CBSE Vs ICSE syllabus – Which is better and why?

It is very important to choose from the two nationwide education syllabi - CBSE and

ICSE. This article gives a brief insight of the merits and demerits of each of the

syllabus. It will help you choose the appropriate course for your child.

Introduction

The CBSE board is short form of Central Board of Secondary Education. It prepares the syllabus

for students up to Class 12. The curriculum is set by National Council of Educational Research

and Training (NCERT). The board conducts India's two nation-wide board examinations: the All

India Secondary School Examination for Class 10 and the All India Senior School Certificate

Examination for Class 12. Many schools are affiliated to CBSE syllabus.

The ICSE is short form of Indian Certificate for Secondary Education. It was established by the

University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The council conducts an all India exam

for Class 10 called ICSE(Indian Certificate for Secondary Education) and for class 12 called the

Indian School Certificate (ISC).

A common misconception is that CBSE and ICSE are both education boards similar to SSC

boards of state government. CBSE is an education board but ICSE is the certificate offered

after completion of the course and it is not a board. Still ICSE board is commonly used to

mention this course.

Syllabus

The CBSE syllabus is a cumulative syllabus. The syllabus is prepared so that the contents are

in a flow and linked with each other. For example, in Algebra, there is introduction to numbers

in one standard such as integers, whole numbers, real numbers and complex numbers. In the

higher standard, there is detailed approach to quadratic numbers which is based purely on

complex numbers introduction. Similarly, all the subjects have a cumulative syllabus which

helps students not to forget the previous contents. Also, this makes remembering simple. One

disadvantage is the length of the syllabus. It has vast syllabus. It includes numerous topics as

compared to ICSE. Apart from basics, high end applications are involved which makes it

difficult for the teachers to complete the syllabus.

The ICSE board follows the basics strengthening syllabus. Unlike in CBSE, as a student moves

to higher standard, he once again has the previous standards basics in his new syllabus. For

example, in CBSE, once complex numbers introduction is over, it is not repeated in higher

standard. But, in ICSE all the introduction is repeated and then quadratic equations are

handled. Even questions are based on the basics. This makes the basics of the topic very

strong. This helps the student a lot of confidence when higher studies are involved. As his

basics are very strong, half the job is done.

Examinations

In the CBSE syllabus examinations, mostly objective type of questions is asked. The CBSE

system deals with more one sentence answers. The marking scheme does not give priority to

writing lengthy answers. It is mostly based on to the point answers and extremely relevant

answers. But the syllabus in general is very vast. Thus it takes long time to study and prepare

for the exams. The CBSE exams are considered very tough.

In the ICSE syllabus examinations, there is a balance between objective and subjective

questions. Both have equal priority or weight. One important distinguishing feature in ICSE

syllabus is the importance given to projects. Projects are very important and they form the

basis of marking scheme in the performance of the student. This makes the student extremely

active and it improves his thinking ability.

Overall, both syllabi have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of the examinations

conducted.

Use in competitive examinations

Competitive entrance exams at the all-India level like IIT-JEE, AIEEE and AIPMT are completely

based on the CBSE syllabus. If a child has completed his school with CBSE syllabus, it becomes

very simple for him to adjust to the format of these exams as they are completely objective

type. Also, UPSC exams conducted for civil services follow the same pattern.

ICSE syllabus is particularly important for students who prefer higher education abroad. Exams

like GRE, TOEFL and GMAT have a lot of verbal ability testing. In ICSE syllabus, verbal abilty is

highly improved. A lot of stress is given to teaching of grammar and increasing the vocabulary

of the student. So, ICSE is preferred by students who like to go abroad for future education.

Value

It is a myth that ICSE syllabus is more recognized abroad and it has more value than CBSE in

terms of giving priority. It is rumored that ICSE has more international appeal and it is of higher

standard than CBSE. All this is false. CBSE is equally well accepted all over the world. It has the

same standard as ICSE if not more.

