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Programmes & Qualifications

  • Carrying forward AS Level to A Level
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  • Carrying forward AS Level to A Level
    • Carry forward rules
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  • Staged assessment

Staged assessment

What is staged assessment?

Cambridge International A Level is typically a two-year course, and Cambridge International AS Level is typically a one-year course. A staged assessment is when candidates start a subject as a Cambridge International AS Level and extend it to a Cambridge International A Level.

For some subjects the staged route is not available, and candidates can take AS Level or A Level as standalone qualifications only.

The route to an A Level grade for a candidate entered for the November 2021 exam series or in an exam series in 2022 will be determined by the entry option code you select. The option codes are the same as in other years, but how the result will be calculated depends on the candidate’s circumstances and previous AS Level results.

You can find some example entry option scenarios here.

Why are there also different staged routes to determining a candidate’s A Level result?

In recent exam series, some candidates have been awarded their AS Level grades using a school-assessed grades route. Other candidates have been awarded their AS Level grades based on their performance in exams. The route that a candidate has taken to achieve an AS Level grade does not affect the value of the qualification, because a grade is the standard outcome of our qualifications, and the outcome universities use to assess student applications.

However, candidates normally carry forward the AS Level mark and not the grade. Candidates who followed the school-assessed grades route received an AS Level grade and not AS Level marks. This means that they cannot carry forward their AS Level result in the usual way. Therefore, we have put in place alternative arrangements for candidates who have an AS Level grade from the school-assessed grades route, known as the ‘A2-only’ route. Their AS Level therefore has value both as a standalone AS Level qualification and as a requirement for access to the A2-only route to complete their A Level.

Where can I find out more information about the A2-only route?

There is more information available on the A2-only route page.

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