A level

[ey lev-uhl]

noun

British.

1. a public examination requiring advanced knowledge in a subject and taken at the end of secondary school, usually two years after O level.

2. a pass in this examination.

A level

noun

1. 1. a public examination in a subject taken for the General Certificate of Education ( GCE ), usually at the age of 17–18

   2. the course leading to this examination

   3. ( as modifier )

      A-level maths

2. a pass in a particular subject at A level

   she has three A levels

Word History and Origins

Origin of A level¹

1950–55; A(dvanced) level