We’ve written before about high level examinations, AP and IB exams, which are both quite common across the United States. Contrary to the opinion of some Americans, however, other countries do exist, with their own methods for doing things. A very common system around the world is the A-Levels (which stands for advanced levels), which began in the United Kingdom.
As many of these students then decide to apply to colleges in the US, we thought it would be a good idea to explore what the A Levels are, how they work, and how they’re viewed by US colleges and universities. We will be focusing on the British A Levels in this article. Let’s get started!
What the A Levels Are Exactly
A Levels are qualifications in certain advanced subjects that students take during the final two years of their education before college. Your mastery of these subjects is assessed through a series of final examinations at the end of this period of study. While these are offered in many places around the world, the British system is the predominant one used.
A levels are generally worked on over two years, with students taking three to four courses in their first year, and three in their second. Generally, the initial courses are referred to as AS, and the second as A2; you must complete both to fully count as an A Level. Only having one or the other is worth less.
A full list of A Level subjects can be found on Cambridge International’s website. The most commonly taken subjects are:
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Economics
- English
- History
- Law
- Mathematics (and Further Mathematics)
- Physics
- Psychology
Note that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that in England specifically, the A Levels are going to be scrapped, and merged with the T Levels to create a new standard. The A Levels will still be offered elsewhere, such as in Wales.
In order to qualify to take the A Levels, you must score sufficiently highly on the GCSE. The exact score you need to achieve depends on your school and the subject in question.
There are numerous boards which oversee the A Levels. These include:
- Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
- Cambridge International Education
- Edexcel (which is operated by Pearson)
- Council for Curriculum, Education & Assessment
All of these boards are accepted by major universities in the UK and elsewhere. Which board of exams you sit will be determined by your school. You may choose which A Levels you take, and it’s recommended you do so in your strongest subjects. Education specializes earlier in the UK than the US, and the A Levels are part of that.
How A Level Exams Work
The exact date of the exams depends on the provider, but they are most commonly held in June for both AS and A2 exams. A Level exams are graded on a percentage system, with the grade you get corresponding with your performance:
- A*: 90%+
- A: 80-89%
- B: 70-79%
- C: 60-69%
- D: 50-59%
- E: 40-49%
- U: 0-39%
Note that these exams tend to use scaling, just as the AP exams do. This means all results are graded on a curve, and you do not necessarily need to get 90% of the answers correct to receive a final score of A*.
The format of these exams varies by subject and board; some prefer a more practical set of questions, while others focus on theory. In general, however, these exams are a mixture of multiple choice, short response, and essay questions, all on the central theme of the exam.
Some exams, generally in the sciences, have a practical component as well. This is not universal, and depends on which of the boards is giving the exam. Check with your school to learn more about what your exams will entail, and when they will take place.
How do Colleges View the A Levels?
Colleges in the UK, and those which use a related educational model, view the A Levels as a necessary component of your preparation for college. The subjects you pick, and how well you perform, directly inform your application results. Doing too poorly on these exams is seen as a sign that you are not yet ready to participate in university level education.
Colleges and universities in the US see A Level scores less frequently, but appreciate them when they do. These are viewed in the same way as AP or IB coursework and exams; challenging subjects meant to prepare students for college. They are thus viewed favorably by most schools, so long as you performed well in the exams.
You can earn collegiate credit with high marks on your A Levels. Note that this requires both AS and A2 exams; only completing the AS level will not award credit. This works much the same as credit awarded for AP or IB exams; that is what credit is awarded and at what score benchmarks is decided by the university in question.
Here are some examples:
- Harvard does not accept A Level credit at all
- Yale allows A Level credit by equivalency with AP scores, but only for subjects they allow AP credit for
- UChicago only allows A Level credit by petition, and only for certain subjects
- Rice will award credit for most A Level exams
You will need to check each university’s policies carefully. The A Level is respected, but is not accepted for credit nearly as frequently as the AP or IB exams, in large part due to universities having a lack of familiarity with the exam. Since each university sets its own policy however, research is required.
Are the A Levels Right for You?
In most cases, this choice is not left to you. If you are in the UK, or any other country which uses the A Levels for its educational system, you will end up taking the A Levels, unless you end up on another educational track (or if England finishes phasing them out, as they seem to be planning to do).
If you have a choice of multiple international schools with different curriculums; for instance choosing between an IB school and one which operates on the British system, then you have a choice to make. Each has different strengths, and is better for different students.
IB offers a broader curriculum, but has less focus on each individual subject. Many IB programs also have more of a focus on second languages, and on the study of language generally. Finally, IB test scores are very widely accepted among US colleges. Perhaps not as widely as AP scores, but still commonly seen.
A Levels, by contrast, has you take slightly fewer classes, with more depth in each. You get to choose your area of focus, and where you want to spend your time. A Level exams are also less frequently accepted for credit in US universities, though they are of course broadly accepted abroad.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere in the Commonwealth, you will likely end up taking the A Level exams if you are on the path to university. If you are trying to decide on a high school internationally, many of them will offer an A Level curriculum. We hope that this article has helped to demystify these tests, and shown you how they work, and how they are viewed by college admissions.
Choosing the high school curriculum which best suits your needs can be a challenge. High school sets you up for all that follows, but being able to evaluate a high school’s offerings is not always straightforward. Our high school transitions service guides you through this process, and helps you evaluate which school will best serve your needs. If you’re curious about this, or have further concerns about your educational journey, schedule a free consultation today. We have a long history of helping students every step of the way, and are always happy to hear from you.
