In short: Nobody outside CISCE knows the exact 2027 Maths questions, so this list ranks 30 question types by the syllabus units, the Section A and Section B layout, and what was reported about the March 2, 2026 paper. That paper was moderate and lengthy, and Geometry and Trigonometry needed the strongest concepts. CISCE also says about half of 2027 marks go to higher-order thinking. Every worked example below was checked by calculation. Sources disagree on unit marks and paper duration, so I flag both instead of picking one silently. Treat this as a practice priority list, not a leak.
Last updated: October 28, 2026. The ICSE 2027 date sheet is not out yet. CISCE has released specimen papers, and PW notes the final papers may differ from them in format and content.
ICSE Class 10 Maths 2027 — Quick Reference
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Theory paper | 80 marks, plus 20 internal assessment |
| Section A | Compulsory short answers, 40 marks, 10 to 12 questions |
| Section B | Long answers, 40 marks, 6 to 8 questions, attempt any four |
| 2026 paper date | Monday, March 2, 2026 |
| Reading time | 15 minutes before writing |
| Higher-order weightage in 2027 papers | About 50% |
Sources: PW Live Maths weightage page for the section layout. Free Job Alert for the 2026 date and timing. PW Live on the 2027 specimen papers for the 50% figure.
Where the sources disagree
| Topic | What each source says |
|---|---|
| Paper duration | PW's weightage page says 3 hours 15 minutes, with the first 15 for reading. Free Job Alert says 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM with reading from 10:45 AM. Both fit 3 hours of writing plus 15 minutes of reading. A Jagran Josh page says 2.5 hours and its table says 2 hours, which does not fit |
| Unit marks | Jagran Josh's table splits 80 marks as Commercial Maths 13, Algebra 32, Geometry 8, Mensuration 8, Trigonometry 8, Statistics 8 and Probability 3. That table adds up to 80. Our weightage guide shows Algebra 32, Geometry 16 and 8 each for the rest. PW's page elsewhere gives ranges: Algebra 18 to 22 and Geometry 16 to 20 |
I cannot settle the unit marks from an official CISCE page. Do not skip a unit based on any one table. The syllabus tells you what is examinable, and all units appear.
What I could not verify
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| A topic-by-topic list of the 2026 Maths paper | Not found in a readable source. PW and Free Job Alert give only difficulty, length and a score range |
| The 2027 specimen Maths paper layout | I could not open the CISCE PDF. Confirm marks per question there |
What the 2026 Paper Showed
| Observation | Source |
|---|---|
| Moderate difficulty and aligned with the standard ICSE pattern | PW Live |
| Moderately lengthy, but completable with proper pacing | PW Live |
| Needed strong conceptual understanding, especially in Geometry and Trigonometry | PW Live |
| A balanced mix of direct and multi-step problems | PW Live |
| A score of 65 to 72 out of 80 is a good performance | PW Live (a coaching site's view, not CISCE's) |
Commercial Mathematics
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GST: compute input tax credit, output tax and tax payable | 4 | Syllabus |
| 2 | Find the price of an item including GST, or the marked price from the GST-inclusive price | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 3 | Recurring deposit: interest and maturity value | 4 | Syllabus |
| 4 | Shares and dividends: number of shares, dividend and rate of return | 4 | Syllabus |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| GST | A dealer buys goods for Rs 10,000 and sells for Rs 15,000, both with 12% GST. Input tax = Rs 1,200 and output tax = Rs 1,800, so tax payable to the government = Rs 600 |
| GST-inclusive price | A Rs 12,000 article with 18% GST costs 12,000 x 1.18 = Rs 14,160 |
| Recurring deposit | Rs 800 a month for 18 months at 7.5% a year. Interest = 800 x (18 x 19 / 2) / 12 x 7.5 / 100 = Rs 855. Maturity value = 800 x 18 + 855 = Rs 15,255 |
| Shares | Rs 12,000 invested in Rs 100 shares at Rs 120 each buys 100 shares. At a 10% dividend, income = 100 x 100 x 10% = Rs 1,000. Return = 1,000 / 12,000 x 100 = about 8.33% |
Algebra
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Solve a linear inequation over a given domain and show it on a number line | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 6 | Solve a quadratic equation by factorisation or the formula | 4 | Syllabus |
| 7 | Word problem leading to a quadratic equation | 4 to 5 | Syllabus |
