frequently asked questions

Find out what you can, about the ICSE and IGCSE Examinations at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, by reading the information provided by the School on its website (www.da-is.org) and talking to current students and teachers. Students who have studied ICSE and IGCSE are equally eligible to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Classes XI and XII.

Although our Classes X students have the opportunity to seek admission to the IB Diploma Programme in Classes XI and XII, the final choices are driven by considerations of their own plans about further learning and future career preferences as well as the School’s standards of academic performance / achievement and norms of acceptable behavior. Those students who do not choose to pursue the IB Diploma Programme do have the option to pursue the Higher Secondary examinations of the Indian education boards - national boards (ISC / CBSE) or the state boards (HSC) at another school / Junior College; some of these students, post Class XII, may also choose to do a professional course in engineering, medicine, management and so on. It must be noted that students doing their Class XII with Indian education boards also have opportunities to pursue their higher education with universities abroad. Thus, certainly, an ICSE Class X student has many possibilities and options.

During the last eight years, about 33% of our ICSE Classes X students have joined the IB Diploma Programme at our School, while the remainder opted to pursue the Higher Secondary Examinations of the Indian education boards.

As a school that offers both national and international curricula, we are uniquely placed to blend the best elements of these different systems at various levels. The school-wide professional development of teachers through conferences and workshops serves as an effective platform to appreciate and share the strengths inherent in both curricula.

These help us to thoughtfully appreciate the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches at the higher Classes and meaningfully carry down and align them to the lower Classes. We believe that this trickle-down effect greatly supplements our efforts of instilling in children an early ability to develop research skills, think creatively, be self-reliant, as well as of creating an intrinsic excitement that will finally make them lifelong learners. Thus, we are able to offer our students a continuum of learning and progression within the school, as well as elsewhere.

Marks are awarded out of 100 for all subjects. The Council encourages a system of continuous assessment by the school and, therefore, all the subjects have an internal assessment component of 20% in the form of project work, while the final written examination accounts for 80%. With respect to the optional subject chosen from Group III, it is divided into a Theory paper and a Practical component, with each being assessed to the extent of 50% through internal evaluation and 50% by way of external evaluation / final written examination. The standard reached in ‘Socially Useful Productive Work’ (internally assessed) will be given grades A, B, C, D or E; A being the highest and E the lowest. A, B, C or D indicates a ‘Pass’ and E a ‘Fail’.

The ICSE Pass Certificate will be awarded to candidates who attain the ‘Pass’ standard in at least five subjects, which must include English. In addition, a candidate must attain a ‘Pass’ grade in ‘Socially Useful Productive Work’. The ‘Pass’ mark for each subject is 35%.