ISC YEAR 2027
INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION
COMPUTER SCIENCE
(868)
February 2025
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Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
MISSION STATEMENT
The Council for the Indian School Certificate
Examinations is committed to serving the nation's
children, through high quality educational
endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
a humane, just and pluralistic society, promoting
introspective living, by creating exciting learning
opportunities, with a commitment to excellence.
ETHOS OF CISCE
Trust and fair play.
Minimum monitoring.
Allowing schools to evolve their own niche.
Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
and practices.
Diversity and plurality - the basic strength for
evolution of ideas.
Schools to motivate pupils towards the
cultivation of:
Excellence - The Indian and Global
experience.
Values - Spiritual and cultural - to be the bedrock
of the educational experience.
Schools to have an 'Indian Ethos', strong roots in
the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.
CLASS XII
There will be two papers in the subject: Verify the laws of Boolean algebra using
Paper I: Theory……….. 3 hours….70 marks truth tables. Inputs, outputs for circuits like
half and full adders, majority circuit etc.,
Paper II: Practical…….. 3 hours….30 marks
SOP and POS representation; Maxterms &
Minterms, Canonical and Cardinal
PAPER I –THEORY – 70 MARKS representation, reduction using Karnaugh
maps and Boolean algebra.
SECTION A
1. Boolean Algebra 2. Computer Hardware
(a) Propositional logic, well formed formulae, (a) Elementary logic gates (NOT, AND, OR,
truth values and interpretation of well formed NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR) and their use in
formulae (wff), truth tables, satisfiable, circuits.
unsatisfiable and valid formulae. Equivalence
laws and their use in simplifying wffs. (b) Applications of Boolean algebra and logic
gates to half adders, full adders, encoders,
Propositional variables; the common logical decoders, multiplexers, NAND, NOR as
connectives (~ (not)(negation), ∧ universal gates.
(and)(conjunction), ∨ (or)(disjunction), ⇒
(implication), ⇔ (biconditional); definition Show the correspondence between Boolean
of a well-formed formula (wff); methods and the corresponding switching
`representation of simple word problems as circuits or gates. Show that NAND and NOR
wff (this can be used for motivation); the gates are universal by converting some circuits
values true and false; interpretation of a wff; to purely NAND or NOR gates.
truth tables; satisfiable, unsatisfiable and
valid formulae. SECTION B
Equivalence laws: commutativity of ∧, ∨; The programming element in the syllabus (Sections B
associativity of ∧, ∨; distributivity; De and C) is aimed at algorithmic problem solving and
Morgan’s laws; law of implication (p ⇒ q ≡ not merely rote learning of Java syntax. The Java
~p ∨ q); law of biconditional ((p ⇔ q) ≡ version used should be 5.0 or later. For programming,
(p ⇒ q) ∧ (q ⇒ p)); identity (p ≡ p); law of the students can use any text editor and the javac and
negation (~ (~p) ≡ p); law of excluded java programs or any other development
middle (p ∨~p ≡ true); law of contradiction environment: for example, BlueJ, Eclipse, NetBeans
(p∧~p ≡ false); tautology and contingency etc. BlueJ is strongly recommended for its simplicity,
simplification rules for ∧, ∨. Converse, ease of use and because it is very well suited for an
inverse and contra positive. Chain rule, ‘objects first’ approach.
Modus ponens.
3. Implementation of algorithms to solve
(b) Binary valued quantities; basic postulates problems
of Boolean algebra; operations AND, OR and
The students are required to do lab assignments
NOT; truth tables. in the computer lab concurrently with the
(c) Basic theorems of Boolean algebra lectures. Programming assignments should be
(e.g. duality, idempotence, commutativity, done such that each major topic is covered in at
associativity, distributivity, operations with 0 least one assignment. Assignment problems
and 1, complements, absorption, involution); should be designed so that they are sufficiently
De Morgan’s theorem and its applications; challenging. Students must do algorithm design,
reducing Boolean expressions to sum of address correctness issues, implement and
products and product of sums forms; execute the algorithm in Java and debug where
necessary. Self explanatory.
Karnaugh maps (up to four variables).
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4. Programming in Java (Review of Class XI Examples of algorithmic problem solving using
Sections B and C) methods (number problems, finding roots of
algebraic equations etc.).
Note that items 4 to 13 should be introduced
almost simultaneously along with classes and 10. Arrays, Strings
their definitions.
