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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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Lanja Omer
United Arab Emirates
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572 responses
Can I take edexcel advanced level accounting and business studies without maths igcse
Hello Arnob,
Please check with your chosen university for their subject entry requirements. Mathematics is usually part of the required subjects.
Thank you.
Is it possible to take edexcel maths igcse after completed edexcel advanced level accounting and business studies because I did not taken maths igcse and now I realized it is important
Hello Arnob,
Please check with your preferred universities regarding the combining results from separate examination series. Some universities would only accept exam results within a certain period, for example: within 13 months or 24 months between the first IGCSE exam and the last IGCSE exam.
Thank you.
What to do if I face clash date between edexcel igcse and as level for example accounting paper 1 June 10 2 pm and accounting paper 1 (AS) June 10 2 pm
Hi Arnob,
We do not suggest registering for subjects that have clashing exam dates. Your grades will be affected due to missing exam components.
Qualify means pass and getting a certificate means pass with D E F G grade in edexcel igcse unlike U grade which is fail and no qualification or certificate is given is it right
Hi Arnob,
Yes, you are correct. Earning the qualification means you will be awarded a certificate. Please note that you still have to check the universities’ entry requirements if they accept grades lower than a C.
My first question is , Is it easy to register for edexcel AS accounting with grade g in igcse accounting as a private candidate or school candidate. Second question is Does school does not accept for registering accounting AS level for grade g in accounting igcse edexcel or it is rule from Pearson Edexcel for schools to stop registering for accounting AS level for received G grade in accounting igcse.
Hello Arnob,
We cannot confirm this for you as we are not the exam board nor an exam centre. We suggest that you write to Edexcel about this matter. You may reach them through their website: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/home.html.
Furthermore, if you read the Accounting syllabus, it is stated under the Prior learning and other requirements that “Students who would benefit most from studying these qualifications are likely to have a Level 2 qualification such as an International GCSE in Accounting at grades 9 to 4 or A* to C.”
Thank you for your understanding.
I have finished edexcel accounting and business studies AS and A level but I got to know that I received U in maths B igcse and uni won’t accept student without maths igcse so can I take maths A igcse now . but I have completed advanced level.so will this be right to take maths a igcse after completed advanced level as I have no option.
Hi Arnob,
As far as we know, you may register for iGCSE Maths. For final confirmation, please consult your exam centre.
You can check out our Edexcel iGCSE revision courses here: https://www.skolatis.com/online-courses/. Both schooled and private candidates use our courses to help them prepare for their iGCSE exams as these courses had produced thousands of A*/A achievers worldwide.
We hope this helps. Thank you.
Can I get edexcel igcse course maths a and accounting in igcse centre
Hello Arnob,
We are offering an Edexcel iGCSE Mathematics B revision course. It has more content material and also suitable for students taking Edexcel iGCSE Mathematics A.
Unfortunately, we do not have an available revision course for Edexcel iGCSE Accounting.
You can check all the available Edexcel IGCSE courses here: https://www.skolatis.com/online-courses/.
If you need assistance with the course registration, please feel free to contact us. Thank you.
If I register for edexcel igcse economics and IAS business studies at same time how will I receive statement of entry and certificate.
Hello Arnob,
The exam centre where you will register for the exam will let you know how you will receive them.
Thank you.
Will edexcel accept accounting A level registration because I got grade g in edexcel igcse
Hello Arnob,
We strongly urge you to contact the exam centre where you will be registering for the A-Level exam. They are the only ones who can confirm the registration requirements.
Thank you for your understanding.
Why F grade is not fail edexcel igcse but U grade is
Hello Arnob,
Grade F is considered as a pass because students still earn a qualification and a certificate. Unlike with U, no qualification will be given.
However, Grade F is too low that when you apply for A Level and university, they may not accept it. Thus, even if it is not explicitly regarded as a fail, the performance is very unsatisfactory that a retake is highly suggested.