Parents often choose the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE board in India for kids due to its in-depth curriculum, a balanced learning and effective evaluation process.
Students appear in the ICSE board examination but many remain unsure about various questions like:
- How Marks are Distributed?
- How Do Internal Assessments Matter?
- How Practicals or Projects are Evaluated?
To get all the answers one must understand the ICSE Marking Scheme. It helps learners to ensure fairness, consistency, and transparency in results.
In this blog we will understand ICSE marking scheme subject-wise, grading system, evaluation method, and effective ways to get good marks in exams.
Table of Contents
- What is the ICSE Marking Scheme?
- ICSE Grading System Explained
- Subject-Wise ICSE Marking Scheme
- Internal Assessment in ICSE Marking Scheme
- External Examination Marking Pattern
- ICSE Practical Examination Marking Scheme
- Tips to Score Well in ICSE Exams Based on Marking Scheme
- ICSE Marking Scheme vs CBSE Marking Scheme 2025-26
- Conclusion
What is the ICSE Marking Scheme?
The ICSE marking scheme is a method of distributing marks based on subjects, components, and exams.
ICSE uses a 9-point scale (1-9) for external exams where Grade 1 is highest and Grades 8-9 indicate failure
It helps students to calculate based on rote learning, application, creativity, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. Some key points in ICSE marking scheme includes:
1. Internal Assessment Weightage
The weightage of internal assessment in most of the ICSE subjects carry 20% of overall. It includes project work, assignments, periodic tests, and class participation.
2. External Examination Weightage
The weightage of external examination is conducted by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations which includes 80% weight based on written examination.
3. Practical Examination Marks
Practical examination marks are included by teachers on various subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Applications, etc.
These examinations are mainly between 20 and 30 marks where teachers observe students’ hands-on experience.
4. Project Work Evaluation
Project work evaluation is one of the most important parts in which learners get marks and appreciation.
Subjects for example, History, Geography, Environmental Education, and English Literature are evaluated by the teacher.
Content accuracy, originality, research quality, and presentation are primarily observed.
ICSE Grading System Explained
The ICSE Grading System considers both raw marks and grades to guide parents, teachers and students.
1. Grade to Percentage Conversion
Below is a table representation of Grade to Percentage Conversion and vice versa:
| S No. | Grade | Percentage | Remarks |
| 1. | A1 | 91-100% | Outstanding |
| 2. | A2 | 81-90% | Excellent |
| 3. | B1 | 71-80% | Very good |
| 4. | B2 | 61-70% | Good |
| 5. | C1 | 51-60% | Satisfactory |
| 6. | C2 | 41-50% | Acceptable |
| 7. | D | 33-40% | Below average |
| 8. | E | Below 33% | Fail |
2. How Grades are Calculated?
To calculate first raw marks both from internal assessment and external examination is added to generate the percentage Out of 100.
Later, the percentage is matched with the above-mentioned table to map the grade.
Remember, students must pass a minimum of five subjects including English to pass the year.
Subject-Wise ICSE Marking Scheme
The ICSE curriculum is divided into groups and each one has its own unique marking scheme.
Group 1 Subjects (Compulsory)
1. English (Language & Literature)
- Paper pattern:
Two papers English Language & English Literature.
- Marks distribution:
- Internal assessment (20 marks)
- External exam (80 marks)
2. Second Language
- Marking breakdown:
- Internal assessment (20 marks)
- External exam (80 marks)
- Assessment criteria:
Internal assessment includes oral tests, projects, and presentations.
3. Mathematics/History-Civics-Geography
- Detailed marking scheme
External Exam: 80 marks.
Internal: 20 marks (assignments & projects).
Group 2 Subjects (Science/Arts/Commerce)
- Physics marking scheme
Theory paper is of 80 marks and practical/project work is 20 marks of experiments, record-keeping, viva.
- Chemistry evaluation pattern
Theory paper is of 80 marks and practical/project work is 20 marks of observation, lab report.
- Biology assessment structure
Theory paper is of 80 marks and practical/project work is 20 marks of slide preparation, diagrams and practical file.
- Computer Applications marking
Theory paper is of 80 marks and practical/project work is 20 marks of coding projects, program execution, documentation.
