What are GCEs?

• GCE (General Certificate of Education) qualifications are also known as A levels, which stands for Advanced level.
    
• They are usually taken by 16- to 19-year-olds, but they can be taken by students at any age.
    
• A full GCE (A level) is usually taken over two years but may be taken over one year.
    
• GCEs are at Level 3 in the National Qualifications Framework, and carry Ucas points.
    
• They are the main entry requirements for progression to higher education, and are also required for some jobs.
    
• All GCE specifications have now been updated and replaced with our new GCEs, which have been available for first teaching from September 2008. Find out more about GCE from 2008 here. 

What choices are available?

• There’s a wide range of subject areas to choose from at GCE. These can either be taken at AS (Advanced Subsidiary) or A (Advanced) level. 
  
• The majority of GCE from 2008 specifications have a four-unit structure. Students usually take two units in the first half of the A level (AS) followed by two in the second half (A2).
  
• AS (Advanced Subsidiary) is the first half of an A level, and is also a qualification in its own right. 
    
• A2 is the second half of an A level qualification, and is a progression from AS. 
    
• GCEs in Applied subjects, also known as vocational GCEs, are work-related qualifications that involve the study of an industry sector and are designed to develop the relevant skills for a specific field of employment. They may be offered as a single award (six units, equivalent to one GCE) or double award (12 units, equivalent to two GCEs), or the new nine units equivalent to one and a half GCEs. 
  
• GCE in Applied Subjects have now been extended till 2013.
  

How are GCEs assessed?

• GCEs are assessed by written examination and by coursework. For further details and weightings, please refer to your subject's specification, which can be found in the GCE from 2008 area of the website.
    
• Units are graded from A* to E. However, A* will not be awarded at AS level, as the more challenging material is only introduced at A2.