ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: Paper Options, Duration & Marks Distribution

ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: The ISC Class 12 Art exam for 2026-27 is a purely practical 100-mark assessment with no written theory paper. Candidates select two out of six prescribed papers (50 marks each): three-hour studio exams in Still Life, Nature, Living Person, Imaginative Composition, or Crafts 'A', or year-long coursework in Crafts 'B'.

Nov 15, 2026, 09:36 IST
ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27
ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27

ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: The ISC Class 12 Art exam for the academic session of 2026-27, leading to the ISC Board Examination Year 2027, is distinctly structured as a purely practical and creative test without any written theory paper at all. Awarded out of 100 marks, the exam mandates candidates to opt and sit for any two out of six specified studio and craft papers, with each of the two chosen papers contributing equal weightage of 50 marks each. 

This format helps candidates in tailoring the exam according to their artistic aptitudes in varied fields. There are six choices available in total: Drawing or Painting from Still Life (Paper 1), Drawing or Painting from Nature (Paper 2), Drawing or Painting of a Living Person (Paper 3), Original Imaginative Composition in Colour (Paper 4), and Crafts 'A' comprising graphic design and calligraphy (Paper 5), each being conducted as a three-hour studio paper, along with Crafts 'B' (Paper 6) assessing the candidates’ year’s portfolio in three-dimensional/textile craftwork.

Also Read:ICSE Class 10 Commercial Studies Exam Pattern 2026-27

ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: Overall Marks & Paper Selection Structure 

Below are the overall marks & paper selection structure related to the ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27:

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Component
Paper Selection
Marks
Duration
Evaluation Mode
First Chosen Paper
Any 1 from Papers 1–6
50 Marks
3 Hours (Papers 1–5) / Coursework (Paper 6)
External CISCE Examiner (or Internal + Visiting Examiner for Paper 6)
Second Chosen Paper
Any 1 other from Papers 1–6
50 Marks
3 Hours (Papers 1–5) / Coursework (Paper 6)
External CISCE Examiner (or Internal + Visiting Examiner for Paper 6)
Total
Any 2 Papers
100 Marks
—
—
  • Total Marks:100 Marks

  • Compulsory Requirement: Candidates must select and appear for any two papers out of Papers 1 to 6.

  • Weightage Split: Each chosen paper carries 50 marks (50 + 50 = 100 Marks).

  • Also Read:ISC Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2026-27: Marking Scheme, Question Paper Structure & Weightage

    ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: Detailed Paper Options, Syllabus Scope & Duration

    The combination that students opt for is dependent on their artistic strengths, such as drawing from observation, portrait painting, imaginative painting, graphic design, and three-dimensional work.

    Paper No.
    Paper Title
    Duration
    Marks
    Core Assessment Scope & Medium
    Paper 1
    Drawing or Painting from Still Life
    3 Hours
    50
    Observational study of a group of arranged artificial and natural objects (e.g., vessels, drapery, fruits, books) focusing on proportion, perspective, light, shade, and texture.
    Paper 2
    Drawing or Painting from Nature
    3 Hours
    50
    Detailed botanical or natural specimen study (flowers, foliage, branches, shells, or natural outdoor scenes) emphasizing organic form, structure, colour accuracy, and detail.
    Paper 3
    Drawing or Painting of a Living Person
    3 Hours
    50
    Live figure or portrait study of a seated/standing model, testing human anatomy, proportions, posture, facial expression, and tonal rendering.
    Paper 4
    Original Imaginative Composition in Colour
    3 Hours
    50
    Creative pictorial composition based on one of several given themes/subjects (everyday life, social themes, festivals, or narratives). Note: Topics are distributed one week before the exam for preliminary sketching, though only the final work is executed in the exam hall.
    Paper 5
    Crafts 'A' (Graphic Design & Calligraphy)
    3 Hours
    50
    Two-dimensional applied design tasks—such as poster design, book cover, greeting card, repeat textile/wallpaper pattern, or decorative calligraphy/lettering.
    Paper 6
    Crafts 'B' (Coursework / Craft Portfolio)
    Academic Year
    50
    Submission of two completed craftworks produced during Class XII (e.g., pottery, sculpture, wood/metal carving, batik, tie-and-dye, weaving, or embroidery), accompanied by preliminary design sheets.

    ISC Class 12 Art Exam Pattern 2026-27: General Examination Rules & Evaluation Criteria

    • Allowed Media (Papers 1–5): Watercolours, poster paints, tempera, gouache, acrylics, oil pastel, charcoal, graphite pencils, and pen-and-ink on full imperial/half imperial sheets of drawing paper (at least 38 cm × 28 cm).

    • Split of Marks for Paper 6 Assessment: While Papers 1 to 5 are directly marked by CISCE at their centralized marking centers, Paper 6 is assessed for 50 marks in terms of a combined evaluation system, in which the Subject Teacher awards 25 marks and a CISCE-appointed Visiting Examiner awards the other 25 marks.

    • Important Parameters for Marking: Examiners mark artworks based on their composition/layout, proportion and perspective, tonal values (shadows and lights), color harmony, technique in handling the media, and originality in interpretation.

    Also Read: ICSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026-27: Subject-Wise Marking Scheme, Paper Structure and Marks Distribution

    ICSE Class 10 Mathematics Syllabus for Board Exam 2026-27, Download PDF Here

    ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026-27: Subject-Wise Marking Scheme, Paper Structure and Marks Distribution

     
    Siddhi Sharma

    Executive - Editorial

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