IGCSE is roughly Class 10. For a Class-12-equivalent credential, a Cambridge-track student completes IGCSE (≈ Class 10) and then AS & A Levels (≈ Class 12). Plan for both stages from the start.
What are AS & A Levels?
Recognition & equivalence
Recognition in India
- AIU equates A Levels with Class 12 when you pass A Level in 2–3 subjects, after a Grade-10-level exam (such as IGCSE) with at least 5 subjects including English
- Indian universities accept A Levels to meet entry requirements; public universities usually ask for "any 10+2 equivalent qualification"
- An equivalence certificate confirms A Levels are equivalent to 10+2 from any Indian board. Apply at UGC (equivalence.ugc.ac.in); most institutions, including IITs, don't need one if you sat the exams in India
- Equivalence alone doesn't guarantee eligibility: each institution can set its own conditions
- IITs ask for 75% aggregate in Class 12-equivalent exams, or the top 20 percentile
- JEE (Main) needs one language: any A Level language or AS Level English counts. NEET-UG needs AS Level English; IELTS/TOEFL aren't accepted instead
AIU's advisory says equivalence is not granted for qualifications from open, distance, online, virtual, home-study or private-mode study. Cambridge says most Indian institutions, including IITs, don't need an equivalence certificate if you took the exams in India.
Ask your target university what it needs before you plan around it.
Sources: Association of Indian Universities, Advisory to students and Amendments to the policies for equivalence (GC meeting, 30 June 2016), evaluation.aiu.ac.in; Cambridge International, Recognition and acceptance in India FAQ (2025). To check a university abroad, use Cambridge's recognition database.
recognition.cambridgeinternational.org (opens in a new tab)How to register (private candidate)
The same as IGCSE: through an authorised Cambridge exam centre, not a school. In India the main centre is the British Council (some approved school centres also accept private candidates).
- Find your exam centreContact the British Council or an approved Cambridge centre. Confirm they offer your subjects for private candidates.
- Register onlineRegister for your subjects and exam session through the centre's system. Under-18s register with a parent or guardian.
- Pay the feesFees are per subject, set in GBP. Pay online during registration.
- Receive Statement of EntryConfirms your subjects, exam dates and centre.
- Sit the examsAt the centre: the same papers as school candidates worldwide.
Subjects with compulsory coursework or practicals may be unavailable. Choose exam-assessed variants and confirm subject by subject.
Exam schedule
The same series as IGCSE; February/March is available in India. Deadlines are your responsibility as a private candidate, so register early to avoid late-fee penalties.
Fees
- Fees are per subject, set in GBP, and vary by centre and subject (typically a little higher than IGCSE).
- Confirm the current per-subject fee with your British Council exam centre before registering.
How to choose subjects
A Levels reward depth, so pick 3–4 subjects aligned tightly to the target degree. UK universities publish exact subject and grade requirements per course, so check those before finalising.
Common questions
Are Cambridge A Levels recognised in India?
Yes. AIU equates A Levels with Class 12 when you pass A Level in 2–3 subjects after a Grade-10-level exam with at least 5 subjects including English. Indian universities accept A Levels to meet entry requirements, and most institutions, including IITs, don't need an equivalence certificate if you sat the exams in India. Equivalence alone doesn't guarantee eligibility for a specific course.
Can homeschoolers take A Levels as private candidates in India?
Yes. Like IGCSE, A Levels can be taken as a private candidate through an authorised Cambridge exam centre: in India, the British Council or approved school centres. Subjects with compulsory coursework or practicals may be restricted, so choose exam-assessed variants and confirm with the centre.
Is IGCSE equivalent to Class 12?
No. IGCSE is roughly a Class-10 qualification. The Cambridge Class-12 stage is AS & A Levels, so a homeschooler on the Cambridge route completes IGCSE and then AS & A Levels.
Educators for A Levels
Find educators on HomeLearn who can prepare your child for Cambridge AS & A Level exams across subjects.