ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper for Board Exam 2026: Download PDF

Last Updated: Feb 19, 2026, 13:13 IST

The official ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper 2026 is now available for download. It offers students a clear understanding of the revised syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme for the February 20, 2026 board exam. Covering 'Julius Caesar' and 'Treasure Chest', this paper helps students practice MCQs and subjective questions, improving time management and exam preparedness.

ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper for Board Exam 2026: Download PDF
ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper for Board Exam 2026: Download PDF

Show Key Points

Students can find ICSE Class 10 English Literature (Paper 2) Specimen Paper for the 2026 Board Exams from here. Officially released by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) this specimen paper provides them with an essential roadmap, giving them a thorough understanding of the revised syllabus, question format, and official marking system. The exam is scheduled on February 20, 2026 (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM).

The paper works as a sample question paper which lasts two hours and has an external assessment of 80 marks. It follows the exact pattern of the real board exam. With in-depth questions on the drama "Julius Caesar" and prose and poetry selections from the "Treasure Chest" anthology, it thoroughly covers the required literary texts. Students can practice questions including extract-based Reference to Context (RTC) questions, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), while also enhancing their time management skills by practicing this official specimen paper. Students can elevate their board study plan by downloading the ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper 2026 in PDF format, which also includes a thorough explanation of the test structure.

Read also: ICSE Class 10 English Language Sample Paper 2026 by Experts

ICSE Class 10 English Literature 2026: Key Highlights 

The table contains all the essential details for ICSE class 10 English Literature 2026 exam.

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

ICSE Class 10 English Literature (English Paper - 2)

Conducting Body

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Exam Duration

2 Hours (Plus 15 minutes of reading time)

Total Marks

100 Marks (80 External Theory + 20 Internal Assessment)

Passing Marks

33% Overall (Combined theory and internal marks)

Prescribed Texts

• Drama: Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare)


• Prose/Poetry: Treasure Chest (Anthology)

Paper Structure

Section A: Compulsory MCQs (16 Marks)


Section B, C, D: Subjective / Reference to Context (64 Marks)

Official Website

cisce.org

ICSE Class 10th English Literature (Paper 2) Exam Pattern 2026

The exam pattern shared here is taken from ICSE official guidelines for Class 10 English Literature paper. It provides sections and topic wise distribution in the exam paper offering clarity to students.

Section

Content Area

Question Type

Total Marks

Section A


(Compulsory)

All Texts (Drama, Prose, Poetry)

16 MCQs (1 Mark each)


Tests factual recall, themes, character identification, and poetic devices.

16

Section B

Drama (Julius Caesar)

Extract-based Subjective Questions



16

Section C

Prose (Short Stories from Treasure Chest)

Extract-based Subjective Questions



16

Section D

Poetry (Poems from Treasure Chest)

Extract-based Subjective Questions



16

Extra Choice

Any One Section (B, C, or D)

Extract-based Subjective Question


Students pick their strongest genre for this extra question.

16

 

Total Marks (Paper 2)

 

80 Marks

ICSE English Literature Paper 2: Marking Scheme 2026

Marking scheme for the subject paper shared here offers a clear view of how marks are distributed across sections and for question types. Students can understand a detailed overview of marking scheme from here. 

Section

Question Type

Marks

Total Marks

Section A (Compulsory)

16 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1 Mark each

16 Marks

Section B (Drama)

1 Extract-based Subjective Question

16 Marks

16 Marks

Section C (Prose)

1 Extract-based Subjective Question

16 Marks

16 Marks

Section D (Poetry)

1 Extract-based Subjective Question

16 Marks

16 Marks

Extra Question

1 Question from Section B, C, or D

16 Marks

16 Marks

Grand Total

   

80 Marks

Read also: ICSE Class 10 English Syllabus 2025-26

ICSE Class 10th English Literature Specimen Paper: Previous 5 years Paper

Students can review the ICSE Class 10 English Literature specimen paper year wise from the last five years. It is a practiced and efficient technique for passing the board exams. The link shared here provide a clear glimpse into the CISCE's changing question patterns, repeated questions, sections from required materials, also offering transformation of marking schemes in the paper. By practising these previous papers, students may properly assess their preparedness, improve their time management, and face the exam with confidence.

ISC Class 10th English Literature Specimen Paper Year-wise

Download Link

ICSE Class 10 English  Literature Specimen Paper 2025

Download PDF

ICSE Class 10 English  Literature Specimen Paper 2024

Download PDF

ICSE Class 10 English Literature Specimen Paper 2023

Download PDF

ICSE Class 10 English  Literature Specimen Paper 2022 (Semester-I)

Download PDF

ICSE Class 10 English  Literature Specimen Paper 2022 (Semester-II)

Download PDF

ICSE Class 10 English  Literature Specimen Paper 2021

Download PDF

Jaya Gupta
Jaya Gupta

Content Writer

Jaya Gupta is a Content Writer with four years of experience, from academic writing to working in an indie-publishing organisation. She holds a Masters degree in English Literature and qualified for UGC NET 2024 (June). Professionally, she has guided over 100+ students in framing study abroad academic essays. Her writing interests vary from education to creative and digital culture. 

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