Analysis of CBSE and ICSE Class 10 Syllabus: Make An Informed Choice

There are two most popular school boards in India – the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board. These exams conduct and give certificates to students who appear for Class 10 and Class 12 exams. But the syllabus of both the exams are quite different.

Each board has a different variety in terms of teaching method, course curriculum, subjects, exams pattern,its evaluation etc. CBSE and ICSE education boards recognised as the most elite and prestigious education among all the education boards of India. CBSE conducts only one paper for science subjects which includes physics, chemistry and biology, and they collectively hold the 100 marks paper. While ICSE conducts three exams, one for each subject, which contains 100 marks each.

This article highlights the distinctions between the syllabus for class 10 of both the boards. Careers360 hopes this helps our readers in making an informed decision about which board best suits their child for further education.

Let’s look at the detailed differences between the exam syllabus of bith CBSE and ICSE.

Physics

CBSE class 10 has just one Science exam carrying 100 marks, comprising 80 written and 20 project/ practical marks. In contrast, ICSE has three separate exams for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, each carrying 100 marks (80 written and 20 project marks). The CBSE Physics syllabus includes six topics, while ICSE covers additional topics such as Force, Work, Power, Energy, Sound, Heat and Modern Physics. ICSE covers the first four chapters of CBSE's Physics syllabus in a single chapter (Chapter 2: Light) and includes the last two chapters (Chapter 5: Electricity and Magnetism) as Chapter 4 in their syllabus.

Physics Subject- Syllabus

Also check - Higher Education Is The Choice As Top Colleges in West Bengal Place Only 11.3% Graduates: Latest NIRF Data

Chemistry

The topic "Mole Concept" is taught in Class 9 for CBSE students but appears in Class 10 syllabus for ICSE students. ICSE's Chemistry syllabus contains twice as many chapters as CBSE, making it more extensive. ICSE students are more busy studying chemistry subjects compared to the CBSE students.

Chemistry Subject- Syllabus

Biology

ICSE and CBSE, both boards cover similar topics in Biology for students of Class 10. But ICSE students appear for 80 marks paper on the same topics while CBSE students appear for almost one-third marks for the same topic.

Biology Subject- Syllabus

Maths and English

There is not a lot of difference on the topics and concepts taught in Maths of Class 10 for both boards, CBSE and ICSE. Matrices is the only topic that is taught to students of Class 10 in ICSE while the same is taught in Class 12 for CBSE students.

As for English Literature, both boards have their own set of poems and short stories. But the novel, Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is a part of Class 10 English Literature for ICSE boards.

The age and level of education for students appearing in ICSE and CBSE board exams is the same. But the question you must ask yourself is whether the vast syllabus of ICSE as compared to CBSE is worth it?

As for students who plan to do engineering in future, students need to focus on Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics(PCM). And so ICSE’s vast syllabus of Physics can be beneficial for them for entrance exams like JEE. But for medical entrance exams like NEET, PCB - Physics, Chemistry and Biology are the subjects in focus. While for this both ICSE and CBSE syllabus is similar and can be opted by students.

Also check - Only 9% Students Opt For Placements At Top 3 Colleges In Maharashtra: NIRF Latest Data