Over the next 3 years A levels are gradually changing. These changes are nothing for the student to worry about, we will make sure that you have the right course materials to pass the examination you are aiming for. Different courses change at different times.
The main change to the A level courses is how they will be assessed.
Existing A levels
These are modular. This means that they are made up of modules. Most a levels were made up of 4 modules. It was possible to take these modules over several exam series in January and May/June. Then, when you were happy with your marks, you could cash the modules in for a final AS and A level grade. If you sat the modules for the AS component you could then just sit the modules for the A2 component to turn your AS into an A level.
The New A levels
These are linear. This means that they are examined once at the end of the course. In assessment terms the AS has been decoupled from the full A level. You can still sit an AS exam and the courses and specifications are still designed so that all the AS study material is covered in the first half of your study. However you can no longer carry the marks you achieved for you AS forward to the full A level.
When will these changes take effect
This depends on the course.
For first examination in Summer 2017
- Business A level
- Economics A level
- English Language A level
- English Literature A level
- History A level
- Psychology A level
- Sociology A level
For first examination in Summer 2018
- French A level
- Spanish A level
For first examination in Summer 2019
- All Maths A levels
- Accounting A level
In each of the above cases the last opportunity to sit the old modular A level courses will be in the summer preceding the first examination date of the new linear qualification.
