Exams
Sitting exams
Just like most schools around the world, a big part of achieving qualifications is sitting exams. So, while our pupils can learn online at home, they need to visit a Pearson-Edexcel exam centre for their International GCSEs or A/AS Levels.
We advise that you contact your nearest exam centre as soon as possible to begin the enrolment process. Not all of the centres can offer practical (for some sciences) or oral (for some languages) exams, so it’s worth checking with centres as soon as possible.
Don’t worry – it’s normally a very straightforward process, but we encourage you to leave plenty of time to get organised before the exams commence. This will also help avoid any late fees.
Please refer to our guidance and resources below to assist you in finding a suitable exam centre, and registering your child as a private candidate. Before enrolling at our school, we strongly advise you research the availability of exam centres near your location. Please be aware that if you do not see an option locally, you may have have to travel if there is not an exam centre situated in your location.
If you have any questions about the process please get in touch with our Education team – education@myonlineschooling.com
The British Council Overseas Available In over 90 Countries
The British Council offer exams in over 90 countries across the globe, including International GCSE, AS Level and A Levelexaminations. They work with Pearson and several other UK awarding bodies, to offer these exams internationally.
If you are looking to find an examination centre that offers UK School exams in your country, then follow the link below to the British Council website. Use the ‘Take an Exam‘, search tool, which allows you to select your country of residence, and find out further information on the exam centres offering Pearson examinations near you. From there you will find an outline of the steps to take when enrolling your child as a private candidate.
For further information, please make contact with your local British Council office by searching for your country of residence.
If you would like to discuss further how the British Council can assist with examinations, please book a call with our Education Team.
International GCSEs International General Certificate of Secondary Education
Designed to be engaging, internationally appropriate and delivering the same standard as GCSEs, International GCSEs provide pupils with the skills and knowledge they will need to successfully progress onto A Levels, university and into employment. International GCSEs are 100% externally assessed, linear qualifications with no coursework – which means all exams take place at the end of the course.
Registration Key Dates
International GCSE Specification codes
These are the subjects we offer at My Online Schooling, together with their ‘specifications’ – the codes for administrators to find the correct paper.
Please note:
4EA1 = English Language A (option A – component 1 and 2)
4MA1 = Mathematics A (foundation or higher tier)
A-Levels and International Advanced Levels (IALs)
Pearson Edexcel offer two types of qualifications: A-Levels and International A-Levels (IALs). A-Levels must be sat in the UK while IALs must be sat abroad. A-Levels and IALs are a two year course with the examination sat at the end of Year 13, while AS-Levels and IASLs are a standalone qualification sat at the end of Year 12.
Typically, pupils study three or four AS subjects in Year 12, before taking two or three of these subjects onto A Level in Year 13.
While AS Levels are standalone qualifications which do not count toward the A Level, the international equivalent (the IASL) can either be a discrete qualification or it can contribute toward the IAL qualification.