Light, Electricity, Life Processes, and Carbon & Its Compounds consistently account for 3 out of 3 long-answer questions (15 marks total).

Case study questions almost always test Heredity (Mendel Crosses), Magnetic Effects (Solenoid/Right-Hand Rule), or Chemical Reactions (Redox/Corrosion).

Over 22% of total marks test observations and chemical equations from specific NCERT activities (e.g. Activity 1.1 Mg Ribbon, Activity 2.1 Acid + Metal, Activity 6.2 Starch test).

• Nephron structure and urine formation steps
• Human alimentary canal & enzyme actions (pepsin, trypsin, lipase)
• Double circulation of blood & heart chamber functions
• Anaerobic vs Aerobic respiration pathways (Pyruvate breakdown chart)

• Concave mirror & Convex lens ray diagrams (object between F and 2F / between F and P)
• Lens & Mirror Formula numericals with Cartesian sign convention
• Refractive index numericals and Snell's law applications
• Power of combination of lenses

• Equivalent resistance of combination circuits (Series + Parallel)
• Joule's law of heating & electric power / commercial electrical energy bills
• Factors affecting resistance ($R = \rho L/A$) and resistivity comparison
• Ohm's law V-I graph analysis

• Esterification and saponification balanced chemical equations
• Cleansing action of soaps and micelle formation diagram
• Covalent bonding in $CH_4, CO_2, N_2, H_2O$ and why carbon forms covalent bonds
• Homologous series and functional group nomenclature

• Magnetic field lines around straight conductor, circular loop, and solenoid
• Fleming's Left-Hand Rule and force on current-carrying conductor
• Domestic electric circuit (earth wire function, fuse, short circuit, overloading)
• Properties of magnetic field lines (never intersect)

• Redox reactions: identifying oxidised, reduced, oxidising agent, reducing agent
• Decomposition reactions (Thermal decomposition of $FeSO_4, Pb(NO_3)_2, CaCO_3$)
• Balancing chemical equations with state symbols ($s, l, g, aq$)
• Corrosion and rancidity prevention methods

• Reactivity series & displacement reactions
• Ionic compound properties (high melting point, electrical conductivity in molten/solution)
• Electron dot structure of $NaCl, MgCl_2, CaO$
• Amphoteric oxides definition with $Al_2O_3, ZnO$ reactions

• Important salts preparation & uses: Bleaching powder, Baking soda, Washing soda, POP
• pH scale & daily life importance (digestive system, tooth decay, soil)
• Reaction of acids with metal carbonates/hydrogen carbonates ($CO_2$ test with lime water)
• Chlor-alkali process products ($NaOH, Cl_2, H_2$)

• Reflex arc pathway and synapse transmission
• Human brain parts & functions (cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla)
• Plant hormones (Auxin, Gibberellin, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid) & phototropism mechanism
• Animal endocrine hormones (Insulin, Thyroxine, Adrenaline, Growth hormone)

• Flower longitudinal section & double fertilization process in angiosperms
• Female reproductive system & role of placenta during pregnancy
• Contraceptive methods (mechanical barrier, chemical, surgical) & advantages
• Asexual reproduction types (binary fission in Amoeba/Leishmania, budding in Yeast/Hydra)

• Mendel's Monohybrid cross with Punnett square ($3:1$ phenotypic, $1:2:1$ genotypic ratio)
• Dihybrid cross phenotypic ratio ($9:3:3:1$)
• Sex determination mechanism in human beings (XX vs XY chromosomes)

• Refraction through glass prism & dispersion of white light
• Atmospheric refraction phenomena (Twinkling of stars, advance sunrise & delayed sunset)
• Tyndall effect & Scattering of light (Blue sky color, Red sunset)

• 10% Law of energy transfer in food chains with numerical calculations
• Biological magnification concept and top consumer impact
• Ozone layer depletion mechanism ($CFCs$) and formation reaction
• Biodegradable vs Non-biodegradable waste management