Structured data types – arrays (single and multi-
While reviewing, ensure that new higher order dimensional), address calculations, strings.
problems are solved using these constructs. Example algorithms that use structured data types
(e.g. searching, finding maximum/minimum,
5. Objects
sorting techniques, solving systems of linear
(a) Objects as data (attributes) + behaviour equations, substring, concatenation, length,
(methods); object as an instance of a class. access to char in string, etc.).
Constructors.
Storing many data elements of the same type
(b) Analysis of some real-world programming requires structured data types – like arrays.
examples in terms of objects and classes. Access in arrays is constant time and does not
depend on the number of elements. Address
(c) Basic input/output using Scanner and Printer
calculation (row major and column major),
classes from JDK; input/output exceptions.
Sorting techniques (bubble, selection, insertion).
Tokens in an input stream, concept of
Structured data types can be defined by classes –
whitespace, extracting tokens from an input
String. Introduce the Java library String class
stream (String Tokenizer class).
and the basic operations on strings (accessing
6. Primitive values, Wrapper classes, Types and individual characters, various substring
casting operations, concatenation, replacement, index of
operations). The class StringBuffer should be
Primitive values and types: byte, int, short, long,
introduced for those applications that involve
float, double, boolean, char. Corresponding
heavy manipulation of strings.
wrapper classes for each primitive type. Class as
type of the object. Class as mechanism for user 11. Recursion
defined types. Changing types through user
Concept of recursion, simple recursive methods
defined casting and automatic type coercion for
(e.g. factorial, GCD, binary search, conversion of
some primitive types.
representations of numbers between different
7. Variables, Expressions bases).
Variables as names for values; named constants Many problems can be solved very elegantly by
(final), expressions (arithmetic and logical) and observing that the solution can be composed of
their evaluation (operators, associativity, solutions to ‘smaller’ versions of the same
precedence). Assignment operation; difference problem with the base version having a known
between left hand side and right hand side of simple solution. Recursion can be initially
assignment. motivated by using recursive equations to define
certain methods. These definitions are fairly
8. Statements, Scope
obvious and are easy to understand. The
Statements; conditional (if, if else, if else if, definitions can be directly converted to a
switch case, ternary operator), looping (for, program. Emphasize that any recursion must
while, do while, continue, break); grouping have a base case. Otherwise, the computation
statements in blocks, scope and visibility of can go into an infinite loop.
variables.
The tower of Hanoi is a very good example of
9. Methods how recursion gives a very simple and elegant
solution where as non-recursive solutions are
Methods (as abstractions for complex user
quite complex.
defined operations on objects), formal arguments
and actual arguments in methods; different
behaviour of primitive and object arguments.
Static method and variables. The this Operator.
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SECTION C (b) Single linked list (Algorithm and
programming), binary trees, tree traversals
Inheritance, Interface, Polymorphism, Data (Conceptual).
structures, Computational complexity The following should be covered for each
12. Inheritance, Interfaces and Polymorphism data structure:
(a) Inheritance; super and derived classes; Linked List (single): insertion, deletion,
member access in derived classes; reversal, extracting an element or a sublist,
redefinition of variables and methods in checking emptiness.
subclasses; abstract classes; class Object; Binary trees: apart from the definition the
protected visibility. Subclass polymorphism following concepts should be covered: root,
and dynamic binding. internal nodes, external nodes (leaves),
Emphasize inheritance as a mechanism to height (tree, node), depth (tree, node), level,
reuse a class by extending it. Inheritance size, degree, siblings, sub tree,
should not normally be used just to reuse completeness, balancing, traversals (pre,
some methods defined in a class but only post and in-order).
when there is a genuine specialization (or
14. Complexity and Big O notation
subclass) relationship between objects of the
super class and that of the derived class. Concrete computational complexity; concept of
input size; estimating complexity in terms of
(b) Interfaces in Java; implementing interfaces
methods; importance of dominant term;
through a class; interfaces for user defined
constants, best, average and worst case.
implementation of behaviour.
Big O notation for computational complexity;
Motivation for interface: often when creating
analysis of complexity of example algorithms
reusable classes some parts of the exact
using the big O notation (e.g. Various searching
implementation can only be provided by the
and sorting algorithms, algorithm for solution of
final end user. For example, in a class that
linear equations etc.).
sorts records of different types the exact
comparison operation can only be provided
by the end user. Since only he/she knows PAPER II - PRACTICAL – 30 MARKS
which field(s) will be used for doing the
This paper of three hours’ duration will be evaluated
comparison and whether sorting should be in
by the Visiting Examiner appointed locally and
ascending or descending order be given by
the user of the class. approved by CISCE.
