Pupils typically prepare for A-level or equivalent examinations like the International Baccalaureate or Cambridge Pre-U.
The term survives from earlier naming conventions used in both the state-maintained and private school systems.
Other schools described these Oxbridge examination students as being in the Seventh Form or Third Year Sixth.
A large proportion of English secondary schools no longer have an integral sixth form.
This is mainly related to reforms in the later 20th century, where different political areas became a factor in the introduction of colleges instead of the original sixth forms.
The marks attained in both sets of exams were converted into UCAS points, which must meet the offer made by the student's chosen university.
Since the move to a "linear" system, students more commonly choose three or four subjects and either continue to study them for the full two years before a single set of final "A level" exams, or choose to drop one or two subjects by sitting "AS level" exams at the end of the first year.
In 2015, Sally Weale, writing in The Guardian, said that "While spending on schools has been largely ringfenced, sixth-form colleges have been exposed to years of cuts which have resulted in courses being dropped, staff being laid off and enrichment activities axed".
It is not essential for candidates to do a sixth year if they wish to attend a Scottish university, as they have obtained adequate Higher grades in S5 and may apply and receive acceptance, though this is conditional on being successful in the examinations.
[3] In some cases, particularly in independent schools, the term sixth form is also used for the last two years of secondary education.
There is no Sixth Form per se but a similar concept exists called the Senior Cycle where school pupils aged 16–19 prepare in their final two years for the Leaving Certificate examination.
The term sixth form is used to define the final two years of education before entering university in Malta.
Sixth form is not compulsory, but a preferable choice for students wishing to continue in academic studies leading to university level.