CBSE Grade 6 Mathematics Exam Survival Guide

Window: Annual Exam | Units: Numbers, Fractions & Decimals, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Data

Must-do topics (with how-to + tiny examples)

1. HCF/LCM & Factors
   • How: prime factorize; HCF = common primes with min power, LCM = all primes with max power.
   • Mini-example: 24=2³·3, 36=2²·3² → HCF=2²·3=12, LCM=2³·3²=72.
   • Check: HCF×LCM = product of numbers? (24×36=864; 12×72=864)
2. Integers (± numbers)
   • How: number line; add/subtract by direction; “minus of a minus = plus.”
   • Pitfall fix: −7 − (−5) = −7 + 5 = −2 (not −12).
   • Try: (−9)+(+4) = ?
3. Fractions & Decimals
   • How: equal denominators to add; improper→mixed; place value for decimals.
   • Mini-example: 3/4 + 2/3 = 9/12 + 8/12 = 17/12 = 1 5/12.
   • Unit sense: 0.6 m = 60 cm; 3.05 kg = 3050 g.
4. Simple Algebra (one-step equations)
   • How: do the opposite operation on both sides.
   • Example: x + 7 = 19 → x = 12. | 5y = 35 → y = 7.
5. Geometry Basics
   • Lines/Angles: adjacent, vertical opposite, linear pair, right/acute/obtuse.
   • Triangles: types by sides (scalene/isosceles/equilateral) & by angles.
   • Quick draw rule: use ruler for straight lines; mark angle with arc; label neatly.
6. Mensuration
   • Perimeter: add all sides. Area (rect/sq): A = l×w; square: A = a².
   • Units: perimeter in cm/m; area in cm²/m².
   • Example: 8 m × 5 m → P=26 m, A=40 m².
7. Data/Bar Graphs
   • Read title, scale, axes; compare heights not just numbers in bars.

Top traps (avoid + fix)

• LCM vs HCF swap: If the answer gets bigger than both numbers, you likely found LCM, not HCF.
• Units: cm vs cm² vs cm³—write unit before you compute to stay mindful.
• Sign slips: Put brackets for negative numbers in calculation lines.
• Decimal alignment: Line up the decimal points while adding/subtracting.

Study split (what to actually do)

• Numbers & Fractions 40% → drill 20 mixed Qs/day
• Geometry/Mensuration 35% → draw + compute 10 Qs/day
• Algebra & Data 25% → 10 Qs/day + 1 small bar graph read

Quick practice (10-minute micro-set)

1. HCF(42, 56) 2) LCM(12, 18) 3) −8 + (−7) 4) 5/6 − 1/4
2. x − 9 = 17 6) Classify ∠A=120° 7) Perimeter of 7 cm square
3. Area: 9 cm × 4 cm 9) Convert 3.2 kg to g 10) Read a 1-bar comparison (make up data)

Last-48h checklist

• Redo your error-log only (the 20 Qs you got wrong this month).
• Write a one-page formula card (HCF/LCM, perimeter/area, conversions).
• Draw 6 quick geometry sketches (label!).
• One timed section (30 min) from a past worksheet.

Exam-day mini-plan

• Do sure-shot shorts first (HCF/LCM, one-step algebra).
• Draw geometry big and clean; write units at each step.
• Keep last 10 min for unit & sign audit; box final answers.