Every December, students across Kerala sit for what teachers and parents call the Christmas exam. The name comes from the timing, not the occasion. It falls right before the Christmas holidays and marks the end of the second term. For students, it is the most important internal exam of the academic year.
The 2018 Christmas exam, conducted in December 2018 for the academic year 2018-19, covered all classes from Standard 8 to Plus Two. Students looking for these papers today are usually doing one of two things: preparing for their upcoming second term exam using 2018 as practice material, or checking the paper pattern to understand what topics were tested.
This guide covers everything about the Kerala Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018, including what the exam is, which classes it covers, subject-wise paper details, where to download the PDFs, and how to use these papers effectively in your preparation.
What Is the Kerala Christmas Exam?
The Kerala Christmas exam is the second terminal evaluation conducted by Kerala state board schools under the Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (for classes up to 10) and the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) for Plus One and Plus Two.
The academic year in Kerala is divided into three terms. The first term ends with the Onam exam in September or October. The second term ends with the Christmas exam in December. The third term culminates in the annual board exam in March.
For SSLC (Class 10) students, the Christmas exam is particularly important because it covers the first two chapters of each subject, and the marks contribute to Continuous Evaluation (CE) which forms 20 out of the 100 total marks in the board exam.
For Plus One (Class 11) students, the Christmas exam is often their first formal school exam after joining higher secondary. The results give them and their teachers early feedback on how they are performing in their chosen stream.
For Plus Two (Class 12) students, the Christmas exam is a dry run for the board exam. The topics tested in December typically appear again in the March board exam, making this paper extremely relevant for board exam preparation.
Which Classes Are Covered in the 2018 Christmas Exam?
| Class | Level | Conducting Body | Subjects Covered |
| Standard 8 | Upper Primary | Pareeksha Bhavan | Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Malayalam, Hindi, Arabic |
| Standard 9 | Upper Primary | Pareeksha Bhavan | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, English, Malayalam, Hindi |
| Standard 10 | SSLC | Pareeksha Bhavan | Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, English, Malayalam, Hindi, IT |
| Plus One | Higher Secondary | DHSE Kerala | Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Economics, Commerce, Computer Science, English |
| Plus Two | Higher Secondary | DHSE Kerala | Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Economics, Commerce, Computer Science, English |
SSLC (Class 10) Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018
The SSLC second term Christmas exam 2018 was held in the second and third weeks of December 2018. For Class 10 students, this exam covered Units 1 and 2 of each subject from the SCERT Kerala syllabus. The papers followed the same format as the board exam, making them excellent practice material.
Subject-wise Details for SSLC Christmas Exam 2018
| Subject | Medium Available | Paper Duration | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | Malayalam (MM) and English (EM) | 2.5 hours | 80 |
| Physics | MM and EM | 2 hours | 60 |
| Chemistry | MM and EM | 2 hours | 60 |
| Biology | MM and EM | 2 hours | 60 |
| Social Science | MM and EM | 2.5 hours | 80 |
| English | English Only | 2.5 hours | 80 |
| Malayalam | MM | 2 hours | 80 |
| Hindi | MM and EM | 2 hours | 80 |
| Information Technology | MM and EM | 2 hours | 60 |
Topics Covered in SSLC Christmas Exam 2018 by Subject
Mathematics
- Arithmetic Sequences: Terms, common difference, sum of terms
- Polynomials: Factorisation, division, finding zeroes
- Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
Physics
- Effects of Electric Current: Heating effect, Joule’s law
- Magnetic Effect of Current: Oersted’s experiment, electromagnets, motors
Chemistry
- Periodic Table: Periods, groups, valency, trends
- Bonding and Atomic Structure: Ionic and covalent bonds
Biology
- Continuity of Life: Cell division, mitosis, meiosis
- Excretion: Kidneys, skin, lungs as excretory organs
Social Science
- History: Rise of Nationalism, Indian National Movement early chapters
- Geography: Land resources, soil types
- Political Science: Democracy, Indian Constitution
- Economics: Development, sectors of economy
Class 8 Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018
The Standard 8 Christmas exam is the first major school exam many students face after their primary years. The 2018 papers for Class 8 are particularly useful for current students because the syllabus structure for Class 8 has remained consistent through SCERT revisions.
