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ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026, Marking Scheme - Group 1, Group 2
The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) released the ICSE exam pattern 2026 online through the official website, cisce.org. Students appearing for the ICSE 10th exam must learn the ICSE class 10th exam pattern 2026 exam pattern, syllabus and prepare for the exams accordingly. This year, the board has increased the Class 10 maths exam duration to 2-3 hours. Earlier, it was 2.5 hours. The CISCE board will conduct the exam from February 17 to March 30, 2026. Read the entire article to learn more about the ICSE Class 10th exam pattern 2026.
This Story also Contains
- ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 Subject Criteria
- ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 1
- ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 2
- ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 3
- ICSE 10th Exam Preparation Tips 2026
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 Subject Criteria
Students appearing for the Class 10th ICSE exam 2026 must know the subject criteria for the exam. They will have to select a minimum of six subjects, as it is a mandatory requirement.
Group 1 (Compulsory):
The percentage of internal examination will carry 80 marks, and 20 marks will be for internal assessment. The subjects in group 1 are all mandatory. The subjects in group 1 include:
English
A second language
History, Civics and Geography
Group 2:
Students appearing for the exam will be required to select a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 subjects from group 2. This group consists of the following subjects:
Mathematics
Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
Economics
Commercial Studies
Modern Foreign Language
Classical Language
Environmental Science
Group 3:
Students will be required to choose one subject from the following options. The ICSE marking scheme for group 3 will consist of 50% for both external and internal assessment. The subjects in group 3 include:
Computer Applications
Economic Applications
Commercial Applications
Art
Performing Arts
Home Science
Cookery
Fashion Designing
Physical Education
Yoga
Technical Drawing Applications
Environmental Applications
Modern Foreign Languages
Mass Media & Communication
Hospitality Management
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
ICSE Specimen Question Paper 2026
Download the ICSE Specimen Question Paper 2026 to understand exam pattern, practice key questions, and enhance your preparation for the upcoming board exams.
Download NowSubject Combinations that are not Allowed for ICSE Exam 2026
Students who are appearing for the ICSE 10th exam 2026 must know that there are subject combinations that are not allowed. Below, we have provided the list of combinations for their reference:
Sanskrit as a Second Language (Group I) and Sanskrit as a Classical Language (Group II).
Economics (Group II) and Economic Applications (Group III).
Commercial Studies (Group II) and Commercial Applications (Group III).
Environmental Science (Group II) and Environmental Applications (Group III).
Candidates opting for Modern Foreign Language in any of the three groups must opt for a different language in the other two groups.
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 1
The subjects in group 1 are compulsory for all students appearing for the exam. They must learn all the subjects and read the syllabus to score better in the ICSE 10th result. The CISCE has not released the ICSE 10th board exam pattern. We have provided the previous year’s ICSE exam pattern 2026 for students’ reference.
ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 for Group 1
Subject | Question Type | ICSE Board Exam Total Marks |
English | Paper 1: English Language - Composition, Letter, Notice/email, Unseen prose/passage Paper 2: Literature in English - Drama, Prose, and Poetry from prescribed textbooks | 80 for each paper and 20 marks each for Internal assessment |
History, Civics, Geography | H.C.G. Paper 1 History and Civics paper will be divided into two parts, Part I and Part II. Part I (30 marks) will contain short-answer questions from the entire syllabus. (Compulsory questions) Part II (50 marks) will consist of Section A and Section B. Candidates will be required to answer two out of three questions from Section A and three out of five questions from Section B. H.C.G. Paper 2 The geography paper will consist of two parts, Part I and Part II Part I (compulsory) will consist of two questions. Question 1 will be based on a Topographical Map. Question 2 will be based on an outline Map of India. Part II: Candidates will be expected to answer any five questions | 80 marks for each written paper and 20 marks for the Internal assessment each. |
A Second Language | There will be one written paper of 3 hours duration. Candidates will be required to attempt questions on: Composition, Letter, Comprehension, Grammar, Translation and/or Dialogue Writing | 80 marks for written paper and 20 for Internal Assessment |
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 2
Students appearing for the exam must choose a minimum of 2 subjects and a maximum of 3 subjects from group 2. Check out the table below to learn more about the exam pattern.
