ISC Time Table 2026: Complete Exam Schedule, Practical Dates, Admit Card Tips and Important Instructions for Students
Quick Overview: What the ISC Time Table 2026 Means for You
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations released the official ISC Time Table 2026 on 13 November 2025 . The ISC Class 12 theory exams were held from 12 February 2026 to 6 April 2026 .
Results are expected between April and May 2026 (tentative) and the board has indicated improvement exams will follow after results — tentatively starting 1 July 2026 . Keep these windows in mind while planning your revision and post-board steps.
ISC Time Table 2026: Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date / Window |
|---|---|
| ISC time table released | 13 Nov 2025 |
| ISC Class 12 exams (theory) | 12 Feb 2026 – 06 Apr 2026 |
| ISC result 2026 (tentative) | Apr 2026 – May 2026 |
| Tentative ISC improvement exams start | 01 Jul 2026 (tentative) |
Detailed ISC Exam Dates: Paper-wise Schedule Highlights
Below is the paper-wise schedule published with the ISC Time Table 2026. Note the board uses morning and afternoon slots; slot timing matters for travel, food and peak mental alertness.
| Day & Date | Time | Subject / Paper | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Psychology | 3 hrs |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 1 (English Language) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 3 (Drawing or Painting of a Living Person) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 2 (Literature in English) | 3 hrs |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Home Science – Paper 1 (Theory); Electricity & Electronics; Geometrical & Machine Drawing | 3 hrs |
| 20 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Accounts | 3 hrs |
| 21 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mass Media & Communication | 3 hrs |
| 23 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Chemistry – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | History | 3 hrs |
| 27 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce | 3 hrs |
| 28 Feb 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 1 (Drawing or painting still life) | 3 hrs |
| 02 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Environmental Science – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 06 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Biology – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 07 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Fashion Designing – Paper 1 (Theory); Indian Music – Hindustani, Carnatic | 3 hrs |
| 09 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics | 3 hrs |
| 11 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Business Studies | 3 hrs |
| 13 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Modern Indian Languages (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Khasi, Mizo, Malayalam, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Modern Armenian, Tibetan, Arabic, Sanskrit) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Mar 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 2 (Drawing or Painting from Nature) | 3 hrs |
| 16 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physics – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 18 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physical Education | 3 hrs |
| 23 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Economics; Biotechnology | 3 hrs |
| 25 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Sociology | 3 hrs |
| 27 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Computer Science – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 28 Mar 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 4 (Original Imaginative Composition in Colour) | 3 hrs |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Political Science | 3 hrs |
| 01 Apr 2026 | 2:00 PM | Elective English; Hospitality Management | 3 hrs |
| 04 Apr 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 5 (Crafts ‘A’) | 3 hrs |
| 06 Apr 2026 | 2:00 PM | Geography | 3 hrs |
If you have more than one paper on the same day (rare), your school will instruct you on timing. Use the timetable to plan rest days and revision pockets.
Practical Exams: Timings, Communication and What to Expect
Practical dates and exact slots are set by your school and communicated to students. The board has noted that practical question papers will likely be given at 8:45 AM so students can begin at 9:00 AM .
Schools usually fix a convenient day for subjects like Physical Education. If your practical is scheduled on a separate day, your school will give a written timetable and attendance requirements. Keep a digital and printed copy of your practical schedule.
Tips for practicals:
- Confirm dates with your school the week before the practicals. Ask for a written note or SMS for proof.
- Carry your practical record book, written observations, instruments (if allowed) and admit card.
- Maintain a clean, numbered log of experiments or portfolio pages; examiners check records against marks awarded.
Admit Card & Entry Rules: Must-haves on Exam Day
You must carry your admit card to the examination hall. The ISC Time Table 2026 and exam day instructions make this mandatory — no admit card, no entry.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time. If you reach late, the supervising examiner may allow entry only after being satisfied with your reason. No extra writing time is granted for late arrivals.
Banned items include calculators, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets. Carry only permitted stationery and a transparent water bottle. Follow centre rules on bags and identity checks.
Answer Booklet Instructions: LICR Requirements and How to Fill Them
ISC answer booklets use LICR (Live Ink Character Recognition). On the inner page of the LICR answer booklet you must write your Unique ID , Index Number , and Subject in the space provided.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Don’t smudge or overwrite the LICR fields. Print clearly in block letters.
- Fill only the allotted spaces; don’t write UID or index in the margins.
- Write the serial number of each question clearly at the beginning of your answer.
Before you start writing:
- Check your page numbers and booklet code.
- Confirm UID and index match your admit card.
- Use the extra 15 minutes reading time to plan answers and mark which questions to attempt first.
Passing Criteria, Attendance & Eligibility: Rules You Can’t Ignore
To pass ISC Class 12 you must score at least 40% in each subject . You also need a minimum 75% attendance during the academic year to be eligible to sit for the exams.
Consequences:
- Falling short of 75% attendance can make you ineligible; address attendance issues with your school early.
- Failure in a subject may push you to appear in improvement exams after results are declared.
Check your school’s attendance record now. If there are clerical errors, get them corrected before the board publishes final lists.
Improvement Exams 2026: Tentative Schedule and How to Apply
The board plans improvement exams after results. The improvement timetable is tentative and may be released in June with exams beginning around 1 July 2026 .
