Considered by many to be the “gold standard” in education, the Advanced Levels or A Levels are recognized around the world to be an in depth and thorough method of preparation that will assist any student in their chosen field of endeavour. Typically, students of ages 16 to 18 study the A Levels in the UK including England, Northern Ireland, and Wales and older students are encouraged and appreciated when they also choose to move on with their education.
Courses or subjects can include a broad range of topics
Among the higher level courses a student will find they have a broad range of choices from which to choose. And to qualify for a top level UK university students will need A Level grades in from three to five subjects. As many young people who have completed their GCSE and are preparing to move on even though they do not have a chosen path or career in mind, working on A Level classes will help them decide what they wish to do with themselves for a career or “calling”. Many choose several “basics” that will help them decide what they are good at and what they appreciate and enjoy doing.
A broad variety of courses are available in A Level classes
Choosing three or four subjects in the A Levels is encouraged and some students even opt to take on five at a time. Subjects that can be chosen include:
1. Business and business related studies
2. Sciences such as medicine
3. Mathematics including higher levels of math
4. Chemistry
5. Biology
6. English literature
7. Psychology
8. Accounting and economics
9. Engineering
10. Physics
11. Law and humanities
A Level education comes in stages
With each A Level there will be six units to be studied and these are accomplished in two stages. The first stage consists of three units of Advanced Subsidiary level (also known as the AS level. In the second stage or A2 Level you will find another set of three units which completes the A Level education. From this point on students who have a high grade level can most likely be assured of entrance into an advanced university anywhere in the UK.
Each grade earns points toward a solid future
Each A Level subject will gain students a grade that will be from A to E and each is awarded points that accumulate toward a final score that can be read by future employers and universities of higher education. The lowest score, 40 for an E is barely getting by and that student may benefit from assistance from a tutor. The highest grade bestowed, an A* earns 140 points, a basic A is worth 120, a B is worth 100, C is 80, and a D is worth 60 points. While it does take work and study to obtain those higher points, it will be well worth it when employers who use those scores to evaluate prospective employees approach with good job offers.
Beyond the education there is much to be gained with A Level study
The benefits of a higher education are obvious but there is more to be gained through learning how to think independently, how best to conduct research, how to analyse subjects, learning team work, and how to study effectively. The student’s brain is put through a thorough exercise program that enables one to think and solve issues more effectively.
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