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Group 2
Subject | Question Type | ICSE Board Exam Total Marks |
Mathematics | The paper will be divided into two sections, Section I (40 marks) and Section II (40 marks) Section I: will consist of compulsory short answer questions. Section II: Candidates will be required to answer four out of seven questions. | 80 marks for the written paper and 20 marks for the Internal assessment |
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | Science Paper 1: Physics The paper will be divided into two sections, Section I (40 marks) and Section II (40 marks). Section I (compulsory) will contain short answer questions on the entire syllabus. Section II will contain six questions. Candidates will be required to answer any four of these six questions Science Paper 2: Chemistry The paper will be divided into two sections, Section I (40 marks) and Section II (40 marks). Section I (compulsory) will contain short-answer questions on the entire syllabus. Section II will contain six questions. Candidates will be required to answer any four of these six questions Science Paper 3: Biology The paper will be divided into two sections, Section I (40 marks) and Section II (40 marks). Section I (compulsory) will contain short-answer questions on the entire syllabus. Section II will contain six questions. Candidates will be required to answer any four of these six questions. | 80 for each paper and 20 marks each for the Internal assessment |
Economics | The paper will be divided into two sections, A and B. Section A will consist of questions requiring short answers and will cover the entire syllabus. There will be no choice of questions. Section B will consist of questions that will require detailed answers. There will be a choice and candidates will be required to answer four questions from this section. | 80 marks for the written paper and 20 marks for the internal assessment |
Commercial Studies | The paper will be divided into two sections A and B. Section A (Compulsory) will consist of questions requiring short answers and will cover the entire syllabus. Section B will consist of questions, which will require detailed answers. There will be a choice and candidates will be required to answer four questions from this section. | 80 marks for written paper and 20 marks for internal assessment |
A Modern Foreign Language | The paper will consist of five questions, all of which will be compulsory. Composition, Letter, Vocabulary, Syntax and Idiom, Unseen passage, translation of passage | 80 marks for written paper and 20 marks for internal assessment |
A Classical Language | The paper will consist of the following tests: Question on elementary Sanskrit grammar. Unprepared translation from English into Sanskrit consisting of short prose sentences. Unprepared translation from Sanskrit into English. | 80 marks for written paper and 20 marks for internal assessment |
Environmental Science | The paper will have two Sections: Section A (Compulsory) will contain short answer questions covering the entire syllabus. Section B will contain six questions. Candidates will be required to answer any four questions from this section | 80 marks for written paper and 20 marks for internal assessment |
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Group 3
Students will be required to choose any one subject from group 3. The written test and internal assessment will carry a weighting of 50 marks each. Check out the exam pattern for group 3 below:
ICSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Group 3
Subject | Question Type | Total Marks |
Computer Applications | There will be two sections in the paper Section A (40 marks) - All short answer questions will be compulsory. Section B (60 marks) - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers. | 100 marks for the written exam 100 marks for Internal assessment |
Economic Applications | The paper will consist of Part I and Part II. Part I - will contain short answer questions on the entire syllabus (compulsory) Part II - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers. | 100 marks for the written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Commercial Applications | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Art | There will be 4 papers, candidates will be required to opt for any two papers: 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 | 100 marks for written exam on each paper 100 marks Internal assessment of each paper |
Performing Arts | The syllabus is divided into three sections: Section A: Vocal Music Section B: Instrumental Music Section C: Tabla | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Home Science | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - Candidates will be required to answer four questions. There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers. | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks for Internal assessment |
Cookery | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - Candidates will be required to answer four questions. There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers. | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks for Internal assessment |
