ICSE - Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), administered by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), is a hallmark of quality education in India. ICSE is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and comprehensive evaluation system. It is headquartered in New Delhi and ensures that the ICSE examinations adhere to the guidelines set forth by the New Education Policy of 2020, emphasising English as the medium of instruction.
ICSE is committed to holistic development, offering a well-balanced curriculum that goes beyond rote learning. The council focuses on nurturing your intellectual, social, and emotional growth, preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.
As one of India's prominent education boards, ICSE assesses academic proficiency and teaches you a sense of critical thinking and analytical skills, nurturing a foundation for lifelong learning. The detailed information about ICSE examinations is readily accessible, affirming CISCE's dedication to transparency and accessibility in education.
- ▪ ICSE Exam Pattern for Class 9 and 10
- ▪ ICSE Board Grading System
- ▪ ICSE Marking Scheme
- ▪ ICSE Study Materials
- ▪ ICSE Syllabus
- ▪ ICSE Sample Papers
- ▪ ICSE Question Bank
- ▪ ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
- ▪ ICSE Model Specimen Paper Solutions
- ▪ ICSE Model Specimen Papers Class 10
- ▪ Benefits of ICSE Study Materials
ICSE Exam Pattern for Class 9 and 10
The ICSE Exam Pattern for Classes 9 and 10 provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and format of examinations across various subjects.
In English I, you will face four broad questions: composition, letter writing, unseen passage analysis, and a grammar assessment. The essay and letter section offers choices to emphasise your familiarity with specific topics.
English II follows a similar pattern, with three sections containing two questions. The essay-type question in Section C adds depth to the evaluation process, encouraging critical thinking and expression.
For Mathematics, the exam spans 2 ½ hours with two sections. Section A comprises four questions, each carrying 10 marks, while Section B offers seven questions, solving any four for 40 marks.
Hindi examination, lasting 3 hours, assesses language and literature separately. The language section involves essay writing, letter composition, and an unseen passage. In the literature section, you can answer questions based on their study of two prescribed books.
Science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology maintain a consistent structure. Short compulsory questions in Section A precede a choice-based approach in Section B, encouraging you to showcase your proficiency.
History and Civics, Geography, and Environmental Studies (E.V.S.) exams exhibit varied formats. History and Civics feature small answer-type questions, long answer-type questions, and map-related assessments. Geography combines map-related questions with a selection of questions to be answered from a larger pool. E.V.S. includes both compulsory and long answer-type questions, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of environmental knowledge.
ICSE Board Grading System
In the ICSE board, the grading for internal and external exams is different. Below is the table for the external grading where grades 1-7 are recorded on the certificates as distinctions for higher performance.
| Grade | Value |
| 1 | Very Good |
| 2 | Very Good |
| 3 | Credit (Pass with Credit) |
| 4 | Credit (Pass with Credit) |
| 5 | Credit (Pass with Credit) |
| 6 | Pass |
| 7 | Pass |
| 8 | Fail |
| 9 | Fail |
The internal assessment, which also includes Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and Community Service, has a grading pattern in letters A-E where A marks the highest and E is the lowest. To highlight satisfactory performance A-D grades are recorded on the certificates.
| Grade | value |
| A | Very Good |
| B | Good |
| C | Satisfactory |
| D | Fair |
| E | Fail |
In terms of subjects, grading has a different calculation. Divided into three distinct groups, it allows flexibility to explore your interests while maintaining a core set of compulsory subjects.
In Group I, comprising English, a Second Language, and History, Civics, and Geography, the external examination holds a significant weightage of 80%, while the internal assessment contributes 20%. This balanced approach ensures a holistic evaluation, considering both academic knowledge and your continuous engagement.
Group II offers you the freedom to choose any two or three subjects from a diverse range, including Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Economics, Commercial Studies, Modern and Classical Languages, and more. The 80% external examination and 20% internal assessment criteria maintain consistency across subjects, promoting a fair and standardised evaluation.
Group III introduces specialised subjects, allowing you to delve into areas such as Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Commercial Applications, Art, Performing Arts, and more. The grading system for Group III adopts a 50-50 split between external examination and internal assessment, reflecting the practical and skill-based nature of these subjects.
This grading system assesses academic proficiency and acknowledges the importance of practical skills, creativity, and physical activities. Including subjects like Yoga, Cookery, and Fashion Designing underscores the board's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.