Many parents change the syllabus from CBSE to ICSE after 10th board examinations. If your

child is studying in one syllabus, do not change his school to change the syllabus from ICSE to

CBSE or vice versa. This will have a negative impact. Every syllabus has a different style and a

different approach. It will be very unwise to change the syllabus in between.

Summary

CBSE syllabus and ICSE syllabus each have their own merits and demerits. Most of the schools follow the CBSE syllabus as it is very useful for most of the competitive examinations in India. ICSE syllabus is preferred for English improvement and it is a simpler syllabus compared to ICSE. The choice is up to you to decide which syllabus is most suited for your child.

Why C.B.S.E is better than I.C.S.E......???

It will explain you why C.B.S.E is better than I.C.S.E..???

Both CBSE and ICSE have some advantages and some disadvantages over one another but still CBSE has less disadvantages as compare to ICSE. Both system laid stress on Upliftment of Educational system. But, by means of their own. the CBSE has got many advantages over ICSE which is explained as follows-

*CBSE are more student oriented syllabus as they kept in mind the need and requirement of an individual child. But, ICSE has more formula oriented and vast syllabus which is difficult for the student to understand.

*CBSE fully laid stress on the syllabus which are helpful for the students in the competitive examinations whereas ICSE laid stress on the computers subjects which is very helpful for the students who want to do management courses but not for the students who are preparing themselves for the competitive examinations.

*CBSE teach English, Social science and Science as one individual subject to their students whereas ICSE teach two subjects of English, Three subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and two separate subjects of social science(i.e geography and history).

*CBSE is the organization which is well settled and made a network in the whole India, As Every Indian is fully known to it where as ICSE still not able to make a big impact on the people of India.

*CBSE has introduced the new concept of Grading System which is really helpful for the weak children who even cannot able to get qualifying marks in the Board Examination are now provided with Grades whereas ICSE has same system of providing marks to their students.

From all this points, It is easier for you to judge that why CBSE is better than ICSE..?

Syllabus of CBSE Schools or Syllabus of ICSE

Schools: Which One Is Better

A comparative study of the CBSE curriculum and the ICSE curriculum, dealing with the syllabus structures of CBSE and ICSE schools, advantages of

School Boards in India

Befitting the manifold diversity which distinguishes India, children and their parents here

can choose from a wide range of schooling options. There are many school boards in

India; for example CBSE, state boards (like WBBSE, or West Bengal Board of

Secondary Education) ICSE Boardand so on. Schooling in India usually begins from

Class I, and sometimes even before that in the Kindergarten levels; though it is the

secondary (Class V to Class X) and Higher Secondary or Plus Two (Class XI-XII) levels

that matter most in deciding the future of a student. Naturally, students as well as

guardians are often keen to choose the best school board in India.

Teaching in school boards in India is a three-tire programme based on teaching

approaches, teaching methods and teaching practices.

1. Approaches are generalised theories like the Communicative Approach, the Traditional

Approach and so on.

2. Teaching methods are concrete structure based on the abstract approaches; most know

of them are the Direct Method, the Situational Method, the Audio-lingual Method and so

on.

3. Teaching practices are the innumerable classroom applications based on those

approaches and methods.

Both CBSE schools and ICSE schools, as well as other school boards in India, prepare

their syllabi by choosing something and omitting the rest from this wide range of

approaches, methods and practices available. Clearly, there are some similarities and

some differences between the syllabus of CBSE Schools and the Syllabus of ICSE

Schools.

Therefore, we see, there are some advantages of CBSE and in some other cases

advantages of ICSE. Hence, nobody can assert that one of them is just outstanding and

the other is complete nonsense. Instead, it should be the situation, requirement and other

criteria about the student concerned which should decide whether to go for the CBSE

Syllabus or the ICSE Syllabus.

