The Indian School Certificate (ISC) is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Grade 11, i.e., year 11, until 1976. Thereafter, the schema was changed, and this examination began to be conducted in Grade 12, i.e. year 12. A student attempts this examination after first completing the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education in Grade 10, although the completion of a recognized equivalent level of education is normally sufficient. The examination has been designed to provide an evaluation in the field of general education. The exam criteria are in accordance with the recommendations of the Indian New Education Policy of 1986, through the medium of English. The Indian School Certificate (Class XII) is recognised by UK universities and so applicants are no longer required to obtain 'A' level qualifications or complete bridging courses, while seeking entry to Universities in the UK and other overseas Universities in the Commonwealth. The Indian School Certificate qualification is the only qualification from India that has been granted this special recognition.