| 8 | Nature of roots using the discriminant, or find a value of k for equal roots | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 9 | Ratio and proportion with componendo and dividendo | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 10 | Factorise a cubic using the factor theorem or remainder theorem | 4 | Syllabus |
| 11 | Matrix problem: find the unknowns from an equation or verify a relation | 4 to 5 | Syllabus |
| 12 | Arithmetic progression: nth term and sum | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 13 | Geometric progression: nth term and sum | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| Inequation | 5x minus 3 < 2x + 9 gives 3x < 12, so x < 4. Over the natural numbers the solution set is {1, 2, 3} |
| Quadratic word problem | The product of two consecutive positive integers is 156. x(x + 1) = 156 gives x = 12, so the numbers are 12 and 13 |
| Equal roots | 3x squared minus 2kx + 12 = 0. The discriminant is 4k squared minus 144. Setting it to zero gives k = 6 or minus 6 |
| Factor theorem | p(x) = 2x cubed + x squared minus 13x + 6. p(2) = 0, so (x minus 2) is a factor. Full factorisation = (x minus 2)(2x minus 1)(x + 3) |
| Matrix | For A = [[1, 2], [3, 4]], A squared minus 5A = [[2, 0], [0, 2]], so A squared minus 5A minus 2I is the zero matrix |
| AP | First term 5, common difference 3, n = 20: the sum is 670 |
| GP | First term 3, common ratio 2, n = 6: the sum is 189 |
Coordinate Geometry
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Section formula: find the point dividing a segment in a given ratio | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 15 | Midpoint, distance, and equation of a line or its slope | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
Checked example. For A(2, 3) and B(8, 9), the point dividing AB in the ratio 1 : 2 is (4, 5). The midpoint is (5, 6). The distance AB is 6 times the square root of 2, about 8.49.
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Geometry
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Similar triangles: prove similarity or use the ratio of areas | 4 | Syllabus. PW says Geometry needed strong concepts in 2026 |
| 17 | Circles: prove a result using angle properties or tangent properties | 4 to 5 | Syllabus. Same note |
| 18 | Tangent and secant from an external point: use PT squared = PA x PB | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 19 | Loci or construction questions | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| Areas of similar triangles | The ratio of areas equals the square of the ratio of sides. If sides are in the ratio 3 : 5 and the smaller triangle has area 27, the larger has 27 x 25 / 9 = 75 |
| Tangent and secant | From P, a tangent PT and a secant meeting the circle at A and B satisfy PT squared = PA x PB. With PA = 4 and AB = 5, PB = 9 and PT = 6 |
Write a reason beside every step of a proof. A missing reason costs marks even when the argument is right.
Mensuration
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Recasting a solid into another: number of small solids from a bigger one | 4 | Syllabus |
| 21 | Surface area or volume of a combined solid | 4 | Syllabus |
| 22 | Cylinder, cone and sphere with given dimensions | 4 | Syllabus |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| Recasting | A solid sphere of radius 6 cm is melted into cones of radius 3 cm and height 4 cm. Sphere volume = 288 pi. One cone = 12 pi. Number of cones = 24 |
| Combined solid | A hemisphere of radius 3 cm joined to a cone of radius 3 cm and height 4 cm has volume (2/3) pi x 27 + (1/3) pi x 9 x 4 = 18 pi + 12 pi = 30 pi cubic cm, about 94.25 |
Trigonometry
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Prove an identity | 4 | Syllabus. PW says Trigonometry needed strong concepts in 2026 |
| 24 | Heights and distances with angle of elevation | 4 | Syllabus |
| 25 | Heights and distances with angle of depression | 4 | Syllabus |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| Identity | (1 minus cos squared A)(1 + cot squared A) = sin squared A x cosec squared A = 1 |
| Elevation | From a point 30 m from the foot of a tower, the angle of elevation of the top is 60 degrees. Height = 30 tan 60 = 30 root 3, about 51.96 m |
| Depression | From the top of a 50 m tower, the angle of depression of a car is 30 degrees. Distance from the foot = 50 / tan 30 = 50 root 3, about 86.60 m |
Draw a labelled figure first. A correct diagram earns method marks even when the arithmetic slips.
