Cambridge AS & A Level
Cambridge AS & A Level Tuition and a Parent's Guide
How Cambridge International AS and A Levels are structured, what they ask of students and how subject-specific tutoring can help. Infinity Learning is an independent tutoring service and is not an awarding body, a Cambridge school or an exam centre.
The basics
What Cambridge AS and A Levels Are
Cambridge International AS & A Level is Cambridge's advanced stage, which students typically take after upper secondary study such as O Level or IGCSE. Cambridge says the syllabuses aim to build deep subject understanding and independent thinking.
Cambridge lists 55 subjects, and says schools can combine them in almost any way, so students can specialise in one area or study a broad range.
AS and A Level
AS Level and A Level: How They Relate
Cambridge says that some subjects can be started as an AS Level and extended to a full A Level. Cambridge describes A Level as typically a two-year course and AS Level as typically one year.
How a school arranges this varies. Some students sit AS papers part-way through and A Level papers at the end, and others sit everything at the end of the course. Ask your school or exam centre how it is arranged for your child, and check the syllabus for each subject.
Subject specialisation
Choosing Subjects Sensibly
Choose subjects with the university course in mind, because many courses ask for particular subjects. Examples of Cambridge syllabus codes include Mathematics 9709, Physics 9702, Chemistry 9701, Biology 9700 and Accounting 9706.
Check the official subject list for each syllabus and its code, and check the entry requirements of the universities your child is considering.
Codes and subject availability change. Always confirm on the official subject list.
University progression
A Levels and University Plans
Cambridge says thousands of its learners gain places at leading universities each year. Each university and course sets its own entry requirements, including grades and subjects, so check them directly and early.
Infinity Learning cannot promise admission to any university, and no tutor can. We can help a student understand the material and prepare well for the exams.
Independent learning
What the Course Asks of Students
These expectations are why many students find the step up from O Level hard. A tutor can show how to study independently and where to focus.
- Regular self-study beyond lesson time, because the content is deeper than at O Level.
- Understanding why methods work, not only how to apply them.
- Practising unfamiliar problems and explaining answers clearly.
- Planning time across several demanding subjects.
Examination preparation
Preparing for the Exams
Cambridge runs its AS and A Level exams in two series each year and publishes timetables by administrative zone. Always use the version for your zone, and check again shortly before the exams because timetables can be revised.
Use the syllabus as a checklist, learn the command words for each subject (Cambridge lists them in each syllabus and publishes a general guide), and practise past papers. Cambridge's past papers and examiner reports are held in its School Support Hub, which needs a school login, so ask your school or exam centre what is available to you.
Subject-specific tutoring
How Personalised Tuition Helps
One-to-one lessons let a tutor focus on the topics a student finds hardest and build a plan around the exam series. We ask for the subject and syllabus code, then look for a tutor with the right subject focus, subject to availability.
Subjects we arrange for A Level students include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Accounting, Economics and English. We cannot guarantee a grade or a university place.
Free trial
How the Free Trial Works
Every new student is offered one free introductory trial class, online or, in Faisalabad and Lahore, at home. We confirm tutor availability with you before anything is arranged. For online tuition, fees are confirmed after the trial and paid monthly in advance to Infinity Learning's official company account. For home tuition, parent and tutor arrange continuing lessons directly after placement.
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Official resources
Official Cambridge and British Council Resources
These links go to the organisations that set, run and register the exams. We summarise them in our own words and do not own or issue them.
Infinity Learning is an independent tutoring service. It is not accredited by, affiliated with or an agent of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Cambridge International Education or the British Council, and it does not register candidates for exams.
Overview
Cambridge International AS & A Level (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
Cambridge's overview of AS and A Level, including the choice of 55 subjects and progression to university.
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Overview
Cambridge International AS & A Level curriculum (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
How the course is structured: typically one year for AS Level and two years for A Level.
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Syllabuses
Cambridge International AS & A Level subjects (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
The official list of AS and A Level subjects with syllabus codes.
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Past papers and reports
Study resources for learners (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
Past papers, examiner reports, specimen papers and learner guides. Cambridge says these sit in its School Support Hub, which needs a school login, so private candidates may need their exam centre's help to access them.
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Command words
Understanding command words (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
What words such as 'analyse', 'compare' and 'evaluate' ask students to do. Subject-specific command words are listed in each syllabus.
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Exam timetables
Cambridge exam timetables (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
The current timetables by exam series and administrative zone. Always use the version for your zone; timetables can be revised after publication.
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Private candidates
Register as a private candidate (opens the official site in a new tab)
Cambridge International Education
Cambridge's guidance on entering exams without being at a Cambridge school: you register through an approved centre, not directly with Cambridge.
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Parents
A Levels: Common Questions
How long does Cambridge A Level take?
Cambridge describes A Level as typically a two-year course and AS Level as typically one year. Your school sets the exact arrangement.
Is an AS Level the first half of an A Level?
Cambridge says some subjects can be started as an AS Level and extended to a full A Level. Ask your school how it arranges the papers for your child's subjects.
Can you guarantee a university place?
No. Universities set their own entry requirements, and no tutor can promise admission. We help students understand the material and prepare well.
Is Infinity Learning an awarding body or exam centre?
No. We are an independent tutoring service. Cambridge sets and awards the qualifications, and exam centres handle entries.
Which A Level subjects do you teach?
Subject to tutor availability, we arrange tutors for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Accounting, Economics and English. Tell us the subject and syllabus code and we will confirm what we can arrange.
Keep reading
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