How to Score 95% in ICSE Class 10 Board Exams

The ICSE class 10 board examinations 2025 are just around the corner, set to begin on February 18, 2025. With the routine for the exams already out, it is time for students to get serious about their preparation. This is the moment to switch gears and align your efforts with a concrete plan if you are wondering how to score 95% in ICSE Class 10.

Scoring well in ICSE class 10 board exams opens doors to well-known schools, creates a solid academic base, and increases self-confidence. Moreover, the feeling of success from doing well in these exams is one of a kind.

If you want to get 95% in ICSE class 10, this guide will give you tips to ace the ICSE class 10 board exams.

Understanding the ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern

Before diving into preparation, it is essential to understand the ICSE board exam structure. Here is a quick overview:

• Group 1 (compulsory): Includes mandatory subjects that every student has to appear for. 

• Group 2 (optional): Students get the choice to select at least two of these subjects and can take up to a maximum of three subjects.

• Group 3 (skill-based, optional): Students get to pick any one subject from all the available options. This group emphasis practical and project-based learning.

You can find group-wise details for all class 10 subjects in the table below.

ICSE Class 10 Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy

Each subject in the ICSE Class 10 curriculum requires a unique approach. Here’s some subject-wise strategy for ICSE class 10 exams:

English

• Practice grammar rules and sentence structure, tenses, and common grammar mistakes.
• Write essays, letters, and notices regularly to enhance your writing style and get accustomed to the format.
• Practise sample papers with comprehension passages. This will help you to quickly analyse and answer questions based on unknown texts.
• Read and analyse the prescribed literature texts thoroughly. Note key themes, characters, and quotes.

History & Civics

• Create timelines for historical events in chronological order to help retain important dates and facts.
• Prioritise understanding of key movements, wars, and national reforms that shaped history.
• Civics questions often involve concepts of governance and rights, so understand them well instead of just memorising them.
• Since History often involves precise facts, along with practising long-answer type questions is necessary.

Geography

• Practise identifying key locations, mountains, rivers, and capitals on blank maps.
• Be comfortable interpreting climate charts, topographical maps, and diagrams related to physical features.
• Learn important geographical terms and definitions.
• Knowledge of current events related to geography (such as climate change) can help answer conceptual questions.

Maths

• Make sure you know the core formulas and their derivations. Keep a separate notebook with all of them written.
• Practice daily for 1-2 hours with different types of problems, especially from difficult sections like trigonometry and probability.
• Present your solutions neatly and step-by-step in the exam. This ensures you get method marks even if your final answer isn’t correct. 
• Practise graphs and constructions thoroughly as they are scoring yet often neglected. Ensure your graphs are accurately drawn with correct scales, and your constructions meet all the requirements.

Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

• Physics: Focus on understanding concepts, solving numerical problems, and diagrams of all the important chapters.
• Chemistry: Memorise the periodic table, and chemical reactions, and practise balancing equations and solving reaction-based problems.
• Biology: Draw and practise labelled diagrams. Focus on memorising key terms, concepts, and processes.

Second Language

• Revise grammar rules regularly, especially sentence construction, tenses, and use of vocabulary.
• Practice reading comprehension regularly to enhance your ability to answer unseen passages.
• Write letters, essays, and dialogues to improve your fluency in the language.
• Learn new words daily and use them in your writing and speaking exercises.
• If your second language involves literature, read prescribed texts thoroughly and note important themes and characters.

Creating an Effective Study Plan for Class 10 ICSE Exam Preparation

A good study plan for ICSE class 10 board exams is one that you can realistically follow and that helps you focus on your strengths while improving your weak areas. Here is how you can create one:

1. Set clear goals: Start by defining what you want to complete throughout the day and week. Write down your goals so you stay motivated throughout the preparation.

2. Understand the syllabus and exam pattern: Your syllabus and exam pattern should be at your fingertips. This will help you strategise and not miss out on any important topic.

