To put it in precise details then O levels in essence can be described as the general qualification which provides students with a general qualification to pursue further education or employment. On the other hand, A levels can therefore be described as the advance qualification in which students only study subjects of their choice and assists students in the choice of universities or the specific career path that the student wants to pursue. This Article explains, what is o level and a level education in order to understand their various prospects.

What is A Levels and O Levels?

A-levels or Advanced Level qualifications are still a form of academic qualification in the UK issued at the subject level. The students usually took their A-levels in two years. The assessment is in the form of end-of-term tests in subjects they have chosen.

These certificates act as general certificates of education as well as qualifications that enable individuals to further their studies. Many universities use A-levels as the basis for offering students a place and students are offered a place depending on the grades they obtained.

It allows a student to choose any subject combination, which may correlate with the university degree a student is planning to pursue. They are accepted in higher learning institutions across the globe, therefore making them very popular among students.

O-levels also referred to as the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level began in 1951 with a view of replacing the 16+ School Certificate. They acted as a way to the more advanced and scholarly A-levels (Advanced Level) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 1.

Cambridge O Level, one of the finest qualifications accepted around the globe, focus on important tools of education and learning which includes knowledge, problem solving, decision making, critical assessment and investigatory skills 2. These qualifications offer a general subject base incorporating vocational abilities in conjunction with their academic counterparts.

BACKGROUNG AND PURPOSE:

In the year 1951 the GCE introduced the O Level Examinations format for secondary education. These were developed for learners said to be at the higher abilities level. O-levels were terminal subject examinations; students sat them at the age of 16 years.

At the same time, there was the introduction of CSE (Certificate of Secondary Education) in 1963 which provided an option. The CSE had six grades and grade one was equivalent to an O-level appeared first on fretjob.com.

Moving forward to the 1980s there was a continuing criticism of the dual O-level/CSE system. In response, the Thatcher government opted to implement a structure of examining at 16 plus in an effort to arrive at that goal.

This new system came to be recognized as the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Though the GCSE did replace O-level as well as CSE, it was designed to have more standardization at the real academic level.

O LEVELS

• Levels are the elementary level in the education of a student. Traditionally, these exams are sitting at the end of year 11, although more and more students sit the exams at the end of year 10. Students learn a wide variety of subjects such as mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities.
• Levels offer general education and learners are allowed to sit for several subjects. They seek to impart to the student’s core fundamentals and competencies in various fields of study.
• Levels serve as a preparation for college education hence, they are important. There are normally chances that students passing O Levels have to move on to do A Levels or other advanced qualifications.

A LEVEL

• A levels are more specific and in depth. As for the A Levels examination, they are usually sat in several chosen subjects, for example, mathematics, physics, literature, etc. These exams take place slightly before 18 years, though the precise age varies: it can be the end of the 12th grade or the beginning of the 13th grade.
• A Levels enables one to study his or her subjects in detail. It provokes the minds analytically and does not allow the students to rely on the information provided alone.
• A Levels are significant in the society especially when it comes to admission to universities. Good A Level results create opportunities for students to be admitted into well established universities and particular courses.

Curriculum and Content

Here’s the detail of O and A level subjects:

O Levels (Ordinary Levels):

Breadth of Subjects: O Levels encompass many fields of knowledge, and they may encompass mathematics, sciences, languages, humanities, and many other things. Students sit for several O Level exams hence gets a feel of several disciplines. This width guarantees an all-round education.

General Knowledge: This aspect implies that the O Levels equip one with base knowledge in different subject faculties. Students obtain the required amount of knowledge and get skills to advance their studies or professions.

A Levels (Advanced Levels):

Depth of Specialization: A Level are very subject specific and offer concentration strictly on the choice made by the learner. All the subjects in the A Level course are analytical, complex, and based on higher levels of thinking. This means students major in fields they are interested in.

Narrower Scope: It is worth to note that while taking O Levels the student sit for several exams, on the other hand A Levels usually require only couple subjects. These specializations make students ready for university learning and the profession.

To sum up, it can be stated that O Levels are more generalized, providing the students with rather wide knowledge, while the A Levels focus on all-encompassing and detailed view on the subject. Each of them has a high impact on a student’s educational process.

