PagineNova Scotia Curriculum Guide & Practice Tests (K–12)
Nova Scotia’s curriculum shares Atlantic Canada frameworks (developed with CAMET) and includes Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian perspectives. The province runs one of Canada’s broadest provincial assessment programs through PLANS (Program of Learning Assessment for Nova Scotia).
- 13 grades
- 310 practice tests
- 4 provincial assessments
Choose a grade
Provincial assessments
| Assessment | Grades | Subjects | When | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 3 Literacy and Mathematics | Grade 3 | Reading, writing and mathematics | May (2026: May 11–26) | Reported to families; not a report-card mark. |
| Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 6 Reading, Writing and Mathematics | Grade 6 | Reading, writing and mathematics | October (2025: Oct 6–21); moving to virtual delivery in 2026–27 | Reported to families. |
| Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 8 Reading, Writing and Mathematics | Grade 8 | Reading, writing and mathematics | May–June (2026: May 19–June 2), online since 2025–26 | Reported to families. |
| Nova Scotia Examinations — Grade 10 Mathematics and English | Grade 10 | Mathematics 10 / Mathematics Essentials 10 and English 10 | End of semester (January and June); paper-based | Counts toward the final course mark. |
Nationally, a sample of Grade 8 students also writes the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP).
How school is organized
Primary (Kindergarten), Grades 1–6, 7–9 (junior high) and 10–12 (high school).
Graduation: The Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma requires 18 credits, including English, mathematics and science credits; Grade 10 math and English exams count toward the course mark.
Curriculum strands we practise
🔢 Mathematics: Number · Patterns & Relations · Shape & Space · Statistics & Probability
📖 English Language Arts: Reading and viewing · Writing and representing · Speaking and listening
🔬 Science: Life science · Physical science · Earth and space science · STSE (science, technology, society and environment)
🌎 Social Studies: Citizenship, power and governance · Individuals, societies and economic decisions · Interdependence · People, place and environment · Time, continuity and change
Official curriculum: Nova Scotia curriculum. Pagine describes the curriculum in its own words; official documents are provincial copyright.
Other provinces and territories
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Nova Scotia use?
Nova Scotia’s curriculum shares Atlantic Canada frameworks (developed with CAMET) and includes Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian perspectives. The province runs one of Canada’s broadest provincial assessment programs through PLANS (Program of Learning Assessment for Nova Scotia).
How are grades organized in Nova Scotia?
Primary (Kindergarten), Grades 1–6, 7–9 (junior high) and 10–12 (high school).
What are the graduation requirements?
The Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma requires 18 credits, including English, mathematics and science credits; Grade 10 math and English exams count toward the course mark.
Which provincial tests do students write in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 3 Literacy and Mathematics (Grade 3); Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 6 Reading, Writing and Mathematics (Grade 6); Nova Scotia Assessment — Grade 8 Reading, Writing and Mathematics (Grade 8); Nova Scotia Examinations — Grade 10 Mathematics and English (Grade 10).