Summary
With the ICSE board exams fast approaching, students are gearing up to tackle one of the most significant challenges of their academic journey.
As the pressure mounts, students must adopt effective study strategies to maximize their performance, particularly in the Chemistry subject.
With the ICSE 2025 board exams fast approaching, students are gearing up to tackle one of the most significant challenges of their academic journey. The exams commence on February 18, 2025, with the chemistry paper scheduled for March 21, 2025. As the pressure mounts, students must adopt effective study strategies to maximize their performance, particularly in the chemistry subject. To help students navigate their final revisions, The Telegraph Online Edugraph spoke with educator Kamalika Tapader, Chemistry Faculty of the STEM World School who shared valuable insights on study techniques, common pitfalls, and key focus areas.
Smart Study Strategies for Success
To maximise performance, students should follow the POMODORO Method (25 minutes study, 5 minutes break) and strategically plan their time. “A well-structured timetable ensures comprehensive revision and minimizes last-minute stress,” advises Tapader.
The ICSE 2025 Chemistry paper pattern remains unchanged, comprising of two sections:
- Section 1: Compulsory short-answer questions
- Section 2: Choice-based long-answer questions, where students can select a specific number of questions to answer
The emphasis continues on conceptual clarity and Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Many students misinterpret observation-based questions, make IUPAC naming errors, and struggle with time management. “Unbalanced chemical equations are one of the most frequent mistakes—always balance atoms on both sides,” warns Tapader.
To avoid errors:
- Write structured, concise answers with correct chemical formulas.
- Read questions carefully—no marks are awarded for unspecified answers.
- Practice previous years’ papers and mock tests to gain confidence and manage time effectively.
Key Topics & High-Weightage Chapters
Students should prioritise high-weightage chapters such as Mole Concept, Acids, Bases & Salts, Metallurgy, and Organic Chemistry. Numerical problems from Vapour Density, Mole, and Empirical Formula require special attention. She informs "The most reliable source for understanding subject weightage is the official ICSE Class 10 chemistry syllabus, which will detail the proportion of marks allocated to different chapters and topics."
Expected weightage of key chapters:
- Chapter 1: Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties – Physical and Chemical= 10 Marks
- Chapter 2: Chemical Bonding = 8 Marks
- Chapter 3: Study of Acids, Bases, and Salts = 12 Marks
- Chapter 4: Analytical Chemistry= 5 Marks
- Chapter 5: Mole Concept and Stoichiometry = 12 Marks
- Chapter 6: Electrolysis = 8 Marks
- Chapter 7: Metallurgy = 10 Marks
- Chapter 8: Study of Compounds = 20 Marks
- Chapter 9: Organic Chemistry = 15 Marks
Students must also revise laboratory experiments, including gas identification and salt analysis, and prepare for observation-based questions.
Exam-Day Strategy & Last-Minute Tips
Time management is crucial. Allocate time based on question marks and avoid spending too long on a single answer. “Stay calm, avoid last-minute cramming, and focus on revising key concepts,” advises Tapader.
With smart preparation and consistent practice, students can confidently tackle the ICSE 2025 Chemistry exam and achieve excellent results.
Last updated on 13 Feb 2025