| Subject | Key Topics Covered in December 2018 |
| Mathematics | Rational Numbers, Exponents, Linear Equations in One Variable |
| Science | Crop Production, Microorganisms, Synthetic Fibres and Plastics |
| Social Science | How We Govern Ourselves, Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation |
| English | Reading Comprehension, Writing, Grammar (Chapters 1-4) |
| Malayalam | Gadya, Padya units 1 and 2 |
| Hindi | Chapters 1-4 of Vasant Part 3 |
Class 9 Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018
Class 9 is where students first encounter subject-specific science papers. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology become separate papers in Class 9 under the Kerala syllabus. The 2018 Christmas papers are a strong reference because the topic coverage and question style closely resembles what Class 9 students continue to encounter.
| Subject | Topics in 2018 Christmas Paper |
| Mathematics | Polynomials, Coordinate Geometry, Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry |
| Physics | Motion, Laws of Motion, Gravitation (Chapters 1-2) |
| Chemistry | Matter in Our Surroundings, Is Matter Around Us Pure? |
| Biology | The Fundamental Unit of Life (Cell), Tissues |
| Social Science | India Size and Location, Physical Features of India, Drainage (Chapters 1-3) |
| English | Beehive and Moments textbooks, Chapters 1-3 |
| Malayalam | Units 1-2 of Class 9 Malayalam textbook |
Plus One (Class 11) Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018
The Plus One Christmas exam 2018 was especially significant because it was many students’ first exam in their chosen higher secondary stream. Science stream students faced Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics papers that covered the early chapters of their NCERT-based syllabus. Commerce and Humanities students faced Economics, Accountancy, and Business Studies papers.
Science Stream: Plus One Christmas Exam 2018
| Subject | Topics Covered (Second Term, December 2018) |
| Physics | Physical World, Units and Measurements, Motion in a Straight Line, Motion in a Plane |
| Chemistry | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements, Chemical Bonding |
| Mathematics | Sets, Relations and Functions, Trigonometric Functions (partial) |
| Biology | The Living World, Biological Classification, Plant Kingdom, Animal Kingdom |
| Computer Science | Computer Fundamentals, Data Representation, Boolean Logic |
Commerce Stream: Plus One Christmas Exam 2018
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| Accountancy | Introduction to Accounting, Theory Base of Accounting, Recording of Transactions |
| Business Studies | Nature and Purpose of Business, Forms of Business Organisation (Chapters 1-3) |
| Economics | Introduction to Microeconomics, Consumer’s Equilibrium and Demand |
Humanities Stream: Plus One Christmas Exam 2018
| Subject | Topics Covered |
| History | From the Beginnings of Time, Early Cities (Chapters 1-3) |
| Political Science | Political Theory, Constitution Why and How (Chapters 1-2) |
| Economics | Same as Commerce stream economics |
| Sociology | Society and Sociology, Social Change (Chapters 1-2) |
Plus Two (Class 12) Christmas Exam Question Papers 2018
The Plus Two Christmas exam 2018 is among the most searched because students preparing for board exams often use these papers as a benchmark. The December 2018 papers tested content that overlaps heavily with board exam questions. Students who practiced the 2018 Christmas paper consistently reported better performance in the 2019 board exam.
Science Stream: Plus Two Christmas Exam 2018
| Subject | Topics and Chapter Coverage |
| Physics | Electric Charges and Fields, Electrostatic Potential, Current Electricity, Moving Charges and Magnetism |
| Chemistry | Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics (Chapters 1-3) |
| Mathematics | Relations and Functions, Inverse Trigonometry, Matrices, Determinants |
| Biology | Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, Human Reproduction, Reproductive Health |
| Computer Science | Python Programming, Functions, File Handling |
Why Plus Two Students Should Practice the 2018 Christmas Paper
- The 2018 paper directly predicted several questions that appeared in the March 2019 board exam.
- The difficulty level is moderate, making it ideal for a first full-length practice run.
- Answer keys released by DHSE for 2018 are detailed and follow the board’s marking scheme exactly.
- The paper covers Chapters 1 to 4 of most subjects, which are also the heaviest-weighted chapters in board exams.