Internal Assessment in ICSE Marking Scheme
1. Internal Assessment Weightage
Subject-wise internal marks are given by the ICSE board. The weightage is 20% in most of the subjects like Science, language, and humanities all include projects, activities, orals, or practicals.
2. How Internal Marks are Awarded?
- Subject Enrichment Activities:
Some common subject enrichment activities include role-plays, experiments, debates.
- Portfolio Evaluation:
Assignments, creative writing, records help learners in portfolio evaluation.
- Periodic Tests:
Class tests, unit tests, and pre-boards taken by subject teachers are important exams.
- Notebook Assessment:
Regularity, neatness, complete notebook showcase accuracy and dedication towards learning.
- Subject-specific Activities:
Science labs, history research projects, literature essays are subject-specific activities that help learners to gain good marks.
External Examination Marking Pattern
Question Paper Pattern
- Types of Questions
- MCQ is generally 1 mark.
- Short answer questions 2 to 4 marks.
- Long answer questions 6 to 10 marks.
Answer Writing Strategy Based on Marking Scheme
- How answers are evaluated
The ICSE board evaluates the answers by giving step-wise marking, logical explanation, and diagram accuracy.
- Step-wise marking
Step-wise marking students who have partial knowledge gets some marks. For example, knowledge of the correct formula, substitution of values, and the final answer.
- Partial credit guidelines
Partial credit guidelines include if the final answer is inaccurate and the steps are correct students will get partial marks.
- Common mistakes to avoid
Students need to avoid some common mistakes, for example, incomplete diagrams, skipping units in numericals, ignoring map labels, and grammatical errors.
ICSE Practical Examination Marking Scheme
1. Science Practicals
- Physics practical marking
- Experiment (10 marks)
- Accuracy & Observation (5 marks)
- Viva/Record Book (5 marks)
- Chemistry practical evaluation
- Experiment (10 marks)
- Observations and Calculations (5 marks)
- Viva + Practical File (5 marks)
- Biology practical assessment
- Lab Work/Slide/Specimen (10 marks)
- Diagrams & Lab Records (5 marks)
- Viva (5 marks)
2. Other Practical Subjects
- Computer practical marking
- Coding Project Execution (10 marks)
- Documentation (5 marks)
- Viva (5 marks)
- Language oral examination
- Listening & Speaking Skills (20 marks)
- Art/Music practical evaluation
- Art: Drawing, painting, creativity (20 marks)
- Music: Performance, rhythm, theory (20 marks)
Tips to Score Well in ICSE Exams Based on Marking Scheme
To get good marks, here are some useful tips to score well in ICSE exams based on the marking scheme.
1. Focus on High-Weightage Sections
One must focus on high-weightage sections especially which are compulsory to attempt. This helps students to avoid last minute urgency.
2. Practice Writing Answers as per Marking Scheme
Students can visit previous years question papers to practice writing answers as per the marking scheme. Understand how to write in steps, addition of main words and diagrams.
3. Balance Between Theory and Practical/Project Marks
Practical or project marks and theory are equally important to help learners to increase their percentage.
ICSE Marking Scheme vs CBSE Marking Scheme 2025-26
Given below is a comparison table between ICSE Marking Scheme and CBSE Marking Scheme 2025-26.
| S No. | Aspects | ICSE | CBSE |
| 1. | Evaluation Style | Balanced between theory & practicals | More theory-oriented |
| 2. | Internal Assessment | 20% (projects, practicals, assignments) | 10 to 20% (mostly periodic tests) |
| 3. | External Exam Weightage | 80% | 80 to 90% |
| 4. | Practical Subjects | Emphasis on experiments and projects | Limited to science stream |
| 5. | Language Evaluation | Strong focus on English and second language | Focused more on communication |
| 6. | Difficulty Level | Concept-heavy, analytical | Application-based, moderately easier |
Conclusion
The ICSE marking scheme is an ideal way to evaluate students’ overall development and knowledge. It showcases the importance of both internal and external exams.
By understanding how step marking works and which is correct alignment of writing guides learners to score accordingly.
Parents and students who are aware about the ICSE marking scheme can reduce exam stress and focus on holistic preparation. Also, explore the benefits of ICSE board and stay tuned to know more!
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