Every student in India knows this feeling: the first term exam is approaching and you do not know where to start. You have a full term worth of chapters, multiple subjects, and limited time. That is where first term exam question papers become your most useful tool.
Previous question papers are not just old tests. They are a direct window into how your board thinks. They show you which chapters matter most, how questions are worded, which topics come up every year, and how many marks each type of question carries.
This guide covers first term exam papers for all major Indian school boards, from Class 1 to Class 12. Whether you study under Kerala SCERT, CBSE, Tamil Nadu State Board, AP Board, Telangana, MP Board, or Maharashtra Board, you will find everything you need here.
What Is the First Term Exam and Why Does It Matter?
In most Indian school systems, the academic year is divided into two or three terms. The first term typically runs from June to September or October. The first term examination, also called the Term 1 exam, Onam exam (in Kerala), or SA1 (Summative Assessment 1), tests students on only the chapters covered during this period.
This is not a minor test. In many states, first term marks contribute directly to the final grade or percentage for the year. In Kerala, the Onam exam results must be published within seven days of schools reopening and students must score at least 30 percent in each subject. In Tamil Nadu, Term 1 marks are part of the cumulative assessment. In CBSE schools, Term 1 carries significant weightage in the final result.
| Why First Term Papers Are More Useful Than Textbook Reading
Reading a textbook tells you what to learn. A first term question paper tells you what will actually be tested. Papers show the exact type of questions, the marks each type carries, the chapters that appear most often, and how detailed your answers need to be. Students who practice with past papers consistently score higher than those who only study from textbooks. |
First Term Exam: Board-Wise Overview
Each state board structures the first term exam differently. Here is a clear comparison so you know exactly what to expect based on your board.
| State Board | First Term Exam Name | Exam Period | Classes Covered | Marks Contribution |
| Kerala SCERT | First Terminal / Onam Exam | August to September | Class 1 to Class 12 | 30% minimum pass marks per subject |
| CBSE | Term 1 / Periodic Test / Half Yearly | September to October | Class 1 to Class 12 | Contributes to Internal / Board Assessment |
| Tamil Nadu | Term 1 Exam | August to September | Class 1 to Class 12 | Part of cumulative 3-term assessment |
| Andhra Pradesh | Summative Assessment 1 (SA1) | October | Class 1 to Class 10 | SA1 + SA2 together form final result |
| Telangana | SA1 (Summative Assessment 1) | October | Class 1 to Class 10 | Combined with SA2 for final grade |
| Maharashtra | First Term / Half Yearly | September to October | Class 1 to Class 12 | School-level assessment |
| MP Board | Quarterly / First Term Exam | September | Class 1 to Class 12 | Counted in final result calculation |
| CG Board | Quarterly / Trimasik Exam | September | Class 1 to Class 12 | Part of ongoing assessment |
| Karnataka | First Unit Test / SA1 | September to October | Class 1 to Class 10 | School-level and state-level combined |
First Term Question Papers by Class: What Each Level Covers
Class 1 to Class 4 (Primary Level)
For primary classes, first term papers test basic reading, writing, and number skills. Most government boards conduct these exams orally and in written form.
- Subjects: Language (regional and English), Environmental Studies (EVS), Mathematics
- Question types: Picture-based questions, fill in the blanks, match the following, simple sentences
- Marks: Usually 20 to 50 marks per subject
- Kerala first term papers for Class 1 to 4 are available at ghsmuttomblog.in and educationobserver.com
- Tamil Nadu Class 1 to 4 Term 1 papers are available at padasalai.net
Class 5 to Class 8 (Upper Primary Level)
This is where first term exams start carrying real academic weight. Questions become more analytical and subjects multiply.
- Subjects: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Languages, Hindi
- Question types: MCQ, short answer, long answer, diagram-based questions
- Marks: 50 to 80 marks per subject depending on board
- Important: Science papers at this level often include diagram drawing (plant parts, body systems, lab apparatus)
- Social Studies papers frequently test map skills and historical timelines
Class 9 and Class 10 (Secondary Level)
First term papers at this level are the most searched. Class 10 students especially rely on SA1 and first term papers as preparation for the board exam.
