GCE Ordinary Level

The O-Level (Ordinary Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education.

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 (Advanced Level) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sometimes incorrectly known as the Advanced Ordinary Level, the AO-Level syllabus and examination both assumed a higher degree of maturity on the part of candidates, and employed teaching methods more commonly associated with A-Level study.

O levels curriculum have lesser coursework options than IGCSE [4] In Bangladesh, the International GCSE (IGCSE) qualification is offered, which is colloquially known as O-Levels, with examinations conducted by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE) and Pearson Edexcel both under the board of British Council.

However, due to the high costs associated with IGCSE qualifications, their reach is limited to middle to elite class families.

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 previously offered exam papers and syllabuses unique to Singapore, but these have since been retired or planned to be phased out.

After taking O-levels, some Singapore students go on to GCE Advanced Level exams, which are also marked by Cambridge International Examinations.

The GCE Ordinary-Level qualification is currently administered by the British Council of Sri Lanka Schools (BCS).

[8] In the past, this qualification was jointly offered by Cambridge International Examinations and the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka.

The examinations in Sri Lanka are taken very seriously and the exam is considered a starting point to a student's higher education.