A-levels - how they're marked
The Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (www.qca.org.uk) has brought out a free guide in partnership with WH Smith.
On The Level explains how exam papers are developed, marked and graded. For confused parents, it also explains how the AS and A2 exams work and how often you can retake subjects.
The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) is a stand alone qualification that is valued as half a full A level. It normally consists of two units at the standard expected of a student halfway through an A level course.
The A2 is the second half of an A level qualification and consists of two units assessed at the standard expected at the end of the course. In an A2 students might specialise in areas studied at AS, study new topics or improve skills. The AS and A2 elements add up to the full A level.
Grades are set according to whether candidates meet fixed criteria - unlike up till the mid 80s when grades were given according to where students ranked across all those taking the exams.
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