Emphasize the difference between the Java The paper shall consist of three programming
language construct interface and the word problems from which a candidate has to attempt any
interface often used to describe the set of one. The practical consists of the two parts:
method prototypes of a class. 1. Planning Session
13. Data structures 2. Examination Session
(a) Basic data structures (stack, queue, circular The total time to be spent on the Planning session and
queue, dequeue); implementation directly the Examination session is three hours.
through classes; definition through an A maximum of 90 minutes is permitted for the
interface and multiple implementations by Planning session and 90 minutes for the Examination
implementing the interface. Conversion of session.
Infix to Prefix and Postfix notations.
Candidates are to be permitted to proceed to the
Basic algorithms and programs using the Examination Session only after the 90 minutes of
above data structures. the Planning Session are over.
Data structures should be defined as abstract Planning Session
data types with a well-defined interface (it is
instructive to define them using the Java The candidates will be required to prepare an
interface construct). algorithm and a hand written Java program to solve
the problem.
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Examination Session EQUIPMENT
The program handed in at the end of the Planning There should be enough computers to provide for a
session shall be returned to the candidates. The teaching schedule where at least three-fourths of the
candidates will be required to key-in and execute the time available is used for programming.
Java program on seen and unseen inputs individually
on the Computer and show execution to the Visiting Schools should have equipment/platforms such that
Examiner. A printout of the program listing including all the software required for practical work runs
output results should be attached to the answer script properly, i.e. it should run at acceptable speeds.
containing the algorithm and handwritten program.
This should be returned to the examiner. The Since hardware and software evolve and change very
program should be sufficiently documented so that rapidly, the schools may have to upgrade them as
the algorithm, representation and development required.
process is clear from reading the program. Large Following are the recommended specifications as of
differences between the planned program and the now:
printout will result in loss of marks.
The Facilities:
Teachers should maintain a record of all the
assignments done as part of the practical work • A lecture cum demonstration room with a
through the year and give it due credit at the time of MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR/ an LCD and
cumulative evaluation at the end of the year. Students O.H.P. attached to the computer.
are expected to do a minimum of twenty-five
assignments for the year. • A white board with white board markers should
be available.
EVALUATION:
• A fully equipped Computer Laboratory that
Marks (out of a total of 30) should be distributed as allows one computer per student.
given below:
Continuous Evaluation • Internet connection for accessing the World
Wide Web and email facility.
Candidates will be required to submit a work file
containing the practical work related to programming • The computers should have a minimum of
assignments done during the year. 1 GB RAM and a P IV or higher processor. The
Programming assignments done 10 marks basic requirement is that it should run the
throughout the year (Internal operating system and Java programming system
Evaluation) (Java compiler, Java runtime environment, Java
Programming assignments done 5 marks development environment) at acceptable speeds.
throughout the year (Visiting Examiner) • Good Quality printers.
Terminal Evaluation Software:
Solution to programming problem on 15 Marks
the computer • Any suitable Operating System can be used.
• JDK 6 or later.
Marks should be given for choice of algorithm and
implementation strategy, documentation, correct • Documentation for the JDK version being used.
output on known inputs mentioned in the question
• A suitable text editor. A development
paper, correct output for unknown inputs available environment with a debugger is preferred
only to the examiner. (e.g. BlueJ, Eclipse, NetBeans). BlueJ is
NOTE: recommended for its ease of use and simplicity.
Algorithm should be expressed clearly using any
standard scheme such as a pseudo code.
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SAMPLE TABLE FOR PRACTICAL WORK
Assessment of Assessment of the Practical Examination TOTAL MARKS
Practical File (To be evaluated by the Visiting Examiner only) (Total Marks are to
Unique be added and
Identification Internal Visiting Algorithm Java Program with Hard Output entered by the
S. No.
Number (Unique Evaluation Examiner internal Copy Visiting Examiner)
ID) of the candidate 10 Marks 5 Marks Documentation (printout)
3 Marks 7 Marks 2 Marks 3 Marks 30 Marks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name of the Visiting Examiner:_________________________________
Signature: _______________________________
Date:___________________________________
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