- Ordinary Level
The "O-level (Ordinary Level)" is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the
General Certificate of Education (GCE). It was introduced as part of British educational reform in the 1950s alongside the more in-depth and academically rigorousA-level (Advanced Level).England ,Wales andNorthern Ireland replaced O-levels by theGCSE exams in 1988. The Scottish equivalent was theO-grade (replaced by theStandard Grade ).tructure
The O-level was predominantly exam-based. This was advantageous for students in part-time or evening education; however, some commentators were critical of the exam-based approach offering a limited proof of the student's overall academic ability in comparison with other methods (e.g. coursework-based assessment)
Grading
Originally O-level passes were at Grades 1 through 6, with grades 7 through 9 being a fail. Most examination boards later introduced a standard system of grading with A, B and C as passing grades and D, E and U (Unclassified) as failing grades. Exams graded U were not listed in the certificate. The University of London Board originally had a disparate system of grading, awarding A, C and E for passes and F, H and U for fails. In the 1970s the University of London joined the standard system of grading.
History
In 1988, O-level qualifications in the UK were replaced by a new system, the
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). This meant that the final O-level examinations were taken in 1987, while the curriculum for the new system was introduced in 1986. However the O-level is still used in many former British colonies, such asBangladesh ,Brunei ,Ghana ,Pakistan ,Singapore ,Sri Lanka ,Malaysia ,Malta ,Mauritius ,Trinidad and Tobago ,Hong Kong . Some British schools also reverted to O-levels. [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=399671&in_page_id=1770&ito=1490 Daily Mail, 09.8.2006] ]O-levels continue to thrive as well respected international qualifications for students in other countries, who use them for preparation for advanced study in their own country and/or access higher education overseas. In June 2005, 12 million candidates from more than 200 countries registered for O-level examinations across the world. Institutions that offer O-levels are
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) [http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/subjects] andEdexcel International [http://www.edexcel-international.org/quals/olevel/] .See also
*
Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), an alternative qualification for people who did not do the O-level.
*General National Vocational Qualification , another abolished qualification in the United Kingdom.
*General Certificate of Secondary Education , which replaced the O-Levels.
*General Certificate of Education , which comprises O-levels and A-levels.References
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