ICSE Class 10 Board Exam 2024-25: Complete Guide to Timetable, Marking Scheme, and Preparation Tips

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has announced the ICSE Class 10 exam schedule for 2024-25. The exams will be in pen-and-paper mode from February 18 to March 27, 2025.
Students should check the official timetable and start their preparation accordingly. Collecting the admit card from school is also important, as it is mandatory on exam days. Without it, students won’t be allowed to appear for the exam.
This blog will cover everything you need about the ICSE Class 10 exams, including the complete timetable, marking scheme, subject details, grading system, passing criteria, and useful preparation tips.
Now that the ICSE Class 10 date sheet is available, students can plan their study schedules accordingly. Below is a quick overview of the important details:
Details | Information |
Exam Conducting Body | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
Official Website | www.cisce.org |
Exam Name | Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) |
Class | 10th |
Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
Timetable Release Date | November 25, 2024 |
Exam Start Date | February 18, 2025 |
Exam End Date | March 27, 2025 |
Below is the ICSE Class 10 exam schedule for 2024-25. For the full timetable, visit the official website.
Date | Time | Subject/Details | Duration |
February 18, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| English Language Paper 1
| 2 hrs |
February 21, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Literature in English Paper 2
| 2 hrs |
February 22, 2025 | 09:00 a.m.
| Art Paper 1 (Still Life)
| 3 hrs |
February 24, 2025 | 09:00 a.m.
| Art Paper 2 (Nature Drawing/Painting)
| 3 hrs |
February 25, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Ao-Naga, Assamese, Bengali, Dzongkha, Garo, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Lepcha, Mizo, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Tangkhul, Telugu, Urdu, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Russian, Modern Armenian, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Tibetan
| 3 hrs |
February 28, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Economics (Group II Elective)
| 2 hrs |
March 1, 2025 | 09:00 a.m.
| Art Paper 3 (Original Composition)
| 3 hrs |
March 4, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Mathematics
| 3 hrs |
March 6, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Hindi
| 3 hrs |
March 8, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Robotics & Artificial Intelligence, Basic Data Entry Operator, Dietetic Aide, Cashier, Early Years Physical Activity Facilitator, Auto Service Technician (Group-3 Elective, Section-B)
| 2 hrs |
March 10, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| History & Civics, H.C.G. Paper 1
History & Civics (Thailand) - H.G.T. Paper 1
| 2 hrs |
March 12, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Geography, H.C.G. Paper 2
Geography (Thailand) - H.G.T. Paper 2
| 2 hrs |
March 17, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Physics: Science Paper 1
| 2 hrs |
March 18, 2025 | 09:00 a.m.
| Art Paper 4 (Applied Art)
| 3 hrs |
March 19, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Group III-Elective-Section A: Carnatic Music, Commercial Applications, Computer Applications, Cookery, Drama, Economic Applications, Environmental Applications, Fashion Designing, French, German, Hindustani Music, Home Science, Hospitality Management, Indian Dance, Mass Media & Communication, Physical Education, Spanish, Western Music, Yoga, Technical Drawing Applications
| 2 hrs |
March 21, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Chemistry, Science Paper 2
| 3 hrs |
March 24, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Biology: Science Paper 3
| 2 hrs |
March 26, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Commercial Studies (Group II Elective)
French (Group II Elective)
| 2 hrs |
March 27, 2025 | 11:00 a.m.
| Environmental Science (Group II Elective) | 2 hrs |
ICSE Class 10 exams include multiple-choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions to assess students' understanding of different subjects. Below is a subject-wise breakdown of the exam pattern:
Literature and Language papers, each carrying 80 marks (external) and 20 marks (internal assessment).
80 marks (written exam) + 20 marks (internal assessment).
Includes Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, each subject carrying 80 marks (theory) + 20 marks (practical/internal assessment).
History & Civics and Geography exams, each carrying 80 marks (theory) + 20 marks (project work).
80 marks (written exam) + 20 marks (internal assessment).
Students will be marked on theory and practical assessments depending on the subject.
The ICSE grading system follows a percentage-based marking scheme:
Percentage | Grade |
90-100% | A+ |
80-89% | A |
70-79% | B+ |
60-69% | B |
50-59% | C+ |
40-49% | C |
33-40% | D |
Below 33% | E (Fail) |
Grade A is the highest, and Grade E is the lowest. However, only Grades A to D appear on the certificate.
Grade | Standard |
A | Very Good |
B | Good |
C | Satisfactory |
D | Fair |
E | Fail |
To pass the ICSE Class 10 board exams, students must secure at least 33% in each subject. This means they need at least 28 marks out of 80 in written exams and 7 marks out of 20 in internal assessments.
Here are some smart preparation tips for ICSE board exams:
For a detailed Class 10 study plan and effective exam tips, click the link below.
The ICSE Class 10 exams are crucial for students’ academic growth. Students can perform well by following a well-planned study schedule and understanding the exam pattern. Make sure to review the official timetable, prepare strategically, and follow the guidelines to ensure success.
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The ICSE Class 10 exams will begin on February 18, 2025, and conclude on March 27, 2025.
Students must secure at least 33% in each subject to pass the ICSE Class 10 board exams.
You can download the official timetable from the CISCE website, cisce.org.
The exams typically start at 11:00 a.m., but some subjects like Art have different timings.
Follow a structured study plan, solve past papers, manage time well, and rest properly to stay focused.