December 2018 was not an ordinary exam season for Kerala students. The state had just recovered from one of the worst floods in a century. The first terminal examination for Higher Secondary students had been cancelled due to the disaster, and the second terminal examination carried extra weight that year.
Students needed every advantage they could get. Question papers from the second terminal exam became a critical study tool, not just for those writing the exam, but for everyone preparing for the Higher Secondary public exam in March 2019.
This guide compiles everything you need about the Second Terminal Examination 2018 question paper, including where to download it, which subjects are available, how the exam was structured, and how to use previous papers effectively for exam preparation.
What Was the Second Terminal Examination 2018?
The Second Terminal Examination 2018-19 is a school-level examination conducted by Kerala state syllabus schools under the General Education Department, Government of Kerala.
Who conducts it: The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) prepares the common question paper used in all government, aided and unaided higher secondary schools across the state.
Who it covers: Class 8, Class 9, Class 10 (SSLC level) and Higher Secondary (Plus One and Plus Two) students.
When it was held: The Higher Secondary Second Terminal Examination 2018 commenced on December 12, 2018. Plus One students wrote in the forenoon session and Plus Two students in the afternoon.
Why it mattered more in 2018: Because the first terminal examination had to be skipped due to the August 2018 floods, students and teachers relied heavily on second terminal papers to understand question patterns, difficulty levels and expected topics for the board exam.
Exam Structure at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Academic Year | 2018-19 |
| Exam Name | Second Terminal Examination |
| Conducting Authority | DHSE Kerala / General Education Department |
| Classes Covered | Class 8, 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two |
| Exam Month | December 2018 |
| Higher Secondary Start Date | December 12, 2018 |
| Medium | Malayalam Medium and English Medium |
| Question Paper Type | Common paper for all government, aided and unaided schools |
| Answer Key Source | DHSE official + teacher-prepared keys |
Subjects Available for Download
Question papers and answer keys from the 2018 second terminal exam were shared across popular educational platforms for the following subjects.
Class 10 (SSLC Level)
- Mathematics – English Medium and Malayalam Medium
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- English
- Social Science
- Hindi
- Arabic
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Class 9
- Mathematics
- Physics and Chemistry
- Biology
- English
- Social Science
- Hindi
Class 8
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Physics and Chemistry
- English
- Social Science
- Arabic
-
Higher Secondary – Plus One and Plus Two
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Accountancy
- Business Studies
- Economics
- History
- Statistics
- English
Where to Download the Second Terminal Examination 2018 Question Paper
Several trusted educational websites in Kerala published the question papers and answer keys shortly after the exam. Here are the main sources.
1. Spandanam (spandanamnews.blogspot.com)
One of the most widely used platforms for Kerala syllabus study materials. It published the Second Terminal Evaluation 2018-19 question papers and answer keys for Class 8, 9 and 10. Answer keys were prepared by experienced teachers from different parts of Kerala. You can find papers in both English Medium and Malayalam Medium.
2. HSSLive (hsslive.in)
HSSLive focuses on Higher Secondary materials. It published the Plus One and Plus Two second terminal exam question papers for December 2018 and the official answer keys prepared by DHSE. This is the best source for higher secondary papers.
3. Exam Winner (examwinner.com)
Exam Winner hosts previous year question papers for SSLC Class 10. The second term Christmas exam question papers for 2018-19 are available here with solutions for major subjects.
4. Education Observer (educationobserver.com)
This platform has a discussion forum where Kerala SSLC second term exam question papers 2018 with answers were shared by teachers and students. It also lists model question papers for second term exams.
5. APlus Blog (apluseducare.blogspot.com)
Covers Class 8, 9 and 10 question banks, question papers and answer keys for the second terminal examination, including the 2018-19 academic year.
How to Use the 2018 Second Terminal Question Paper Effectively
Downloading the paper is just the first step. Here is how to actually use it for preparation.
Step 1: Understand the Question Pattern
Go through the paper without attempting it first. Notice how many marks each section carries, how questions are distributed across units and what types of questions appear, such as short answer, long answer, fill in the blanks or multiple choice.
Step 2: Map Questions to Your Syllabus
Check which chapters each question comes from. This tells you which units get tested most often. In Kerala Syllabus exams, certain chapters consistently produce more questions across years.
Step 3: Attempt the Paper Under Exam Conditions
Set a timer matching the actual exam duration. Sit without your notes. Answer every question you know first, then go back to the ones you skipped. This builds time management skills.
Step 4: Compare with the Answer Key
After completing the paper, go through the answer key carefully. Do not just check if your answer is right or wrong. Read the model answer to understand how marks are awarded and what level of detail the examiner expects.
Step 5: Focus Revision on Weak Areas
Make a list of questions you got wrong or left unanswered. These are your weak spots. Spend the next study session focusing only on those topics. Then re-attempt those questions after revision.
Why the 2018 Second Terminal Paper Carries Extra Importance
Because the first terminal examination for 2018-19 was cancelled due to the Kerala floods, this second terminal exam became the only formal evaluation students had before the board exam.
