Board season's knocking, and you can feel the tension building in your classroom, can't you? Those worried faces, the nervous questions, the visible stress before every test. Look, you can't magically erase exam anxiety, but you can absolutely lighten the load. Little tweaks to your daily routine, your words, your responses add up to real relief for stressed minds.
As CBSE boards approach, it’s the perfect time to dive into practical actions you can take to support student well-being without adding pressure to your workload.
Under NEP, board exam readiness goes beyond finishing the syllabus. The focus shifts to reducing stress, building conceptual clarity, and supporting learners holistically. Under NEP, board exam readiness goes beyond finishing the syllabus. The focus shifts to reducing stress, building conceptual clarity, and supporting learners holistically.
If exam stress shows up in your classroom, this is where change begins. Let’s look at four teacher-led strategies you can apply right away to support students through board pressure.
Create An Emotionally Safe Classroom Environment
During board season, students need classrooms that feel predictable and supportive. Set clear routines, normalise questions, and respond to mistakes with guidance, not judgment. Simple actions like consistent feedback, calm language, and regular check-ins help students feel secure, which directly reduces anxiety and improves focus during exam preparation.
Encourage Seeking Help Without Stigma
Many students hesitate to ask for help during boards, fearing judgment or comparison. Normalise doubt by encouraging questions, offering private support options, and reminding students that needing help is part of learning. With Extramarks’ Student Co-Pilot, students can clarify doubts independently, revisit topics safely, and learn at their own rhythm, helping ease anxiety while staying board-ready.
Reduce Comparison, Increase Progress-Tracking
Boards shouldn’t turn learning into a race. Replace rank-focused conversations with progress-based goals. Show students how far they’ve come through simple tracking tools, reflection exercises, or performance snapshots. With Extramarks Dashboard, you can track clear progress insights, helping students focus on growth, not comparison, during board preparation.
Shift From Marks to Mastery
Moving beyond marks helps reduce performance anxiety. Emphasise concept strength, application skills, and steady improvement. When students see learning as a process rather than a scorecard, they approach board exams with confidence, clarity, and a healthier mindset.
Boards are temporary, but the impact of this season is going to stay with students long after. Clear communication, steady routines, and empathy go a long way. So, this board season, what’s one small change you’ll bring to your classroom?