Thing to remember: In 12th, any subject that has practical work, you have to obtain 33% marks in theory and 33% marks in the practical separately.
ICSE Marking Scheme
The marking scheme is mainly the weightage given to theory and practical exams. It is the same as the grading mentioned above for different subjects.
| Group | Subject |
| Group – I |
|
| Group-II |
|
| Group- III |
|
For Groups I & II, it is 80-20 for theory and practical, and for Group III, it is 50-50.
The unique marking scheme of the ICSE board puts it ahead of all the other boards, and it works for the overall development of the youth out there, especially in classes 9 and 10.
ICSE Study Materials
All the study material required to crack the ICSE board examination is available on the official ICSE website as well as on Oswal Publishers’ website. Whether it is textbooks, sample papers, question banks, etc., Oswal Publishers provides them with the utmost precision and simplicity.
ICSE Syllabus
The ICSE Syllabus is a testament to its commitment to providing a well-rounded and wide-ranging education. Renowned for its depth and analytical approach, the syllabus is designed to cultivate practical knowledge and analytical skills in you.
What sets the ICSE syllabus apart is its emphasis on internal assessments, recognising their significance in your holistic development. Practical exam results are integrated into the overall score, encouraging a balanced evaluation beyond theoretical knowledge.
The practical syllabus aligns with the theoretical concepts, providing a practical understanding of the scientific principles you study in the classroom.
To facilitate effective preparation, you can access the latest ICSE syllabus for all classes, including practical components, ensuring you can confidently tackle examinations.
ICSE Sample Papers
ICSE Sample Papers are invaluable tools for developing a problem-solving foundation essential for board exams. Aligned with the curriculum, these papers offer a comprehensive insight into the exam format and question patterns, enhancing students' readiness. The class-wise availability of ICSE Sample Papers ensures a targeted and structured approach to mastering key concepts across various subjects.
ICSE 61 Sample Question Papers Class 9
ICSE 61 Sample Question Papers Class 10
ICSE Question Bank
As its name says, the bank, the Question bank of each subject of the ICSE board, gives you plenty of questions to solve. Through this massive data, which is readily available, you become a pro in solving all the different types of questions quickly.
| Class 9 | Class 10 |
| ICSE Question Bank for Class 9 | ICSE Question Bank for Class 10 |
ICSE Previous Year Question Papers
The previous year's papers are a boon for you. You get an idea and a clear vision about what to face in the question paper exactly, the ongoing trends, the difficulty level and the marking scheme.
ICSE Model Specimen Paper Solutions
ICSE Model Specimen Paper Solutions are invaluable resources for you, offering step-by-step guidance and explanations for tackling complex problems. These solutions provide a strategic approach to mastering the exam format, enhancing your confidence and proficiency in each subject.
ICSE Model Specimen Papers Class 10
Benefits of ICSE Study Materials
ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) study materials offer a range of benefits to you and contribute to your academic success and overall learning experience.
- Comprehensive Coverage: ICSE study materials are designed to address the intricacies of each subject, ensuring that students have access to all necessary information and concepts.
- Alignment with ICSE Syllabus: These study materials are tailored to align seamlessly with the ICSE syllabus.
- Clarity and Understanding: Well-structured ICSE study materials facilitate clarity and a deeper understanding of subjects.
- Exam Preparation: ICSE study materials, including sample papers and practice tests, play a crucial role in exam preparation.
- Holistic Development: ICSE study materials often incorporate elements promoting holistic development beyond academic content.
- Accessibility: Online resources, e-books, and interactive platforms provide flexibility in studying, allowing students to learn at their own pace and convenience.
FAQs on ICSE
Here are some frequently asked questions for the students related to CBSE study material:
Ans: The latest ICSE syllabus for all classes is usually available on the official website of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). You can visit the website or other authorised platforms to download the syllabus for your respective classes.
Ans: Internal assessments in ICSE are considered crucial for a student’s holistic development. They include practical exams and are aggregated with the overall score, emphasising not only theoretical knowledge but also practical understanding and skills.
Ans: Many ICSE study materials are available online, including digital resources, e-books, and interactive platforms. These materials enhance accessibility, allowing you to study at their own pace and convenience.
Ans: ICSE study materials provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, clarity in understanding, and exam preparation resources such as sample papers. They are vital in building a solid foundation, ensuring you are well-prepared for your board exams.
