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Mathematics 10

New for 2025-26:
  • The Mathematics 10 exam has been reduced in length to two hours. This was accomplished by reducing the number of questions on the examination.
  • Teachers will mark the exam, per usual practice, using the examination scoring guide. Teachers are able to mark the exam directly in the booklet; there is no Mark Record Form provided.
  • Completed examinations will be kept secure at schools. Examination materials must not be returned to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Schools are required to retain and secure all materials for a minimum of one year, or longer in accordance with regional retention policies, before securely disposing of them.

The NSE Mathematics 10 is designed to evaluate student achievement in relation to the outcomes for the course. The examination results contribute 20% to students’ final course mark.

All students registered in Mathematics 10 and Pre-IB Mathematics 10 will write the NSE Mathematics 10. Students who have an Individual Program Plan (IPP) in mathematics, and therefore work toward a different set of mathematics outcomes, do not participate in the examination.

The NSE Mathematics Advisory Group, comprised of senior high school mathematics teachers and board mathematics leaders representing all school boards in Nova Scotia, assists in the development of examinations. The advisory group, under the guidance of department staff, follows the examination development procedures outlined in the Nova Scotia Examination Development Model. As well, an examination review team, comprised of experienced senior high mathematics teachers, reviews and approves the final examination forms for each administration.

The mathematics examination is constructed according to precise specifications. Questions are written to match curriculum outcomes and then are field-tested with students. Field-test results are then analyzed and items that meet provincial standards are approved for inclusion on examinations.

The examination is scored by Mathematics 10 teachers for individual student results.

Further information on the NSE Mathematics 10 is available in the Information Guide under the documents tab.