Get ready for a major upgrade in your ICSE and ISC exam journey! The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is shaking things up by proposing a game-changing policy: starting in 2026, students may be allowed to take three or more improvement papers for both ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board exams. Announced on May 28, 2025, this move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to reduce the high-stakes pressure of board exams and give students more chances to shine. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting change, how it impacts your board exam preparation, and how to make the most of it!
Why This Change is a Game-Changer
- More Flexibility: Move from two to three or more improvement papers starting in 2026.
- NEP 2020 Alignment: Reduces stress by offering multiple chances to improve scores.
- Higher Scores: The best marks from main or improvement exams count as final.
- Student-Centric: Empowers you to focus on strengthening weak subjects.
The CISCE improvement exam policy is a bold step toward making board exams less daunting. Currently, students can retake up to two subjects to boost their marks, but the proposed expansion to three or more papers in 2026 gives you more control over your academic journey. This change, inspired by NEP 2020, aims to dilute the “high-stakes” nature of ICSE 2026 and ISC 2026 exams, letting you aim for your best performance without the fear of a single bad day ruining your results.
Fun Fact: CISCE’s new policy could make it easier to score above 95%—perfect for topping college admission lists!
How Improvement Exams Work
- What Are They?: Exams held in July for students wanting to improve their main exam scores.
- Current Limit: Up to two subjects for ICSE and ISC 2025.
- New Proposal: At least three subjects starting in 2026, with potential for more.
- Timeline: Improvement exams typically held in July; results announced in August.
- Scoring Rule: The higher score (main or improvement exam) is counted as final.
The CISCE improvement exams are a lifeline for students who feel they underperformed in their main exams (held February–March for ICSE, February–April for ISC). Scheduled for July 2026, these exams give you a second shot at subjects like English, Maths, or Science. With the proposed change, you’ll have the freedom to retake more subjects, boosting your chances of securing a stellar ICSE result or ISC result. Check cisce.org for the official timetable, expected in June 2026.
Why Three or More Papers Matters
- Target Weak Spots: Improve scores in multiple subjects, like Physics, Chemistry, or History.
- College Admissions Edge: Higher marks can make you stand out in competitive applications.
- Less Pressure: More attempts mean less stress during the main exams.
- Future-Ready: Prepares you for NEP’s flexible, student-friendly education system.
Expanding to three or more improvement papers is a big win for ICSE and ISC aspirants. Whether you’re aiming for a top college or just want to boost your percentage, this policy lets you fine-tune your results. For instance, if you score low in Maths and Biology, you can retake both—and maybe even a third subject like English—to maximize your overall percentage. This flexibility is a direct response to NEP 2020’s push for low-stakes, student-centric assessments.
How to Prepare for Improvement Exams
- Start Early: Finish the ICSE syllabus 2026 or ISC syllabus 2026 at least two months before July.
- Use Specimen Papers: Download 2025 sample papers from cisce.org to practice question patterns.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Analyze your main exam performance to target specific topics.
- Mock Tests: Practice with previous years’ papers to build speed and accuracy.
- Time Management: Solve papers in one sitting to simulate exam conditions.
To ace the improvement exams, treat them like a fresh start. CISCE’s specimen papers and past question papers (available at cisce.org) are goldmines for understanding the exam pattern. For example, ICSE Class 10 exams cover seven subjects, with four compulsory (including English), while ISC Class 12 offers streams like Science, Commerce, and Humanities. Use these resources to strengthen your weak spots and boost your confidence.
Other Options: Rechecking and Re-evaluation
- Rechecking: Available from April 30 to May 4, 2025, for ₹1,000 per paper (ICSE) or subject (ISC). Checks for calculation errors.
- Re-evaluation: Apply within three days after recheck results for ₹1,500 per paper (non-refundable). Involves re-assessing answers.
- Deadlines: Act fast—re-evaluation requests close 24 hours after recheck results.
- Access: Apply via cisce.org or the CISCE Service Portal using your registered email.
If you’re unhappy with your main exam results (declared April 30, 2025), you can opt for rechecking to catch calculation errors or re-evaluation for a full answer script review. These options are great if you suspect marking errors but don’t want to retake the exam. However, with the new improvement exam policy, retaking exams might be the better choice for boosting multiple subject scores.
Challenges and Considerations
- No Dual Exams: CISCE has ruled out two board exams per year due to tight academic and admission schedules.
- Approval Pending: The three-or-more-papers proposal awaits formal approval, so stay tuned to cisce.org.
- Preparation Time: July exams mean you’ll need a focused study plan post-main exams.
- Fee Structure: Improvement exam fees (e.g., ₹500–₹1,000 per subject in 2023) may apply; check updates on cisce.org.
While the new policy is exciting, it’s not without hurdles. Preparing for multiple improvement exams in July requires discipline, especially after the main exam season. Plus, CISCE’s decision to skip biannual exams means you’ll need to make the most of this single improvement opportunity. Keep an eye on cisce.org for confirmation of the policy and fee details.
Tips to Maximize Your Improvement Exam Success
- Plan Ahead: Register early via your school’s CAREERS Portal to avoid last-minute stress.
- Prioritize Subjects: Choose subjects that will most impact your overall percentage.
- Use Official Resources: Download syllabi, specimen papers, and marking schemes from cisce.org.
- Seek Guidance: Consult teachers or tutors to address weak areas in the ICSE syllabus or ISC syllabus.
- Stay Updated: Check cisce.org or enable notifications for the improvement exam timetable (June 2026).
To make the most of the CISCE improvement exams, start preparing as soon as your main exam results are out (expected April 30, 2026). Use the ICSE and ISC specimen papers 2025 for practice and focus on time management to ace the pen-and-paper exams. If you’re aiming for top colleges, every mark counts—so leverage this policy to boost your scores
What’s Next for ICSE & ISC 2026?
- Main Exam Dates: ICSE (February 18–March 27, 2026); ISC (February 13–April 5, 2026).
- Improvement Exams: Scheduled for July 2026; timetable out in June 2026.
- Results: Main exam results in April 2026; improvement results in August 2026.
- Syllabus Updates: Check revised syllabi for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and more on cisce.org.
The ICSE 2026 and ISC 2026 exams are your chance to shine, and the expanded improvement policy gives you more flexibility than ever. With 99.47% pass rates in ICSE 2024 and 98.19% in ISC, the bar is high—but this new policy makes it easier to reach your full potential. Start your board exam preparation now, and use the improvement exams to secure the scores you need for your dream college.
Your Path to Success Starts Here
The CISCE’s three-or-more improvement papers policy is a golden opportunity for ICSE and ISC students to take control of their academic future. By offering more chances to improve your scores, CISCE is making board exams less stressful and more student-friendly, just as NEP 2020 envisioned. Head to cisce.org, download the latest syllabi and sample papers, and start planning your ICSE 2026 or ISC 2026 journey today. Your best score is within reach—grab it!
