Are you an ISC Class 12 student, having a goal to achieve a high score in 2026? Well, this is going to be your board exam, and according to your goal, you must understand the marking scheme. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) organizes these exams with a balanced evaluation to give equal importance to theory as well as practical. Once you understand the marking scheme of the ISC 2026 class 12 board exams, you can easily create a well-planned study schedule, manage time more effectively, and prioritize key topics. Remember that you need to prepare for the exam smarter, not harder.
Along with this, it is recommended to use the good study resources, such as previous years' question papers and the ISC question bank class 12, that are aligned with the latest exam trends. With the right preparation strategy, you can maximize your chance of scoring high. As lakhs of students appear in these exams every year, securing good marks helps you get admission in the top colleges of India. In this article, you will get the answer to “What is the marking scheme for ISC Class 12 board exams 2026?”
Why You Should Understand the Marking Scheme for the ISC Class 12?
If you are aiming to score high in the ISC Class 12 board exam, then understanding the marking scheme will help in the following ways-
Help in Prioritization: Knowing the marking schemes will help you prioritize the high-scoring chapters/topics.
Understanding Distribution of Marks: You can easily understand which section in any specific subject carries the maximum marks.
Boost Your Time Management: The marking scheme guides you in time allocation wisely across different sections.
Increase Speed and Accuracy: It aids you in answering questions more efficiently and accurately without wasting extra time on low-weightage ones.
Breakdown of ISC Class 12 Board Exam 2026 Marking Scheme
The ISC Class 12 marking scheme is divided into 2 major categories:
Theoretical exam- written paper which carries 70-80 marks.
Practical exam/ project work- internal assessment, which carries 20-30 marks.
Here, the marking scheme varies depending on the subject. Let's have a look.
Subject |
Theory Marks |
Practical/Project Marks |
Total Marks |
English |
80 |
20 (Internal) |
100 |
Physics |
70 |
30 (Practical) |
100 |
Chemistry |
70 |
30 (Practical) |
100 |
Biology |
70 |
30 (Practical) |
100 |
Mathematics |
80 |
20 (Internal) |
100 |
Computer Science |
70 |
30 (Practical) |
100 |
Commerce |
80 |
20 (Project) |
100 |
Accounts |
80 |
20 (Project) |
100 |
Economics |
80 |
20 (Project) |
100 |
History |
80 |
20 (Project) |
100 |
Political Science |
80 |
20 (Project) |
100 |
Psychology |
70 |
30 (Practical) |
100 |
What is the Marking Scheme for ISC Class 12 Board Exams 2026 (Subject-Wise)?
English:
-
Paper I (Language): 80 marks (Grammar, Comprehension, Essay).
-
Paper II (Literature): 80 marks (Drama, Poetry, Prose).
-
Internal Assessment: 20 marks (verbal assessments, project work).
To score good marks in English, it is important to practice comprehension and essay writing regularly. You can use ISC Class 12 previous year question papers to improve your speed and accuracy in writing the exam.
Mathematics:
Theory: 80 marks
Internal assessment: 20 marks (work assignments, project work).
Question types: Short-answer, Long-answer, and Application-based questions.
Topics |
Marks Distribution |
Question Type |
Algebra |
20–25 |
Problem solving |
Calculus |
35–40 |
Long questions |
Probability & Statistics |
10–15 |
Numerical |
Vectors & 3D Geometry |
10–15 |
Application |
To improve your conceptual clarity, use the ISC question bank for class 12.
Physics:
Theory: 70 marks
Practical: 30 marks (experiments, viva, project).
Component |
Marks |
Experiments |
15 |
Project |
10 |
Viva |
5 |
To score good marks, practice deviation from previous year question papers designed for Class 12, and improve your accuracy in math-based questions.
Chemistry:
Theory: 70 marks
Practical: 30 marks (experiments, salt analysis, viva
Component |
Marks |
Experiments |
15 |
Salt Analysis |
10 |
Viva |
5 |
It is a good idea to use a structured question bank for class 12 for organic chemistry questions.
Biology:
Theory: 70 marks
Practical: 30 marks (slides, spotting, records, viva).
Main Weightage Areas:
-
Genetics & Evolution
-
Human Physiology
-
Plant Physiology
-
Biotechnology
Commerce & Accounts:
Theory: 80 marks
Project: 20 marks (case study, business analysis, balance sheets).
Section |
Marks |
Accounting Process |
20 |
Partnership Accounts |
20 |
Company Accounts |
20 |
Cash Flow & Analysis |
20 |
If you are a commerce student, you can use the class 12 previous year question papers to practice balance sheet problems and improve your accuracy.
Economics:
Theory: 80 marks
Project: 20 marks (survey, data analysis).
Practice numerical-based questions on national income and related topics by using question banks for class 12.
Computer Science:
Theory: 70 marks
Practical: 30 marks (programming assignments, viva, project).
Section |
Marks Distribution |
Microeconomics |
40 |
Macroeconomics |
40 |
Project |
20 |
What is the Marking Scheme for Practical/Project?
Practical and project exams play a crucial role in maximizing your score. Here is the marking scheme that depends on-
-
Projects Creativity
-
Presentation of Records
-
Accuracy of Results
-
Viva Performance
Students should not overlook these sections. Even a few marks can turn your borderline marks into a distinction.
Read More: ISC Class 12 Economics: Important Questions & Exam Strategy
Why You Should Use Previous Year Papers and Question Banks for ISC Class 12?
-
ISC Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers: Using previous years' question papers will help you identify the exam trends, understand time allocation, and familiarize yourself with the repeated questions.
-
ISC Question Bank Class 12: It helps you to practice chapter-wise while covering multiple question types in different subjects.
Hidden Secrets to Score High in ISC Class 12 Exams 2026
Many students study hard and still fail to secure the good marks they deserve. Here are some hidden secrets to follow to score high in the ISC Class 12 exam 2026.
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Understand the ISC class 12 marking scheme in detail for each subject.
-
Prepare high-scoring topics/ chapters for each subject.
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Solve the previous year's question paper to be well-familiar with the exam pattern.
-
Use the question bank class 12 for the chapter-wise revision.
-
Focus on internal assessments.
Frequently Answered Questions
Q1: How much percentage do I need to pass the ISC Class 12 board exams?
Ans: You need to secure at least 35% in each subject to clear the exam.
Q2: Are practical marks included in the final result?
Ans: Yes, projects and practicals carry 20–30% weightage in the total marks.
Q3: ISC question bank class 12 or ISC class 12 previous year question papers, which should I refer to?
Ans: Both are important. The question bank is beneficial to practice chapter-wise, while previous year papers help you identify the exam pattern.
Q4: Can I get full marks in projects/practicals?
Ans: Yes, you need to maintain records, have proper project work, and be confident during the viva performance to get full marks
Key Takeaway
The marking scheme for ISC Class 12 Board Exams 2026 is designed to check the students' theoretical knowledge as well as practical understanding & creativity in projects. As theory carries 70-80 marks, project practicals carry 20-30 marks, students need to prepare accordingly while ensuring balance. You can use previous year question papers to have clarity about the exam pattern and use question banks to ensure conceptual mastery. This will improve your marks. By knowing the marketing scheme, smart time management, and focused preparation, you will achieve good marks in the ISC Class 12 2026 board exam and get admission in a top college.