ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern: In this article we are providing students with the essential subject-wise marking scheme and weightage required for strategic preparation. This confirms the continuation of the rigorous dual-component assessment system, which divides total marks between an external Written Theory Paper and a compulsory Internal Assessment/Practical component.
Science stream students must prepare for the established 70 marks Theory + 30 marks Practical split, while subjects like Mathematics and Commerce adhere to an 80 marks Theory + 20 marks Project structure. This final, official marking scheme is the roadmap for all students, detailing the exact unit-wise weightage that will dictate the focus of the 3-hour theory examinations. Mastering this pattern is the single most effective way to optimize revision and ensure high scores in the 2026 final results.
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026:
Understanding the examination structure is the first step to achieving academic success. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) follows a clear, two-part assessment system for most subjects in the ISC Class 12 curriculum.
Core Components of the ISC Class 12 Assessment
The evaluation for most subjects is based on a total of 100 marks and is divided into two broad elements:
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Written Examination Theory Paper: The primary component assessing conceptual knowledge.
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Internal Assessment / Practical Work / Project Work: Evaluates application skills, laboratory work, and in-depth project research.
The following table shows the general weightage assigned to each component.
General Marking Structure of ISC Class 12
The ISC Class 12 examination evaluates each subject on a scale of 100 total marks. The assessment is divided into two primary parts, and the split depends on the subject stream:
| Component | Standard Subjects (Commerce/Humanities) | Science Subjects | English (Paper 2) |
| Written Theory Paper | 80 Marks (80% Weightage) | 70 Marks (70% Weightage) | 100 Marks (100% Weightage) |
| Internal/Practical/Project | 20 Marks (20% Weightage) | 30 Marks (30% Weightage) | 0 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Note: The Medium of Examination for all papers is English, and the Duration of the Theory Exam for most subjects is 3 hours.
ISC Class 12 Detailed Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2025-26
Preparation strategy must align with the official mark split, particularly the change from 80/20 to 70/30 for Science subjects:
Science Stream
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical Marks | Practical Breakdown |
| Physics | 70 | 30 | Practical (15) + Project Work (10) + Practical File (5) |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 | Practical (15) + Project Work (10) + Practical File (5) |
| Biology | 70 | 30 | Practical (15) + Project Work (10) + Practical File (5) |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 | Internal Assessment/Project Work |
ISC Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2025-26:
| Component | Marks Allocated |
| A. Written Theory Paper (Paper I) | 70 Marks |
| Section A (Compulsory) | 14 Marks |
| Section B | 14 Marks |
| Section C | 27 Marks |
| Section D | 15 Marks |
| B. Internal Assessment (Paper II) | 30 Marks |
| Practical Examination | 15 Marks |
| Project Work | 10 Marks |
| Practical File | 5 Marks |
| TOTAL MARKS | 100 Marks |
ISC Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025-26:
| Component | Marks Allocated |
| I. Written Theory Paper (Paper I) | 70 Marks |
| Physical Chemistry | 25 Marks |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 14 Marks |
| Organic Chemistry | 31 Marks |
| II. Practical & Project Work (Paper II) | 30 Marks |
| Practical Examination | 15 Marks |
| Project Work | 10 Marks |
| Practical File | 5 Marks |
| TOTAL | 100 Marks |
ISC Class 12 Maths Exam Pattern 2025-26:
| Component | Marks Allocated |
| I. Written Theory Paper (Paper I) | 80 Marks |
| Section A (Compulsory) | 65 Marks |
| Section B (Optional) | 15 Marks |
| Section C (Optional) | 15 Marks |
| II. Project Work (Paper II) | 20 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
ISC Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26:
| Component | Marks Allocated |
| A. Written Theory Paper (Paper I) | 70 Marks |
| B. Practical, Project & File (Paper II) | 30 Marks |
| Practical Examination | 15 Marks |
| Project Work | 10 Marks |
| Practical File | 5 Marks |
| TOTAL MARKS | 100 Marks |
Commerce & Humanities Stream
| Subject | Theory Marks | Internal/Project Marks |
| Accounts | 80 | 20 (Project Work) |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 (Project Work) |
| Commerce | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) |
| History / Political Science | 80 | 20 (Project Work) |
Language Subjects
| Subject | Theory Marks | Internal Assessment |
| English Paper 1 (Language) | 80 | 20 (Listening & Speaking Skills) |
| English Paper 2 (Literature) | 100 | 0 |
Key Takeaway for ISC 2026 Students
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Science students must allocate significant time to Practical and Project work, as it constitutes 30% of the total score.
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Non-Science students benefit from the consistent 80/20 split, where the 20 marks from Internal/Project Work are critical for boosting the final percentage.
The ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-2026 is meticulously designed to ensure comprehensive evaluation across conceptual knowledge and practical application. By strategically mastering the official subject-wise marking scheme paying close attention to the 70/30 or 80/20 mark distribution and the precise unit weightage students can optimize their study schedules.
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