A-Level

The Advanced General Certificate of Education (or A-Level) is the main qualification for gaining entry to courses in Higher Education, such as at Universities, and is targeted at post 16 year old candidates.

There are two different exams for A-Level Dutch, the 'old' format and the 'new' format.

We recommend that all students study for the 'new' format exams unless you have already completed one of our 'old' format courses, or if you have already completed one or more of the 'old' format exams and are taking or retaking either or both papers.

It is not possible to combine an 'old' format AS or A2 Dutch papers with a new format AS or A2 Dutch paper. So if you have already completed an 'old' format AS-Level Dutch exam then your result may only be combined with an 'old' format A2 Dutch exam to be awarded an A-Level Dutch qualification.

A-Level Dutch ('old' format):
This A-Level Dutch qualification consists of two 3-hour examination papers called AS and A2. The AS paper consists of reading comprehension, translation into English, and writing tasks. The tasks in the A2 paper are reading comprehension, translation into Dutch, and writing about set topics and/or texts. Each paper is awarded 50% of the total marks. There are no listening or speaking tasks in either of the AS or A2 papers.

The dates for the Summer 2008 A-Level Dutch exams are:
AS Paper: 21/05/2008 13:30-16:30
A2 Paper: 23/06/2008 13:30-16:30

The provisional dates for the Summer 2009 A-Level Dutch exams are:
AS Paper: 20/05/2009 13:30-16:30
A2 Paper: 22/06/2009 13:30-16:30

The 'old' format AS-Level Dutch exam takes place only once per year in the summer and for the last time in 2009.

The 'old' format A2-Level Dutch exam takes place only once per year in the summer and for the last time in 2010.

A-Level Dutch ('new' format):
This A-Level Dutch qualification consists of a 2.5-hour AS-level paper and a 2.75-hour A2 paper. The AS paper consists of listening, reading, and writing tasks. The A2 paper consists of listening, reading, translation into English, and writing tasks. Each paper is awarded 50% of the total marks. There are no speaking tasks in either of the AS or A2 papers.

The provisional dates for the Summer 2009 A-Level Dutch exams are:
AS Paper: 20/05/2008 13:30-16:30

The 'new' format AS-Level Dutch exam will take place once per year in the summer and for the first time in 2009.

The 'new' format A2-Level Dutch exam will take place once per year in the summer and for the first time in 2010.

A-Level Dutch Examinations:
You may sit your 2009 A-Level Dutch examination at our school in Oxford:
• We charge £83 to enrol you with the OCR examination board and to sit just your A2-Level Dutch examination with us ('old' format only).
• We charge £130 to enrol you with the OCR examination board and to sit just your A2-Level Dutch examination with us, if your entry is received after 16/03/2009 ('old' format only).
• We charge £146 to enrol you with the OCR examination board and sit your A-Level Dutch examinations with us ('old' format only).
• We charge £193.00 to enrol you with the OCR examination board and sit your A-Level Dutch examinations with us, if your entry is received after 16/03/2009 ('old' format only).

We will accept AS-Level Dutch examination entries up until 18 April 2009 and A2-Level Dutch examination entries up until 16 May 2009.

A-Level Mock Examinations:
Mock exams are an excellent way to find out which parts of the examinations you already do well and which parts you can improve upon. We believe completing mock exams will increase your chances of a higher grade in the actual exams.
You may sit A-Level Dutch mock examinations at our school in Oxford:
• We charge £42 to sit one AS or A2 mock exam paper with us on 31/01/2009 or 14/03/2009 (either 'old' or 'new' format).
• We charge £78 to sit both mock exam papers with us: AS on 31/01/2009, A2 on 14/03/2009 ('old' format only).
• We charge £36 to mark one AS mock exam paper that we post to you to be completed and returned for marking (either 'old' or 'new' format).
• We charge £36 to mark one A2 mock exam paper that we post to you to be completed and returned for marking ('old' format only).

All mock examinations include exam papers and marking. We will also send you a brief assessment of your result (within 7 days) indicating what you have done well and how you can improve, and including example answers.

A-Level Dutch Courses:
We offer two courses for A-Level Dutch:

Part-time A-Level Dutch course
This course would suit you if you are able to attend classes at our school in Oxford.

Distance Learning A-Level Dutch course
This course would suit you if you live further away from Oxford or if you prefer to study at home in your own time.

To enrol for an exam or mock exam simply complete and return our booking form with your payment.