- Subjects: Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Social Science, English, Hindi/Regional Language
- Question types: VSA (1 mark), SA I (2 marks), SA II (3 marks), LA (5 marks), source-based questions
- Marks: 80 to 100 marks per subject
- CBSE Class 10 first term papers are available at cbseboardonline.com and aglasem.com
- Kerala SSLC Onam exam papers with answer keys are available at hsslive.in and educationobserver.com
- AP and Telangana Class 10 SA1 papers are available at boardmodelpaper.com
Class 11 and Class 12 (Higher Secondary Level)
For Plus One and Plus Two students, the first terminal exam is a critical benchmark. It tests the foundation that the second term will build on.
- Science stream: Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Computer Science
- Commerce stream: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Maths
- Arts stream: History, Political Science, Geography, Psychology, Sociology
- CBSE Class 12 Term 1 papers are available at cbse.gov.in and cbseacademic.nic.in
- Kerala Plus One and Plus Two first terminal papers are available at hsslive.in
- Tamil Nadu Class 11 and 12 Term 1 papers are at padasalai.net
Where to Download First Term Exam Question Papers (Board-Wise)
This is the most practical section of this guide. Below are verified, free-access websites where you can download first term question papers for each board.
| Board | Best Website(s) | Classes Available | Format |
| Kerala SCERT | educationobserver.com, hsslive.in, ghsmuttomblog.in | Class 1 to 12 (Plus Two) | PDF, free |
| CBSE | cbse.gov.in, cbseboardonline.com, aglasem.com | Class 6 to 12 | PDF, free |
| Tamil Nadu | padasalai.net, kalvisolai.com | Class 1 to 12 | PDF, free |
| AP Board | boardmodelpaper.com, apscert.gov.in | Class 1 to 10 | PDF, free |
| Telangana | telanganaboard.com, bsetelangana.org | Class 1 to 10 | PDF, free |
| Maharashtra | maharashtrastudy.com, mahahsscboard.in | Class 1 to 12 | PDF, free |
| MP Board | mpboardonline.com | Class 1 to 12 | PDF, free |
| CG Board | cgboardonline.com | Class 1 to 12 | PDF, free |
| Karnataka | kseeb.kar.nic.in, schools9.com | Class 1 to 10 | PDF, free |
| Important Warning
Several websites charge money to access state board first term question papers. Do not pay for these. Government board question papers are public documents and are always available for free on official board websites and trusted educational platforms. If a site asks for payment to download a paper, leave that site immediately. |
How to Use First Term Question Papers Effectively
Downloading the paper is the easy part. Using it in a way that actually improves your marks is what separates students who just collect papers from students who actually prepare well.
Step 1: Do a Syllabus Audit First
Before you solve any paper, sit with your syllabus and mark which chapters are included in the first term. Solve only after you know which portion is being tested. Attempting a paper without knowing the scope wastes time and creates false confidence.
Step 2: Solve Without Looking at Anything
Set a timer equal to the actual exam duration. Sit in a quiet place, put away your notes, and solve the full paper from start to finish. This is called a simulated test. It is the only way to genuinely assess your preparation level.
Step 3: Check the Answer Key, Not Just the Right Answer
Most websites that host question papers also provide answer keys or marking schemes. When checking your work, do not just mark right or wrong. Read the model answer and understand what the board expects. Government boards often reward specific keywords and specific steps. Knowing this changes how you write answers.
Step 4: Build a Mistake Log
Create a simple notebook or document where you record every question you got wrong. Write the chapter name, the type of question, and why you got it wrong. Review this log every three days. Most students make the same three to five mistakes repeatedly. Catching those early is what actually improves marks.
Step 5: Repeat With Different Year Papers
One year of papers is useful. Two or three years of papers for the same exam is powerful. When the same chapter or topic appears in multiple years, that tells you it is a high-priority area that the board consistently values. Focus extra preparation on those topics.
