ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 — Subject Groups, Marks and Papers
ICSE Class 10 exam pattern for 2027: subject groups, 80 + 20 marks in Groups I and II, 50 + 50 in Group III, and how the English and Science papers work.
The ICSE Class 10 exam is conducted by CISCE. Subjects fall into three groups: Group I and Group II subjects carry 80 marks in the written paper plus 20 marks internal assessment, and Group III subjects are 50 + 50. The 2026 exams are over; this guide covers the pattern for the 2027 ICSE exam. Always check CISCE's specimen papers for 2027 for the exact format of each paper.
Subject Groups
| Group | What you take | Marks split |
|---|---|---|
| Group I (compulsory) | English, a second language, and History, Civics & Geography | 80 written + 20 internal |
| Group II | Two subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Economics or Commercial Studies | 80 written + 20 internal |
| Group III | One subject, such as Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Art or Physical Education | 50 written + 50 internal |
How Some Key Papers Work
- English has two papers: English Language and Literature in English. In CISCE's specimen papers, the Language paper covers composition, letter writing, notice and email writing, comprehension and grammar.
- Science is examined as three papers — Physics, Chemistry and Biology — each with its own written paper and internal assessment.
- Mathematics is one written paper in two sections; in the specimen papers, Section A is compulsory and Section B offers a choice of questions.
- Internal assessment comes from practical work, project work and school assessments set out in CISCE's syllabus for each subject.
Paper durations are set subject by subject and printed on each question paper, so check the latest specimen paper for each subject you take.
Key Differences from CBSE
- ICSE has separate papers for Physics, Chemistry and Biology — CBSE examines them together as one Science paper.
- ICSE English has Language and Literature as separate papers.
- ICSE follows CISCE's own syllabus, not the NCERT textbooks.
- History, Civics & Geography is compulsory in ICSE, as a Group I subject.
For a fuller comparison, read CBSE vs ICSE.
Preparation Strategy
- Solve ICSE past papers and the CISCE specimen papers — the style differs from CBSE.
- Focus on understanding concepts deeply — ICSE papers reward application.
- Practise longer answer writing, especially in English and History, Civics & Geography.
- Don't rely on CBSE study material — ICSE has its own syllabus and style.
Prepare for the ICSE pattern
Super Tutor has chapter-wise summaries, revision notes and practice quizzes for ICSE Class 10 subjects.
Try it freeBased on CISCE's ICSE regulations and specimen question papers (cisce.org). Check the 2027 regulations and specimen papers for your subjects.
Turn this into exam marks
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is ICSE harder than CBSE?
ICSE is usually seen as more detailed, with longer English and separate Science papers, while CBSE follows the NCERT textbooks. Neither is simply harder — what matters is how well your study habits suit the board's syllabus and question style.
Which subjects are compulsory in ICSE Class 10?
Under CISCE's regulations, Group I is compulsory: English, a second language, and History, Civics & Geography. You also take two subjects from Group II (such as Mathematics, Science, Economics or Commercial Studies) and one from Group III (such as Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Art or Physical Education). Check CISCE's current regulations for the full lists.
How are ICSE Class 10 marks split?
Group I and Group II subjects are 80 marks in the written paper + 20 marks internal assessment. Group III subjects are 50 marks written + 50 marks internal assessment (practical or project work).