Pros and Cons of CBSE vs. ICSE Schools in Hyderabad

Pros and Cons of CBSE vs. ICSE Schools in Hyderabad

Education is something no parent wants to compromise on and choosing the right education board for your child requires a lot of thought. Weigh the pros and cons of CBSE schools in Hyderabad and ICSE schools and choose the best one for your child. The right curriculum can make all the difference in a child’s educational experience and can impact them in more ways than one.

CBSE and ICSE boards are considered to be the best educational boards in India but they are totally different from each other. Today, parents face the challenge of which path is best for their child. This blog will enable you to choose which schools in Hyderabad suit your child’s needs.

How are CBSE and ICSE Boards Different

The CBSE board was created in 1962 as a national board of education. It has a nationalised curriculum formulated by the NCERT. It focuses on a more practical and application-based learning style that prepares students for various competitive tests. The approach is student-centered with interactive educational resources.

The ICSE Board was formed in 1958 by the local Cambridge University Examination Board. It is a private board run by the Indian School Certificate Examination Council. Its curriculum is highly global, comprehensive and application-based.

  • CBSE is a Board while ICSE is a Council
  • CBSE is govt-affiliated while ICSE is privately held
  • ICSE is considered tougher than the CBSE board. In-depth knowledge of all subjects is required by the ICSE board while CBSE is more moderate. The CBSE board gives equal importance to sports, extracurricular activities and academics.
  • The CBSE board has a uniform and structured curriculum that focuses on science and mathematics. The ICSE curriculum covers a wide range of topics and is comprehensive and adaptable. Emphasizes language and the arts and sciences. with a focus on English language and literature.
  • Both English and Hindi are used as medium of instruction in CBSE schools. ICSE schools mandatorily use English.
  • CBSE board marks are accepted in almost all universities..International schools and colleges prefer ICSE board marks.
  • The CBSE syllabus is less complicated, more organised and concise. The ICSE board has more internal examinations and practical concepts.
  • Students from the ICSE board can transfer to the CBSE board only if the student and family relocate. It requires students to study the 9th and 11th classes from CBSE. The ICSE Board does not accept students from any other boards in the 10th and 12th.classes.
  • The pedagogy of both boards differ as ICSE focuses on assignments and projects with detailed learning based on the application of the knowledge. It does a great job of preparing students for IELTS or TOEFL examinations. 20% of the marks are based on internal assessment.The CBSE follows a pedagogy of preparing the students for various competitive exams like the JEE, NEET, IIT, etc. with its organised and structured syllabus.
  • The CBSE board follows a grading system that is scored within 100 marks, with both terms containing 40 marks for theory and 10 marks for internal assessment. 33% is required in every subject to pass the term. 80% of the ICSE board marks come from external assessments and 20% from internal assessments.
  • The CBSE grade system goes from A1 (highest) to E (lowest). A student earns an A1 grade in a subject if they get 90% or more.
    The ICSE has a grading scale ranging from A (highest) to F (lowest). The calculation of grades is based on the student’s total performance
  • ICSE exams follow a more in-depth and holistic approach covering a wide range of subjects. It encourages critical thinking with explanatory and analytical questions. CBSE focuses on key subjects and subjective questions.
  • The ICSE board requires students to appear in 6 subjects in 3 categories. The first category consists of compulsory subjects. The second and third categories allow the student to choose their subjects.

Pros and Cons of the 2 Boards

Both the ICSE and CBSE schools in Hyderabad come with their advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of the CBSE Board

  • Standardised curriculum which is followed nationwide and makes transfer between schools easier.
  • Focus on STEM subjects that help students prepare for competitive exams like NEET and JEE.
  • The examination pattern tests the understanding of concepts and encourages analytical thinking.

Cons of the CBSE Board

  • There is less focus on subjects like arts, humanities and languages which is not suitable for Humanities students. It focuses more on Science and Mathematics.
  • The high focus on competitive exams can create a stressful environment for students.
  • It focuses less on practical and hands-on learning experiences.

Pros of the ICSE Board

  • Comprehensive, experiential and balanced curriculum with equal focus on arts, humanities, science and commerce.
  • There is more focus on English language skills which is advantageous for higher studies and global opportunities.
  • It encourages practical learning through lab work, projects and hands-on activities.

Cons of the ICSE Board

  • It has an extensive curriculum that can overwhelm students.
  • ICSE schools are more expensive with additional expenses making them less affordable.
  • Though recognised nationally, ICSE is not as common as CBSE, which can create problems for local colleges or state-level exams.

Finally, the board you choose depends on the child’s individual needs, learning style and future plans. CBSE schools in Hyderabad take a more uniform approach, and build a structured setting that zeroes in on competitive exams. ICSE schools in Hyderabad give a well-rounded education that boosts critical thinking and grasping of subjects. You need to check how the course of study fits your child’s strong points and learning aims to pick the right option. To learn more about this, you can visit the EuroSchool website.



Admission Enquiry

Admission Enquiry Button