Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (A Levels)

Introduction
The A Levels was first introduced in 1951 as a standard requirement for entry into universities in the UK. Over the years it has become a globally recognised pre-university qualification.
In Malaysia, A Levels courses are offered by private universities. If you decide to undergo the programme, you will have the option of taking a minimum of 3 subjects out of a total of 60 subjects. With technically no limit to the number of subjects you can take, it is easy to get overwhelmed but remember that most universities only require a minimum of 3 subjects for entry.
Duration
The duration of an A Levels course can be anywhere between 15 months to 24 months. This depends on where you take the course.
Intakes
There are multiple intakes for the A Levels course each year, depending on the college or university of your choice. Most private institutions typically offer intakes in January, March, July and/or September.
Structure & assessment
The A Levels is further broken down into 2 parts, starting with the Advanced Subsidiary (AS level) which is akin to the foundation level of the A Levels.
This is followed by the A2 level which is the second (and more complex) part of the A Levels syllabus.
There are major exams at the end of each level. In a nutshell, 50%of your total scores come from your AS level, while the remaining 50%comes from your A2 level.
Subjects
The A Levels is 100% exam-based. While generally viewed as a difficult course, the truth is that the A levels syllabus is a little more comprehensive than some of the other pre-university courses you can take. Focusing on your A Levels can actually prepare you for what’s ahead which is your degree course.
Expert tips
- Research on the many private universities that offer the A levels!
- Ask yourself if you are ready because the A levels is a difficult course!
- Look at other pre-university courses if exams aren’t your thing!
It is RIGHT for you if…
- You like exam-based learning
- You want to focus on just a few core subjects of interest
- You want to prepare yourself for competitive degrees such as medicine or law
- You want a good chance of entering a respected overseas university
It is WRONG for you if…
- You prefer to be assessed based on coursework, projects or presentations
- You want to go for practical or hands-on courses such as the creative arts, architecture or hospitality
- You feel that you are not academically-gifted in the traditional sense