ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26: Paper Pattern,Marking Scheme, and Topic-wise Weightage
ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26: The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26 follows an 80-mark theory paper and 20-mark internal assessment, with a clear split into two sections। Knowing the latest pattern helps students focus on high-weightage areas and practice the right kind of questions for strong board performance।
What this guide covers
This guide provides a concise explanation of the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26 for parents and students who are planning their board exams। It talks about marks distribution, section structure, question types, and effective use of specimen and sample papers।
Exam pattern overview
Chemistry exam consists of an internal practical assessment of 20 marks and an external theory paper of 80 marks। The theory paper is broken up into Section I and Section II, which each adds 40 marks to the overall external score।
Key points at a glance
- Mode: Offline, pen-and-paper.
- Duration: 2 hours (theory).
- Total marks: 100 (80 theory + 20 internal).
Marks distribution and weightage
ICSE maintains a 80:20 split between theory and internal assessment for Class 10 subjects like chemistry for the 2025–26 session। This means that practical work and written exam results decide the final grade in chemistry।
Section I and Section II of the theory paper have each 40 marks. This ensures that both long and short answers are tested। Experiments, lab records, project work, and teacher evaluation are typically evaluated over the year by internal assessment।
Section-wise question paper format
The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry paper is divided into:
- Section I (40 marks): Compulsory short answer questions from the entire syllabus.
- Section II (40 marks): Six structured questions where students answer any four.
Section I tests core definitions, concepts, and basic numericals in a concise format. Section II focuses on application, reasoning, equations, diagrams, and multi-step numericals that need detailed explanations.
Types of questions in Chemistry
The pattern uses a mix of question formats to assess understanding and application:
- Very short answer and short answer questions in Section I.
- Structured, longer questions in Section II that may include sub-parts on theory, numericals, and equations.
Specimen and sample papers show that questions may involve chemical equations, reasoning based on observations, calculations from mole concept, and structured organic and inorganic problems. This aligns with the broader ICSE pattern that uses objective-style and descriptive questions across subjects
Syllabus highlights linked to pattern
Periodic properties, bonding, acids-bases-salts, analytical chemistry, mole concept, electrolysis, metallurgy, study of specific compounds, and basic organic chemistry are all topics in the chemistry syllabus for 2025–26। Both sections’ questions are centered around these units, and numerical and application-based items are mainly from concepts of moles, electrolysis, and certain compounds।
Students must at least prepare each unit to a fundamental conceptual level because Section I covers the entire course। Important topics like compounds and organic chemistry often require multi-step reasoning, reaction conditions, and balanced equations in Section II।
How internal assessment works
Internal assessment in ICSE Chemistry carries 20 marks and focuses on practical skills and record-keeping. Schools typically assess students through experiments, lab notebooks, practical tests, and sometimes small projects aligned with the syllabus.
Practical work usually includes standard experiments such as preparation of salts, neutralisation, tests for gases, and basic qualitative analysis. Consistent performance across the year helps secure these 20 marks, which can significantly improve the overall Chemistry grade.
Smart preparation tips using the pattern
Students can use the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26 to optimise preparation and time management. Focusing on pattern-aware planning reduces surprises in the exam hall and improves accuracy under time pressure.
Practical tips:
- Complete the full syllabus once, then revise high-weightage units frequently.
- Practise solving at least a few full-length specimen or sample papers in 2 hours to simulate the real exam.
- Reserve dedicated practice sessions for fast, accurate short answers for Section I and detailed, stepwise solutions for Section II.
Important resources and specimen papers
The CISCE portal hosts official specimen question papers for ICSE Class 10 subjects, including Chemistry, which reflect the latest pattern for 2025–26. These specimens showcase section-wise marks, structure, and representative question types that students are likely to face.
Many publishers and learning platforms provide additional sample papers aligned with the current syllabus and marking scheme. Using a mix of official specimen papers and credible sample papers gives broader exposure and builds exam confidence.
Conclusion
Understanding the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26 helps students balance theory, numericals, and practical preparation more effectively. With planned practice using the latest specimen and sample papers, scoring well in Chemistry becomes more about strategy than guesswork.
Students should create a pattern-based study schedule, track performance in timed practice papers, and regularly clarify doubts from teachers or mentors. Start now with at least one full specimen paper this week and refine your approach based on the marks distribution and section-wise performance.
FAQs on ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025 26
- What is the total mark distribution for ICSE Class 10 Chemistry 2025 26?
The ICSE Class 10 Chemistry exam has a total of 100 marks, with 80 marks for the external theory paper and 20 marks for internal assessment of practical work. This 80:20 split is consistent with the general ICSE pattern for science subjects in the 2025–26 session. - How is the ICSE Class 10 Chemistry question paper structured?
The Chemistry theory paper is divided into two sections of 40 marks each. Section I contains compulsory short answer questions from the full syllabus, while Section II offers six longer, structured questions from which candidates must attempt any four. - What types of questions are asked in the Chemistry paper?
The exam includesshort answer questions, reasoning-based items, numericals, and structured long questions with subsections। Students should
