Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

Last updated: 16 January 2009

An A level qualification consists of advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2 units. The AS is a stand-alone qualification and is worth half a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units (assessed at the standard expected for a student half way through an A level course) that together contribute 50 per cent of the full A level.

The A2 is the second half of a full A level qualification. It normally consists of two units (assessed at the standard expected for a student at the end of a full A level course) that together are worth 50 per cent of the full A level qualification. Before September 2008, A levels normally comprised three AS units and three A2 units.

Most units are assessed by examination but some are assessed by internal assessment. The AS covers the less demanding material in an A level course. The A2 covers the more demanding material. In the A2, students:

• study topics in more depth
• extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject by studying new topics
• combine knowledge, skills and understanding from across the A level course through synoptic assessment.

Revised specifications in 2008

Revised A level specifications were introduced in September 2008, with a new A* grade awarded from 2010 to those students who have achieved both of the following:

• Grade A overall (that is 80 per cent of the maximum uniform marks for the whole A level qualification)
• 90 per cent of the maximum uniform marks on the aggregate of the A2 unit scores.
  

The A* grade is awarded for the A level qualification only and not for the AS qualification or for individual units.