ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2023: The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) releases the ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern on its official website. The exam pattern for the 2023-24 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.
Candidates 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.
Read More: ICSE 10th Exam 2023
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern: Group-wise Subjects
The table below highlights the subjects in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3:
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Groups
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Subjects
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Group 1
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History, Civics, Geography
English
Second Language (one/two)
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Group 2
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Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology)
Mathematics
Commercial Studies
Economics
Environmental Science
Classical Language
Modern Foreign Language
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Group 3
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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
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ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2023: 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
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Subject
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External Exams (%)
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Internal Exams (%)
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English
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80
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20
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Second Language
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80
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20
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History & Civics
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80
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20
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Geography
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80
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20
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ICSE Class 10 Group 2 Marking Scheme
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Subjects
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External Exam (%)
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Internal Exam (%)
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Physics
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80
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20
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Chemistry
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80
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20
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Biology
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80
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20
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Mathematics
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80
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20
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Commercial Studies
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80
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20
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Economics
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80
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20
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Classical Language
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80
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20
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Modern Foreign Language
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80
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20
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Environmental Science
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80
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20
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ICSE Class 10 Group 3 Marking Scheme
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Subject
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External Exams (%)
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Internal Exams (%)
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Physical Education
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50
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50
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Yoga
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50
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50
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Technical Drawing Applications
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50
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50
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Art
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50
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50
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Performing Arts
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50
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50
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Home Science
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50
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50
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Cookery
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50
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50
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Fashion Designing
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50
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50
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Computer Applications
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50
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50
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Economic Applications
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50
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50
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Commercial Applications
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50
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50
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Environmental Applications
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50
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50
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Modern Foreign Language
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50
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50
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ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2023: 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
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Subject
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Question Type
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History & Civics
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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.
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Geography
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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.
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English
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Paper 1
English Language: Composition, Letter, Unseen prose/passage, Grammar Questions
Paper 2
English Literature: Drama, Prose, Poetry from prescribed textbooks
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Second Language
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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.
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ICSE Class 10 Group 2 Subjects Question Type
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Subject
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Question Type
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Mathematics
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- 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.
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Science
(Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
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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.
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Economics
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- 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.
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Commercial Studies
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- 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.
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Modern Foreign Language
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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
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A Classical Language
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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
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Environmental Science
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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
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ICSE Class 10 Group 3 Subjects Question Type
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Subjects
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Question Type
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Commercial Applications
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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.
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Cookery
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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.
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Economic Applications
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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.
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Computer Applications
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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.
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Fashion Designing
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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.
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Environmental Applications
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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.
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Performing Arts
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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
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Home Science
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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.
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Art
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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
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Modern Foreign Language
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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
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Technical Drawing Applications
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- 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
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Physical Education
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- 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)
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Yoga
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- 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
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