Last updated: 03 Aug 2007

QCA today announced the accreditation of new A levels following the revision of the subject criteria in December 2006. The revisions are designed to ensure that A levels are more challenging and that the highest levels of achievement are recognised. The revised A levels will be available for first teaching in September 2008. The changes include:

• fewer units of study
• fewer structured questions, and more open-ended questions which require extended essay responses
• more questions which require a synoptic overview of the subject
• the introduction of an extended project and
• the introduction of a new A* grade which recognises very high achievement.

Ken Boston, Chief Executive of QCA, said:

"The A level is a high quality and demanding qualification, and deserves its international reputation. These reforms will provide even greater stretch and challenge. Alongside the introduction of the new Diplomas, the revised A levels will ensure that young people are better equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding required for success in further and higher education and employment.

"The reduction from six to four units in the majority of A levels will require students to show greater depth of understanding of a subject across a range of questions. The introduction of an extended project will require them to demonstrate the skills of planning, preparation, research and independent working. Candidates will be required to justify their work and explain how they reached their outcomes. The project is also a requirement of the new Diplomas.

"The introduction of an A* grade raises the height of examination hurdle. This new grade will reward exceptional performance. We want young people to be challenged to the limits of their capacity, and recognised when their achievement is outstanding."

Notes to editors

1. The new syllabuses will be introduced for first teaching in 2008 with first awarding taking place for the new AS levels in 2009 and the new A levels in 2010.

2. A levels are normally taken as a two-year course that is a progression from GCSE or equivalent examination. It is not, however, necessary to have taken a GCSE to be able to take an A level course.

3. A levels are available in approximately 80 subjects of which 10 are A levels in applied subjects.

4. The consultation on the draft A level criteria with a wide range of stakeholders took place between March and May 2006. QCA received over 3,200 responses to the consultation. The findings of the consultation can be found at www.qca.org.uk/consultations

5. The new A level specifications have been published in most subjects on the awarding body websites:

AQA: www.aqa.org.uk
CCEA: www.ccea.org.uk
Edexcel: www.edexcel.org.uk
OCR: www.ocr.org.uk
WJEC: www.wjec.co.uk

6. The accreditation decision was taken by the regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland which are the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS), and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

7. If you require any more information, please contact the QCA Press Office. Contact details are shown below.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Press Office
83 Piccadilly
London
W1J 8QA

Direct line: 0207 509 6789
Out of hours: 0779 892 4552