- Written by Rahul Khatake
- Last Modified on 1-04-2024
ICSE Board Class 9 Exam 2023
The Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) releases the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Class 9 syllabus, exam pattern, etc., every year on its official website. As per the notification, grading structure, duration, and different types of questions asked in the exam are all listed in the exam pattern section. For better exam preparation, students should check the ICSE Class 9 exam pattern and solve numerous ICSE question papers from previous years.
Class 9 is the stepping stone for concepts taught in higher classes. Based on their achievement in the Class 9 examinations, students will be promoted to Class 10. It is, however, important to note that having a good foundation in the Class 9 syllabus is required to score well in the ICSE Class 10 Boards. Continue reading further to learn more about the ICSE Class 9 exam 2023.
ICSE Board Class 9 Exam Summary
Schools affiliated with ICSE-board conduct an annual exam for Class 9. Students must secure a minimum of 35% to clear the Class 9 exam and get admission to Class 10. The question papers are for total 100 marks and the exam duration varies as per the subject. ICSE-affiliated Individual schools conduct the Class 9 final exam internally. Before getting into the details of ICSE Board Class 9, students must go through the exam overview for a better understanding.
| Particulars |
Details |
| Full Exam Name |
ICSE Board of Secondary Education Class 9 Examination |
| Short Exam Name |
ICSE Class 9 |
| Name of the Board |
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) |
| Year of Establishment |
1958 |
| Medium of Instruction |
English |
| Exam Level |
Matriculation |
| Overall Passing Marks |
35% Marks |
| Exam Duration |
Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (1.5 Hours) Maths (2.5 Hours) Indian Language (3 Hours) All Other Subjects (2 Hours) |
| Exam Subjects |
Total Eleven Subjects: Paper-I (English Language) Paper-II (English Literature) Maths Indian Language Physics Chemistry Biology History and Civics Geography Computer Environmental Science |
| Mode of Examination |
Offline |
| Level of the Exam |
National |
Check more details on ICSE Class 9 Exam 2022-23.
ICSE Official Website Link
https://cisce.org/Default.aspx
ICSE Board Class 9 Exam Pattern 2023
The exam pattern contains the break-up of the marking scheme. Knowing the marking scheme and exam pattern helps students pay attention to all areas that carry marks and study properly. Students are advised to reach out to their teachers to know the exam pattern for all the subjects. In this section, we have provided the exam pattern for ICSE Class 9 subject-wise.
The scoring pattern helps students know how many marks are given based on the exam and how many are based on projects or daily activities. The scoring pattern in the table below provides details for external and internal marks of different subjects.
| Subject |
External Marks |
Internal Marks |
| Physics |
80 |
20 |
| Chemistry |
80 |
20 |
| Biology |
80 |
20 |
| Mathematics |
80 |
20 |
| Indian Language |
80 |
20 |
| English Language |
80 |
20 |
| English Literature |
80 |
20 |
| History and Civics |
80 |
20 |
| Geography |
80 |
20 |
| Computer |
80 |
20 |
| Environmental Science |
80 |
20 |
ICSE Class 9 Exam Duration
Physics, Chemistry, and Biology papers have a time duration of 1.5 hours, whereas Maths is conducted for 2.5 hours. Apart from these subjects, all other subjects have a time duration of 2 hours. Students should complete all their answers within the allocated time.
| Subject |
Total Time |
| Physics |
1.5 Hours |
| Chemistry |
1.5 Hours |
| Biology |
1.5 Hours |
| Mathematics |
2.5 Hours |
| Indian Language |
3 Hours |
| English Language |
2 Hours |
| English Literature |
2 Hours |
| History and Civics |
2 Hours |
| Geography |
2 Hours |
| Computer |
2 Hours |
| Environmental Science |
2 Hours |
ICSE Board Class 9 Exam Syllabus 2023
Every year, ICSE releases the Class 9 syllabus for its affiliated schools. Students should be aware of the syllabus for all their subjects so that they can create a suitable study routine. Knowing the syllabus will also prevent them for studying the topics that are not covered in their curriculum. Preparing the ICSE 9th concepts thoroughly is important to build a strong foundation for understanding more complex topics
Students can supplement their ICSE textbooks with Embibe 3D videos to understand and learn the chapter topics easily. They can also solve sample questions and attempt mock tests on the Embibe app. We have provided subject-wise updated syllabus of ICSE Class 9 for the students’ ready reference.
