How to Score 95% in ISC Class 12 Board Exams

Getting into a good college is tougher than ever. Most top universities and entrance exams now have cut-offs above 95%. That means scoring well in your ISC class 12 exams is not just important—it is essential. These marks open the doors to your dream college, scholarships, and a good future.

We get it. Balancing a heavy syllabus, managing expectations, and finding time to rest can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry. Scoring 95% or more is achievable with the right plan and mindset.

Wondering how to score 95% in ISC class 12 exams? This guide is your ultimate roadmap to success. We’ll cover everything from understanding the exam pattern to creating a personalised  ISC class 12 board exam strategy. Follow along, and let’s work together to turn your goals into reality.

Understanding the ISC Class 12 Exam Pattern

Every student appearing for the ISC 2025 exams needs to take English as a compulsory subject. Along with it, you can choose three, four, or five elective subjects based on your stream and interests. Students can take up a maximum of six subjects (including English). To pass the ISC class 12 exams, you must score at least 40% in each subject.

Find a detailed marking scheme for all the subjects in the table below.

Now that you know the exam pattern make sure it is at your fingertips. It is the key to managing your time and energy effectively. For example, if a subject has more theory marks, you know you need to focus more on concepts and written practice. Knowing these details allows you to study smarter, not harder.

Also Read: ISC Class 12 Date Sheet 2025

ISC Class 12 Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy

Every subject requires a different approach to be tackled. Let us break down the ISC class 12 board exam strategy for each subject across the three streams: science, commerce, and arts.

Science Stream

1. Physics

• Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorisation. 
• Practice numerical questions regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
• Draw and practise clear, labelled diagrams that are there in your syllabus.
• Create a separate notebook of important formulas and units and revise it regularly.

2. Chemistry

• Memorise chemical reactions, equations, and the periodic table.
• Organic chemistry seems challenging to a lot of students so tackle that first. Be thorough with the names, reactions, functional groups, and mechanisms.
• Practice balancing chemical equations and doing calculations for molarity and normality.
• Revise diagrams regularly for structural formulas and reactions.

3. Mathematics

• Calculus, algebra, and coordinate geometry are topics that carry more weight. Solve as many problems as you can from these chapters to avoid end-moment confusion. 
• Keep a separate formula notebook. This helps you to quickly revise important equations and concepts.
• Dedicate 1-2 hours daily for practice if you are weak in this subject.
• Practice sketching graphs neatly, as they often carry significant marks.
• Work on time management by setting time limits for solving questions.

4. Biology

• Revise diagrams regularly—being able to draw and label them accurately will score you extra marks.
• Do not just memorise; try to connect concepts for better understanding.
• Keep a list of important terms and their definitions for quick revision.
• Solve previous year’s question papers to identify recurring questions.

Commerce Stream

1. Accounts

• First things first, focus on grasping basic accounting principles: journal entries, ledgers, trial balances, and final accounts.
• Practise problems on partnership accounts, cash flow statements, and depreciation.
• Revise adjustments and accounting for errors.
• Create an ISC exam preparation checklist of important topics and make sure you have covered them all.

2. Business Studies

• Practise important case studies for each chapter and supplement them with real-life examples of business scenarios.
• Practice answering questions in a structured format. Take the help of various sample papers to understand how to structure and improve your answers.
• Work on time management as questions often require detailed answers.

3. Economics

• Understand the basic economic terms better by taking reference to real-world applications.
• Focus on microeconomics and macroeconomics chapters that carry more marks like demand-supply, production, national income, and inflation.
• Work on shortcuts and time-saving methods to solve complex problems on elasticity, index numbers, and GDP.
• Revise definitions, key concepts, and graphs to explain economic theories.
• Solve case studies and past papers to strengthen your application of concepts.

Arts Stream

1. History

• Create a timeline of important events to better memorise dates.
• Focus on key topics like world history, the Indian freedom struggle, and post-independence India.
• Practice writing long-answer questions within a time limit. Ensure they are structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Revise key figures, movements, and historical facts regularly.

2. Political Science

• Focus on understanding the structure of the Indian government and key political theories.
• Revise major topics like the Constitution, fundamental rights, and governance.
• Read current affairs to relate theory with practical scenarios.
• Work on answer-writing practice, keeping answers crisp yet detailed.
• Use flowcharts to explain political concepts better.

3. Geography

• Focus on understanding maps and geographical features like rivers, mountains, and climate zones to clear conceptual knowledge.
• Work on your map work skills, as this often carries a lot of marks.
• Labelled diagrams and keywords with explanations makeup 60% of the syllabus. Ensure that you have that cleared.

