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),[1] whilst most news style guides (BBC, Guardian, Telegraph, Associated Press, The Times) instead require it, possibly to avoid confusion with "A grade".[2][3][4][5] 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)."[6] Many universities (including Oxford and Bristol) use the hyphenated form, though notably Cambridge does not (possibly as they offer examinations).
Related terms
Translations
a non-compulsory examination taken in the final two years in British 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”