If you’re appearing for the Maharashtra SSC Board Exam 2026, understanding the exam pattern and marking scheme is your first step toward effective preparation. The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has retained the same structure as the previous year, ensuring a balanced mix of theory, practicals, and internal assessment.
So, let’s dive deep into the Maharashtra Std. 10 Exam Pattern 2026, including subject-wise marking schemes, question types, and exam duration, everything you need to know to score smart.
Maharashtra SSC Exam Duration and Mode 2026
The Maharashtra Std. 10 exams 2026 will be conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode, tentatively in March 2026. Each paper will carry a total of 100 marks and will have a duration of three hours (180 minutes).
Subjects with practical components, like Science or certain vocational subjects, will have 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal or practical assessment.
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Medium | English, Marathi, and other approved languages |
| Duration | 3 Hours per subject |
| Type of Questions | Objective, Short Answer, and Long Answer |
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 |
| Theory Marks | 80 |
| Internal/Practical Marks | 20 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Passing Criteria | Minimum 33% in each subject and overall |
Subjects in Maharashtra Std. 10 Exam Pattern 2026
Students must appear for six main subjects, which include:
- English
- Second Language (Marathi/Hindi/Urdu/Gujarati/Bengali/etc.)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
Subject-wise Maharashtra Std. 10 Exam Pattern 2026
Let’s break down the subject-wise marking scheme to help you plan your preparation efficiently.
1. English Std. 10 Exam Pattern 2026
The English paper focuses on comprehension, grammar, and writing skills.
| Section | Marks |
| Reading Skills (Textual) | 20 |
| Reading Skills (Non-Textual) | 20 |
| Grammar | 15 |
| Writing Skills | 25 |
| Internal Assessment (Oral Tests) | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Tip: Focus on improving reading comprehension and grammar accuracy. Regular writing practice helps boost your final score.
2. Mathematics Std. 10 Exam Pattern 2026
Maths is divided into two papers: Algebra and Geometry, each carrying 40 marks. The remaining 20 marks come from internal assessment.
| Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| 1 Mark | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 Marks | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 Marks | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| 4 Marks | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 5 Marks | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Total (per paper) | — | — | 40 |
Before diving into complex problem-solving, familiarise yourself with how marks are distributed between objectives, short answers, and long answers. Once you know the weightage, practise similar questions from previous Board papers. This will help you understand which topics carry more marks and which types of sums are most frequently repeated.
Tip: Regularly solving past papers from Target Publications' 54 Board Question Papers and Activity Sheets Set helps you grasp recurring question patterns, manage time effectively, and improve accuracy before the SSC Board Exam.
3. Science Exam Pattern 2026
Science is split into Science and Technology Part 1 and Part 2, each carrying 40 marks, along with 20 marks for practicals.
| Type of Question | Marks per Question | Approx. No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| 1 Mark | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| 2 Marks | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| 3 Marks | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| 5 Marks | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Total (Theory) | - | - | 40 + 40 = 80 |
| Practical/Oral | - | - | 20 |
Tip: Refer to Target Publications’ Board Questions with Solutions Book for Science 1 and 2 and Mathematics to solve previous years’ questions to see how those concepts are asked differently each year.
4. Social Science Std. 10 SSC Exam Pattern 2026
Social Science includes History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics, all tested in a single 3-hour paper.
| Part | Subjects | Marks |
| Part A | History | 28 |
| Political Science | 12 | |
| Part B | Geography | 28 |
| Economics | 12 | |
| Total (Theory) | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | |
| Grand Total | 100 |
Tip: Practise with Maharashtra Board Std. 10 History and Political Science 10 Practice Papers with Solutions Book and Std. 10 Geography 10 Practice Papers with Solutions Book to understand how long answers and map-based questions are asked in Board exams.
Maharashtra Std. 10 SSC 2026 Marking Scheme (At a Glance)
| Component | Weightage |
| Written Examination | 80% |
| Internal Assessment/Practicals | 20% |
| Total | 100 Marks |
| Minimum Passing Marks | 33% per subject |
Note: There is no negative marking, so attempt all questions confidently.
How to Use the Std. 10 SSC Exam Pattern for Better Preparation
- Plan subject-wise strategy: Prioritise topics with higher weightage.
- Practice from sample papers: Understand question types and time allocation.
- Focus on internal assessments: They can boost your overall percentage.
- Simulate exam conditions: Attempt 3-hour mock tests to build stamina.
- Review and revise regularly: Keep short notes handy for last-minute prep.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra SSC Exam Pattern 2026 is designed to evaluate conceptual understanding, writing ability, and practical application. Familiarising yourself with the marking scheme and duration will help you manage time better, avoid stress, and ultimately perform your best on exam day.
Start early, stay consistent, and remember, understanding the pattern is half the preparation done!
FAQs on Maharashtra SSC Exam Pattern 2026
1. Is there any change in the Maharashtra SSC Exam Pattern 2026?
Ans: No, the Maharashtra SSC Exam Pattern 2026 remains the same as the previous year, following the revised structure introduced under the NEP guidelines.
2. How are internal marks calculated in the Maharashtra SSC Exam 2026?
Ans: Internal marks are based on unit tests, assignments, projects, and practical work conducted throughout the academic year.
3. How many types of questions are asked in the Maharashtra SSC Exam 2026?
Ans: The paper includes objective, very short, short, and long answer-type questions to assess conceptual understanding and application skills.
4. When will the Maharashtra SSC 2026 timetable be released?
Ans: The official timetable for the Maharashtra SSC 2026 exams has been released by the MSBSHSE in October 2026.
