Every year in December, Kerala school students face a particular kind of pressure. Christmas is approaching, the holidays feel close, and yet there is a full examination to sit through first. The Christmas exam, officially known as the second terminal examination, is one of the most important internal assessments in the Kerala school calendar.
The 2019 Christmas exam papers hold a special place in that archive. They were the first papers set after the extraordinary 2018 flood year, when the first terminal exam was cancelled and the second terminal had to cover double the syllabus. In 2019, things returned to normal. The syllabus was standard. The paper pattern was back to what students and teachers expected.
And then, just a few months later, COVID-19 arrived. The 2019 Christmas exam papers became the last set of entirely normal Kerala school second terminal papers for several years.
This guide gives you everything you need: what the 2019 papers covered, how they were structured, where to download them, how to use them for preparation, and why they are still relevant today for students appearing in upcoming Christmas exams.
Contents
- 1 Why the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Matter More Than You Think
- 2 What Is the Kerala Christmas Exam?
- 3 How the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Were Structured
- 4 Subject-wise Christmas Exam Question Papers 2019: Complete List
- 5 Where to Download Christmas Exam Question Paper 2019
- 6 Christmas Exam 2019 vs Other Years: What Makes It Different
- 7 How to Use the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Effectively
- 8 Subject-wise Preparation Tips Using the 2019 Papers
- 9 Mistakes Students Make When Practicing with Old Christmas Exam Papers
- 10 Exam Preparation Checklist for Kerala Christmas Exam (Using 2019 Papers)
- 11 Are 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Still Useful in 2025?
- 12 Frequently Asked Questions
- 13 Conclusion
Why the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Matter More Than You Think
Most students search for old Christmas exam papers just to get practice material. That is a perfectly good reason. But the 2019 papers offer something extra that students and teachers rarely think about.
The 2019 papers represent the Kerala board’s clean, standard paper pattern, completely unaffected by any external disruption. No flood-widened syllabus like 2018. No COVID restrictions like 2020 and 2021. No shifted portions or reduced syllabus like 2022.
What you get in the 2019 papers is the Kerala SCERT’s ideal of what a December second terminal paper should look like. Question distribution, marks split, section structure, difficulty balance, all of it reflects normal conditions. That is exactly why teachers and preparation platforms still recommend these papers when building a multi-year revision plan.
| Key Context | The Christmas Exam 2019 was conducted in December 2019 for the academic year 2019-20. It followed a standard second term syllabus after the 2018 flood-disrupted year. The next academic year (2020-21) saw no Christmas exam due to COVID-19. This makes 2019 the most reliable clean benchmark paper between 2018 and 2022. |
What Is the Kerala Christmas Exam?
The Christmas exam is the informal name for Kerala’s second terminal examination. It is conducted every December, just before the Christmas school holidays, for all classes from Standard 1 to Plus Two in government, aided, and unaided schools following the SCERT Kerala syllabus.
For lower primary classes (Std 1 to 4), the exam is relatively light and focuses on basic understanding. For upper primary classes (Std 5 to 7), the paper tests unit-level knowledge. For high school classes (Std 8 to 10), it is a formal written examination that contributes to internal assessment grades. For Plus One and Plus Two students, it is a significant mid-year evaluation that directly informs their board exam preparation.
