Every August, just before the Onam festival, schools across Kerala go quiet for a different reason: exams. The first terminal exam, better known as the Onam exam, is one of the most important assessments in the Kerala school calendar.
For students in Classes 1 to 12, the Onam exam is not just another school test. It is a structured, board-level evaluation that sets the tone for the rest of the academic year. Scores from this exam help teachers understand where each student stands, help parents track progress, and most importantly, help students themselves find out which topics need more attention.
This guide covers everything you need: what the Onam exam is, how to download question papers class-wise and subject-wise, how to use them smartly, and what mistakes to avoid during preparation.
What Makes the Onam Exam Different from Other Kerala School Exams?
The Kerala education system runs three major assessments in a school year: the First Terminal Exam (Onam), the Second Terminal Exam (Christmas), and the Annual Exam. The Onam exam is the first checkpoint.
Here is what makes it unique:
- It only covers the portions taught from June to early August, not the full year syllabus.
- SCERT Kerala designs the syllabus framework and model question papers.
- The exam is conducted in both Malayalam and English mediums.
- From 2025 onwards, students in Classes 5 to 9 must score at least 30% in each subject’s written test to be promoted.
- Results must be published within seven days of schools reopening after Onam.
| Important Update for 2025-26:
The Kerala government introduced a minimum passing mark of 30% per subject in the written exam for Classes 5 to 9 starting with the Onam exams in August 2025. Students who fall short will receive two weeks of special academic support before being given another opportunity. |
Onam Exam Question Papers: Class-Wise Overview
Classes 1 to 5 (Lower Primary)
For lower primary students, the Onam exam is a gentle introduction to formal testing. Question papers at this level are simple, visually engaging, and based directly on SCERT textbooks. Subjects include Malayalam, English, Mathematics, Environmental Science, and Hindi (from Class 3 onwards).
Parents can download previous year question papers from trusted education portals to give their child practice runs at home. These are available in both mediums.
Classes 6 to 8 (Upper Primary)
The Upper Primary level is where subject-specific question papers become more structured. For Class 6, 7, and 8, the Onam exam includes:
- Mathematics (English and Malayalam medium)
- Basic Science / Physics / Chemistry / Biology
- Social Science
- English
- Malayalam (Adisthana Padavali and Kerala Padavali)
- Hindi
- Art (in some classes)
Each paper lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. Questions follow a mix of multiple-choice questions, short answers, and longer descriptive responses. SCERT releases official model question papers, and previous year papers are widely available.
Class 9 (SSLC Preparatory)
Class 9 is where exam pressure begins to build. The Onam exam for Class 9 is seen as a dry run for the SSLC board exams in Class 10. Questions for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages are all modelled after the SSLC format.
Students can download Class 9 Onam question papers in PDF format with answer keys from SCERT and education portals like Education Observer and Careers360. Papers are available for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Class 10 (SSLC)
The SSLC Onam exam is the most searched and most important first-term paper in Kerala. It directly prepares students for the SSLC board exams in March 2026.
The Kerala SSLC Onam Exam 2025 was held from August 18 to August 26, 2025. SCERT released official model question papers for all major subjects covering the first three months of the academic year.
| Subject | Medium Available | Exam Duration | Marks |
| Mathematics | English and Malayalam | 2 hrs 30 min | 80 |
| Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) | English and Malayalam | 2 hrs 30 min | 80 |
| Social Science | English and Malayalam | 2 hrs 30 min | 80 |
| English | English Medium | 2 hrs 30 min | 80 |
| Malayalam / Hindi / Arabic | Malayalam Medium | 2 hrs 15 min | 80 |
| IT Theory | English and Malayalam | 1 hr 30 min | 40 |
Class 11 (Plus One) and Class 12 (Plus Two)
Higher secondary students appear for the Onam exam under DHSE Kerala. This is the First Term Examination conducted for Science, Commerce, and Arts streams.
The Plus One and Plus Two Onam exam 2025 was held from August 18 to August 27. Question papers include very short answer, short answer, and long answer questions based on the first-term SCERT syllabus. The exam is pen-and-paper mode, conducted offline in all DHSE-affiliated schools.
