Cambridge O-Level
Cambridge O-Level is one of many school qualifications offered by Cambridge International Education '''' for students typically aged 14–16. It is considered equivalent to the UK General Certificate of Secondary Education and the IGCSE, and acts as a foundation for CIE's higher-level school qualifications such as the Cambridge International AS & A Levels. The qualification is generally exam-based with little to no coursework options, and continues internationally as an adaptation of the GCE Ordinary Level, which was abolished in the United Kingdom in 1988.
Beginnings (deprecated)
In the United Kingdom, it was introduced in place of the School Certificate in 1951 as part of an educational reform alongside the more in-depth and academically rigorous A-Level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those three jurisdictions replaced O-Level gradually with General Certificate of Secondary Education completely by 1988 and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education over time. The Scottish equivalent was termed as the O-grade.The AO-Level was formerly available in most subject areas. Sometimes incorrectly known as the Advanced Ordinary Level, the AO-Level syllabus and examination both assumed a higher degree of maturity on part of candidates and employed teaching methods more commonly associated with A-Level study. The AO-Level was discontinued, with final qualifications awarded in 1988.
The O-Level qualification is still awarded by CIE Cambridge International Examinations, the international counterpart of the British examination Board OCR, in select locations, instead of or alongside the International General Certificate of Secondary Education qualifications. Both CIE and OCR have Cambridge Assessment as their parent organisation. The Cambridge O-Level has already been phased out and is no longer available in certain administrative regions.
There are some differences between O-Levels and IGCSE. The lowest achievable grade in O-Levels is E, whereas in IGCSE, G is the lowest. Compared with IGCSEs, fewer O-Level syllabuses have coursework components.
Current usage
Pakistan
The GCE O-Level qualification is offered in Pakistan by CIE and conducted by the British Council. Pakistan stands out as one of very few countries where O level is preferred as the norm over IGCSE. To meet the "passing criteria" for O-Levels in Pakistan, students are required to take eight subjects, including English, Mathematics, Pakistan Studies, Islamyat and Urdu, with options for three additional subjects.Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the GCE O-Level qualifications are offered alongside International GCSE qualification, which, despite the proper convention, is colloquially known as O Levels, with examinations conducted by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations and Pearson Edexcel, both under the board of the British Council. Both Pearson Edexcel and CAIE offer International GCSE qualifications with the O-Level qualification as an alternative for the national qualification offered by the Government boards of education. However, due to the generally high costs associated with O-Level and IGCSE qualifications, their reach is limited to upper-middle and upper class families.Brunei
In Brunei, the O-Level qualification is offered, with examinations conducted by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations.Several subjects: English Language, English Literature, Bahasa Melayu, Malay Literature, Islamic Religious Knowledge, Ulum al-Quran, Hafaz al-Quran, Tafsir al-Quran, History, Geography, Pure sciences, Arabic, Art and Design offer exam papers and syllabuses unique to Brunei. Additionally, the Mathematics subject previously offered an exam paper and a syllabus unique to Brunei, but this has since been retired, and the regular syllabus used worldwide is offered. This is equivalent to secondary education now.
India
In India, Cambridge International Examinations GCE Ordinary-Level qualifications are offered at private and international schools as an alternative to the conventional Indian School Certificate.Malaysia
In Malaysia, the O-Level qualification is offered as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, with examinations conducted by the Malaysian Examination Syndicate. The examinations were formerly conducted by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, which still advises the national examination board on standards.The English Language subject was previously offered with an exam paper and a syllabus unique to Malaysia, but this Malaysia-specific qualification has since expired, and the regular English Language exam paper and syllabus used worldwide is now used within the country. The English paper is separately graded by the national examination board and UCLES, and both grades are displayed on the result slip.
Mauritius
In Mauritius, the O-Level qualification is awarded as part of the School Certificate, which is awarded upon successful completion of Form V in secondary school. The O-Level examinations are jointly conducted by the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education from Edexcel is also offered as an equivalent alternative qualification, for which exam registration may be done through the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate.A number of subjects, including English Language, English Language, History, Mathematics, and Mathematics, offer exam papers and syllabuses unique to Mauritius. Additionally, the subject of Art and Design, the offering of which is restricted to a limited geographic region, is available in Mauritius.
Seychelles
In Seychelles, the O-Level qualification is offered, with examinations conducted by Cambridge International Examinations. Some subjects are unique to Seychelles or have a format, curriculum, or syllabus that is unique to Seychelles.Singapore
In Singapore, the O-Level qualification is offered jointly by Cambridge International Examinations and the Singapore Ministry of Education. The examinations are mainly conducted by CIE, with select subject examinations conducted by the Singapore Ministry of Education, including select mother tongue subjects, such as Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, and the humanities subject of Social Studies.Despite the engagement of an identical examination board as partnering authority, the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination has no relation to the British GCSE examinations, having de-linked since 2006 when the Ministry of Education took over the management of its national examination. This is owing to the stark differences in the development of the respective education systems in the two countries. As such, the exam papers and syllabi for the subjects are unique to Singapore.
After taking O-levels, some Singapore students go on to GCE Advanced Level exams, which are also marked by Cambridge International Examinations. In 2027, the O-Levels as well as the N levels will be phased out for a new local examination known as the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate.