Choosing the Right Educational Path: A Comprehensive Guide to ISC, CBSE and IB Boards After 10th Grade
Choosing the Right Educational Path: A Comprehensive Guide to ISC, CBSE and IB Boards After 10th Grade
As a parent, the best thing you can do for your children is to ensure they receive quality education in an excellent academic atmosphere. Investing in your children’s education, especially after 10th grade is crucial to their career prospects.
In India, each state has its state board of school education which deals exclusively with the administration, planning, and execution of educational policies, curriculum development, and examinations at primary and secondary education levels within the state.
Apart from these state boards, the Ministry of Education allows for Indian School Certificate (ISC) board managed by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) managed by the Government of India., and the International Baccalaureate (IB) managed by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
In this blog, we will help you understand the similarities and differences between these three boards, highlighting ISC Grade XI subjects and elective choices, explaining the method of choosing ISC Grade 11 for college preparation, and more. Read on!
Understanding the ISC Programme
The Indian School Certificate, also known as ISC refers to the examination conducted by CISCE or the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Grade 12 in India. In this exam, several subjects are tested with English being a compulsory subject. Apart from English, ISC offers ISC Grade XI subjects and elective choices that the students can choose to appear for.
Advantages of ISC Grade 11 education
ISC is one of the finest exams that school students can appear for in India. An ISC certificate carries a high international value and can improve college application prospects for your child. Additionally, ISC places significant emphasis on literature and language, providing a strong foundation for pursuing successful careers in accounting, marketing, communication, management, and related fields.
ISC Grade XI subjects and elective choices (Full List)
- Accounts
- Arabic
- Art
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Classical Languages (Arabic, Sanskrit, Persian)
- Commerce
- Compulsory Subject (English)
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Electric and Electronics
- Elective English
- Electricity and Electronics
- Engineering Science
- Environmental Science
- Fashion Designing
- French
- Geography
- Geometrical and Building Drawing
- Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing
- German
- History
- Home Science
- Indian Languages
- Indian Music (Hindustani, Carnatic)
- Mathematics
- Modern Foreign Languages (Chinese, French, German, Tibetan, Spanish)
- Music (Western Music)
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish
ISC Grade 11 academic excellence
The ISC curriculum is designed by academic and subject matter experts with the aim of improving overall oral and writing skills. With the timely declaration of results and disciplined academic year schedules, ISC is widely considered to be the most systematic school board in the country.
All subjects are placed at a similar level of difficulty with an equal emphasis on gaining theoretical and practical knowledge in the subject. As more and more students appear in competitive exams such as NEET and JEE, the CISCE has reformed the curriculum to keep pace with the growing syllabus of these exams.
What is the CBSE Board?
CBSE is a national level board of school education that is operated by the Union Government of India. It runs both private and state-run educational institutions in India upto class 12th. CBSE is one of the most popular education boards in India with more than 27,000 affiliate schools and operations in 28 countries.
Each year CBSE conducts two examinations for children. The examination conducted by CBSE for tenth-grade students is referred to as AISSE, whereas it is called AISSCE for twelfth-grade students.
CBSE Benefits Class 11
CBSE offers a curriculum that is known for its simplicity and relatively lighter workload when compared with more rigorous boards such as the IB or the ISC board. As there are many CBSE schools in the country, transitioning from one school to the other with a change of cities is not very difficult. A centralized curriculum makes learning seamless.
There are some competitive examinations in India that frame their question papers based on the syllabus that the CBSE follows for Class 11th and Class 12th. But, with time other school education boards such as the ISC have also reformed their syllabus so that their students are prepared well for such competitive exams.
What is the IB Board?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an international school education board offering standardized education in schools all over the world. The IB program aims to develop students’ intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills. The IB has three well-known programs, these are:
- Primary Years Program (PYP)
- Middle Years Program (MYP)
- Diploma Program (DP)
IB Boards Benefits Class 11
The Diploma Program is the school leaving program by IB that students can take part in after the 10th Grade. It aims to impart an education that enables students to understand the complexities of the world around them. The IB program also focuses on providing students with the necessary skills, attitudes, and tools to responsibly shape the future.
Why Choose ISC for Grade 11?
ISC Grade 11 curriculum highlights study materials and teaching methodologies for Class 11 to ensure students grasp concepts from beginner to advanced levels for the board exams and competitive exams. The study material ranges from books, audio-video lectures, sample papers, and on-field programs that are a necessary part of the course.
Here are the top 3 reasons for choosing ISC for grade 11:
- Global Recognition: The ISC certification is globally recognized and its credibility surpasses that of many other Indian school boards. The emphasis on English can give students an advantage over others.
- Systematic Timelines: The Golden Years of classes 11 & 12 should not be spent under a cloud of uncertainty. With a disciplined academic year such as the one ISC follows, students are informed of what they have to prepare for, and when.
- Excellent Academic Nourishment: The ISC syllabus is internationally recognized for its approach to learning. The syllabus is comprehensive enough to ensure that students have a thorough understanding of concepts, and it’s taught lucidly for ease of understanding.
Comparing ISC with CBSE and IB Boards
ISC stands out between IB and CBSE because it bridges the gap between the national focus of CBSE and the international approach of IB. By maintaining a curriculum that is India-specific, ISC is able to offer a more balanced approach.
Although it is true that both ISC and CBSE provide an India-centric syllabus, but ISC Grade 11 curriculum highlights a more holistic and globally oriented approach. Therefore, not only are students who graduate with an ISC certification well-equipped to learn and work in India, but their holistic foundations make them truly global citizens.
ISC and IB share a lot in common in terms of being recognized worldwide but the biggest differentiator between the two is the cost. IB schools are usually more expensive. Choosing ISC Grade 11 for college preparation means opting for a quality education that is more accessible in terms of cost, making it a viable option for a broader range of families in India.
Conclusion
As a parent, choosing the right educational path for your child after 10th grade is a tough decision that requires research, as it is a decision that can shape your child’s future. In India, the primary options are the ISC, CBSE, and IB boards. In our comprehensive analysis above, it is clear that the ISC Grade 11 academic excellence is a compelling choice for parents who seek a well rounded, globally recognized education that remains rooted in India.
Choosing ISC Grade 11 for college preparation means choosing a global platform for your children so that they achieve academic excellence and develop holistic skills all while staying connected to their roots. ISC Grade 11 curriculum highlights show that it prepares children for both national and international opportunities, ensuring students are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.