CBSE Vs ICSE Syllabus
CBSE Vs ICSE Syllabus
CBSE Vs ICSE Syllabus
It is very important to choose from the two nationwide education syllabi - CBSE and
ICSE. This article gives a brief insight of the merits and demerits of each of the
syllabus. It will help you choose the appropriate course for your child.
Introduction
The CBSE board is short form of Central Board of Secondary Education. It prepares the
syllabus for students up to Class 12. The curriculum is set by National Council of Educational
Research and Training (NCERT). The board conducts India's two nation-wide board
examinations: the All India Secondary School Examination for Class 10 and the All India
Senior School Certificate Examination for Class 12. Many schools are affiliated to CBSE
syllabus.
The ICSE is short form of Indian Certificate for Secondary Education. It was established by the
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The council conducts an all India exam
for Class 10 called ICSE(Indian Certificate for Secondary Education) and for class 12 called the
Indian School Certificate (ISC).
A common misconception is that CBSE and ICSE are both education boards similar to SSC
boards of state government. CBSE is an education board but ICSE is the certificate offered
after completion of the course and it is not a board. Still ICSE board is commonly used to
mention this course.
Syllabus
The CBSE syllabus is a cumulative syllabus. The syllabus is prepared so that the contents are
in a flow and linked with each other. For example, in Algebra, there is introduction to numbers
in one standard such as integers, whole numbers, real numbers and complex numbers. In the
higher standard, there is detailed approach to quadratic numbers which is based purely on
complex numbers introduction. Similarly, all the subjects have a cumulative syllabus which
helps students not to forget the previous contents. Also, this makes remembering simple. One
disadvantage is the length of the syllabus. It has vast syllabus. It includes numerous topics as
compared to ICSE. Apart from basics, high end applications are involved which makes it
difficult for the teachers to complete the syllabus.
The ICSE board follows the basics strengthening syllabus. Unlike in CBSE, as a student moves
to higher standard, he once again has the previous standards basics in his new syllabus. For
example, in CBSE, once complex numbers introduction is over, it is not repeated in higher
standard. But, in ICSE all the introduction is repeated and then quadratic equations are
handled. Even questions are based on the basics. This makes the basics of the topic very
strong. This helps the student a lot of confidence when higher studies are involved. As his
basics are very strong, half the job is done.
Examinations
In the CBSE syllabus examinations, mostly objective type of questions is asked. The CBSE
system deals with more one sentence answers. The marking scheme does not give priority to
writing lengthy answers. It is mostly based on to the point answers and extremely relevant
answers. But the syllabus in general is very vast. Thus it takes long time to study and prepare
for the exams. The CBSE exams are considered very tough.
In the ICSE syllabus examinations, there is a balance between objective and subjective
questions. Both have equal priority or weight. One important distinguishing feature in ICSE
syllabus is the importance given to projects. Projects are very important and they form the
basis of marking scheme in the performance of the student. This makes the student extremely
active and it improves his thinking ability.
Overall, both syllabi have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of the examinations
conducted.
Value
It is a myth that ICSE syllabus is more recognized abroad and it has more value than CBSE in
terms of giving priority. It is rumored that ICSE has more international appeal and it is of
higher standard than CBSE. All this is false. CBSE is equally well accepted all over the world. It
has the same standard as ICSE if not more.
Many parents change the syllabus from CBSE to ICSE after 10th board examinations. If your
child is studying in one syllabus, do not change his school to change the syllabus from ICSE to
CBSE or vice versa. This will have a negative impact. Every syllabus has a different style and a
different approach. It will be very unwise to change the syllabus in between.
Summary
CBSE syllabus and ICSE syllabus each have their own merits and demerits. Most of the schools
follow the CBSE syllabus as it is very useful for most of the competitive examinations in India.
ICSE syllabus is preferred for English improvement and it is a simpler syllabus compared to
ICSE. The choice is up to you to decide which syllabus is most suited for your child.
1. Approaches are generalised theories like the Communicative Approach, the Traditional
Approach and so on.
2. Teaching methods are concrete structure based on the abstract approaches; most know
of them are the Direct Method, the Situational Method, the Audio-lingual Method and so
on.
3. Teaching practices are the innumerable classroom applications based on those
approaches and methods.
Both CBSE schools and ICSE schools, as well as other school boards in India, prepare
their syllabi by choosing something and omitting the rest from this wide range of
approaches, methods and practices available. Clearly, there are some similarities and
some differences between the syllabus of CBSE Schools and the Syllabus of ICSE
Schools.
Therefore, we see, there are some advantages of CBSE and in some other cases
advantages of ICSE. Hence, nobody can assert that one of them is just outstanding and
the other is complete nonsense. Instead, it should be the situation, requirement and other
criteria about the student concerned which should decide whether to go for the CBSE
Syllabus or the ICSE Syllabus.
