NBSE HSLC Exam Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

Nagaland Board of School Education 10th 2026 ( NBSE HSLC )

Md Shahzad
Updated on Oct 1, 2025 18:30 IST

By Md Shahzad, Senior Executive - Content

NBSE HSLC Exam Pattern 2025: The Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE) prescribes the Nagaland Board HSLC exam pattern 2025 for students. The board releases the NBSE 10th exam pattern in the form of sample papers. Moreover, the board also notifies the pattern along with the exam routine in case they make any changes in the pattern. Students can check the updated exam pattern also on this page. If the board decides the make any changes in the NBSE HSLC exam pattern 2025, we will update the same here as well.

NBSE conducts the HSLC (High School Leaving Certificate) examination for Class 10 in February/March every year. The matriculation examination is conducted at the end of Class 10th schooling as per the syllabus. The learning program consists of the regular mode of teaching through imparting lessons in person. The NBSE HSLC examination consists of 7 papers and 18 subjects. Candidates appearing for the examination can choose either English or one of the many Indian languages as the medium for appearing in the examination. Internal assessments carry important marks and shall be assessed according to Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).

For a successful aggregate in HSLC, student attendance happens to be one of the many mandatory conditions. Regular practice, proper follow-up of academics, and a diligent approach can help one achieve a decent percentage. The following article throws light on the format and pattern of the HSLC examination conducted by NBSE:

Table of content
  • NBSE HSLC Exam pattern and Grading system
  • NBSE HSLC Exam Pattern 2025: Important Resources and Books
  • FAQs on NBSE HSLC Exam pattern 2026
NBSE HSLC Logo

NBSE HSLC Exam pattern and Grading system

According to the NBSE HSLC exam pattern, the exam consists of Language I (First Language-English), Language II (Second Language) options include Ao, Alternative English, Bengali, Hindi, Lotha, Sumi, and Tenyidie (candidate has to appear for only one paper). Mathematics, Science, and Social Sciences complete the scope of five compulsory subjects. For the additional sixth paper, the candidate has to choose one paper among Book-keeping & Accountancy, Environmental Education, Home Science, Foundation of Information Technology (FIT), and Music. The following consists of subjects-wise weightage.

  • Language I (English) consists of Unit I (Literature-25 marks), Unit II (Reading-20 marks), Unit III (Writing-20 marks), Unit IV (Grammar-15 marks). 
  • Language II (Second Language) consists of Section A (Reading-10 marks), Section B (Writing-10 marks), Section C (Grammar-20 marks), Section D (Literature-20 marks).
  • Mathematics consists of Unit I (Number System-02 marks), Unit II (Algebra-20 marks), Unit III (Trigonometry-12 marks), Unit IV (Coordinate Geometry-06 marks), Unit V (Geometry-16 marks), Unit VI (Mensuration-12 marks), Unit VII (Statistics & Probability-12 marks).
  • Science consists of Unit I (Materials-25 marks), Unit II (Energy-24 marks), Unit III (Living World-20 marks), Unit IV (Natural resources-05 marks), Unit V (Our Environment-06 marks). 
  • Social Sciences consists of Unit I (India and Contemporary World-18 marks), Unit II (Indian Resources-18 marks), Unit III (Democratic Politics-18 marks), Unit IV (Understanding and economy-16 marks), Unit V (Nagaland Geography & G.K-10 marks).
  • All the above subjects are of 100 marks (80 marks mentioned in weightage) and Internal assessment (20 marks).
  • Additional subjects consist of (70 theory + 30 Internal assessment). The Work & Art Education, Physical & Health Education subjects comprise of 100 marks.  
  • Time allotment for theory paper (180 mins).  
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the subjects covered in NBSE HSLC syllabus?
A: 

The NBSE HSLC syllabus includes the following subjects.
English

Mathematics

Science

Social Science

Elective language or vocational paper

The students should download the syllabus for these subjects first and then prepare a daily study schedule and follow it religiously. It will help them cover the entire syllabus at least 2 months before the exams.

Q:   What is the pattern for NBSE HSLC exams?
A: 

The students should check the NBSE HSLC exam pattern before starting their preparation. The board releases the official NBSE 10th exam pattern in the form of sample papers. Students can download it from board'w ebsite and prepare for the exams accordinly. In NBSE HSLC exams, both objective (MCQs) and subjective (Short and long) type questions are asked. Each NBSE class 10 exam paper is held for a toal of 100 marks and the students are given 3 hours to write the paper. The students need to secure at least 33% marks in each paper to pass the exams. 

NBSE HSLC Logo

NBSE HSLC Exam Pattern 2025: Important Resources and Books

There's a standardized syllabus at par with the National Curriculum standards, and a student can avail the textbooks recommended for HSLC examination from the official website of NBSE.