Nevertheless, in the admission seasons, whether CBSE or ICSE is best becomes the most

important question for the students and their guardians. Before we proceed into a further

and more comprehensible discussion on the matter, we must know the basic outlines of

CBSE syllabus and ICSE syllabus.

What Is CBSE and What Is ICSE

In technical sense, ISCE and CBSE cannot be related and compared together due to the

category error; in simple words they are not similar things. CBSE, or Central Board of

Secondary Education, is a school board fairly popular among the school boards in India.

CBSE conducts two examinations; namely All India Secondary School Examination or AISSE in

the 10th standard and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination AISSCE in the 12th

standard.

ICSE, or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, on the other hand, is a 10th standard

examination taken by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, popularly known

as CISCE. ICSE, held by CISCE, is the equivalent examination of AISSE, held by CBSE. On the

other hand, the equivalent examination of AISSCE, held by CBSE, is Indian School Certificate or

ISC, held by CISCE. Take a glance below if this sounds complicated.

School Board: CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)

• Examination held at the 10th standard: All India Secondary School Examination, or AISSE.

• Examination held at the 12th standard: All India Senior School Certificate Examination, or

AISSCE.

School Board: CISSE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination)

• Examination held at the 10th standard: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education, or ICSE.

• Examination held at the 12th standard: Indian School Certificate, or ISC.

Nevertheless, in common use, the board CBSE and the examination AISSE are both referred to

as CBSE; and similarly, the board CISSE and the examination ICSE are both referred to as ICSE.

Henceforth in this discussion, we will use these terms in their usual broader meanings.

Differences between CBSE and ICSE

There are some major differences between the CBSE curriculum and the ICSE curriculum.

1. Language of Instruction in CBSE curriculum and ICSE curriculum

The most important difference between CBSE and ICSE is the language of instruction.

While CBSE approves both English and Hindi as the language of instruction in classrooms,

CISSE approves English only and there is no place for Hindi in it.

2. Recognition of CBSE and ICSE

The second difference between ICSE and CBSE is that CBSE is recognised by the

Government of India and ICSE is not.

3. Syllabus of CBSE schools and Syllabus of ICSE schools

CBSE students are said to do better in competitive examinations. CBSE syllabus aims at

objective knowledge which is tested in the competitive examinations. ICSE is rather broad and

is better for doing graduation, since in the graduation level we need to broaden our concepts.

Thus, a student from a CBSE school will probably do better in the English paper in a

competitive examination, while a student from an ICSE school will be more ready to take up

English honours in the graduation courses and will have better chances to succeed there. The

aim of the student in life should therefore decide whether to get admitted in CBSE schools or in

ICSE schools.

4. Environmental Education

Following the Supreme Court of India, a compulsory environmental education has been added

to the ICSE syllabus. On the other hand, the CBSE syllabus has no such environmental

education in its course.

Benefits of CBSE syllabus over ICSE syllabus

There are some advantages of CBSE. Students who look for these things in the school

boards of India should go for the CBSE syllabus.

1. Credibility

The first thing is that since it is recognised by the Government of India, it has a better

credibility in the Indian subcontinent, often also outside it.

2. Easier Syllabus

CBSE has only one English paper, one science paper, and one paper in social studies. On the

other hand, a ICSE student has to read two papers in English, three different science papers

(Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and two for the social sciences (History and Geography). The

CBSE syllabus is naturally easier to learn and remember for the students than the ICSE

syllabus.

3. Entrance Examination Friendly

The pattern of the entrance examinations like PMT and IIT-JEE are based on the CBSE

syllabus since CBSE takes all these examinations. Students from the CBSE curriculum

therefore do not require taking any special preparation, while those from the ICSE syllabus

need to adapt themselves to the different atmosphere of the CBSE curriculum.

4. Competitive Examination Friendly

The CBSE syllabus is objective and easier, hence quite student friendly. Its objective nature

helps CBSE students in the competitive examinations. If one does not like to be a professor

and wants a clerkship in a bank, he or she will not need to overburden his or her brain with

huge syllabi in the CBSE curriculum. Hence, students of CBSE schools usually do better in the

competitive examinations.