| Class Group | Classes Included | Exam Authority | Purpose |
| Lower Primary (LP) | Standard 1 to 4 | School Level | Basic learning check, formative assessment |
| Upper Primary (UP) | Standard 5 to 7 | Cluster / School Level | Unit knowledge test, builds study habits |
| High School (HS) | Standard 8 to 10 | District / School Level | Internal assessment, board exam prep |
| Higher Secondary | Plus One and Plus Two | DHSE Kerala (Common Paper) | Half-yearly evaluation, board preparation |
How the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Were Structured
The 2019 question papers followed the standard Kerala SCERT evaluation framework. Here is how the paper was typically organized across key class levels:
High School Classes (Std 8, 9, 10)
For high school subjects, the standard format in 2019 included:
- Section A: Short answer questions carrying 1 mark each, testing definitions, formulas, and direct recall
- Section B: Medium answer questions carrying 2 to 4 marks, requiring explanation or calculation with steps
- Section C: Long answer or extended problems carrying 5 to 6 marks, testing application and analysis
- Total marks: typically 60 for core subjects, 40 for language papers
- Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours for science and maths, 2 hours for language papers
- Cool-off time: 15 minutes provided before writing begins, for reading and planning
Plus One and Plus Two (Higher Secondary)
For higher secondary classes, the 2019 second terminal examination papers were set as common papers by DHSE Kerala for all government, aided, and unaided higher secondary schools. The structure included:
- Section A: Very short answer or objective questions
- Section B: Short answer questions (2 to 3 marks)
- Section C: Problems, derivations, or essay answers (4 to 5 marks)
- Section D: Long answer or comprehensive questions (6 marks)
- Internal choices provided within sections for most papers
- Plus One exams conducted in forenoon sessions, Plus Two in afternoon sessions
Subject-wise Christmas Exam Question Papers 2019: Complete List
The 2019 Christmas exam papers are available for download across the following subjects and class groups:
Standard 1 to 4 (Lower Primary)
- Malayalam (First Language)
- English
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science (EVS)
- Hindi (where applicable)
- Arabic (where applicable)
Standard 5 to 7 (Upper Primary)
- Malayalam
- English
- Mathematics
- Basic Science
- Social Science
- Hindi
- Arabic
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
Standard 8 (Class 8)
- Mathematics (Malayalam Medium and English Medium)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Science
- English
- Malayalam
- Hindi
- Arabic
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
- IT (Information Technology)
Standard 9 (Class 9)
- Mathematics (MM and EM)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Science
- English
- Malayalam
- Hindi
- Arabic
- Sanskrit
- Urdu
- IT
Standard 10 / SSLC
- Mathematics (MM and EM)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Science
- English
- Malayalam
- Hindi
- Arabic
- Sanskrit
- IT
Plus One (Class 11) by Stream
Science Stream
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics (Science)
- Computer Science
- English
- Hindi
Commerce Stream
- Accountancy with Computer Application (CA)
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Computer Application (Commerce)
- English
- Hindi
Humanities Stream
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Economics
- English
- Hindi
- Arabic
Plus Two (Class 12) by Stream
Science Stream
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- English
- Hindi
Commerce Stream
- Accountancy
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Computer Application (Commerce)
- English
- Hindi
Humanities Stream
- History
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Statistics
- English
- Hindi
- Arabic
Where to Download Christmas Exam Question Paper 2019
Several trusted educational portals in Kerala have compiled and made the 2019 Christmas exam papers available for free download. Here is a clear breakdown of what each source offers:
| Source | Classes Covered | Subjects Available | Medium |
| examwinner.com | Std 8, 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two | All core subjects by class | MM and EM |
| educationobserver.com | SSLC, Plus One, Plus Two | Science, Commerce, Humanities subjects | MM and EM |
| hsslive.in | Plus One and Plus Two | All Higher Secondary subjects | MM and EM |
| schools.aglasem.com | Std 1 to 12 (all classes) | Class-wise compiled papers | MM and EM |
| spandanamnews.blogspot.com | Std 8, 9, 10 | All subjects with answer keys | MM and EM |
| biovisions.in | Std 1 to Plus Two | All subjects, all classes | MM and EM |
| studocu.com | Class 7 (specific subjects) | English, Maths, Social Science | EM only |
For Plus One and Plus Two specifically, Education Observer’s dedicated page for half-yearly exam papers from 2017 to 2024 is the most complete single source. For high school classes (Std 8 to 10), Exam Winner organizes papers by year and class, making navigation easier.
