School boards from across the country have decided to follow a common curriculum in science and mathematics for class XI and XII and work towards a common entrance test for admission into higher courses, including engineering and medicine.

To bring uniformity in the education system across the country, the Council of Boards of School Education (CoBSE), the apex body for all school boards and councils in the country, decided to implement the core curriculum from 2011 and work towards the common entrance test by 2013.

"The CoBSE approved the core curriculum in science and mathematics. This will be accepted by all the state boards at the senior higher secondary level. Hence forth, the core curriculum will be taught in the science stream in all schools," Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal announced.

The CoBSE also agreed that the school boards will work towards a common entrance examination for admission of students in higher courses, including engineering and medicine, by 2013.

The government will set up a task force which will decide the modalities of that entrance test.

The school boards also agreed to evolve a core curriculum in Commerce stream. It is expected to be ready in the next three months.