ICSE mathematics paper for three hours from 2025-26 session: Report

NEW DELHI: In a rejig of board examinations, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has decided to increase the time duration of Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE) or Class 10 mathematics examination from 2.5 hours to three hours from the 2025-26 academic session, as per a Times of India report.

In an official circular accessed by TOI, the council notified that the exam duration has been extended. However, there will be no changes in the ICSE 10th maths exam pattern including the number of questions and format. The question paper will have the same structure as mentioned in the specimen question paper, it said.

CISCE chief Joseph Emmanuel told TOI that the council felt a need to standardize the exam duration to reduce the stress on students and ensure quality assessment, with the increased weightage to competency-based questions introduced recently. The council has decided to give 25% weightage to such questions.

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In February this year, the council announced that it has made a decision to provide extra compensatory time in exams to students with disabilities.

Among other changes in the examination system, the board last year announced cancellation of the compartment exams for both Class 10, 12 students and introduced re-evaluation of answer scripts after board exams.