ISC 2026 Psychology Question Paper for Class 12

About this paper

This is the ISC Class 12 Psychology paper (code 855), set by CISCE for the 2026 board examination. It carries 70 marks, runs for three hours plus fifteen minutes of reading time, and has 12 compulsory questions in three sections. Section A has fourteen one-mark subparts: short answers, analogies, assertion–reason items and multiple-choice scenarios. Section B has seven four-mark short answers and Section C four seven-mark long answers, with internal choices in Questions 2, 6 and 11. Most questions start from a case or stimulus, including an excerpt on 'AI-nxiety' and job loss, a therapist–client dialogue, a graph of attachment styles and anxiety, three Erikson case studies and an exchange student facing crowding. This copy has the questions only.

Exam

ISC Class 12

Subject

Psychology

Year

2026

Paper code

855

Maximum marks

70

Time allowed

3 hours + 15 min reading

Questions

12

Pages

8

Answers included

No, questions only

Paper pattern

• Section A

  14 marks

  Question 1 with fourteen one-mark very short answer subparts, including analogies, assertion–reason and multiple-choice scenarios

• Section B

  28 marks

  Questions 2–8, four marks each, mostly based on cases, excerpts or a graph; internal choice in Questions 2 and 6

• Section C

  28 marks

  Questions 9–12, seven marks each; internal choice in Question 11

Topics covered

• Theories of intelligence and intelligence tests
• Five Factor Model of personality
• Work stress and cognitive appraisal
• Learning and attitude formation
• Personality disorders and schizophrenia
• Attachment styles in infancy
• Group polarisation and social influence
• Client-centred therapy
• Erikson's theory of personality
• Life span development
• Counselling skills
• Crowding and competition

Questions from this paper

1. Name the psychologist who developed the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, and briefly explain the sub-theories of its Experiential type.
2. Examine two ways of cognitive appraisal that account for the difference in people's reactions to the same event.
3. In your opinion, how do construction activities in tribal areas affect tribal communities psychologically? Give four reasons to substantiate your response.
4. Examine any six principles on which Client Centred Therapy has been developed.
5. How has James Marcia described personal identity among adolescents? Analyse the four patterns of personal identity developed by him.
6. Explain crowding tolerance and competition tolerance.