What are British exams called?

Background The O and A Level examination certificates are the secondary and pre-university credentials in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The O Levels, or Ordinary Levels, typically represent a total of 11 years of study and mark the end of the secondary education cycle.

What are exams called in England?

School exams in England and Wales

In English state schools, most children take GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams in only 9 subjects at age 16. The GCSE course takes 2 years. This means some subjects are dropped by age 13 or 14.

What is the exam in UK?

Which English proficiency exam should I take to study in the UK? The most commonly accepted exams are IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English Qualifications, PTE Academic, and OET. It is advisable to check the specific requirements of your chosen institution to determine which exam they accept.

What is GCSE in UK?

GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education. They are highly valued by schools, colleges and employers. The qualification mainly involves studying the theory of a subject, together with some investigative work, while some subjects also involve practical work.

What are the exams for kids in the UK?

The 7+ and 11+ systems refer to the two different models of entrance exams used by selective schools in the UK. The 7+ exam is typically taken in Year 2, when children are 6-7 years old, while the 11+ exam is taken in Year 6, when children are 10-11 years old.

The UK Education System - What You Need To Know

What exams are taken at 16 years old in England?

At the end of Year 11 (at age 15 or 16, depending on their birthday) students typically take General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams or other Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications.

What are the 13+ exams UK?

The 13 plus exams are exams which children partake in to gain entrance into a school at year 9. There are generally 2 ways to gain entrance at 13 plus. The first method is by taking exams in Year 6: This falls around the same time as 11+ exams, and it is really a chance to give students deferred entry at year 9.

Is 8 an A * in GCSE?

Grade 8 is the equivalent of in between grades A* and A. Grade 7 is the equivalent of a grade A. Grade 6 is the equivalent of just above a grade B. Grade 5 is the equivalent of in between grades B and C.

Can you repeat year 11 in UK?

For students at secondary school level, repeating a year is usually limited to the particular subject or classes that a student has not passed.

Is GCSE free in UK?

Are GCSEs free for adults? Generally, no. While taking GCSEs for the first time is free for children in high school, adult GCSE courses are not free, and adults are required to pay for their GCSE education.

What is the hardest exam in the UK?

The United Kingdom's Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) hasn't been around for as long as some of the other exams on this list — it was created in 2004 — but it's quickly found its place as one the hardest tests to crack. Lasting nearly 2.5 hours, it includes a reading and an essay section.

Which exam is best for UK?

IELTS. The International English Language Testing System or the IELTS is one of the most preferred English Language Proficiency tests for different institutions in UK. IELTS covers 4 main skills of the students i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The minimum IELTS score required for UK is between 6.0 – 8.0 ...

Which exam is better for UK?

IELTS is your gateway to the UK

All British universities and colleges accept IELTS Academic results. This means you may not need to take an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test but can submit an IELTS Academic result.

Can my 14 year old go to college instead of school UK?

Details. Further education and sixth-form colleges are able to enrol students aged 14 to 16 on a full-time study programme and receive funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency ( ESFA ).

Is UK education better than USA?

The UK is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities that rank higher than US institutions. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, four UK universities feature in the top 10, compared to four from the US.

Is year 13 compulsory in UK?

In schools in England and Wales, Year 13 is the thirteenth year after Reception. It is normally the final year of Key Stage 5 in England and since 2015 it is compulsory to participate in some form of education or training in this year for students who finished Year 11 at an educational establishment in England.

Can you drop a GCSE in year 11?

Students who change course must catch up the work within the timeframe set by the subject leader. Students will not be allowed to drop option subjects in Year 10-11 unless they have a letter from a consultant and the issue raised is consistent with evidence seen in school.

Is a 3 a pass in GCSE?

Is a 3 a Pass in GCSE. As mentioned above, any grade below a 4 in the 9-1 grading system will be registered as a fail, so if you score 3 in a subject, then you will have to retake it to earn the qualification. Keep in mind that grades 3,2, and 1 are the equivalent of: D.

Are GCSE resits easier?

No. If you need to retake GCSE Maths, then don't worry, the November resits are standardised to be of the same level of difficulty as the summer exams series. Generally, people do find functional skills, the GCSE equivalent, an easier qualification to pass, which is why this is often recommended as an alternative.

Is a 6 good in GCSE?

| High Grade 6 is equivalent to a high Grade B. Grade 4 is the Standard Pass grade. Grade 5 is a Strong Pass grade. Although Grade 4 is a Standard Pass, many colleges and sixth forms want students to achieve a minimum number of Grades 5 and 6 in their GCSE results.

Is 7 a good GCSE grade?

The highest grade you can get is a 9, with 1 being the lowest. This system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old GCSE grading system that awarded students letter grades from A* to G. In the current grading system, a score of 9, 8 and 7 are equivalent to an A* and A.

Is a 7 an A or B in GCSE?

Grade 9, Grade 8 and Grade 7 are equivalent to the old Grades A* and A. Grade 6, Grade 5 and Grade 4 are equivalent to the old Grades B and C. To pass you need at least a Grade 4 or Grade 5. Grades 1 to 3 are like the old D to G.

Do year 9 have exams UK?

Depending on the schools, students start studying for the GCSE exam in year 9 or year 10. The exams are taken in year 11, at the end of the GCSE course.

Why does England have 13 grades?

Some of the other answers have already touched on this, but the year 13 is essentially equivalent to the first year at college or university, and is similar to the US Advanced Placement scheme. Bachelors degrees are 3 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a result.