GCE and CSE exams

The GCE exam was introduced in 1951. It is held at two levels. Ordinary level ("O" level) and Advanced level ("A" level). Candidates sit for "O" level paper at 15/16 years of age. (In England all examinations are written. In modern languages there is also an oral examination. Candidates can choose up to 12 or 13 subjects from some 46. In practice they choose 6 or 7. Usually they sit for Mathematics, English, a Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or General Combined Science), a foreign language, History, Geography, and Music. The GCE exam is the most important external examination. It is set and marked by eight independent examination boards, most of which are connected with a university. "O" level candidates are awarded one of five grades ("A", "B", "C", "D", "E") or are ungraded. "O" level grades "A", "B", "C" are considered "pass" grades (those which are necessary to get accepted for further study in further or higher education). GCE "A" level is usually taken al the end of the sixth form. It is not usually possible to lake a Science subject at "A" level without passing "O" level in the subject first. It is believed that candidates may take as many or as few subjects as they like. In fact students hoping to go to a university must ensure that they take subjects at "O" level and "A" level that meet the entry requirements for their chosen course. Three "A" levels are enough to gain entry to most universities. For most white-collar jobs four or five "O" levels are required.

The CSE exam was introduced in 1965. It is normally taken after 5 years of secondary education by pupils who are of average ability for their age, but unlikely to achieve GCE standard. Any number of subjects can be taken to get this certificate (a separate certificate is awarded for each subject passed). Practically, however, it is enough to pass your exam in only one subject. The CSE exam can be either internal or external. Usually it is internal, and is set and marked by the school teachers. The CSE exam grades are "1", "2", "3", "4", "5". Grade "1" — the highest grade — represents a standard of performance covered often by grade "C" of GCE "O" level. Naturally GCE and CSE certificates have not been accepted as equals.

This dual system of examinations held at the age of 16 creates a number of difficulties. The grading scheme confuses schools, pupils, parents and employers. Some pupils enter both GCE and CSE examinations in the same subject. Some exam boards set easier exams than others. It is easier to get good grades in some subjects than it is in others. The present system of exams is not efficient. For several years now, some examination boards have offered a single sixteen-plus examination(in English, Histo­ry, French) rather than offering two separate examinations at CSE and GCE "O" level. This experiment has proved more or less successful. Under pressure from educationists and other progressive people the government has accepted proposals that the present system of exams should be replaced by a single system of examining at the age of 16. From 1988 the present CSE and GCE "O" level exams are supposed to be combined into a new General Certificate of Secondary Education(the GCSE) exam. The "A" level examination will remain.