ICSE Class 9 Chemistry Syllabus
In ICSE Class 9 Chemistry, students will primarily learn the physical, organic and inorganic concepts of Chemistry. Students are advised to build a strong conceptual understanding in the topics as they will form base of many complex topics in higher classes. Chemistry has two sections, each carrying 40 marks. The ICSE 9th Chemistry syllabus is as under:
| Chapter Name |
Topic Name |
| Matter and its Composition: Law of Conservation of Mass |
Explanation of Change of State of Matter on the Basis of Kinetic Theory of Matter Main postulates of Kinetic Theory of Matter Law of Conservation of Mass |
| Study of Gas Laws |
The Behaviour of Gases under Changes in Temperature and Pressure Charles’ Law Relationship Between Kelvin Scale and Celsius Scale of Temperature |
| Elements, Compounds and Mixtures |
General Characteristics and Differences Between Elements, Compounds and Mixtures Types of Mixtures Separation of Mixtures |
| The Language of Chemistry |
Symbol of an Element Valency Formulae of Radicals and Formulae of Compounds Balancing of Simple Chemical Equations |
| Physical and Chemical Changes |
Definitions and Distinction between Physical and Chemical Change Conditions for Chemical Change Types of Chemical Change Energy Changes in a Chemical Change Burning: Definition and Conditions of Burning |
| Water |
Water as a Compound and as a Universal Solvent Water Pollution Treatment of Water Pollution Chemical Properties |
| Atomic Structure |
Structure of an Atom Mass Number and Atomic Number, Isotopes, Octet Rule. |
| The Periodic Table |
Dobereiner’s Triads Newland’s Law of Octaves Mendeleev’s Contributions Modern Periodic Law The Modern Periodic Table (groups and periods) |
| Study of the First Element – Hydrogen |
Hydrogen from Water Hydrogen from Dilute Acids Hydrogen from Alkalies |
| Atmospheric Pollution |
Acid Rain – Composition, Cause and Its Impact Global Warming Ozone Depletion |
ICSE Class 9 Physics Syllabus
Physics is a practical subject. Students can ace the topics with the help of Embibe’ 3D graphical representation, which makes the subject fun and easy to learn. Physics includes two sections, each carrying 40 marks. So the total marks covered are 80. The table below shows the ICSE 9th Physics syllabus:
| Chapter Name |
Topic Name |
| Measurements and Experimentation |
Estimation by Orders of Magnitude of Size (length, area and volume) Mass and Time International System of Units, Measurements using Common Instruments Presentation of Data in Tabular and Graphical Form (straight line graphs only). |
| Motion in one dimension |
Distance, Speed, Velocity, Graphs of Distance-Time and Speed-Time Equations of Uniformly Accelerated Motion with Derivations. |
| Laws of Motion |
Newton’s First Law of Motion Newton’s Second Law of Motion Newton’s Third Law of Motion Gravitation |
| Fluids |
Change of Pressure with Depth Transmission of Pressure in Liquids Atmospheric Pressure Buoyancy Archimedes’ Principle |
| Buoyancy, Archimedes’ Principle; |
Concepts of Heat and Temperature Expansion of Solids, Liquids and Gases Thermometers Transfer of Heat Energy Flow and Its Importance |
| Light |
Reflection of Light Spherical Mirrors |
| Sound |
Nature of Sound Waves Range of Hearing Ultrasound |
| Electricity and Magnetism |
Static Electricity Current Electricity Properties of a Bar Magnet Induced Magnetism Lines of Magnetic Field |
ICSE Class 9 Biology Syllabus
ICSE Class 9 Biology syllabus can be considered to be lengthy. Also, to obtain maximum marks, students need to write comprehensive answers. They should also practice diagrams and support their answers with neatly-labelled diagrams, wherever required, to make their answers more impressive and effective. Biology also has two sections and the detailed ICSE syllabus for Class 9 Biology is given below:
| Chapter Name |
Topic Name |
| Basic Biology |
The cell: A unit of life, protoplasm, basic difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell; differences between an animal and a plant cell. Tissues: Types of plant and animal tissues |
| Flowering Plants |
Flower: Structure of a bisexual flower, functions of various parts. Pollination: Self and cross-pollination. Fertilisation |
| Plant Physiology |
Structure of dicot and monocot seeds Germination of seeds, types, and conditions for seed germination. Respiration in plants: Outline of the process, gaseous exchange. |
| Diversity in Living Organisms / Ecosystems |
Economic importance of Bacteria. Economic importance of Fungi. |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology |
Nutrition Skeleton: Movement and locomotion. Structure and functions of skin. Respiratory System: Organs Mechanism of breathing; tissue respiration, heat production. |
| Health and Hygiene |
Cause of diseases Bacteria Virus Parasites Hygiene |
| Waste Generation and Management |
Sources of waste Domestic waste Methods of safe disposal of waste |
ICSE Class 9 Maths Syllabus
