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CBSE, ICSE, and IB are the top 3 education boards in India. Each of them consists of distinctive features; with their focus and approach. Every school in India is associated with any of these education boards or their respective state boards, where they follow the board guidelines, which is responsible for conducting examinations and benchmarks for students. In these cases, students have the option to go for the board that suits them and their development. In today’s world, choosing an education board is as important as choosing a stream or school. So, to help you decide and compare the three top boards of India, CBSE, ICSE, and IB, we have prepared this blog. Read all about CBSE vs ICSE vs IB.
Table of Contents
CBSE vs ICSE vs IB: A Quick Snapshot
Now that we have talked about CBSE, ICSE, and IB, respectively above, it’s time to compare the three against each other. Tabulated below is the required information about the same.
| Particulars | CBSE | ICSE | IB |
| Number of Schools | 24,000 | 2,200 | 210 |
| Compulsory Subjects | English | English + Socially Useful Productive Work | Creative Action Service + Theory of Knowledge + Extended Essay |
| Complexity Level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Category of Subjects | 3 Streams (Science, Commerce, and Humanities) | 3 Streams + More Volume | 6 Subject Groups |
| Focus | Math + Science | English > Other Streams | Equal Focus to All |
| Who can benefit? | Students looking to take entrance examinations such as IIT JEE, IT MAINS, IIT JEE ADVANCED | Students looking for a development of language skills | Students who want to pursue global education and foreign universities |
Best Education Boards in India
According to the official government sources, there are a total of 65 school boards in India. These are divided into regular and open educational boards. Some of the most popular education boards in India include the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), NIOS, Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), IB, State Boards, etc. But how do you decide which is the best education board in India?
What makes an education board better than others is the curriculum and teaching methodology it includes. All the education boards are equally recognised in India by government and private organisations when considering job selection. Before selecting any education, it’s better to understand its history, what it offers, its education system and other important factors.
About Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Before we dwell on the comparison of CBSE vs ICSE vs IB let us explore some details of the Central Board of Secondary Education.
In India, most schools are affiliated with CBSE. It is a popular and dominant board that is adopted by many prominent schools. Let’s read some of the main features of CBSE, below.
- CBSE offers a set curriculum, and subjects for students to study against, and prepare themselves for. The board is conducted in a defined structure, that follows the guidelines of the government; involving the processes of its examination, marking scheme, and more. The CBSE examination is knowledge and skill-based. It further prepares students to appear in further competitive exams.
- As students advance to higher-level classes, education starts to differ in terms of curriculum and flexibility of subjects. For example, an additional language is mandatory to learn till a particular class, but after that, it is an option. In Classes XI and XII, students are allowed to choose their preferred subjects.
- With time, CBSE has decreased its level of difficulty. Now an internal assessment is judged involving projects that students have worked on throughout their academic year, along with examinations based on a set syllabus.
Also Read: Top 10 CBSE Schools in India
About Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)
Now, let us learn about another education board in India- The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.
It is another popular board in India. The level of difficulty is higher on this board when compared to CBSE. It is known for its aristocratic learning. Students can surely learn from this board’s curriculum, preparing them for academic excellence.
- The set curriculum in this board is quite rigid and it doesn’t offer students many options.
- There is also a need/requirement to include and make use of socially useful work projects, according to the curriculum.
- In Class X, only three subjects are core, while others are elective.
- In Class XI and Class XII, there are streams similar to CBSE but are taught in depth.
- There is an increased importance given to extracurricular activities such as arts, music, public speaking, social service, and more.
- Overall, it offers more complex learning than CBSE, which is difficult.
Also Read: Best ICSE Schools in India
About International Baccalaureate (IB)
Furthermore, we will dive into certain important facts about the IB Board.
It is an educational board which is a pioneer in international education. The schools affiliated with this board are more focused on the overall development of the child. But are also more expensive.
- There is no fixed textbook for the curriculum that is developed in a way for subjects to be co-related with each other.
- It offers three levels of education:
- The Middle Years Program
- The Primary Years Program
- The Diploma Program
- From six different subject groups, students can choose one from each.
- Moreover, IB keeps students engaged throughout the year with quizzes, portfolios, presentations, assessments and assignments.
- It is slightly more advantageous for students aiming to take exams such as the SAT or GRE. The board offers a strong aspect of profile building so students can get an edge while taking admission to foreign universities.
Also Read: Top 10 International Schools in India
CBSE vs ICSE vs IB
Let us now explain the different facets of these three education boards to understand the difference.
