O-level logo

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 rigorous A-level (Advanced Level) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland replaced O-levels with GCSE exams in 1988. The Scottish equivalent was the O-grade (replaced, following a separate process, by the Standard Grade).

Structure[link]

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). There was no summative "school certificate": each subject was a separate O-level in its own right.

The sociological researcher Madsen Pirie found that the O-level was advantageous to boys because of exam-based learning.^[1] Pirie also observes that the GCSE focus on coursework has disadvantaged boys reversing the gender gap in attainment, to the degree where in all subjects girls outperform boys, including traditionally male subjects such as sciences and physical education.

Grading[link]

From 1963, passing grades for the O-level were 1 to 6 or A, B, C, D and E. In the former case grades 7 to 9, and in the latter case U (Unclassified), were classified as a fail. Most certificates did not include the grade that was awarded; this was issued separately on a results slip. Subjects with results graded 7 to 9 or U were not listed in the certificate. From the summer of 1975 onwards, all boards adopted the same system, with grades A to C equivalent to the previous pass grades.^[2][3] At the same time, a change was made from numerical (1-6) grades to alphabetic grades (A-E) ^[4]. A* is 90% and above, A is 80% and above, B is 70% and above, C is 60% and above and D is 50% and above, E is just passed.

History[link]

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 Commonwealth countries, such as Mauritius, Singapore and Trinidad and Tobago. Some British schools also reverted to exams based on the O-levels.^[5] The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination was also benchmarked against the O-levels for comparable subjects. But it has switched to benchmark against the IGCSE.

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.^{[citation needed]} In June 2005, 12 million candidates from more than 200 countries registered for O-level examinations across the world. Institutions that offer O-levels include University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)^[6].

See also[link]

• CIE O Level Past Papers
• Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), an alternative qualification for those who did not take the O-level
• General National Vocational Qualification, another abolished qualification in the United Kingdom
• General Certificate of Secondary Education, which replaced the O-levels and CSE
• General Certificate of Education, which comprises O-levels and A-levels
• General Certificate of Education in Singapore

References[link]