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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) for Edexcel IGCSE, GCSE, GCE (AS/A2 Levels), UK A Levels

IGCSE / GCSE

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UK GCE, AS /A2, A Levels

Retakes

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  • What is EDEXCEL

    • Edexcel, a Pearson company, is one of the UK's largest awarding bodies offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers and other places of learning in the UK and internationally.

    Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A levels.

Answers IGCSE /GCSE

  • What is the difference between GCSE and IGCSE?

    • GCSE and IGCSE are qualifications which are at the same level.  The IGCSE has been developed to be more relevant to students learning in an ‘international’ or non UK context.  The “I” stands for international.  These qualifications have become so popular that a number of independent schools in the UK are now moving away from the GCSE and adopting the IGCSE. But in terms of entrance into post-secondary and other courses, the qualifications are seen as equivalent.

  • What is the difference between EDEXCEL and CIE I/GCSE's

    Edexcel and CIE are both examples of UK examination boards which provide a range of exams and qualifications. All exam boards operate under the guidelines produced by the JCQ (Joint Committee for Qualifications).  There is no difference in the level or degree of difficulty between the IGCSE offered by Edexcel and CIE.  There differences are only in the way questions are asked and the format of the exams.

  • Is there course work in the IGCSE?

    This depends.  While schools do have a coursework option in some subjects, it is also possible to take the 100% exam route with the IGCSE.

  • When is the enrollment deadline?

    • The enrollment deadline can vary but it is likely to be several months before the actual exams.  It is best to check with your exam centre to avoid missing the deadline and being charged late fees.

  • How much does it cost?

    • IGCSE subjects are charged per subject rather than per unit (as the A level is).  You should check with your exam centre to get the current cost per subject.

  • When do the results come out?

    • The results are generally released in August (for the May / June exam session) or March (for the January session). Check the exact date with your exam centre.

  • How many IGCSE subjects should I take?

    • It really depends on the purpose that you are taking them for.  5 or 6 seems to be a minimum number but students in IGCSE schools generally take more than this.

  • Can I get my exam paper back?

    • It is possible to request a copy of the paper but it may not be possible for all subjects.  There is a fee for this service.

  • Can I get extra help in my examinations?

    • If you have a recognised condition which has been certified by a professional, it might be possible to apply for extra time or another type of aid to assist you.

  • When should I register? What is registration closing date?

    • You should check with your exam centre as they have all of the relevant closing dates.  Remember different centres might have slightly different dates so if one centre tells you that you’ve missed the enrolment deadline, try another one.

Answers GCE, AS/A2, UK A Levels

  • What do AS, A2 and A level mean?

    • There is a lot of terminology surrounding the A levels.  A Level means Advanced level and refers to a standard or level – which is usually done as the final two years of secondary school, in order to matriculate. A level is a standard which is used for such things as gaining entrance to university.

    AS are units taken in order to complete the second last year of secondary school (or lower sixth).  Students who complete the correct pattern of AS level units (usually 2 or 3 units at this level, depending on the subject) will be awarded an AS level certificate. AS stands for Advanced subsidiary level.

    A2 refers to the final stage or A levels.  Students who have successfully completed AS units in a subject move on to do A2, which are of a higher standard.  Completing the correct sequence of subjects at both AS and A2 level means you have finished a full A level in a subject.  University places often need a number of grades at A level (so both AS + A2 in a subject) but completed AS awards also attract UCAS points and are often counted towards university entrance.

  • How many GCE A levels should I take?

    • The number of A levels you take depends on a number of things.  In particular, it can depend on the reason you are taking A levels.  If you are taking the A levels as a stepping stone to university, then the number you take may depend on what the university requires or the number of UCAS points you need to get into your course. You should check with the universities you are thinking of targeting to see how many they want you to have.

    One AS and 2 or 3 A2 subjects seems to be the most common number taken.

  • Are some GCE A level subjects regarded better than others?

    • Again, this does depend on the caliber of the university you are targeting or the course you are hoping to get into.  But it is the case that some subjects are not seen as sufficiently ‘academic’ to be accepted by some universities. A number of universities don’t give credit for marks achieved in General Studies.  Check with your chosen universities to see if they have a subject or two that they won’t recognize.

  • Can I retake an exam if I am unhappy with my mark?

    • Yes. Any unit can be retaken. You will receive the higher result – so if you don’t do as well the second time round it won’t matter.  However some university courses, such as medicine, sometimes require students to have taken all their A2 units in a single sitting.

  • How do I get an A*?

    • You will need to check the regulation for the specific board. But generally  you require an A average and an average of 90% in your A2 units to qualify for an A*

  • How much is the exam fee?

