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Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education

Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education Exam Pattern 2027

Class-12-exams Offline March 2026

Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education Exam Pattern

Kerala Board Exam Pattern 2023

The Kerala Plus Two exam pattern 2023 tells students the total marks for each subject, exam duration, number of questions, and question types. This helps students prepare effectively for the Kerala Plus Two Exam 2023.

  • Each Kerala DHSE 2023 exam runs for 2 to 2.5 hours in offline mode.
  • Every subject has three components: terminal examination (TE), continuous examination (CE), and practical examination (PE).
  • Candidates need a grade of D+ or above, with a minimum 30% aggregate score in CE, PE, and TE.

Kerala Board Highlights 2023

Particulars Details
Board Name Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education
Exam Level Class 10th – SSLC & Class 12th – HSLC
Conducting Authority Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan
Exam Name Kerala SSLC Exam, Kerala HSLC Exam
Mode Of Exam Offline/Pen-Paper
Duration Of Exam 2-2.5 hours
Mode Of Results Online
Appearing Students In 2020 4.2 Lakh for Class 10th, 8 Lakh for Class 12th
No. Of Centres 3000+ across Kerala State
Qualifying Criteria D+ or more grade, and a minimum of 30% in TE
Official Website https://kbpe.org/ and http://www.dhsekerala.gov.in/

Exam Pattern Details

Every subject carries 100 marks, including practical and theoretical sections. A candidate needs at least 30% marks in each subject and 30% aggregate marks to pass.

There are three sections for every subject in the Kerala board examination:

  1. Terminal Examination (TE)
  2. Continuous Examination (CE)
  3. Practical Examination (PE)

To pass, candidates need a minimum grade of D+ in aggregate, which means TE, CE, and PE taken together. They also need at least 30% in TE separately to pass that specific subject.

Kerala Plus Two Exam Pattern and Subject Details

The table below shows the exam pattern for Kerala Plus Two subjects. It lists the duration, total marks, and qualifying scores for each subject.

Subject Duration (Hours) Total Marks TE Qualifying Score Final Qualifying Score
Physics 2 100 18 30
Chemistry 2 100 18 30
Biology 2 100 18 30
Mathematics 2.5 100 24 30
Computer Science 2 100 18 30
Economics 2.5 100 24 30
Geography 2 100 18 30
Psychology 2 100 18 30
History 2.5 100 24 30
Political Science 2.5 100 24 30
English 2.5 100 24 30

Kerala Plus Two Subject Combinations: Science Stream

The following table gives the subject combinations available for students in the science stream.

S. No Subjects
1 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology
2 Physics, Chemistry, Home Science, Biology
3 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Home Science
4 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology
5 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science
6 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronics
7 Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology
8 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics
9 Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Biology

Kerala Plus Two Subject Combinations: Commerce Stream

The subject combinations for the commerce stream are listed in the table below.

S. No Subjects
1 Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Maths
2 Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Statistics
3 Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Politics
4 Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Computer Application

Kerala Plus Two Subject Combinations: Humanities Stream

Students must be careful while choosing a combination in the humanities stream. There is a variety of combinations available.

The subject combinations for the humanities stream are given below.

Kerala Plus Two Syllabus

The Class 12 syllabus of the Kerala Board covers many important topics. Students must read the textbooks thoroughly before attempting any model paper.

Most questions are application based, while some are theoretical.

Subject Combinations Offered

The Kerala Board offers 25 subject combinations for Plus Two. Each combination includes four subjects.

S. No Subjects
1 History, Economics, Politics, Geography
2 History, Economics, Politics, Sociology
3 History, Economics, Politics, Geology
4 History, Economics, Politics, Gandhian Studies
5 History, Economics, Politics, Philosophy
6 History, Economics, Politics, Social Work
7 Islamic History, Economics, Politics, Geography
8 Islamic History, Economics, Politics, Sociology
9 Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Gandhian Studies
10 History, Economics, Politics, Psychology
11 History, Economics, Politics, Anthropology
12 History, Economics, Politics, Statistics
13 Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Statistics
14 Economics, Statistics, Anthropology, Social Work
15 History, Economics, Geography, Hindi
16 History, Economics, Geography, Arabic
17 History, Economics, Geography, Urdu
18 History, Economics, Geography, Kannada
19 History, Economics, Geography, Tamil
20 History, Economics, Sanskrit Sahitya, Sanskrit Sasthra
21 History, Philosophy, Sanskrit Sahitya, Sanskrit Sasthra
22 Economics, Gandhian Studies, Communicative English, Computer Application
23 Sociology, Journalism, Communicative English, Psychology
24 History, Economics, Politics, Music
25 History, Economics, Geography, Malayalam

Kerala Plus Two Syllabus

The Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education (KBHSE) syllabus for Plus Two is divided by subject. The topics for each subject are listed below.

