How to prepare for ISC Board Exams 2026 in 60 days
Indian School Certificate 2026 ( ISC )
Exam On - 12 Feb '26 - 6 Apr '26
Prepare for ISC Class 12 board exams in 60 days with easy tips, high-scoring topics, study plan, recommended materials, and common mistakes to avoid for better marks.
ISC Class 12 Board Exams are not far, you have just above 2 months to finalise your preparation to score ful marks. Shiksha offers you a practical, and doable two‑month study plan for last 60 days.
This ISC Class 12 Board Study Plan consists of all that you need form weekly goals, high‑scoring topics, smart study tips to study materials.
The CISCE follows a split between theory and internal assessment (practical/project), 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal for many subjects, while Science subjects are 70 + 30, and English Paper 2 is assessed entirely on theory (100).
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This 60 day plan is made on the basis of consideration of above given fact, and allocate time to specific units that fetch maximum marks in the 3‑hour papers.
- Complete 60‑Day ISC Board Class 12 Study Plan
- Extra ISC Exam 2026 Study Tips For Better Scores
- Required Study Material For ISC Class 12 Exams
- Few Don'ts For ISC Students
Complete 60‑Day ISC Board Class 12 Study Plan
ISC Class 12 exams will be taken from mid‑February to early April 2026, so the study plan should end a week before your first paper for buffer.
According to ISC students who appeared for the ISC board exam last year, the Economics and mathematics subjects appeared to have been the toughest papers for both the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) students.
Following are some tips to improve the writing and presentation skills for the ISC 12th board exams.
- Students must write the answers neatly. The hand writing should be legible.
- Write the answers with proper heading and subheading.
- Highlight your important points.
- Cross out the errors neatly with single line.
- Divide the time for each question to avoid rushing.
- Practice writing the previous year question papers.
Ideal Day in your study must have:
- 2 study blocks for 2 hours each- (core subjects)
- Another 1 block for 1 hour -(English/optional)
- One 30-minute block for revision/test analysis
Weeks 1: Understand Syllabus and Your Weak and Strong Areas
Follow these tips in your first week:
- Download the official syllabus and sample papers for all your subjects. Make a list for each unit so you know what to study.
- Check the marks distribution. Find out which topics has more weightage in the 80 or 70 marks theory exam and 20 marks for internal assessment.
- Solve one previous year question paper of each subject under exam conditions. This will help you find your weak areas. Always use the latest specimen papers if they are available.
- Start with your weak subjects. Pick your two weakest subjects and begin rebuilding your concepts. Make formula sheets, data sheets, and short summary notes for quick revision.
Weeks 2–6: Complete Full Syllabus and Prioritize Important Areas
Mathematics (80 marks theory + 20 marks project):
Start with topics that give you more marks and are easy to score. These include Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, and Applications), Probability, Vectors and 3D Geometry, and Matrices and Determinants.
Physics (70 marks theory + 30 marks practical):
Pay attention to Electrostatics and Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects and Electromagnetic Induction, Optics, and Modern Physics. These chapters are important and often have predictable questions. Also, make sure your practical file, project, and viva notes are ready because they carry 30 marks.
Chemistry (70 marks theory + 30 marks practical):
Focus on Physical Chemistry topics like Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, and Electrochemistry because they have numerical questions that are easy to score. In Organic Chemistry, learn all the named reactions and mechanisms. For Inorganic Chemistry, study coordination compounds .
CISCE is going to increase questions that require understanding and critical thinking in ICSE and ISC Exams 2026. The aim is to enable students to go beyond rote learning & memorisation of facts and move towards the development of conceptual understanding.
Thus, students are advised to practise and get their basics clear so that they are able to attempt such questions without any problem.
ISC 12th exams 2026 will be held between Feb 12 and April 6, 2026. Students must read the tips below to score well in Class 12 exams 2026.
Complete the whole syllabus: The Board has already released the whole ISC syllabus 2026 online. Students must note that nothing will come out of syllabus. Covering every bit of the syllabus will help student get through the tricky questions asked during the ISC board exams 2026. Focusing on one marker because those questions are the key to score 100 and being regular with your studies. Do your best and prepare in advance so you don't panic in exams.
Do at least one revision. Also, do at least the last three years' board question papers per subject to score well in ISC board exams.
