Kerala NMMS Question Paper 2026 with Answer Key (MAT & SAT PDF)
The Kerala NMMS 2026 question papers for both MAT and SAT are now available for download, each with its answer key. Both papers are in English and Malayalam side by side, just as students saw them in the exam hall. If you’re a Class VIII student preparing for the next NMMS exam, or a teacher putting together practice material, previous year papers are the best place to start.
Download Kerala NMMS 2026 Question Papers
| Paper | Booklet | Questions | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAT (Mental Ability Test) with Answer Key | A | 90 | Download PDF |
| SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) with Answer Key | D | 90 | Download PDF |
The answer key is on the last page of each PDF. These keys are not the official ones, so please confirm your answers with the SCERT key when it’s published. If your booklet code is different, the question order may differ, so match questions by content.
About the NMMS Examination
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is a central government scholarship for bright students from families with limited income. Students in Class VIII at government, aided and local body schools can apply. In Kerala, the selection exam is conducted by SCERT.
Students who are selected receive ₹12,000 a year from Class IX to Class XII. To keep receiving it, they have to continue in an eligible school and meet the required marks each year.
Kerala NMMS Exam Pattern
The exam has two papers, written on the same day:
- MAT (Mental Ability Test): 90 questions, 90 marks
- SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test): 90 questions, 90 marks
Every question is multiple choice with four options, and answers are marked on an OMR sheet with a blue or black ball pen. There is no negative marking, so students should attempt every question. To be considered for selection, a student needs a minimum mark in each paper: 40% for general candidates and 32% for SC/ST students.
MAT Question Paper 2026: Topics Covered
The MAT paper tests reasoning rather than textbook knowledge. In the 2026 paper the questions were grouped like this:
- Number series and letter series (Q.1–8)
- Word analogy and number analogy (Q.9–17)
- Missing numbers in figures (Q.18–22)
- Odd one out, words (Q.23–27)
- Coding and decoding (Q.28–32)
- Venn diagram (Q.33–37)
- Number arrangement, direction sense and ranking (Q.38–44)
- Analysing information and code language (Q.45–54)
- Reasoning-based arithmetic (Q.55–60)
- Figure series (Q.61–65)
- Dice (Q.66–69)
- Counting rectangles and triangles (Q.70–71)
- Mirror images (Q.72–73)
- Figure analogy (Q.74–78)
- Figure and number matrices (Q.79–83)
- Odd one out, figures (Q.84–88)
- Painted cube (Q.89–90)
Most of these question types come up every year. That’s why going through previous year MAT papers is the quickest way to improve your score.
SAT Question Paper 2026: Subject-wise Questions
The SAT paper is based on the Class VII and VIII syllabus. Here is how the 2026 paper was divided:
| Subject | Questions | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science (History, Geography, Political Science) | Q.1–35 | 35 |
| Physics | Q.36–46 | 11 |
| Chemistry | Q.47–59 | 13 |
| Biology | Q.60–70 | 11 |
| Mathematics | Q.71–90 | 20 |
Social Science carries the most questions. It covers Indian and Kerala history, physical geography, maps, and the Indian Constitution. The mathematics questions cover ratio, percentage, profit and loss, work and time, factors, squares and fractions.
How to Use NMMS Previous Year Question Papers
Print the paper and give yourself 90 minutes for each part, just like the real exam. Mark your answers on a separate sheet. Once you’ve finished, check them against the answer key. Go back over every question you got wrong or guessed, and note which question types keep tripping you up. Students who work through three or four years of papers this way usually find the actual exam much more familiar.
Kerala NMMS Previous Year Question Papers
Complete previous year question papers of Kerala NMMS examination can be had from Kerala NMMS-All previous year question papers and answer keys page
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download the Kerala NMMS 2026 question paper PDF?
Both MAT and SAT papers can be downloaded from the table at the top of this page. Each PDF includes the answer key.
Is the NMMS question paper available in Malayalam?
Yes. The Kerala NMMS question paper is bilingual, with English and Malayalam side by side on every page.
How many questions are there in the NMMS exam?
There are 180 questions in total: 90 in MAT and 90 in SAT.
Is there negative marking in NMMS?
No. Wrong answers do not lose marks, so attempt every question.
What is the NMMS scholarship amount?
₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 a month) from Class IX to Class XII.
When will the official Kerala NMMS answer key be published?
SCERT publishes the provisional answer key on its website some time after the exam. We’ll add the link here when it’s out.