Christmas Exam 2019 vs Other Years: What Makes It Different
| Year | What Made It Special | Syllabus Scope | Availability |
| 2017 | Standard year, benchmark paper | Second term only | Good |
| 2018 | First terminal cancelled (Kerala floods), extended syllabus | First and second term combined | Very Good |
| 2019 | First clean year after 2018, last normal year before COVID | Second term only (standard) | Very Good |
| 2020 | COVID-19: Christmas exam not conducted | Not applicable | N/A |
| 2021 | Reduced/simplified syllabus, COVID protocols | Limited portion | Limited |
| 2022 | Return to normal, new textbook updates in some classes | Second term only | Very Good |
| 2023 | Fully updated pattern, SCERT revision reflected | Second term only | Excellent |
| 2024 | Latest available papers | Second term only | Excellent |
| For Preparation | For students appearing in upcoming Christmas exams, solving the 2019 paper alongside 2022 and 2023 papers gives the best combination: the 2019 paper shows the stable pre-COVID pattern while the 2022 and 2023 papers reflect any post-COVID syllabus updates. Treat all three together as your core practice set. |
How to Use the 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Effectively
Downloading a question paper is easy. Using it well is where most students either get the full benefit or waste the opportunity. Here is a structured approach:
- Download the paper for your class and subject in your medium (MM or EM). Print it if possible, because writing on paper during practice is closer to the actual exam experience than typing on a screen.
- Read the full paper first without attempting it. Spend five minutes understanding the sections, the marks per question, and where the difficult questions sit relative to the easy ones.
- Set a timer for the actual exam duration and attempt the full paper without your notes or textbook. This is the most important rule. The discomfort of not knowing an answer during practice is far better than the panic of not knowing it during the actual exam.
- Check your answers using the answer keys available on the source platforms. For subjects with multiple answer keys, compare them to understand what the evaluator expects.
- Write down every question you got wrong. Next to each question, write the chapter name and the specific concept you need to revisit.
- Go back to those chapters in your textbook. Revise the concept. Do not just re-read; actually write out the concept in your own words.
- Attempt those specific questions again two days later without looking at your notes.
- Compare your score on the 2019 paper with your score after practicing the 2022 or 2023 paper. The comparison shows where you have improved and where you still need work.
Subject-wise Preparation Tips Using the 2019 Papers
Mathematics (All Classes)
The 2019 maths papers across Std 8, 9, and 10 reflect a consistent emphasis on algebra, geometry, and statistics. The Kerala board has always rewarded students who show full working. Even if your final answer is correct, writing only the answer without steps can cost you marks. Practice writing each step clearly and labeling what you are doing.
For Plus Two Mathematics, the 2019 paper included calculus questions, matrices, and probability, which are the high-weightage chapters across all years. These chapters are worth mastering thoroughly because they appear consistently.
Physics (Std 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two)
Physics question papers in 2019 followed the familiar Kerala format: a mix of conceptual questions and numerical problems. The 2019 Plus Two Physics paper is especially useful because it reflects the full second-term portion of the Higher Secondary Physics syllabus before any COVID disruptions changed what was taught and when.
Pay attention to numerical questions in the 2019 paper. Kerala Physics papers rarely repeat the exact same numbers, but they repeat the same types of calculations. Mastering the method matters more than memorizing specific values.
Chemistry (Std 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two)
The 2019 Chemistry papers are particularly useful for understanding the balance between theory questions and equation-based questions. For SSLC students, chemical equations, periodic table trends, and reaction types are consistent features. For Plus Two students, organic chemistry questions in the 2019 paper provide a reliable benchmark for how DHSE frames organic mechanisms and compound identification questions.
Biology (Std 9, 10, Plus One, Plus Two)
Biology in the 2019 Christmas exam heavily favored diagram-based questions and definition recall combined with explanation. The Kerala board Biology paper rewards students who label diagrams correctly and explain biological processes in sequence. Use the 2019 paper to practice writing process-based answers such as explaining digestion, photosynthesis, or DNA replication step by step.
Social Science (Std 8, 9, 10)
The 2019 Social Science papers for high school classes covered a mix of history, geography, political science, and economics chapters from the second term. Kerala Social Science papers are known for their map-based questions, which many students underestimate. Practice locating and marking geographical features on blank maps using the 2019 paper as a reference for what gets asked.
