A-level
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See also: A level
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Noun
- (England, Wales) A non-compulsory examination taken in the final two years of secondary education as a requisite for university or other tertiary education; the qualification obtained by passing such an exam
- I took my A-levels last year.
- Applicants must have at least one A level.
- (Internet slang, prostitution, euphemistic) Anal sex.
Usage notes
UK Government style guides proscribe hyphenation (i.e. A level), whilst most news style guides (BBC, Guardian, Telegraph, Associated Press, The Times) instead require it, possibly to avoid confusion with "A grade". The Times notes in its style guide that the distinction between the hyphenated and non-hyphenated form seems to be "lost on most readers (and many of our journalists)". Some universities (e.g. Bristol) use the hyphenated form, though Oxford and Cambridge do not (possibly as they offer examinations).
Related terms
Translations
a non-compulsory examination taken in the final two years in English and Welsh high schools
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References
- ^ “Style guide”, in GOV.UK, Government Digital Service, 2024: “A level - No hyphen. Lower case level.”
- ^ “News Style Guide - A”, in BBC News, BBC, (Can we date this quote?): “A-level - ie with hyphen and lower case "l".”
- ^ “Guardian and Observer style guide: A”, in The Guardian, (Can we date this quote?)
- ^ “Telegraph style book: Aa”, in The Telegraph, (Can we date this quote?): “A-level: lc l”
- ^ “Day of emotion for hundreds of thousands of students in England as they learn final school results”, in Associated Press, (Can we date this quote?): “As is always the case, not everyone got the grades they had hoped for in their two-year A-level courses, usually three or four.”
- ^ Ian Brunskill, editor (2022), The Times Style Guide: A Guide to English Usage, →ISBN: “A-level hyphenate as a noun and adjective; the distinction previously observed seemed lost on most readers (and many of our journalists). Likewise use AS-levels and, in a historical context, O-levels”