Fashion Designing | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - Candidates will be required to answer four questions. There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers. | 100 marks for the written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Physical Education | The written paper will be divided into two sections: Section A: will consist of compulsory short answer questions. Section B: Candidates will be required to answer questions on the rules, skills required and the methods of training for any two of the given team games. | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Yoga | The theory paper will be divided into 4 sections: Section I: Compulsory section (40 marks) Section II, III, IV - 20 marks each with the choice to attempt two questions from each section. | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Technical Drawing Applications | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section I: Candidates will be required to attempt three questions out of five Section II: Candidates will be required to attempt two questions out of three | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Environmental Applications | The paper will be divided into two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
A Modern Foreign Language | The paper will consist of five questions all of which will be compulsory. Composition, Letter, Translation, Unseen passage, short answer questions | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Mass Media & Communication | The paper will consist of two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
Hospitality Management | The paper will consist of two sections: Section A - It will consist of compulsory short-answer questions covering the entire syllabus Section B - There will be a choice of questions in this section requiring detailed answers | 100 marks for written exam 100 marks Internal assessment |
ICSE 10th Exam Preparation Tips 2026
To score better in the ICSE 10th result 2026, students must create a well-structured study plan. Below, we have provided some ICSE 10th exam preparation tips for the students:
- Organise Study Materials: Students must prepare all study materials, such as textbooks, reference books, and notes, properly organised for easy access.
- Avoid Procrastination: They must begin the exam preparation at the start of the academic year to avoid last-minute stress.
- Complete Syllabus Early: Students must aim to finish the ICSE Class 10 syllabus at least two months before exams commence.
- Plan Weekly: Outline the topics to cover each week and track your progress. Consistency is key.
- Prioritise Revision: Regularly revise by solving ICSE question papers to understand the exam pattern and types of questions. Also, go through ICSE competency-based questions to prepare better.
- Stay Connected with Teachers: Consult teachers for clarification and guidance whenever needed.
Also, check
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When will the ICSE 10th exams 2026 be held?
A:
The ICSE 10th board exams will be held from February 17 to March 30, 2026.
Q: Is there an internal assessment in the ICSE 10th exam pattern?
A:
Yes, internal assessments are included in the ICSE 10th exam pattern 2026. The internal assessment marks along with the theory paper marks contribute to the total marks secured in the respective subject by the candidate.
Q: What are the passing marks in the ICSE 10th exams 2026?
A:
Students will have to score at least 33 per cent marks in each subject separately to pass the ICSE exams 2026.
Q: Is it compulsory for a student to select all the subjects from Group I?
A:
Yes, students who are going to appear in the ICSE 10th exams 2026 will have to study all the 3 subjects incorporated in Group I.
Q: How many subjects can a student select from Group II?
A:
Students will be required to select a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 subjects from Group II.
Q: How many subjects in total have to be selected by a student for ICSE exams?
A:
Students are required to opt for a minimum of 6 subjects for ICSE 10th exams.
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Hello! If you’re planning for the ICSE Improvement Exams 2025, practicing with previous year or specimen question papers will be very helpful. These papers can give you a clear understanding of the exam pattern and help you prepare more confidently. Please find the links below.
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cisce/icse-10th-question-papers
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Yes, the ICSE 2026 specimen papers have been released by CISCE in July 2025. These cover key subjects like English, Maths, Science, and Social Studies. You can download them from the official CISCE website under the “Specimen Question Papers” section. They’re designed to help students understand the new exam
The ICSE Class 10 syllabus includes compulsory subjects like English, a second language, History, Civics, and Geography, and students choose two subjects from Group II (e.g., Mathematics, Science, Economics) and one from Group III (e.g., Computer Applications, Art, Home Science). The syllabus emphasizes building strong knowledge and skills, with a
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A minor typo like writing "ICSC" instead of "ICSE" in your IB ACIO application form is generally not a serious issue, especially since you've already contacted the helpdesk and taken the right step to correct it. If the rest of your details like your marks, year, and roll number,
we are providing a guide for ICSE Class 10 exam preparation. Inculcating these ICSE 10th preparation.
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https://school.careers360.com/boards/cisce/icse-10th-preparation-tips
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