Bethany Junior College: ISC Frequently Asked Questions

These are the questions students and parents ask most often when applying to Classes 11 and 12 at Bethany Junior College. The college follows the ISC curriculum of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). Board rules change from time to time; the council's regulations and syllabuses for each examination year are on cisce.org and take precedence over any summary here.

Jump to: Admission | Science | Commerce | Humanities | English | General

Admission

What marks are needed for each stream? As a guide, the college has looked for 90 per cent and above for Science, 85 per cent and above for Commerce and 80 per cent and above for Humanities in Class 10, with 80 per cent and above in English. The admissions office confirms the criteria for each admission year.

Are there conditions for particular subjects? As a guide: about 80 per cent in Mathematics for ISC Mathematics, and 90 per cent and above in English Literature at ICSE for Elective English. Please confirm with the admissions office.

Who is the Science stream suited to? Students with a strong base in science who are willing to work consistently. Mathematics suits those who enjoy logical, application-based problems and will practise daily. Biology suits those who are comfortable with diagrams and interested in plant and animal science.

Who is the Commerce stream suited to? Students who are organised and systematic. Those who took commercial subjects in Class 10, or who are comfortable with numbers, usually find Accountancy and Economics easier to pick up.

Who is the Humanities stream suited to? Students who enjoy reading and writing. The subjects are theory-based and reward regular study.

For help deciding, read choosing the right stream in junior college.

Science

Which subject combinations are offered? English with four core subjects. The combinations offered have been:

Is there a second language? No. English is the only language studied, which leaves more time for the core subjects.

If I drop Mathematics, can I take it up later? No. A student who takes Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Home Science cannot study Mathematics at degree level and is not eligible for engineering courses.

Can a Science student move to Commerce or Humanities for a degree? Yes.

How are the science subjects assessed? Physics, Chemistry and Biology each have a theory paper of 70 marks and practical work of 30 marks. The practical component includes a laboratory examination and a project and record. Practical examinations are overseen by an external examiner appointed by the council. Students have laboratory classes every week.

How is Mathematics assessed? A theory paper of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks. Science and Commerce students follow the same Mathematics syllabus. The paper has a compulsory section and a choice between a section suited to science and engineering and one suited to commerce and economics.

Do I need to have taken Computer Applications in Class 10 to choose Computer Science? No. The course starts with the basics of Java programming and moves on to object-oriented programming and data structures.

Does the college coach for JEE, NEET or other entrance examinations? No. The college teaches the ISC syllabus in depth. Some students attend outside coaching alongside; this needs discipline with class work, homework and tests. Our article on whether ICSE and ISC are good for NEET and JEE explains how the syllabuses relate.

Will college examinations clash with JEE Main? The department plans its examination timetable to avoid clashes with entrance examination dates.

Commerce

Which subjects are offered? Accountancy, Commerce, Business Studies, Economics and Mathematics, with English.

Is Mathematics compulsory for Commerce? No, it is optional. It is an advantage for students considering degrees that combine Economics, Statistics or Computer Science, and for professional courses such as Chartered Accountancy.

What does Accountancy cover? In Class 11: journal, ledger and trial balance, bank reconciliation, depreciation, bills of exchange, final accounts, rectification of errors, accounts from incomplete records and non-trading organisations. In Class 12: partnership accounts, company accounts including shares and debentures, and a choice between management accounting and computerised accounting.

How are Accountancy and Commerce assessed? Each has a theory paper of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks. In Commerce, students complete two projects chosen from the topics listed in the syllabus.

Is Commerce a theory subject? Commerce and Business Studies are largely theory, with projects that apply it. Accountancy is practical and numerical.

Can I become a Chartered Accountant without Mathematics? Mathematics at Class 12 is not a requirement for the CA route, but the foundation level includes quantitative aptitude, so comfort with numbers helps. Check the current rules of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Students interested in how business ideas are tried out in school can read entrepreneurship in school.

Humanities

Which subjects are offered? Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Home Science, Art, Physical Education and Elective English, with English.

How are these subjects assessed? Economics has a theory paper of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks. Psychology, Sociology, Home Science and Physical Education each have a theory paper of 70 marks and practical or project work of 30 marks.

Do Physical Education students have to come early or stay late? No. Practice is held during class hours. Board practicals are assessed by an external examiner.

What is expected of Elective English students? Wide reading and regular writing. Students study prescribed texts in depth. See the admission section for the entry condition.

English

What does compulsory English consist of? Two papers: English Language (Paper 1) and Literature in English (Paper 2).

How are they marked? Each paper has a written examination of 80 marks and project work of 20 marks.

Do good Class 10 English marks help? A sound base helps, but the step up in Classes 11 and 12 is significant, particularly in Literature. Regular reading of the prescribed texts matters more than previous marks.

Can I rely on online study guides if I miss a class? No. Summaries do not replace reading the text or the class discussion. Ask the teacher for the work missed.

General

How many subjects do ISC students take? English and, at Bethany, four other subjects.

What are the pass requirements? CISCE sets these and has revised them for the 2027 examination onwards. Please read the current regulations on cisce.org or ask the Junior College office.

Where can I see the full syllabus and regulations? On cisce.org, under Regulations and Syllabuses, for the relevant examination year.

How do I apply? See the Junior College page or contact the admissions office through admissions.

Other useful reading: what is junior college and ISC vs PUC for university recognition.