ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2025: Check Marking Scheme and Distribution

Sushmita Sundas
Sushmita Sundas

Updated on - Oct 9, 2024

Latest Updates for ICSE

  • 09 October 2024 :

    The ICSE 10th exam pattern will contain more competency based question for the academic year 2025. 

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has revised the ICSE 10th exam pattern 2025. As per the revised exam pattern, there will be 25 percent increase in the competency based questions. Students are advised to go through the revised exam pattern while preparing for the board exam. 

The board is supposed to organize the ICSE exams in February 2025. Students will have to write the paper for a maximum of 80 marks as the 20 marks are alloted for internal assessment. 

List of Subjects for ICSE 10th Examination

Candidates must visit the website cisce.org, for more insights on the exam pattern 2025. The total subjects in the ICSE exams are divided into groups consisting of compulsory and optional subjects. The list of subjects is tabulated below.

Subjects Under ICSE 10th Exam
Subjects Group
English Group I
Second Language
History & Civics
Geography
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics Group II
Classical Language, Foreign Language
Economics
Environmental Science
Arts & Performing Arts Group III
Home Science
Foreign Language
Technical Drawing Application
Computer Application
Cookery
Environmental Applications
Fashion Designing
Yoga, Physical Education

ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2025

Students taking up the ICSE exams can find the subjects, marking scheme, and types of questions asked from the table below. This will help them know the ICSE exam pattern better and will also aid in strategizing their study plan effectively.

Detailed information on the marking criteria for the subjects under the theory exam is provided in the table below.

Exam Pattern for Group I

English, History & Civics, and Geography are the core subjects under Group I. The exam pattern for subjects in group I is provided below.

ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern For Group I Subjects
Subjects Type of Questions Marks Allotted
English Questions related to English language skills and Literature. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
History and Civics Parts 1 and 2 contain short and long answer questions. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Geography  Short and long answer questions along with Topographical Maps and Outline Map of India. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Second Language Questions regarding Composition, Letter Writing, Comprehension, Grammar, etc. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)

Exam Pattern for Group II

Group II contains subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Economics, Commercial Studies, and others. Students can get more information on the types of questions and marking schemes for subjects in group II from the table below.

Class 10 ICSE Exam Pattern For Group II Subjects
Subjects Type of Questions Marks Allotted
Mathematics Part 1- Compulsory short answer questions. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Four out of seven questions are to be answered.
Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Maths) Part 1- Compulsory short answer questions.  80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Four out of six questions are to be answered.
Economics Part 1- Compulsory short answer questions.  80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Four mandatory questions are to be answered.
Commercial Studies Part 1- Compulsory short answer questions.  80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Four mandatory questions are to be answered.
Foreign Language Five compulsory questions are required to be answered. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Classical Language The paper consists of a test on questions on Sanskrit grammar, translation from Sanskrit into English, and vice versa. 80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Environmental Science

Part 1- Compulsory short answer questions.  80 marks (External) and 20 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Four out of six questions are to be answered.

Exam Pattern for Group III

Group III comprises subjects such as Computer Applications, Arts, Home Science, Physical Education, etc. The exam pattern for group III subjects is tabulated below.

ICSE Class 10th Exam Pattern For Group III Subjects
Subjects Types of Questions  Marks Allotted
Computer Applications Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section choice of questions with detailed answers is required.
Economic Applications

Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section choice of questions with detailed answers is required.
Arts Paper 1- Painting from still life. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Paper 2- Drawing of nature.Paper 3- Painting using imagination.Paper 4- Applied art
Performing Arts Part 1- Vocal Music 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2- Instrumental Music
Part 3- Tabla
Home Science Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section a choice of 4 questions with detailed answers is required.
Cookery Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section choice of questions with detailed answers is required.
Fashion Designing Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section choice of questions with detailed answers is required.
Physical Education

Part 1 - Short answer questions are compulsory. 100 marks (External) and 100 marks (Internal)
Part 2 - In this section choice of questions with detailed answers are required on rules, skills, methods of training, etc.

ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2024-25: Internal Assessment

The internal assessment will be based on the candidate's performance in the project, practical work, and oral exam. The important points regarding the ICSE class 10 exam pattern 2025 for internal assessment are given below.

  • The internal assessment will be evaluated by the internal and external examiners. 
  • For Science-based subjects such as physics, and chemistry Candidates will have to carry out experiments with demonstrations as instructed by the examiners. 
  • The total marks gained in the internal examination will be sent to the council by the head of the school.

Grading System for ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2025

The marks for the ICSE examinations are provided in the form of marks and grades on the report card. Grades from A to E are given for the internal exams, whereas grading for the external exams is provided on a scale of 1 to 9. The detailed grading system for ICSE class 10th is tabulated below.

Grading System For ICSE Class 12 Exam (Internal & External)
Exams Grades Remarks
Internal Exams A Very Good
B Good
C Satisfactory
D Fail
E Fail
External Exams 1 and 2 Very Good
3, 4 and 5 Credit
6 and 7 Pass
8 and 9 Fail

How to Prepare for ICSE 10th Exam 2025?

The CISCE conducts the ICSE exams every year for students studying in class 10. Before appearing for the examination, students must ensure that they are familiar with the ICSE class 10th exam pattern 2025, syllabus as revised by the board, sample papers, marking schemes, etc.

Having a clear understanding of the exam will aid in scoring good marks and excelling in the ICSE 10th board exams. Students can refer to the tips below for preparation.

  • Candidates should start preparing for the exams at the very beginning of the academic year to avoid last-minute pressure.
  • They must organize all the sample papers, reference books, notes, etc, so that they can easily access them.
  • Students must strategically plan for the ICSE exams and try to complete the entire syllabus at least 2 months before the exam.
  • The candidate needs to master the time management skills. This will help them in completing the examination efficiently.
  • Students are also advised to practice last year's question papers to get a clear picture of the ICSE 10th exam pattern 2025, marking scheme, etc.

FAQs on ICSE Exam Pattern

Q: What is the ICSE 2025 exam pattern for science-based subjects?

Q: What is the total mark of the ICSE exam 2025?

Q: Where will I get the ICSE 2025 exam pattern?

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