What are GCE AS/A levels?

The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is a stand-alone qualification and is valued as half an A level qualification. It has three units that contribute 50 per cent of the A level. These units are assessed against the standard expected of a student halfway through an A level course.

The A2 is the second half of an A level qualification. It has three units that are worth 50 per cent of an A level qualification. These units are assessed against the standard expected of a student at the end of an A level course.

Most units are assessed by examination. Some are assessed by coursework. In most A levels, coursework accounts for 20 to 30 per cent of the marks. The AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course. The A2 covers the more demanding material. For example, in the A2, students might:

• specialise in an area they studied at AS
• extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying new topics
• improve their skills.

In the A2 students will also combine knowledge, understanding and skills from across the A level course.