Cover Textbooks thoroughly: One of the best ways to excel in the ISC Board Exam 2026 Class 10 is to focus on the textbooks instead of any other books. Make proper notes of all subjects, especially science, and SST. The most important thing to focus on is never to ignore SST. This subject can make your percentage very low as it contains most chapters. Hence, do not neglect it. Keep your revision game strong. It is just about balancing all the subjects.
Utilise ISC time table 2026: ISC date sheet 2026 was released in November last year. Students are advised to use the official schedule for the ISC exams to make a strategic plan and timetable for ISC board exam preparation 2026.
Focus on Revision: Once the syllabus is over, all you need to do is revise your syllabus and solve as many sample papers as you can. However, you can always go back to the basics for a quick run-through. Emphasize on revision and practice sample papers as it boosts confidence when you test yourself.
Practice ISC Sample Papers 2026: Students prepping up for ISC 12th Exam 2026 must note that ISC Sample Paper 2026 are available online. These will make you familiar with the marking scheme, exam pattern, the kind of questions asked in the exam etc.
There are plenty of courses that you can pursue after completing Class 12th in Science stream. Many top Indian colleges admit students to their programmes that require a minimum of 50 percent in Class 12. Sharing a few courses below:
- B.Sc. in Clinical Research and Healthcare
- B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology
- B.Sc. in Nutrition and Wellness Management
- B.Sc. in Medical Laboratory Technology
- B.Sc. in Radio Imaging Technology
- BCA in Cyber Security
- BCA in Data Science and Met averse
- B.Sc. in Operation Theatre Technology
- B.A. (Hons.) in English
- B.A. (Hons.) in Economics
- B.Sc. (Hons./ Hons. with Research) in Animation
- B.Sc. in Gaming
- BMS in Aviation Management
- B.Sc. in Product Design in association with Strate School of Design (Paris, France)
- B.Sc. in Interaction Design in association with Strate School of Design (Paris, France)
- B.Sc. in Transportation Design in association with Strate School of Design (Paris, France)
- B.Sc. in Visual Communication
Some of the top colleges offering these courses are ICRI - Jagannath University, Delhi, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Film, TV and Animation Studies, Jain Deemed-to-be University, Bangalore, etc.
Biology (70 marks theory + 30 marks practical):
Give more time to Genetics and Evolution, Biotechnology, Human Physiology, and Ecology. These chapters are very important. Practice questions from the latest model papers so you understand the question style.
Commerce / Accounts / Economics (80 marks theory + 20 marks project):
In Accounts, practice Partnership Accounts, Company Accounts, and Cash Flow Statements.
In Commerce, learn topics like Marketing, Business Environment, and Finance. Also, practice writing case studies.
In Economics, focus on Micro topics like Elasticity and Market Types, and Macro topics like National Income and Money & Banking. Always check the latest exam pattern for marks distribution.
English (Paper 1 and Paper 2):
For Language Paper, practice essay writing, directed writing, and grammar exercises. For Literature Paper, make short notes for each text and learn important quotes. Follow the paper structure so you don’t waste time. Weeks 5–6: Practice, Past Papers & Speed.
Weeks 7–8: Final Answer Writing Practice and Solving Full Model Paper
Here are a few things you must do in last phase
- Practice full 3-hour sample papers for each subject just like the real exam. Check how much time you spend on each section and how accurate your answers are.
- Revise your weak areas and make one-page quick notes for each chapter with key points, common mistakes, and sample solutions.
- Improve answer writing through long answers. Always label diagrams properly, show all steps in numerical problems, and use headings and subheadings in essays.
- Last 5 days before the exam, do a quick revision of the most important topics. Use flashcards and review solved papers. Do not start any new or difficult topics at this time.
Extra ISC Exam 2026 Study Tips For Better Scores
The points given below will help you in being consistent and practical in your preparation.
- Before starting any chapter, see if it is in the latest syllabus and how important it is. Don’t waste time on topics that are removed.
- Write answers the way examiners like them, so start with the definition, then write the law or theorem, then show steps or derivation, and finally answer with units and assumptions. This matches the marking scheme.
- Solve Model Question papers of the latest question pattern. Solve them before past papers to understand the pattern.