English

  • The 3Ls of empowerment
  • Any woman
  • Horegallu
  • Matchbox
  • Mending wall
  • Amigo brothers
  • The hour of truth
  • A three wheeled revolution
  • Stammer
  • When a sapling is planted
  • Rice
  • Dangers of drug abuse
  • Post early for christmas
  • This is going to hurt just a little bit
  • Crime and punishment

Computer Science

  • Structures and pointers
  • Concept of object oriented programming
  • Data structures and operations
  • Wen technology
  • Web designing
  • Client side scripting using JavaScript
  • Web hosting
  • Database management system
  • Structured query language
  • Server side scripting using PHP
  • Advances in computing
  • ICT & society

Physics

  • Electric charges & fields
  • Electrostatic potential & capacitance
  • Current electricity
  • Moving charges & magnetism
  • Magnetism & matter
  • Electromagnetic induction
  • Alternating current
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Ray optics and optical instruments
  • Wave optics
  • Dual nature of radiation and matter
  • Atoms
  • Nuclei
  • Semiconductor electronics

Chemistry

  • Solid state
  • Solutions
  • Electrochemistry
  • Chemical kinetics
  • Surface chemistry
  • General principles & processes of isolation elements
  • P, d, f-block elements
  • Coordination compounds
  • Halo Compounds
  • Alcohols, phenols & ethers
  • Aldehydes, ketones & carboxylic acids
  • Amines
  • Biomolecules
  • Polymers
  • Chemistry in everyday life

Mathematics

  • Relations & functions
  • Inverse trigonometric functions
  • Matrices
  • Determinants
  • Continuity
  • Differentiability
  • Application of derivatives
  • Integrals
  • Differential equations
  • Vector algebra
  • 3D geometry
  • Linear programming
  • Probability

Political Science

  • Challenges of nation building
  • Era of one-party dominance
  • Politics of planned development
  • India’s external relations
  • Challenges to the congress system
  • Crisis of the democratic order
  • Rise of popular movements
  • Regional aspirations
  • Recent development in Indian politics
  • Cold war era
  • End of bipolarity
  • Us hegemony in world politics
  • Contemporary south Asia
  • International organizations
  • Unit security in contemporary world
  • Environment and natural resources
  • Globalization

History

  • Bricks, beads, & bones
  • Kings, farmers, & towns
  • Kinship, caste, & class
  • Thinkers, beliefs, & buildings
  • Through the eyes of travelers
  • Bhakti-Sufi traditions
  • Imperial capital: Vijayanagar
  • Peasants, Zamindar & state
  • Kings & chronicles
  • Colonialism & countryside
  • Rebels & raj
  • Gandhi & nationalist movement
  • Partition
  • Pre modern Kerala
  • Kerala toward modernity

Economics

  • Micro & Macro-economics
  • Theory of consumer behavior
  • National income accounting
  • Production & cost
  • Theory of firm under perfect competition
  • Income determinism
  • Market equilibrium
  • Government budget & country
  • Non-competitive market
  • Open economy macro economy

Geography

  • Human geography
  • Population
  • Migration
  • Human development
  • Human settlement
  • Primary activities
  • Land resources & agriculture
  • Water resources
  • Mineral & energy resources
  • Manufacturing industries
  • Tertiary & quaternary activities
  • Transport & communication
  • International trade
  • Planning & sustainable development in India
  • Geographical perspective on selected issues & problems

Sociology

  • Introducing Indian society
  • Demographic structure of Indian society
  • Social institutions
  • Market as social institution
  • Challenges of cultural diversity
  • Structural change
  • Cultural change
  • Change & development in rural & industrial society
  • Globalization & social change
  • Social movements
  • Mass media & communication

Psychology

  • Psychological attributes
  • Personality
  • Challenges Of Adjustment
  • Psychological Disorders
  • Therapeutic Approaches
  • Social Relevance of Psychology
  • Psychology & Life
  • Nurturing Psychological Skills

Kerala Plus Two Marks Distribution

Each paper is of 100 marks including all the internal assessments and practical exams. The topic-wise weightage for compulsory subject is tabulated below:

Physics

The marks distribution for Physics is not specified in the source. The total marks for the paper is 100.

Kerala Plus Two Physics Mark Distribution

The Physics paper for Kerala Plus Two is divided into 15 topics. The total marks for the subject are distributed across these topics as per the table below.

Topic Marks
Communication System 3
Semiconductor Devices 5
Nuclei 4
Atoms 3
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter 3
Wave Optics 4
Ray Optics 7
EMW 2
AC 4
EMI 3
Magnetism 3
Moving Charges and Magnetism 5
Current Electricity 6
Electrostatics 4
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitors 4

Kerala Plus Two Botany Mark Distribution

The Botany paper is divided into 7 topics. The marks assigned to each topic are listed below.

