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Please explain me A Levels (examination board, subjects, papers)

Hello Everyone,
Im a french student and i will pass A levels as an external candidate, in France.
But im really confused about it, may someone answer my questions, i'll be very grateful ;
First, i dont really know which examination board i have to choose ; Edexcel or CIE ? they both have different subjects, but is there any difference between Maths Edexcel or Maths CIE for example ? If yes, then how to choose ?
Secondly, i heard there is different papers/modulars within a subject ... I don't really get it ; I have to choose subjects (minimum 3 i heard) and what else ?
Thanks a lot :smile:

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Sorry you've not had any responses about this. :frown:

Why not try posting in a specific subject forum- you might have more luck there.

Here's a link to our subject forum which should help get you more responses. :redface:

:h:
Hi. Examination bodies usually don't matter but each one will specialise in certain subjects. Edexcel are quite specialised in maths but CIE is international and since you live in France, is probably the better option. What other subjects are you doing?

In terms of units and modules, your grade is made up of several sections in your subject that you took. Like a maths exam will have a statistics unit or module. And a history exam will have a unit of 14th century for example. A module or unit is an exam that covers what you learnt in class as you go through a range of topics. Coursework is taken into factor too but the emphasis is heavily on exams. Are you planning on going to university in the UK?
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 3
Hi thanks for answering :smile:
im planning to do maths, further maths, physics, chemistry, English litterature, french, gov and politics, philosophy, art and design... i didnt choose between these.
Ok i understand for units and modules, how many modules there are for one subject ? like in maths for example ?
As an external candidate, i cannot take coursework so i have to worry about when i will choose subjects and units.
Im not planning to study in an UK university, but it could be possible 20% of chance.
Original post by SafwanIdris
Hi thanks for answering :smile:
im planning to do maths, further maths, physics, chemistry, English litterature, french, gov and politics, philosophy, art and design... i didnt choose between these.
Ok i understand for units and modules, how many modules there are for one subject ? like in maths for example ?
As an external candidate, i cannot take coursework so i have to worry about when i will choose subjects and units.
Im not planning to study in an UK university, but it could be possible 20% of chance.


Are you doing A Levels or iGCSEs, because that is a lot of subjects. And in terms of modules, these vary between each subject so it's worth researching it before hand. iGCSEs won't have modules, depending on what subject it is.
Reply 5
Original post by SafwanIdris
Hi thanks for answering :smile:
im planning to do maths, further maths, physics, chemistry, English litterature, french, gov and politics, philosophy, art and design... i didnt choose between these.
Ok i understand for units and modules, how many modules there are for one subject ? like in maths for example ?
As an external candidate, i cannot take coursework so i have to worry about when i will choose subjects and units.


The standard number of A levels to take is 3. More than 4 is very unusual (unless the 5th is Further Maths).

You need to bear in mind that A levels are currently being restructured for the UK - not sure what CIE is doing. Of the subjects you mention, Physics, Chemistry, English Literature and Art have already changed and French will change if you are starting a standard 2 year course in September. Maths and Further Maths are changing the year after.
Reply 6
Original post by Rhythmical
Are you doing A Levels or iGCSEs, because that is a lot of subjects. And in terms of modules, these vary between each subject so it's worth researching it before hand. iGCSEs won't have modules, depending on what subject it is.


I will do a levels, i did my research and i know that a levels are matching with my profile, than IGCSE
Reply 7
Original post by Compost
The standard number of A levels to take is 3. More than 4 is very unusual (unless the 5th is Further Maths).

You need to bear in mind that A levels are currently being restructured for the UK - not sure what CIE is doing. Of the subjects you mention, Physics, Chemistry, English Literature and Art have already changed and French will change if you are starting a standard 2 year course in September. Maths and Further Maths are changing the year after.


I'll take care. Thanks for you help :smile:
Original post by SafwanIdris
I will do a levels, i did my research and i know that a levels are matching with my profile, than IGCSE


Wait, can you do that before iGCSEs? I'm sure you have to do iGCSEs/GCSEs before A Levels.
Salut,

Are you sure these are A-levels you are taking? Nine subjects seems to be quite a lot.
A-levels are quite different from "le bac".
Original post by veryambitchious
Salut,

Are you sure these are A-levels you are taking? Nine subjects seems to be quite a lot.
A-levels are quite different from "le bac".

