Tamil Nadu half-yearly exam 2025–26 schedule released for classes 6 to 12: Check dates and timings here
The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE), Tamil Nadu, has officially released the half-yearly examination timetable for the 2025–26 academic session, covering Classes 6 to 12. According to the notification, Classes 10 and 12 will begin their exams from December 10, 2025, while Classes 6 to 9 will start from December 15, 2025. Class 11 students will also appear for exams during this period but in the afternoon session.The schedule includes reading and verification times before each exam, allowing students to settle and carefully check the question papers. Early release of the timetable provides students, parents, and schools ample time to plan preparation, revision, and logistics.
Schedule for SSLC and Plus Two
The first exam on December 10 will be for Tamil / First Language, followed by English / Second Language on December 11. Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and elective/optional subjects are scheduled over the remaining days, with the last exams concluding on December 23.
- Exam Duration: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Reading: 9:45 – 9:55 am; Verification: 5 minutes)
- Exams for Classes 10 and 12 will be held from December 10 to December 23, 2025.
Schedule for class 11
Class 11 exams will also run from December 10 to December 23, 2025, but in the afternoon session. The schedule includes core subjects, languages, science, mathematics, and elective subjects, allowing students to use the morning hours for final revisions.
- Exam Duration: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Reading: 1:45 – 1:55 pm)
Schedule for classes 5 to 9
Exams for Classes 5 to 9 will begin on December 15, 2025, and continue until December 23, 2025. Morning sessions are scheduled for Classes 6 and 8 to ensure younger students take exams during their most alert hours, while Classes 5 and 9 will have afternoon sessions to accommodate school logistics. Subjects such as Tamil, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and optional subjects are spread across the exam period, giving students adequate time to focus on each subject.
- Exam Duration: Classes 6 to 8 – 10:00 am to 12:30 pm | Class 5 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Class 9 – 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Preparation tips for students
- Effective Time Management: Students should use the designated reading and verification time to carefully go through the question paper and plan their answers. Allocating time for each section during the exam can help avoid incomplete answers.
- Strategic Revision: Focus on weaker subjects first and practice previous year question papers or mock tests to build confidence and speed.
- Maintain Health and Routine: Ensure sufficient sleep, balanced meals, and short breaks during study sessions to stay alert and focused.
- School Guidance: Teachers should conduct mock tests following official timings and communicate exam instructions clearly to help students acclimatise to the schedule.
