Education

IIE DIGITAL: Schools across the city have started making preparations for a major change in the ISC (Class XII) examination pattern, with students set to face a revised pass criteria from 2027. Under the new rule, ISC candidates will have to clear English along with four other subjects to pass the examination, replacing the existing requirement of English and three additional subjects.

To help students adjust to the new system, schools are introducing additional classes, increasing multiple-choice question (MCQ) practice and placing greater emphasis on regular attendance. Institutions are also advising students not to concentrate only on four subjects but to maintain equal focus across all subjects.

"We have to conduct multiple rounds of revision to help students cope with the additional subject. One more subject means an extra 100 marks, so we have started holding additional classes well in advance," said Gargi Banerjee, principal of Sri Sri Academy.

Several schools have already started implementing new academic strategies. National English School, Calcutta, has introduced improvement classes before regular school hours, allowing students to clear doubts and receive additional academic support. The school has also increased the number of MCQs provided to students for regular practice.

School authorities are also highlighting the importance of maintaining attendance, especially among students of Classes XI and XII who often miss regular classes due to preparation for competitive examinations. Mousumi Saha, principal of National English School, said students preparing for exams like NEET and JEE would need to remain more connected with school academics due to the inclusion of an additional subject.

Many schools that earlier encouraged students to study five subjects in Classes XI and XII are now suggesting that students opt for six subjects. The additional subject, according to educators, can act as a safety option and provide students with greater flexibility in case of difficulties in one subject.

"We are telling students to focus equally on all subjects because there can no longer be an easy way out with the introduction of the additional subject," said Ambica Mehra, principal of Delhi Public School, New Town.

According to school officials, the impact of the new rule will vary across different streams. Science students may not feel as much pressure from the additional subject due to their focus on competitive examinations like NEET and JEE. However, for commerce and humanities students, strong performance in every subject could become more important as those marks may influence their undergraduate choices.

Students have also started adapting to the revised approach. Iraban Sikder, a Class XII student of St Xavier’s Collegiate School, said his school had already been following a similar pattern in internal examinations since Class XI.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), which conducts the ICSE and ISC examinations, has also been moving towards more application-based questions and critical thinking rather than traditional memorisation-based learning.

Students, particularly from humanities streams, are now facing more case study-based questions requiring analysis, comparison and practical understanding of topics. Educators believe the revised examination pattern will encourage deeper learning and help students develop analytical skills beyond textbook knowledge.