- Practical, project, and viva marks are easy to score. Complete your files neatly, prepare answers for viva, and follow the given rules.
- Time management is extremely important. Write a complete paper in 3 hours. For that, divide the time for each section and keep 10 minutes for review. Focus that there is step-wise marking, even if the final answer is wrong; you'll get marks.
- Revise through flashcards for formulas, reactions, and definitions. Make a timeline of revision after certain days, such as 3, 7, and 14 days, for better memory.
- Make neat and properly labelled diagrams in Biology and Physics. Draw to scale in Geography and add captions. Good diagrams earn extra marks.
- In English, have the exact format of all types of answers, whether long, short, or very short and follow that. For essays, make a quick outline in 1 minute (main idea + 3 points + ending), and use short quotations.
Required Study Material For ISC Class 12 Exams
- CISCE-certified Books and Reference Books For Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology
- Sample ISC Question Papers
- ISC Previous Year Question Papers
Few Don'ts For ISC Students
Here are a few things you should avoid when preparing.
- Don’t use old syllabi: Some subjects have changed. Always check the latest 2025–26 syllabus PDF before studying.
- Don’t ignore internal marks: Those 20–30 marks from projects, practicals, and viva can boost your overall grade a lot.
- Don’t skip specimen papers: They show the latest question style and what skills are tested. Solve them first.
- Don’t write essays without structure: Examiners want a clear introduction, main points in the body, and a proper conclusion in English papers.
- Don’t leave out steps or units in numericals: ISC gives marks for steps. Show your working and include correct units.
- Don’t neglect diagrams: In Science and Geography, neat diagrams with labels can earn easy marks.
- Don’t cram new topics in the last week: Instead, revise quickly, fix mistakes from your error log, and do short recalls.
- Don’t ignore sleep and water: Your brain needs rest and hydration for memory and focus.
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Cover the whole Syllabus: The Board has already released the whole ISC 12th syllabus 2026 online. Students must note that nothing will come out of syllabus ISC board exam 2026. Covering every bit of the syllabus will help student get through the tricky questions asked during the ISC Class 12 board exams 2026. Focus on one marker because those questions are the key to score 100 and be regular with your studies. Do at least one revision and at least the last three years' board question papers per subject to score well in ISC board exams
Text books only: One of the best ways to excel in the ISC Board Exam 2026 Class 12 is to focus on textbooks instead of any other books. Make proper notes of all subjects. Do not neglect any. Keep your revision game strong. It is just about balancing all the subjects. Revise and practice and focus on text books.
Utilise ISC 12th Time Table 2026: Students prepping to appear for ISC Board Exam 2026 Class 12 must download and save the ISC date sheet 2026. Students are advised to use the official schedule for the ISC board exam to make a strategic plan and timetable for ISC board exam preparation 2026. Go through the date sheet to check how many preparatory leaves are provided between exams and prepare for all accordingly. I made sure to complete the whole syllabus and keep only revision bit for the preparatory days. Date sheets are not just dates on which the exam would be conducted, it helps you strategize and prepare well in advance.
Focus on Revision: It is all about revision after a point of time. Once the syllabus is over, all you need to do is revise your syllabus and solve as many sample papers as you can. However, you can always go back to the basics for a quick run-through. This will boost your confidence when you test yourself.
Practice ISC Sample Papers: Students prepping up for ISC Board Exam 2026 must note that ISC 12th Sample Paper 2026 are available online. These makes one familiar with the exam pattern, marking scheme, difficulty level of exam, types of questions asked every year and more.
Make short Notes: While preparing for the ISC Board Exam 2026, students are advised to cover the whole syllabus and also keep on making short notes. These notes would help students utilise their last minute in revising all the important pointers and topics. Students must complete their syllabus before the board exams 2026 begin. During the preparatory holidays, they are advised to revise for ISC board exams 2026 using these short notes. This is one of the quickest preparation techniques that is commonly shared by all board exam toppers.
Relax: Amid all the chaos and hurriedness to complete ISC 12th syllabus 2026, students must understand to relax. Taking short breaks, managing time and taking out some free hours to relax is important. Taking short breaks enhances productivity but while doing so, make sure that the breaks do not stretch since it breaks the flow. Managing your screen time is very important.