Students in the UK who wish to enter university or college and pursue their dream degree typically study for their A Levels. Foreign students who want to pursue higher education in the UK must also understand A Levels.
A Levels are subject-based qualifications in the UK for students who are 16 years old and above. They study the advanced level qualifications for two years. Passing the A-Level exams gives them higher chances of university admission in the UK (and worldwide). Most of the institutes for higher learning require a minimum of three subjects.
A Levels do not have compulsory subjects, and the students can choose which subjects will help them in their careers or studies. Typically, they study three subjects among the following: English language and literature, biology, maths, chemistry, physics, geography, history, economics, art, IT, psychology, and foreign languages.
A-Level entries
According to statistics, 756,230 students took their A-Level exams in 2021. In a Statista survey, 14.6 per cent of the students in the UK achieved the highest grade of A* in 2022.
Most students consider A Levels difficult because the authorities designed the exams to test the abilities of the students and prepare them for work or further education in the fields they desire. As a result, they are challenging, although many students say some studies and exams are more demanding.
Students failing their A Levels
The absence of factual data makes it difficult to ascertain how many students fail their A Levels annually. However, there are indications that the range spans about one-third to one-half of the students taking A-Level exams. The changing guidelines and the methods for grading the exams in recent years contributed to the increase in numbers.
However, students should understand that failing to achieve their expected grades in their A Levels does not mean they cannot enter university. Many options are still available.
Should you retake your A Levels?
The answer to this question depends on you and what you want to achieve. If you think you did your best the first time and did not get what you wanted, you should review your exam and its results. Redoing A Levels is also another option. You could resit your A Levels but study different subjects that will help you gain admittance to your favoured university if you are willing to prepare better and study harder to get higher grades.
Where to study for a retake
You can study in school, online, or at a sixth form/college. Check if your previous school accepts A-Level retakes. The tuition would be lower, and you are already familiar with the school. However, if you are not comfortable taking the course with junior students, you can enrol at a tutorial college or sixth form offering small group tuition. Otherwise, you can study online, but make sure that you choose a reputable course provider.
Remember that you can retake your A Levels at any age and as often as possible. However, you should aim to improve your grades on your second or third attempt because the process takes about a year, meaning it will take longer to enter university if you resit your A Levels several times.
