ICSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026 — All Subjects with Solutions
ICSE Class 10 sample papers 2026 for all subjects — Maths, Science, English, History, Geography.
CISCE publishes official specimen papers at cisce.org — these match the exact board exam pattern. Combined with previous year papers (2015–2025), they are the most effective preparation resource for ICSE Class 10. Solve at least 10 papers per subject under timed conditions.
Official Sources
| Source | What You Get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| cisce.org | Official specimen papers + previous year papers (all subjects) | Free |
| Oswaal ICSE Sample Papers | 10 sample papers + topper answers + marking scheme | ₹250–400/subject |
| Selina / Frank | Practice papers aligned with textbooks | ₹200–350/subject |
| Together With ICSE | Chapter-wise + full papers + solutions | ₹300–450/subject |
Subject-Wise Paper Pattern
Mathematics (80 marks, 2.5 hours)
| Section | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Compulsory — short answer questions from all chapters | 40 |
| Section B | Attempt any 4 out of 7 — detailed problems | 40 |
| Total (External) | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | |
High-weightage chapters: GST & Banking (easy marks), Quadratic Equations, Probability, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry. Section A is compulsory — prepare all chapters at least at basic level.
Science — Paper 1: Physics & Chemistry (80 marks, 2 hours)
| Section | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Compulsory — short questions from Physics & Chemistry | 40 |
| Section B | Attempt any 4 out of 7 — detailed questions | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
Physics focus: Electricity (Ohm's law, circuits), Light (ray diagrams), Sound, Force. Chemistry focus: Acids/Bases/Salts, Metallurgy, Organic Chemistry (IUPAC naming), Mole Concept calculations.
Science — Paper 2: Biology (80 marks, 2 hours)
| Section | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | Compulsory — short answer, diagrams, definitions | 40 |
| Section B | Attempt any 4 out of 7 — detailed answers with diagrams | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
Must-draw diagrams: Heart (cross-section), Kidney nephron, Eye, Neuron, Flower (longitudinal section). Each labelled diagram = 3–5 marks.
English — Paper 1: Language (80 marks, 2 hours)
| Section | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Essay / letter / notice / email | 20 |
| Comprehension | Unseen prose passage | 20 |
| Grammar | Sentence transformation, correction, fill-in-the-blanks | 20 |
| Note-making / Summary | Unseen passage — notes + summary | 20 |
English — Paper 2: Literature (80 marks, 2 hours)
Based on prescribed textbooks (Treasure Trove — prose & poetry + Shakespeare play). Questions include context-based extracts, character analysis, and critical appreciation.
History & Civics (80 marks, 2 hours)
| Part | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part I — Civics | Compulsory short answer questions (Indian Constitution, Judiciary, Legislature) | 30 |
| Part II — History | Attempt any 2 out of 5 structured questions (Indian Freedom Movement, World Wars, UN) | 50 |
Geography (80 marks, 2 hours)
| Part | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | Topographical map reading — grid references, conventional signs, distance, area | 30 |
| Part II | India geography — climate, soil, agriculture, industries, transport | 50 |
Geography tip: Map work (Part I) is 30 marks of easy, predictable questions. Practise reading Survey of India maps — 4-figure and 6-figure grid references, identifying features by conventional signs, calculating distances using the RF scale.
ICSE chapter-wise practice
Super Tutor has chapter-wise questions for ICSE Class 10 — Maths, Science, English. Practise with instant solutions and track your progress.
Start ICSE Practice — FreeSolving Strategy
| Phase | Papers Per Week | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months before exam | 1 per week per subject | Pattern familiarity, identify weak areas |
| 2 months before | 2 per week | Time management, accuracy improvement |
| 1 month before | 1 per day (rotating subjects) | Speed, confidence, exam simulation |
| Last 2 weeks | Focus on upcoming exam subject | Targeted practice for next paper |
ICSE vs CBSE Sample Papers — Key Differences
| Feature | ICSE | CBSE |
|---|---|---|
| Choice in questions | More internal choice (Section B: choose 4 of 7) | Limited internal choice |
| Question depth | Multi-step, application-based | More direct, NCERT-based |
| MCQ percentage | Lower (more subjective questions) | Higher (20+ MCQs per paper) |
| Practical marks | 20% internal assessment | 20% internal assessment (same) |
| Paper duration | 2–2.5 hours per paper | 3 hours per paper |
Paper pattern based on CISCE 2025–2026 specimen papers. CISCE may update the pattern — always check cisce.org for the latest specimen papers. Previous year papers from 2015–2025 are also available on the CISCE website. Last updated: February 2026.
Turn this into board-exam marks
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Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I find official ICSE specimen papers?
Official ICSE specimen papers are available at cisce.org under 'Publications' → 'Specimen Question Papers'. CISCE releases these for every subject. These are the most reliable guide to the exam pattern. Additionally, previous year papers (2015–2025) are available on the same website and are equally valuable for practice.
How many sample papers should I solve for ICSE?
Solve at least 10 papers per subject: 1 official specimen paper, 5–7 previous year papers (these are gold — ICSE repeats question styles), and 2–3 from publishers (Oswaal, Selina). Always solve under timed conditions and self-evaluate using the marking scheme.
Is the ICSE sample paper pattern same as board exam?
Yes — the specimen paper reflects the exact pattern of the board exam: same marks distribution, same question types, same time limit. CISCE follows a consistent blueprint. Students who practise specimen papers and PYQs thoroughly report that the actual board paper feels very familiar.
When does CISCE release specimen papers?
CISCE typically updates specimen papers on their website by October–November of the academic year. However, the pattern remains largely consistent year to year, so even last year's specimen paper is highly relevant. Previous year papers are available year-round on cisce.org.
Are ICSE papers harder than CBSE?
ICSE papers test application and depth more than CBSE. ICSE Maths and Science papers have more multi-step problems. ICSE English requires stronger comprehension and essay skills. However, ICSE internal assessment (20%) is generous, so the overall scoring can balance out. The key difference: ICSE rewards understanding; CBSE rewards NCERT memorisation.