The ICSE ISC board exams 2027 timetable is out: CISCE released it on 10 November 2026. ISC (Class 12) runs from 9 February to 8 April 2027, and ICSE (Class 10) runs from 15 February to 31 March 2027. This guide gives the key paper dates and explains the 2027 rules in plain words: entry, subjects, marks, passing, and a study plan. It is written for families in India and for NRI families whose children study in CISCE schools abroad.

Key takeaways

  • The official timetable is out. ISC: 9 February to 8 April 2027. ICSE: 15 February to 31 March 2027.
  • ICSE Mathematics is on Monday 22 February. ISC Mathematics is on Monday 1 March.
  • ICSE pass mark is 33% per subject, and you must pass at least five subjects including English. ISC pass mark is 35%.
  • Private candidates cannot take ICSE or ISC. Your school enters you.
  • The Improvement Examination allows up to three subjects in the same year. Results come in April or May 2027.

When are the ICSE ISC board exams 2027?

Quick answer: ISC (Class 12) starts on Tuesday 9 February 2027 and ends on Thursday 8 April 2027. ICSE (Class 10) starts on Monday 15 February 2027 and ends on Wednesday 31 March 2027. CISCE released both official timetables on 10 November 2026. Results will be declared in April or May 2027 on cisce.org.

Download the official ICSE 2027 timetable and ISC 2027 timetable. Both include instructions to candidates.

Table of official ICSE and ISC 2027 exam dates, maths and physics papers, start times and results Official ICSE and ISC 2027 key dates, from the CISCE timetables of 10 November 2026.

ICSE runs from 15 February to 31 March 2027. ISC runs from 9 February to 8 April 2027. ICSE starts with English Paper 1. ISC starts with Environmental Science. Mathematics: ICSE on Monday 22 February, ISC on Monday 1 March. Physics: both on Monday 8 March. Most ICSE papers start at 10:15 a.m. ISC papers start at 2:00 p.m. Results for both come in April or May 2027.

ICSE 2027 key paper dates

Date (2027) Paper Duration
Mon 15 Feb English Paper 1 (English Language) 2 h
Thu 18 Feb English Paper 2 (Literature in English) 2 h
Mon 22 Feb Mathematics 3 h
Fri 26 Feb History & Civics (HCG Paper 1) 2 h
Mon 1 Mar Geography (HCG Paper 2) 2 h
Thu 4 Mar Hindi 3 h
Mon 8 Mar Physics (Science Paper 1) 2 h
Fri 12 Mar Chemistry (Science Paper 2) 2 h
Mon 15 Mar Biology (Science Paper 3) 2 h
Wed 17 Mar Group III Section A (incl. Computer Applications) 2 h
Fri 19 Mar Other Indian and foreign languages 3 h
Wed 31 Mar Economics (last paper) 2 h

Most ICSE papers start at 10:15 a.m., and Art papers at 9:00 a.m. You get 15 minutes of reading time on top of the writing time, from 10:00 a.m. Be seated by 9:45 a.m.

ISC 2027 key paper dates

Date (2027) Paper
Wed 10 Feb English Paper 1 (English Language)
Fri 12 Feb Applied Mathematics
Mon 15 Feb English Paper 2 (Literature)
Thu 18 Feb Economics
Wed 24 Feb Chemistry Paper 1
Fri 26 Feb Accountancy
Mon 1 Mar Mathematics
Mon 8 Mar Physics Paper 1
Mon 15 Mar Biology Paper 1
Wed 17 Mar Computer Science Paper 1
Mon 29 Mar Commerce
Thu 8 Apr Legal Studies (last paper)

ISC papers start at 2:00 p.m. (Art papers at 9:00 a.m.) and last 3 hours. Reading time starts at 1:45 p.m. Be seated by 1:30 p.m. Check the official PDF for all other subjects.

Who conducts ICSE and ISC, and what is the difference?

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) runs both exams. It was set up in 1958. The Delhi Education Act, 1973 recognises CISCE as a body that conducts public examinations.

ICSE is the Class 10 exam (pass mark 33%) and ISC is the Class 12 exam (pass mark 35%). Both are in English. If you are comparing boards, read our CBSE board exams 2027 guide.

Who can sit the ICSE and ISC 2027 exams?

Only school candidates can sit. The 2027 regulations say plainly: "Private candidates are not permitted to appear for the examination." Your school registers and enters you. The decision of the Head of the School is final.

Here are the main entry rules from the official ICSE 2027 Regulations and ISC 2027 Regulations:

  1. Attendance: at least 75% of working days in each year. CISCE can condone down to 60%, and lower only in special cases such as serious illness.
  2. Registration: ICSE students are registered online in Class 9. ISC students are registered in Class 11.
  3. Subject changes: not allowed after 15 September of Class 9 (ICSE) or Class 11 (ISC).
  4. Age: there is no age limit.
  5. ISC admission: you need an ICSE pass in five subjects including English. Students from other boards need a pass certificate and pass marks in English and four other subjects. CISCE decides their eligibility.

