CBSE vs ICSE | Why CBSE is better than ICSE in 2024?

Written By Pragya | Edited By Varsha & Adi | Updated on 26th August 2024


As parents picking the right school board in India can be tricky. There are two big ones to choose from: CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education). It’s a bit like choosing your favorite ice cream flavor – both are good, but you probably like one more than the other.
Lots of families wonder which one to pick. There are great CBSE schools and great ICSE schools, so how do you decide? Well, that’s why we’re here today! We’re going to talk about why many people think CBSE is the better choice.
In this blog, we’ll cover: What makes CBSE special, Why many parents pick CBSE for their kids
and How CBSE compares to ICSE.

We’ll keep things simple and easy to understand. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know a lot more about why CBSE is so popular. So, let’s get started and learn all about it!


Quick Summary

CBSE vs ICSE | Why CBSE is Better?

  1. What does CBSE bring to the table?
  2. Why do parents choose CBSE?
  3. Comparison with ICSE
  4. Top 3 CBSE Schools in India

1. What does CBSE bring to the table?

1. What does CBSE bring to the table?

You might have a lot of questions about CBSE Schools and why they are so popular, right? So, to make it easy we have listed the features of CBSE Board to help you understand what exactly CBSE brings to the table.

  • Government Recognition: CBSE is like the official seal of approval from the Indian government. It means your kid’s education meets the national standards, which is great for national-level exams that they might give in future.
  • Same Studies for All: CBSE teams up with NCERT to make sure every kid, no matter which school they go to, gets the same syllabus to study. So, it’s like a universal curriculum.
  • Languages: CBSE isn’t all about Hindi and English, they offer foreign languages like German, French, and Spanish. Plus, some schools let you choose between Hindi and English for your classes, which is pretty flexible.
  • Ready for Tough Exams: If your child dreams of cracking tough exams like JEE and NEET, CBSE is a good choice. Their curriculum and syllabus is compact and geared towards understanding the concepts and theory that is asked in these exams.
  • Easy Moving Around: CBSE schools are all over India, so if you need to shift places, your kid’s education won’t get messed up. You can switch from one CBSE school to another without much trouble.
  • Student-Friendly Exams: CBSE exams have a clear syllabus, and they don’t trick you with tricky questions. It’s more about giving straight answers than writing long stories. They even give marks for each step, not just the final answer.
  • All-Round Development: CBSE isn’t just about books, they also want your child to excel in sports, arts, and other activities. So, it’s not just about getting good grades but also becoming a well-rounded person.

2. Why do parents choose CBSE?

2. Why do parents choose CBSE?

These unique and standout features of CBSE board make it the famous and preferable choice among parents. Let’s explore why CBSE is better and understand them in detail!

  • Lots of School Choices: CBSE has a bunch of schools under its wing. So, there are plenty of options for parents to pick from, which is pretty handy for families all across India.
  • Strong on the Basics: It is all about nailing the basics, especially in subjects like Science and Math. So, your kid gets a solid foundation in these core subjects.
  • Preparation for Big Exams: CBSE students get an edge when getting ready for big national exams like IIT-JEE and NEET. They’re good at the theory stuff, and what they learn lines up nicely with these exams.
  • Same Studies Everywhere: The cool thing about CBSE is that they keep the same curriculum all over the country. So, whether you’re in Mumbai or Delhi, your child is learning the same stuff. Moving between schools? No problem!

3. Comparison with ICSE

3. Comparison with ICSE

CBSE Vs ICSE: Syllabus

The syllabus of the CBSE board places a strong emphasis on Science and Mathematics and adopts a more streamlined approach with fewer subjects. In contrast, the ICSE syllabus focuses on the practical application of theoretical concepts and encourages a deep understanding of subjects.ICSE students get equal importance in a wider range of subjects, including Art, Language, Humanities, Science, and Mathematics.

CBSE Vs ICSE: Which is Easier?

ICSE tends to be a bit tougher compared to CBSE. That’s because of the curriculum and how they test students with more internal assessments and practical stuff.
It’s worth noting that the ICSE board, administered by the CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination), is often considered one of the toughest in India. On the other hand, the focus of the CBSE board is more on a practical approach, concise curriculum, and a grading system that’s considered more forgiving compared to ICSE.

However, it’s important to note that the level of difficulty can vary from student to student based on their ability to learn and adapt to the teaching methods. With the right planning and mindset, your child can excel on any board, whether it’s CBSE or ICSE. It’s not about the board, it’s about the approach and dedication to learning.

CBSE Vs ICSE: Examination Pattern

ICSE Exam Pattern:

In the ICSE board, the class 10th examination is divided into two sections: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs), providing a variety of options to test knowledge. Tier 2 combines both subjective and objective questions to assess a broader range of skills.

