ICSE vs CBSE: Key Differences in English Curriculum, Exam Style, and Impact on Students’ Skills
ICSE vs CBSE: Key Differences in English Curriculum, Exam Style, and Impact on Students' Skills
ICSE vs CBSE: How India’s Top School Boards Differ in Teaching English
English, a core subject across India’s education system, is taught in strikingly different ways by the country’s two leading school boards — the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). These differences go beyond textbooks and influence how students write, think, and perform academically.
Curriculum and Structure: Literature Depth vs Exam Efficiency
While CBSE is India’s most widely adopted board, ICSE, governed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), is often seen as offering a more literature-intensive curriculum.
CBSE English follows the NCERT curriculum and is structured to be concise, practical, and exam-oriented. It aligns closely with national-level entrance tests like CUET, JEE, and NEET.
In contrast, ICSE English is split into two papers — Language and Literature — and encourages literary depth, formal grammar, and nuanced interpretation.
“ICSE expects students to read between the lines. In CBSE, it’s more about understanding the lines clearly,” says veteran English teacher Ritu Bhatnagar, who has taught both boards for over 18 years.
Teaching Style: Expression in ICSE vs Precision in CBSE
In ICSE classrooms, students are trained to write in-depth answers that highlight creativity, expression, and descriptive skills. “ICSE builds confidence in writing. We’re taught to express, not just respond,” says Viha Shah, a Class 10 ICSE student in Mumbai.
CBSE, on the other hand, emphasizes structure and time management. Students are encouraged to give crisp, relevant answers often formatted in bullet points.
“CBSE English helped me crack CUET with ease, thanks to its objective comprehension style,” adds Rishabh Jain, a CBSE alumnus now preparing for Delhi University.
Assessment Style: Creativity vs Clarity
In ICSE, 20 marks are dedicated to composition writing where originality and coherence take precedence. The literature section often involves textual analysis, literary devices, and open-ended interpretation.
CBSE assessments favor clarity. The 2024 Class 10 CBSE English paper allocated 20 marks to reading comprehension, while the literature section focused on short, direct answers based on textbook content.
Influence on Higher Education Choices
While CBSE’s English format is beneficial for science and commerce aspirants preparing for competitive exams, ICSE’s literary depth gives an edge to students pursuing humanities, law, journalism, or liberal arts.
A 2023 CISCE report revealed ICSE students averaged 84% in English, compared to 77% among CBSE students, although CBSE students outperformed in Science and Math.
What Drives Parental Choices?
In urban India, many parents prefer CBSE for its national standardization, easier transfers, and better integration with coaching centers. However, ICSE continues to attract families seeking language fluency, writing skills, and a literature-rich academic environment.
Final Word: It’s Not About Better, Just Different
Education experts agree that both boards aim to develop language proficiency — just through different pedagogical routes.
“Choose a board based on your child’s strengths and aspirations,” advises academic consultant Anuradha Menon. “Language learning is ultimately about communication, not just curriculum.”
Whether a student is writing analytical essays or delivering timed responses, what truly shapes their English skills is a combination of curriculum, teaching approach, and home support.