English (All Classes)
English papers in the 2019 Christmas exam followed the Kerala board’s standard reading-writing-grammar structure. For Std 7, the Samagra Shiksha framework governed the paper pattern. For SSLC, reading comprehension, letter or essay writing, and grammar exercises were the core components. The 2019 English papers are a reliable study reference because the Kerala board English pattern has been highly consistent since 2017.
Also Read : Second Terminal Examination 2018 Question Paper: All Classes, All Subjects
Mistakes Students Make When Practicing with Old Christmas Exam Papers
| Solving the paper without timing yourself, which gives a false sense of confidence and does not train time management. |
| Checking the answer key immediately after each question instead of completing the full paper first. This defeats the purpose of a timed full-length practice session. |
| Treating the 2019 paper as the only paper to practice. One year’s paper is a starting point, not a complete preparation strategy. |
| Ignoring language papers and focusing only on science and maths. Language papers like English and Malayalam have consistent question patterns and are easy marks if practiced properly. |
| Skipping diagram-based and map-based questions during practice because they feel time-consuming. These are exactly the questions where marks are lost in the actual exam. |
| Not checking which chapters fall in the second term syllabus and accidentally revising first term chapters that are not covered in the Christmas exam. |
| Using only one answer key for subjects like Social Science where multiple versions exist. Multiple answer keys show the range of acceptable answers. |
| Practicing papers in the wrong medium. An English Medium student practicing a Malayalam Medium paper may encounter differently worded questions and get confused. |
Exam Preparation Checklist for Kerala Christmas Exam (Using 2019 Papers)
| Confirm which chapters are in your school’s second term syllabus before starting any paper practice |
| Download the 2019 Christmas exam paper for every subject you are appearing in |
| Attempt the 2019 paper under real exam conditions with a timer and no textbook |
| Mark each question as correct, partially correct, or incorrect after checking with the answer key |
| List all the chapters where errors occurred and make a targeted revision plan |
| Revise those specific chapters from your SCERT textbook before the next practice session |
| Attempt the 2022 paper for the same subjects and compare your scores between years |
| Practice all diagram and map questions separately at least twice before the exam |
| Write out key formulas, definitions, and dates on a single revision sheet per subject |
| Do one full timed paper for each subject in the final week before the exam |
| Get your answers reviewed by your teacher for subjects like English and Social Science where phrasing matters |
| Rest well the night before. Attempting a paper while exhausted teaches you nothing useful |
Are 2019 Christmas Exam Papers Still Useful in 2025?
Yes, with one important condition: check whether the SCERT Kerala textbooks for your class have been revised since 2019. Some classes received updated textbooks in 2022 and 2023. If your current textbook has new chapters or restructured units, the 2019 paper will not cover those additions.
For subjects where the textbook content has remained stable, the 2019 paper is fully relevant. The format, difficulty level, question distribution, and marking style have not changed significantly across most subjects.
For Plus One and Plus Two students, the DHSE paper pattern for the second terminal examination has been broadly consistent from 2017 through 2024. Practicing the 2019 paper alongside papers from 2022 and 2023 remains one of the most effective preparation strategies available.
| Class | Are 2019 Papers Still Relevant? | Check Before Using |
| Std 1 to 4 | Mostly yes, basic concepts unchanged | Verify EVS chapter list |
| Std 5 to 7 | Mostly yes | Check if Social Science restructured |
| Std 8 and 9 | Yes for most subjects | Verify Maths chapters if new textbook used |
| Std 10 / SSLC | Yes, pattern highly consistent | Check Chemistry chapter updates |
| Plus One (Std 11) | Yes for Science, Commerce, Humanities | Verify if stream-specific content changed |
| Plus Two (Std 12) | Yes, very reliable benchmark | Check Maths and Computer Science if revised |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is the Kerala Christmas exam and when is it held?
A: The Kerala Christmas exam is the informal name for the second terminal examination conducted by Kerala SCERT syllabus schools every December. It covers the second term syllabus portion and is held for all classes from Standard 1 to Plus Two. The exam takes place roughly in the second or third week of December before the Christmas school holidays begin.
