- Mathematical reasoning and quantitative analysis
- Scientific comprehension and analytical thinking
- Academic reading comprehension
- Academic writing and structured argumentation
- Data interpretation and problem-solving skills
- Logical reasoning and critical thinking
- Information synthesis and abstraction ability
- Time management and academic discipline
- Task execution efficiency and goal management
- Metacognitive awareness and self-reflection ability
- Course difficulty suitability
- Academic workload balance
- Subject depth and breadth alignment
- Major and career pathway compatibility
- Comparison across different educational systems (AP, IB, A-Level, U.S. High School Curriculum)
- Language proficiency development potential
- Quantitative reasoning and analytical speed
- Test-taking adaptability and endurance
- Performance stability under timed conditions
- Preferred information processing methods
- Visual learning
- Auditory learning
- Analytical and logical learning
- Experiential and hands-on learning
With top scores on these exams, students can qualify for advanced placement in college courses and even earn college credit (though, more often at our nation’s elite universities, they simply help students optimize their case for admission). With the demise of the SAT Subject Tests, the more comprehensive AP Exams are the only standardized measures of advanced academic achievement for college admissions. They are thus more important than ever for competitive admissions. The most enterprising students will study independently to round out their AP course load, even beyond their high school offerings. New Ivies prepares students for the AP tests in most disciplines.
An academically challenging programme with final examinations is prepare students for university. You choose one subject from each of five groups – including two languages, social sciences, experimental sciences, and mathematics. You also choose either an arts subject from a sixth group, or another subject from groups one to five.
The programme includes:
an extended essay based on your own research and in-depth study, focused on one of the subjects you are studying
theory of knowledge focusing on critical thinking and learning across your chosen subjects
creativity, action, service enhances students' personal and interpersonal development – combining a range of activities alongside academic study to engage in the arts and creative thinking, physical activity, and service in the community
What grades do I need to take A levels?
- at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4/A* to C
- at least grade 6 in the specific subject(s) you want to study
However, the specific requirements needed to study A levels will vary across schools and colleges. It's important to check what you will need with the college you are looking to study at.
Choosing A level subjects
The most important criteria for choosing subjects:
1. Looking at what you are likely to enjoy and be good at. If you enjoy a subject or have an ability in it already, you are more likely to do well.
2. Are there any particular subjects and/or grades you may need? If you have a particular career, job, or further study in mind, you may need to choose specific A levels in order to meet entry requirements.
3. How open you want to keep your future study and career choices?
OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) is a Canadian high school qualification awarded in Ontario based on coursework, assessments, and community service requirements for university admission.
BC (British Columbia Curriculum/Dogwood Diploma) is a Canadian high school qualification awarded in British Columbia that evaluates students through coursework and provincial assessments for post-secondary admission.
Victorian Certificate of Education is the senior secondary qualification awarded to students in Victoria, Australia, based on coursework and final examinations for university entrance.
Western Australian Certificate of Education is the senior secondary qualification awarded to students in Western Australia, assessing academic achievement and eligibility for university admission.
It assesses four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.Most highly selective colleges require students to have scored between 100 and 110 on the iBT (Internet-Based TOEFL).
It assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.Most highly selective colleges require applicants to obtain an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with no band score below 6.0 in any section.
A 3-hour multiple choice-style exam that assesses evidence-based reading, writing and language, and math in 4 timed sub-sections.
The new digital SAT, which debuted in the United States in March 2024 after its international launch in spring 2023, is very different from the old paper-based SAT, even though the score ranges are the same: from 200 (for signing one’s name) to 800 (for a perfect score). The new test is a little over 2 hours instead of 3 hours, and the reading passages are much shorter, with only 1 question per passage instead of 10 or 11. Reading and Writing questions have been combined into one section, and students can use a built-in graphing calculator throughout the test.
However, to shorten the test, the College Board had to make it adaptive. Students take four timed sub-sections: two Reading and Writing modules and two Math modules. A student’s score on the first Reading and Writing module will determine the difficulty level of the questions in the second module, and the same will be true of Math. The test is thus in line with graduate school exams like the GRE and GMAT, but this change puts students in need of new test strategies.
At about 3 hours, the ACT is longer than the new digital SAT. The sections are each scored on a scale of 1-36 points, rendering a Composite Score, as well, from the average of the four subtests.
All colleges in the U.S. will accept the ACT in lieu of the SAT, and some colleges will superscore the ACT. The ACT is offered about 7 times a year. In the U.S., the ACT is usually offered as a paper-based test, while internationally, it’s computer-based. Like the current SAT, the ACT offers a question-and-answer service (Test Information Release) several times a year, a terrific tool for students honing their skills for the next test.
The GRE measures verbal reasoning (scored on a basis of 130-170 in one point increments), quantitative reasoning – which includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis (scored on a basis of 130-170 in one point increments), and analytical writing skills (scored on a basis of 0-6 in half point increments). The GRE may be taken as often as a student prefers because, through the Score Select Option, the student sends only the highest scores.
There are 4 sections on the GMAT: verbal, quantitative, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing. The GMAT measures performance only on the quantitative and verbal sections.
The total score of the GMAT is on a scale of 200 to 800 (with intervals of 10). The analytical writing assessment is graded on a scale of 0 (lowest) to 6 (highest) and in intervals of half points by two readers, one of which may be an automated essay-scoring engine. Performance on the integrated reasoning and analytical writing sections do not factor into the total score.
The test consists of five multiple-choice sections and a writing sample that can tilt the balance in admissions decision-making.
The LSAT measures reading comprehension, analytical reasoning (AKA “logic games”), and verbal reasoning (AKA “arguments”). Scores range from 120 (lowest score) to 180 (highest score). Since one’s LSAT score and GPA are the two most important factors in gaining admission to law school, there is currently a movement underway by the American Bar Association to no longer require the LSAT for admission to law schools. In fact, the GRE is accepted now at some top law schools in lieu of the LSAT, though the GRE’s math section deters some law school applicants from pursuing this alternative.
The MCAT is approximately 7.5 hours long (including breaks) and consists of four sections:
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems / Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems / Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior / Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
Scoring:
Each section is scored from 118 to 132,
Total score ranges from 472 to 528.
A score of 528 represents a perfect score. Competitive applicants to top medical schools typically score 515+, with 520+ considered highly competitive.
The test is administered to students in grades 3 through 11 on three different levels.
-- The Elementary Level SSAT is administered to students who are applying to schools for grades 4 and 5.
-- The Middle Level SSAT is administered for students applying for grades 6, 7, and 8.
-- The Upper Level SSAT is administered to students who are applying to high schools in grades 9 through 12 and the PG (post-graduate) year.
All three SSAT levels have four sections — verbal, math, reading comprehension, and a writing sample. The essay does not receive a grade.
There are three levels to the ISEE exam.
-- The Lower Level ISEE is for students who are applying for admission to grades 5 and 6.
-- The Middle Level ISEE is for students who are applying for admission to grades 7 and 8.
-- The Upper Level ISEE is for students who are applying for admission to high school or grades 9 through 12 and the PG (post-graduate) year.
All three levels of the test have four components – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement. There’s also an essay that is not scored.
