What qualification levels mean

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Overview

Most qualifications have a difficulty level. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification is.

If you need to know the level of a qualification, you can:

Qualifications at the same level sometimes cover different amounts of the same subject.

Example

AS levels and A levels are both level 3, but you study AS levels over 1 year and A levels over 2 years. So you learn more about the subject at A level.

Help

Contact the National Careers Service for advice about qualification levels if you’re in England.

For the rest of the UK, contact: