ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Marks Distribution, Subject-Wise Pattern & Projects

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Updated on Jul 18, 2025

Shreya Panagria

The ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 includes a 3-hour theory paper for every subject, combined with internal assessments such as project work, practicals, and files. ISC Class 12 Exam Syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of subjects and their respective units to evaluate students’ theoretical understanding and practical skills. English is divided into Language and Literature, each with a theory paper of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks, including sections like composition, writing tasks, grammar, comprehension, and speaking assessment. History, Economics, Commerce, Accounts, and Business Studies follow an 80-mark theory and 20-mark project structure, with History including short questions and five long-answer questions. Mathematics also carries 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for project work, where Section A is compulsory (65 marks) and students choose between Section B or C (15 marks), along with two projects. Geography has 70 marks for theory and 30 for practical and project work. Science subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology— include 70 marks for theory and 30 marks split into practical, project work, and practical file (15+10+5). In Biology, unit-wise weightage is fixed: Reproduction (16), Genetics and Evolution (15), Biology and Human Welfare (14), Biotechnology (10), and Ecology (15). All project and internal work is evaluated by teachers and an external examiner, then approved by the council.

Table of Contents

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Distribution Of Marks
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 English
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 History
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 for Accounts
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern Business Studies
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Mathematics
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Chemistry
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Physics
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Biology
ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Distribution Of Marks

The ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 outlines how marks are distributed across different subjects. Each subject has a set duration of 3 hours for the ISC Class 12 Exam 2026 and includes both theory and practical/project components. The marks for theory papers are combined with project work & practicals where applicable. This structure helps evaluate both the understanding of the subject and practical skills. Below is a detailed breakdown of the marks distribution for each subject.

Subject	Duration	Paper	Marks
English	3 hours	English Language	100
English	3 hours	Literature in English	100
History	3 hours	Theory	80
History	3 hours	Project Work	20
Geography	3 hours	Theory	70
Geography	3 hours	Practical and Project Work	30
Economics	3 hours	Theory	80
Economics	3 hours	Project Work	20
Commerce	3 hours	Theory	80
Commerce	3 hours	Project Work	20
Accounts	3 hours	Theory	80
Accounts	3 hours	Project Work	20
Maths	3 hours	Theory	80
Maths	3 hours	Project Work	20
Physics	3 hours	Theory	70
		Practical	15
		Project Work	10
		Practical File	5
Chemistry	3 hours	Theory	70
		Practical	15
		Project Work	10
		Practical File	5
Biology	3 hours	Theory	70
		Practical	15
		Project Work	10
		Practical File	5

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 English

English will comprise two parts: English language and literature In English. Both parts will have two papers: theory and project work. Theory Paper will comprise 80 marks and project work will comprise 20 marks.

Theory Paper Sections	Description	Marks
Section 1	Write a composition (400-450 words)	20
Section 2	Write an article, review, or report on a given topic	15
	Write a proposal on a given situation	10
Section 3	Short questions and grammar & structure-based questions	15
Section 4	Unseen passages with questions	20

Project Work Sections	Description	Marks
Section 1	Listening and speaking skills	10
Section 2	Examiner visit to test students’ assessment	10

Also Check: ISC Class 12 Exam 2026 Application Process: Important Dates, Fees & Guidelines

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 History

History will also comprise two papers, theory, and project work. Theory Paper will weigh 80 marks, and project work will weigh 20 marks.

Component	Description	Marks
Theory Paper		80
Part 1	Short questions on fundamental factual knowledge and syllabus understanding	20
Part 2	5 long questions, each carrying 12 marks	60
Project Work		20
Project	Project based on case study, local history, field visit, book review, or film review (minimum 2000 words)	20

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 for Accounts

Accounting will also include two paper theory and project work whereas theory paper will weigh 80 marks and project work will weigh 20 marks, as per ISC Marks Distribution 2026.

Component	Description	Marks
Theory	Theory paper with short and long questions	80
Project Work	Project work	20

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern Business Studies

Business studies will also have two papers: theory and project work, whereas theory Paper will weigh 80 marks and the project work will weigh 20 marks.

Component	Details	Marks
Theory Paper		80
Section 1	Short questions testing knowledge and fundamental aspects of all subjects	20
Section 2	Answer any 5 out of 8 questions, each carrying 12 marks	60
Project Work	Project on any teacher-assigned topic, assessed by the teacher	20

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Mathematics

Math will also have two papers: theory and project work, each worth 40 marks. The Math Syllabus will comprise three sections, wherein Section A is compulsory for all students. Students can choose either Section B or Section C and attempt the questions.

Component	Topics	Marks
Section A	Relations and Functions	10
	Algebra	10
	Calculus	32
	Probability	13
Total Section A		65
Section B	Vectors	5
	Three-dimensional Geometry	6
	Application of Integrals	4
Total Section B		15
OR Section C	Application of Calculus	5
	Linear Regression	6
	Linear Programming	4
Total Section C		15
Project Work	Two projects: one from Section A and one from either Section B or C; evaluated by teacher and visitor, approved by council	10 marks each (total 20)

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Chemistry

Chemistry will also include two papers: a theory paper and a practical paper. The theory paper will be of 70 marks, and the practical paper will be of 30 marks.

Unit	Topics Covered	Marks
Unit 1	Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry	25
Unit 2	General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements, p-Block Elements, d- and f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds	20
Unit 3	Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen, Chemistry in Everyday Life	25
Project Work	Project preparation and assessment by visitor examiner and teacher; final approval by the council	30

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Physics

The ISC Class 12 Physics exam 2026 consists of a 70-mark theory paper covering important topics like Electricity, Magnetism, and Atomic Physics. Students also complete a 10-mark project assessed by both their teacher and a visiting examiner.

Component	Details	Marks
Theory Paper	Topics: Electronic, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents, Electromagnetic Waves, Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter, Atoms and Nuclei, Electronic Devices	70
Project Work	Project preparation and practice on a topic assigned by the teacher; examined by teacher and visitor examiner; approved by council	10

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 Biology

The ISC Class 12 Biology exam 2026 includes a 70-mark theory paper covering key topics like Reproduction and Ecology, where all questions must be answered. Additionally, a 10-mark project is assessed by teachers and a visiting examiner.

Component	Details	Marks
Theory Paper	Students must answer all questions. Topics included: Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology and its Applications, Ecology and Environment	70
Unit-wise Marks	Reproduction (16), Genetics and Evolution (15), Biology and Human Welfare (14), Biotechnology and its Applications (10), Ecology and Environment (15)	—
Project Work	Project preparation on a topic assigned by the teacher; examined by the teacher and visitor examiner; approved by the council	10

ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

What is the total duration of the ISC Class 12 Exam 2026 for each subject?

Each ISC Class 12 Exam 2026 paper has a duration of 3 hours for the theory component.

How are marks distributed in the ISC Class 12 English Exam 2026?

The ISC Class 12 English Exam 2026 includes a theory paper of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks.

What is the marks distribution for the ISC Class 12 History Exam 2026?

The ISC Class 12 History Exam 2026 has a theory paper of 80 marks and project work worth 20 marks.

How is the ISC Class 12 Mathematics Exam 2026 structured?

The ISC Class 12 Mathematics Exam 2026 includes a theory paper of 80 marks and project work worth 20 marks. Students must complete projects from Section A and either Section B or C.

What is the mark allocation for the ISC Class 12 Chemistry Exam 2026?

The ISC Class 12 Chemistry Exam 2026 comprises a 70-mark theory paper and 30 marks for practical and project work combined.

How much is the project work weightage in the ISC Class 12 Physics Exam 2026?

The ISC Class 12 Physics Exam 2026 includes 10 marks for project work assessed by the teacher and an external examiner.

What topics are covered in the ISC Class 12 Biology Exam 2026 theory paper?

The ISC Class 12 Biology Exam 2026 theory paper covers topics like Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology and Human Welfare, Biotechnology, and Ecology.

How many marks are assigned to practicals in the ISC Class 12 Chemistry Exam 2026?

The ISC Class 12 Chemistry Exam 2026 includes 15 marks for practical work, along with 10 marks for project work and 5 marks for the practical file.

What is the structure of the ISC Class 12 English theory paper for 2026?

The ISC Class 12 English Exam 2026 theory paper is divided into four sections: composition, article/report/proposal writing, short questions with grammar, and unseen passages, totaling 80 marks.

How is the ISC Class 12 Project Work evaluated in 2026?

In ISC Class 12 Exam 2026, project work is assessed by the subject teacher and a visiting examiner, and the evaluation is approved by the council.

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