DUBAI — Edexcel, part of the world's leading education company, Pearson, has announced a new qualification which will help minimize any disruption experienced by schools and students in the Gulf region as a result of the UK government and Ofqual's A Level changes. The UK's Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove has introduced sweeping reforms to A Level courses and exams, which lead to the General Certificate of Education. The systemic changes will change the way many A Level students in the GCC undertake their exams, says Mark Andrews, Pearson's Regional Director of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Under the changes, the January examination series has been removed, offering reduced re-sit opportunities. Modular assessment, a key feature of A Levels, is being replaced by linear assessment, where examinations will need to be taken at the end of the course. However, the launch of Pearson's new Edexcel International Advanced Level qualification will allow schools in the Gulf region to carry on offering both January and June exams, and to continue to offer a modular assessment structure in all the major A Level subjects, except for English. A Levels, the most common gateway into UK universities and other higher education institutions, are the courses undertaken by students in the final two years of their secondary education, both in the UK, and in many other countries. Pearson currently offers its Edexcel GCE A Levels in schools throughout the GCC region. Following the changes, Pearson is responding by developing a new suite of International Advanced Level qualifications for international customers that closely resembles the structure and format of Edexcel GCE A Levels. Andrews says that the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level qualifications are a positive alternative for schools who do not want to introduce the compulsory changes to the GCE A Levels. The quality and substance of the old and new programs are almost identical, but the new qualification allows schools to continue to offer modular assessment, as well as June and January exams. He says: “The new qualifications will allow students to continue to sit modular exams twice a year, and to undertake assessments at the end of each of their units. “Edexcel International Advanced Level qualifications have been written to the same rigorous standards as Edexcel GCE A levels, ensuring the qualifications are of the highest quality.” Students achieving a Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level will have a qualification that is recognized as a suitable alternative to the current Edexcel GCE A level and therefore valued by higher education institutions around the world. Andrews was keen to stress that schools currently offering the Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level can continue to do so, and Pearson will work closely with them to ensure the effects of the compulsory changes are kept to a minimum. Schools have the opportunity to offer both the Pearson Edexcel GCE A Level and the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level qualification if they wish. The new International Advanced Level qualifications are available from September. — SG