- It was the only benchmark students had that year for assessing their preparation.
- Teachers used it to identify which portions students had covered and which were still incomplete.
- For Plus One and Plus Two students, it gave a preview of board exam difficulty and style.
- Students who scored poorly could still use the paper to course-correct before March 2019.
This context makes the 2018 second terminal paper more than just a revision tool. It represents a full diagnostic of student readiness in a particularly challenging academic year.
Expert Tips for Using Previous Question Papers
Teachers across Kerala who contributed answer keys to platforms like Spandanam and HSSLive have consistently shared the following advice.
- Do not memorise answers from answer keys. Understand the reasoning behind each answer.
- In science subjects, pay attention to diagrams. Many marks are lost in diagram questions.
- In Maths, check if your method is correct even when your final answer is wrong. Partial marks matter.
- English papers test reading comprehension and writing style more than factual recall.
- In Social Science, practice writing answers in your own words rather than copying from the textbook.
- For Higher Secondary subjects like Accountancy and Business Studies, practice format-based answers carefully.
Mistakes Students Make When Practising with Old Question Papers
Reading instead of writing: Looking at a question and thinking you know the answer is not the same as writing it out. Always write your answers.
Ignoring time limits: Practising without a timer gives a false sense of preparation. Always use a timer.
Skipping difficult questions: Many students skip hard questions during practice. In the real exam this costs marks. Practice attempting every question.
Checking answers immediately: Do not look at the answer key while you are still attempting the paper. Finish fully, then check.
Using only one year’s paper: One paper is a sample, not the full picture. Use multiple years of second terminal papers together.
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Second Terminal vs Annual Exam: How They Differ
| Feature | Second Terminal Exam | Annual (Board) Exam |
| Conducted by | School / District level | Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan / DHSE |
| Purpose | Formative and diagnostic assessment | Final certification |
| Marks impact | Internal assessment | Official marks and grade |
| Difficulty level | Moderate | Higher, more comprehensive |
| Common paper | Yes (government schools) | Yes (state-wide) |
| Result usage | Study progress tracking | Promotion and higher education |
Related Articles and Internal Linking Opportunities
If you are building a topic cluster around this keyword, consider linking to the following related pages.
- Kerala SSLC Previous Year Question Papers (All Years)
- Kerala Class 10 Model Exam Question Papers 2019
- Plus One Second Term Exam 2018 Physics Answer Key
- Kerala Syllabus Class 8 Quarterly Examination Papers
- SSLC Maths Question Paper 2019 with Full Solutions
- Second Terminal Exam Answer Key 2018-19 – Subject Wise
- How to Study for Kerala SSLC Board Exam in 30 Days
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download the Second Terminal Examination 2018 question paper?
You can download the second terminal examination 2018 question papers from Spandanam, HSSLive, Exam Winner, Education Observer and APlus Blog. Papers are available for Class 8, 9, 10 and Higher Secondary in both Malayalam Medium and English Medium.
Which board conducts the second terminal examination in Kerala?
For high school classes (Class 8-10), it is conducted under the General Education Department of Kerala. For Higher Secondary (Plus One and Plus Two), the common question paper is prepared by the Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE).
When was the Second Terminal Examination 2018 held?
The Higher Secondary Second Terminal Examination 2018-19 started on December 12, 2018. Plus One students appeared in the forenoon and Plus Two students in the afternoon session.
Why was the first terminal examination 2018 cancelled?
The first terminal examination for Higher Secondary students in 2018-19 was cancelled due to the devastating floods that struck Kerala in August 2018. The question paper prepared for that exam was later discussed in classrooms to help students understand the format.
Are the 2018 second terminal papers available in English Medium?
Yes. Question papers and answer keys for the 2018 second terminal examination are available in both English Medium and Malayalam Medium for most subjects across Class 8, 9 and 10.
Is the second terminal exam paper the same as the board exam paper?
No. The second terminal examination is an internal school-level assessment. The board exam (SSLC or Higher Secondary public exam) is conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan or DHSE and carries official certification marks. However, both use the Kerala syllabus and follow similar patterns.
Can I use the 2018 second terminal paper to prepare for current year exams?
Yes. The Kerala syllabus has remained broadly consistent over the years. Practising with the 2018 second terminal paper helps you understand question patterns, topic weightage and time management even for current academic years.
Are answer keys available for the 2018 second terminal exam?
Yes. Answer keys are available on platforms like Spandanam and HSSLive. These were prepared by experienced teachers from various districts of Kerala, not just one source. For Higher Secondary subjects, DHSE also published official answer keys.
Which subjects have papers available for Class 9 second terminal 2018?
For Class 9, question papers and answer keys are available for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Social Science and Hindi. Some platforms also host Arabic papers for applicable students.
How many marks does the second terminal examination carry?
The marking scheme varies by subject and class. For SSLC-level subjects, papers are generally 80 marks. Internal assessment makes up the remaining 20 marks for the annual evaluation. Higher Secondary papers follow a similar structure based on subject.
