GCE Advanced Level in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan Advanced Level (A-level), is a General Certificate of Education (GCE) qualification in Sri Lanka, conducted by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education. Similar to the British Advanced Level. It is usually taken by students during the optional final two years of Collegiate level (Grades 12 & 13 or external (non-school) candidate, after they have completed GCE Ordinary Level exams. The majority of candidates enter the exams via their respective schools, while candidates who have finished school education can also apply as a private applicant. The qualification is also used as an entrance exam for Sri Lankan state universities. The exams are held in three mediums: Sinhala, Tamil and English.

The students should study for 2 years at collegiate level before taking the examination. The examination diversifies over 5 major fields of study,

In each stream, students should face 3 subjects . Additionally there would be a General English test and a Common General test. Although the result of the General English test is not taken into account for the University Entrance selection criteria, students are expected to obtain a pass mark for the Common General test.

The exams are conducted each year in August, in selected national schools across the country. Invigilators and supervisors are appointed by the Department of examinations and they are typically qualified teachers of the local school system. The students are allowed to sit for the exam 3 times to qualify for a state university, i.e. the student can attempt 3 times in 3 years. Students can sit for the examination any number of times inorder to qualify for private courses or any other job requirements. If a student fails to gain entrance to a state university or a desired course in his/her first attempt, he/she has two more opportunities to attempt again and gain the required marks to make up for his desired course/university. The test assessments are carried out by marking panels usually consisting of qualified and experienced school teachers in service who are guided by supervisers(usually university lecturers). It takes about 4-5 months for the final results of this islandwide examination to be released and students have to wait for around one year to enter a local university, depending on the university and the course/field of study.

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