5. Scientific Approach of the CBSE Syllabus

The CBSE syllabus is more scientific and focused in its approach. The whole syllabus of

CBSE is divided into shorter units. Every unit then has been allotted a certain number of

classes or periods. This is also followed in some state boards like that of the West Bengal.

Thus, both the student and the teacher can plan the course better, segment by segment, in

the CBSE curriculum. The CBSE syllabus is better than the ICSE syllabus in this aspect.

6. Focus on Physical Skills in the CBSE Syllabus

The CBSE curriculum includes physical extra curricular activities like indoor and outdoor games

and sports. It has a wide network both in the state level and in the national level.

Benefits of ICSE syllabus over CBSE syllabus

There are some advantages of ICSE. Students who look for these things in the school boards

of India should go for the ICSE syllabus.

1. Skip Bridge Courses

The first advantage is that it is well recognised by a number of foreign educational institutions.

It is considered equivalent to the highest examinations of the secondary school outside India.

Hence, a student from the CISSE curriculum, clearing ICSE or ISC, can skip the bridge courses

and tests while applying for a plus two course abroad or for the graduation in a foreign college.

Nevertheless, UCAS nowadays recognised CBSE just like ICSE.

2. Detailed Syllabus, Good for Future Academicians

The syllabus of ICSE schools is much elaborated than the syllabus of CBSE schools. For

example, ICSE offers two papers in English, three different science papers (Physics, Chemistry

and Biology) and two for the social sciences (History and Geography). On the other hand, CBSE

has only one English paper, one science paper, and one paper in social studies. Thus, ICSE

provides the students with a more detailed knowledge. ICSE is therefore good for taking up

honours in graduation courses and become future academicians, working right from the school

level to the university levels. ICSE students have better depths in various subjects, while most

of the CBSE students lack this due to the short syllabus.

3. ICSE Develops Communication Skills

The ICSE curriculum includes intellectual extra curricular activities like essay writing

competitions and debate competitions, both in the state level and in the national level. It also

encourages group discussions, class debates and other such things which certainly develop

and enhance the communication skills and soft skills of the students of the ICSE schools.

4. Better English

English is undoubtedly the global language today (even you are reading this in English!) and

ICSE syllabus focuses more on it than the CBSE syllabus. Students of the ICSE syllabus

have better reading and writing competences in English than those of the CBSE syllabus.

Hence, they do not usually face communication problems or other kind of troubles anywhere.

Personally, I have seen some CBSE students who were very good on their respective fields of

study, but could not clear interviews as questions were asked there in English, and situations

demanded good English conversational skills.

CBSE or ICSE: A Final Suggestion

Schooling in India is often, most unfortunately, defined objectively and not according to subjective necessities. This has been said more than once before that choosing an option from the various school boards in India, whether ICSE or CBSE, or any other board, completely depends on the choice, needs and other circumstances of the student concerned. Take a look at the pros and the cons of both the schools, and go for the one you like. Still, here are some generalised suggestions:

1. Go for ICSE if you want to be an academician like a school teacher, a lecturer, reader, or professor, a research fellow, a scientist, a scholar or something like these.

2. Go for CBSE if you want to clear competitive examinations like Joint Entrance Examination or JEE. Also, it will help later in job seeking examinations like those of PSC, railways, various banks, clerical offices and so on.

3. Go for CBSE if you want to be a sportsperson. CBSE will give you better chances to enhance your skills.

4. Opt for ICSE if you want to be a writer, a freelancer, a newsperson and the like. 5. Always go for ICSE to avoid bridge course if you have an aim to study abroad.

Nevertheless, these are much generalised suggestions only. It is always better to take opinions from expert career councillors to judge the abilities, merits and chances of the students concerned before hasting into a decision. This is a decision on which the entire future career will depend. Therefore, make a wise choice!