The syllabus class 10 JKBOSE students follow has five compulsory subjects (English, a first language that is Urdu or Hindi, Mathematics, Social Science and Science) plus room for one optional subject such as Kashmiri, Dogri, Sanskrit, Punjabi or Computer Education. Each compulsory subject is out of 100, split as 80 marks in the written board exam and 20 awarded by your school, and each written exam lasts three hours.
The board, JKBOSE, rationalised the class 10 mathematics, science and social science syllabi in line with the National Education Policy, while keeping the same marks scheme. Read on for the build of each paper, the broad content of every subject, your optional choices and a term wise routine.
Exam at a glance
Board
Jammu and Kashmir Board of School EducationCompulsory subjects
English, Urdu or Hindi, Mathematics, Science, Social ScienceOptional
One extra language or Computer EducationMarks per subject
80 theory + 20 internalPaper length
3 hoursNegative marking
NoneOfficial website
Subjects in the JKBOSE secondary scheme
You must study all five compulsory subjects:
- General English
- Urdu or Hindi
- Mathematics
- Science (physics, chemistry and biology together)
- Social Science (history, political science, geography and economics, with disaster management and road safety education)
On top of these you may choose one additional subject. The board's list has included Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri, Punjabi, Bhoti, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Computer Education. You cannot pick a language you already take as a compulsory one, so a student with Urdu as the main language could add Kashmiri or Hindi but not Urdu again.
Syllabus class 10 JKBOSE: marks scheme
| Subject | Board theory | Internal or practical | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Urdu or Hindi | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Science | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Social Science | 80 | 20 | 100 |
The 20 school marks come from periodic tests, a record of your work and an enrichment activity, and in science they include practical work. Most reports give the pass level as 33 percent in each subject, but some list a different figure, so check the scheme of studies on the board website for your session.
English: the 80 mark paper
| Section | What you do | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Unseen passages with MCQ, short and very short answers | 15 |
| Grammar | Modals, articles, tenses, reported speech and similar items | 10 |
| Writing | Notice, message, letter and story writing | 25 |
| Literature | Prose, poems, short stories and a play from the textbook | 30 |
Writing alone is worth a quarter of the paper. Learn the layout of each format, then write one piece a week and get it checked by your teacher.
Mathematics, science and social science paper design
Recent JKBOSE model papers have followed these question structures. Use them to plan practice, but treat the current model paper as final.
| Subject | Questions by marks |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 of 1 mark, 6 of 2, 8 of 3, 6 of 4 |
| Science | 18 of 1 mark, 10 of 2, 9 of 3, 3 of 5 |
| Social Science | 20 of 1 mark, 10 of 3, 5 of 5, plus a 5 mark map question |
- Mathematics covers number systems, algebra including polynomials, linear and quadratic equations and progressions, coordinate geometry, geometry of triangles and circles, trigonometry with heights and distances, mensuration, statistics and probability.
- Science covers chemical substances and reactions, life processes and heredity, light and electricity, magnetic effects and the environment.
- Social Science covers nationalism and the modern world in history, resources and economic activity in geography, democracy and federalism in political science, and development, money and globalisation in economics.
Chapter by chapter detail sits in the board's own syllabus document, which changed after rationalisation.
Urdu, Hindi and the optional subject
The Urdu and Hindi syllabi were not changed in the rationalisation, so older notes and model papers are still a good guide. Both papers test reading, grammar, composition and the prescribed textbook.
For the optional subject, think about how much time you have. Students who already speak Kashmiri, Dogri or Punjabi at home often find that language easier to score in, while Computer Education suits students who plan to take it further in classes 11 and 12.
Planning the board year subject by subject
- First term: finish half the mathematics and science chapters and all English grammar. Keep a formula sheet and a diagram sheet from the start.
- Second term: complete the remaining chapters, then write one full social science answer set each week, including the map question.
- Last two months: solve the JKBOSE model papers in three hour sittings. In mathematics, aim to finish the 1 mark items in 20 minutes so the 4 mark problems get time.
The one mark questions add up to roughly a quarter of the maths, science and social science papers, so daily practice of short objective items pays off. If you plan to move to classes 11 and 12 with the board, the JKBOSE class 11 syllabus and JKBOSE class 12 syllabus pages show what follows. Students comparing boards can read the CBSE class 10 syllabus too.
Frequently asked questions
Which subjects must every JKBOSE class 10 student take?
Five of them: English, Urdu or Hindi, Science, Social Science and Mathematics. You can add one optional subject from the board's list.
How are marks divided inside each JKBOSE class 10 subject?
Each compulsory subject carries 100 marks: 80 in the board theory paper and 20 in internal assessment, which in science includes practicals.
Was the JKBOSE class 10 syllabus reduced?
The board rationalised mathematics, science and social science under the National Education Policy, while keeping the marks scheme as it was. English, Hindi and Urdu syllabi stayed the same.
Is there negative marking in JKBOSE board exams?
No. Wrong answers, including in one mark objective questions, do not cost you marks.
Can I choose Sanskrit or Kashmiri as an extra subject?
Yes, both have been on the optional list along with Dogri, Punjabi, Bhoti, Arabic, Persian and Computer Education. You cannot repeat a language you already study as compulsory.
Where does JKBOSE post the class 10 syllabus?
On the board's website, jkbose.nic.in, which posts the syllabus, marks distribution and model papers for the current session.