Percentage Uniform Marks (PUM) Explained: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding your Cambridge International exam results can often feel like decoding a complex language. While your final letter grade (A*,
Announcement: Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and AS & A Level June 2025 past papers are now available.
Announcement:
Cambridge International Education no longer be an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation from December 20, 2024.
O-Level is the abbreviation of Ordinary Level. It is one of the two-part GCE (General Certificate of Education). The second part of GCE is Advanced Level (A-Level), which students enter after completing O-Level.
O-Level is the final certification for secondary school, to be taken at fifth form or year 11 at approximately age 17 (or age group 14-16). Students that have completed O-Level are considered to have completed formal education. They can further their studies to A-Level (at their schools’ sixth form or private colleges), Foundation Courses or diploma courses, or simply leaving school.
There are a few exam bodies offer O-Level, for example CAIE board, American Council for Higher Education and Edexcel International. Though schools in the UK had replaced O-Level with GCSE in 1988, it is still used in many Commonwealth countries, such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and also in Trinidad and Tobago. (Some schools in the UK have reverted back to exams based on O-Level at the later stage.)
O-levels are predominantly exam-based. Therefore, this is advantages for students in part-time or evening education. Some commentators criticised this mainly exam-based approach as offering only partial proof of the student’s overall ability in comparison with other methods (e.g., coursework-based assessment). There was no summative “school certificate”: each subject was a separate O-level in its own right.
(Below are the information for O Level from the CAIE exam board only.)
Cambridge O Level is an internationally recognised qualification equivalent to Cambridge IGCSE and the UK GCSE. It provides learners with excellent preparation for academic progression to Cambridge Advanced as well as other progression routes.
Cambridge O Levels has been designed especially for an international audience. They are sensitive to the needs of different countries and for learners whose first language may not be English. The curriculum also enables teaching to be placed in a localised context, making it relevant wherever you teach it.
In some parts of the world, schools use Cambridge O Level as an international alternative to the local national examination.
You can choose from more than 40 subjects in any combination to provide the building blocks to create your own curriculum. Students normally take 7-9 subjects in the O-Level exam, with maximum allowable 14 subjects.
Many schools allocate a total of about 130 hours for each Cambridge O Level subject, but how much time a school devotes to each subject will depend on a variety of factors. Though Cambridge sets the syllabus, but the school decides on the method of teaching. Candidates must enter for Cambridge O Levels through a registered school or exam centre. Your school or exam centre will be able to give you more details about how candidates work towards these assessments.
At school, more able candidates may study six or seven subjects at Cambridge O Level, but less able candidates may have a much more modest programme. In order to follow a broad and balanced curriculum, most candidates take courses from each of the five Cambridge O Level groups (Languages; Humanities and Social Sciences; Sciences; Mathematics; and Business, Creative, Technical and Vocational). However, it is also possible to study individual Cambridge O Level subjects if this better suits the candidate’s needs.
Cambridge O Level courses usually take two years to complete and exams are taken at the end of that period.
Assessment takes place at the end of the course and includes written, practical and oral assessment. This broadens opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, particularly when their first language is not English.
Grades are benchmarked using six internationally recognised grades, from A* to E. Therefore, it has clear guidelines to explain the standard of achievement.
Grade A* is awarded for the highest level of achievement, and grade E indicates minimum satisfactory performance. Grade U (Ungraded) is commonly regarded as fail.
Cambridge O Level examination series occur twice a year, in June and November. Results release is in August and January.
Many universities worldwide require a combination of Cambridge International A Levels and Cambridge O Levels to meet their entry requirements. Leading US and Canadian universities require Cambridge International AS & A Levels, but some US and Canadian colleges and universities will accept learners with five Cambridge O Levels at grade C
or above.
In the UK, Cambridge O Level is accepted as equivalent to the GCSE. Many UK universities look at Cambridge O Level grades, as well as predicted grades for Cambridge International A Level, when making admissions decisions.
