ICSE Class 10 Biology Previous Year Question Papers PDF
Class 10 biology previous year question papers are available for download below. The table provides 7 Biology exam PDFs spanning the years 2022 to 2026. These are the actual ICSE Science Paper 3 question papers for Class 10 students preparing for the board exam.
Download ICSE Class 10 Biology Question Papers PDF
These are the 7 question papers PDFs hosted on icseboard.org for ICSE Class 10 Biology, organised by subject. Each section below explains what those papers cover before the download table.
This group contains 7 ICSE Class 10 Biology (Science Paper 3) question papers from 2022 to 2026. The papers cover core syllabus topics including cell division, genetics, plant physiology, and human anatomy. Students should use these to practice the 80-mark exam format and identify recurring question types across years.
| Paper | Download |
|---|---|
| Biology Science P3 (2024) | Download PDF |
| First Comparative Biology Science (2022) | Download PDF |
| Biology Science P3 (2026) | Download PDF |
| Biology Science 523I Paper 2 (2025) | Download PDF |
| Biology Science P3 (2025) | Download PDF |
| Biology Science P3 (2023) | Download PDF |
| Ise Biology (2019) | Download PDF |
ICSE Biology Paper Pattern: 2022 vs 2023-2026
The exam format changed between 2022 and 2023. The 2022 First Comparative Examination was a 40-mark, two-hour paper. It had Section I with one compulsory question of eight parts, and Section II with six questions where students answered any four.
From 2023 onwards, the papers became 80-mark, two-hour exams. Section A is compulsory and carries 40 marks. Section B contains questions worth 40 marks, and students attempt any four. The 15-minute reading time before writing begins has stayed consistent across all years.
| Year | Maximum Marks | Time Allowed | Section A | Section B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 40 | Two hours | 1 compulsory question (8 parts) | 6 questions, answer any 4 |
| 2023 | 80 | Two hours | Compulsory (40 marks) | Answer any 4 (40 marks) |
| 2024 | 80 | Two hours | Compulsory (40 marks) | Answer any 4 (40 marks) |
| 2025 | 80 | Two hours | Compulsory (40 marks) | Answer any 4 (40 marks) |
| 2026 | 80 | Two hours | Compulsory (40 marks) | Answer any 4 (40 marks) |
Recurring Topics Across the 2022-2026 Papers
Certain topics appear repeatedly in these papers. Focusing your revision on these high-frequency areas makes your preparation more efficient. The data below comes directly from the question paper excerpts.
- Cell division and chromosomes: Asked in 2022 (mitosis at shoot tip), 2024 (centromere identification), and 2026 (genetic disorders). This links directly to the chapter on Structure of Chromosomes, Cell Cycle and Cell Division.
- Plant water transport: Tested in 2022, 2024 (guttation), and 2025 (plasmolysis). These questions map to the Absorption by Roots chapter, covering osmosis, turgidity, and plasmolysis.
- Genetics and inheritance: Appeared in 2023 (sex chromosomes) and 2026 (haemophilia and colour blindness). The Genetics chapter covers Mendel’s laws and sex-linked diseases.
- Human physiology: The 2023 paper asked about the heart sound ‘Dup’ and semilunar valves. The 2025 paper tested natural reflexes like sneezing.
- Ecology and population: The 2023 paper included biodegradable waste (flowers). The 2025 paper tested natality, which is the number of live births per thousand people per year.
How to Use These Papers for Exam Preparation
Start with the most recent papers first. The 2024, 2025, and 2026 papers reflect the current 80-mark format. Use the 2022 paper to practice concise answers, since it was a 40-mark exam with shorter questions.
- Simulate exam conditions: Sit with the paper for two hours. Do not check your textbook or notes during this time.
- Focus on Section A first: The multiple-choice questions in Question 1 carry 15 marks. These are quick to score if your concepts are clear.
- Review the marking tags: Notice the numbers in brackets like [15] or [2]. A 2-mark question needs a brief, precise answer. A 5-mark question needs labelled diagrams and detailed steps.
- Map questions to chapters: After attempting a paper, note which Selina Biology chapter each question came from. This shows your weak areas.
You can find the chapter-wise textbook material to support your revision on our Class 10 books page. For the full list of available resources across Classes 6 to 10, check the ICSE books PDF list.
Worked Example: Answering a Plant Physiology Question
Here is an example based on the recurring plasmolysis and guttation questions seen in 2024 and 2025. This tests your understanding of water movement in cells.
Question: A plant cell is placed in a concentrated salt solution. What happens to the cell, and what is this process called?
Answer: The concentrated salt solution has lower water concentration than the cell sap. Water moves out of the cell by exosmosis. The cell membrane shrinks away from the cell wall. This process is called plasmolysis. The cell becomes flaccid.
If this same cell is now placed in plain water, water moves back into the cell by endosmosis. The cell recovers its normal shape. This reverse process is called deplasmolysis. The 2025 paper tested this exact concept in its multiple-choice section.
Common Mistakes Students Make in Biology Papers
| Mistake | Correct Rule | How to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Writing long paragraphs for 2-mark questions | Write one precise sentence or a labelled diagram for 2 marks | Check the bracketed mark tag. Keep answers proportional to the marks. |
| Skipping diagrams in Section B | Always draw diagrams for questions on the heart, nephron, or root structure | Most 5-mark physiology questions expect a diagram for full marks. |
| Confusing osmosis and diffusion | Osmosis involves water moving through a semipermeable membrane. Diffusion is the movement of any substance from high to low concentration. | Check if the question mentions a membrane. If yes, it is osmosis. |
| Not following the question order | The instructions state all subsections of each question must be answered in the correct order. | Write your answers in the exact sequence given in the paper. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these ICSE Class 10 Biology papers solved?
No. This page provides the original question papers for download. You must attempt the papers yourself. The guidance on this page explains the paper pattern and recurring topics to help you check your own answers.
What is the difference between the 2022 paper and later papers?
The 2022 First Comparative Examination was a 40-mark, two-hour paper. From 2023 to 2026, the papers are 80-mark, two-hour exams. The 2022 paper has shorter questions, while the later papers have a 15-mark multiple-choice section in Question 1.
Which chapters should I focus on for the ICSE Biology exam?
Based on the 2022 to 2026 papers, focus on Cell Division, Absorption by Roots, Genetics, and Human Physiology. These topics appear most frequently. You can cross-reference the CISCE official website for the latest syllabus updates.
How should I use the 15-minute reading time?
Do not write anything during the first 15 minutes. Read the entire paper. Mark the questions in Section B you are most confident about. Plan which four questions you will attempt so you do not waste time deciding later.
More ICSE study material on this site
Reference: CISCE-aligned ICSE Class 10 textbook material.