Understanding A-Levels as a private candidate

I am looking to do A-Levels as an adult. I've decided on which subjects to do and found a couple of examination centres where I can sit the exams but I'm not sure on a few things regarding A-Levels, in particular the terminology used.

AS and A2 level together is a full A-Level correct? So if the examination centre lists it as A-Levels, I would be doing both levels correct? So I wouldn't need to sit AS level exams? What if they list the A-Level exam as A2? For example, one examination centre lists Computer Science (one of the subjects I want to take) as Computer Science A2 whilst the other doesn't. Would that mean the A2 one isn't a full A-Level? I've tried googling this information but it's left me with more questions than answers

Edit: not sure if relevant but the examination board is going to be Cambridge International

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by SkylerWilson94

Thank you for editing your post to add the exam board - it's extremely relevant. :smile:

As you can see on this page, Cambridge International gives you flexibility (although that can lead to complexity). They explain that you have three options.

"1. Take the Cambridge International AS Level only. The syllabus content is half a Cambridge International A Level.
2. Take a ‘staged’ assessment route – take the Cambridge International AS Level in one examination series and complete the final Cambridge International A Level at a subsequent series. AS Level marks can be carried forward to a full A Level twice within a 13 month period.*
3. Take all papers of the Cambridge International A Level course in the same examination session, usually at the end of the course."

Using Computer Science as an example, if you look at the syllabus (here) you'll note that it refers to four papers. Papers 1 and 2 constitute the AS level, and Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 constitute the A level. So if an exam centre registers you for the A level (technical the "International A level") then it's not clear whether they should register you for all four papers or just Papers 3 and 4 (as you may, or may not, have already taken Papers 1 and 2).

If they're advertising prices, availability, etc. and don't make the above clear, then you'll need to contact them and ask.

Note that Cambridge International don't tend to use the term A2 to refer to the additional papers you sit to "upgrade" your AS level to a full A level. Also note that in England (unlike Wales and Northern Ireland) the AS + A2 approach is no more for UK A levels (as opposed to the International A levels you'll be taking). In England, for UK A levels, the only option is to take all exams at once, at the end of the course.

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