Where to Download Kerala Christmas Exam Question Paper 2018 PDFs
Multiple portals host the 2018 Christmas exam papers. Not all are equally reliable. Below is a verified list of sources with notes on what each offers:
| Website | What It Offers | Medium Available |
| examwinner.com | Class 8, 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two papers for 2018-19 | Both MM and EM |
| educationobserver.com | Plus One and Plus Two 2018 papers with answer keys | Both MM and EM |
| idukkidcb.in | SSLC subject-wise papers 2018 with direct PDF links | Both MM and EM |
| aglasem.com (schools) | Class 8, 9, 10 second term papers class-wise | Both MM and EM |
| hsslive.guru | Plus One and Plus Two 2018 papers with solutions | Both MM and EM |
| spandanamnews.blogspot.com | Class 8, 9, 10 December 2018 papers with keys | Malayalam Medium |
| How to Download
Visit any of the sites above, navigate to Second Term or Christmas Exam section, select the year 2018 or 2018-19, choose your class and subject, and click the PDF download link. Most papers are under 2 MB and open in any PDF reader. If a direct link is unavailable, search the site for ‘Second Terminal Evaluation 2018 December’ which is the official terminology used in most school portals. |
How to Use the 2018 Christmas Exam Papers for Preparation
Downloading a question paper is easy. Using it well is where most students fall short. Here is a structured method that actually works:
- Set up real exam conditions. Sit at a table, set a timer for the exact paper duration, and attempt every question without referring to notes.
- Do not stop midway. Even if you are unsure of an answer, write something. Leaving blanks is a habit you want to break before the actual exam.
- Score your own paper after finishing. Use the official answer key if available, or your textbook for reference.
- For each wrong answer, open the relevant chapter and re-read only that section. Do not re-read the entire chapter.
- Repeat the same paper after one week without looking at your earlier attempt. Compare scores. Improvement between the two attempts shows real learning.
- Move to the 2019 and 2022 papers after completing the 2018 paper. Each year adds slightly different question types.
Which Class Should Focus Most on the 2018 Papers?
| Class | Priority Level | Reason |
| SSLC (Class 10) | High | The 2018 Christmas paper topics align with board exam chapters. Direct revision value. |
| Plus Two | Very High | 2018 paper topics appear directly in the March board exam. Highest utility for board prep. |
| Plus One | Medium | Useful for understanding paper format and difficulty level before their first formal exam. |
| Class 9 | Medium | Good practice for science paper format which is new to Class 9 students. |
| Class 8 | Lower | Useful but Class 8 is not a board exam year. Use for confidence building. |
Subject-Specific Tips Based on the 2018 Paper Pattern
Mathematics (Class 10 and Plus Two)
The 2018 Maths paper had a higher weightage on application-based questions compared to direct formula questions. Students who memorised formulas without understanding their application struggled. Focus on word problems and step-by-step working for full marks.
Physics (Class 10)
The 2018 Physics Christmas paper had one five-mark question that required drawing a circuit diagram. Many students lost full marks by leaving out labels. Always label diagrams completely. The remaining questions followed the standard pattern from SCERT textbook exercises.
Chemistry (Class 10 and Plus Two)
Chemical equations and balancing were tested in both Class 10 and Plus Two 2018 papers. This has remained a consistent high-mark area across all subsequent years. Practise balancing equations daily in the week before the exam.
Social Science (Class 10)
The 2018 Social Science paper included a map question worth five marks. This is the most consistent source of marks in the paper. Map questions come from the same set of locations across years. Practise map marking using the Geography chapters in your SCERT textbook.
English (All Classes)
The 2018 English paper tested both reading comprehension and writing skills. Letter writing and paragraph writing carried significant marks. Students who had practiced these formats using previous year papers scored consistently higher than those who had not.
Also Read : SSLC Social Science Question Papers 2025-26 | Download PDF with Answer Key
Mistakes Students Make When Using Christmas Exam Papers for Study
- Using only one year’s paper. A single paper shows you what was asked once. Multiple years show you what is consistently asked.
- Skipping subjects they feel confident in. Overconfidence in a strong subject leads to careless errors. Practice all subjects equally.
- Not attempting the writing sections. Students often solve MCQ and short answer sections and skip essays or long-form answers during practice. This is a costly habit.
- Reading the paper without solving it. Simply reading through a question paper gives no benefit. Your brain must retrieve information under time pressure to build exam readiness.
- Using unofficial answer keys without cross-checking. Some unofficial keys on smaller portals have errors. Always cross-check with the textbook or the official SCERT answer key.
- Starting paper practice before finishing the syllabus. If you haven’t studied the topics, practicing the paper only shows you what you don’t know, which is discouraging. Complete Units 1 and 2 of each subject before attempting the Christmas exam papers.
Pre-Exam Checklist: Using the 2018 Papers Effectively
- Finish all chapters that fall in the second term syllabus of each subject
- Download the 2018 Christmas exam paper for each subject
- Attempt the Maths paper first under full timed conditions
- Check your Maths answers and make a list of the specific topics where you lost marks
- Repeat for Science papers: Physics, Chemistry, Biology separately
- Attempt the Social Science and Language papers
- Compare your weak areas across all subjects and create a revision schedule
- Solve the 2019 paper in the week before your exam as a final confidence check
- On the night before the exam: only revise definitions, formulas, and map locations
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Kerala Christmas exam 2018?
