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ICSE Class 10 Quarterly Tests All Subjects 2026 PDF

ICSE Class 10 quarterly tests are the first major school exams of the academic year. This page provides 37 quarterly test PDFs across 14 subjects for the 2026 session. Whether you need icse class 10 quarterly tests for Science, Mathematics, Commerce, or Languages, you can download them directly here without any signup.

Download ICSE Class 10 Quarterly Tests PDF

These are the 37 quarterly tests PDFs hosted on icseboard.org for ICSE Class 10, organised by subject. Each section below explains what those papers cover before the download table.

Biology

These Biology papers cover cell biology, plant physiology, and human anatomy. The 2018 and 2019 papers ask you to name specific structures like the root hair cell and endocrine glands. The 2026 paper shifts to MCQs and assertion-reason questions on transpiration and blood functions.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Biology (2018)Download PDF
First Term Biology (2026)Download PDF
Quarterly Biology (2019)Download PDF

Chemistry

The Chemistry papers test periodic table trends, chemical bonding, and equation balancing. The 2018 paper asks for chemical terms like coordinate bonds and isomers. The 2026 paper focuses on MCQs about periodic properties and pH values.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Chemistry (2018)Download PDF
First Term Chemistry (2026)Download PDF
Quarterly Chemistry (2019)Download PDF

Commerce

These Commercial Studies papers cover marketing, consumer protection, and business communication. The 2018 paper asks you to define terms like stakeholders and differentiate between capital and revenue expenditure. The 2019 paper adds questions on recruitment and e-business.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Commercial Studies (2018)Download PDF
Quarterly Commercial Studies (2019)Download PDF

Computer Science

The Computer Applications papers test Java programming concepts. The 2018 and 2019 papers ask for output of loops, increment operators, and OOP principles. You need to trace code snippets and write expressions.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Computer Applications (2018)Download PDF
First Term Computer Application Aug (2020)Download PDF
Quarterly Computer Applications (2019)Download PDF

Economics

These Economic Applications papers cover demand, market structures, and elasticity. The 2018 paper asks you to define derived demand and explain monopoly markets. The questions are short-answer format worth 2 marks each.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Economic Application (2018)Download PDF
Quarterly Economics Applications (2019)Download PDF

English

The English papers split into Language and Literature. The 2018 Language paper asks for a 400-word composition and tests grammar. The Literature papers cover prose and poetry with internal choice between books.

PaperDownload
Quarterly English Language (2018)Download PDF
Quarterly English Literature (2018)Download PDF
First Term English Literature (2026)Download PDF
First Term English Literature Aug (2020)Download PDF
Quarterly English Language (2019)Download PDF
Quarterly English Literature (2019)Download PDF

General Knowledge

This 50-mark paper tests current affairs and general awareness. The 2018 paper asks you to identify personalities, logos, and movies. It also covers Oscar winners and BRICS festival details.

PaperDownload
Quarterly General Knowledge (2018)Download PDF

Geography

The Geography papers test map reading and topographical survey skills. The 2018 paper asks for grid references from Survey of India sheet 45D/10. It also covers natural features and compass directions.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Geography (2018)Download PDF
First Term Geography (2026)Download PDF
First Term Geography Aug (2020)Download PDF
Quarterly Geography (2019)Download PDF

Hindi

The Hindi paper tests both language and literature skills. The 2018 paper asks for a 400-word essay on topics like a hill station visit or entertainment. It also includes letter writing and grammar exercises.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Hindi (2018)Download PDF
Quarterly Hindi (2019)Download PDF

History Civics

These papers cover the Indian parliament and modern history. The 2018 paper asks about Lok Sabha terms, money bills, and the Council of Ministers. The 2026 paper follows a similar structure with compulsory short-answer questions.

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Quarterly History And Civics (2018)Download PDF
First Term History Civics (2026)Download PDF
Quarterly History And Civics (2019)Download PDF

Mathematics

The Mathematics papers test algebra, geometry, and commercial arithmetic. The 2018 paper includes a recurring deposit problem and matrix equations. The 2021 paper follows the same 80-mark format with 2.5 hours plus reading time.

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Quarterly Mathematics (2018)Download PDF
First Term Mathematics (2021)Download PDF

Physical Education

This 2026 paper tests growth stages, adolescence, and sports theory. The 100-mark paper has 50 marks in Section A with MCQs on infancy and adolescence stages. Section B requires detailed answers on physical development.

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First Term Physical Education (2026)Download PDF

Physics

The Physics papers test force, energy, work, and power. The 2018 paper asks you to name physical quantities for units like eV and GW. It also covers the relationship between kilowatt-hour and joule.

PaperDownload
Quarterly Physics (2018)Download PDF
First Term Physics (2026)Download PDF
Quarterly Physics (2019)Download PDF
First Term Physics Aug (2021)Download PDF

Regional Language

This 2026 Punjabi paper tests essay writing and letter writing. The 80-mark paper asks for an essay on unemployment or drug abuse. It also includes a formal letter to a district officer about fisheries.

PaperDownload
First Term Punjabi (2026)Download PDF

Quarterly Exam Pattern Across Subjects

The papers on this page show how your school builds the first-term exam. The marks and time limits vary by subject, so you must check the specific paper you are sitting for.

