Every year, when schools in Kerala reopen after Onam holidays, students and teachers start looking for the same thing: the first terminal exam question papers from previous years. These papers do not just show you what questions were asked. They show you the exam pattern, the marking scheme, the difficulty level, and which chapters matter most.
The 2018 Onam exam papers hold special value. That year, Kerala faced devastating floods in August, which disrupted normal academic schedules. For higher secondary students, the first terminal exam was eventually called off. But the prepared question papers reached schools anyway and became an important study resource that students still refer to today.
This page compiles everything about the Kerala Syllabus First Terminal Examination 2018 question papers across all classes and subjects.
What Is the First Terminal Examination in Kerala Schools?
The First Terminal Examination, commonly called the Onam Exam, is the first major internal assessment of each academic year in Kerala government and aided schools. It follows the SCERT Kerala syllabus and is conducted for all classes from Standard 1 to Plus Two (Class 12).
| Feature | Details |
| Conducting Body | Kerala Education Department / SCERT |
| Usual Timing | August to September (after Onam vacation) |
| Classes Covered | Standard 1 to Class 12 (Plus Two) |
| Syllabus | SCERT Kerala State Syllabus |
| Medium | Malayalam Medium and English Medium |
| Subjects | Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Malayalam, Hindi, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and more |
| Purpose | Internal assessment, preparation for board exams, identifying weak areas |
This exam carries significant weight because it is the first checkpoint of the academic year. Teachers use it to gauge student progress. Students use previous year papers to understand what to expect and how to manage time during the exam.
First Terminal Exam 2018 – What Made It Different?
The academic year 2018-19 was unlike any other in Kerala’s history. In August 2018, the state experienced one of its worst floods in nearly a century. Schools were shut, exams were postponed, and the entire educational calendar was disrupted.
Here is what happened class-wise:
| Class Group | 2018 First Terminal Exam Status |
| Class 1 to 9 (LP, UP, High School) | Exams were held with delays in most districts |
| Class 10 (SSLC) | Conducted in most schools with schedule changes |
| Plus One (Class 11) | Held with rescheduling in affected districts |
| Plus Two (Class 12) | Officially called off; question papers distributed to schools as study material |
Because of this history, the 2018 question papers became rare and valuable resources. Students who practice with these papers get a realistic idea of the standard expected at each grade level under the Kerala syllabus.
First Terminal Examination 2018 Question Papers – Class Wise
Below is a class-by-class breakdown of what the 2018 first terminal papers covered and where you can find them.
Lower Primary – Class 1 to 4
For lower primary students, the first terminal evaluation focuses on basic reading, writing, and numeracy. The 2018 papers for classes 1 to 4 were conducted as written cum oral assessments. Subjects included:
- English
- Malayalam
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science (EVS)
These papers are available in Malayalam medium primarily. English medium versions exist for selected subjects in Class 3 and 4.
Upper Primary – Class 5 to 7
Class 5, 6, and 7 papers follow a structured written exam pattern. The 2018 Onam exam for upper primary covered:
- English
- Malayalam (First Language)
- Hindi
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
- Arabic / Sanskrit (where applicable)
Both English and Malayalam medium papers are available for these classes. Class 5 is especially important as it falls near the LSS (Lower Secondary Scholarship) exam pattern.
High School – Class 8, 9, and 10 (SSLC)
This is where the first terminal exam becomes most competitive. Class 10 students in particular treat the Onam exam as a rehearsal for the SSLC board exams. The 2018 papers for high school classes included all core subjects:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Science
- English (Second Language)
- Malayalam (First Language)
- Hindi (Third Language)
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- Arabic / Sanskrit / Other Optional Languages
Class 10 Onam 2018 papers are among the most downloaded resources on Kerala education websites. Both Set A (English Medium) and Set B (Malayalam Medium) versions exist for most subjects.
Higher Secondary – Plus One (Class 11) and Plus Two (Class 12)
Higher secondary students study under the DHSE (Directorate of Higher Secondary Education) Kerala. The first terminal 2018 papers for Plus One were conducted, but Plus Two exams were cancelled due to floods.