CBSE Exam Pattern:

CBSE follows a two-term approach for class 10 board exams. Term 1 involves case-based and assertion-reasoning type multiple-choice questions, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving. Term 2 comprises short and long answers, open-ended questions, and scenarios, allowing students to apply their knowledge to practical situations.

CBSE Vs ICSE: Grading System

CBSE Grading:

CBSE has an alphabetical grading system, offering a range from A1 to E2. A1 signifies the highest, 91-100% marks, followed by A2 (81-90%), and so on down to E2.

ICSE Grading:

Conversely, ICSE utilises a numeric grading system, ranging from 1 to 9. In this system, 1 represents the highest percentage of marks, followed by 2 for the second-highest. On the other end, scores of 8 and 9 indicate failure.

CBSE Vs ICSE: University Acceptance

Both ICSE and CBSE enjoy recognition from universities and colleges not only in India but around the world. However, there’s a difference in the preferences. ‘Why CBSE is better’ becomes evident as CBSE holds broad recognition and is the favored choice for most Indian universities and colleges. On the flip side, the ICSE board is accepted mostly among foreign universities and colleges.

CBSE Vs ICSE: Ease of Transfer

If you move around a lot, CBSE is usually the better choice because there are more CBSE schools across India. There are also a lot of international schools following CBSE Board in India. It’s easier to switch between them. Whereas ICSE certification is followed in less number of schools in India and you can face difficulties in shifting your child from one school to another.

4. Top 3 CBSE Schools in India

1. Ecole Globale Girls School, Uttarakhand

CBSE vs ICSE

Overview:

  • This school is one of the best for CBSE. The school has a big area of 40 acres with lots of space. They have big classrooms, science and computer rooms, a library, a room for art and music, a dance studio, and a theater.
  • They also have places for many sports, like basketball, volleyball, swimming, horse riding, and tennis.
  • Ecole Globale teaches kids from 4th grade to 12th grade.
  • The school wants to help kids learn and grow in many ways, so they become smart, caring, and good at handling their feelings.

2. The Heritage School, Gurgaon

CBSE vs ICSE
Image credit: heritagexperiential.org

Overview:

  • The Heritage School in Gurgaon is a school where both boys and girls can learn.
  • They have a challenging and thorough program that helps students understand ideas well and use them in real life.
  • The teachers are very skilled and experienced, and they use creative ways to make learning fun and interesting.

3. SEA International School Bangalore

CBSE vs ICSE
Image credit – seainternationalschool.in

Overview:

  • They have great science labs, computers, and a nice green campus.
  • They offer classes from pre-primary to 12th grade.
  • They use cool tools and projects to help students be creative and learn design thinking.
  • They have a library with lots of books and digital resources for learning.

Why CBSE is better than ICSE?

Wrapping it up, both boards have their own pros and cons, and you should carefully consider these factors in understanding both cbse and icse when making a choice.

ICSE nurtures overall development, personality traits and is preferred for international studies, while ‘why CBSE is better’ becomes apparent as CBSE schools prepare students towards achieving specific goals and is often favoured for JEE or NEET aspirants. But here’s the key thing to remember: CBSE has a bit of an edge when it comes to getting ahead in competitive fields. Its curriculum is designed to help students do well in national-level exams. Plus, CBSE schools are more affordable than ICSE. So, if you’re looking for a boost in career opportunities and academic achievements, CBSE might be the way to go.


What’s Next

We suggest asking yourselves, ‘What do you want for your kid in Bangalore?’ Make a list of the ‘must  haves’ and the ‘nice  to  haves.’

Also, don’t be shy, talk to everyone! Friends and neighbors in Bangalore may have some thoughts. Check online too, but remember, reviews are like opinions, everyone’s got one! Oh, school visits! Take a tour, meet the teachers, ask questions, and see if it clicks in Bangalore. Open houses are super helpful too, you’ll learn about what they teach and meet other parents.

And don’t forget the money talk school fees are just the tip of the iceberg in Bangalore. There are uniforms, field trips, and the occasional surprise costs. Stay on top of the applications, they may be followed by an interview. When it comes to interviews, just being yourself is the key, even for kids.

But really, you can’t go wrong with any of these Bangalore schools, as they are the best in Bangalore. Let us know which one you end up enrolling your kid in!



Varsha & Adi

Hi, we are Varsha and Adi, and we’re on a mission to help parents make the right choice for their kids’ education. Picking a school is like a 10-year commitment, and we realized parents needed clear, no-nonsense info. That’s why we created Candid Schools, where you can get the real deal on schools without the fancy jargon. Our goal is simple: to give parents the info they need to make the best choice for their little ones.

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