Free Practice Questions for NCE
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Key Facts: NCE Exam
Grades 1–7
NCE numerical scale per core subject; grade 1 is 85 marks and above
Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026
9 core subjects
Compulsory core subjects written at the end of Grade 9 under the 2026 programme
Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026
No calculators
The 2-hour NCE Mathematics paper does not allow calculators
Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026
NQF Level 2
Recognition for NCE holders who meet the programme's minimum grades
Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026
The NCE is the MES Grade 9 assessment in Mauritius, graded 1 to 7 per subject. This free English MCQ bank is independent study practice, not an MES paper.
Sample NCE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NCE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which of the following is the correct expansion and simplification of (2x - 3)(x + 5)?
2Solve the linear equation for x: (2x + 5) / 3 = x - 1
3Simplify using the laws of indices: (3a²b³)² ÷ (9ab⁴)
4Factorise completely the quadratic expression: x² - 7x + 12
5Solve the simultaneous equations: 2x + y = 13 and x - y = 2
6Make r the subject of the formula: V = πr²h, where r > 0.
7Find the gradient of the line segment joining the points A(2, 3) and B(6, 11).
8A straight line passes through the point (0, -4) and has a gradient of 3. What is the equation of the line?
9A 10-metre ladder rests against a vertical wall. The base of the ladder is 6 metres away from the wall on level ground. How high up the wall does the ladder reach?
10In a right-angled triangle PQR, angle Q = 90°, PQ = 5 cm, and QR = 12 cm. What is the value of sin ∠PRQ?
About the NCE Exam
The National Certificate of Education (NCE) is the end-of-Grade-9 national assessment in Mauritius, conducted by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate to complete Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education. The 2026 Annual Programme sets written papers in nine core subjects: English, Mathematics, French, Science, ICT, Technology Studies, Business and Entrepreneurship Education, Social and Modern Studies, and Art and Design. Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Life Skills and Values are assessed in school. Subjects are graded 1 (85 and above) to 7 (below 35). The NCE is recognised at NQF Level 2 when the minimum conditions are met, and results inform subject choice, promotion to Grade 10 and admission to the academies. A January 2026 Ministry consultation included an option to abolish the NCE, but the 2026 assessment was gazetted and timetabled. This independent English-language MCQ bank is study practice for six NCE areas. The French items keep their French sentences. It is not an MES paper or translation.
Exam sponsor: Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES), Ministry of Education and Human Resource. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
The 2026 Annual Programme (Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026) assesses nine compulsory core subjects through written papers at the end of Grade 9: English, Mathematics, French, Science, ICT, Technology Studies, Business and Entrepreneurship Education, Social and Modern Studies, and Art and Design. An optional Asian language, Arabic or Kreol Morisien may be added. Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Life Skills and Values are school-based non-core assessments monitored by the MES. This 100-question bank samples six of these areas. It is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official-format simulation or translation.
Time Limit
English and French 2 h 15 min each; Mathematics 2 h (calculators not allowed); Biology, Chemistry and Physics 45 min each; ICT 1 h 45 min (2026 Annual Programme)
Passing Score
Grades 1–7 per core subject (1 = 85+, 2 = 75–84, 3 = 65–74, 4 = 55–64, 5 = 45–54, 6 = 35–44, 7 = below 35). NQF Level 2 needs grade 6 or better in six core subjects including English, French and Mathematics plus two non-core subjects at Intermediate level, or the alternative combinations in the programme.
Exam / Certification Fees
No fee is published for school candidates; the 2025 private-candidate notice lists only a Rs 416 late-entry fee.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026 — Annual Programme for the NCE Assessment 2026 · Source checked 2026-09-27Published 25 July 2026 and linked from the MES NCE General Info page. Sets core, optional and non-core subjects, the 1-to-7 grading bands, NQF Level 2 conditions and paper durations.
- MES Web Notice — NCE Assessment 2025: Receipt of Entries for Private Candidates · Source checked 2026-09-27Lists subject codes N500–N670, private-candidate age rules, the Rs 416 late-entry fee and Art & Design pre-released material.
- MES — NCE SBA Guidelines 2026 · Source checked 2026-09-27School-based assessment guidelines for Life Skills and Values, Performing Arts and Physical Education.
- Ministry of Education and Human Resources — Press Release, 16 January 2026 · Source checked 2026-09-27Consultation on two options: abolishing the NCE, or keeping it for Grade 10 admission to 21 National Secondary Schools under a revised modality.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Mathematics
Algebra, indices, simultaneous equations, coordinate geometry, Pythagoras, trigonometry, similarity, mensuration, probability, statistics, sets and compound interest.
Science
Physics, chemistry and biology topics from the lower-secondary Science syllabus.
English
Agreement, conditionals, passive and reported speech, punctuation, vocabulary and formal register.
French
Agreement, the subjunctive, conditional clauses, indirect speech, register and figures of speech, with French sentences retained and English explanations.
ICT and Technology Studies
Hardware, binary, networks, spreadsheets, databases, cyber security, pseudocode, levers, materials and technical drawing.
Business and Entrepreneurship Education
Business ownership, marketing mix, accounting equation, profit, break-even, finance and consumer rights.
Preparing for the NCE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Grades 1–7 per core subject (1 = 85+, 2 = 75–84, 3 = 65–74, 4 = 55–64, 5 = 45–54, 6 = 35–44, 7 = below 35). NQF Level 2 needs grade 6 or better in six core subjects including English, French and Mathematics plus two non-core subjects at Intermediate level, or the alternative combinations in the programme.
- Assessment: The 2026 Annual Programme (Government Gazette General Notice No. 845 of 2026) assesses nine compulsory core subjects through written papers at the end of Grade 9: English, Mathematics, French, Science, ICT, Technology Studies, Business and Entrepreneurship Education, Social and Modern Studies, and Art and Design. An optional Asian language, Arabic or Kreol Morisien may be added. Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Life Skills and Values are school-based non-core assessments monitored by the MES. This 100-question bank samples six of these areas. It is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official-format simulation or translation.
- Time limit: English and French 2 h 15 min each; Mathematics 2 h (calculators not allowed); Biology, Chemistry and Physics 45 min each; ICT 1 h 45 min (2026 Annual Programme)
- Exam / certification fees: No fee is published for school candidates; the 2025 private-candidate notice lists only a Rs 416 late-entry fee. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NCE: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mauritius NCE?
It is the national end-of-Grade-9 assessment conducted by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate. It completes Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education and informs promotion to Grade 10 and academy admission.
Which subjects are examined?
The 2026 programme lists nine compulsory core subjects: English, Mathematics, French, Science, ICT, Technology Studies, Business and Entrepreneurship Education, Social and Modern Studies, and Art and Design. Candidates may add one optional language. Three non-core subjects are assessed in school.
How is the NCE graded?
Each core subject gets a numerical grade from 1 to 7: grade 1 is 85 and above, grade 6 is 35 to 44, and grade 7 is below 35. Non-core subjects are reported as Proficient, Intermediate or Basic.
Is the NCE being abolished?
A January 2026 Ministry consultation included an option to abolish the NCE. The 2026 NCE was still gazetted and timetabled by the MES, so check the MES for later cohorts.
Does this bank reproduce official NCE papers?
No. Official papers are written and include structured and extended answers, and some subjects use school-based or pre-released tasks. These are independent English-language MCQs for revision, not an official translation or simulation.