The 3-Week First Term Exam Preparation Plan
This plan assumes the exam is three weeks away. Adjust the timeline based on how much time you have.
| Week | Daily Focus | What to Do | Evening Task |
| Week 1 | Chapter Revision | Revise all first term chapters. Use headings, diagrams, and important definitions. Do not try to memorize everything. Understand the main concept of each chapter. | Make a one-page summary for each chapter |
| Week 2 | Paper Practice | Solve one subject’s previous first term paper per day. Time yourself. Do not look at notes during the solve. Check answers in the evening. | Maintain your mistake log for all wrong answers |
| Week 3 | Targeted Revision | Focus only on your mistake log topics. Solve the short and long answer questions from those chapters repeatedly until you write them confidently. | Do a final full-paper revision 2 days before the exam |
Subject-Wise Tips for First Term Exams
Mathematics
Maths papers reward students who show their work. Even if you know the answer, write every step. Boards allocate marks to individual steps, not just the final answer. In the first term, common tested areas include:
- Algebra: basic equations, variables, expressions
- Geometry: angles, shapes, basic proofs
- Number systems: rational numbers, integers
- Statistics: data interpretation, averages
Practice at least five problems per concept. Accuracy matters more than speed. If you finish early in the exam, use the time to verify your calculations.
Science
Science first term papers almost always include a labeled diagram question. This is one of the easiest marks to earn if you practice drawing diagrams clearly. Common tested diagrams include plant structure, human body systems, and lab apparatus setups.
- For definitions: learn the exact scientific term but write the explanation in your own words
- For long-answer questions: use a structure of Definition, Function, Example
- For MCQs: pay attention to words like ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘most’, ‘least’ as these change answers
Social Studies / Social Science
First term Social Studies tests History, Geography, and Civics together. The most common mistake students make is writing long answers for short-mark questions. Learn to match your answer length to the mark allocated.
- 1-mark questions: one word or one sentence only
- 2-mark questions: two to three sentences, no more
- 5-mark questions: use sub-headings and write organized paragraphs
- Map questions: practice marking locations on outline maps. This is easy marks if practiced.
English
English first term papers test four skills: reading, writing, grammar, and literature. The reading comprehension passage is where most marks are either gained or lost. Read the passage twice before answering. The answer is almost always directly in the passage.
- Grammar: practice tenses, articles, prepositions, and reported speech using past papers
- Letter writing: follow the correct format strictly. Format marks are easy to earn.
- Literature: know the main themes, characters, and important lines from each prose and poem
Common Mistakes Students Make With First Term Exam Papers
Using Papers Too Close to the Exam
Many students start using question papers only in the last two or three days. By then, there is no time to revise the weak areas they discover. Start at least two to three weeks before the exam.
Solving Without Timing
Practicing without a timer creates a false sense of comfort. In the actual exam, time pressure changes everything. Always use a timer when solving past papers. If you cannot finish in time, that is important information you need to know before the exam, not during it.
Skipping Answer Key Comparison
Some students solve a paper and move on without checking answers carefully. The value of a past paper is not in finishing it. It is in understanding exactly where your answer differed from what the board expected.
Treating All Questions as Equal
Not all questions carry the same marks. Students who spend five minutes writing a one-mark answer and then rush a five-mark answer lose marks they should have easily scored. Before starting to write, scan the full paper and allocate your time based on marks.
Ignoring the Answer Format
Government boards use specific formats for long answers. They expect answers with specific sub-headings, numbered points, or labeled diagrams. Students who write good content in the wrong format often score lower than students who write average content in the correct format. Study the model answers provided by your board carefully.
