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Everything You Need To Know About the A-Levels

08/08/2023•14 minute read

International A Levels, a sought-after educational program offered in renowned high schools worldwide, serves as a stepping stone for students aiming to secure admission to top-tier universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge. Most students and parents would have heard about A Levels from one place or another, but very few people actually know exactly what this pathway entails. This article will provide you with everything you need to know about the International A-Levels. In this article, we’ll delve into the diverse range of subjects available, shed light on the grading system, and demonstrate how this esteemed pathway unlocks opportunities to prestigious universities across the globe.

What are A-Levels?

Advanced Levels (usually called A Levels) are qualifications in particular subjects that are usually the final academic courses taken before a student attends university. You can study three or more A-levels over the final two years before commencing university. A-Levels are assessed using a set of examinations. Although A-Levels are a UK-based qualification, they are the most widely accepted qualification worldwide.

What subjects can you take?

There are a range of subjects you can take while pursuing an A-Level qualification. The most popular courses include:

Mathematics
Further Mathematics
English Literature
English Language
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History
Economics
Business
Psychology
Law

For a complete list of A-Level courses refer to the CIE’s official website.

You also have the ability to take your A-Levels completely online. Crimson Global Academy (CGA) is a global online school with the mission to provide premium education without the constraints of physical schooling. CGA offers very close support for students in selecting A Level subjects: this is vital because future courses at university and future careers will often have specific requirements for A Level subjects. We can provide expert advice in this important area.

Distinction between Cambridge and Edexcel

The International A Levels are based on the UK high school education system. Edexcel and Cambridge are just two different organizations that provide an internationally adapted version of the British high school education to a global student base.

What is Crimson Global Academy?

Structure and Format of A Level Qualification

The A Level is broken down into two parts: the AS Level and A2 Level:

The first year of your A Level qualification is known as the AS Level with a set of examinations at the end of the year.
The second year of your A Level is known as the A2 Level with another set of examinations at the end of the year.

If you choose to take an AS Level subject and its exams without sitting the A2 Level the next year, you won’t complete the A Level qualification and instead receive just the AS qualification.

Typically, students take 4-5 AS Level subjects in their second to last year of high school. They will then go on to take 3-4 of those subjects at the A2 Level, often taking extra subjects at AS Level to fill up their timetable (without completing the full A Level) in their final year of high school.

While this is the typical timeline for studying A Levels, if you’re interested in competing for spots at the top US universities, not even 4 A Levels will be enough for you to stand out from the competitive applicant pool.

How are A-Levels Assessed?

The majority of Edexcel/ Cambridge AS and A Level subjects are externally assessed, with exams offered in June and November for Cambridge and June, October, and January for Edexcel.

Students typically sit one set of exams at the end of AS and A2. However, with three examination dates throughout the year, CGA's Edexcel International A Levels offer more opportunities for re-sits, allowing students to improve their grades if needed.

In Cambridge International A Levels, students must sit all the papers required for the AS/A2 qualification at every sitting, even if re-sitting certain subjects. On the other hand, CGA's Edexcel International A Levels divide each course into 4-6 modules. The first 2-3 modules form the AS qualification, and the latter 2-3 modules make up the A2 qualification. This modular approach allows students to focus on specific modules during resits.

Edexcel's mark schemes tend to be more detailed, providing clearer indications of how students can earn credit for their answers compared to Cambridge's mark schemes.

For sciences like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, Cambridge International AS Level sciences require students to complete practical examinations under exam conditions. Edexcel A Levels, however, tend to be more theoretical and do not include these practical examinations.

Practical exams can sometimes drag down students' grades in Cambridge A Levels as schools may lack the resources for adequate practice in experimental skills. This is a situation that students won't encounter with Edexcel A Levels.

How are A-Levels Graded?

In terms of grading, Cambridge students receive a percentage grade at the end of their AS Level exams, and a final overall A Level percentage grade that’s made up 50/50 of their AS and A2 Level grades. Note that there are no A* grades awarded for AS Level. They are only awarded for completion of full A Level qualification. Also, you do not receive your separate A2 Level grade, only your combined A Level grade.

Edexcel students receive grades after their examinations at the end of every module according to the table below. Their final average grade is the weighted average of the modules they sit through during the AS and A2 portions by a predefined weighting that you can find in each subject’s syllabus online.

Students receive both a percentage grade and a letter grade on their completion certificates from Edexcel or Cambridge. But it is this letter grade that is most often quoted and used in university admissions.

A Level Grading System

A Level Grade	Percentage
A*	90% +
A	80-89%
B	70-79%
C	60-69%
D	50-59%
E	40-49%
U (Ungraded)	0-40%

While the percentage grade boundaries may look intimidating, one of the great things about International AS and A Levels is that you don’t have to get 90% or 70% of the questions correct to end up getting a 90% or 70% on your report card.

International AS and A Levels employ scaling, which converts raw marks to Percentage Uniform Marks. The exams are calibrated against other students' performance, resulting in most raw marks being scaled up. Scaling ensures a fair representation of performance and determines the A*-E grade displayed on the certificate of completion.

Edexcel and Cambridge publish grade thresholds after each exam sitting on their respective websites to maintain transparency in the scaling process.

What is a good A-Level Grade?

If you’re looking at applying to a top 30 university, aim for grades that sit in the A or A* band. For those considering US universities, the American equivalent for A Levels are the AP examinations.

What happens on A Levels Results Day?

The A-level results day for 2023 is Thursday 17 August 2023. You can collect your A-level results any time after 8am on results day - when they're released by the exam boards. There are a few different outcomes that could happen:

You get your predicted grade and meet your firm offer: Congratulations! Once your Ucas Hub status updates you’ll be sent a confirmation from your firm choice. Now you can sit back and start preparing for university.
You miss your predicted grades: This is disappointing but there are several outcomes if this happens.

Unconditional - Your choice of firm offer might still offer you a place
Unconditional Changed Course (UCC) - you don't have the necessary grades for your offer, but the university has proposed a similar course requiring lower grades. They may also offer an alternative start date, such as deferred entry. You have five days to decide and can discuss the opportunity with the university in question.
Insurance - You accept your insurance offer
Unsuccessful - you've not been accepted by your choice(s). You're now eligible to enter Clearing
Retaking the A Levels
Reapplying the next year

Are A Levels right for you?

A Levels are superb, academically rigorous, and inspiring courses. However, they can also be demanding courses that require a serious commitment to diligent work. To be successful in A-Level study, students will need a secure foundation at the International GCSE level of study or equivalent.

We offer a wide range of A Level and International GCSE courses which are taught fully online, by experienced and outstanding teachers from around the world. CGA can provide a full programme of A Levels, to full-time CGA students, or we can offer a part-time programme: individual A Level courses which students can take alongside their academic programme in their home school. If you are keen to study A Levels then CGA would be delighted to hear from you!

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