It was believed that in certain subjects Intermediates were more useful to the students than Standard Grades because the work required for completion was more demanding, and better prepared the pupils for Higher, with a similar format to the reformed higher exams.
Furthermore, the pupils were introduced to Higher work before they had sat their Intermediate 2 exam which also made the transition easier (again this is very much dependent upon the subject).
The Intermediate 2 courses were generally made up of 3 national units.
[2] The main exceptions were English, Physics, and French, with mandatory internal assessments in each.
It is no longer available and has been replaced by a new qualification level called "National 5".