Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Class 10
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Group-wise Marking Scheme & Subject-wise question type
ICSE Class 10 exam pattern 2025 is determined by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). The subjects in the ICSE Class 10 board exam are divided into three groups. Check group-wise exam pattern 2025 details here.
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) releases the ICSE Class 10 exam pattern on its official website. The ICSE exam pattern, subjects are divided into three groups. The subjects in Group 1 are compulsory in nature, while subjects in Group 2 & Group 3 are optional in nature.
In Group 1, there are 4 compulsory subjects. Candidates for Group 2 must select two subjects from a list of 7 optional subjects. In Group 3, there are 13 optional subjects out of which applicants must select just one. Students must know the ICSE exam pattern in detail in order to know the structure of the paper. This allows the candidate to align their preparation accordingly. Candidates must also have a comprehensive understanding of the ICSE class 10 syllabus to ace the exam.
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Group-wise Subjects
The table below highlights the subjects in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3:
Groups
Subjects
Group 1
History, Civics, Geography
English
Second Language (one/two)
Group 2
Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology)
Mathematics
Commercial Studies
Economics
Environmental Science
Classical Language
Modern Foreign Language
Group 3
Arts
Performing Arts
Computer Applications
Economic Applications
Commercial Applications
Fashion Designing
Physical Education
Yoga
Cookery
Home Science
Modern Foreign Language
Technical Drawing Applications
Environmental Applications
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for subjects included in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 varies. Interested students can check the group-wise marking scheme for all subjects in the tables below:
ICSE Class 10 Group 1 Marking Scheme
Subject
External Exams (%)
Internal Exams (%)
English
80
20
Second Language
80
20
History & Civics
80
20
Geography
80
20
ICSE Class 10 Group 2 Marking Scheme
Subjects
External Exam (%)
Internal Exam (%)
Physics
80
20
Chemistry
80
20
Biology
80
20
Mathematics
80
20
Commercial Studies
80
20
Economics
80
20
Classical Language
80
20
Modern Foreign Language
80
20
Environmental Science
80
20
ICSE Class 10 Group 3 Marking Scheme
Subject
External Exams (%)
Internal Exams (%)
Physical Education
50
50
Yoga
50
50
Technical Drawing Applications
50
50
Art
50
50
Performing Arts
50
50
Home Science
50
50
Cookery
50
50
Fashion Designing
50
50
Computer Applications
50
50
Economic Applications
50
50
Commercial Applications
50
50
Environmental Applications
50
50
Modern Foreign Language
50
50
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Subject-wise question type
The paper of each subject in all three groups are set by the CISCE differently. Hence, candidates must know how these papers are set. Interested students can check the table below to learn more about the question type that are asked in each paper.
ICSE Class 10 Group 1 Subjects Question Type
Subject
Question Type
History & Civics
The History & Civics paper is combined and divided into two parts. The first part contains 30 marks and includes only short answer questions from both History & Civics.
The second part contains 50 marks and consists of two sections. In Section A, three questions will be asked out of which candidates have to answer two questions. In Section B, five questions will be asked out of which three questions have to be answered.
Geography
There will be two parts to the geography paper: Part I and Part II.
There will be two questions in Part I (obligatory). Topographical maps will be the basis of Question 1. A map of India will serve as the foundation for Question 2.
Part II: Candidates answer any five questions.
English
Paper 1
English Language: Composition, Letter, Unseen prose/passage, Grammar Questions
Paper 2
English Literature: Drama, Prose, Poetry from prescribed textbooks
Second Language
One three-hour written paper will be conducted for the second language exam. The following types of questions will be asked in the paper: grammar, translation, composition, letter, and comprehension.
ICSE Class 10 Group 2 Subjects Question Type
Subjects
Question Type
Mathematics
There will be two sections in the Math paper, Section I and Section II, each carrying forty marks. Short answer questions are required for Section I.
Candidates must respond to four of the seven questions in Section II.
Science
(Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
There will be a separate paper of eighty marks for each subject. There will be two sections on the paper, Section I and Section II, each carrying forty marks. Short answer questions covering the full curriculum are included in Section I, which is mandatory. Six questions will be in Section II. Candidates must respond to any four of the following six questions.
Economics
There will be two portions, A and B, in the paper.
The complete curriculum will be covered in Section A, which will be made up of questions with brief answers. There won't be any options for the questions.
The questions in Section B will call for comprehensive answers. Candidates are required to answer any four questions in this section.
Commercial Studies
There will be two portions, A and B, in the paper.
The complete curriculum will be covered in Section A, which will be made up of questions with brief answers. There won't be any options for the questions.
The questions in Section B will call for comprehensive answers. Candidates are required to answer any four questions in this section.
