What are the exams for high school in the UK?

High school in England is referred to as “Secondary school” and there are various types of secondary education. Students in England are required to take the GCSEs and A-Level exams in order to attend a UK university after secondary school.

What exams are taken at 16 years old in England?

GCSEs are the main qualification taken by 14 to 16-year-olds, but are available to anyone of any age. You can take GCSEs in a wide range of academic and 'applied' or work-related subjects at school or your local Further Education (FE) college.

What are the school tests in the UK?

SATs are standardised assessment tests administered by primary schools in England to children in Year 2 and Year 6 to check their educational progress. They are one marker used by the government, and hence parents, of the quality of the education at a school.

What is the GCSE equivalent in the US?

For example, IGCSEs and GCSEs are considered equivalent to a United States high school diploma according to UCAS — even though IGCSEs are completed at age 16, two years before students would ordinarily finish the US high school diploma.

What is a GCSE exam?

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification in a range of particular subjects, taken in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, having been introduced in September 1986, and its first exams sat in 1988.

The UK Education System - What You Need To Know

What is a GCSE pass equivalent to?

Equivalent GCSE grades

The Government has said that grade 4 is a 'standard pass'. Grade 5 is a 'strong pass' and equivalent to a high C and low B on the old grading system.

What grade do you take GCSE exam?

In England, GCSEs are typically taken by school students aged between 14-16. In school years, this is year 10 to year 11, with most assessments and examinations taking place in the spring and summer term of year 11.

What do American schools do instead of GCSE?

However, there are no exams in the US comparable to GCSE or A-Levels. In the United States, math and science are taught sequentially rather than simultaneously. A student in Grade 9 can study physics in one year, followed by a year of chemistry in Grade 10.

Is US high school diploma same as GCSE?

5 GCSE passes at grade C or higher are considered the rough equivalent of a US High School Diploma (without Honors or 'Advanced Placement' (AP) classes). This will be sufficient for a student to gain entry to less selective US colleges and universities.

Is studying in UK 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.

What age can you take GCSE?

GCSE is an acronym for the General Certificate of Secondary Education. This is an academic qualification that you study for in a particular subject. GCSEs are taken by all students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland at or before the age of 16.

What is the final exam for high school in the UK?

A Levels. A levels are used as entrance grades for Universities and are the final school exams students aged 18 in Year 12 will take. They are more advanced than AS levels.

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.

How does British high school work?

In the last two years of secondary education, which are called Year 10 and Year 11, starting at age 14, students prepare for GCSE exams that are taken after two years (General Certificate of Secondary Education). In the UK school system, during the GCSE programme, students study between 9 and 12 subjects.

What is high school called in England?

Secondary school is the next step up from primary school. Secondary schools are often called high schools or middle school in United States. In Britain, secondary schools may be public schools, grammar schools or comprehensive schools.

Do British people go to college at 16?

Students in England go to “school” until age 16. After 16, some students continue in vocational programs until 18 and some take their GCSE exams (previously known as “O-levels”) to gain admission to two years of “college.”

What are O levels in UK compared to us?

The main difference between an American School Certificate and English 'O' and 'A' levels is that you could only take a High School Certificate as a member of a school class. With an 'A' level, you could sit the exam as an individual student and elect to be examined on your private study.

What is an American high school equivalent to in UK?

"5 GCSE passes at grade C or higher are considered the rough equivalent of a US High School Diploma (without Honors or 'Advanced Placement' (AP) classes). This will be sufficient for a student to gain entry to less selective US colleges and universities."

Is the American school system easier than British?

Pace. In the case of the British curriculum, it can be found that in primary/secondary school, the level of learning in the U.K. school system was considerably higher. This is because the students have in-depth knowledge of each topic taught in each stage.

Are UK degrees harder than us?

It's difficult to say whether the British education system is harder than the American education system because both systems have their own unique challenges and strengths. In the UK, there is a strong emphasis on independent learning and critical thinking, with a heavier focus on exams and a more narrow subject focus.

Can you go to US college with GCSEs?

You can apply with GCSEs, AS levels, or A levels. It doesn't matter that much. The main thing you NEED in order to apply to American universities are SATs. For very many universities and colleges in the United States, writing SATs are a requirement to be considered for admission.

What is a Grade 7 equivalent to in GCSE?

A grade 7 is now equal to a grade A in the old system. 2. What is a 4 grade GCSE? If you achieve a grade 4 in your GCSEs, then it is considered the same as the old grade C, under the GCSE grade equivalents.

Can you get into college without GCSEs UK?

While universities usually require a passing grade in GCSE Maths and English, it's certainly possible to get in with no GCSEs. However, you will have to fill out your application with plenty of impressive-sounding skills and character traits. 1^st lesson free!

What is year 12 in UK?

Year 12 is the first year of Key Stage 5, when the students are age 16 by August 31st. Students in Year 12 in England and Wales can study A Level qualifications in sixth form college, or alternatively the more vocational BTEC.