Nevertheless, in the admission seasons, whether CBSE or ICSE is best becomes the most
important question for the students and their guardians. Before we proceed into a further
and more comprehensible discussion on the matter, we must know the basic outlines of
CBSE syllabus and ICSE syllabus.
What Is CBSE and What Is ICSE
In technical sense, ISCE and CBSE cannot be related and compared together due to the
category error; in simple words they are not similar things. CBSE, or Central Board of
Secondary Education, is a school board fairly popular among the school boards in India.
CBSE conducts two examinations; namely All India Secondary School Examination or AISSE in
the 10th standard and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination AISSCE in the 12th
standard.
ICSE, or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, on the other hand, is a 10th standard
examination taken by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, popularly known
as CISCE. ICSE, held by CISCE, is the equivalent examination of AISSE, held by CBSE. On the
other hand, the equivalent examination of AISSCE, held by CBSE, is Indian School Certificate
or ISC, held by CISCE. Take a glance below if this sounds complicated.
School Board: CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
Examination held at the 10th standard: All India Secondary School Examination, or AISSE.
Examination held at the 12th standard: All India Senior School Certificate Examination, or
AISSCE.
School Board: CISSE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination)
Examination held at the 10th standard: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, or ICSE.
Examination held at the 12th standard: Indian School Certificate, or ISC.
Nevertheless, in common use, the board CBSE and the examination AISSE are both referred to
as CBSE; and similarly, the board CISSE and the examination ICSE are both referred to as
ICSE. Henceforth in this discussion, we will use these terms in their usual broader meanings.
There are some major differences between the CBSE curriculum and the ICSE curriculum.
4. Environmental Education
Following the Supreme Court of India, a compulsory environmental education has been added
to the ICSE syllabus. On the other hand, the CBSE syllabus has no such environmental
education in its course.
There are some advantages of CBSE. Students who look for these things in the school
boards of India should go for the CBSE syllabus.
1. Credibility
The first thing is that since it is recognised by the Government of India, it has a better
credibility in the Indian subcontinent, often also outside it.
2. Easier Syllabus
CBSE has only one English paper, one science paper, and one paper in social studies. On the
other hand, a ICSE student has to read two papers in English, three different science papers
(Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and two for the social sciences (History and Geography). The
CBSE syllabus is naturally easier to learn and remember for the students than the ICSE
syllabus.
3. Entrance Examination Friendly
The pattern of the entrance examinations like PMT and IIT-JEE are based on the CBSE
syllabus since CBSE takes all these examinations. Students from the CBSE curriculum
therefore do not require taking any special preparation, while those from the ICSE syllabus
need to adapt themselves to the different atmosphere of the CBSE curriculum.
4. Competitive Examination Friendly
The CBSE syllabus is objective and easier, hence quite student friendly. Its objective nature
helps CBSE students in the competitive examinations. If one does not like to be a professor
and wants a clerkship in a bank, he or she will not need to overburden his or her brain with
huge syllabi in the CBSE curriculum. Hence, students of CBSE schools usually do better in the
competitive examinations.
There are some advantages of ICSE. Students who look for these things in the school boards
of India should go for the ICSE syllabus.
It is considered equivalent to the highest examinations of the secondary school outside India.
Hence, a student from the CISSE curriculum, clearing ICSE or ISC, can skip the bridge courses
and tests while applying for a plus two course abroad or for the graduation in a foreign
college. Nevertheless, UCAS nowadays recognised CBSE just like ICSE.
2. Detailed Syllabus, Good for Future Academicians
The syllabus of ICSE schools is much elaborated than the syllabus of CBSE schools. For
example, ICSE offers two papers in English, three different science papers (Physics, Chemistry
and Biology) and two for the social sciences (History and Geography). On the other hand,
CBSE has only one English paper, one science paper, and one paper in social studies. Thus,
ICSE provides the students with a more detailed knowledge. ICSE is therefore good for taking
up honours in graduation courses and become future academicians, working right from the
school level to the university levels. ICSE students have better depths in various subjects,
while most of the CBSE students lack this due to the short syllabus.
1. Go for ICSE if you want to be an academician like a school teacher, a lecturer, reader, or
professor, a research fellow, a scientist, a scholar or something like these.
2. Go for CBSE if you want to clear competitive examinations like Joint Entrance Examination
or JEE. Also, it will help later in job seeking examinations like those of PSC, railways, various
banks, clerical offices and so on.
3. Go for CBSE if you want to be a sportsperson. CBSE will give you better chances to
enhance your skills.
4. Opt for ICSE if you want to be a writer, a freelancer, a newsperson and the like.
5. Always go for ICSE to avoid bridge course if you have an aim to study abroad.
Nevertheless, these are much generalised suggestions only. It is always better to take opinions
from expert career councillors to judge the abilities, merits and chances of the students
concerned before hasting into a decision. This is a decision on which the entire future career
will depend. Therefore, make a wise choice!