30 Days Timetable for History Class 12 Board Exam Preparation | How to prepare for Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

The Class 12 History board exam is pivotal for students aspiring to excel in the humanities. Each chapter in the NCERT book holds significant weight, with questions often directly asked from the text. To ace this exam, it’s essential to have a strategic study plan that covers all the topics thoroughly. Here’s a 30-day plan to help you cover every chapter effectively along with days for revision and practicing sample papers and previous year questions. You can adjust the pace according to your speed, but the pattern of covering the topics will remain the same.

The CBSE Class 12 History curriculum is divided into three books, each focusing on different aspects and periods of history: 

• Themes in Indian History Part I: Focuses on ancient and early medieval India, covering significant civilizations, societal structures, and cultural developments.
• Themes in Indian History Part II: Explores medieval Indian history, including the rise and fall of empires, the influence of travelers, and the development of religious and cultural traditions.
• Themes in Indian History Part III: Deals with modern Indian history, colonialism, the freedom struggle, and the framing of the Constitution, highlighting the transition from colonial rule to independent India.

Each chapter contributes significantly to the exam. The study plan allocates two days per chapter, including a day for revision, with one dedicated day for the revision of the complete book after each theme. Let's now proceed with the study plan for each chapter.

Day 1-2: Bricks, Beads, and Bones

Day 1: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Beginnings
• Subsistence Strategies
• Mohanjodaro: A Planned Urban Centre
• Tracking Social Differences
• Finding Out About Craft Production
• Strategies for Procuring Materials
• Seals, Script, Weights
• Ancient Authority
• The End of the Civilisation
• Discovering the Harappan Civilisation
• Problems of Piecing Together the Past

Day 2: Revision & Tests

• Review all topics covered in the chapter through chapter notes.
• Solve NCERT questions given at the end of the chapter.
• Go through worksheets, short and long answer documents to gain a better understanding of the chapter.
• Take MCQ tests to test your knowledge.

Day 3-4: Kings, Farmers and Towns

Day 3: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Prinsep and Piyadassi
• The Earliest States
• An Early Empire
• A Changing Countryside
• Towns and Trade
• Back to Basics
• How Are Inscriptions Deciphered?
• The Limitations of Inscriptional Evidence

Day 4: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 5-6: Kinship, Caste, and Class

Day 5: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• The Critical Edition of the Mahabharata
• Kinship and Marriage
• Many Rules and Varied Practices
• Social Differences: Within and Beyond the Framework of Caste
• Beyond Birth: Resources and Status
• Explaining Social Differences: A Social Contract
• Handling Texts: Historians and the Mahabharata
• A Dynamic Text

Day 6: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 7-8: Thinkers, Beliefs, and Buildings

Day 7: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• A Glimpse of Sanchi
• The Background: Sacrifices and Debates
• Beyond Worldly Pleasures: The Message of Mahavira
• The Buddha and the Quest for Enlightenment
• The Teachings of the Buddha
• Followers of the Buddha
• Stupas
• “Discovering” Stupas
• Sculpture
• New Religious Traditions
• Can We “See” Everything?

Day 8: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 9: Themes in Indian History Part I Revision

• Go through the mindmaps to refresh your memory on key concepts, events, and themes covered in each chapter. 
• Practicing multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and important answer questions helps reinforce your knowledge and improves recall.
• Solve passage based, case based and map based questions as asked in board exams.
• Use EduRev's question bank for additional practice.

Day 10-11: Through the Eyes of Travellers

Day 10: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Al-Biruni and the Kitab-ul-Hind
• Ibn Battuta’s Rihla
• François Bernier: A Doctor with a Difference
• Making Sense of an Alien World
• Al-Biruni and the Sanskritic Tradition
• Ibn Battuta and the Excitement of the Unfamiliar
• Bernier and the “Degenerate” East
• Women Slaves, Sati and Labourers

Day 11: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 12-13: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions

Day 12: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• A Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices
• Poems of Prayer: Early Traditions of Bhakti
• The Virashaiva Tradition in Karnataka
• Religious Ferment in North India
• New Strands in the Fabric: Islamic Traditions
• The Growth of Sufism
• The Chishtis in the Subcontinent
• New Devotional Paths: Dialogue and Dissent in Northern India
• Reconstructing Histories of Religious Traditions

Day 13: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 14-15: An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara

Day 14: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• The Discovery of Hampi
• Rayas, Nayakas, and Sultans
• Vijayanagara: The Capital and its Environs
• The Royal Centre
• The Sacred Centre
• Plotting Palaces, Temples, and Bazaars
• Questions in Search of Answers

Day 15: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 16-17: Peasants, Zamindars and the State

Day 16: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Peasants and Agricultural Production
• The Village Community
• Women in Agrarian Society
• Forests and Tribes
• The Zamindars
• Land Revenue System
• The Flow of Silver
• The Ain-i Akbari of Abu’l Fazl Allami

Day 17: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 18: Themes in Indian History Part II Revision

• Review the mindmaps to recall key concepts, events, and themes from each chapter.
• Practicing multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and important answer questions reinforces your knowledge and enhances memory retention.
• Work on passage-based, case-based, and map-based questions similar to those asked in board exams.
• Use EduRev's question bank for additional practice.

