A parent’s Guide to A-Levels

As school ends in year 12 and students begin making choices about their futures, A-Levels are an often-discussed topic between parents and children. Your child may want to take A-Levels as a start on the path towards university or they may not be certain about this but feel that A-Levels offer a good start to their working life or as a route into other forms of further education.

Are A-Levels a lot harder than GCSEs?

They’re definitely a more in-depth way of studying a particular subject. This is the reason most students only take 3 of them. Some students may feel able to do 4 but others might only want to take 2. All of these choices are valid.

Students are expected to guide their own learning a lot more during A-Levels. They will be helped in that they are told what to do and what to read but there’s a lot less looking over their shoulder than with GCSEs.

When does revision begin?

Revision is important so it generally begins at Easter because exams begin in May. The Easter holidays provide a nice clear period for your child to get into a routine of revision.

When do exams start?

The exact timing does change from year to year but the period usually starts around the middle of May and ends in the middle of June. Your child’s teachers will ensure they know exactly when exams begin.

How do A-Level grades work?

The system for grading A-Levels is a little simpler to understand than that of GCSEs. The letter system is used – that’s the most commonly understood system so most people find it easy to grasp. Scores are from A* to E with A* representing the highest score possible and E the lowest.

Looking further ahead

Your child may know exactly what they want to do after A-Levels or they may be uncertain. Whichever it is, just support your child to the best of your ability. Remember that their teachers are a mine of useful information and can guide you in the right direction. This A-Level College in Wales offers students careful guidance all the way through their time on campus.