ICSE Class 10 2026

ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026

Group-wise Marks Distribution & Assessment Structure

Understand the ICSE Class 10 exam pattern to prepare effectively. Get detailed information on theory marks, internal assessment, and subject-wise exam structure for Groups 1, 2 & 3. Your complete guide to ICSE Class 10 assessment.

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3 Subject Groups 80+20 Assessment 2-3 Hours Duration 15-min Reading Time

ICSE Class 10 Group-wise Exam Pattern 2026

ICSE Class 10 subjects are divided into three groups with different marking schemes.

Group	Subjects	Theory Marks	Internal Assessment	Total Marks
Group 1	English, Second Language, History & Civics, Geography	80	20	100
Group 2	Mathematics, Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology), Commercial Studies, Economics, Environmental Science, Classical Language, Modern Foreign Language	80	20	100
Group 3	Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Commercial Applications, Physical Education, Art, Home Science, Cookery, Fashion Designing, Yoga	50	50	100

Note: Group 3 subjects have 50 marks theory and 50 marks internal assessment (practical/project work).

1

Group 1: Compulsory Subjects

Subject	Duration	Theory Marks	Internal Assessment	Paper Pattern
English Paper 1 (Language)	2 hours	80	20	Essay, Letter, Notice, Comprehension, Grammar
English Paper 2 (Literature)	2 hours	80	-	Prose, Poetry, Drama (Julius Caesar)
Second Language	3 hours	80	20	Grammar, Comprehension, Writing, Translation, Literature
History & Civics	2 hours	80	20	Civics (40 marks) + History (40 marks)
Geography	2 hours	80	20	Part I (Map Work - 20 marks) + Part II (Short/Long Questions - 60 marks)

Internal Assessment (20 marks): Listening Skills (10 marks) + Speaking Skills (10 marks) for English. For other subjects: assignments, projects, and class participation.

2

Group 2: Optional Subjects (Choose Any 2)

Subject	Duration	Theory Marks	Internal Assessment	Paper Pattern
Mathematics	3 hours	80	20	Commercial Maths (13 marks), Algebra (32 marks), Geometry (8 marks), Mensuration (8 marks), Trigonometry (8 marks), Statistics (8 marks), Probability (3 marks)
Physics	3 hours	80	20	Mechanics, Light, Sound, Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics
Chemistry	2 hours	80	20	Periodic Properties, Chemical Bonding, Acids/Bases/Salts, Analytical Chemistry, Mole Concept, Electrolysis, Metallurgy, Study of Compounds, Organic Chemistry
Biology	2 hours	80	20	Plant Physiology, Human Body Systems, Genetics, Ecology
Commercial Studies	2 hours	80	20	Business Environment, Management, Finance, Trade
Economics	2 hours	80	20	Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Indian Economy
Environmental Science	2 hours	80	20	Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Issues

Note: Students must choose any 2 subjects from Group 2. Mathematics and Science are recommended for students pursuing Science stream in Class 11-12.

3

Group 3: Optional Subjects (Choose Any 1)

Subject	Duration	Theory Marks	Internal Assessment	Paper Pattern
Computer Applications	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Economic Applications	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Project Work
Commercial Applications	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Project Work
Physical Education	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Art	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Home Science	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Cookery	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Fashion Designing	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work
Yoga	2 hours	50	50	Theory + Practical Work

Note: Group 3 subjects have 50 marks theory and 50 marks internal assessment (practical/project work). Students must choose any 1 subject from Group 3.

Internal Assessment Breakdown 2026

Internal assessment of 20 marks (or 50 marks for Group 3) is awarded based on various activities conducted throughout the academic year.

Assignments

5-10 marks

Regular submissions

Projects

5-10 marks

Individual/Group

Class Participation

5 marks

Active participation

Subject	Internal Assessment Details	Marks
English	Listening Skills & Speaking Skills	10 + 10
Mathematics	Assignments evaluated by internal and external examiners	20
Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology)	Practical work and project files	20
History & Civics	Project work on any topic from the syllabus	20
Geography	Project work and map work assignments	20
Second Language	Assignments and project work	20
Group 3 Subjects	Practical/Project work (50 marks)	50

Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects do I need to take in ICSE Class 10?

You must take 4 compulsory subjects (Group 1), 2 optional subjects (Group 2), and 1 optional subject (Group 3).

What is the marking scheme for Group 3 subjects?

Group 3 subjects have 50 marks theory and 50 marks internal assessment (practical/project work).

What is the reading time before exams?

Students get 15 minutes of reading time before each exam to read the question paper.

How can StudyDecode help me with ICSE Class 10 exam preparation?

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