Universities in many countries, including Canada and the USA, will admit students on the basis of their Cambridge O-Level performances alone. Grade C in Cambridge O-Level English Language satisfies the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
Although IGCSE and O Level are equivalent qualifications grade for grade, they are two different qualifications. IGCSE sets international standards, on the other hand, O Level syllabus meets specific local needs in each country. Other notable differences are the grading scale, assessment techniques, and coursework options.
| IGCSE | O Level | |
| Grading | Grades are awarded from A* (highest grade) to G (lowest) | Grades are awarded from A* to E |
| Assessment techniques | Tests oral and practical skills | Focuses on writing and reading skills in language subjects Restricted practical test options in sciences |
| Coursework options | Available in many syllabuses | Fewer coursework options |
Our valuable A* resources had produced thousands of A* scorers around the world. Check them out below.
Our internationally loved exam model answers had helped thousands of students in scoring A/A*. Schools and teachers worldwide have used these resources to aid in their teachings. Learn what an A* answer like, copy the style and score A* in your exam.
Our word-renowned IGCSE and AS/A Level courses had produced more than 1100 A/A* scorers worldwide. They are suitable for schooled or home-schooled candidates, and as full course or revision course.
We have the most complete past exam papers library on earth (no kidding!). Choose your exam board and download everything with one click.
Get the latest exam syllabus and plan your study accordingly.
Find out the exam registration and results released key dates for IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Check your administrative zone, the exam dates and time. For both IGCSE and AS/A Level.
Find and locate the nearest exam centre for your location.
Please kindly read the O Level FAQs here.
Note: CIE (Cambridge International Examination board) has its name changed to CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) since October 2017.
In October 2023, CAIE updated its name, logo, look, and messaging. Cambridge International Education is the new name of the awarding body of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. This name will be used on materials related to administering exams and awarding qualifications.
Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
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Arun Joseph
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572 responses
I want to study nursing but I toke chemistry and physic, I did not take biology in spm. should I take O-level to study science because all entry requirement in the colleges need biology or general science to study nursing.
Hello Chin,
Yes, in this case you must sit for Biology paper alone. You may choose either O Level or IGCSE exam.
Im hoping to continue in the medical field, and im wondering which O levels i should take to proceed. Im in gr10 and have picled biology, english, and maths. For gr11 i am hoping to pick physics and chemistry. Is there anything else i should take, like any AP?
Hello Syed,
Usually you need Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Additional Maths in O Level. However, please check with the university of your choice on the required subjects.
Dear team,
I am studying IGCSE course right now. Can I use the result of Cambridge O-Level to instead of First Language in English Exam?
Can I separate 3 times to test the 7 subjects?
Hello Chin,
If you are a private candidate, you can always sit for one or two subjects in one examination series. If you are attached to a school, you might have to follow the school’s regulation on sitting for exam.
You may use either IGCSE or O Level result for your English subject requirement. However, we strongly suggest you to find out what are the entry requirements for your field of study in the university.
Good morning,
Now I am studying grade 9 in Saudi Arabia
And I am planning to join business in Turkey
If I join o level
I can finish my studies on grade 10
And go to the university in Turkey?
And which is better o level or A level
And is business good to join?
Sincerely,
Lina
Hello Lina,
You must check with the university in Turkey for their entry requirements. From there, you can decide which subjects you need to take, and what is the minimum entry grades.
hi i have the same problem im in grade 10 studying in saudi arabia and im planning to study finance in malaysia and i want to graduate from grade 11 so its like doing a foundation year or a diploma i talked with the universities there and they told me i have to do 3 o level subjects to accept me the problem is that im a SAT student so i want to know can i do o levels even if im a SAT student?
Hello Nour,
You can sit for the O Level exams as a private candidate. Just proceed to your local British Council and find out more details on exam registrations, available subjects in your area, fees, etc etc..
What are the subjects I can take for edexcel O levels. Also where can i find more information about it’s curriculum and examination dates?
Hi Zumana,
We do not have any information on Edexcel. Do contact Edexcel directly 🙂
My son is due to sit for O Level Exam ( CIE Cambridge) in May/June 2018 attached to a CIE School. Can he sit for two subjects in 2018 (May/June) and rest five subjects in 2019 (May/June) attached to that CIE School?
Hi Shaheed,
Yes he could, provided the school allows that. You must discuss with his school if you would like to split the subjects into different examination series. Otherwise, your son has to sit for his exam privately as private candidate with your local British Council.