Modern Foreign Language
The paper will consist of five questions, all of which will be mandatory. Questions will be asked from the following topics:
Composition
Letter
Vocabulary
Syntax and Idiom
Unseen passage
Translation of Passage
A Classical Language
The Classical Language paper will consist of the following question type:
Question on Elementary Grammar of that particular language
Translation from English to Classical Language & Vice-Versa
Environmental Science
The Environmental Science paper has two Sections:
Section A contains short answer questions which are mandatory in nature
Section B contains six questions out of which four questions are to be answered
ICSE Class 10 Group 3 Subjects Question Type
Subjects
Question Type
Commercial Applications
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Cookery
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Economic Applications
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Computer Applications
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Fashion Designing
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Environmental Applications
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Performing Arts
The question paper of Performing Arts is divided into three sections. These sections are:
Section A – Vocal Music
Section B – Instrumental Music
Section C – Tabla
Home Science
The paper is divided into two sections: Section A & Section B. Section A includes short answer type questions which are compulsory to answer. Section b includes long answer type questions where students will be given the choice to answer questions.
Art
There are 4 papers in the Art exam, and applicants must choose any two of them:
Paper 1: Drawing and/or Painting from Still Life
Paper 2: Drawing and/or Painting from Nature
Paper 3: Original Imaginative Composition in Colour
Paper 4: Applied Art
Modern Foreign Language
A total of 5 questions are asked in the Modern Foreign Language paper. All questions must be compulsorily attempted. Types of questions asked in this paper are:
Composition (250 words)
Letter (150 words)
Short passage for translation
Unseen passage-based questions
Grammer
Technical Drawing Applications
Section A: Five questions are asked in Section A out of which three have to be answered
Section B: Three questions are asked in Section B out of which two have to be answered
Physical Education
Section A: Short answer questions on health, hygiene and first aid
Section B: Question based on skills, methods of fitness, rules and training of any two games (cricket, football, handball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball)
Yoga
Section A: All questions are compulsory (40 Marks)
Section B, C and D: Each section contains 20 marks. Students have to choose two questions from each section
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) releases the ICSE Class 10 exam pattern on its official website. The ICSE exam pattern, subjects are divided into three groups. The subjects in Group 1 are compulsory in nature, while subjects in Group 2 & Group 3 are optional in nature.
In Group 1, there are 4 compulsory subjects. Candidates for Group 2 must select two subjects from a list of 7 optional subjects. In Group 3, there are 13 optional subjects out of which applicants must select just one. Students must know the ICSE exam pattern in detail in order to know the structure of the paper. This allows the candidate to align their preparation accordingly. Candidates must also have a comprehensive understanding of the ICSE class 10 syllabus to ace the exam.
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Group-wise Subjects
The table below highlights the subjects in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3:
Groups
Subjects
Group 1
History, Civics, Geography
English
Second Language (one/two)
Group 2
Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology)
Mathematics
Commercial Studies
Economics
Environmental Science
Classical Language
Modern Foreign Language
Group 3
Arts
Performing Arts
Computer Applications
Economic Applications
Commercial Applications
Fashion Designing
Physical Education
Yoga
Cookery
Home Science
Modern Foreign Language
Technical Drawing Applications
Environmental Applications
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who releases the ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025?
The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) releases the ICSE Class 10 exam pattern on its official website.
Which subjects are compulsory for ICSE Class 10 board exam?
There are four compulsory subjects for ICSE Class 10 board examination. These subjects are English, History & Civics, Geography, and Any Second Language.
Can I take Sanskrit as Second Language in Group 1 and Sanskrit as Classical Language in Group 3?
No, candidates are not allowed to take the Sanskrit language in both Group 1 & Group 3.
Does History, Civics & Geography exam are conducted combined?
History & Civics papers are conducted combined. Only geography paper is conducted separately.
How many subjects can I choose from ICSE Class 10 Group 2 subjects?
There are a total of 7 subjects included in Group 2. Candidates are allowed to choose 2 subjects out of total.
What are the combinations of subjects which cannot be taken in ICSE Class 10 board exams?
The combination of subjects which are not allowed for candidates to take in the board exams:
Modern Foreign Languages should not be the same from Group 2 and Group 3.
Group 2 Environmental Science and Group 3 Environmental Applications cannot be taken together.
Group 2 Economics and Group 3 Economic Applications cannot be taken together.
Group 2 Commercial Studies and Group 3 Commercial Applications cannot be taken together.
Sanskrit as a second language subject in Group 1 and Sanskrit as a classical language in Group 2 cannot be taken together by the candidate.
From where can i download the ICSE class 10 exam pattern 2025?
Students can visit the official website of ICSE Board to download the ICSE class 10th exam pattern 2025 pdf online.