ICSE Class 8 Quarterly Tests: History, Civics, Geography
This page hosts the icse class 8 quarterly tests history civics geography download set for History & Civics: two real school papers from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 sessions that you can save as PDF. Below the download table you will find notes on how these papers are structured, which topics come up in both years, and how to practise with them before your own quarterly exam.
Download ICSE Class 8 History Civics Quarterly Tests PDF
These are the 2 quarterly tests PDFs hosted on icseboard.org for ICSE Class 8 History Civics, organised by subject. Each section below explains what those papers cover before the download table.
This set has the two quarterly History & Civics papers used in ICSE Class 8, from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 sessions. Each is an 80-mark paper covering the Modern Age, the Industrial Revolution, globalization and the structure of the United Nations. The 2019 paper also covers India's government, including the roles of the President, Prime Minister and Parliament.
| Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| Quarterly History And Civics (2018) | Download PDF |
| Quarterly History And Civics (2019) | Download PDF |
Marks and Sections in the Class 8 History & Civics Quarterly Papers
That much is identical across the two years. The way questions are grouped into sections is not.
| Year | Full marks | Time | Section structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 80 | Q.I, Q.II and Q.III are compulsory; then 2 more questions from Section A and 3 more from Section B | |
| 2019 | 80 | Section A is fully compulsory (35 marks); Section B Part I asks for any 2 questions (18 marks), Part II for any 3 (27 marks) |
Read the instructions on the first page before you start. The 2018 paper and the 2019 paper split “compulsory” and “choice” questions differently, so a rule you remember from one year’s paper will not automatically apply to the other.
History and Civics Topics That Repeat in the 2018 and 2019 Papers
Two topics show up in both papers.
- The United Nations Organisation (UNO) — asked in 2018 (UN Day, headquarters, the General Assembly, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat) and again in 2019 (when and why UNO was established, its objectives, the UN Charter, Veto, and the Chief Administrative Organ).
- Features of the Modern Age — a short question asking for two features of the “Modern Age” (2018) or “Modern Period” (2019) appears in both papers.
The 2018 paper also asks about globalization, multinational companies and the Industrial Revolution. The 2019 paper adds questions on India’s government — the President’s advisory role, the three branches of government, Universal Adult Franchise and Quorum. Treat these as separate, single-year topics rather than repeats.
How to Use These Papers: Worked Answers, Marking Tips and Common Mistakes
Use both papers the same way you would use a real quarterly exam, not a quick read-through.
- Check the section rules first — how many questions you must attempt from Section A and Section B differs by year, as shown in the table above.
- Answer the 1-mark and 2-mark questions before the longer ones; they are quick and worth locking in early.
- Go back after finishing and check that named facts — headquarters, dates, number of judges — are stated exactly, not approximately.
Worked example: a 1-mark definition question
Question: What is meant by ‘Bilateral Trade’? [1]
Model answer: Bilateral trade is trade carried out directly between two countries.
This is the level of detail a 1-mark question needs — one clear sentence, no elaboration.
Worked example: a 2-mark features question
Question: Mention any two features of the Renaissance period. [2]
Model answer:
- It revived interest in the art and learning of ancient Greece and Rome.
- It encouraged scientific enquiry instead of relying only on old beliefs.
A 2-mark question like this needs two separate points, each worth one mark. Writing one long sentence that blends both ideas together often costs a mark, because the examiner cannot see two distinct points.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Attempting the wrong number of questions from Section A or Section B — re-check the year’s rule before you start writing.
- Writing a paragraph for a 1-mark question instead of one direct line.
- Naming only one fact when a question asks for two, such as the UN headquarters location and the number of ICJ judges.
- Skipping the compulsory questions to spend more time on choice questions — compulsory sections must be attempted in full.
Editions and internal test papers vary by school, so check your own school’s paper style against these before treating them as identical practice material. For the official ICSE syllabus for History & Civics, see cisce.org. You can also browse other Class 8 subjects on our Class 8 resources page or check the Class 8 textbook list for the books these papers are based on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quarterly History & Civics papers are on this page?
Two: one from the 2017-18 session and one from the 2018-19 session.
Do both papers carry the same marks and time?
Yes.
Is the section pattern the same in both years?
No. The 2018 paper marks Q.I-Q.III compulsory plus a choice of questions from Section A and Section B. The 2019 paper has a compulsory Section A worth 35 marks, plus two choice parts in Section B worth 18 and 27 marks.
Which topics should I revise first?
The United Nations Organisation and features of the Modern Age/Period appear in both papers, so revise these first, then move to the year-specific topics listed above.
Are these the same papers my school will set?
Not necessarily. School quarterly papers vary, so use these to practise the pattern and topics rather than as a preview of your own exam.
More ICSE study material on this site
Reference: CISCE-aligned ICSE Class 8 textbook material.