A-Level

Generally a student in England will take three or four A-Levels at school between the ages of 16 and 18 in order to secure a place at University.

They are divided into two parts: AS and A2.

The AS exams are normally taken at the end of the first year and the A2 exams at the end of the second.

A-Levels are now modular and usually comprise six units (or modules); in most subjects there are three modules in AS, and three in A2. There is, however, a great deal of flexibility as to when and how many times a module may be taken.

GCSE

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education.

These are the courses that students follow during their last few years of compulsory schooling, usually between the ages of 14 and 16. Students often take around eight GCSEs (sometimes more and sometimes fewer depending on their ability and the policy of the school). Core subjects, like Maths, English and Science, must be studied. After completing their GCSE exams, students who wish to go to University generally study for their A-Levels. As a rule of thumb, A-Level colleges and Universities require at least 5 GCSEs.

Common Entrance

We can prepare children for their Common Entrance Exams and for the Scholarship papers set by various schools such as Eton, Harrow, Westminster, Winchester and St.Paul’s.

Common Entrance (11+ or 13+) is the exam taken by students aiming to secure a place at independent secondary schools. The candidates generally sit the exams at their junior school and then the papers are sent to the senior school to which they are applying. The papers are set by the ISEB but each senior school sets its own pass mark and also marks the papers. Some students choose to sit the Scholarship papers which are also set by the ISEB and some sit the Scholarship papers offered by some schools which are often harder, but can lead to assisted places.