Hi, like i said i didnt choose between these subjects. Furthermore, sciences subjects are easy for me, so i can manage more than 3-4 a levels, even thought it's useless (in a certain point).
Reply 11
Original post by SafwanIdris
Hello Everyone,
Im a french student and i will pass A levels as an external candidate, in France.
But im really confused about it, may someone answer my questions, i'll be very grateful ;
First, i dont really know which examination board i have to choose ; Edexcel or CIE ? they both have different subjects, but is there any difference between Maths Edexcel or Maths CIE for example ? If yes, then how to choose ?
Secondly, i heard there is different papers/modulars within a subject ... I don't really get it ; I have to choose subjects (minimum 3 i heard) and what else ?
Thanks a lot :smile:


Hi, first of all I have no idea how edexcel Maths is at A level but I did this board for GCSE's. Some say that this is a hard board but it all depends on the modular/papers that they require. Maths is a bit confusing because they had topics such as C1 etc. but just go online and check out there website. Regarding the other board, I have never heard of that but I'm sure that they should have a website too. Just read up on it.
Also, yes you are required to pick a minimum of 3 A levels but what most people tend to do is pick 4. But they only complete 1 at AS level (just year 1)
So by the end of two years you should hopefully gain 1 AS and 3 A Levels. If you chose to take this route instead.
I would advice obviously picking subjects you love but making sure that your good at them if a major factor.
I'm not sure if I helped enough considering I didn't pick Maths at A levels but hoped it gave you better insight at least
Original post by Nmxo
Hi, first of all I have no idea how edexcel Maths is at A level but I did this board for GCSE's. Some say that this is a hard board but it all depends on the modular/papers that they require. Maths is a bit confusing because they had topics such as C1 etc. but just go online and check out there website. Regarding the other board, I have never heard of that but I'm sure that they should have a website too. Just read up on it.
Also, yes you are required to pick a minimum of 3 A levels but what most people tend to do is pick 4. But they only complete 1 at AS level (just year 1)
So by the end of two years you should hopefully gain 1 AS and 3 A Levels. If you chose to take this route instead.
I would advice obviously picking subjects you love but making sure that your good at them if a major factor.
I'm not sure if I helped enough considering I didn't pick Maths at A levels but hoped it gave you better insight at least


Thanks for answering, CIE is Cambridge International Examination ; Im gonna check both websites like you said.
Reply 13
Original post by SafwanIdris
Thanks for answering, CIE is Cambridge International Examination ; Im gonna check both websites like you said.


No problem, glad I was of some assisstance
Reply 14
9 a levels is craaaaaazy loads
Are you sure you want to take 9 A-Levels? It would be a massive amount of work and even UK universities only need 3.

Posted from TSR Mobile
How many years are you planning on taking A-levels over? Why not take the French diploma and self-study as much as you want for each subject? What level have you studied the subjects to previously? What are you planning to study at university? How do you know that science subjects are easy to you?

It may be doable in terms of workload, depending on you. Obviously for French you'll just need to turn up to the exams and possibly do controlled assessments. For the rest you could do about 2.5 A-levels per year for three years or something. It'll be tough but is fully possible for some people.

They are very spread out subjects though. Are you sure you're good enough at maths, sciences, essay subjects and art to be able to do A-levels in each? Usually people are only good in a few areas.

Be aware that some universities, particularly for some courses, only accept A-levels done over one 2 year interval.
I’m planning to take A levels within 1 or 2 years. I alreadytake the French diploma called “le baccalauréat” last year; I’m already studyingsubjects that I want to take since January. So I know maths and science arequite easy for me because I have already studied a lot of things that are intothese subjects’ syllabus. In fact, I just need few months to be preapred for a subject, I think. I guessim good enough at science, maths and art to do a full a level in each. For literature,I have to work a bit. (Maybe I’m wrong, will see). Im not planning to study atuniversity, I will do preparatory classes in France, then it could be possiblefor me to study abroad, if I didn’t get the school that I want at the end ofprep classes ;
Now I know that a module cost 30-40€ and for each a level inscience and maths there are 6 modules. So it will cost 180-240€ for one a level; I better do 3-4 A levels now and the others in November. I think I will domaths, further maths, physics, chem now… Will see then
Original post by medleg
9 a levels is craaaaaazy loads


I wont do it at the same time, since i know its 180-240€ for one :frown:. I didnt choose between these subjects, but its gonna be less than 9 for sure.
Original post by Edminzodo
Are you sure you want to take 9 A-Levels? It would be a massive amount of work and even UK universities only need 3.

Posted from TSR Mobile

I won't do 9, prob 3-4 now and more later. not doing this just for uni but also for CV :smile:

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