3. Create a timetable: Following a strict routine weeks before your exam is the ideal way to kick-start your preparation. Every ICSE Class 10 study timetable is different and yours should be tailored according to your requirements. Keep in mind to:

• Be realistic: Don’t overburden yourself. Set specific hours for studying each day and stick to them.
• Balance subjects: Include a mix of subjects every day. Don’t study just one subject for hours—balance between core subjects and electives.
• Incorporate breaks: Schedule short breaks between study sessions to avoid burnout. Aim for a 45-minute study session followed by a 10-15 minute break.

4. Prioritise your subjects: Smart work beats hard work. Instead of rigorous study hours plan your routine according to the weightage of marks. Remember to:

• Toughest first: Start with the hardest or most challenging subjects when your mind is fresh.
• Focus on weak areas: Identify subjects or topics where you struggle and dedicate extra time to them.
• Prioritise high-weightage topics: Focus on chapters or subjects that carry more marks. These are often crucial for scoring well.

5. Daily revision time: Set aside at least 30 minutes early morning to revise what you studied the previous day. This is a game-changer ICSE class 10 board exam strategy that prevents last-minute cramming.

6. Mock tests and practice papers: Include regular mock tests and solve previous years’ papers. This will help you get used to the exam format and improve your time management.

7. Adjust as needed: If you feel overwhelmed or behind, tweak your study plan. Don’t be afraid to adjust the timetable based on your progress. Flexibility is key.

8. Stay consistent and motivated: Stick to your plan and keep track of your progress. Reward yourself after completing each week’s goals to stay motivated.

Checkout: ICSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2025

Practice Makes Perfect

There’s no substitute for practising; this is where toppers gain an edge. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Solve Sample Papers

CISCE board releases sample papers every year designed to closely resemble the actual exam format. By practising with these papers, you will get a sense of the difficulty level and understand the areas that require more focus. This practice builds confidence and reduces exam anxiety.

2. Attempt Previous Year Question Papers

Previous year papers are invaluable as they give you insights into recurring questions and topics that often appear in the exam. It is advisable to solve 10 years of PYQs to get a better understanding of the exam’s pattern and structure and curate your own ICSE class 10 board exam strategy.

3. Use Question Banks

Question banks provide a wide variety of questions, ranging from basic to advanced. Working through question banks improves accuracy, and speed, and gives you the ideal structure of every answer that the examiners are looking for.

4. Bonus Tip

As you work through sample papers and past exams, mark the questions you find challenging and revisit them later. This focused review will help you solidify concepts that might not be entirely clear, ensuring that you don’t miss out on mastering key areas.

Key Exam-Day Strategies

The exam day can feel like a pressure cooker, but these last-minute tips for ICSE class 10 exams can help you stay calm and focused.

1. Managing Time During the Exam

Effective time management for ICSE board exams is crucial. Allocate time for each section and stick to it. Begin with questions you’re confident about to build momentum.

2. Staying Calm and Focused

Stay calm under pressure. Practice mindfulness or deep breathing techniques to keep anxiety at bay.

3. Don’t Get Stuck on One Question

If you’re stuck, move on to the next question and come back later. This will save valuable time and help you avoid stress.

4. Use the Space Wisely

If you need extra space for rough work or calculations, use the margins or back of the answer sheet. Make sure your answers are neat and organised.

5. Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Don’t rush. Read questions carefully before answering.
• Avoid overwriting or providing irrelevant details.
• Do not submit your answer script without revising it. Reserve 10-15 minutes at the end for it.

Additional Resources for Preparation

To achieve your goal, make use of the best study resources for ICSE board exams. Here are some recommendations:

1. Oswal Publishers’ books: From sample papers to question banks for ICSE Class 10 board exams, these are a one-stop solution for comprehensive preparation.

2. Online platforms: Websites like Oswal.io offer digital resources and practice material tailored for ICSE students.

3. Study groups: Discussing doubts and exchanging ideas with peers can make learning more effective.

4. Videos and tutorials: Platforms like YouTube have free tutorials for tricky concepts.

Conclusion

Scoring 95% in ICSE class 10 is not about being a genius. It’s about being consistent, organised, and resourceful. Start early, stick to your plan, and don’t shy away from practising as much as you can. Remember, success in exams isn’t just about marks; it’s about learning, growing, and giving your best. 

FAQs