  1. Textbooks issued as per the NBSE curriculum are of paramount importance. A student must go through them for sound NBSE HSLC preparation besides the need for reference books available from all leading publishers. The Internet serves as the motherboard for all information, and candidates can have access to quality study material, whether free of cost or subscribed from here. 
  2. For Language I (English), A Multi-Skill Course in English Class X (Headword Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd.), the prescribed textbook. For a reference book, Senior School Grammar and Composition (Orient Blackswan, Pvt Ltd), Hester Lott. 
  3. For compulsory subjects, Mathematics Class X (Amenta Publications), K.C. Kakoty. Science Class X (Laxmi Publications Pvt. Ltd.), Dr N.K. Verma, Dr J.P. Sharma, Dr J.K. Juneja, J.N. Jaiswal. A textbook of Social Science Class X (Goyal Brothers Prakashan), by I.L. Wanchoo, Arun Kumar stands as the prescribed textbook. For a reference book, A book of Nagaland (supplementary) Class IX and X (NBSE Kohima). 
  4. For additional subjects, Book-Keeping and Accountancy Class X (Laxmi Publications Pvt. Ltd.), A.S. Siddiqui. A Textbook of Environment Education (Goyal Brothers Prakashan), A.N. Rai. A Textbook of Home Science Class IX (Nova Publications), Navneet Kaur Sandhu. Foundation of Information and Technology Class X (Pearson Education), Nancy Sehgal. Music Textbook IX (Theory & Practical), Publication of NBSE, Kohima. Life Skills for Secondary (Headword Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd.)
  5. For Language II, follow the respective books as per language choice mentioned in the NBSE curriculum. 

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FAQs on NBSE HSLC Exam Pattern 

Q1. How to choose an optional scoring subject?

A: NBSE provides five additional subjects. Stick to the subject which is relevant for your higher studies.

Q2. Is there a need to buy reference books?

A: NBSE textbooks are well designed to address the HSLC examination. However, a candidate is free to choose reference books for a better understanding if required.  

Q3. How to ensure full marks in theory paper?

A: There are no foolproof ways except answering the paper correctly. You can even do all the extra questions that will compensate for an unforced error. A thorough revision is mandatory if full-marks happens to be your target.

Q5. What if I fail in a compulsory subject?

A: Except Language I, the additional subject will replace it. However, NBSE takes compartmental examinations to address the issue. 

Q6. How to ensure time management?

A: NBSE prescribes the last ten minutes to be kept for your answer script revision. However, you can finish a paper in just 150 mins (allotted time is 180 mins) or even less through hard work and practice.  

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Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How should I prepare for NBSE HSLC exams?
A: 

The academic session for Nagaland Board 10th exams is started with the release of syllabus. The students should now start their exam preparation. For a better result in NBSE HSLC board exams, the students must cover the enitire syllabus. Firstly, the students should prepare a suitable daily study plan and follow it religously. After completing the syllabus, the students should also practice the NBSE HSLC sample papers and previous years question papers.

NBSE HSLC Logo

FAQs on NBSE HSLC Exam pattern 2026

Students can check the NBSE HSLC Exam pattern 2026 below:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What role do multiple-choice questions (MCQs) play in the board exams?
A: 

Multiple Choice Questions (MSQs) always play a cruicial role in any board exams. Inclass 10, 12 board exams, MCQs are asked in each paper that contain 30% to 40% marks. Through, MCQs, the students are tested for their knoledge and understanding of concepts. Each MCQ usually has one mark, hence, answering them correctly can award boost to your score. These MCQs also take less time to answer if the studtnts are well-prepared.

Q:   How can the NBSE HSLC routine help me improve my preparation?
A: 

After the NBS EHSLC exam date are out, the students can prepare for the exam accordingly. Knowing the NBSE HSLC exam dates in advance gives the students a clear idea of how many days left for the preparation of the exam. Using the NBSE 10th exam dates, the students should plan their daily study. They must complete the entire syllabus before the exams. They should try to give more time to tough papers and also practice sample papers and previous years question papers.

Q:   What is the best time to start class 10 board exam preparation?
A: 

The best time to start preparation for any board exams is the start of the academic session (right from the begining). If the students statrt their preparation early then they have more than enough time to understand each topics in all subjects. They can also finish their class 10 syllabus at least 2 month before so that they will have time to revise syllabus, practice sample papers and previous yeas question papers. Hence, the students should start their preparation by creating and following a suitable daily study time table.

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NBSE HSLC Exam

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Answered 2 months ago

After the NBS EHSLC exam date are out, the students can prepare for the exam accordingly. Knowing the NBSE HSLC exam dates in advance gives the students a clear idea of how many days left for the preparation of the exam. Using the NBSE 10th exam dates, the students should plan their daily study. The

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Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, it is possible. Sometimes the Nagaland Board revised the NBSE HSLC routine due to unavoidable situation like public events, government holidays. Hence, the students should keep visiting the official website of the board and this page for the latest updates on NBSE HSLC exam even after the offic

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Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, the NBSE release the same HSLC routine for all schools across the state. All the students will be required to appear for the exams as per the released the NBSE 10th routine. Students are suggested to follow the official NBSE HSLC exam date sheet only.

M

Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Nagaland Board released the NBSE HSLC routine online on its website. The students need to visit the official website at nbsenl.edu.in and find the direct link to download the NBSE 10th exam date sheet. Apart from the official website, we also provide a direct link to download the NBSE HSLC routi

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M

Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The Nagaland Board of School Education is expected to release the NBSE HSLC routine 2026 in November/December this year. However, based on past trend, the board is expected to hold the Nagaland Board 10th exams in February and March 2026. As soon as the official dates are out, we will update the sam

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Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10