ISC English language paper 2025 ‘well-balanced’, ‘thought-provoking’, tested analytical skills

NEW DELHI: The ISC Class 10 English exam 2025 was well-balanced, engaging, and challenging according to reactions from students and teachers. The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) held the exam in the second shift from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Many students found the paper to be simpler than what they anticipated, with familiar topics in the narrative and descriptive essay and precise comprehension questions. Some students felt the time constraints were a challenge, particularly in the report and précis writing section.

"The grammar section was straightforward, but the composition required careful structuring," said Mahika Merchant, a candidate.

While section A of composition questions challenged the student’s creativity and their imagination alongside testing the usage of their vocabulary, section B compelled the students to work within the constraints of grammatical rules and enhanced their understanding as a whole, according to a student Sanaya Pattar. The candidate found section C as thought-provoking, testing the apprehensive and comprehensive abilities.

Another student Hermine Daniel rated the English paper as one which challenges the student's ability to express the essence of the narrative in minimum words. The composition section consisted of definite and well-defined questions to test the creativity and writing skills in the form of a well-presented essay. The directed writing and the proposal writing topics were thought-provoking and required analytical skills to write on the given topic. The grammar section tested all types of sentences and prepositions.

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For Manya Sharma, the phrasal verbs and prepositions were a bit challenging, but the essay topics were a welcome surprise – far more engaging than last year's.

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Teachers, on the other hand, were optimistic about the paper's quality. "The paper was designed to test both analytical and linguistic skills. Students who prepared well should find it manageable,” said Gayatri Khartade.

According to Sushma Singh, “students who were initially nervous breathed a collective sigh of relief as they found the paper to be well balanced, catering to diverse intellectual levels. The questions seamlessly transitioned from complex to average making it inclusive for all students. The essay and comprehension questions were engaging and the grammar exercises, although challenging, were intellectually stimulating. Overall, the paper was a perfect blend of complexity and accessibility.”

“The grammar and comprehension sections proved to be the easiest for all, while the creative writing section required students to demonstrate their ability to express ideas coherently, effectively showcasing their proficiency in the English language. Overall, the paper was well crafted, fostering a sense of confidence among students as they navigate through their crucial board examinations,” said Joslyne Lobo from Dahisar, Mumbai.