Advanced Levels, more commonly known as A Levels, are subject-based qualifications students can take in the UK after completing their GCSEs. You might have some questions. What exactly are A Levels? Why do you need them? How can they impact your future education and career options? This guide will explain everything you need to know if you’re considering taking A Levels.
What Is A Level? What Does It Mean?
First things first—what exactly is an A Level? A Levels stands for “General Certificate of Education Advanced Level”. They are qualification exams available to students aged 16-18 and are typically taken during Years 12 and 13 or what’s commonly called “sixth form” in the UK education system. A Levels build upon subject content you’ve learned in your GCSEs to provide specialized, advanced knowledge.
Unlike GCSEs where you may have taken a wide range of mandatory subjects, A Levels allow you to specifically focus on 3-4 subjects of your choice to study in further depth. The variety of course options span STEM topics like biology, chemistry, physics, and math to humanities such as English, history, economics, law, and more. There are even some less-traditional subjects available from psychology to photography to physical education.
What You Can Do After A Levels?
Once you’ve completed your A Levels, you may be wondering—what comes next? Fortunately, strong A Level performance unlocks a myriad of promising path options either for higher education, work, or other growth opportunities. Here are some top prospects:
- Apply for University Degree Courses: The most popular path students take after A Levels is to apply for undergraduate university degrees in the UK or abroad. Competitive degrees often require certain A Level grades and subjects for admission.
- Take a Gap Year: Some students decide to take a year off after A Levels to travel, volunteer, work internships, or pursue other interests before applying for university. This can help clarify future career directions.
- Apply for Apprenticeships: There are higher apprenticeship programs in certain fields like engineering, finance, tech, and healthcare that accept A Levels. These provide an alternate path to jumpstart hands-on careers.
- Begin Entry-Level Careers: Although university remains the most common next step, some employers are open to hiring A Level graduates for associate positions and providing additional vocational training.
No matter which path above most appeals after completing this major educational milestone, the knowledge, credentials, and opportunities unlocked by strong A-level performance will serve any student well on their way to future success and fulfillment.
How Are A Levels Graded?
A key question students have about A Levels revolves around how the qualifications are scored and graded. Understanding the grading methodology and what achievement thresholds are required for admission to top university programs is critical. Here is an overview of how A Level grading works:
| A Level Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A* | 90%+ |
| A | 80-89% |
| B | 70-79% |
| C | 60-69% |
| D | 50-59% |
| E | 40-49% |
Grading in A Level follows a universal scale from A* to E, with A* being the highest and E as the minimum passing grade. Percentages required to secure top Bangladesh universities range:
Best A-Level Subject Combinations
While choosing subjects aligned to abilities and aspirations is crucial, students should also consider complementary pairings for a well-rounded academic experience. Certain mixtures of sciences, humanities, math, and languages signal competency across diverse disciplines.
Here are some of the top combined A Level subject suggestions for popular university courses:
Medicine: Chemistry + Biology + Math/Physics
Engineering: Math + Physics + Further Math
Computer Science: Math + Physics + Computing
Business/Economics: Math + Economics + Business
Humanities (History, English etc.): Corresponding subject + Foreign Language + Politics/Sociology/Geography Law: English Lit + History + Politics
Blending Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) quantitative prowess with humanities and arts allows you to develop versatile, marketable skill sets. When in doubt, find the mixture offering the most intellectual stimulation. Success follows passion.
What Should You Do If You Fail A Level?
Despite best efforts, some students may unfortunately receive disappointing grades in one or more A Levels. Rather than losing all hope for your future prospects, there are constructive next steps to consider if you need to retake exams or readjust your goals.
- Speak to Your Teachers: Have candid conversations with your teachers to reflect on learnings from your initial attempt. Identify knowledge gaps and study strategy adjustments needed to improve marks upon retaking.
- Retake Exams: Most students who fail an exam choose to enroll in A Level classes again the following year and retake exams to earn higher grades. The extra prep time and experience often leads to increased success.
- Consider Apprenticeships: Alternatively to university, explore apprenticeship programs related to your interests that may accept you based on your overall academic profile including GCSE’s and other qualifications.
- Research Lower Requirement Universities: Some universities accept minimum grade thresholds below top tier institutions. Explore degree programs aligned to your strengths that remain viable options if A Level marks fall short of expectations.
Rather than being discouraged by setbacks, leverage the experience to fuel resilience and a renewed strategic approach to fulfill your potential. Reflect, ask for help from mentors, and take proactive steps adjusted to your unique situation and capabilities.
Conclusion
As a pivotal milestone exam in a student’s academic journey, A Levels unlock countless opportunities to shape promising careers and continued higher learning. The advanced knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and proven performance indicators represent significant maturation as a scholar.
While the elevated complexity and stakes involved understandably trigger some unease, dedicating consistent efforts towards your interests and expanding intellect pays major dividends. Trust the process. Lean on teachers and mentors. And remember to stay balanced through extracurricular outlets, self-care and celebrating small wins.
FAQs
Q: How do A Levels compare to International Baccalaureate (IB) exams?
A: The IB and A Levels ultimately serve similar purposes for post-secondary qualifications but IB covers a broader, well-rounded curriculum. A Level goes into further depth on specific academic disciplines. Check with prospective universities on whether they have preferences between the two.
Q: Can you take A Level exams without completing the two years of courses?
A: Most students complete qualifying A Level courses over Years 12 and 13 prior to exams. However, some opt for independent home study or cram schools to self-prepare for the tests without formal classes.
Q: If resitting an exam, does your new or old grade appear on academic records?
A: When retaking an A Level exam, universities you apply to will see all attempts from your academic transcript. In some cases, certain schools will discount an improved resit grade if the initial mark fails to meet their standards.
