Higher Secondary Examination (also known as
HSC or 12th board examination) is a centralised examination for class 12 students in
Bangladesh,
India and
Nepal. All the
State School Education Boards,
CBSE,
CISCE and
NIOS conduct exams during the period of March–April every year for students in their affiliated private and public schools. The number of subjects, types of examination (theoretical, practical or both) and grading methods differ among the boards and states. Clearing HSC is mandatory for pursuing higher education or undergraduate courses in
India.