Are AS and A2 the same as A levels?

[verybored]

A bit of a way off at the moment as DS1 is in year 9, but whilst going through this whole options business I keep coming acroos 'this could lead to AS and A2'.

When I was at school we did A levels and you could also do an extra as an AS, which was half an a level.Has this all changed now, as something I read suggested AS is the first half and A2 is the second half of an A level.

Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks

[FlingonTheValiant]

Yep, that's right.

But you can still do stand alone AS levels.

[verybored]

That's great thanks

[busymummy3]

Please could someone explain again in a little more detail because we are in same situation picking options and I also did A levels so

1. what is an AS level ?
   

1. what is an A2 level?
   

1. do you have to get a certain level at AS level to go on to take an A2 level ?
   

1. why would you want to sit an AS level and not go on to do the A2 level?
   

Sorry for this but just would like some more information. We are going to school any way for parents evening soon but just saw this thread so would like to know in advance Thanks!

[ajandjjmum]

In most subjects an AS is 3 modules and an A2 is 6 modules. You can use your 3 AS modules towards the 6 for A2.

A2 is our old A level.

When calculating points for unis, AS grades count for half the A level grade - but you can't count the points twice, ie. if you get a B at AS and a B at A2 in a particular subject, you can only count the points of the A2.

HTH

[webwiz]

busymummy3 An AS level is effectively half an A level and is usually taken in year 12. A2 is the second half of the A level and is taken in year 13. Normally kids do 4 AS in year 12 and then only carry 3 on in the next year.

Some schools ask for a certain grade at AS before being allowed to carry it on to A2 this can be anything from an E to a C depending on the school.

[youngjoly]

Ajmum,

Curriculum 2008 reduced most A levels from 6 units to 4.

So an AS is the first two units of an 'A' level. It usually comprises up to 3 hours of exams (arts subjects can be different).

Then students take the A2 which is the second year of the 'A' level. This is usually another two modules (and often 3 hours of exams) taken. When you put the two parts together you get an A level.

Although AS make up 50% of the final grade, they are not really half an A level, as the material at A2 is usually harder, so 6 AS does not equate to 3 A levels iyswim.

Most students take 4 AS levels these days and then drop their weakest after the first year.

Some places demand a specific grade to carry on to A2, but this will vary between subjects and institutions. For example, in my old school they used to demand a C grade to continue. Where I teach now it is usually a D or an E grade to continue.
HTH