Difference between O Levels and A Levels

Let’s indulge into O and A levels difference in detail, so that we can understand it in effective way.

Difficulty:

O Levels: Nevertheless, these exams are difficult; however, they act as the base level of proficiency tests. Children tackle tests in nearly all subjects, and the level of challenge is based on each student’s learning profile.

A Levels: They are more demanding compared to their AS counterparts. It entails enhanced comprehension, evaluation, and analysis as well as the development of personal research skills. The content is specialized on an academic achievement and the student must perform well in his or her choice subject.

Content:

O Levels: It includes fundamental knowledge and skills in the given material or topic. Subjects are Math, Sciences, Languages, and Humanities among them in schools around the globe.

A Levels: It concerns the selected topics only. Students work with practical state-of-the-art issues, get involved in analysis and critical thinking and, quite often, pursue research. A Levels are suitable for furthering university education, thus prepare the students for university education.

Summing up, O Levels contribute to the creation of a good basis, and A Levels – to the attainment of an intensive and profound vocational preparation.

Subject Choices

O Level: O Levels are offered in a wide variety of subjects; this way Pakistani students can choose an individual track. Regardless of their interests, all students must take five compulsory subjects: English, Urdu, Islamiat, Mathematics and Pak-studies.

These are the core subjects after completing which the student can take other subjects of his or her choice. These optional subjects include Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, Computer science, Economies, and many others.

In order to obtain O Levels, the students are supposed to have passes in at least of eight subjects and this is inclusive of the compulsory options.

A Levels:  A Levels give even more independence and sub classification which is explained by the opportunity to choose individual subjects. The Bahasa Malaysia and Pakistan universities offer 55 subjects in which all formations can be chosen.

They can do so with specific interest fields of their choosing, whether that is humanities, sciences or arts. Normally, learners sit for three or four subjects although there is a possibility of taking more subjects at A Level.

Some common choices are; Math and Physics, Math and Chemistry, Math and Biology, and involved humanities and social sciences. Also, it is noted that the English General Paper is a part of Group 4: Interdisciplinary subjects for students who are planning to receive the Cambridge AICE Diploma.

Qualifications and Impact

The qualifications earned after completing O Levels and A Levels, as well as their impact on university admissions and career prospects in the context of Pakistan:
Qualifications Earned:
O Levels:

• Upon completing the O levels, Pakistani students are awarded a certificate that depicts competency according to the students’ performances in the various subjects.
• The dubbed O Level certificate is an international one and can be used to confirm an applicant has sound secondary education.
• As for O Levels, students generally sit these tests at the age of 16.

A Levels

• Level is usually followed by A level. The following are examination routes; A/M level, A/AS level combinations, A2 level, and AS level.
• On successful completion of A Levels, the students are awarded A Level certificate for all the subjects the student has taken.
• A Level is recognized by the Pakistan universities and employers due to stronghold on content and its assessment.
• A level is generally regarded as a means to gain a place in higher learning institution or acquire certain jobs

Impact on University Admissions and Career Prospects:
University Admissions:

A Levels are shooting up as a reliable key for assessing one’s learning ability in Pakistani universities. A’Level courses enable the learners to branch into particular areas of interest, establishing their proficiency and devotion.
This research found out that Universities use these A level grades when admitting students especially when the programs of study are competitive.
There could be certain courses at universities, where students are required to have specific qualifications in certain subjects, A Levels assist in this.
Career Prospects:

• A Levels improve employability as it prepares candidates in problem solving, writing, and the knowledge area of the chosen subject.
• Holders of A Level are equipped for further education in any Pakistani University or acquire professional qualifications.
• There are careers such as medicine, engineering, law and finance where certain A Level subjects will be focused on.
• In the Applicants’ perception Employees bear that employers give a lot of importance to A Level qualifications and utilize them for the selection tests for the entry level positions as well as internships.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, O levels as well as A levels play a vital role in a student’s education system in Pakistan to obtain higher education as well as in order to choose career fields of his or her choice.

The goals and objectives of offering O Levels are to offer general education, more so from an academic perspective, whereas a broad class offered at A Levels can be specialized in favor of the user’s chosen course.

In the cases of continuing with education and joining the job market, both qualifications are valuable in their respective ways and vie for a student’s future path.