Exam pattern by subject#
The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), Tamil Nadu sets and conducts the SSLC (Class 10) and HSC (Class 12) public exams. Since the 2025-26 academic year there is no Class 11 public exam: the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy 2025 limited board exams to Classes 10 and 12, and Class 11 is assessed internally (only arrear papers from earlier batches are still conducted).
SSLC (Class 10) papers
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| Subject | Marks | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil (or other first language) | 100 | Check the current model paper for the split |
| English | 100 | Check the current model paper for the split |
| Mathematics | 100 | Part I 14 × 1; Part II 10 × 2 (Q.28 compulsory); Part III 10 × 5 (Q.42 compulsory); Part IV 2 × 8 |
| Science | 75 theory + 25 practical | Practical exam held in February |
| Social Science | 100 | Parts of 1, 2, 5 and 8 marks |
The minimum to pass is 35 out of 100 in each subject. For a question-by-question breakdown of the Maths paper and practice sums for each chapter, see our 10th maths important questions.
HSC (Class 12) papers
Subjects without a practical (for example Tamil, English, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce and Accountancy) have a 90-mark theory paper plus 10 internal marks. Subjects with a practical (for example Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Botany, Zoology and Computer Science) have a 70-mark theory paper, a 20-mark practical and 10 internal marks.
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| Part | Maths (90 marks) | Physics (70 marks) |
|---|---|---|
| I (MCQ) | 20 × 1 = 20 | 15 × 1 = 15 |
| II | 7 of 10 × 2 = 14 (Q.30 compulsory) | 6 of 9 × 2 = 12 (Q.24 compulsory) |
| III | 7 of 10 × 3 = 21 (Q.40 compulsory) | 6 of 9 × 3 = 18 (Q.33 compulsory) |
| IV | 7 × 5 = 35, each either/or | 5 × 5 = 25, each either/or |
Other 70-mark science papers use a similar four-part layout, but always check the model paper for your own subject. Chapter-wise practice for these two subjects is in our 12th maths important questions and 12th physics guide.
Previous year papers: where to find them#
- DGE website: the Services menu on dge.tn.gov.in has "Sample Question papers" and "Question Bank" links. Check these first for whatever DGE has currently posted for SSLC and HSC.
- Your school: most teachers keep sets of recent public, quarterly and half-yearly papers. Ask for the last three to five years.
- Textbooks: the official Samacheer Kalvi textbooks are on the Tamil Nadu textbooks website. Every public paper is built on these books, so they remain the main source.
Be careful with paid "guaranteed questions" PDFs or leaked-paper claims; DGE does not release questions in advance, and such files are not official.
How to practise with papers#
- Learn the pattern before you practise. Know how many questions you must answer in each part and which question number is compulsory.
- Start untimed, then time yourself. Solve the first two papers with the textbook open to find gaps. After that, sit the full 3 hours with no breaks.
- Mark strictly. Use the marks per question in the tables above and do not give yourself marks for unfinished steps.
- Track mistakes by chapter. If one chapter keeps costing marks, go back to its textbook examples before the next paper.
- Practise choice-making. In parts where you answer 10 of 14, 7 of 10 or 6 of 9, decide quickly and do not start an answer you cannot finish.
- Copy the exam routine. Use the 10-minute reading time to plan the order in which you will answer.
- Fill gaps between papers. Use chapter-wise lessons and quizzes for the Tamil Nadu State Board, in English or Tamil medium, to revise a weak chapter before the next full paper.
12th public exam time table 2027#
DGE Tamil Nadu has officially announced the 12th public exam time table 2027 (HSC second year). All theory exams run from 10.00 am to 1.15 pm: 10 minutes to read the paper, 5 minutes to check your details, and writing from 10.15 am to 1.15 pm.
HSC second year (Class 12) — Practicals: 8 to 18 February 2027 | Theory: 3 to 29 March 2027
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| Date (2027) | Day | HSC second year (Class 12) subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 3 March | Wednesday | Tamil and other languages |
| 8 March | Monday | English |
| 12 March | Friday | Chemistry, Accountancy, Geography |
| 15 March | Monday | Computer Science, Computer Applications, Political Science and others |
| 19 March | Friday | Biology, Botany, History, Business Mathematics and Statistics and others |
| 23 March | Tuesday | Physics, Economics, Employability Skills |
| 29 March | Monday | Mathematics, Zoology, Commerce and others |
10th public exam time table 2027#
DGE Tamil Nadu has also released the 10th public exam time table 2027 (SSLC). The timing is the same: 10.00 am to 1.15 pm with 10 minutes reading time and 5 minutes for verification.
SSLC (Class 10) — Practicals: 19 to 26 February 2027 | Theory: 17 March to 12 April 2027
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| Date (2027) | Day | SSLC (Class 10) subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 17 March | Wednesday | Tamil and other first languages |
| 25 March | Thursday | English |
| 31 March | Wednesday | Mathematics |
| 5 April | Monday | Science |
| 9 April | Friday | Social Science |
| 12 April | Monday | Optional language |
Tentative result dates: the 2027 time table lists 7 May 2027 for the HSC result and 20 May 2027 for the SSLC result. DGE confirms the final dates by press release, so check dge.tn.gov.in nearer the time.
Key exam dates to remember#
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| Exam | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HSC practicals | 8 to 18 February 2027 | Held in your school |
| SSLC practicals | 19 to 26 February 2027 | Held in your school |
| HSC Tamil and other languages | 3 March 2027 | First HSC paper |
| HSC Physics | 23 March 2027 | |
| HSC Maths | 29 March 2027 | Last HSC paper |
| SSLC Tamil and other first languages | 17 March 2027 | First SSLC paper |
| SSLC Maths | 31 March 2027 | |
| SSLC Science | 5 April 2027 | |
| SSLC optional language | 12 April 2027 | Last SSLC paper |
Half-yearly and revision tests#
Before the public exam, schools hold quarterly and half-yearly exams, and many schools and districts add revision tests or model exams in the final months. Treat each one as a rehearsal for the public paper:
- Quarterly exam: a check on the first set of chapters. Use the result to fix weak basics early.
- Half-yearly exam: usually covers most of the syllabus and follows the public exam pattern, so it is the best early test of your timing.
- Revision tests and model exams: full-syllabus papers. Write them under exam conditions and review every lost mark.
Your school announces the dates for these tests. After the public exam, our guide to the TN 12th result explains how to check results, apply for a scan copy or retotalling, and plan the next step. For every class and subject, visit the Samacheer Kalvi hub.