Chennai: The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has released the quarterly examination schedule for the 2026-27 academic year, covering students from Classes 1 to 12 in government, government-aided and private schools following the state syllabus. The examinations will begin from September 16, 2026, with different dates prescribed for primary, secondary and higher secondary classes. The quarterly examinations will continue until September 24 for most classes, while students of Classes 11 and 12 will have examinations up to September 25.
Quarterly Exams to Begin From September 16
As per the schedule released by the School Education Directorate, students of Classes 3 to 10 will begin their quarterly examinations on September 16. For Classes 1 and 2, the examinations will start a day later, on September 17, and continue until September 24. Students studying in Classes 11 and 12 will also begin their quarterly examinations on September 16, with their schedule extending until September 25.
Tamil Nadu Quarterly Exam Dates 2026
| Classes | Examination Period |
|---|---|
| Classes 1–2 | September 17–24 |
| Classes 3–10 | September 16–24 |
| Classes 11–12 | September 16–25 |
Subject-Wise Schedule for Classes 9 and 10
The timetable provides a common subject-wise schedule for Classes 9 and 10. The examinations will begin with Tamil on September 16, followed by English on September 17. The optional language examination is scheduled for September 18. After the weekend, Mathematics will be held on September 21, followed by Physical Education on September 22. Science will be conducted on September 23, while Social Science is scheduled for September 24. For Class 9 students, the examinations will be conducted from 2 pm to 4:30 pm, while Class 10 students will write their papers from 10 am to 1 pm.
Classes 11 and 12 to Continue Till September 25
The higher secondary examination schedule will run for a longer period. For Classes 11 and 12, the quarterly examinations begin on September 16. The Class 11 examinations are scheduled in the afternoon, from 2 pm to 5 pm, while Class 12 examinations are conducted from 10 am to 1 pm. The subject-wise timetable includes languages, Mathematics, Science subjects, Commerce, Economics, History, Geography and various vocational and elective subjects.
Quarterly Vacation From September 25
Following the completion of the quarterly examinations, students will get their quarterly vacation from September 25 to October 4, 2026. Schools are scheduled to reopen on October 5, allowing students to return after the examination break. The release of the timetable gives students and schools advance notice to complete revision and make the necessary arrangements for the examination period.
Tamil Nadu Quarterly Exam 2026: Key Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Academic Year | 2026-27 |
| Classes Covered | 1 to 12 |
| Exam Begins | September 16, 2026 |
| Classes 1–2 | September 17–24 |
| Classes 3–10 | September 16–24 |
| Classes 11–12 | September 16–25 |
| Quarterly Vacation | September 25–October 4 |
| Schools Reopen | October 5 |
| Applicable Schools | Government, aided and private schools |
Students and parents should follow the subject-wise timetable issued by their respective schools and check for any additional instructions regarding examination arrangements.
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