For the next cycle, the 2027 timetables say 2028 entries are made online through schools in August and September 2027.

What subjects can you take in ICSE and ISC?

ICSE subjects and groups

You must take at least six subjects, plus Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and Community Service.

  • Group I (compulsory): English, a Second Language, and History, Civics and Geography.
  • Group II (two or three): Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Economics, Commercial Studies, a Modern Foreign Language, a Classical Language, Environmental Science.
  • Group III (one or two): for example Computer Applications, Economic Applications, Art, Physical Education, Yoga, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

CISCE expects most students to take both Science and Mathematics in Group II. For ISC admission, all subject mixes are accepted.

ISC subjects

You take English (or Modern English) plus four or five electives. The limit is six subjects in total. Electives include Mathematics (860), Applied Mathematics (885), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Commerce, Accountancy, Legal Studies, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

Some pairs are not allowed. You cannot take Mathematics with Applied Mathematics, or Physics with Engineering Science. If a subject has a practical paper, you must take the practical, or the subject counts as incomplete.

How are marks split between internal assessment and the written paper?

For ICSE, the regulations give a fixed split:

ICSE group Written paper (external) Internal assessment
Group I 80% 20%
Group II 80% 20%
Group III 50% 50%

Internal marks come from projects, practicals and course work, marked by the school. For ISC, each subject syllabus on cisce.org gives its own theory and practical or project split.

What are the pass rules for ICSE and ISC 2027?

Table of ICSE and ISC 2027 pass rules, pass marks and grades ICSE and ISC 2027 pass rules side by side, from the official regulations.

The pass mark is 33% per subject for ICSE and 35% for ISC. ICSE: enter six or more subjects, pass at least five including English. ISC: English plus four or five electives; the rule names five or six subjects passed, including English. Both need a pass grade (A to D) in SUPW and Community Service. Grades run from 1 to 9: in ICSE 8 and 9 fail, in ISC only 9 fails. Improvement Examination: up to three subjects. Private candidates: not permitted.

ISC: The regulations say you qualify by "attaining the pass standard in five or six subjects which must include the subject English / Modern English", plus a pass grade in SUPW and Community Service. Ask your school how this applies to your subject count.

What do the grades mean?

Grades run from 1 (highest) to 9. In ICSE, 1-2 are Very good, 3-5 pass with credit, 6-7 pass, and 8-9 fail. In ISC, 1-6 pass with credit, 7-8 pass, and 9 fails.

Is there a "best of five" rule?

CISCE does not set a "best of five" percentage. Colleges and exams set their own rule, such as JEE Advanced (below).

Is there a second exam or compartment exam?

Yes, it is called the Improvement Examination. There is no compartment exam. The 2027 timetable documents set these rules for both ICSE and ISC:

  1. Candidates who Qualified (QLF) or did Not Qualify (NQLF) can take it. Students marked "Absent" cannot.
  2. You can take a maximum of three subjects. This is up from two in the earlier regulations.
  3. You must sit the theory paper. Your project or practical marks are carried forward.
  4. Your school registers you online. CISCE will announce the dates later.
  5. The higher of your two marks counts, as per the regulations.

Regular candidates who do not qualify may re-sit all subjects in 2028, but not later. Students who qualified may take a Supplementary Examination in 2028 in chosen subjects.

Recheck and re-evaluation: both are paid. Apply for a recheck within four days of the result. Then you may apply for re-evaluation within three days of the recheck result. Re-evaluation marks are final, whether they go up or down.

Can students in schools abroad take ICSE and ISC?

Yes, if their school is affiliated to CISCE. There is no private route, so the school must enter the student. There is even a History, Civics and Geography (Thailand) paper for affiliated schools in Thailand. Check affiliation on cisce.org. On recognition, the regulations say only "Schools are notified on a case to case basis", so ask your target university directly.

How do ICSE and ISC marks count for JEE, NEET, CUET and college?

Plan board and entrance preparation together, since Physics, Chemistry and Maths overlap.

Where can you find specimen papers?

CISCE released specimen question papers and answer keys through a circular dated 13 October 2026. Use them to learn the paper pattern and marking style. Mark your attempts with the answer keys.

Month-by-month study plan for ICSE and ISC 2027

Animated step-by-step ICSE and ISC 2027 study plan from November to results A simple month-by-month plan from now to the 2027 exams.

November: finish the syllabus and list your weak topics. December: do full specimen papers, timed. January: sit pre-boards and fix your error log. Early February: timed papers and light revision. In exam weeks, revise only the next paper. After the result, decide on a recheck or the Improvement Examination.

ISC starts on 9 February and ICSE on 15 February, so the plan ends in early February.

  1. November 2026: Finish the syllabus. Start an error log: one page per subject for each mistake and its fix.
  2. December 2026: One timed specimen paper per subject. Mark it with the answer key.
  3. January 2027: Take pre-boards seriously. Finish projects, practical files and SUPW records.
  4. Early February 2027: Timed papers, using the 15 minutes of reading time.
  5. Exam weeks: Use the gaps. ICSE Mathematics (22 February) is two weeks before Physics (8 March). Revise only the next paper.
  6. After the result: Recheck within four days if a mark looks wrong, or plan the Improvement Examination.

