Information to help you understand the changes to AS and A level qualifications, also called 'reform'. 

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The newly developed AS and A levels in subjects from first teaching September 2015 are being taught in schools in England now. The first results for the new AS levels were summer 2016, and for the A levels, in summer 2017. Further subjects are being introduced for first teaching from September 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Fully linear A levels

A levels are now fully linear, with students sitting their exams at the end of the two-year course. As from January 2014, there is no longer a January assessment window. This change applies to current/legacy A levels as well as the new ones with first teaching from September 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Stand-alone AS qualifications

New AS levels are stand-alone qualifications and no longer contribute to an A level grade. Their purpose is to encourage curriculum breadth and the AS level is designed to be co-taught with the first year of the A level.