Matriculation in India
In India, "matriculation" (sometimes called "matric") is a term commonly used to refer to the final year of high school or secondary school certificate examination, which ends at tenth standard (tenth grade) and the qualification received on finishing the tenth standard (tenth grade) of high school and passing the or the state board exams, commonly called "matriculation exams". Most students who pass out of matriculation, or class 10, are 15-16 years old. Once the Matric year and exam have been passed, students are said to have "matriculated". After passing, a student may continue onto junior college (equivalent of British Sixth Form (16-18 years old)) for Intermediate Exams (equivalent to British A' or Advanced Level Examination). The 11th and 12th standards (grades) are usually referred to as "first year junior college" and "second year junior college", "Higher Secondary", or "Plus Two". Most students who pass out of class 12 are 17-18 years old.
India continued to use terms such as Matriculation Exams and Intermediate Exams taken from the days of the British Raj although these terms were replaced in England itself with 'O' or Ordinary Level Examinations (now called GCSE) and 'A' or Advanced Level Examinations post World War II. Specialising in 3 or 4 'A' level subjects for basis of entry to university; a system followed in many of the former British colonies unlike the American system which has a much broader range of subjects, but to a lower level, for entry to university. The American 1st year level at university is regarded as equivalent to the British 'A' Level. Consequently, American degrees are of longer duration and some (e.g. Medicine) are only done post graduation of first degree course.
The CBSE and ICSE boards conduct 12th exams nationally, while state boards operate at the state-level.