Day 19-20: Colonialism and the Countryside

Day 19: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Bengal and the Zamindars
• The Hoe and the Plough
• A Revolt in the Countryside
• The Bombay Deccan
• The Deccan Riots Commission

Day 20: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 21-22: Rebels and the Raj

Day 21: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• Pattern of the Uprising
• Awadh in Revolt
• What the Rebels Wanted
• Repression
• Images of the Revolt

Day 22: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 23-24: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement

• A Leader Announces Himself
• The Making and Unmaking of Non-cooperation
• The Salt Satyagraha: A Case Study
• Quit India
• The Last Heroic Days
• Knowing Gandhi

Day 24: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 25-26: Framing the Constitution

Day 25: You can learn the various topics of the chapter from the NCERT textbook and make notes or highlight important words as per your convenience. 

• A Tumultuous Time
• The Vision of the Constitution
• Defining Rights
• The Powers of the State
• The Language of the Nation

Day 26: Revision & Tests

Quick links for revision:

• Chapter Notes
• NCERT Questions
• Worksheet, short and long answer questions
• MCQ Test

Day 27: Themes in Indian History Part III Revision

• Go through the mindmaps to refresh your memory on key concepts, events, and themes covered in each chapter. 
• Practicing multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and important answer questions reinforces your knowledge and enhances memory retention.
• Work on passage-based, case-based, and map-based questions similar to those asked in board exams.
• Use EduRev's question bank for additional practice.

Day 28: Complete Revision

• Divide the day into specific time blocks for each book, ensuring you cover all major topics from each book. 
• Start by going through the chapter notes for each book. This will give you a quick overview of key concepts, important events, and major themes.
• Identify and concentrate on the most important points, such as major events, important figures, and significant concepts.
• Refer mindmaps as they can help reinforce your understanding and make complex information easier to remember .
• At the end of the day, quickly summarize the key points from each book. This final review helps reinforce what you've learned and ensures that the information stays fresh in your mind.

Day 29: Solve Sample Papers

• Solving sample papers helps you practice under exam-like conditions, so you get used to the pressure and time limits of the actual test.
• It includes the same types of questions you’ll see on the exam, helping you get used to the format and style of questions.
• By working through sample papers, you can see how prepared you are and find out which areas need more practice.
• Reviewing your answers on sample papers helps you spot areas where you need more practice, so you can focus on improving those topics. 

Day 30: Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the board exam is to practice previous year questions (PYQs). You should dedicate atleast one day for practicing PYQs beacuse:

• PYQs help you get familiar with the format of the exam, the types of questions asked, and the marking scheme.
• By going through PYQs, you can identify recurring topics and themes that are frequently asked, allowing you to prioritize your study time.
• Regular practice with PYQs builds confidence as you become more accustomed to the question styles and the level of difficulty you can expect.
• PYQs provide a benchmark for self-assessment. You can evaluate your preparation, identify areas of weakness, and focus on improving them.

Tips and Tricks to Prepare for Class 12 Board Exam 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you study effectively for the Class 12 History board exam:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly understanding the syllabus. Know the chapters and topics that carry more weight and prioritize them in your study plan.
2. Make a Study Plan: Allocate specific days to each chapter, ensuring you cover all three books. Include time for revision and practice tests.
3. Focus on NCERT: NCERT textbooks are your primary resource. Read each chapter carefully, make notes, and highlight key points. The board exams often ask questions directly from the NCERT texts.
4. Create Timelines and Mind Maps: For historical events, create timelines to remember dates and sequences. Mind maps can help you connect themes, concepts, and important events.
5. Practice Writing Answers: Practice writing long and short answers to improve your writing speed and clarity. Focus on structuring your answers logically, with clear introductions and conclusions.
6. Take Regular Tests: Regularly take mock tests and sample papers to simulate exam conditions. This helps you manage time better, identify weak areas, and build confidence for the actual exam.
7. Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs): PYQs are crucial for understanding the exam pattern and the types of questions asked. They help in identifying important topics and improving time management.
8. Revise Regularly: Revision is key to retaining what you’ve studied. Set aside time to revise each chapter, and after completing each book, do a full revision of the book’s content.
9. Practice Maps: For questions related to map work, practice identifying locations and events on maps. Map questions are often scoring, so don’t skip this part.
10. Stay Consistent: Regular study and consistency are crucial. Avoid last-minute cramming and keep up with your study schedule to avoid stress before the exams.