The subjects available for Plus One and Plus Two first terminal 2018 include:
- Accountancy with Computerised Accounting
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
The Plus Two 2018 first terminal question papers, though never officially used in an exam, were distributed to schools and are now available as study material on sites like HSSLive and Education Observer.
How to Use First Terminal 2018 Question Papers for Exam Preparation
Just downloading question papers is not enough. Here is how to actually use them well:
- Start with your current class papers. Do not jump to higher class papers first.
- Set a timer. Solve each paper under real exam conditions without looking at answers.
- Compare your answers with the answer key. Mark each answer honestly.
- Identify the questions you got wrong and go back to those chapters in your textbook.
- Note the question types. See if the paper has more objective questions, short answers, or long answers.
- Repeat with papers from multiple years to see if question patterns repeat.
- For Class 10, use the 2018 papers alongside the latest model papers from SCERT for maximum coverage.
Subject-wise Exam Pattern for First Terminal 2018 (Class 10)
Understanding the marking pattern helps you plan your answers better. Here is the general pattern followed in the 2018 Class 10 first terminal papers:
| Subject | Total Marks | Sections | Question Types |
| Mathematics | 40 | A, B, C, D | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer |
| Physics | 40 | A, B, C | Objective, Short Answer, Essay |
| Chemistry | 40 | A, B, C | Objective, Short Answer, Essay |
| Biology | 40 | A, B, C | Objective, Short Answer, Diagram-based |
| Social Science | 40 | A, B, C | Objective, Short Answer, Map-based |
| English | 40 | Reading, Writing, Grammar | Comprehension, Essay, Letter |
| Malayalam | 40 | A, B, C | Comprehension, Writing, Creative |
| Hindi | 40 | A, B, C | Comprehension, Writing, Grammar |
Note: The exact marks and sections may vary slightly by school. These reflect the general pattern used across most Kerala state schools for the 2018 first terminal evaluation.
Where to Download First Terminal Examination 2018 Question Papers
The following are the most reliable sources where you can find and download the 2018 first terminal question papers in PDF format:
| Website | Classes Available | Subjects | Medium |
| educationobserver.com | Class 1 to 12 | All Subjects | Both |
| hsslive.in | Plus One, Plus Two | All HS Subjects | Both |
| schools.aglasem.com | Class 1 to 10 | All Subjects | Both |
| spandanamnews.blogspot.com | Class 8, 9, 10 | Science, Maths, Social | Malayalam |
| keralaboard.com | Class 10 | All SSLC Subjects | Both |
| examwinner.com | Class 10, Plus Two | All Subjects | Both |
When downloading, use Chrome or Firefox on your mobile. Some older PDF links may not open on other browsers or default mobile browsers.
Also Read : Government Question Paper for 8th Standard | Free Download Guide 2025-26
Common Mistakes Students Make with First Terminal Papers
These are the mistakes that show up again and again, and they are easy to avoid:
- Checking answers as they go: This defeats the purpose of timed practice. Finish the full paper first.
- Only doing Class 10 papers while ignoring Class 9 and 8: Earlier class papers build the foundation for the harder concepts in Class 10.
- Skipping Malayalam medium papers if studying in English medium: The questions are the same. Practicing both mediums improves comprehension.
- Not writing answers in full sentences for descriptive questions: Even if you know the concept, writing poorly structured answers costs marks.
- Ignoring diagram-based questions in Biology and Physics: These carry significant marks and are often skipped during practice.
- Treating 2018 papers as outdated: The SCERT syllabus structure from 2018 is still largely followed. These papers remain highly relevant.
Expert Tips for First Terminal Exam Preparation
Here are specific tips from educators who have been part of the Kerala school examination system:
- For Mathematics (Class 8 to 10): Practice construction problems and graph-based questions daily. They appear in almost every paper and require practice, not just theory.
- For Physics and Chemistry: The 2018 papers showed a clear pattern of asking for definitions followed by applications. Always prepare both parts together.
- For Social Science: Map skills and timeline questions were heavily weighted in 2018. Practice marking rivers, states, and historical sites on outline maps.
- For English: The comprehension passages in 2018 first terminal papers were taken from current affairs and social themes. Read newspapers and journals to build reading speed.