Also Read : Government Paper 6th Class 2019: Download All Subjects, Exam Pattern & Preparation Guide
First Term Exam Day Checklist
Use this checklist on the morning of every first term exam:
- Read through your one-page chapter summaries, not the full textbook
- Review your mistake log one final time
- Pack your hall ticket or admit card
- Carry extra pens, pencils, and a ruler for diagrams
- In the exam: read the full paper before writing anything
- Attempt questions you are confident about first
- Write your name, roll number, and class on every sheet
- Leave the last 10 minutes to re-read your answers
- Draw margins and underline headings neatly
First Term vs Second Term Exam: What Is the Difference?
| Factor | First Term Exam | Second Term Exam |
| Syllabus | Only first term chapters (roughly half the year) | Second term chapters only, or full year syllabus in some boards |
| Exam period | August to October depending on board | February to April |
| Difficulty | Moderate, sets foundation for the year | Higher, builds on first term concepts |
| Marks contribution | SA1 or Term 1 marks, varies by board | SA2 or Term 2 marks, often higher weightage |
| Best preparation | First term previous papers from same board | Combined papers from both terms |
| Special notes | Called Onam exam in Kerala, SA1 in AP/Telangana | Called Annual or SA2 exam by most boards |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the difference between a first term exam and a half-yearly exam?
In many schools, these names are used interchangeably and refer to the same exam. A half-yearly exam tests the first half of the academic year’s syllabus. A first term exam tests the first term’s syllabus. In some boards, the first term is exactly half the year, so both names apply to the same paper. In states with three terms like Tamil Nadu, the first term exam is shorter than a full half-yearly.
Q2. Where can I find first term exam question papers for Kerala Class 10?
Kerala SSLC (Class 10) first terminal question papers, also called Onam exam papers, are available free at educationobserver.com and hsslive.in. These websites provide subject-wise papers in PDF format with answer keys prepared by experienced teachers.
Q3. Does CBSE conduct an official first term exam?
CBSE does not conduct a centralized first term exam for all classes. Individual schools conduct periodic tests, half-yearly exams, and pre-board exams. For Class 10 and 12, CBSE released official Term 1 and Term 2 board exams in 2021-22. Since then, CBSE has returned to a single annual board exam. However, school-level first term papers are conducted internally by CBSE schools.
Q4. How many marks does the first term exam carry in the final result?
This depends entirely on your board. In Kerala, the Onam exam is a formal assessment that contributes to continuous evaluation. In AP and Telangana, SA1 marks are combined with SA2 marks for the final grade. In Tamil Nadu, Term 1 marks form one-third of the total annual assessment. Check your specific board’s grading policy for the exact contribution.
Q5. Can I use Tamil Nadu first term papers if I study under Maharashtra Board?
You can use them for extra practice on common topics like Maths and Science, where the content is similar across boards. However, for scoring well in your own exam, always prioritize papers from your specific board since the question pattern, marks distribution, and expected answer format differ significantly.
Q6. Are first term question papers available with answer keys?
Yes. Most educational platforms that host first term papers also provide answer keys or model answers. Kerala education websites like hsslive.in and educationobserver.com regularly upload teacher-prepared answer keys. For CBSE, marking schemes are available on cbse.gov.in. For Tamil Nadu, padasalai.net provides both papers and answer keys.
Q7. How early should a student start practicing with first term question papers?
The ideal time to start is three weeks before the exam. This gives one week for chapter revision, one week for paper practice, and one final week to target weak areas identified from paper solving. Starting with papers two or three days before the exam is a common mistake that limits how much improvement is possible.
Q8. What is the Onam exam and how is it different from a regular first term exam?
The Onam exam is the name used for the first terminal examination in Kerala government and government-aided schools. It is conducted before the Onam festival break, usually in August or September. It is functionally the same as a first term exam. The state government has set a minimum 30 percent marks requirement for Classes 5 to 9 in the Onam exam, with special support classes for students who fall below this threshold.
Q9. Do private schools follow the same first term exam pattern as government schools?
Not always. Private unaided schools can set their own internal exam patterns. However, most private schools affiliated with state boards follow the same syllabus and similar question formats. CBSE-affiliated private schools follow school-level assessment guidelines set by CBSE. The best approach is to check with your school directly for the exact pattern and then supplement that with official board papers.