Animated timeline of the ICSE and ISC 2027 exam year from first paper to results and recheck The ICSE and ISC 2027 exam year at a glance.

ISC begins on 9 February 2027 and ICSE on 15 February 2027. ICSE ends on 31 March with Economics. ISC ends on 8 April with Legal Studies. Results come on cisce.org in April or May 2027. A recheck must be requested within four days of the result.

Maths worked example: an ICSE-style quadratic problem

Quadratic equations come up often in ICSE Class 10 Maths. Here is one solved step by step.

Question: The sum of a positive number and its reciprocal is 10/3. Find the number.

  1. Let the number be x. Then x + 1/x = 10/3.
  2. Multiply both sides by 3x to remove the fractions: 3x^2 + 3 = 10x.
  3. Bring all terms to one side: 3x^2 - 10x + 3 = 0.
  4. Factorise. We need two numbers that multiply to 3 × 3 = 9 and add to -10. These are -9 and -1. So 3x^2 - 9x - x + 3 = 0.
  5. Group: 3x(x - 3) - 1(x - 3) = 0, so (3x - 1)(x - 3) = 0.
  6. Solve: x = 3 or x = 1/3.
  7. Check: 3 + 1/3 = 10/3. Correct. And 1/3 + 3 = 10/3. Also correct.

Answer: The number is 3 or 1/3.

Show the equation, the factorising and the check, since marks go to each step. For more methods, read how to solve quadratic equations three ways.

What are the most common mistakes in ICSE and ISC?

  • Ignoring internal work. In ICSE Group III, half the marks are internal. Projects left to the last week lose easy marks.
  • Skipping steps in Maths. A right answer with no working can lose marks.
  • Not using reading time. Use the 15 minutes to choose questions and plan.
  • Bringing banned devices. Phones, smart watches, AI glasses and smart rings are not allowed in the hall.
  • Forgetting SUPW. You need a pass grade in SUPW and Community Service to get your certificate.
  • Doing papers without fixing mistakes. Review every paper you sit.

Want a mentor to plan these months with your child? Book a free demo class, or see our plans and fees.

How Asymptode helps you with ICSE and ISC 2027

A qualified mentor teaches your child one-to-one, live online. Lessons follow the CISCE 2027 syllabus for ICSE Maths and Science or ISC Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. They also follow the real 2027 dates, such as ICSE Mathematics on 22 February or ISC Mathematics on 1 March, and the Improvement Examination if needed.

Between classes, your child gets practice built for them. Each worksheet is made from what their last attempt showed they had not understood, at their level, never generic. This is Asymptode's AI-assisted practice. It is written to the mentor's brief and sent only after the mentor approves it.

The mentor marks each worksheet. You, the parent, see what your child understood and what to practise next. So preparation keeps correcting itself toward the ICSE or ISC paper. For English and other non-science papers, the mentor helps with planning, method and practice review.

To start, book a free demo class or see plans and fees.

Facts checked against official sources on 11 November 2026.

FAQ

Has the ICSE ISC 2027 timetable been released?

Yes. CISCE released both timetables on 10 November 2026. ISC runs from 9 February to 8 April 2027, and ICSE from 15 February to 31 March 2027. Download the PDFs from cisce.org.

What is the passing mark in ICSE and ISC 2027?

The pass mark is 33% per subject in ICSE and 35% per subject in ISC. ICSE students must pass at least five subjects including English. Both also need a pass grade in SUPW and Community Service.

Can a private candidate take ICSE or ISC 2027?

No. The 2027 regulations say private candidates are not permitted. A CISCE-affiliated school must enter the student. A regular candidate who did not qualify in 2027 may re-sit in 2028, but not later.

How many subjects can I improve after the result?

You can take the Improvement Examination in up to three subjects in the same year. You must sit the theory paper, and your project or practical marks carry forward. Your school registers you, and CISCE will announce the dates.

Is ISC accepted for JEE Advanced and other entrance exams?

Yes, ISC is a Class 12 board. For JEE Advanced, the official criteria ask for 75% aggregate in five subjects (65% for SC, ST and PwD) or the top 20 percentile of your board. Check the 2027 brochure when it is published.

How much of the ICSE mark is internal assessment?

For Group I and Group II subjects, it is 20%, and the written paper is 80%. For Group III subjects, it is 50% internal and 50% written. Internal marks come from projects, practicals and course work.

Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.

Sources

  1. CISCE ICSE Year 2027 Examination Timetable and Instructions
  2. CISCE ISC Year 2027 Examination Timetable and Instructions
  3. CISCE circular on specimen question papers and answer keys (13 Oct 2026)
  4. CISCE ICSE Year 2027 Regulations
  5. CISCE ISC Year 2027 Regulations
  6. CISCE official website
  7. JEE (Advanced) admission criteria