The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of subjects taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, having been introduced in September 1986 and its first exams taken in 1988. State schools in Scotland use the Scottish Qualifications Certificate instead. However, private schools in Scotland often choose to follow the English GCSE system.
In the education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepare for A-level or equivalent examinations like the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge Pre-U. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the term Key Stage 5 has the same meaning. It only refers to academic education and not to vocational education.
The Leaving Certificate Examination, commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert or (informally) the Leaving, is the final exam of the Irish secondary school system and the university matriculation examination in Ireland. It takes a minimum of two years' preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior Cycle examination. These years are referred to collectively as "The Senior Cycle". Most students taking the examination are aged 16–19; in excess of eighty percent of this group undertake the exam. The Examination is overseen by the State Examinations Commission. The Leaving Certificate Examinations are taken annually by approximately 60,000 students.
A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which prepares students for work as a teacher in schools. A Bachelor of Education program typically lasts three to four years and combines both coursework and practical experience in educational settings. The curriculum is designed to provide foundational knowledge in pedagogy, educational psychology, teaching methodologies, and subject-specific training. Graduates of this program are equipped with the skills necessary to foster a supportive and effective learning environment for their students.
In the Scottish secondary education system, the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. It superseded the old Higher Grade on the Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE). Both are normally referred to simply as "Highers".
The Directorate of Government Examinations was formed as a separate directorate in India in February 1975. Prior to the formation of Directorate Of Government Examinations, the then DPI/DSE was the ex-officio commissioner for Government exams and the department was having its office at Madras only. The first secondary school leaving certificate exam was conducted in the year 1911. This directorate started conducting the following major exams from the year noted against each of them in addition to the various examination.
Education in Mauritius is managed by the Ministry of Education & Human Resources, which controls the development and administration of state schools funded by government, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. The Tertiary education is maintained by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology. The government of Mauritius provides free education to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary levels. Since July 2005, the government also introduced free transport for all students. Schooling is compulsory up to the age of 16. Mauritian students consistently rank top in the world each year for the Cambridge International O Level, International A and AS level examinations. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Mauritius has one of the highest literacy rates. The adult literacy rate was at 91.9% in 2022. According to the 2022 census, the proportion of people with higher education has increased to 8.8%. Mauritius was ranked 57th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023, 1st in Africa.
In India, board examinations refer to the public examinations that are conducted at the completion of secondary and senior secondary education.
Madhyamik Pariksha or simply Madhyamik is a centralized examination conducted by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education in West Bengal, India, at the end of the 10th year of school education. Similarly, one examination is also conducted at the state of Tripura for its students studying in Govt or Govt Aided school under the control of Tripura Board of Secondary Education. By count of examinees, it is among the better-known 10th standard examinations in India. In WBSE, over 600,000 students took the exam in 2000, and the number has increased substantially since then. The number of students reached a record 1 million in the 2011 Madhyamik examination. Compulsory subjects are first language, second language, physical science, life science, mathematics, history and geography.
In the Indian education system of some Indian states, the pre-university course (PUC) or pre-degree course (PDC) is referred to as intermediate or +2 course, which is a two-year senior secondary education course that succeeds the tenth grade and precedes to the completion of an Senior Secondary Course. The First Year of the PUC is commonly referred to as 1st PUC or Class 11th,, and the Second Year of the PUC as 2nd PUC or Class 12th. A college which offers the PUC is simply known as a 'PU college' or 'Intermediate College' which is also referred to as junior college.
The A-level is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational authorities of British Crown dependencies to students completing secondary or pre-university education. They were introduced in England and Wales in 1951 to replace the Higher School Certificate. The A-level permits students to have potential access to a chosen university they applied to with UCAS points. They could be accepted into it should they meet the requirements of the university.
The Model Technical Higher Secondary School (MTHSS) is the pioneer in a group of Model Technical Higher Secondary Schools located in Kerala, India. These schools were established to provide education in the technological and hi-tech sectors.
The Sri Lankan Advanced Level (A-level) formerly called Higher School Certificate (HSC), is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification exam in Sri Lanka, similar to the British Advanced Level, conducted annually by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is usually taken by students during the final two years of collegiate level (grade 12 and 13 or external candidates, after they have completed GCE Ordinary Level exams. The majority of candidates enter the exams via their respective schools, while candidates who have finished school education can also apply as private applicants. The qualification also serves as an entrance requirement for Sri Lankan state universities. The exams are held in three mediums: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
The Sri Lankan Ordinary Level (O-level) formerly called Senior School Certificate (SSC), is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification in Sri Lanka, conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. It is based on the Cambridge University Ordinary Level qualification. An O-level is a qualification of its own right, but more often taken in prerequisite for the more in-depth and academically rigorous Advanced Level exams. It is usually taken by students during the final two years of Senior secondary school or external (non-school) candidate. The exam is usually held in December. The exams are held in three mediums Sinhala, Tamil and English. The exam is the basic Certificate awarded in Sri Lanka as proof of completion of Secondary Education. The GCE O/L examination is an important milestone for students as it determines their eligibility to pursue further studies at the Advanced Level (A/L) or vocational training courses.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by the Government of India. Established in 1929 by a resolution of the government, the Board was an experiment towards inter-state integration and cooperation in the sphere of secondary education. There are more than 27,000 schools in India and 240 schools in 28 foreign countries affiliated to the CBSE. All schools affiliated to CBSE follow the NCERT curriculum especially from class 9 to 12. The current Chairperson of CBSE is Rahul Singh, IAS.
All India Secondary School Examination, commonly known as the class 10th board exam, is a centralized public examination that students in schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, primarily in India but also in other Indian-patterned schools affiliated to the CBSE across the world, taken at the end of class 10. The board conducts the examination during the period of February–March. Previously it was taken in March to April every year. In this exam, mathematics, science, and social science are compulsory, with any two languages. Students can also opt skill subject such as information technology, painting, yoga, music or artificial intelligence. Successful candidates are awarded the Secondary School Completion Certificate, a statement of marks, and a migration certificate stating that the candidate has completed secondary schooling and can pursue higher education. For the academic year 2016–17, the Central Board of Secondary Education has revived the old system of syllabus and marking scheme (complete syllabus for All India Secondary School Examination and marks out of 500. India has state exams and central exams. From 2017 to 2018 and later academics year use old format. The answer sheets are formulated by the teachers appointed by the CBSE because of which the results may vary and cannot be made a strong evidence for assessment of a student's knowledge and understanding of the subject . The result is produced and published by CBSE usually after 40 days of the exams. The exams are easy and a good preparation could be done in 2 to 3 months. Although the exams are given much importance, their results have less to do with the afterlife of students pursuing STEM in India but they can play a major role in the careers of other students. Also, these exams are not competitive and hence students are not advised to take much stress in the preparation and instead should enjoy their time.
The All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) also called Class 12Board Exams in common language, is the final examination conducted every year for high school students by the Central Board of Secondary Education on behalf of the Government of India.
A high school diploma is a diploma awarded upon graduation of high school. A high school diploma is awarded after completion of courses of studies lasting four years, typically from grade 9 to grade 12. It is the school leaving qualification in the United States and Canada.
The Junior Cycle is the first stage of the education programme for post-primary education within the Republic of Ireland. It is overseen by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), and its terminal examination, the Junior Certificate, by the State Examinations Commission.
In Nigeria, the academic grading system scales from A to F (fail). Below is the grading system of Nigerian schools.
