CBSE vs ICSE – Which one is a better choice for your child?

This debate has existed for years now, and with the development of both boards, it is increasingly becoming difficult to select the best for your child. Both boards are recognised nationally and internationally, but some basic differences make one better than the other based on your child’s future education plans.

ICSE, or the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, was introduced to offer a standardised examination for education. It aligns with the New Education Policy of 1986 and is specifically designed for English medium schools. CBSE, or the Central Board of Secondary Education, is a national education board in India that oversees private and public schools. It operates under the supervision of the Indian Union Government.

But what is the difference between CBSE and ICSE? Let’s explore!

CBSE vs ICSE: Comparison

1. Pedagogy

   Referred to as the method of how teachers teach the academic curriculum, the first difference between CBSE and ICSE lies in the pedagogy. ICSE focuses on an assignment- and project-heavy curriculum, where the board focuses on assigning the syllabus based on detailed learning based on the application of the knowledge. Here, 20% of the marks are based on internal assessment. On the other hand, CBSE follows a pedagogy that stays strong on preparing the students for competitive exams like the NEET, JEE, IIT, and more. The syllabus is more organised and structured, making it easy to follow.

2. Syllabus Structure

   The main difference between CBSE and ICSE is seen through the syllabus it follows.

   • Teaching Methodologies: The CBSE syllabus takes a compact approach with fewer subjects to study. The ICSE syllabus is more focused on real-life ideologies, theories, and applications, making it more subject-focused for better understanding.
   • Favoured Subjects: The ICSE gives equal importance to every subject, be it Humanities, Art, Science, or Language. The CBSE syllabus has a heavy focus on Science and Mathematics.
   • Syllabus Structure: The CBSE has a more easy and precise syllabus to follow, while the ICSE follows a comprehensive, detailed, and complex syllabus structure.

3. Medium of Instruction

   The CBSE board does not prioritise any specific language, while the ICSE board places greater emphasis on English, which can be advantageous for clearing exams like TOEFL and IELTS. Furthermore, the ICSE board focuses more on literature and language skills, aiding students in personality development. This is a great factor of distinction when deciding on ICSE or CBSE – which is better for your child’s educational goals.

4. Competitive Advantage

   Two education boards with completely different hands for competitive advantage in entrance exams. When choosing between the CBSE and ICSE boards, make sure you examine this factor of which career goal you want your child to follow. This is because the CBSE board has a 10+2 curriculum, making it an excellent choice for people who want their children to appear for competitive exams to pursue the Engineering or Medical field. In contrast, the ICSE board follows an extensive and in-depth syllabus, making your child a great candidate for the TOEFL exams.

5. College Acceptance

   When talking about the difference between CBSE and ICSE in terms of college acceptance rates, the ICSE board is known to provide a better acceptance rate for students in universities abroad. However, this does not mean that the CBSE board is not useful. The CBSE board also has a good acceptance range, but foreign countries prefer to choose a certification with the ICSE board.

6. Grading System

   The CBSE board follows a total marking grade system that is scored within 100 marks, with each term containing 40 marks for theory and 10 marks for internal assessment. There are two terms contributing to the 100 marks with 50 marks each. Students are expected to get at least 33% in every subject to pass the term. For the ICSE Board, 80% of the marks come from external assessments and 20% from internal assessments. The final score is the sum of these two components.

7. Board Transfer

   The ICSE Board does not accept students from other boards into the 10th and 12th grades. To be eligible for admission to these grades, students must have completed their 9th and 11th grades under the ICSE curriculum.

8. Examination Pattern

   The ICSE board for class 10th is divided into two tiers, where Tier 1 is the MCQs, and Tier 2 contains objective and subjective exam patterns. While the CBSE board is divided into two terms where in the first term, there are MCQs, focusing on case-based scenarios and assertion-reasoning. In the second term, the questions will vary, including short and long answers, open-ended questions, and those based on case studies and situational analysis.

9. Assessment Technique

   The assessment technique of the CBSE board follows term-end exam results that are based mostly on textbook materials. While the ICSE board follows a more practical approach where the application of knowledge is graded through projects, internal assessments, and practicals.

Points of Comparison	CBSE Board	ICSE Board
Pedagogy	Builds foundation for competitive exams like IIT, JEE, NEET	20% of the marks focus on internal assessments
Syllabus Structure	Easy and precise syllabus	Comprehensive, complex and detailed syllabus structure
Medium of Instruction	Doesn’t prefer a language	Give English language preference and the main medium of instruction
Competitive Advantage	Great if you want your child to pursue Medical or Engineering	Prepares your child for TOEFL exams
College Acceptance	Best for students who want to take competitive exams like NEET and JEE	Perfect for people who want their child to pursue their higher studies abroad
Grading System	Alphabetical grading system A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E1, E2 with A1 grade indicating 91-100% marks, A2 indicating 81-90, and so on	Numeric grading system from 1 to 9, with scores 1 and 2 indicating the highest and second highest marks and 8 and 9 indicating failure
Board Transfer	More CBSE schools in number help ease the process of transferring from one CBSE school to another	Does not accept students from another board, and the students must have studied with an ICSE board from 9th to 11th
Examination Pattern	Has a board exam in 10th and 12th year	Along with 10th and 12th exams, it also includes oral presentations, written tests, projects, and practicals
Assessment Technique	Formative and Summative assessments	Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)

What are the Pros and Cons of the CBSE Board?

There are several advantages and disadvantages attached to the CBSE board. Let’s explore them in detail:

• Pros of the CBSE Board

  • Standardised Curriculum: It follows a national curriculum for uniformity and nationwide recognition, making it easier for students to transfer between schools.
  • Focus on STEM: The emphasis is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, to help students prepare for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.
  • Examination Pattern: The examination pattern is designed to test the understanding of concepts, encouraging analytical thinking.

• Cons of the CBSE Board

  • Limited Scope for Humanities: There is less emphasis on subjects like arts, humanities, and languages, which is not suitable for students with diverse interests.
  • High Competition: Since the intense focus is on competitive exams, it can create a stressful environment for students.
  • Less Practical Exposure: Compared to some other boards, there might be fewer opportunities for practical and hands-on learning experiences.

What are the Pros and Cons of the ICSE Board?

Let’s dive deeper into the advantages and disadvantages that the ICSE board offers:

• Pros of the ICSE Board

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: The ICSE board offers a more balanced and detailed curriculum with equal emphasis on arts, humanities, science, and commerce.
  • Strong Language Skills: Here, the greater focus is on English language proficiency, which can be advantageous for higher studies and global opportunities.
  • Practical Approach: The ICSE board encourages practical learning with projects, lab work, and hands-on activities.

• Cons of the ICSE Board

  • Extensive Syllabus: The ICSE curriculum is extensive and can overwhelm students, leading to increased pressure.
  • Higher Costs: ICSE schools often have higher tuition fees and additional expenses, making them less accessible to some families.
  • State-Level Recognition: While recognised nationally, ICSE is less prevalent than CBSE, which can be a problem for state-level exams or local colleges.

Final Words

When choosing between CBSE and ICSE, it’s essential to consider your child’s individual needs, learning style, and future aspirations.

CBSE offers a more streamlined and standardised approach, making it ideal for students who thrive in a structured environment with a focus on national-level exams. On the other hand, ICSE provides a more in-depth and holistic education, encouraging critical thinking and a broader understanding of subjects, which can be beneficial for students seeking a comprehensive academic experience.

Ultimately, the question of “ICSE or CBSE which is better” depends on the alignment of the curriculum with your child’s strengths and educational goals. Weigh these points and make the best decision for your child accordingly.

Last Updated on August 28, 2024