Stream-wise subjects covered:
Science Stream
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics / Biology
- Computer Science / Informatics Practices
Commerce Stream
- Business Studies
- Accountancy
- Economics
- Computer Applications
Arts / Humanities Stream
- History
- Political Science
- Geography
- Sociology
- Psychology
How to Use Onam Exam Question Papers for Smart Preparation
Downloading a question paper is easy. Using it well is what separates average students from top performers. Here is a step-by-step method used by Kerala’s high-scoring students.
- : Before picking up any question paper, check the SCERT Scheme of Work for your class. Only the portions taught up to August are included in the Onam exam. Studying beyond this scope wastes time. Understand the Syllabus First
- : Sit in a quiet place, put your phone away, set a timer, and solve the paper exactly as you would in the exam hall. No peeking at notes. Solve in Exam Conditions
- : After finishing, compare your answers with the official or expert-prepared answer key. Do not just circle what is wrong. Write down why it was wrong. Check Against the Answer Key
- : Make a simple list of topics where you lost marks. These are your priority areas for the next revision round. Track Weak Areas
- : Solve at least three years of previous papers for each subject. This shows you which topics come up repeatedly and which question types are most common. Repeat with Previous Year Papers
- : Notice how questions are framed. A question on the same concept can be asked as a MCQ, a fill-in-the-blank, or a five-mark essay. Knowing this helps you answer in the right format. Focus on Question Pattern, Not Just Answers
| Expert Tip:
Do not use previous year question papers as a last-minute shortcut. Use them as a diagnostic tool at the start of your preparation. Solve one, find your weak spots, study those areas, then solve another. Repeat this cycle. |
Where to Download Onam Exam Question Papers: Trusted Sources
Question papers are available from several reliable sources. Here is where to look:
| Source | Papers Available For | Medium |
| SCERT Kerala (scert.kerala.gov.in) | All Classes, Model Papers | Malayalam and English |
| DHSE Kerala (dhsekerala.gov.in) | Plus One, Plus Two | Malayalam and English |
| Education Observer | Classes 1 to 12, Previous Year Papers | Both Mediums |
| HSSLive.in | Plus One, Plus Two, SSLC | Both Mediums |
| AglaSem Schools | Classes 1 to 12 | Both Mediums |
| Careers360 School | Classes 6 to 12 | Both Mediums |
| Kerala Teachers / schools360.in | Classes 6 to 10 | Both Mediums |
| Download Tip:
Use Google Chrome or Firefox on your phone to download PDF question papers from these sites. Some older portals do not work correctly in other browsers. Always check if the paper matches your current academic year’s syllabus before using it for practice. |
Onam Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Understanding the exam pattern is as important as knowing the content. The Kerala Board Onam exam follows a consistent format across classes.
Question Types
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Usually carry 1 mark each. Straightforward, based on basic concepts.
- Very Short Answer Questions: One or two lines. 1 to 2 marks.
- Short Answer Questions: Three to five lines. 3 to 4 marks.
- Long Answer / Essay Questions: Paragraphs or detailed explanations. 5 to 8 marks.
- Diagram-Based Questions: Common in Science papers. Neat, labelled diagrams can score full marks.
Negative Marking
There is no negative marking in the Onam exam across any class or subject. This means students should attempt all questions rather than leave anything blank.
Minimum Passing Marks
From 2025-26 onwards, students in Classes 5 to 9 must score at least 30% in the written component of each subject. This rule applies to Classes 8, 10, and 12 as well. Students who score below this in the Onam exam are given special coaching and a second attempt through the SAY (Save A Year) exam before they are asked to repeat a year.
Onam Exam Preparation: What Actually Works
Kerala students often ask the same questions: How much time is enough to prepare? Should I study all chapters or focus on important ones? How do I manage multiple subjects?
Here is what actually helps, based on how successful students approach the first term exam.
One Month Before the Exam
- Complete your first reading of all first-term chapters.
- Download previous year Onam papers for your class.
- Solve one full paper per subject in timed conditions.
- Identify which chapters you are weakest in from your paper performance.
Two Weeks Before the Exam
- Revise the chapters where you lost the most marks.
- Re-read SCERT textbook definitions, diagrams, and examples.
