• Classroom Courses
    • NEET
      • Class 11th
      • Class 12th
      • Class 12th Plus
    • JEE
      • Class 11th
      • Class 12th
      • Class 12th Plus
    • Class 6-10
      • Class 6th
      • Class 7th
      • Class 8th
      • Class 9th
      • Class 10th
    • View All Options
      • Online Courses
      • Distance Learning
      • Hindi Medium Courses
      • International Olympiad
    • NEET
      • Class 11th
      • Class 12th
      • Class 12th Plus
    • JEE (Main+Advanced)
      • Class 11th
      • Class 12th
      • Class 12th Plus
    • JEE Main
      • Class 11th
      • Class 12th
      • Class 12th Plus
    • NEET
      • 2025
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
    • JEE
      • 2025
      • 2024
      • 2023
      • 2022
    • Class 6-10
    • JEE Main
      • Previous Year Papers
      • Sample Papers
      • Result
      • Analysis
      • Syllabus
      • Exam Date
    • JEE Advanced
      • Previous Year Papers
      • Sample Papers
      • Mock Test
      • Result
      • Analysis
      • Syllabus
      • Exam Date
    • NEET
      • Previous Year Papers
      • Sample Papers
      • Mock Test
      • Result
      • Analysis
      • Syllabus
      • Exam Date
      • College Predictor
      • Counselling
    • NCERT Solutions
      • Class 6
      • Class 7
      • Class 8
      • Class 9
      • Class 10
      • Class 11
      • Class 12
    • CBSE
      • Notes
      • Sample Papers
      • Question Papers
    • Olympiad
      • NSO
      • IMO
      • NMTC
  • NEW
    • AIOT
    • TALLENTEX
    • ASAT (Classroom courses)
  • ALLEN E-Store
    • ALLEN for Schools
    • About ALLEN
    • Blogs
    • News
    • Careers
    • Request a call back
    • Book a demo
NCERT SolutionsCBSE NotesCBSE Exam
ICSE
Class 10
English
Syllabus And Exam Pattern

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus & Exam Pattern

The ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026 is aimed to improve students’ understanding of the language, comprehension, and appreciation of literature. The subject will create a strong foundational understanding of reading, writing, grammar, and literary analysis, skills that are essential for academic success but also for communication in the world around them.

At ALLEN, we help students learn and develop their understanding of English with conceptual clarity, grammatical precision, and effective written communication strategies. Knowing the syllabus and understanding the exam pattern will help students gain the top scores in the ICSE 2026 Board Exams.

1.0ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2026

The ICSE English syllabus is made up of two separate papers or sections: English Language (Paper 1) and English Literature (Paper 2). 

Each paper aims to develop a different set of linguistic and analytical skills that will ultimately work together to evaluate a student’s command of English in its entirety.

Paper

Focus Area

Key Topics Covered

Paper 1: English Language

Writing, Grammar, and Comprehension

  • Essay Writing
  • Letter Writing
  • Notice & Email
  • Comprehension Passage
  • Vocabulary
  • Transformation of Sentences and
  • Functional Grammar

Paper 2: English Literature

Literary Analysis and Interpretation

Prose, Poetry, and Drama based on the prescribed ICSE textbook — Treasure Trove (Short Stories & Poems) and The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

Paper 1: English Language

The Language paper's ultimate aim is to assess clarity of writing, grammatical accuracy, and comprehension assessment skills. It will consist of the following components: 

  1. Essay Writing – Descriptive, Narrative, Argumentative, or Reflective compositions.
  2. Letter Writing – Formal and Informal letters.
  3. Notice & Email Writing – Concise, structured communication formats.
  4. Comprehension Passage – Reading-based questions testing inference and vocabulary.
  5. Grammar Section – Transformation of sentences, Tenses, Prepositions, and Synthesis.

Paper 2: English Literature

The Literature paper focuses on understanding and interpreting literary texts.

  1. Prose: Stories from Treasure Trove (A Collection of Short Stories).
  2. Poetry: Selected poems from Treasure Trove (Poems).
  3. Drama: The Merchant of Venice (complete text or selected acts/scenes).

2.0ICSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2026

The English exam consists of two papers of 80 marks each, followed by 20 marks for internal assessment.

Component

Type of Questions

Marks

Details

Paper 1: English Language

Essay, Letter, Grammar, Comprehension

80 Marks

Duration: 2 hours

Paper 2: English Literature

Text-based & Analytical Questions

80 Marks

Duration: 2 hours

Internal Assessment

Oral and Listening Skills

20 Marks

Includes speech, listening comprehension, and class performance

Internal Assessment Breakdown (20 Marks)

Category

Details

Marks

Listening Skills

Listening to short passages and answering questions

10

Oral Skills

Recitation, Speech, or Presentation

10

3.0Section-Wise Marks Weightage

Section

Marks (Approx.)

Focus Area

Essay Writing

15 Marks

Clarity, creativity, and organization

Letter Writing

10 Marks

Format, tone, and coherence

Comprehension

15 Marks

Reading and inference skills

Grammar

10 Marks

Syntax, prepositions, transformation

Literature – Prose

25 Marks

Character and theme-based questions

Literature – Poetry

20 Marks

Appreciation and analysis

Literature – Drama

20 Marks

Scene interpretation and quotations

ICSE Subject Wise Overview

ICSE Class 10 Science

ICSE Class 10 Maths

ICSE Class 10 English

ICSE Class 10 Social Science


ICSE Class 10 Maths Exam Resources

ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus & Exam Pattern

ICSE Class 10 English Sample Papers

ICSE Class 10 English Previous Year Question Papers

Preparation Tips for ICSE Class 10 English


ICSE Exam Classes 6-10

ICSE Class 10

ICSE Class 9

ICSE Class 8

ICSE Class 7

ICSE Class 6

Frequently Asked Questions

There are two papers. Paper 1 is English Language (writing, grammar, comprehension) and Paper 2 is English Literature (poems, prose, drama).

Each paper weighs 80 marks plus 20 internal assessment marks for a total of 100marks.

The prescribed ICSE book is Treasure Trove for Prose and Poetry and The Merchant of Venice for Drama.

Work on your writing structure, vocabulary range, quoting from text and revising all of the grammar and comprehension activities.

Yes, English could be one of your highest scoring subjects if you are systematic in your preparation. With ALLEN focused writing practice, focused vocabulary building and focused literature takes, students are able to score 90+.

Join ALLEN!

(Session 2026 - 27)


Choose class
Choose your goal
Preferred Mode
Choose State
  • About
    • About us
    • Blog
    • News
    • MyExam EduBlogs
    • Privacy policy
    • Public notice
    • Careers
    • Dhoni Inspires NEET Aspirants
    • Dhoni Inspires JEE Aspirants
  • Help & Support
    • Refund policy
    • Transfer policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact us
  • Popular goals
    • NEET Coaching
    • JEE Coaching
    • 6th to 10th
  • Courses
    • Classroom Courses
    • Online Courses
    • Distance Learning
    • Online Test Series
    • International Olympiads Online Course
    • NEET Test Series
    • JEE Test Series
    • JEE Main Test Series
  • Centers
    • Kota
    • Bangalore
    • Indore
    • Delhi
    • More centres
  • Exam information
    • JEE Main
    • JEE Advanced
    • NEET UG
    • CBSE
    • NCERT Solutions
    • Olympiad
    • NEET Previous Year Papers
    • NEET Sample Papers
    • JEE Main Sample Papers
    • CBSE Sample Papers
    • NCERT Textbooks
    • JEE Mains Mock Test

ALLEN Career Institute Pvt. Ltd. © All Rights Reserved.

ISO