The literacy rate of Odisha as per 2011 Census is 72.9 per cent. In rural areas the literacy rate is 70.2 per cent whereas in urban areas it is 85.7 per cent. The male rural literacy rate is 79.6 per cent whereas the female literacy rate in rural area is 60.7 per cent Education in Odisha is witnessing a rapid transformation. Odisha has faired reasonably well in terms of literacy rate. The overall literacy rate according to census 2011 is 73.5% which is marginally behind the national average of 74.04%. In Odisha, as elsewhere in India, children are enrolled in school at the age of five. The core subjects taught in schools include Science (including Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Computer Science, and Set theory), Social Studies (Geography, History, Civics and Economics), and three languages, which are usually Odia, Hindi and English. Additionally, school children receive training in sports and physical education, as well as vocational training. After ten years of schooling, children at the end of class X must appear in one of the three school examinations; 1. All India Secondary School Examination, which is conducted by the Central Government run Central Board of Secondary Education, 2. Odisha High School Certificate Examination, which is conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha and 3. Indian Certificate of Secondary Education examination, conducted annually by the New Delhi-based Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. Children who appear in either the All India Secondary School Examination or the Odisha High School Certificate Examination have a choice of using Odia or English as the medium language. However, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations makes English the mandatory language. Two years of higher secondary education follow, which is optional. Students, usually in the 15 through 17 age group, have a choice of specializing in the following streams; Arts Science Commerce At this stage, the students get exposed to a wide array of elective subjects. The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts the All India Senior School Certificate Examination and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations conducts the Indian School Certificate Examinations for students in class XII. There are also Junior colleges and Degree colleges in the state that offer secondary education for class XII children. The Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha conducts the higher secondary level examination for them. This educational structure in Odisha is referred to commonly as the 10+2 system. Students who undergo the 10+2 education system are eligible for admission into a college or university in Odisha, and can also opt for other professional training. However, admission into the few top institutions in Odisha, particularly in engineering and medicine, are highly competitive. Students graduating from class XII typically must qualify in an entrance examination in order to gain admission.