ICSE Chemistry Specimen Paper 2026 Released – Key Highlights
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has released the latest specimen question papers for the ICSE Class 10 March 2026 board exams. The updated Chemistry specimen paper is now available for students and educators to review and prepare accordingly.
The paper is structured into two sections: A and B.
Section A – Compulsory (40 Marks)
This section includes two questions and is mandatory for all students.
- Question 1 features 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), which include a mix of direct questions as well as Assertion-Reason based formats.
- Question 2 is divided into five subparts, each carrying 5 marks, and includes a variety of question types such as:
- Figure-based questions
- Fill in the blanks (FIBs)
- Match the following
- Name the following
Section B – Choice-Based (40 Marks)
This section consists of six questions, each worth 10 marks. Students are required to attempt any four of the six questions. If more than four questions are attempted, the examiner will consider the best four responses for evaluation.
Chapter-wise Distribution of Marks based on Specimen Paper 2026
- Chapter 1 - Periodic Properties 09 Marks
- Chapter 2 -Chemical Bonding 07 Marks
- Chapter 3 - Acids, Bases, and Salts 12 Marks
- Chapter 4 - Analytical Chemistry 07 Marks
- Chapter 5 - The Mole Concept 07 Marks
- Chapter 6 - Electrolysis 06 Marks
- Chapter 7 - Metallurgy 13 Marks
- Chapter 8 - Inorganic Compounds 24 Marks
- Chapter 9 - Organic Chemistry 15 Marks
What’s New in the 2026 Chemistry Specimen Paper?
While the overall structure of the ICSE Chemistry question paper remains consistent with previous years, there’s a notable shift in the style and intent of the questions for the 2026 exam. This year, the questions have been thoughtfully aligned with the first four levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, ensuring a more skill-based and outcomes-driven approach to assessment.
Understanding Bloom’s Taxonomy in the ICSE Context
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a widely recognized framework that categorizes educational goals according to levels of complexity and specificity. Originally developed in 1956 by Benjamin Bloom, a renowned educational psychologist from the University of Chicago, the model has since been revised and updated to reflect modern educational thinking.
The six updated levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy are:
- Remembering – Recalling facts and basic concepts
- Understanding – Explaining ideas or concepts
- Applying – Using information in new situations
- Analyzing – Drawing connections among ideas
- Evaluating – Justifying a decision or viewpoint
- Creating – Producing new or original work
In the 2026 Chemistry specimen paper, the emphasis is on the first four levels – encouraging students to not only recall and understand information, but also to apply concepts and analyze data or relationships.
This change reflects a broader shift in assessment design – moving beyond rote learning towards a more conceptual and competency-based evaluation, better preparing students for real-world applications of their knowledge.
The latest specimen paper comprises the first three levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, which are as follows in terms of marks.
- Recall or remembering - 33%
- Understanding - 43 %
- Application - 24%
Students are advised to study the topic in detail and practice similar questions to score well in the 2025 examinations.
"Students are encouraged to refer to the prescribed textbook for a clearer understanding of key concepts. The book also includes a variety of practice questions aligned with the latest exam pattern."
Text Book | ICSE CHEMISTRY | Class 10