Different Approaches to Education
One of the well-respected educational boards is CBSE. It is a dominant board in the Indian educational system. With the addition of the new subjects, CBSE follows the national curriculum. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) accepts CBSE. The CBSE curriculum is used for nearly all national-level admission exams. The assimilation of knowledge of mathematics and science is given more priority by the CBSE board. As a result, this board is preferred by students who want to pursue careers in engineering or medicine. The board does not put more emphasis on extracurricular activities.
On the other hand, the ICSE and IB boards are more comprehensive in their approach and offer equal weight to all the domains and courses, like Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, and CBSE, since they place more emphasis on overall growth than just information acquisition and exams.
Must Read: Top Education Boards in India: CBSE, IGCSE, State Board
Subjects
Let’s understand the difference between the subjects offered by all these three boards.
| Name of the Board | Details |
| CBSE(Central Board of Secondary Education) | It gives students in-depth information and experience in the subjects of their choice. There is a lot of versatility because there are 6 different topic groups available to the students, and they must select one from each. The DP core also consists of three required subjects: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity Action Service (CAS). Moreover, the Focus of IB is to inculcate holistic learning, intercultural awareness, and enhancement of communication skills, language, arts, and humanities. It put more emphasis on creating global citizens. It has an international approach, with fewer textbooks, and allows students to explore the world beyond books. There are three levels in the IB board: The primary years program (3-12-year-old), The Middle Years Program (11-16-year-olds), and the Diploma program (16-19-year-old). |
| ICSEThe Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) | Although it adds more intensity and volume to the courses, it follows the same pattern of streams as the CBSE. In addition, English and Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) are two extra topics that are required of all students. Numerous Indian universities as well as foreign higher education institutes accept the ICSE accreditation. |
| IB(InternationalBaccalaureate) | It gives students in-depth information and experience in the subjects of their choice. There is a lot of versatility because there are 6 different topic groups available to the students, and they must select one from each. The DP core also consists of three required subjects: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity Action Service (CAS). Moreover, the Focus of IB is to inculcate holistic learning, intercultural awareness, and enhancement of communication skills, language, arts, and humanities. It put more emphasis on creating global citizens. It has an international approach, with fewer textbooks, and allows students to explore the world beyond books. There are three levels in the IB board: The primary years program (3-12-year-old), The Middle Years Program (11-16-year-olds), and the Diploma program (16-19-year-olds). |
Also Read: Difference Between ICSE and CBSE Board of Education
Assessment Criteria
The CBSE grades pupils based on their memorization, retention, and learning skills. Rote learning is prioritized over comprehension and knowledge. However, the remaining two boards place equal emphasis on comprehension, skill improvement, knowledge, and its application.
Level of Difficulty
Let’s now examine the complexity of each of the three boards.
| Name of the Board | Details |
| CBSE(Central Board of Secondary Education) | In comparison to the other three boards, CBSE has fewer courses and a higher scoring system, which reduces its degree of complexity. Less detail is also put into the principles, and knowledge application is given more attention. |
| ICSEThe Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) | English Core, which is regarded as being far more advanced than CBSE, is particularly demanding compared to CBSE and teaches topics at a higher level. Additionally, because responses are scored more strictly, on average, CISCE provides tough and complex questions as compared to CBSE. |
| IB(InternationalBaccalaureate) | IB board is even more complex and arduous as compared to other two boards. since the kids are evaluated on a range of factors throughout the entire year. There is a strong emphasis on internal assessment, which keeps the students on their toes throughout the year. Quizzes, essays, portfolios, and assignments are used to grade students |
Number of Textbooks
Students are required to use the texts and curricula that are provided by CBSE and CISCE. IB, on the other hand, doesn’t specify any set texts and gives students more latitude in this area by suggesting readings.
Choices, finances, and convenience are ultimately what matters to students and their parents. But it’s crucial to comprehend the fundamental analogies, contrasts, and differences between them.
Also Read: Strategies to Deal with Peer Pressure and Comparison After CBSE Board Result
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FAQs
Ans: There is no such thing as a better or the best education board. Selection of CBSE, ICSE, or IB depends on your prospective plans.
Ans: It is a common perception that IB might be more difficult than CBSE as the former is in practical learning and the latter is only theory-based. However, the practical approach of the IB curriculum makes it more interesting than CBSE.
Ans: As the ICSE syllabus is vast and has more internal assessments, it is slightly more difficult than CBSE.
Ans: Examining the Distinctions Between India’s ICSE and IGCSE Boards
IGCSE offers flexibility, real-world application, and international recognition, whereas ICSE offers a thorough and structured curriculum with an emphasis on analytical thinking.
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That was all about CBSE vs ICSE vs IB; a comparison that is for students to understand the standard of board education in India. Interested to read more such articles? Stay tuned to the school education page of Leverage Edu!!