What is the difference between O levels and N Levels?

What is the difference between 6th form and A levels in the UK system?

• Also, what classes do people take in A levels. I hear stuff about how someone is taking 3 A levels. Does that mean they only take 3 classes teh entire 2 years?

• Answer:

  6th form refers to the two years after compulsory education finishes. You can leave school at 16 (at present) in the UK. It's school years 12 and 13 but is referred to as the sixth form because it used to be the Lower and Upper Sixth forms. The traditional route nowadays to take is four or five AS-levels in the Lower sixth (Year 12), you take national exams at the end of the year then you drop one or two and continue three to a higher level, you take exams in May/June after which you have no more study at school level unless you need to retake. Results come out in August, normally you have offers from Universities and these are based on getting or exceeding the grades you've been offered. For popular and good courses e.g. Medicine, the offer will normally be AAA or higher (many people tend to take more than 3 A-levels nowadays). We specialise a lot earlier in the UK, at 16. You need to take the right A-levels to study the subject you want at university. University in the UK is a lot more focussed on your subject at University, in the US you don't really major until your fourth years. In the UK, although some universities allow you to do some electives, the majority of your course will be on the subject you decided to study. Marks from the second year onwards count towards your final degree mark. Most degrees are three years in the UK. Please note - this system is how it works in England and Wales. Scotland has a different system, they take standards at 15 and Highers at 17, some also take Advanced Highers or A-levels. Most Scottish university degrees are four years not three but some go to university in England and vice-versa.