Sample tentative improvement dates (as released alongside the timetable):
| Date (Tentative) | Time | Subjects | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics; Environmental Science; Sociology; Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| 03 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce; Chemistry Paper 1 (Theory); Geography | 3 hrs |
| 04 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Hindi; Nepali | 3 hrs |
| 07 Jul 2026 | 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM | Art Paper-1; History; Business Studies; Physics Paper-1 | 3 hrs |
| 09 Jul 2026 | 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM | Art Paper-2; Economics; Biology Paper-1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 11 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Biotechnology Paper-1; Accounts; Psychology; Political Science; Mass Media & Communication | 3 hrs |
| 14–17 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM / 9:00 AM | English papers; Computer Science; Physical Education; Fashion Designing | 3 hrs |
How to apply for improvements (stepwise guidance):
- Wait for the official improvement notice after result declaration.
- Approach your school office — schools handle registration for improvement exams on behalf of students.
- Fill the improvement application form provided by your school and submit the required fee via the school. (Fee amount and deadline differ; confirm with your school.)
- Collect and keep the acknowledgement and admit card for the improvement exams.
Because fee amounts and exact deadlines are handled via schools, confirm these details with your school immediately after results.
Preparation Strategy Using the ISC Time Table: Timed Practice & Sample Papers
Use the timetable to build a revision calendar. Place heavier subjects in the first part of each revision week and give practice-only slots for weaker topics.
Timed practice matters. The board recommends you use the extra 15 minutes reading time before writing; simulate this while solving specimen papers. Practicing within the exact time limits trains your speed and strategy.
A last-30-day plan:
- First 20 days: Rapid revision of all topics + one full paper per subject.
- Next 7 days: Focused practice of previous-year and specimen papers under timed conditions.
- Last 3 days: Light revision, formula sheets, and rest.
Sample papers and specimen question papers are available on the official CISCE website. Use them to understand the pattern and marking scheme.
Extra Support & Missing Info: What the Official Page Doesn’t Show (And What You Should Do)
Some gaps remain on the public timetable and school notices:
- Direct CISCE PDF link preview or a printable calendar may not be provided on every page. Download the official PDF from the CISCE site (cisce.org) and save a copy.
- Subject-wise practical marking breakup is often communicated by schools. If you need the marking scheme, ask your subject teacher or the school exam-in-charge.
- The timetable may not spell out contingency or COVID policies. For emergency rules (medical absences, centre closures), contact your school and check the official circulars on cisce.org.
- Contact details for CISCE helpline or regional centres are not in the timetable itself. Visit the official site’s Contact/Regional Centres page to get phone numbers and email addresses.
For students with disabilities or special needs:
- The board provides concessions on a case-by-case basis. Speak to your school well before exams to request a scribe, extra time, or other arrangements and get official permission in writing.
How to Download, Save and Make a Mobile-Friendly Calendar from the ISC Time Table 2026
- Visit the official CISCE website (cisce.org) and go to the ISC 12th time table link.
- Download the PDF and save it in a folder on your phone and laptop.
- To make a mobile calendar: open Google Calendar (or any calendar app), create a new calendar named "ISC 2026", add events for each exam date/time, and export the calendar file for sharing.
- Print one-page timetables for your study wall and keep a screenshot on your phone for last-minute checks.
This helps you get reminders and avoids date confusion.
Exam Day Checklist & Quick Reminders
- Admit card: mandatory. Keep a photocopy and one original.
- Stationery: pens, pencils, eraser, ruler. No calculators unless expressly permitted for a specific paper.
- LICR answer booklet: write UID, Index Number and Subject on the inner page before you begin.
- Reach centre 30 minutes early . Carry valid school ID if asked.
- Use the 15-minute reading time to read all sections and choose questions strategically.
- Do not indulge in malpractice. Sticking money or any such action is treated as cheating and can lead to cancellation or further disciplinary action.
Time management on paper:
- Quickly allocate time per question based on marks.
- Attempt high-value and familiar questions first.
- Leave neat margin marks for the examiner to follow your answer flow.
Resources & Next Steps: Where to Download, Who to Contact
- Official download: CISCE website (cisce.org) — look for the ISC 12th time table link.
- Specimen question papers, syllabi and marking schemes: available on cisce.org under the Examinations/Downloads section.
- For practical marking breakup, improvement exam fees, or special concessions: ask your school exam-in-charge.
- For board-level clarifications (helpline, regional centres, circulars): check CISCE’s Contact/Regional Centres page on the official website.
Before results: verify your school records for attendance and name spellings to avoid post-result corrections.
Common FAQs Students Ask About ISC Time Table 2026
Q: Should I practice specimen papers within the stipulated time?
Yes. Timed practice builds speed and helps you decide which questions to prioritise on exam day.
Q: What is ISC passing criteria?
You need at least 40% in each subject and a minimum 75% attendance to be eligible for the exam.
Q: Can I request a change in ISC time table?
No. The board finalises dates after considering holidays and logistics. Change requests are not entertained.
Q: Are ISC previous years question papers and specimen papers available?
Yes. The board has specimen papers and previous-year papers available to download from the official CISCE website.
Q: What if the roll number in the result is incorrect?
Contact your school authorities immediately. Schools handle corrections with the board.
Q: What if I reach the exam centre late?
You must reach at least 30 minutes before start time. Late entry is at the discretion of the supervising examiner and no extra time will be given.
Q: How do I register for the improvement exams?
Registration is done through your school after results. Complete the school’s improvement form and pay the fee via the school by the deadline they give.
Q: What happens if a student pastes money in the answer sheet?
That is treated as malpractice and can lead to cancellation of the paper or further disciplinary action.
Final Word: Plan, Confirm, and Execute
You have the ISC Time Table 2026 and the tentative windows for results and improvement exams. Use the timetable to build a realistic revision plan, confirm practical dates with your school, and save the official PDF from cisce.org. Keep your admit card, complete LICR fields carefully and follow centre rules.
Stay calm, stick to a timetable, and practice with timed papers. Good preparation and small daily wins will take you through exam season.