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GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION (GCE) EXAMS

The route to higher education & professional studies

The highly sought after General Certificate of Education (GCE) is a qualification that is recognised throughout the world. It provides you with the basic qualification for entrance to higher and professional studies in the United Kingdom and other countries. Read about the different GCE examination levels and types of test.

GCE Examinations Levels - GCE examinations are conducted at the following levels:

O (Ordinary) level (GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education) - For CIE only   
IGCSE - International General Certificate of Secondary Education   
A (Advanced) level   
AS (Advanced Supplementary) level   

FEES
The examination fee is to be paid in Indian Rupees by demand draft or banker's cheque. The fee is a consolidated amount which includes the present applicable board fee and prevalent local fee.
For further information please write to kolkata.customercare@in.britishcouncil.org

TYPES OF TESTS

O (Ordinary) level (GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations are:

An O-level is a standard qualification in the UK, usually taken at the age of fifteen/sixteen. You can take any number of O-levels, depending on the qualifications that your chosen institution asks for. Most students in UK schools take up to nine O-levels after studying for two to three years in their chosen subjects. O levels exams are often required as predecessors to A levels and by many employers as a minimum qualification for employment. A level exams are the minimum entrance qualification required by UK universities

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations are:

available to candidates who are not based in the UK   
generally taken after ten years of study at age 16+    
not compulsory for a candidate with secondary qualifications    
for any aged private candidates who meet the syllabus requirements.    

Normally International GCSE in five subjects qualifies you to go onto A-levels.

A-(Advanced) level examinations are:

An A-level is an Advanced level GCE qualification. This exam is normally taken after two years of A-level study, and after you have taken your O-level exams. Good A-level results can give you access to undergraduate studies at some of the best higher education learning institutions in the world. A-level qualifications can also give you access to professional and vocational courses. If you want to apply for entrance to an undergraduate degree, a minimum of three A-level subjects is required; however be aware that individual entrance requirements of universities or vocational institutions may vary.

We offer a wide range of Edexcel and CIE exams. Please contact us for an updated list of the subjects we currently offer.

AS-(Advanced Supplementary) level examinations are:

generally shorter with half the content of a GCE A-level at the same standard   
equivalent to one GCE A-level qualification if you have two AS level qualifications   
accepted in lieu of one A-level for university entrance purposes   

Contact our exams team for more information and advice on GCE exams and other UK qualifications you can take with us.

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For more information, contact your nearest British Council office

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Edexcel

GCE May - June 2012 application form   
GCE May - June 2012 time table   
IGCSE May - June 2012 application form    
IGCSE May-June 2012 time table   

Cambridge International Examination

CIE May - June 2012 application form   
CIE May - June 2012 time table    

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