Statistics and Probability
| # | Expected question | Likely marks | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Mean of grouped data | 3 to 4 | Syllabus |
| 27 | Median from a cumulative frequency table, or from an ogive | 4 | Syllabus |
| 28 | Draw a histogram and read the mode, or draw an ogive | 4 | Syllabus |
| 29 | Probability of a single event with cards, dice or a bag | 3 | Syllabus |
| 30 | Statement-based or reasoning question mixing two topics | 3 to 4 | CISCE's 50% higher-order statement |
Checked examples
| Question | Working and answer |
|---|---|
| Mean | Values 10, 20, 30, 40 with frequencies 4, 6, 8, 2: the mean is 24 |
| Median | Classes 0 to 10, 10 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50 with frequencies 5, 8, 12, 10, 5. N = 40, so N/2 = 20. The cumulative frequency before the class 20 to 30 is 13. Median = 20 + (20 minus 13) / 12 x 10, about 25.83 |
| Probability: bag | A bag has 5 red, 2 green and 3 blue balls. P(not blue) = 7/10 |
| Probability: cards | P(a king) = 4/52 = 1/13. P(a red face card) = 6/52 = 3/26 |
Preparing for the 50% Higher-Order Pattern
CISCE says about half of 2027 marks test application, analysis, evaluation and creation. For Maths, that means:
| Habit | What to do |
|---|---|
| Multi-step problems | Practise questions that combine two units, such as a GST problem with a ratio or a tangent problem with a quadratic |
| Reasoning | After a proof, write one line on why each step holds |
| Check answers | Substitute your result back. Examiners reward correct verification |
| Word problems | Underline what is given and what is asked before you write any equation |
Our guides to the 50% HOTS pattern and the specimen papers cover this in detail.
4-Week Practice Plan
| Week | Focus | Questions in this list |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Commercial Maths and Algebra | 1 to 13. Do ten problems a day |
| Week 2 | Coordinate Geometry and Geometry | 14 to 19. Write every reason in proofs |
| Week 3 | Mensuration and Trigonometry | 20 to 25. Draw a figure for every problem |
| Week 4 | Statistics, Probability and papers | 26 to 30, then two full timed papers |
This is a suggestion, not an official schedule. Use the ICSE last 100 days plan to place these weeks in the calendar. For the CBSE-style version, see the CBSE Class 10 Maths list.
Paper-Day Time Plan
| Step | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Reading time (15 minutes) | Scan Section B and mark the four questions you are surest of |
| Section A (40 marks) | About 85 minutes. PW's blueprint allots roughly this much |
| Section B (four questions) | About 85 minutes |
| Review | Whatever remains. Re-check units, signs and substitutions |
These timings follow PW's blueprint of about 1.5 hours per section, which assumes a 3-hour paper. They are illustrative. CISCE publishes no per-section time split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these the exact questions in the ICSE 2027 Maths paper?
No. Nobody outside CISCE knows the 2027 questions. This list ranks question types by the syllabus units, the section layout and what was reported about the 2026 paper. Any page or channel that promises the actual paper is a scam.
How is the ICSE Maths paper structured?
PW's blueprint shows 80 marks in two sections. Section A is compulsory, with 40 marks across 10 to 12 short-answer questions. Section B has 40 marks across 6 to 8 long-answer questions, of which you attempt any four. Internal assessment adds 20 marks.
Which unit carries the most marks?
Algebra carries the most in every source I read. Sources disagree on the exact figure and on the Geometry split, so treat unit marks as estimates and prepare every unit.
How long is the ICSE Maths paper?
Two sources fit 3 hours of writing plus 15 minutes of reading. A third gives a shorter duration that does not match them. Check your admit card and the official timetable for the 2027 timing.
Was the 2026 Maths paper difficult?
PW rated it moderate and moderately lengthy, with Geometry and Trigonometry needing the strongest concepts. It also noted a mix of direct and multi-step problems. PW's view of a good score was 65 to 72 out of 80.
What does 50% higher-order thinking mean for Maths?
Expect more multi-step and reasoning questions. Practise problems that combine units, and check your answers by substitution. The final papers may differ from the specimen papers.
Related Guides
- ICSE Class 10 Maths Chapter-Wise Marks Weightage 2027
- ICSE Class 10 Maths: Chapter-Wise Marks and Scoring Strategy
- ICSE Class 10 2027 New Pattern: 50% HOTS Preparation
- ICSE Class 10 Science — Expected Questions 2027
- ICSE Class 10 Last 100 Days Plan 2027 — Subject Wise
- How to Score 90% in ICSE Class 10: Subject-Wise Strategy
Sources
- PW Live: ICSE Class 10 Maths weightage and exam pattern
- PW Live: ICSE Class 10 exam analysis 2026
- Jagran Josh: ICSE Class 10 Maths exam pattern and weightage
- Free Job Alert: ICSE Class 10 Maths 2026 answer key
- PW Live: ICSE, ISC specimen papers 2027 released
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