- Practice diagram-labelling for Science papers.
- Write out formulas and key terms for Mathematics and Science without looking.
The Week Before the Exam
- Solve one model question paper per day for each subject.
- Focus on how answers are structured, especially for long answer questions.
- Do not start new topics. Consolidate what you already know.
- Sleep well. Revision done while tired does not stick.
Common Mistakes Students Make with Onam Exam Question Papers
Most students download question papers but do not use them properly. These are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Solving papers without a timer: If you do not time yourself, you will not learn time management. Always set a clock.
- Only checking MCQ answers: Students often check MCQs and skip reviewing their long answers. The big marks are in the long questions.
- Using question papers from wrong years or wrong syllabi: Always confirm the paper matches the current SCERT syllabus. Older papers may have chapters that are no longer included.
- Memorising answers instead of understanding them: Writing out a memorised answer rarely earns full marks. Examiners look for your own words and understanding.
- Ignoring Malayalam medium papers: If you are a Malayalam medium student and you practice only English medium papers, the question framing and language will feel different in the exam.
- Skipping diagram practice: Diagrams in Biology, Physics, and Geography can get you five marks quickly if you practice them. Most students leave this for last.
What Is Changing in Kerala Onam Exams
Kerala’s education department is actively updating its assessment approach. Here is what is new and what is coming.
- New SCERT Textbooks (2025-26): SCERT has revised textbooks across multiple classes for the 2025-26 academic year. The Onam exam question papers for 2025 are based on these updated textbooks. Students must use the latest editions.
- Minimum Passing Rule: The 30% written exam minimum is being gradually extended to more classes. Students and parents should stay updated on official DHSE and SCERT notifications.
- Question Bank by HSSTA: The Higher Secondary School Teachers Association regularly releases question banks for first-term preparation. These are a great supplement to official model papers.
- Digital Access to Papers: More government portals are now offering direct PDF downloads without registration. The direction is toward greater accessibility for rural students.
Frequently Asked Questions about Onam Exam Question Papers
What is the Onam exam in Kerala?
The Onam exam is the first terminal examination conducted in Kerala state schools every August, just before the Onam festival. It tests students on the syllabus covered from June to early August. It applies to all classes from 1 to 12 under the Kerala State Board.
When is the Kerala Onam exam held?
The Onam exam is typically held in the third or fourth week of August. In 2025, the exams were held from August 18 to August 26 for SSLC and August 18 to August 27 for Plus One and Plus Two students.
Where can I download the Onam exam question paper PDF?
You can download Onam exam question papers from SCERT Kerala, DHSE Kerala, Education Observer, HSSLive, AglaSem, and Careers360. Papers are available for all classes, both mediums, and multiple previous years.
Is there negative marking in the Onam exam?
No. There is no negative marking in the Kerala Board Onam exam for any class or subject. Students should attempt every question.
What is the passing mark for the Onam exam?
From 2025-26, students in Classes 5 to 9 must score at least 30% in the written part of each subject. This minimum mark rule is being extended to more classes in future years.
Are Onam exam papers the same across all Kerala schools?
The question paper format and syllabus are set by SCERT or DHSE Kerala, but individual schools may create their own papers based on the official framework. Model question papers released by SCERT are used as the reference standard.
Can Plus One and Plus Two students download previous year Onam papers?
Yes. Previous year papers and model question papers for Plus One and Plus Two are available on platforms like HSSLive, DHSE Kerala portal, and Careers360 for all three streams: Science, Commerce, and Arts.
How many years of previous Onam papers should I solve?
Solving the last three years of Onam question papers gives you a very clear picture of the question pattern, common topics, and likely marks distribution. For Classes 9 and 10, solving up to five years of papers is even better.
What is the difference between the Onam exam and the SSLC board exam?
The Onam exam covers only the first-term syllabus taught until August and is conducted at the school or district level. The SSLC board exam in March covers the full year syllabus and is a state-level board examination. The Onam exam is preparation for the board exam.
Are answer keys available with the Onam exam question papers?
Yes. Most education portals provide official or expert-prepared answer keys along with the question papers. These help students self-evaluate their practice attempts before the results are announced.
