WHAT IS GCE A LEVELS

What about GCE A levels? What is Gce A Level?
What are GCEs?

This is a question that is being frquently asked by students who have intentions of progressing in the educational life. GCE (General Certificate of Education) qualifications are also known as A levels, which stands for Advanced level.
This is entirely different from the common GCSE.

They are usually taken by 16- to 19-year-olds, but they can be taken by students at any age.
A full GCE (A level) is usually taken over two years but may be taken over one year.
GCEs are at Level 3 in the National Qualifications Framework, and carry UCAS points and this gives the certificate holders a substantial advantage.


They serve as an entry requirement for progression to higher education, and are also required for some jobs but most employers would love and prefer to employ GCE A Level holders compared to other employees.
All GCE specifications have been updated and replaced. The new GCEs have been available for first teaching from September 2008. Find out more about GCE from 2008 here.

What choices are available?

There's a wide range of subject areas to choose from at GCE. These can either be taken at AS (Advanced Subsidiary) or A (Advanced) level.

The majority of GCE from 2008 specifications have a four-unit structure. Students usually taketwo units in the first half of the A level (AS) followed by two in the second half (A2).

AS (Advanced Subsidiary) is the first half of an A level, and is also a qualification in its own right.

A2 is the second half of an A level qualification, and is a progression from AS.

GCEs in Applied subjects, also known as vocational GCEs, are work-related qualificationsthat involve the study of an industry sector and are designed to develop the relevant skills for a specific field of employment. They may be offered as a single award (six units, equivalent to one GCE) or double award (12 units, equivalent to two GCEs), or the new nine units equivalent to one and a half GCEs.

GCEs in Applied Subjects have now been extended until 2013.
How are GCEs assessed?

GCEs are assessed by written examination and by coursework. For further details and weightings, please refer to your subject's specification, which can be found in the GCE from 2008 area of the website.

Units are graded from A* to E. However, A* will not be awarded at AS level, as the more challenging material is only introduced at A2.