    • This depends.  Different subjects have different fees. And the exam fees change from one academic year to the next. You should contact your exam centre to find out the fees.

  • Can I take additional subjects through a different exam centre to my original subjects?

    • Yes you can.  If you took a number of units through Centre A and then through a change of school or situation you want to do some more units (or retake some of the previous ones) you can enroll in Centre B if you like.  Make sure you enroll using the same UCI (unique Client Identifier) so all of your previous units and subjects and personal information can be used.  You cannot enroll in Centre A and Centre B during the same exam session.

  • Will an A level in Chinese count?

    • It depends.  Some universities are happy to count, some a less so.  You should check with your university choices to see what their attitude towards taking a Chinese A level will be. Sending an email to the admissions clerk for you selected course is a good way to check.

  • How do the A levels compare to the IB?

    • A levels and IBDP are both methods to show you have completed high school and are both used to qualify for university entrance.  There are strengths and weaknesses in both systems. But both systems can gain you entrance to universities world-wide.

  • How can a GCE A Level subject help my BTEC score?

    • Many universities in the UK have a UCAS tariff point requirement.  For example, you might need 320 UCAS tariff points to gain entry to a particular course.  BTEC does not always provide enough UCAS tariff points.  For example if you receive MM for BTEC, you only have 200 tariff points.  If you selected course needs 320, you are short of this figure.  In order to gain more tariff points, you could do an A level subject or two, or an A2 and an AS.

  • Where can I sit my GCE exams in Hong Kong?

    • You can sit you’re a levels at places which are exam centres for exam boards.  ITS Tutorial School is an exam centre for Edexcel. HKEAA is also an A level exam centre.

  • When is the cut off time for withdrawing from an GCE A Level subject?

    • This depends. If you have paid your exam fee and then you decide to withdraw and want a refund, it will depend on whether the Edexcel date has already passed. This can be checked by emailing your exam centre.  If you want to withdraw once the date has passed, you can but there will be no refund on exam fees. Finally if you want to withdraw after the exam, it is possible.

  • Can I get extra help in my examinations?

    • That depends.  If you have documentation to support that you would be disadvantaged in some way without it, extra help, usually in the form of more time or possibly the use of a computer, might be possible. You should submit any medical or other reports of this nature to the Manager of Exams Services or the Director of Studies well in advance of the exam session you hope to enroll in.

  • What happens if I miss my exam through no fault of my own?

    This depends on the reason for missing the exam.  If it is really through no fault of yours, your enrollment can be transferred to the next exam session with not additional exam fee charged.  It may be possible to apply for some form of special consideration but this is unlikely to help you much in the case of a whole exam being missed.

  • What does ‘cashing in’ mean?

    Cashing in is the mechanism for generating a certificate.  If you have to complete three units in order to complete the AS qualification, and you do all three you won’t automatically get a certificate.  Instead, the units will stay in your account.  If you want a certificate to be generated, the cash-in must be applied for.

  • Where can I find out about going to university in the UK?

    • There are a number of places you can find this type of information.  A good place to start is the UCAS website at www.ucas.com. There are a number of education fairs held in Hong Kong each year and a lot of the UK universities attend.  The British Council in Hong Kong has a good library of prospectuses from UK universities and they also host talks and seminars throughout the year.  You can search for courses on the internet an email the admission tutors directly to get further information.

  • Can you tell me which universities in Australia and the USA accept A Levels?

    • Most universities in Australia and the USA will accept GCE A levels as evidence that you have completed high school. This does not mean that universities won’t have other requirements to gain admission but you will find that the qualification is usually accepted quite widely.

    A very useful recognition database is provided by CIE to show which universities/academic institutions in other countries accept the IGCSE / A Level results: Recognition Database

Retakes

  • What's the point of retaking A levels?

    • Candidates may decide to retake a GCE unit for a number of reasons.  Of course the most common reason is dissatisfaction with the grade you received. As A level units are modular, but aggregate towards the total mark (for both AS and A2) retaking a unit might result not just in a better unit score but a better overall score as well.

  • Do I have to resit all the AS / A2 units?

    • Not if you are retaking a unit with the same exam board.  You can retake the unit you want.  Then the board will take your best result for that unit and that is the make that will be awarded.

  • When can I retake A level units?

    • Retakes can only be taken during a session when the exam is offered. As not all units are examined in the January session it might not be possible to retake until the May / June session.

  • What happens to my old A level result when I resit?

    • You will receive the best mark of the unit or units being retaken.  As long as your exam centre applies again for the appropriate cash-in, a new certificate will be generated if you qualifiy for an award.

 

  
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