  • Core Science & Humanities (Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History Civics, English): 80 marks, 2 hours + 15 minutes reading time.
  • Physics: 80 marks, 2 hours (no extra 15 minutes in the 2018 paper).
  • Mathematics: 80 marks, 2.5 hours + 15 minutes reading time.
  • Computer Applications & Economic Applications: 100 marks, 2 hours + 15 minutes.
  • Commerce: 80 marks, 2 hours.
  • Hindi: 80 marks, 3 hours + 15 minutes.
  • General Knowledge: 50 marks, 1 hour.
  • Physical Education: 100 marks, 2 hours.
  • Regional Language (Punjabi): 80 marks, 3 hours.

Most papers split into two sections. Section A is compulsory and carries 40 marks. Section B or Part II gives you internal choice. For example, the 2018 Chemistry paper requires all questions in Section A, then offers choices in Section B.

Topic Frequency in Science and Computer Papers

Looking at the 2018, 2019, and 2026 papers, certain topics appear every year. Focus your revision on these high-frequency areas.

SubjectRecurring TopicsYears Spotted
BiologyRoot hair water absorption, endosmosis, exosmosis, transpiration, endocrine glands2018, 2019, 2026
ChemistryPeriodic table trends, coordinate bonds, electronegativity, balancing equations2018, 2019, 2026
Computer ApplicationsOOP principles, loops, increment/decrement operators, Scanner class2018, 2019

The 2026 Biology paper introduces assertion-reason questions alongside standard MCQs. This is a shift from the short-answer naming questions seen in 2018. The 2026 Chemistry paper also leans heavily on MCQs for the first 15 marks, testing periodic properties like electron affinity and valence electrons.

How to Use These Papers for Exam Preparation

Use these quarterly tests to build a revision schedule before your first-term exams. The papers show exactly what your school expects in the first half of the syllabus.

  1. Check the syllabus split: Quarterly exams cover the first half of the textbook. Match the chapters in your ICSE books to the questions asked.
  2. Simulate exam conditions: Print the paper and solve it in the exact time limit. If the paper allows 2 hours + 15 minutes, use the first 15 minutes only to read.
  3. Verify with the marking scheme: Check if your answers match the marks weightage. A 5-mark question needs five distinct points.
  4. Identify weak areas: If you struggle with balancing equations in Chemistry, revisit that chapter before the next test.

You can find more study material and chapter-wise PDFs on our main ICSE Class 10 page. For official syllabus updates, always refer to the CISCE official website.

Common Mistakes Students Make in Quarterly Tests

Students often lose marks in the first term because they underestimate the quarterly exam’s structure. Here are the errors to avoid.

  • Ignoring reading time: The 15 minutes before the exam is for reading, not writing. Plan your answers mentally.
  • Skipping the choice questions: Papers like English Literature and Hindi require you to answer one question from each book. Read the instructions carefully.
  • Unbalanced equations in Chemistry: The 2018 Chemistry paper asks you to write balanced equations for specific reactions. Check stoichiometry before moving on.
  • Misreading grid references in Geography: The 2018 Geography paper asks for four-figure and six-figure grid references. Mixing these up costs easy marks.

Worked Example: Recurring Deposit Interest

The 2018 Mathematics paper asks a recurring deposit question worth 4 marks. Here is how to solve a standard problem based on that pattern.

Question: Mohan deposits Rs. 2500 per month for 2 years in a recurring deposit account. He gets Rs. 66250 at maturity. Find the interest paid by the bank and the rate of interest.

Step 1: Find the total deposited amount.

Total deposit = Monthly installment × Number of months = 2500 × 24 = Rs. 60000.

Step 2: Find the interest earned.

Interest = Maturity value – Total deposit = 66250 – 60000 = Rs. 6250.

Step 3: Use the formula to find the rate.

The formula for interest is: I = (P × n(n+1)) / (2 × 12) × (r/100). Here, P = 2500, n = 24, and I = 6250.

6250 = (2500 × 24 × 25) / 24 × (r/100). Solving this gives r = 10% per annum.

Marking Guidance from the Paper Tags

The mark tags in these papers tell you how much to write. A 1-mark question needs a single line, while a 5-mark question needs a diagram or detailed steps.

  • 1-mark questions (History Civics, 2018): State the fact directly. Example: “What is the term of Lok Sabha?” Answer: 5 years.
  • 2-mark questions (Commerce, 2018): Define the term or give two differences. Example: Define stakeholders.
  • 5-mark questions (Biology, 2018): Name five items or draw a labelled diagram. The root hair cell diagram in the 2019 Biology paper requires clear labels.
  • 15-mark questions (English Language, 2018): Write a 400-word composition. Structure it into paragraphs with a clear beginning and end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these quarterly test papers cover the entire ICSE Class 10 syllabus?

No. Quarterly tests cover the first-term syllabus, which is roughly the first half of the academic year. The papers here focus on topics like the periodic table in Chemistry and cell biology in Biology.

Are the marks and time limits the same for all subjects?

No. Most core subjects like Biology and Chemistry are 80 marks with 2 hours + 15 minutes. Mathematics is 80 marks with 2.5 hours + 15 minutes. Computer Applications is 100 marks. General Knowledge is 50 marks with 1 hour.

Can I use these papers for board exam preparation?

Yes, but only for the first half of the syllabus. These papers help you practice the question format and marking scheme. For full board preparation, you need the complete syllabus and ICSE books PDF.

Do these papers include solutions?

No. This page hosts the test papers and guidance on how to approach them. You need to solve the questions yourself using your textbook and class notes.

What is the difference between the 2018 and 2026 paper patterns?

The 2018 papers use short-answer naming questions. The 2026 papers introduce more MCQs and assertion-reason questions, especially in Biology and Chemistry. The shift requires a deeper understanding of concepts.

More ICSE study material on this site

Reference: CISCE-aligned ICSE Class 10 textbook material.

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