Creating an Effective Study Plan for Class 12 ISC Exam Preparation

A solid study plan is the key to success. Here is how to craft one:

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Decide what you want to achieve each day, week and month. Whether it is finishing a chapter or solving question papers, you need to fix your mind on what you want to do. 

Step 2: Prioritise Subjects

Focus more on subjects that are harder or carry more marks. Don’t ignore the easy ones, but spend extra time on the tough ones.

Step 3: Make a Timetable

Set a daily routine with dedicated study hours. Include time for breaks so you don’t burn out.

Step 4: Balance Study and Rest

The Pomodoro technique (25-minute study sessions with 5-minute breaks) can be helpful.

Step 5: Revise Regularly

Set aside time each day to review what you learned the day before. This helps lock the information in your memory.

Step 6: Practice with Past Papers

Include solving previous years’ question papers and sample papers to understand the exam pattern and revise better.

Step 7: Stay Flexible

Be ready to tweak your plan if needed. Things might not go as you planned, so adjust your schedule to stay on track without stressing.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practising past question papers and sample papers boosts confidence and improves time management. Use these last-minute ISC exam success tips to help with your revision and practice:

• Solve past question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and commonly asked questions.

• Solve at least 5-10 PYQs for each subject when the exam approaches.

• Use ISC sample papers to understand the format of the current year and practise time management.

• Set a timer when solving sample papers to improve speed and efficiency.

• Take mock tests to simulate exam conditions and build confidence.

• After each test, review your answers to spot mistakes and learn from them.

• Focus on weak areas identified in mock tests and past papers to improve.

• Track your progress regularly to see where you’re improving and where you need more practice.

• Practice regularly to reduce exam anxiety and boost your overall performance.

Revision Techniques That Work

Your percentage greatly depends on your revision during the final lap of ISC class 12 exam preparation. It could either make or break your exam preparation. Take a look at some of the ISC exam scoring strategies you can adopt:

1. Spaced repetition

• Spread out your study sessions instead of cramming.
• Review the material after increasing intervals—1 day, 3 days, 7 days, etc.
• Use tools like flashcards for maximum efficiency.

2. Active recall

• Actively test yourself rather than just rereading notes.
• Close your book and try to recall the key points.
• Use practice questions or explain topics out loud to yourself or a friend.

3. Concise notes

• Summarise long chapters into bite-sized notes.
• Use bullet points, diagrams, or flowcharts.
• Highlight only the most important details to avoid overwhelming yourself.

4. Mind maps

• Draw mind maps to connect ideas visually.
• Start with a central topic and branch out to subtopics.
• This helps you see the bigger picture and makes it easier to remember.

5. Create a revision schedule

• Break your syllabus into manageable chunks.
• Assign specific topics to specific days.
• Include buffer days for flexibility and review sessions.

6 Mix It Up

• Alternate subjects to avoid monotony.
• Use videos, quizzes, and discussion groups for variety.

Exam Time Management Tips

Time is your biggest asset on exam day. Here are some ISC 12th board exam tips you can use:

1. Bring a watch to the exam hall to keep track of time.

2. In your reading time, try solving the MCQs and short answer-type questions in your mind. This will help you focus on lengthy questions later on.

3. Try to attempt high-weightage questions first. However, your priority should be to start with questions you’re confident about.

4. Allocate specific minutes per question. Use the last 10 minutes for revision.

5. If stuck, move on to the next question and return later to avoid wasting time.

Additional Resources for Preparation

Preparing for exams can feel like climbing a mountain, but the right resources can make the journey smoother. Here are a few tried-and-tested ones you can count on:

Oswal Publishers’ ISC class 12 books

• Includes sample papers, solved papers, and question banks.
• Curated by subject experts to give you the perfect guidance.
• Covers A-Z of the syllabus to help you feel well-prepared.

oswal.io

• It is a super convenient online platform for Test Practice.
• Access study materials, quizzes, and tools anytime, anywhere.
• Great for those who prefer digital resources.

Study groups

• Join groups with friends, classmates, or even online communities.
• Discussing tough topics helps clear doubts and strengthen understanding.
• Explaining concepts to others is also a great way to remember them.

These resources act as a catalyst for your ISC class 12 exam preparation. Try them out and see which ones work best for you!

Conclusion

Scoring 95% in ISC class 12 is achievable with consistent effort, strategic preparation, and a positive mindset. You can maximise your potential by understanding the exam pattern, practising extensively, and revising smartly. Remember, your hard work and determination are your greatest assets. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and aim for excellence. Best of luck!

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