Students can score full marks in Maths. For that, they must first have clear understanding of the concepts, solve sample problems and attempt mock tests. The more questions students practice, better will be their grip on the topics. This will ultimately prevent them from making silly mistakes in the exam. Mathematics has 2 sections. Each of the two sections has 40 marks. The ICSE Class 9 Maths syllabus is as follows:
| Topic |
Chapter Name |
| Pure Arithmetic |
Rational, irrational numbers as real numbers, irrational numbers, the classical definition of a rational number |
| Commercial Mathematics |
Profit and Loss Compound Interest |
| Algebra |
Expansions Factorisation Changing the Subject of a Formula Linear Equations and Simultaneous (linear) Equations, Indices/ Exponents, Logarithms |
| Geometry |
Congruency Triangles Constructions Pythagoras Theorem Rectilinear Figures Quadrilaterals |
| Statistics |
Understanding and Recognition of Data Tabulation, Grouped Frequency Distributions Drawing a Histogram |
| Mensuration |
Area and Perimeter of Triangle, Square, Rhombus, Rectangle, Parallelogram and Trapezium, Circle: Area and Circumference Surface Area and Volume of 3-D solids |
| Trigonometry |
Trigonometric Ratios Trigonometric Ratios of Standard Angles Simple 2-D Problems |
| Coordinate Geometry |
Dependent and Independent Variables Ordered Pairs Coordinates of Points and Plotting them in the Cartesian Plane Recognition of Graphs |
ICSE Class 9 English Syllabus
English Literature is conducted for a total of 100 marks – 80 marks for the final exam and 20 for class tests or projects. The subject has 3 broad sections – Play or Drama, Prose, and Poem. The detailed ICSE Class 9 English Literature syllabus is as follows.
| Topics |
Contents |
| The Merchant of Venice |
Act 1 – Scenes 1, 2 and 3, Act 2 – Scenes 1 to 9, Act 3 – Scene 1 only. |
| Treasure Trove |
A Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories |
| Poetry |
The Heart of the Tree by Henry Cuyler Bunner The Cold Within by James Patrick Kinney The Bangle Sellers by Sarojini Naidu After Blenheim by Robert Southey Television by Roald Dahl Daffodils by William Wordsworth |
| Prose (Short Stories) |
Chief Seattle’s Speech Old Man at the Bridge by Ernest Miller Hemingway Horse and Two Goats by R.K. Narayan Hearts and Hands by O. Henry A Face in the Dark by Ruskin Bond An Angel in Disguise by T.S. Arthur |
The grammar section contains the following topics that students will learn in ICSE 9th English class:
| Topic Name |
| Articles |
Nouns |
| Pronouns |
Adjectives |
| Verbs |
Conjunctions |
| Prepositions |
Tenses |
| Sentence, Clause, Phrase |
Reported Speech |
| Punctuation |
Sentence/Dialogue Completion |
| Letter Writing |
Speech |
| Article |
Report Writing |
Check more details on ICSE Class 9 Syllabus 2022-23.
ICSE Board Class 9 Study Plan to Maximise Score
Class 9 is an important stage in student-life. Students will learn many concepts for the first time, which will help them be better prepared for Class 10 exam. Thus, to score excellent marks in the exam, students need to remember all the key points well and perform well in the exam. Thus, they should have a study plan to cover the while syllabus. Below we have provided some of the best tips to score maximum marks in the ICSE Class 9 exams:
ICSE Board Class 9 Preparation Tips
Preparation tips help in improving exam performance. The following preparation tips are for students taking the ICSE Class 9 exam. These ICSE board class 9 preparation tips for 2023 will assist students in passing the exam with flying colours.
- Before studying for the tests, students should be familiar with the full ICSE syllabus. Focusing on the syllabus approved by the board helps in effective preparation.
- While studying, students must remember to maintain a casual attitude and not put too much pressure on themselves. Logically organise the study plans.
- Refer to the ICSE Class 9 timetable 2023 and create a study plan to prepare for the exams effectively.
- Make a list of the most important concepts and questions that are asked frequently and practice them properly.
- Students should complete the entire ICSE Class 9 syllabus 2023 at least a month before the exam to ensure they have enough time to revise.
- Finish the entire syllabus at least 2 months before the main exams. This way, students can have ample time for revision.
- Find subject-wise strengths and weaknesses. Set aside more/enough time to work on the weak areas.
- Examine ICSE Board Class 9 question papers (previous years/sample papers) to understand the question types and exam paper patterns.
- Practice ICSE sample papers to improve speed and accuracy.
ICSE Class 9 Detailed Study Plan
Each subject is different from the other and students should apply suitable approach to study them effectively. In this section, we have provided subject-wise ICSE Class 9 detailed study plan. Students can refer to these plans and modify them as per their requirements and aptitude in the subjects. Below are the detailed study plan for ICSE Class 9 students:
- Mathematics: Make a separate notepad for important formulas and review them whenever students have spare time. At the same time, complete all of the problems in the ICSE Class 9 textbook. At times, questions are taken directly from the course books, with only a small number of variations.
