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GCE Advanced levels

 
GCE Advanced levels
Summary There are currently 420 GCE A level specifications being delivered across a variety of subjects.

From September 2008, A levels changed in the following ways:

  • introduction of a new A* grade to reward stretch and challenge:
    - for full A level only - not for AS or at unit level
    - for candidates achieving 90%+
  • reduction from six to four assessment units in most subjects
  • revisions of content where appropriate
  • synoptic assessment in all A2 units (using knowledge from across the specification).
Tariff entry The qualification was first allocated UCAS Tariff points in 2001. UCAS Tariff points were reviewed in April 2008 with the A* grade introduced for the first time - for 2010 entry to HE. A further review is due in 2010/11 once candidate evidence for the new specifications is available.

Expert Group report (PDF)
Learning hours 360
UCAS Tariff points A*
A
B
C
D
E
140
120
100
80
60
40
Awarding organisation AQA, OCR, WJEC, Edexcel, CCEA

 

 
GCE Advanced levels - DOUBLE AWARD
Summary There are currently 32 GCE A level Double Award specifications being delivered across a variety of subjects.
Tariff entry The qualification was first allocated UCAS Tariff points in 2001. UCAS Tariff points were reviewed in April 2008 with the A* grade introduced for the first time for 2010 entry to HE.

Expert Group report (PDF)

A further review is due in 2010/11 once candidate evidence for the new specifications is available.
Learning hours 720
UCAS Tariff points A*A*
A*A
AA
AB
BB
BC
CC
CD
DD
DE
EE
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
Awarding organisation AQA, OCR, WJEC, Edexcel, CCEA

 

 
GCE Advanced A level with additional AS level units - 9 UNIT AWARD
Tariff entry The qualification was first allocated UCAS Tariff points in 2001. UCAS Tariff points were reviewed in April 2008 with the A* grade introduced for the first time for 2010 entry to HE.

Expert Group report (PDF)

A further review is due in 2010/11 once candidate evidence for the new specifications is available.
Learning hours 540
UCAS Tariff points A*A
AA
AB
BB
BC
CC
CD
DD
DE
EE
200
180
170
150
140
120
110
90
80
60
Awarding organisation AQA, OCR, WJEC, Edexcel, CCEA