Q: Why is the 2019 Christmas exam paper different from 2018?
A: The 2018 Christmas exam had an extended syllabus because the Kerala floods of August 2018 forced the cancellation of the first terminal examination. The 2018 paper therefore covered both first and second term portions. The 2019 paper returned to the standard format covering only the second term syllabus, making it a cleaner and more representative paper for preparation.
Q: Where can I download the Christmas exam question paper 2019 for Class 10?
A: The 2019 Christmas exam question papers for SSLC Class 10 are available on examwinner.com (under Kerala SSLC Christmas Exam Previous Question Papers 2019-20), educationobserver.com (in their forum section), and schools.aglasem.com. Papers are available in both Malayalam Medium and English Medium.
Q: Are the 2019 Christmas exam papers available for Plus One Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams separately?
A: Yes. Education Observer and Exam Winner both organize the Plus One papers by stream. Science stream papers (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths), Commerce stream papers (Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Application), and Humanities papers (History, Sociology, Economics, Political Science) are all available separately for the December 2019 examination.
Q: Was the 2019 Christmas exam conducted for all classes in Kerala?
A: Yes. The 2019 Christmas exam was conducted for all classes from Standard 1 to Plus Two in government, aided, and unaided schools following the Kerala SCERT syllabus. The Lower Primary, Upper Primary, High School, and Higher Secondary examinations were all held in December 2019 for the academic year 2019-20.
Q: Why was there no Christmas exam in 2020?
A: The 2020-21 academic year was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools across Kerala shifted to online learning, and the standard examination calendar could not be followed. The December 2020 Christmas examination was not conducted in its normal format, which is why the 2019 papers are particularly important as the most recent clean benchmark.
Q: Are answer keys available for the 2019 Christmas exam papers?
A: Yes. Answer keys for the 2019 Christmas exam papers are available on multiple platforms. Education Observer, HSSLive, Exam Winner, and Spandanam Blog all published teacher-prepared answer keys for the 2019 papers across different subjects and class levels. For some subjects, multiple answer keys were prepared by different teachers from various districts.
Q: Which subjects should I prioritize when practicing with the 2019 Christmas exam paper?
A: This depends on your class and stream. For SSLC students, Maths, Physics, and Social Science are typically the highest-scoring and most time-intensive papers, so prioritize those. For Plus Two Science students, Physics, Chemistry, and Maths require the most structured practice. For all students, do not neglect English and language papers as they have predictable question patterns that reward consistent practice.
Q: How many Christmas exam papers should I practice before the actual exam?
A: A minimum of three years is recommended: 2019, 2022, and 2023. This combination covers the stable pre-COVID pattern (2019), the post-COVID return to standard format (2022), and the most recent available pattern (2023). If time allows, add 2017 and 2018 papers for a five-year practice set.
Q: Can teachers use the 2019 Christmas exam papers to set school-level tests?
A: Yes. Many teachers across Kerala use previous year Christmas exam papers to create class tests, revision worksheets, and unit tests. The 2019 papers are particularly useful for this because they represent the standard question pattern without any disruption. Adapting a few questions from the 2019 paper for a class test is a common and effective teaching practice.
Conclusion
The Christmas Exam Question Paper 2019 is one of the most reliable preparation resources available for Kerala SCERT syllabus students. It is clean, standard, undisrupted, and widely available across multiple trusted platforms.
But a question paper is only as useful as the discipline you bring to practicing it. The students who benefit most from old papers are the ones who treat practice like the real exam: timed, without notes, with honest self-assessment afterward.
Use the 2019 papers as the foundation of your preparation. Add 2022 and 2023 papers for the updated pattern. Review every question you got wrong before moving to the next paper. That loop, repeated consistently across all your subjects, is what actually improves performance.
The Christmas exam is not designed to catch students out. It is designed to check whether they understood what was taught. Students who work steadily through their textbooks and practice with old papers almost always find that the exam is more manageable than they expected.
