10 Common Mistakes to Avoid in HSC BK Exam 2026

Scoring a perfect century in Book Keeping and Accountancy (BK) is the ultimate goal for every 12th Commerce student. While BK is often seen as the "scoring engine" of the HSC stream, even the brightest students can stumble over minor details. Don't let silly mistakes lower your 12th Commerce percentage; instead, focus on precision and strategy.

For the 2026 Maharashtra Board exams, the evaluation pattern remains a 100-mark challenge, split into an 80-mark written theory paper and a 20-mark internal assessment. With a shift toward competency-based questions, avoiding Common Mistakes in BK Exam is no longer just about memorizing entries—it’s about understanding the logic behind the ledger.

1. Neglecting Hidden Adjustments in Final Accounts

One of the most frequent errors in the 12th commerce stream involves overlooking "Hidden Adjustments" found within the Trial Balance. In the 2026 BK paper, examiners often include items like "10% Bank Loan taken on 1st Oct" or "Prepaid Insurance" tucked away in the balances.

How to avoid it: Always scan the Trial Balance for percentages or dates next to items. These are cues for adjustments that won't be listed at the bottom of the problem but must be accounted for in your Profit and Loss account and Balance Sheet.

2. Incorrect Calculation of New Profit Sharing Ratio (NPSR)

In chapters like Admission, Retirement, or Death of a Partner, students often rush through the calculation of the Sacrifice Ratio or Gain Ratio. A single arithmetic error here will cause your entire Revaluation Account and Capital Account to be incorrect.

Pro Tip: Double-check your fractions. For 2026, the board has prioritized "Death of a Partner" problems where profit till the date of death must be calculated based on average profits. Ensure your "months" calculation (e.g., 3/12 or 6/12) is spot on.

3. Missing Narrations in Journal Entries

Many students focus so hard on the numbers that they forget the "Narration" (the brief explanation starting with "Being...") below each journal entry. In the HSC BK Exam 2026, failing to provide narrations can cost you 0.5 to 1 mark per entry.

4. Poor Time Management: The "Tally" Trap

The most heart-wrenching mistake is spending 20 minutes trying to find a ₹10 difference in a Balance Sheet that won't tally. While a tallied Balance Sheet is the goal, the Maharashtra Board follows step-wise marking.

• Objectives: 20 Minutes

• Final Accounts: 35 Minutes

• NPO: 30 Minutes

• Re-checking: 15 Minutes

If it doesn't tally, move on! You can gain more marks by completing the next 8-mark question than by hunting for a small error in a 12-mark one.

5. Using the Wrong Column for Calculations

A common error in "Not for Profit Concerns" (NPO) or Final Accounts is writing an amount in the "Outer Column" before performing all adjustments. For example, if you have Depreciation and a further Bad Debt on the same asset, all subtractions must happen in the "Inner Column" first.

6. Ignoring the "Bill of Exchange" Format

Question 2 often asks for the preparation of a Bill of Exchange format (5 marks). Students frequently lose marks for:

• Missing the "Stamp" box.

• Incorrect placement of the "Amount in Figures."

• Forgetting the "Accepted" signature of the Drawee.

7. Overlooking "Computer in Accounting"

For the 2026 syllabus, the "Computer in Accounting" chapter is a goldmine for objective marks. Many students ignore it, thinking it's "just theory." However, this chapter is often an alternative to "Analysis of Financial Statements." Understanding CAS (Computerized Accounting System) features can save you during the 8-mark theory options.

8. Messy Presentation and Lack of Rulers

Presentation is everything. In 2026, moderators are looking for clean lines. Using a pen to draw ledger accounts or crossing out mistakes with heavy scribbles makes the paper hard to read.

The Solution: Use a sharp pencil and a long ruler for all tables. If you make a mistake, draw a single neat line through it. Alignment matters—keep units under units and tens under tens to prevent simple addition errors.

9. Copying Wrong Figures from the Question Paper

It sounds simple, but under exam pressure, "5,800" easily becomes "8,500" on the answer sheet. This "transposition error" is the #1 reason why Balance Sheets don't tally.

10. Skipping Working Notes

Working notes are NOT rough work; they are part of your answer. Calculations for Goodwill, Depreciation, or Discounting of Bills must be shown clearly at the end of the problem. You can lose 1-2 marks per question if the examiner cannot see how you arrived at a figure.

FAQ: Common Mistakes in BK Exam

Q1: What are the most common mistakes in BK Exam for 12th Commerce students? 

The most common mistakes in BK exam include forgetting narrations in journal entries, miscalculating "Days of Grace" in Bills of Exchange, and overlooking hidden adjustments like bank loan interest.

Q2: Can I still pass if my Balance Sheet does not tally? 

Yes! The Maharashtra Board uses step-wise marking. You receive marks for every correct posting, adjustment, and working note.

Q3: Is the "Computer in Accounting" chapter compulsory for 2026? 

It is part of the syllabus and usually appears as an option against practical problems in the 8-mark section. It is highly recommended for scoring quick marks in objectives.

Q4: How much time should I spend on objective questions? 

You should aim to finish the 20 marks of objectives within 20-25 minutes to leave enough time for long problems.

Final Strategy for 2026

Success in Book Keeping is a result of Consistent Practice rather than last-minute cramming. The 2026 curriculum emphasizes conceptual clarity over mechanical calculations. By staying calm and avoiding these ten pitfalls, you are well on your way to securing a 90+ score.