A Level Update

When considering a child’s education in the UK, obviously the course of study they will follow is of paramount importance, particularly at that key phase just ahead of leaving secondary education at the age of 18. We have covered the courses available to 16-18-year-olds in a previous article but this academic year sees a change to the way A Levels are taught and examined, so we thought a follow-up may be useful.

With the exception of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Design Technology, which are due to change at a later date, A Levels are no longer modular with AS Level exams at the end of Year 12 counting towards the final result. Rather, they are now linear in nature, with examinations at the end of the two year course deciding a student’s grades.

There have also been changes to the assessment arrangements (amount of coursework, controlled assessment, practical exams etc.) for some subjects. For many, with assessment resting on the final exams at the end of the course, the coursework element will disappear altogether.

These new, linear A Levels are designed to be more demanding, with greater subject depth. This depth of study will enable students to have an improved understanding of the subject, and be more skilled and better prepared for university and employment.

AS Levels may still be available at some British boarding schools as ‘stand-alone’ qualifications to be taken at the end of Year 12 but we expect many schools to drop them, in order to release the extra teaching time required to attain the necessary depth of knowledge of their subjects.

As ever, if you have any queries about any UK examinations or would like to discuss your own child’s educational choices, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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