The Major Differences between CBSE and ICSE

It is always a difficult decision to choose which school or board to send your children to. Indian schools provide a variety of options in terms of syllabus and opportunities that can be pursued after the completion of their education. It is therefore important to know about the different boards that are available in schools, especially the two boards that have originated in India and are the most popular options for children in the country.

Nowadays IGCSE and IB schools in Delhi, NCR, Mumbai and other such metropolitans have brought in international level of education but a lot of parents still choose to send their children to schools which operate under the CBSE or ICSE board. Here are a few differences between the two that will help you decide better.

Course Content and Curriculum

CBSE’s syllabus has been known to be more suitable for qualifying in various entrance examinations, including the medical and engineering professional exams. While CBSE is known to be easier than ICSE, the latter is more detailed and more balanced with equal focus on language, arts and science. CBSE, on the other hand is extremely focused on science and mathematics with specific attention paid to the application of knowledge in subjects. This shows the different approaches both of them have in regard to course content.

Assessment of Students

While CBSE focuses on written examinations and a theoretical base of knowledge when it comes to evaluating and assessing the abilities of their students, ICSE focuses more on lab work, practical tests and internal assessments. With its practical approach, ICSE lays more emphasis on physical aspects of the education.

Appearing in Exams 

In case you want to shift your child from one ICSE affiliated school to another, especially to one affiliated to CBSE, it is an easy process. Since CBSE is affiliated to a large number of schools all over India, students receiving higher education in different establishments as well as home schooled students from non-affiliated schools to appear in the exams.

However, this is not possible the other way round. Affiliated establishments like ICSE board schools in Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities do not allow students who have not been studying in an ICSE affiliated school to appear for the exams. This is done so that students do not feel the extra pressure that an ICSE course may put if you have not studied it before, and is beneficial in the long run for the student.