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NCERT SolutionsCBSE NotesCBSE Exam
ICSE
Class 8
Syllabus and Exam Pattern

ICSE Class 8 Syllabus & Exam Pattern: Complete Guide

ICSE Class 8 serves as the crucial final year of the middle school curriculum under the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The syllabus is designed to consolidate the foundations laid in Classes 6 and 7, ensuring students are academically prepared for the extensive and rigorous syllabi of Class 9 and the eventual Class 10 Board Examination.

Note: The Class 8 examination is an internal school examination, not a public board exam, but it strictly follows the official CISCE curriculum and standardized assessment pattern.

1.0Examination Pattern and Marking Scheme

For most major subjects in ICSE Class 8, the assessment follows a standard 80:20 distribution, balancing academic performance with continuous, practical assessment.

Total Marks Distribution (Per Major Subject)

Particulars

Details

Total Marks per Subject

100 Marks

Theory Paper (Summative Assessment)

80 Marks

Internal Assessment (Formative Assessment/Project Work)

20 Marks

Duration of Theory Paper

Typically 2 to 2.5 Hours

Passing Criteria

Generally 33% to 35% in aggregate (Theory + IA) is required for promotion to Class 9.


2.0Theory Paper Structure (80 Marks)

While schools have discretion over the exact paper format, the structure generally mirrors the pattern of Group I and II subjects in Class 9 and 10:

Section

Marks (Typical)

Format & Focus

Part I

30 - 40 Marks

Compulsory Short Answer Questions: Includes objective-type questions (MCQs, Fill-in-the-blanks, True/False), VSA (Very Short Answer) questions, and short numericals. Covers the entire syllabus.

Part II

40 - 50 Marks

Descriptive/Long Answer Questions: Requires detailed explanations, derivations, problem-solving, and answering a set number of questions with internal choice.

3.0Overview of ICSE Class 8 Syllabi (Major Subjects)

The curriculum provides a broad base across Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.

Mathematics Syllabus

Mathematics focuses on consolidating arithmetic, algebra, and geometry concepts essential for higher classes.

Unit

Major Topics & Subtopics

Key Focus Areas

Arithmetic

Rational Numbers, Exponents and Powers, Simple and Compound Interest (CI formula introduction), Profit, Loss, and Discount.

Mastery of rational number operations and financial calculations.

Algebra

Algebraic Expressions and Identities, Factorisation (basic), Linear Equations in one variable, Ratio and Proportion.

Simplifying expressions and solving linear equations.

Geometry

Quadrilaterals (properties, construction), Symmetry (Reflection and Rotation), Representing 3D in 2D.

Understanding properties of quadrilaterals and basic constructions.

Mensuration

Area of a Trapezium and Polygons, Surface Area, Volume, and Capacity of Cube, Cuboid, and Cylinder.

Application of formulae to calculate area and volume of 3D shapes.

Data Handling

Data Handling (Tabulation), Statistics (Pie Chart, Histogram), Probability (introduction).

Practical skills in representing data graphically.

Science Syllabus (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Science is typically taught and assessed as three separate branches, ensuring specialized foundational knowledge.

Branch

Major Chapters / Topics / Units

Key Focus Areas

Physics

Matter (Kinetic Theory), Physical Quantities & Measurement (Density, Relative Density), Force and Pressure (Moment of Force, Atmospheric Pressure), Energy (Forms, Transformation), Light, Heat, and Sound (Basic concepts).

Numericals on density and relative density; understanding energy conversion.

Chemistry

Matter, Physical and Chemical Changes, Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures, Atomic Structure (sub-atomic particles), Language of Chemistry (Symbols, Formulae), Water, Hydrogen, Carbon.

Writing correct chemical formulae and understanding the basics of atomic structure.

Biology

Transport of Food and Minerals in Plants, Reproduction (Plants and Animals), Ecosystem, Human Body (Circulatory, Nervous, Endocrine Systems), Adolescence, Diseases and First Aid, Food Production.

Understanding human physiology (e.g., Nervous and Circulatory systems

Social Science Syllabus (History, Civics, Geography)

Social Science is usually divided into two papers: History & Civics and Geography.

Subject

Major Chapters / Topics / Units

Key Focus Areas

History & Civics

History: Modern Period in India (Colonial Rule, Revolt of 1857, Socio-Religious Reforms, National Movement). Civics: The Constitution of India (features), Parliamentary Government (Union Executive), Judiciary (Role of Police and Courts).

Understanding the impact of colonial policies and the structure of Indian governance.

Geography

Resources (Land, Soil, Water, Mineral, Power), Agriculture (Major Crops, types), Industries (Manufacturing industries, comparative studies), Human Resources.

Locating major resources and industries on a map.

English Syllabus (Language & Literature)

Paper

Major Components

Key Focus Areas

Language

Composition (Essay, Paragraph Writing), Letter Writing (Formal/Informal), Notice and E-mail Writing, Comprehension, Functional Grammar (Tenses, Active/Passive Voice, Prepositions, Transformation, Modals).

Strict adherence to writing formats and mastery of advanced grammar rules.

Literature

Prescribed Texts (Prose/Poetry/Drama).

Character analysis, critical appreciation of poems, and understanding themes.

4.0Internal Assessment (IA) - 20 Marks

The 20 marks of Internal Assessment (IA) in each subject are formative and school-based, essential for the final promotion result.

  • Assessment Modality: IA typically includes Periodic Tests (converted to a small weightage), Subject Enrichment Activities (debates, presentations, experiments), Portfolio (collection of work/assignments), and Project-Based Activities.
  • Assessment Focus: The IA assesses consistent effort, practical application of concepts (especially in Science and Computers), speaking/listening skills (English), and research/analytical skills (Social Science).

Disclaimer: The information provided above represents a commonly followed structure across many ICSE-affiliated schools. However, the exact syllabus, textbook list, marks distribution, assessment methods, paper pattern, internal assessment activities, weightage, and evaluation criteria may vary from one school to another. Students are strongly advised to verify all details, including syllabus topics, exam format, and prescribed books directly with their teachers or school authorities.

ICSE Exam Classes 6-10

ICSE Class 10

ICSE Class 9

ICSE Class 8

ICSE Class 7

ICSE Class 6



ICSE Subject Wise Overview

ICSE Class 8 Science

ICSE Class 8 Maths

ICSE Class 8 English

ICSE Class 8 Social Science



ICSE Class 8 Exam Resources

ICSE Class 8 Syllabus & Exam Pattern

ICSE Class 8 Sample Papers

Preparation Tips for ICSE Class 8

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Class 8 examination is an internal annual examination conducted by the respective school based on the CISCE syllabus and assessment guidelines. It is not managed by the CISCE Council directly.

For major academic subjects like Maths, Science, English, and Social Science, the marks are typically distributed in an 80:20 ratio, where 80 marks are for the final theory paper (Summative Assessment) and 20 marks are awarded internally by the school (Formative Assessment).

Students should ensure complete syllabus coverage to score well in the compulsory short-answer questions (Part I), which cover all chapters. For the long-answer questions (Part II), focus on understanding the conceptual depth and practicing descriptive writing and numerical problem-solving.

Yes. Although school-specific rules apply, students must achieve satisfactory work in the Internal Assessment component and meet the minimum passing percentage (usually 33%-35% in aggregate) in each subject to be eligible for promotion to Class 9.

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