"A levels"?

Question

Answer

Simply noting that for many American subscribers, exam questions referring to 'A levels' are confusing as the term has no meaning for US schools.  I've lived in worked in the UK, so I do understand the questions - but I do suspect that quiziq's use of British-specific terms makes this wonderful tool a bit more difficult for the many folks to whom I intend to recommend it....

Answer

Bonjour Richard,
I am an American subscriber and have only heard of «A levels».  While this is not the proper forum for an explanation, I would appreciate a useful link to learn more detail of what that entails.  I do, at times, find myself doing a double-take when I run across the British-specific terms.
Merci en avance.

Answer

Non British but as I understand it when you finish school you can do your O-levels (basic education level) and finish or you can do an extra level (A level) which is higher education but still run by the government.

In the US there is no equivalent. You finish school and go to college for higher education. France seemingly follows the UK model (or probably vice versa). In my country (South Africa) we follow the US system except for certain schools which for various reasons specifically elect to follow the UK way.

Answer

English schools are divided into Nursery up to 5yrs, Primary yrs 1-6 ages 5-11; Secondary years 7-11 ages 12-16, and Sixth form years 12-13,age 16-18. Public exams are taken at 16 yrs - the General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE, and at 18yrs, the Advanced Level or A Levels. Generally speaking 3 good A level passes are necessary to get into University, where you do another three or four years - or for medicine 7 years - to get your degree. About 30% of schoolkids do A levels and then go to University. Of course all Universities are not equal. Oxford and Cambridge will want at least 3 A star A levels and a good interview. And if Mummy and Daddy have money and you went to private school so much the better. Private schools, for which parents pay fees, like Eton or Rugby are called public schools - confusing isn't it. Whereas the University of Little Piddelton - which used to train Phys Ed teachers but had its name changed to University by the Blair govt in 1995 - will take anybody at all because kids have to pay £9k a year and they need/want the money.