What is A-Level?
The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level, or A Level, is the ‘gold standard’ of Cambridge qualifications. It is accepted as an entry qualification by universities of the European Union and elsewhere around the world. A Level examinations are usually taken after 13 years of education and are based on approximately 360 hours of guided learning per subject, normally over a two year period. A Levels are highly specialised and a student will normally take three subjects, although occasionally exceptional students take four or five.
Cambridge International A Levels are taken throughout the world, sometimes as the national examinations of certain countries (such as Singapore and Mauritius), sometimes within international schools and sometimes in bi-lingual government schools alongside national exams.
There are six passing grades (A* – E). Typical UK university entrance requirements are above three passes at grade C for academic courses in established universities. Very popular courses will often require higher grades.
For example, medical schools in the UK often require grades of AAB and the highly selective universities of Cambridge and Oxford ask for at least AAA. Good A Level grades can also be a key to admission for all the world's major universities. University course credit and advanced standing is often available in countries such as the USA and Canada, where entrance to university takes place after 12 years of education. Good grades in carefully chosen A Level subjects can result in up to one full year of credit.
An A/AS Level Recognition Search is available from the CIE website at www.recognition.cie.org.uk. There you will find up-to-date information on universities that recognise Cambridge International AS and A Levels for entry to undergraduate programmes. It also includes details of advanced credit offered.
The subject content of each of the A Level syllabuses has been subdivided into two parts: the AS syllabus content which is expected to be covered in the first half of the course, and part two of the syllabus commonly referred to as ‘A2’. This flexible approach enables students to choose from three options:
- Take all A Level components in the same examination session at the end of a course of study, usually at the end of the second year (Year 13)
- Follow a staged assessment to an A Level by taking the AS qualification in one examination session, and the A2 assessment in a subsequent session
- Take the AS qualification only – either at the end of a one-year or two-year course.
NOTE: The A2 examination cannot be taken as a standalone qualification.
AS Level may be taken as a freestanding qualification and are accepted in all UK universities. They carry half the weight of an A Level so, for example, students may be admitted with suitable grades in two A Levels and two AS Levels. Details of the tariff operated by the UK Universities are given on the UCAS website (www.ucas.com).
Why did I Choose A-Level?
The reason why i choose A-Level is because, there are a lot of advantages that i can get if i join A-Level. The advantages are, i can get into some universities in Europe easier, not just Europe but, also some universities all around the world. i am Indonesian, i have to take Ujian Nasional or National Exam. What i am learning in A-Level is pretty similar with National Curriculum, so i can get and pass 2 exam with a good score with just learn one of them. I know, A-Level is harder than other curriculum, but once you finish it, i think it will make our life become easier, it's like bright future is waiting for us. So, will you join A-Level?
What are the obstacles?
As an A-Level student, we can't waste most of our time to play, there are a lot of project and homework that the teacher will give to us. But, do not worry because we can still have free time if you can manage your time properly. remember, A-Level is not a jail, so no need to scared actually.
What should you do as an A-Level student?
In A-Level, i chose 3 subjects, which are Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. I chose 3 subjects, because most of the university required 3 subjects. for me, to get a better score, the most important one is review past papers. most format of A Level questions are quite similar. i think you can more focus to past paper which is 5 years before than your year, so for example, you will do A-Level exam 2016, and you can focus on 2011-2015 past paper. Don't forget, the way how you answer it, please follow the mark scheme format, because if you not follow it, hahahaha The End.
Mathematics: it's divided into three other subjects, which are Pure Math, Mechanic Math, and Statistic Math. AS Level: Pure Math and Mechanic Math. A Level: Pure Math, Mechanic Math, and Statistic Math
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics: From one book (20-something chapters), divided into two parts, 10-something chapters for AS-Level, and the other 10-somethings chapter for A-Level.
So, i think we can all it an advantage, because we don't need to hurry and we can prepare better for our exam test,
In my daily live, i am taking course outside the school, math course, with Dina-sensei. why am i doing it? because i think, it's not enough to study just at school. We are A-level student, we need to know our own skill, and we need to upgrade our skill if you think it"s not enough to do the A-Level or AS-Level exam.
As an A-Level student, we can't waste most of our time to play, there are a lot of project and homework that the teacher will give to us. But, do not worry because we can still have free time if you can manage your time properly. remember, A-Level is not a jail, so no need to scared actually.
In A-Level, i chose 3 subjects, which are Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. I chose 3 subjects, because most of the university required 3 subjects. for me, to get a better score, the most important one is review past papers. most format of A Level questions are quite similar. i think you can more focus to past paper which is 5 years before than your year, so for example, you will do A-Level exam 2016, and you can focus on 2011-2015 past paper. Don't forget, the way how you answer it, please follow the mark scheme format, because if you not follow it, hahahaha The End.
Mathematics: it's divided into three other subjects, which are Pure Math, Mechanic Math, and Statistic Math. AS Level: Pure Math and Mechanic Math. A Level: Pure Math, Mechanic Math, and Statistic Math
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics: From one book (20-something chapters), divided into two parts, 10-something chapters for AS-Level, and the other 10-somethings chapter for A-Level.
So, i think we can all it an advantage, because we don't need to hurry and we can prepare better for our exam test,
In my daily live, i am taking course outside the school, math course, with Dina-sensei. why am i doing it? because i think, it's not enough to study just at school. We are A-level student, we need to know our own skill, and we need to upgrade our skill if you think it"s not enough to do the A-Level or AS-Level exam.
Reference: http://www.cambridgeschool.eu/en/curriculum-learning/cambridge-as-a-level-curriculum/