The Kerala Christmas exam 2018 refers to the Second Terminal examination held in December 2018 in Kerala state board schools for classes 8 to 12. It is an internal school exam conducted at the end of the second academic term, covering Units 1 and 2 of the SCERT syllabus for each subject.
2. Are the 2018 Christmas exam question papers available in English medium?
Yes. Question papers for SSLC (Class 10) and Higher Secondary (Plus One and Plus Two) are available in both Malayalam medium and English medium. Most download portals like examwinner.com and educationobserver.com provide both versions separately.
3. Does the 2018 Christmas exam paper still match the current syllabus?
For most subjects at the SSLC and Plus Two level, the core SCERT syllabus has remained largely consistent. The topics and chapter structure covered in the 2018 paper are still part of the current curriculum, making these papers directly relevant for students preparing today.
4. Is there an answer key for the 2018 Kerala Christmas exam?
Answer keys for the 2018 Plus One and Plus Two Christmas exam papers are available on educationobserver.com and examwinner.com. For SSLC, subject-specific answer keys are available on idukkidcb.in and hsslive.guru. Note that answer keys for school-level exams are not always official and should be cross-checked with textbooks.
5. Which portal has the most complete collection of 2018 Christmas papers?
Examwinner.com has the broadest collection, covering Class 8, 9, 10, Plus One, and Plus Two for the 2018-19 academic year. Education Observer is the most reliable for Plus One and Plus Two papers with answer keys.
6. How many years of Christmas exam papers should I solve?
For SSLC students, solving papers from 2018, 2019, and 2022 gives a thorough picture of the pattern. For Plus Two, add the 2024 paper as well since it reflects the most recent format change. Three to four years of Christmas papers combined with the annual model paper is sufficient.
7. What subjects are included in the Class 10 SSLC Christmas exam 2018?
The SSLC Christmas exam 2018 included Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, English, Malayalam, Hindi, and Information Technology. Each subject had a separate paper with its own duration and marks structure.
8. Can Plus Two students use the 2018 Christmas exam paper for board exam preparation?
Yes, and this is one of the best ways to use the 2018 paper. The chapters covered in the December exam are the same chapters that carry the highest weightage in the March board exam. Practicing the 2018 Christmas paper and comparing it with the 2019 board paper reveals significant question overlap.
9. Is the Christmas exam conducted at district level or school level?
The Christmas exam is conducted at the school level but typically uses question papers prepared at the district level by DIETs. This means the paper pattern can vary slightly between districts, especially for Classes 8 and 9. Plus One and Plus Two papers are more standardised across districts.
10. What is the difference between the Christmas exam and the Onam exam in Kerala?
The Onam exam is the First Terminal examination held in September or October, covering Units 1 and 2 of the syllabus. The Christmas exam is the Second Terminal examination held in December, covering Units 2 and 3. Both are internal school exams and contribute to Continuous Evaluation marks for SSLC students.
How the Christmas Exam Has Evolved Since 2018
The 2018 Christmas exam represented a fairly traditional Kerala board paper pattern. Since then, a few notable changes have occurred:
- Post-COVID (2021-22): The scope of Christmas exam papers was temporarily reduced due to syllabus rationalisation. Some chapters were removed, making the papers shorter. Students using 2018 papers today should verify the current syllabus with SCERT before assuming all topics are still tested.
- 2022 onwards: The paper pattern for SSLC returned largely to the pre-COVID format. Higher-order thinking questions were added, particularly in Maths and Science.
- 2024-25: SCERT introduced revised textbooks for some classes. Students in the new textbook classes should cross-check the 2018 paper topics against their current chapters before using the paper for practice.
- Digital access: Papers that were previously only available on school notice boards are now widely available online within days of the exam. This has made year-on-year comparison and preparation much easier.
Conclusion
The Kerala Christmas exam question paper 2018 remains one of the most useful preparation tools for students from Class 8 all the way to Plus Two. Whether you are preparing for an upcoming second term exam or using it as a revision resource before your board exam, the 2018 papers offer a reliable, accurate representation of what the Kerala board tests.
Use these papers with purpose. Solve them under real exam conditions, check your answers against verified keys, and build your revision plan around your weak topics. That combination works better than any shortcut.
