Differences between ICSE and ISC

Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) is a highly respected and recognised board in India. The CISCE offers two examinations for different levels, namely, the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ICSE) for Class X and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) for Class XII. Both have their origins in the Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE). CISCE examination scores are accepted by universities in India and abroad. The curriculum is extremely flexible and students can learn from a variety of subject books, instead of a single prescribed text book. Students of ISC and ICSE schools also have a wealth of courses to pick from.

Here is the overview of ISCE and ISC exams:

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) – Class X

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) provides a framework for a ten-year course from Class I to Class X. The ISCE requires students to study six subjects as well as Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW). To be eligible for the examination, the students should have compulsorily completed the following:

• A third language from at least Class V to Class VIII (Internal Examination)
• Art (Internal Assessment)
• Socially Useful Productive Work and Community Service (Internal Assessment)
• Physical Education
• Education in Moral and Spiritual Values

Students can select subjects from three subject groups. At the end of Class X, students appear for their exam through their respective ISCE schools, for subjects of their choice.

• Group I (Compulsory Subjects): English, Second Language, History, Civics and Geography.
• Group II (Electives – Choose 2 or 3): Mathematics, Science, Economics, Commercial Studies, a Modern Foreign Language, a Classical Language, Environmental Science.
• Group III (Choose 1): Students cannot pick the same subjects from both Group II and Group III. Typically, they must offer both Science and Mathematics from Group II.

Any valid subject combination will be accepted into ISC (Class XII).

Indian School Certificate (ISC) – Class XII

Indian School Certificate (ISC) is a two-year course, offered in English. A student can apply for Class XI after successful completion of Class X or its equivalent. It is not applicable to private students.

Eligibility for ISC (Class XII):

• A student must have passed English and four other written subjects under their respective, recognised board at a Class X/equivalent examination taken at the same sitting.

ISC Subject Structure:

• English (Compulsory)
• Three, four, or five elective subjects
• SUPW and community service (Compulsory)

Examination System:

• Class XI: Graded internally by the school
• Class XII: Evaluated externally by the Council

Trio World School is one of the fastest-growing ICSE schools in Bangalore. Trio currently offers ICSE up to Class VII and has a well-defined future roadmap leading up to ISC.