- Science: The chapters on Physics and Chemistry are concept-based, and questions from these fields will be either conceptual or numerical. Memorise all the relevant laws, formulae, equations, and diagrams on hand and practise problems related to the topics. To prepare for the Biology section, it is vital to focus on diagrams. Students may learn language and ideas with the help of images. Instead of memorising facts and concepts, make flow diagrams for important topics and study the facts and concepts that underpin them.
- Social Science: The simplest way to prepare for the History section is to make a flowchart with all the dates and events. Go over these flowcharts now and then. This makes it easy to identify historical events. To prepare for the Geography section, practise maps alongside the theoretical portion. Do not underestimate the importance of map work in the exam. Make a list of all of the important Social Science topics.
- English: Read at least one paragraph from an English newspaper daily to get into the habit of reading. When it comes to reading passages, this habit will come in handy. Practice writing portions regularly. Analyse all answers and try to develop new ones for each. Ask instructors or seniors to design an acceptable format for letter writing, articles, and other writing section questions. For the English literature section, answer all questions at the end of each chapter and poem. Use the class notes for quick preparation.
Check more details on ICSE Class 9 Sample Paper.
FAQs on ICSE Board Class 9 Exam 2023
Here are some frequently asked questions about the ICSE Board Class 9 exam:
Q: Where can I find mock tests and practice questions for the ICSE board Class 9 exams?
Ans: Students can access practice questions and mock tests on Embibe. They can also customise the practice and mock tests as per their preference.
Q: What are the advantages of studying for ICSE Class 9 from Embibe?
Ans: Embibe provides many study resources for all ICSE board Class 9 exams. Students can take mock tests, access 3D video lessons, solve sample questions, practice previous years’ papers, and much more. Studying for the Class 9 exam from Embibe allows students to understand each concept in detail and solve relevant sample problems to build a strong foundation.
Q: How many subjects are there in the ICSE Class 9 syllabus?
Ans: There are 11 subjects in the ICSE Class 9 syllabus.
Q: Has the ICSE Class 9 syllabus been reduced for the academic session 2022-2023?
Ans: Yes, the CISCE has reduced the ICSE Class 9 syllabus by 25% for the academic session 2022-23.
Q: Are ICSE Class 9 exams easy?
Ans: Depending on a student’s understanding of the concepts, level of preparation and internal assessment marks, ICSE board exams can be easy or difficult. If students start preparing for the ICSE board exam right from the beginning of the session, do periodic revision, and solve sample questions for all topics, the annual exam can be easily cleared with flying colours.
List of Educational Institutions for ICSE Class 9 Exam
Parents often get confused while selecting good schools for their kids. Parents want to provide the best resources for their children to have a bright future. Below we have provided the list of best ICSE Schools for ready reference:
| Name of the School |
Board |
| Manthan Vidyashram School |
ICSE |
| St Francis International School |
ICSE |
| Billabong High International School |
ICSE |
| The School – KFI, Thazhambur |
ICSE |
| Sishya School |
ICSE |
| The Grove School |
ICSE |
| St. Michael’s Academy |
ICSE |
| Abacus Montessori School |
ICSE |
| Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul International School |
ICSE |
| Trio World Academy, Bangalore |
ICSE |
| Frank Anthony Public School (FAPS) |
ICSE |
| New Horizon Public School |
ICSE |
| Ebenezer International School |
ICSE |
| Bethany High School |
ICSE |
| SorsFort International School |
ICSE |
| Bishop Cotton Girls’ School |
ICSE |
| Baldwin Boys’ High School |
ICSE |
| Greenwood High International School |
ICSE |
| Sophia Opportunity School |
ICSE |
| Sri Kumaran Children’s Home |
ICSE |
| St. Francis Xavier Girls’ High School |
ICSE |
List of Future Exams After ICSE Class 9 Exam
Students need to prepare and take competitive exams along with their academic studies. It helps students to enhance their problem-solving skills. When students appear for competitive or olympiad exams, they develop a sound understanding of all the concepts. The list below provides the details of all the major competitive exams a Class 9 student can appear for:
- Indian National Olympiad or INO
- National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)
- Indian National Earth Science Olympiad
- National Science Olympiad (NSO)
- National Standard Examination in Astronomy
- International Olympiad of English Language (IOEL)
- National Biotechnology Olympiad or NBO
- International English Olympiad
- International Informatics Olympiad (IIO)
- Zonal Informatics Olympiad
- National Science Talent Search Exam or NSTSE
- Technothlon
- National Interactive Maths Olympiad or NIMO