Women, Caste and Reform

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 9 - Women, Caste and Reform, Class 8, SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 3: Women, Caste and Reform, SST, Class 8

Chapter 10 - The Changing World of Visual Arts

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 10 - The Changing World of Visual Arts, Class 8, SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 4: The Changing World of Visual Arts, SST, Class 8

Chapter 11 - The Making of National Movement : 1870s-1947

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 11 - The Making of National Movement: 1870s-1947, Class 8, SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 5: The Making of the National Movement, SST, Class 8,

Chapter 12 - India After Independence

• NCERT Textbook Chapter 12 - India After Indepedence, Class 8, SST (History)
• NCERT Solutions - Chapter 6: India After Independence, SST, Class 8

2. Always try to understand the events and remember the dates by relating them to present experiences. Instead of mugging up try to understand what happened after what in a battle. As far as lengthy answers are concerned, students should try to learn them in points and also write them as they learn it. This will not only save time but will also help in better retention of facts. An interesting way to remember dates is to make a timeline of events. A timeline is a sequence of related events arranged in the chronological order and displayed along a line.

3. The one thing that is very important is Revision. The notes that you prepared are the best way to revise the complete syllabus. Revision makes sure you have all the events and their dates in your mind for a long time. Revision can help you in filling up the missing dates or facts. So, you must revise before the exam.

4. Finally, practice as much as you can. Attempt Previous Year papers as they help in getting acquainted with the trend of questions asked in the exam. Practicing mock tests, sample papers and previous year question papers also helps in keeping a check on speed and the writing skills. Previous years question papers provide you a variety of important questions picked from different topics. They act as the most important resource to revise the vast syllabus of Class 8 Social Science effectively in less time.

Practice tests

• How When And Where - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• From Trade To Territory The Company Establishes Power - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• Ruling The Countryside - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• Tribals Dikus And The Vision Of Golden Age - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• When People Rebel 1857 And After - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• Colonialism And The City - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test
• Women Caste And Reform - Class 8, Social Science Studies - MCQ Test

Important Topics for Class 8 (History) Social Science Preparation:

Here is a list of all the important topics from all the Class 8 History Chapters to make it easier for you to determine the amount of time you should be giving to various chapters and topics.  Initially, it is advised go through all the topics for History class 8 and then, focus more on the important ones given here. This a smart way of preparation. Build the basics for the subjects and then focus on the important concepts from exam point of view.

Chapter 1 - How, When and Where

• An overview of the period.
• Introduction to the new geographical categories.
• An outline of the time frame.
• An introduction to the sources.

Chapter 2 - From Trade to Territory (The Company Establishes Power)

• End of Mughal Empire
• East India Company begins trade in Bengal
• How trade led to battles

Chapter 3 - Ruling the Countryside

• Grant of Diwani
• Permanent Settlement
• Mahalwari Settlement
• The Munro System

Chapter 4 - Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

• Life of the People in Ancient India
• How Did British Rule Affect These Tribals?

Chapter 5 - When People Rebel (1857 and After)

When East India Company established power in India it affected the life of Indian Kings, Queens, landlords, peasants, tribals and soldiers in many ways. Many of them revolted against the policies enforced by the British.

Chapter 6 - Colonialism and the City (The Story Of An Imperial Capital)

• Colonialism
• The City

Chapter 7 - Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

• Crafts and industries (textiles, and iron and steel) of India in the British period
• Role of these industries in the Industrial Revolution
• How Britain came to be known as the ‘workshop of the world’

Chapter 8 - Civilising the Native , Educating the Nation

• Coming of the new education- schools, syllabus, colleges, universities and technical training
• Changes in the indigenous systems and the growth of ‘National Education’

Chapter 9 - Women, Caste and Reform

• Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage and age of consent
• The ideas of different reformers (Phule, Veerasalingam, Sri Narayana Guru, Periyar, Gandhi, Ambedkar) on the position of women, women’s education and caste
• The consequences and implications of the activities of the reformers

Chapter 10 - The Changing World of Visual Arts

• Effects of new technologies and institutions- art schools and printing press
• Western academic style and nationalist art
• Changes in performing arts; how music and dance enter the public arena
• New forms of writing
• New architecture
• Two case studies of Mumbai and Chennai

Chapter 11 - The Making of National Movement : 1870s-1947

• The journey of the Nationalist movement from 1870 to 1940
• The different trends within the movement and different social groups involved
• Nationalist movement’s links with the constitutional changes
• Two case studies of the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation movement

Chapter 12 - India After Independence

• National and regional developments since 1947
• India’s relations with other countries
• A peek into the future

Similarly, Prepare For Other Subjects Of Class 8:

How to prepare for Science for Class 8? 
How to prepare for Hindi for Class 8? 
How to prepare for Social Science (Civics) for Class 8? 
How to prepare for Social Science (Geography) for Class 8? 
How to prepare for English for Class 8? 
How to prepare for Math for Class 8? 

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