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.

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.

Internal Assessment Breakdown (20 Marks)

3.0Section-Wise Marks Weightage