ICSE Class 10 Science Paper Pattern and Chapter Weightage
ICSE Class 10 Science: how the Physics, Chemistry and Biology papers are marked, why CISCE gives no chapter-wise marks, and how to plan revision.
ICSE Science is three separate papers: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each is an 80-mark, two-hour paper with 20 marks of internal assessment for practical work. The ICSE syllabus lists topics but doesn't fix marks per chapter, so use the paper pattern and past papers to plan.
Paper Pattern
- Physics (Science Paper 1) — 80 marks, 2 hours, plus 20 marks of internal assessment.
- Chemistry (Science Paper 2) — 80 marks, 2 hours, plus 20 marks of internal assessment.
- Biology (Science Paper 3) — 80 marks, 2 hours, plus 20 marks of internal assessment.
The Physics paper, for example, has a compulsory first section of short questions on the whole syllabus (40 marks) and a second section where you answer four of six longer questions (40 marks). Check CISCE's latest specimen papers on cisce.org for the current layout of each paper.
Chapter-Wise Important Questions
Since marks aren't fixed by chapter, cover every chapter. Each link opens that chapter's important questions on Super Tutor.
Physics
- Force
- Work, Energy and power
- Machines
- Refraction of Light
- Refraction through a lens
- Spectrum
- Sound
- Current Electricity
- Electrical Power and Household Circuits
- Electromagnetism
- Calorimetry
- Radioactivity
Chemistry
- Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties - Physical and Chemical
- Chemical Bonding
- Study of Acids, Bases and Salts
- Analytical chemistry
- Mole Concept and Stoichiometry
- Electrolysis
- Metallurgy
- Study of Compounds
- Organic Chemistry I
- Organic Chemistry II
- Practical Chemistry
Biology
- The Cell
- Cell Division
- Genetics
- Absorption of Water and Minerals by Roots
- Transpiration
- Photosynthesis
- Chemical Coordination in Plants
- Circulatory System of Man
- Excretory System
- Nervous System
- Sense Organs
- Endocrine System
- Reproductive System
- Population
- Evolution
- Pollution
How to Plan Without a Weightage Table
- Solve the latest specimen paper first — it shows the question types and how marks are split between them.
- Go through past papers chapter by chapter — note which topics come up often, but don't drop the rest.
- Secure the compulsory section — short questions from the whole syllabus reward broad revision.
- Practise presentation — labelled diagrams, maps and well-organised answers earn marks in ICSE papers.
Turn this into exam marks
Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, revision notes, practice quizzes and an AI doubt solver matched to your board syllabus — so you revise smarter, not longer.
Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Does CISCE publish chapter-wise weightage for ICSE Class 10 Science?
No. The ICSE syllabus lists the topics for each science paper but doesn't fix marks per chapter, so the spread changes from paper to paper. Any chapter-wise marks table you see elsewhere is an estimate from past papers.
Can I skip a chapter I find hard?
Not recommended. The compulsory first section of each paper has short questions from across the syllabus, so a skipped chapter can cost you marks you can't avoid.
How are the three science papers combined?
Physics, Chemistry and Biology are separate papers, each with its own 80-mark exam and 20 marks of internal assessment. Your school and the CISCE result show each paper's marks.