ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Group-wise Marking Scheme, Subject-wise question type

ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 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.

Twinkle GuptaUpdated on : Sep 12 2024 06:01 IST

ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025

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 exam pattern for the 2024-25 session will likely remain the same as that of previous years. Any changes in the exam pattern will be updated in the article. As of now, as per 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

Subject	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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who releases the ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern?

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.

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