A guide to exams and qualifications

Acronyms are always confusing for those who do not speak the ‘language’ they relate to and education is one of the worst offenders in this respect. It can be most confusing for parents trying to understand the huge range of assessment procedures their daughters will be facing. Here is a short guide to the main types of examinations your daughters might be taking.

GCSE: (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

These examinations are taken by the majority of students in this country, usually in Years 10 and 11 (14-16 year olds), although some schools are now starting these in Year 9, particularly in Science where they can study Core and Additional Science over three years. A key feature of the new GCSEs which began this year in most subjects is the end of coursework, which has been replaced by ‘controlled tests’. These, in simple terms, are supervised tasks, taken under examination conditions, in school. Re-sits are possible since the specifications (syllabus) for GCSE have become ‘unitised’ or divided into modules. The new GCSEs emphasise transferrable skills as much as subject knowledge. They are graded A*- G, but to progress to A Levels grades of A*- C are normally required. Schools may also require this includes English and Mathematics or set boundaries of A or A* in the subjects to be studied in the Sixth Form.

IGCSE: (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)

This is an international qualification and has traditionally been taken by 14-16 year old pupils in international schools abroad. It has become popular in independent schools in this country, as some schools believe it prepares students, particularly in Science and Mathematics, better for A level, as they have more knowledge at a higher level than GCSEs. IGCSEs are knowledge based, narrower in scope and most do not have any coursework. There is no oral test in French or compulsory Shakespeare study in English Literature, for example. There are no modules, but a final examination at the end of the two year course. They are therefore similar to the old ‘O’ Levels. They are currently not validated by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and therefore do not count for the educational League tables published each summer. However, the Government announced in mid September that it would allow a small range of IGCSEs to be studied by maintained sector schools.

AS Level: (Advanced Subsidiary)

Introduced in the year 2000, and studied in the first year of the Sixth Form, students, (16-18 year olds) usually follow courses in four subjects with the intention of broadening the range of subjects studied. Most subjects have 4 modules, two studied in the Lower Sixth and two in the Upper Sixth. A few subjects have six modules. Modules may be taken in January and June with results in March and August and they can be re-sat. It is the UMS (uniform mark scale) which determines the final grade, not the notional grade for each module (click here for more information about UMS ). The AS can be a stand alone qualification and is worth half a full A level qualification, or it can contribute 50% towards the full A level. Most modules are assessed by examination but some are assessed by internal assessment or an element of coursework. There is an assessment of practical skills in the sciences, art, music and languages for example. The AS level course covers the less demanding material in an A Level course and they are graded A to E when certificated.

A2: (Advanced 2)

This is the second half of the full A Level, not a separate stand alone qualification and covers more demanding material. Students usually study 3 subjects at this level, dropping and certificating their weakest or least favourite AS subject. There is a synoptic element in A2 which combines knowledge and understanding across the whole A level course. Revised A level specifications were introduced in September 2008 with a new A* grade to be awarded for the first time in 2010. To achieve an A* students must have a grade A overall at A level and a score of over 90% (180/200) in the two A2 modules. A*s are not awarded at AS Level. Full A Levels will be graded from 2010 on an A*- E scale. A student would normally require 5 GCSEs at grades A*- C and at least two A levels, or equivalent, in order to progress to a University course. There are, in addition, a small number of vocational A levels, covering such areas as Business, Health and Tourism, called Applied A levels.

Extended Project

This is part of the English examination boards’ attempt to answer the criticism that A levels are too narrow. The format is like the IB extended essay – see below. Although still a new qualification, British Universities are showing a great deal of interest in this. Combined with A levels it leads to a Diploma, sometimes called the English Baccalaureate (see below).

AQA Baccalaureate

This is new qualification which started in September 2008 to provide a way of rewarding extra breadth and depth for students taking A levels. It is an overarching certificate based on three A levels in the student’s main academic subjects. The additional requirements are an AS qualification in general studies, critical thinking or citizenship, the extended project qualification and the completion of a suitable enrichment programme. For enrichment, the student is required to keep a diary recording at least 100 hours of activities in three areas: personal development, community participation and work-related learning. The qualification is graded pass, merit or distinction on the basis of the grades achieved in the A levels and extended project qualification.

IB: (International Baccalaureate)

The IB is studied in the Sixth Form and is a two year course. Students study six subjects; normally 3 at standard level and 3 at higher level, selected from six subject groups which comprise; Language, Individuals and societies, Mathematics and computer science, the Arts, experimental sciences and second language. There are, in addition, 3 core requirements; an extended essay with a 4000 word limit on any subject of the student’s choice requiring individual research, a theory of knowledge course which is inter disciplinary and encourages an appreciation of other cultural perspectives and a community action requirement where students volunteer in sports and community work. Assessment is at the end of the two year course and is a mixture of internal assessments by teachers and external examinations. The grading is by a points system which equates to A Level grades. IB is widely accepted by Universities, but parents should note that it is necessary to be a good all-rounder to achieve the top points scores.

Cambridge Pre-U

This is a new qualification with the first teaching starting in September 2008. It is a two year course with final examinations at the end of the course. It was designed by a group of schools working with Cambridge University International Examinations board. Its original design was to provide a more knowledge based alternative to A Levels without the structure of the IB. Cambridge Pre-U syllabi can be taken separately and are graded individually and can be mixed with A levels. Students study three principal subjects from a choice of 26. They also complete an Independent Research Project and follow a Global Perspectives course. A student could study 2 A levels and a Pre-U principal subject. These, with the independent research project and Global Perspectives would form a Cambridge Pre-U Diploma.

For further information on other qualification types click here

Scottish qualifications

Standard Grade

Similar to GCSE, pupils generally take these qualifications from the age of 14 -16, often taking eight or nine subjects, with an exam at the end of year 11 (U5).

Higher

Highers course are one year long and are taken in the Lower Sixth. Pupils will generally take 5 subjects which allows them to keep their options open with a broad range of subjects. Highers, in the own right, are acceptable at Scottish universities and most English universities.

Advanced Higher

Advanced Highers are an in depth study of 2 or 3 subjects and are taken as a one year course in the Upper Sixth. They are highly regarded by both English and Scottish universities.