Topic Marks
Environmental Issues 4
Ecosystem 4
Organism and Population 4
Biotechnology 4
Biotech: Principles and Process 4
Food Production 3
Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants 5

Kerala Plus Two Zoology Mark Distribution

The Zoology paper is divided into 7 topics. The marks for each topic are given in the table below.

Topic Marks
Biodiversity & Conservation 3
Microbes in Human Welfare 2
Human Health and Disease 4
Evolution 4
Molecular Basis of inheritance 6
Principles of Inheritance 5
Reproduction 13

Passing Criteria

Kerala board uses a grading system based on the marks secured by the candidate. Marks and overall percentage are allotted for every subject.

The marking scheme and grade are tabulated below.

Kerala Board Grading System

The Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education uses a grading system based on marks obtained in each subject. The table below shows the marks range, grade point, grade, and remarks for each grade.

Marks Range Grade Point Grade Remarks
90-100 9 A+ Outstanding
80-89 8 A Excellent
70-79 7 B+ Very Good
60-69 6 B Good
50-59 5 C+ Above Average
40-49 4 C Average
30-39 3 D+ Marginal
20-29 2 D Need Improvement
<20 1 E Need Improvement

Passing Criteria

To pass the examination, a candidate must secure a minimum D+ grade in aggregate. The candidate also needs at least 30% marks in each subject individually to pass that specific subject.

An aggregate of 30% is required to pass. If a candidate secures 30% aggregate but scores below 30% in a subject, he or she must appear for the supplementary examination. The supplementary examination is subject to the eligibility criteria prescribed by the board.

Exam Duration

For the written exam, the total time allotted for each subject is 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The duration of the practical exam and internal assessment depends on the school.

Syllabus Updates

The issue of syllabus reduction is still under consideration. The board has not made any announcement yet regarding the reduction of syllabus.

There is no information on reduction of Class 12 syllabus. Candidates are advised to visit the official website regularly for all such updates.

Impact of NEP-2021 on Exam Pattern

There is a high probability of some changes in the course structure, which may affect the examination pattern. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic situation in the country, it is difficult to say whether the policies will be implemented in the current academic year.

Kerala SSLC Exam Details

The duration of the Kerala SSLC exam is two-and-a-half hours. The total marks of the Kerala SSLC exam is 640.

This total includes marks for the written exam, which is 490, internal assessment of 130 marks, and IT Practical for 20 marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum percentage to pass the exam?

A candidate must secure a minimum D+ grade in aggregate as well as minimum 30% marks in each subject.

What is the duration of exams in Kerala Board?

For the written exam, the total time allotted for each subject is 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The duration of the practical exam and internal assessment depends upon the school.

When will the revised syllabus be available on the official website?

The issue of syllabus reduction is still under consideration. The board has not made any announcement yet regarding the reduction of syllabus.

There is no information on reduction of Class 12 syllabus. Candidates are suggested to visit the official website regularly for all such information.

Are there any chances that NEP-2021 will affect the examination pattern of Kerala board for 2023 session?

There is a high probability of some changes in the course structure, ultimately affecting the examination pattern. However, as the situation of the country is poor in context to the coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult to say that the policies will be implemented in the current academic year.

What is the duration of the Kerala SSLC exam?

The duration of the Kerala SSLC exam is two-and-a-half hours.

What is the total marks of the Kerala SSLC exam?

The total marks of the Kerala SSLC exam is 640, which includes the marks allotted for the written exam, which is 490, internal assessment of 130 marks, and IT Practical for 20 marks.

Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education: Key Exam Details

Minimum Passing Marks

Candidates must secure a minimum D+ grade in aggregate to pass the exam. They also need at least 30% marks in each subject.

Exam Duration

The written exam for each subject is allotted 2 hours to 2.5 hours. The duration of the practical exam and internal assessment depends on the school.

Syllabus Revision Status

The issue of syllabus reduction is still under consideration. The board has not made any announcement yet regarding the reduction of syllabus.

There is no information on reduction of class 12 syllabus. Candidates are suggested to visit the official website regularly for all such information.

Impact of NEP-2021 on Examination Pattern

There is a high probability of some changes in the course structure, ultimately affecting the examination pattern. However, as the situation of the country is poor in context to the coronavirus pandemic, it is difficult to say that the policies will be implemented in the current academic year.

Kerala SSLC Exam Duration and Marks

The duration of the Kerala SSLC exam is two-and-a-half hours. The total marks of the Kerala SSLC exam is 640.

Marks Breakdown for Kerala SSLC Exam

Component Marks
Written Exam 490
Internal Assessment 130
IT Practical 20
Total 640

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