- For Biology: Label diagrams during practice. Many students lose marks because they know the concept but cannot label the diagram correctly under exam pressure.
First Terminal Exam Preparation Checklist
- Completed syllabus portions as per the first term schedule
- Solved at least one full 2018 first terminal paper for each subject
- Reviewed all incorrect answers and went back to the relevant chapters
- Practiced diagram labelling for Biology and Physics
- Practiced map marking for Social Science
- Solved at least one SCERT model question paper per subject
- Timed at least one full paper per subject under exam conditions
- Revised formula lists for Maths, Physics, and Chemistry
- Prepared short notes for each chapter in Social Science and Biology
- Checked the exam timetable and confirmed all required materials
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the first terminal examination in Kerala?
The first terminal examination, also called the Onam exam, is the first major school assessment conducted by Kerala state schools each academic year. It is held in August or September for all classes from Standard 1 to Plus Two (Class 12) under the SCERT Kerala syllabus.
Q2: Were the first terminal exams conducted in 2018 for all classes?
No. Due to the severe floods in Kerala in August 2018, the first terminal examinations were delayed or rescheduled for most classes. For Plus Two (Class 12), the exam was officially cancelled. The prepared question papers were distributed to schools and are now available as study material.
Q3: Where can I download the 2018 Onam exam question papers for free?
You can download the 2018 first terminal question papers from Education Observer (educationobserver.com), HSSLive (hsslive.in), AglaSem Schools (schools.aglasem.com), and Spandanam Blog. These sites offer free PDF downloads for most classes and subjects in both Malayalam and English medium.
Q4: Are the 2018 question papers available in English medium?
Yes. Most subjects from Class 4 onwards have both Malayalam medium and English medium versions. For lower primary classes (Class 1 to 3), papers are primarily in Malayalam medium. For Class 10, both Set A (English Medium) and Set B (Malayalam Medium) papers are available.
Q5: Are the 2018 first terminal papers still useful for 2025 exam preparation?
Yes, they are still very useful. The SCERT syllabus structure and question pattern from 2018 is largely still in use, though some textbooks were revised in 2024-25. Use the 2018 papers for concept practice and pattern understanding, but cross-check the syllabus with the latest SCERT model papers for any updated chapters.
Q6: What subjects are included in the Class 10 first terminal 2018 question papers?
The Class 10 Onam 2018 question papers cover Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, English (Second Language), Malayalam (First Language), Hindi (Third Language), ICT, and optional languages like Arabic and Sanskrit.
Q7: Can Plus Two students use the 2018 first terminal papers for revision?
Yes. The Plus Two 2018 first terminal question papers for subjects like Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Accountancy, Business Studies, and English are available online. Even though the exam was not held, the papers reflect the standard expected at the Plus Two level and are useful for revision and mock tests.
Q8: How are the first terminal exam marks used?
First terminal exam marks contribute to the internal assessment component of the final grade. For Class 10 SSLC, internal marks carry weight in the final result. For higher classes, these marks are recorded by the school for progress evaluation and may influence internal grade calculations.
Q9: What is the difference between first terminal and second terminal exams in Kerala?
The first terminal exam (Onam exam) is held in August-September and covers the first part of the academic year syllabus. The second terminal exam is held in December-January and covers additional chapters. The annual exam at the end of the year tests the complete syllabus. Each serves a different portion of the curriculum.
Q10: Are answer keys available for the 2018 first terminal question papers?
Yes. Answer keys for most subjects and classes are available alongside the question papers on sites like Education Observer, HSSLive, and Exam Winner. For some subjects, detailed scoring guidelines were also shared by teachers through educational blogs and Spandanam.
Conclusion
The first terminal examination 2018 question papers are more than just old exam sheets. They are a window into the Kerala school examination system, the syllabus structure, and the type of thinking the education board wants students to develop.
Whether you are a student preparing for your upcoming Onam exam, a parent helping your child revise, or a teacher looking for question bank material, these papers serve a real purpose. The fact that 2018 was a disrupted year makes these papers even more interesting. For Plus Two students especially, the papers that were never used in an actual exam became one of the most studied resources of that generation.
